Current Affairs Daily Digest – December 15 2019
1. World Design Organization to launch World Design Protopolis in Bengaluru
World Design Organization (WDO) will be launching its new global programme ‘World Design Protopolis’ in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The announcement regarding World Design Protopolis was made at ongoing 3-day Kochi Design Week (KDW), India’s largest design conclave that kicked off at Bolgatty Island in Kerala.
The mega event, which concluded on 14 December 2019, witnessed convergence of policymakers and government officials, design professionals from India and abroad, architects, interior designers, heads of various companies, thought leaders, besides general public.
2. Military Literature Festival organised in Chandigarh
The third edition of coveted Military Literature Festival (MLF) is being held from 13 to 15 December at UT Lake Club, Chandigarh. The military literature extravaganza was inaugurated by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore. The festival would bring together the finest men from battle grounds and literary fields to discuss watershed of information on defence issues.
3. 14 December: National Energy Conservation Day
The National Energy Conservation Day is celebrated every year on 14 December. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under Union Ministry of Power spearheads the celebrations of the day every year since 1991. BEE is also observing National Energy Conservation Week from 9-14 December 2019, in order to drive mass awareness about importance of energy efficiency and conservation.
4. International Tea Day is observed on December 15
International Tea Day is observed annually on December 15. It has been celebrated since 2005 in tea producing countries like India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia,Bangladesh, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda and Tanzania.[1] International Tea Day aims to draw global attention of governments and citizens to the impact of the global tea trade on workers and growers, and has been linked to requests for price supports and fair trade.
5. West Bengal tops in a 100-day work programme for promoting livelihoods
West Bengal has been selected for the 1st prize in 100-Day Work Programme for Promoting Livelihoods. The Rural Development Ministry has selected Bankura and Cooch Behar Districts of the state for 1st and 2nd positions among districts in the country in implementation of rural job scheme.
6. Moody’s keeps India GDP growth forecast at 5.6%
Moody’s Investors Service reiterated India’s gross domestic product growth forecast for 2019 at 5.6%, which it had lowered from 5.8% in October, on slow consumption demand.
The rating company expects economic growth at 6.6% in 2020 and 6.7% in 2021.
7. Pak signs pact with World Bank for financing Khyber Pass Economic Corridor project
Isl Pakistan and the World Bank has signed a project agreement worth $406.6 million for financing the Khyber Pass Economic Corridor (KPEC) project with an aim to promote economic development.
The signing ceremony was held at the Economic Affairs Division, Islamabad, The Express Tribune reported.
8. R. K. Singh Inaugurated the 29th National Energy Conservation day and Presented the Awards
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the guidance of Ministry of Power, Government of India, organised the 29th National Energy Conservation Awards. Shri R. K. Singh, Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy and Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship was the chief guest on this occasion.
This year, Energy Conservation is celebrated through a weeklong activities culminating on the National Energy Conservation Day i.e. 14th December at VigyanBhawan. The concluding event witnessed awards distribution to the winners from different industries and establishments, and the winners of National Painting Competition for students.
9. India’s Suman Rao crowned Miss World Asia 2019
Rajasthan’s Suman Rao, who had represented India at the Miss World 2019 beauty pageant held on Saturday, was crowned Miss World Asia. The other Miss World 2019 Continental winners are Trinidad & Tobago from Caribbean, France from Europe, Brazil from Americas and Cook Islands from Oceania. Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh won the title of Miss World 2019.
10. AirAsia India appoints Ankur Garg as Chief Commercial Officer
AirAsia India has appointed Ankur Garg as its Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) to manage operations related to network and revenue management, marketing and sales, and cargo. Garg, who was formerly the Vice President of Revenue Management at IndiGo, will take over the role from Sanjay Kumar. The carrier is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Malaysia-based AirAsia Berhad.
11. Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh crowned Miss World 2019; India’s Suman Rao comes 3rd
Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh was crowned Miss World 2019 at the pageant’s finale held in London on Saturday. Ophély Mézino from France was named the first runner-up, while Suman Rao from Rajasthan, India came third. Twenty-three-year-old Toni-Ann Singh is the first Jamaican to win the Miss World title since Lisa Hanna in 1993.
