AWARDS AND HONOURS
- Highest French civilian distinction conferred on John Kerry
The highest French civilian distinction, Officer of the Legion of Honour, was conferred on US Secretary of State John Kerry for his contribution in peace effort. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault bestowed the award on Kerry after the two held talks on Syria’s war.
- Civil Engineer IqbalSayed becomes first Indian to medal at Mr Olympia
Mumbai’s Iqbal Sayed has successfully won the silver medal at the Mr Olympia amateur event held in Hong Kong. A civil engineer with Reliance Infrastructure and Mumbai Metro, the 27-year old’s secures international glory for India in his very first competition.
Mr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men’s bodybuilding contest at Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend—an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB).
APPOINTMENTS
- Adwaita Gadanayak to head National Gallery of Modern Art
Sculptor Adwaita Gadanayak is set to be appointed director of the government-run National Gallery of Modern Art. Gadanayak currently heads the School of Sculpture at the Bhubaneshwar-based KIIT University. He was nominated as convenor of BJP Odisha’s art and culture cell in 2014. Gadanayak is tipped to succeed artist Rajeev Lochan at the NGMA, people familiar with the matter confirmed to ET. Lochan retired after a 16-year stint that ended in June.
- Senior IRS officer Rajendra Kumar appointed new CBDT member
Senior IRS officer Rajendra Kumar was appointed as the new Member of the CBDT, the policy making body for the Income Tax Department. The orders for appointment of Kumar, a 1980-batch Indian Revenue Service officer was issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
The present constitution of the CBDT is led by Chairman Sushil Chandra, also holding additional charge of Member Investigation, Gopal Mukherjee (Member: Revenue and TPS, Audit and Judicial), S K Sahai (Member:Income Tax, Legislation and Computerisation) and Nishi Singh (Member: Personnel and Vigilance).
INDIAN AFFAIRS
- ONGC to roll out new ‘basin’ in Agartala by 2017
State-run energy behemoth ONGC will set up a new ‘basin’ in Agartala by the end of next year as it looks to focus more on exploration of oil and gas in the North-East region. ONGC’s North East operations are divided into two areas — Assam Shelf from Jorhat to Duliajan and Assam Fold Belt from Silchar to Agartala.
- Andhra Pradesh CM launches website of APEDB
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandababu Naidu launched the website of the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB). The website, apedb.gov.in is aimed to provide a repository of knowledge on investing in Andhra Pradesh, policies of various sectors and also gives the investor, various investment opportunities the state has to offer.
- MP CM launches Narmada SevaYatra
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched Narmada Seva Yatra
at Amarkantak. The Narmada Sewa Yatra will create awareness about the conservation of the river. It will cover more than 1,900 kilometres in 16 districts. Trees will be planted along the banks of the Narmada and sewage water will be treated before it flows into the river.
- Govt to soon launch helpline number 14444 to promote digital payments
A nationwide toll-free helpline number “14444” will be launched soon to educate people and provide support related to cashless mode of transactions. It is awareness with intention of conversion in actual transaction. It is to help people at the first level to zero in on the option most suitable for them that depends on person whether he has feature phone or not, Aadhaar number or not, bank account so many combination need to be seen.
IMPORTANT DAY
- International Mountains Day: December 11th
The International Mountain Day observed on December 11, 2016 in the country as elsewhere in the world to highlight the importance of mountains to peoples’ lives, their livelihoods, economy and sustainable development.
The United Nations designated 11 December as “International Mountain Day” and it is observed each year since 2003 in order to create awareness about importance of mountains to life, highlight challenges and bring positive changes to environment through global partnership.
OBITUARY
10.Ex-Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Prabhu passes away
Former Mumbai Mayor and ex-Shiv Sena legislator Ramesh Prabhu passed away in Mumbai after a prolonged illness. He was 78. The Sena leader was the Mayor of Mumbai in 1987. Prabhu had won the Vile Parle Assembly segment in Mumbai in a byelection in 1987-88 and retained the seat in 1990 polls.
