Daily Current Affairs 2nd December, 2019

Daily Current Affairs 2 December 2019 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

Sweden’s King Gustaf and Queen Silvia arrive in Delhi on 5-day India visit

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden have arrived in New Delhi for a five-day visit to India. This is the Swedish King’s third visit to India, the earlier visits being in 1993 and 2005.

• During the visit, the Swedish King will have meetings with the President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister on bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

India becomes first country to make entire Haj process digital

India has become the first country to make the entire process for pilgrims going on Haj completely digital.This was announced by Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.The minister signed the bilateral annual Haj 2020 agreement between India and Saudi Arabia with Haj and Umrah Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten.

• An online application, e-visa, Haj mobile app, ‘e-MASIHA’ health facility, “e-luggage pre-tagging” providing all information in India itself regarding accommodation and transportation in Mecca and Madina will be provided to 2 lakh Indian Muslims going for Haj in 2020.
• A portal of HGOs-http://haj.nic.in/pto/ (Portal for Haj Group Organisers) has been developed which contains all the details of HGOs and their packages.

Govt launches drive to enroll 1 cr beneficiaries under two pension schemes for unorganised workers, small traders

The government has launched a drive to enroll one crore beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) and the National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self Employed Persons (NPS-Traders) by March next year.

• Labour and Employment Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar launched the drive yesterday at a function to mark the celebrations of Pension week. Stating that both the schemes are simple and hassle-free, Mr Gangwar said, an Aadhaar card number along with a savings bank account or Jan-Dhan account are needed for enrollments.
• The monthly contribution has been kept at the lowest level ranging between 55 rupees and 200 rupees depending on the entry ages of subscribers.

Five-day Konark festival begins with traditional dance performances in Odisha

Five-day long annual Konark Festival, in the backdrop of the Sun Temple and International Sand Art Festival at Chandrabhaga beach, started after Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal lightened the lamp in Konark , Odisha.

• This year, the theme of the festival is based on eco-tourism, culture, Fairs, women empowerment, and no to plastic and heritage.
• Around 123 artists from across India and artists from USA, Ireland, Denmark, Russia, Canada, Togo and Sri Lanka are participating in the Sand Art Festival.

Nagaland CM inaugurates Multi Media Exhibition at World War II museum at Kisama

For the first time in the history of Hornbill festival, Bureau of Outreach & Communication, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is organising a Multi Media Exhibition commemorating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at World War II museum, Kisama in Nagaland.

• Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio officially inaugurated the event to present Gandhian values and principles both to the people and through the people in contemporary idiom.

India-Sri Lanka joint exercise “MITRA SHAKTI” begins

The seventh iteration of the Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’, focused on Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism (CI-CT) operations, began at Aundh Military Station in Maharashtra.

• The series ‘Mitra Shakti’, was started in 2012 to enhancing interoperability among the armies of both India and Sri Lanka when deployed as part of the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Saudi Arabia takes over G20 Presidency from Japan

Saudi Arabia has taken over the G20 Presidency from Japan, will host world leaders for a global summit in its capital on 21-22 November in 2020.

• The kingdom of Saudi Arabia will become the first (Arab) nation to lead this intergovernmental body.
• The Saudi G20 presidency is committed to continuing the work from Osaka and promoting multilateral consensus.”

13th South Asian Games gets open in Nepal

The 13th South Asian Games formally kicked off at Kathmandu’s Dasharath Stadium in Nepal. Krishnasar (the blackbuck antelope) is the official mascot of the 13th SAG.

• The SAG is to be held in three cities — Kathmandu, Pokhara and Janakpur — with the participation of around 2700 athletes from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives, Bhutan and Sri Lanka will be competing in 26 different sports disciplines.
• During the 10-day Games, the athletes will compete for 1119 medals, including 319 gold.

SPORTS

Lewis Hamilton wins Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2019

The six-times world champion Lewis Hamilton won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2019. It was his 11th win this year and the 84th of his career.

• Hamilton set a new record for leading the most races in a single season. He also broke the record he set last year for most points scored in a single season, raising it from 408 to 413.

APPOINTMENTS

Soma Roy Burman becomes new Controller General of Accounts

A1986-batch Indian Civil Accounts Service Officer, Soma Roy Burman has appointed as the new Controller General of Accounts (CGA) with effect from December 1, 2019

• Ms. Burman is the 24th CGA and is the seventh woman to hold this position.
• Prior to this, Ms. Burman served as the Additional Controller General of Accounts in the office of CGA, handling the critical areas of accounting rules, policy and reforms, financial reporting, data analytics, cash and budget management.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1 since 1988 to celebrate and support global efforts to prevent new HIV infections, increase HIV awareness and knowledge, and support those living with HIV. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.

• This year’s World AIDS Day is theme “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Community by Community,” highlighting the role of communities in preventing, treating and supporting people with HIV.

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

Every year December 2 was observed as United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Abolition of Slavery to raise awareness of the atrocities of modern slavery.

• International Day for the Abolition of Slavery marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) of 2 December 1949).
• The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.

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