Current Affairs

2^nd December 2022

Top 13 Daily Current Affairs: National & International News

Here is the Daily Current Affairs of the 02nd December 2022 covering the following news headlines: DigiYatra, International Computer Literacy Day, National Pollution Control Day, NADA, Exercise Sudarshan Prahar, Agni Warrior, Hornbill Festival.

National News

1.India assumes the Presidency of the UNSC for December month 2022

India has assumed the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of December. It is the second time in its two-year tenure as an elected member of the UN Security Council that India has assumed the Presidency of the Council. India had earlier assumed the Presidency of the UNSC in August 2021.

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj said, during India’s December Presidency of the UN Security Council, two high-level signature events will take place on 14th and 15th December on ‘Reformed Multilateralism and Counter-Terrorism and it will be chaired by External Affairs Minister.

She said, a bust of Mahatma Gandhi will be inaugurated at the United Nations during India’s Presidency of the UN Security Council and it will be unveiled by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

United Nations Security Council Headquarters: New York, United States;

United Nations Security Council Founded: 24 October 1945.

State News

2.International Lusophone Festival to be held in Goa

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Goa government will organize the International Lusophone Festival in Goa from 3-6 December. It will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant at Durbar Hall in Raj Bhavan. Minister of State for External Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi will be the Guest of Honour. AIR correspondent reports that Lusophones are people that speak Portuguese as a native or as a common second language.

The Community of Portuguese Language Countries (Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa) also known as the Lusophone Commonwealth (Comunidade Lusofona), is a multilateral forum, founded on 17 July 1996 at the 1st CPLP Heads of State & Government Summit in Lisbon.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Goa Capital: Panaji;

Goa Chief Minister: Pramod Sawant;

Goa Governor: S. Sreedharan Pillai.

3.23rd Hornbill Festival 2022 begins in Nagaland

23rd Hornbill Festival 2022 begins at Naga Heritage Village Kisama in Nagaland. Nagaland’s famous Hornbill Festival is scheduled from 1st December to 10th December 2022. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar graced the inaugural function of the festival as the Chief Guest. Now it has been more than 20 years that the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland has welcomed visitors from around the world. In 10 days festival, a visitor gets the opportunity to view all the Naga tribes, their culture and distinctiveness in one place.

Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is also popularly known as the ‘Festival of Festivals’ and showcases Nagaland’s rich culture. It is organized by the Government of Nagaland, mainly to encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote the cultural heritage of Nagaland.

This year, in the 10-day festival, more than 130 stalls are set up in Kisama wherein, 100 stalls are taken up by the Micro Small & Medium Enterprises and 32 are temporary stalls. The daily cultural events include activities such as music festivals, photo fest, fashion shows, adventure sports, night carnivals, etc.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Nagaland Capital: Kohima;

Nagaland Chief Minister: Neiphiu Rio;

Nagaland Governor: Jagdish Mukhi.

4.Election commission set up a polling booth for a single voter in Gujarat

A polling booth located in a remote forest area of Gir Somnath district in Gujarat recorded 100 per cent voting after its lone voter cast his vote in the first phase of the state Assembly elections. The area is part of Una Assembly constituency, which went to polls along with 88 other seats in the state.

The Election Commission (EC) had set up a polling booth at Banej village located inside Gir forest so that the only voter there can exercise his franchise. Mahant Haridasji Udasin, who is the only voter there, reached the polling station in the initial hours of voting. The EC sets up a polling booth during every Assembly or general election.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Gujarat Capital: Gandhinagar;

Gujarat Governor: Acharya Devvrat;

Gujarat Chief minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel.

5.Meghalaya cabinet approved mental health and social care policy

The Meghalaya cabinet has approved a policy aimed at addressing the issues of mental health and social care through collaborative engagement with communities. The Meghalaya Mental Health & Social Care Policy was approved at the cabinet meeting, chaired by the Chief Minister.

In 2014, the Centre launched the first-ever National Mental Health Policy in an attempt to provide universal psychiatry care.

Meghalaya is the third state in the country to have a comprehensive policy on mental health and social care, paying attention to these issues, especially among children, adolescents and youth. Kerala and Karnataka are the other two states in the country to have such policies.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Meghalaya Capital: Shillong;

Meghalaya Chief Minister: Conrad Kongkal Sangma;

Meghalaya Governor: B. D. Mishra (additional charge).

Appointments News

6.Prasanth Kumar elected as new president of AAAI

Prasanth Kumar, CEO, South Asia of GroupM Media (India) Pvt Ltd, has been elected as the president of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI).

He has an experience of over 25 years in the Industry. Before joining GroupM, he held positions at Pepsi, The Hindu, The Media Edge, and McCann Erickson. He has served as AAAI’s vice president from 2020 to 2022.

Rana Barua, group CEO of Havas Group India, was elected vice-president of the association. Anupriya Acharya, outgoing president, will be the ex-officio member of the AAAI board for 2022-23.

Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) is the official, national organisation of advertising agencies, formed in 1945, to promote their interests. The Association promotes professionalism, through its founding principles, which uphold sound business practices between Advertisers and Advertising Agencies and the various media.

Defence News

7.12th edition of Agni Warrior exercise between Indian and Singapore Concludes

The 12th Edition of Exercise Agni Warrior, a bilateral exercise between the Singapore & Indian Army, which had commenced on 13 November 2022 concluded at Field Firing Ranges, Devlali (Maharashtra). Exercise Agni Warrior, involved showcasing joint firepower planning, execution and use of New Generation Equipment by the Artillery arm of both armies.

India was among the first countries to set up diplomatic relations after the independence of Singapore on 24 August 1965. The close relationship shared by India and Singapore is based on convergence of economic and political interests.

Exercise also included participation by both sides in a joint computer war-game as part of joint planning process. Both sides utilised niche technology and Artillery Observation Simulators as part of joint training phase.

8.Exercise Sudarshan Prahar conducted by Indian Army’s Sudarshan Chakra Corps

Indian Army’s Sudarshan Chakra Corps carried out Exercise Sudarshan Prahar in the deserts of Rajasthan. The exercise focussed on the synergised application of combat power through the integration of force multipliers & practising new battle techniques in an integrated all arms environment showcasing high level of professionalism and offensive spirit.

Lieutenant General AK Singh, Goc-in-C, Southern Command witnessed Exercise Sudarshan Prahar and complimented the troops for the high standard of training and operational preparedness.

Sports news

9.NADA India to host Inclusion Conclave for the first time to focus on athletes with disabilities

National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA India) is hosts an Inclusion Conclave for the first time to sharpen the focus on anti-doping education and processes for athletes with disabilities. Secretary Department Sports Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi, UN Resident Coordinator Shombi Sharp and WADA Asia-Oceania Regional Office Manager, Kenny Lee will address the conclave.

The Conclave will be followed by a two-hour long inclusive anti-doping education workshop for Athletes with Disabilities with focus on Therapeutic Use Exemption, Doping Control Process, Anti-Doping Rule Violations as well rights and responsibilities of athletes with disabilities and support personnel.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

National Anti-Doping Agency Headquarters: New Delhi;

National Anti-Doping Agency Founded: 24 November 2005;

National Anti-Doping Agency DG: Ritu Sain.

Important Days

10.National Pollution Control Day 2022 observed on 2nd December

National Pollution Control Day is observed every year on 2 December in India. The day is recognized to commemorate the precious lives that were lost in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, one of the greatest industrial disasters in the history of India.

The main aim and objectives of celebrating the National Pollution Prevention Day 2022 in India is to create awareness among people about the judicious use of industries to prevent uncalled-for industrial disasters.

The history of National Pollution Day in India dates back to the heart-wrenching Bhopal Gas Tragedy in which thousands of people lost their lives. The incident happened on the night of 2 and 3 December 1984, and that is why the National Pollution Control Day is observed annually on 2 December.

11.World Computer Literacy Day 2022 celebrates on 2nd December

December 2 is observed as International Computer Literacy Day. It was started in 2001 by NIIT, a world-famous Indian computer firm. The day is entirely devoted to Computers and how they are a significant source of concern with the modernisation of the planet.

The aim is to highlight the importance of computer literacy, which is essential for the present times. The day promotes technological skills, especially in children and women, and aims to inspire them to learn more and make their work easier by the use of computers. To know, more about the World Computer Literacy day candidates are advised to read the below article.

World Computer Literacy Day was launched in 2001 by an Indian company called N.I.I.T to celebrate its 22nd anniversary. Founded in 1981 by Rajendra Singh Pawar and Vijay K. Thadani, N.I.I.T, which stands for National Institute of Information Technology, is a skills and talent development company.

12.International Day for the Abolition of Slavery: 2 December

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is celebrated, each year, on December 2. The day is observed to remind us of the evils of enslavement, forced labour, child labour, and sexual exploitation and trafficking and to eliminate slavery practised in our time.

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery highlights the history of slavery and why its complete abolition is necessary. Slavery continues to persist today through forced labour, child labour, trafficking of women and children and illegal organ harvesting, among others.

On December 2, 1949, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others via resolution 317 (IV). The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is celebrated on December 2 to mark the above convention.

Miscellaneous News

13.DigiYatra facilities starts at the Delhi, Varanasi and Bangalore airport

The Central government on December 1 launched its facial recognition system DigiYatra at Delhi, Bangalore and Varanasi airports, which will allow domestic passengers to seamlessly travel without an identification card. The Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched the service at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The service will enable passengers to travel paperless through biometric facial recognition technology (FRT). To use this facility, one-time registration on the DigiYatra app is required using Aadhar-based validation and a self-image capture.

At the airport, passengers will have to scan their bar coded boarding pass, which they can download on their phone and the facial recognition system installed at the e-gate will validate their identity and travel documents. Passengers can then enter the airport through the e-gate.