Current Affairs National

  Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has begun preparatory works for setting up a 3rd rocket launchpad in the small coastal hamlet of Kulashekhrapattinam in the Thuthukudi district of Tamil Nadu. At present, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has two launch pads at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The demand for additional launch pads has arisen as a result of the increase in the number of satellite launches from India, both for domestic and international customers.
Source: The News on AIR

  In Jammu and Kashmir, a first of its kind workshop on Bamboo cultivation will be held on 19th and 20 of this month in Jammu. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh will inaugurate the exhibition. The workshop will focus on the promotion of Bamboo cultivation in the potential Kandi areas of Jammu and its value addition as an economic activity and generate entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
Source: The News on AIR

 Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has started the scheme of National award for outstanding service in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug abuse. The scheme is applicable to institutions and individuals working in the field of prevention of alcoholism and drug abuse. The national award will be presented to the awardees on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26th of June 2020.
Source: The News on AIR

  The external affairs ministry is organising the 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue and Delhi Dialogue XI in New Delhi during December 13-14. For the first time, these two events will be held consecutively. The theme for the Indian Ocean Dialogue is “Indo-Pacific: Re-imagining the Indian Ocean through an Expanded Geography”, while the theme for the Delhi Dialogue is “Advancing Partnership in Indo-Pacific”. The themes are intended to build on the ‘growing recognition of the Indo-Pacific concept in strategic and academic circles within the region and beyond.
Source: The Hindustan Times

  US retail major Walmart will train 50,000 entrepreneurs from the micro, small & medium enterprises (MSME) sector. The objective will be fulfilled by opening 25 institute hubs in India in next five years which would train the MSME entrepreneurs. The institutes will be opened under the ‘Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Programe‘ across the nation. These institutes would be strategically located near the manufacturing clusters and will be the part of Walmart’s “long-term commitment to India” For the development of these institutes, Walmart has partnered with a local NGO Swasti which would also have academic support from the local universities.
Source: The Economic Times

  On 9 December 2019, Parliament passed the landmark ‘The Recycling of Ships Bill 2019’ for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships in India. Passing of this Bill will have far reaching effects in Indian Ship Recycling industry and is also a giant step and historical moment in Indian Maritime arena.
  • Key Features:  The Recycling of Ships Bill 2019
It joins together the existing Shipbreaking Code (revised),2013 and the provisions of the Hong Kong Convention, 2009. Thereby, now, ships to be recycled in India will need to obtain a ‘Ready for Recycling Certificate’ in accordance with Hong Kong Convention. The protection of environment and safety of workers are soul of this bill. Once the Bill receives President’s assent and becomes an Act, it will ensure environment friendly recycling process of Ships and adequate safety of the yard workers. The bill adequately address various environmental issues and workers’ safety concerns interconnected with the ships recycling Industry.

  President Ram Nath Kovind laid the foundation stone to the memorial being built in memory of the Paika rebellion, a 200-year-old armed revolt in 1817 against the British East India Company in Odisha. The proposed project will come up at the foothills of Barunei hills in Khurda district, Odisha. The memorial is seen as an epitome of Odisha’s valour and will serve as an inspiration for the youth. A chair in the name of Buxi Jagabandhu who led this revolt has been established with a Rs 5 crore grant and memorial coin and stamp issued to mark the two hundred years of the event.
Source: The News on AIR

  The “Duchifat-3”, Israeli student’s made satellite will be launched from ISRO’s Sriharikota launch site. “Duchifat-3” is a satellite jointly built by Herzliya Science Center and Sha’ar HaNegev High School students of Israel. It is a remote sensing satellite through which students from all schools across the country will be able to experiment and carry through Earth observation. “Duchifat-3” is the 3rd in the series of Israeli student-made satellites. Duchifat-3 weigheing 2.3 kg is a photo satellite to be used for ecological research of Earth from space.
Source: The Hindu

  The Constitution (126th amendment bill), 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 9, 2019. The bill seeks to extend the reservation provided to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes by 10 years.
  • Key Features
The reservation provided to the Anglo-Indian community, SC, ST is to end by January 25, 2020. The bill is being introduced to continue the reservation of seats for another 10 years, that is till January, 25, 2030. The reservation has been included in Article 334 and therefore the bill seeks to amend the article.
  • Article 334
Article 334 lays down that the provisions for reservation of seats and special representation of anglo-indians, SC and ST will cease after 40 years. The clause was included in 1949. After 40 years, it is being amended with an extension of 10 years.
  • Constitutional Amendment
The Constitution Amendment is making changing in the constitution. According to Article 368, there are two types of Constitutional Amendments namely, the amendment effected by special majority and the amendment effected by special majority and ratification by at least one half of state legislatures. Special majority requires ratification by two-third members present at the voting. At the time of voting, more than 50% of the total strength of the house should be present.

 National Energy Conservation Week is celebrated all over India from December 14 to December 20. Various Government enterprises and Public Sector Undertakings celebrate the week by organizing energy conservation message-oriented activities.
  • December 14: Energy Conservation Day
The Energy Conservation Day is celebrated every year on December 14 since 1991. Energy Conservation Day is an initiative of Bureau o Energy Efficiency. The objective of the day is to demonstrate achievements of government in saving energy and conservation. On the day, National Energy Conservation awards is distributed to industries that play major role in conserving energy.
  • Energy Conservation Organization in India
The Petroleum Conservation Research Association is an inter-governmental body that was created in 1978 to promote energy conservation. It creates public awareness in saving fossil fuels. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) created in 2001 is also responsible for promoting energy efficiency and conservation. The BEE was established under Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The aim of the organization is to reduce energy demands.


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