Science & Technology
1. DRDO conducts maiden launch of surface-to-surface missile ‘Pralay'
- Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully conducted maiden flight test of indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile ‘Pralay’, from A P J Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast
- It is powered with solid propellant rocket motor and new technologies
- It has a range of 150-500 km and can be launched from a mobile launcher
- It is equipped with modern technologies and induction of this weapon system will give necessary impetus to Armed Forces
Schemes
2. Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurates National Oxygen Stewardship Program
- Union Health Minister for State, Bharati Pravin Pawar has inaugurated National Oxygen Stewardship Program at AIIMS New Delhi.
- Aim: To empower all healthcare workers engaged in Oxygen management and administration with essential knowledge and skills to ensure rational utilization and avoid any wastage of medical Oxygen.
- It envisages to identify and train at least one Oxygen Steward in each district across the country.
Arts & Culture
3. Union Minister inaugurate 35th edition of Hunar Haat in New Delhi
- Union Minister for Environment, Bhupender Yadav and Meenakshi Lekhi will inaugurate 35th edition of Hunar Haat, Popular and Perfect Brand of Vocal for Local at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
- It is 14-day event from Dec 23, 2021 to Jan 5, 2022
- More than 700 artisans, craftsmen from over 30 States/ Union Territories are participating in this
- Hunar Haat has proved powerful perfect platform of 3Vs - Vishwakarma Virasat Ka Vikas.
National Affairs
4. Agriculture Minister releases Spices Statistics at a Glance 2021 book
- Union Minister for Agriculture, Narendra Singh Tomar has released book titled ‘Spices Statistics at a Glance 2021’.
- It is a compendium of all the spices statistics like, area, production, productivity, export, import, price, and value of output of various spices produced in the country.
- Published by: Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD).
- Book highlights the growth achieved in spices sector during last seven years from 2014-15 to 2020-21 in the country.
National & International Organizations
5. India displaces UK to be 3rd top country hosting unicorns
- India displaced U.K. to be third in the list of countries that are home to unicorns valued at more than $1 billion each, according to Hurun Research Institute report
- India added 33 ‘unicorns’ in a single year.
- Top performers: U.S., followed by China. They are home to 74% of the unicorn universe.
- US added 254 unicorns and now totals 487 companies in the coveted list, while China added 74 to take its tally to 301 start-ups having a valuation of more than $1 billion.
Honours & Awards
6. JGU won Digital Innovation of the Year award
- O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has won ‘Digital Innovation of the Year’ award at Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Awards 2021
- JGU was the Only Indian University to be shortlisted for Digital Innovation of the Year
- JGU's win at the THE Awards is a recognition of JGU's successful digital transformation and impact over the last two years.
- JGU created free, cloud-based application to help schools and universities manage data especially useful in India's digital divide
Defense
7. Indian Air Force deploys first squadron of S-400 air defence system
- India has started deploying its S-400 air defence missile system in the Punjab sector, hosting its capability to tackle aerial threats from both China and Pakistan
- Russia has started supplying S-400 Triumf air defence systems to India, the first unit of which will be deployed near western front
- First parts of the squadron have already started reaching India, and they would be deployed to a location where it can take on threats from both Pakistan and Chinese airspace.
Science & Technology
8. RRII develops method to dry sheet rubber in 24 hours
- Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) has developed method to dry sheet rubber in 24 hours in place of traditional method that takes 4-5 days
- Conversion of raw latex into sheet rubber helps rubber farmers store the produce and sell according to the market situation as price fluctuation is a constant phenomenon.
- Coagulation takes only about 30 minutes and drying can be faster after loading the wet coagula in the smokehouse.
- RRII was established in 1955.
National Affairs
9. AIM, NITI Aayog launches Vernacular Innovation Program (VIP)
- Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog has come up with first of its kind Vernacular Innovation Program (VIP), that will enable innovators and entrepreneurs in India to have access to the innovation ecosystem in 22 scheduled languages by Government.
- AIM has identified and train Vernacular Task Force (VTF) in each of 22 scheduled languages to build necessary capacity for VIP
- Each task force comprises of VL teachers, subject experts, technical writers, leadership
National Affairs
10. Arjun Munda to launch pictorial chronicle on Van Dhan programme
- Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda will launch ‘Trifed Van Dhan- A Chronicle of Tribal Grit & Enterprise’ in New Delhi.
- He will also be launching formation of 14 Honey Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and MIS Portal for Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produces.
- It will also launch communication campaign titled ‘SAMVAAD’ along with Nine promotional videos for promoting TRIBES INDIA and Van Dhan products.
National Affairs
11. Sarbananda Sonowal announces Tariff Guidelines, 2021
- Union Minister for Ports, Sarbananda Sonowal has announced Tariff Guidelines, 2021 for the PPP projects in Major Ports.
- It will allow the concessionaires at Major Ports to set tariffs as per market dynamics.
- Currently, Major Port’s PPP concessionaires handle around 50% of total traffic handled by all Major Ports in India.
- It will be applicable for future PPP projects including the projects which are currently under the bidding stage.
National Affairs
12. Cabinet approves MSP for Copra for 2022 season
- Union Cabinet has given its approval for Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Copra for 2022
- MSP for Fair Average Quality of milling Copra has been increased to Rs 10,590 per quintal while MSP for ball Copra has been increased to 11,000 per quintal for 2022 season.
- It is based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices.
- It assures a minimum of 50% as a margin of profit as one of the important and progressive steps
Books & Authors
13. Subhas Sarkar releases Hindi translation of Tolkāppiyam
- Minister of State for Education, Subhas Sarkar has released the Hindi translation of Tolkāppiyam and the Kannada translations of 9 books Classical Tamil literature
- Sangam literature and Tolkāppiyam are part of this rich and glorious tradition and the country is extremely proud of this heritage.
- Tolkappiyam:
- It is the most ancient extant Tamil grammar text and the oldest extant long work of Tamil literature.
- It is a unique work on grammar and poetics.
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