Current Affairs – 16 December 2022

Vijay Diwas

• Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 16 December in India to remember the martyrs, and their sacrifices, and to strengthen the role of armed forces for the cause of the nation.
• On December 3, the Indo-Pakistan war began in 1971 and lasted for 13 days.
• The war ended on 16 December, when Pakistan surrendered to India.
• The Thirteen Day War resulted in the complete surrender of Pakistani forces and a major victory for India, which is celebrated as Vijay Diwas Day.

Sardar Patel memorial day

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a prominent role in India’s freedom struggle. He was a well-educated, influential political figure and was the first Home Minister and the first Deputy Prime Minister of India, serving from August 15, 1947, to December 15, 1950.
• This year is the 72nd death anniversary of the Iron Man of India, he died due to a massive heart attack, and he breathed his last on December 15, 1950, in Bombay.

New items got the GI Tag in India

• The centre has granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to 9 new products from across the country, With this, the total number of registered GI products in India stands at 432.
• The top 5 states holding the maximum number of GIs are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.
  • A geographical indication is a name or sign used on products which correspond to a specific geographical location or origin
• The Newly added products are
  • Gamosa of Assam,
  • Tandur Red Gram of Telangana
  • RaktseyKarpo Apricot of Ladakh
  • Alibag White Onion of Maharashtra
  • Attappady Thuvara of kerala
  • Kanthalloor Vattavada Veluthulli of Kerala
  • Kodungallur Pottuvellari of kerala

A vaccine to prevent cervical cancer to be introduced in India

• Indian women are mostly affected by cervical cancer the world, and the vaccine for this disease is manufactured abroad and the selling price is Rs.4 thousand per dose.
• In order to prevent this, a vaccine called ‘Cervavac’ has been developed entirely indigenously and introduced in April 2023; the serum company will launch this product.
  • This vaccine will be administered to girls aged 9 to 14 years under the National Immunization Program, said Arora, Chairman, of and National Technical Advisory Committee on Immunization.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Ko Kaam Karyakram (PMKKK) now named as Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme

• The Minister of Minority Affairs, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani informed that the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Ko Kaam Karyakram (PMKKK) has now been named as Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme.
• PM VIKAS aims to improve the livelihoods of minorities, particularly the artisan communities, using the components of skill development, education, women leadership & entrepreneurship.

The Rafale fighter jet arrived in India from France

• In September 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government signed a deal to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets from France at a cost of around Rs 60,000 crore.
• While 35 Rafale fighter jets manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation have arrived in India, the last and 36th Rafale aircraft arrived in India on 15/12/2022.

Nevada’s wildflower (Tiehm’s buckwheat) become the endangered species

• Rare wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat only found in a portion of Esmeralda County was designated as an endangered species announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Tiehm’s buckwheat is a small, perennial herb that grows to about 30 cm (12 in) across and up to 16 cm (6 in) tall with bluish-grey leaves, with only about 16,000 plants remaining; Tiehm’s buckwheat is thought to be on the verge of extinction.

World Health Organization’s chief scientist was appointed

• The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Dr Jeremy Farrar will become its new Chief Scientist. And Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu will become WHO’s, Chief Nursing Officer.
• Dr Farrar is the Director of the Wellcome Trust, and he will join WHO in the second quarter of 2023.
• As WHO’s Chief Scientist, Dr Farrar will oversee the Science Division.

National Energy Conservation Awards

• The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu presented the National Energy Conservation Awards and the ceremony was held at Vigyan Bhavan New Delhi.
• These awards are presented for the best energy management practices during the year 2022; the Railway department receives total of 9 awards.
• The Award Winners are
  • Transport Category / Railway Stations Sector:
    • Kacheguda Railway Station won the First Prize
    • Guntakal Railway station wins the Second Prize
    • Kanpur Central Railway Station won the certificate of Merit
    • Tenali Railway Station won the certificate of Merit
    • Rajahmundry Railway Station (SCR) won the certificate of Merit
  • Buildings Category / Government Buildings Sector:
    • Ajmer Workshop of North Western Railway won the First Prize.
    • Railway Hospital / Guntakal (SCR) won the certificate of Merit
    • Electric Traction Training Centre (ETTC), Vijayawada (SCR) won the certificate of Merit.
    • Divisional Railway Hospital, Pratapnagar (WR) won the certificate of Merit.

World Cup Football Finals- 2022

• The World Cup football tournament is being held in Qatar. In the 2nd semi-final match, the French team competed against the Moroccan team and the French team won the match and moved to the final round.
• The final of the World Cup will be played between France and Argentina on December 18, 2022.