Hello and welcome to exampundit . Here are the important Current Affairs of 12 December, 2016. These are important for the upcoming IPPB PO Mains, NIACL AO Mains, IBPS Clerk Mains, IBPS RRB Office Assistant Mains and RBI Assistant Mains 2016-17.
Current Affairs at a Glance - 12 December, 2016
India and Indonesia on 12 December 2016 released a joint statement in New Delhi. The statement was released after extensive talks between the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo.
Uttar Pradesh tops the list of states with the most deposits in Jan Dhan accounts, followed by West Bengal and Rajasthan.
President Pranab Mukherjee on 11 December 2016 flagged off a ‘100 Million for 100 Million’ Campaign organised by the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation. The Campaign aims at mobilising 100 million youth and children for the upliftment of 100 million underprivileged children across the world.
Alpha Design, a Bengaluru-based defence equipment maker on Monday announced the signing of a contract with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for assembly, integration and testing of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System Satellites (IRNSS).
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, on 11 December 2016 launched Narmada Seva Yatra at Amarkantak. The yatra that will continue till 11 May 2017 (about five months) aims at turning the River Narmada pollution free and unceasing.
New Zealand’s National party has chosen Bill English as the country’s 39th Prime Minister. He will be succeeding John Key, who announced his surprise resignation last week.
Antonio Guterres, who was the Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, will be sworn-in as the UN Secretary General on 12 December 2016.
Italy’s Foreign Affairs Minister Paolo Gentiloni was invited by President Sergio Mattarella to form the new government on 11 December 2016.
India has been ranked as the fourth most vacation deprived country globally, as 63 per cent take fewer days of the vacations that they get, according to to a report.
The world’s longest tunnel, Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) in Switzerland was opened for regular rail services on 11 December 2016.
The International Mountain Day 2016 was observed across the world on 11 December 2016 with the theme Mountain Cultures: Celebrating diversity and strengthening identity.
Virat Kohli, India’s captain for Test Cricket, on 11 December 2016 became the fifth batsman in the world to score three double-hundreds in a calendar year. He scored his third double-century in the first innings of the third test match against England. His score of 235 also became the highest score for an Indian captain in Test cricket.
Finance/Economy –
India, Indonesia released Joint Statement in New Delhi
India and Indonesia on 12 December 2016 released a joint statement in New Delhi. The statement was released after extensive talks between the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo.
Joko Widodo is on a three-day visit to India on the invitation of Narendra Modi. This is the first bilateral visit to India by the Indonesian President.
Highlights of the Joint Statement
Strategic Engagement: Both the leaders agreed to hold annual summit meetings, including on the margins of multilateral events.
They also welcomed the submission of a Vision Document 2025 by the India-Indonesia Eminent Persons Group (EPG).
The group had begun their work in early 2016 to suggest ways and means to deepen the strategic engagement up to 2025 and beyond.
Defence and Security Cooperation: They directed the two Defence Ministers to explore collaboration between defence industries for the joint production of equipment including capacity building cooperation.
The Leaders highlighted the importance of the maritime domain to their respective countries, the surrounding regions, and the world.
Comprehensive Economic Partnership: The Indian Prime Minister briefed the visiting President about the business opportunities provided by the initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, Skill India, Smart City, Swachh Bharat and Start-Up India.
President Widodo welcomed Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives in the area of renewable energy, particularly the establishment of the International Solar Alliance.
They welcomed the signing of the MoU between the Indonesian National Standardization Agency (BSN) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on Standardization Cooperation.
Cultural and People-to-People Links: Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation on youth affairs and sports and in this regard welcomed the signing of an MOU on Cooperation in Youth Affairs and Sports.
Cooperation in Responding to Common Challenges: The two leaders agreed to cooperate on common challenges such as terrorism, the threat to freedom of navigation, an early conclusion of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership negotiations, UNSC reforms, etc.
Uttar Pradesh garners maximum deposits under Jan Dhan
Uttar Pradesh tops the list of states with the most deposits in Jan Dhan accounts, followed by West Bengal and Rajasthan.
The total deposits in Jan Dhan accounts stand at Rs 74,610 crore as of December 7, as per Finance Ministry data.
UP has about 3.8 crore Jan Dhan accounts with deposits of Rs 12,021.32 crore. It is followed by West Bengal with 2.44 accounts and deposits of Rs 9,193.75 crore.
Rajasthan comes in third with 1.9 crore accounts and Rs 6,291.1 crore deposits, followed by Bihar (2.62 crore accounts, Rs 6,160.44 crore deposits).
Total deposits in Jan Dhan accounts surged by around Rs 28,973 crore in about a month after the announcement of ban on old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.
Despite the surge, about one-fifth of these accounts still have no balance.
India –
Pranab Mukherjee launches Kailash Satyarthi’s ‘100 Million for 100 Million’ campaign
President Pranab Mukherjee on 11 December 2016 flagged off a ‘100 Million for 100 Million’ Campaign organised by the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation. The Campaign aims at mobilising 100 million youth and children for the upliftment of 100 million underprivileged children across the world.
‘100 Million for 100 Million’ Campaign seeks to end child slavery, labour and violence and promote the right of every child to be safe and educated, over the next five years.
The campaign was flagged off in presence of Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi and spiritual leader Dalai Lama.
11 December was celebrated as the 81st birth anniversary of President Pranab Mukherjee. On the occasion of President Mukherjee's birthday, a number of programmes were organised by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Programmes included
President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi released three books titled 'From Raj to Swaraj', 'Life at Rashtrapati Bhavan' and 'Indradhanush- Volume-2'.
The President also inaugurated a new Museum for vintage tapestries and carpets and a new Hall for encouraging innovation in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The museum displays Zardari canopies and spreads belonging to the early 1900s, for the 1911 Delhi Durbar of King George VI, a collection of Buddhist art, paintings, carvings and assorted gifts presented to different Presidents and much more.
Alpha Design inks pact with ISRO for satellites
Alpha Design, a Bengaluru-based defence equipment maker on Monday announced the signing of a contract with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for assembly, integration and testing of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System Satellites (IRNSS).
In the next two years, with the help of ISRO, Alpha Design Technologies Pvt Ltd (ADTL) will be investing in creating, an ultra-modern satellite manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing and qualification facilities, to independently supply four to five satellites to ISRO, the company said in a release here.
IRNSS is an independent regional navigation satellite system being developed by India.
The city-based company, a manufacturer and technological services provider in India’s defence and paramilitary markets, is known for its capabilities in delivering advanced defence electronics and aero structures, as well as R&D and manufacturing, Alpha said in a release.
Narmada Seva Yatra launched in Madhya Pradesh
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, on 11 December 2016 launched Narmada Seva Yatra at Amarkantak. The yatra that will continue till 11 May 2017 (about five months) aims at turning the River Narmada pollution free and unceasing.
This Narmada Sewa Yatra that will cover more than 1900 kilometres (from Amarkantak to Sondwa (Alirajpur)) in 16 districts will also help in making people aware about the conservation of the river.
Before kick starting the campaign, Chouhan performed all religious rituals and invited religious leaders to join the yatra. He said that he will join the campaign every week.
All villages that lie on the bank of the river will have its own Narmada Sewa Samiti, which will undertake the follow-up action on measures for its preservation.
Sewage water that flows into the river will be treated before being released into the river.
Trees will be planted along the banks of the Narmada.
Nobel Peace Laureate Jose Ramos-Horta urged for peace in J & K
Nobel Peace Laureate Jose Ramos-Horta strongly urged for peace in Jammu and Kashmir. He made this appeal on 11 December 2016 in New Delhi on the sidelines of a child slavery abolition programme of a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
Observations of Ramos-Horta on Jammu and Kashmir peace process
Dialogue is the only viable solution to resolve the decades-long conflict between India and Pakistan.
An impartial military is necessary to achieve tension-free atmosphere in the region.
Towards this end, the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) will play a key role.
The Government should focus on priority issues in the region and gradually move towards long-pending issues.
Appointments –
Bill English elected as New Zealand’s new Prime Minister
New Zealand’s National party has chosen Bill English as the country’s 39th Prime Minister. He will be succeeding John Key, who announced his surprise resignation last week.
English’s name was confirmed for the role during a National Party meeting, which took place early on 12 December 2016. He was formerly serving the nation as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance (MoF).
While Paul Bennett will be replacing English as the new Deputy PM, senior Cabinet minister Steven Joyce has been named as the new finance minister.
Antonio Guterres to be sworn-in as ninth Secretary General of United Nations
Antonio Guterres, who was the Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, will be sworn-in as the UN Secretary General on 12 December 2016. He will succeed Ban Ki-moon as the ninth chief of the organisation.
President of the UN General Assembly Peter Thomson administered his Oath of Office at a special plenary meeting of the 193-member General Assembly. After the sworn-in ceremony, Guterres, 67, also addressed the General Assembly.
Guterres was unanimously appointed by the General Assembly as the successor to Ban, after the 15-nation Security Council had in October 2016 decided by acclamation to send his name to the Assembly for final approval.
Guterres will assume his new role for a five-year tenure beginning 1 January 2017. He will serve the organisation till ending 31 December 2021.
Paolo Gentiloni named Italy’s new Prime Minister
Italy’s Foreign Affairs Minister Paolo Gentiloni was invited by President Sergio Mattarella to form the new government on 11 December 2016. The decision comes in the wake of Matteo Renzi’s resignation following a referendum defeat in the Parliament.
Renzi, whose term had almost neared three years, took the decision to resign on 4 December 2016 after voters rejected the constitutional reforms proposed by him.
Gentiloni, a close aid of the outgoing PM, will now have to put together his own new centre-left team before the parliamentary confidence vote, which is due on 14 December 2016. He was chosen after the opposition turned down the possibility of a national unity government and the President rejected opposition’s demand for an immediate election.
Reports –
India ranks 4th most vacation deprived country globally: Report
India has been ranked as the fourth most vacation deprived country globally, as 63 per cent take fewer days of the vacations that they get, according to to a report.
"After Spain (68 per cent), UAE (68 per cent), Malaysia (67 per cent) and South Korea (64 per cent), India is ranked as the fourth most vacation deprived country globally," according to Expedia 'Vacation Deprivation report 2016'.
The report revealed that 40 per cent Indians don't use all vacation days as work schedule does not allow for vacation or don't have enough staff to cover and 32 per cent are not able to take vacation days due to personal schedule.
"Vacations play a critical role in creating work-life balance as it re-energises people to be more focused at work (95 per cent of Indians agree in the survey)," Expedia, India, Marketing Head Manmeet Ahluwalia said.
The report was conducted on behalf of Expedia by Northstar, a globally integrated strategic insights consulting firm online from September 12-29, 2016, across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia Pacific.
It was conducted among 9,424 employed adults aged 18 years of age and older across 28 countries.
World –
World’s longest tunnel opened for commercial service
The world’s longest tunnel, Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) in Switzerland was opened for regular rail services on 11 December 2016.
It got a ceremonial wave off in June this year with top European leaders like German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande hopping on to experience the very first ride through the marvel. It will be carrying passengers under the Swiss Alps from Zurich to Lugano.
Key details
With a length of 57 kilometres and a depth of over 2300 metres, GBT is the world’s longest and deepest tunnel.
It is the first flat low-level route through the Alps Mountain and is a part of Swiss government’s New Railway Link through the Alps (NRLA) programme.
It has not only outdone the 50.5 kilometre long Channel Tunnel connecting Britain and France but has also beaten Japan’s 53.9 kilometre long Seikan tunnel.
It took 17 years to reach completion and its total cost amounts to around US $11.8 billion.
Awards & Honors –
John Kerry conferred with highest French civilian distinction Legion of Honour
US Secretary of State John Kerry was on 11 December 2016 honoured as the Officer of the Legion of Honour, the highest French civilian distinction for his contribution in peace effort.
Kerry received the award from the French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault following the high level talks on Syria’s war by both the sides.
Kerry has visited France countless times as Secretary of State for high-level diplomatic meetings on Syria, Ukraine and other hotspots.
Days –
International Mountain Day 2016 observed across the world
The International Mountain Day 2016 was observed across the world on 11 December 2016 with the theme Mountain Cultures: Celebrating diversity and strengthening identity.
This year celebrations are aimed at highlighting the Mountain Cultures. Mountains encompass communities with ancient cultures and traditions and are places of importance for religious worship and pilgrimage all over the world.
The concept of traditional heritage and culture is inherently linked with livelihoods of people in the mountains.
Sports –
Virat Kohli is the fifth cricketer to score three double test centuries in a calendar year
Virat Kohli, India’s captain for Test Cricket, on 11 December 2016 became the fifth batsman in the world to score three double-hundreds in a calendar year. He scored his third double-century in the first innings of the third test match against England.
With this, Kohli, who fell on his personal score of 235runs to Chris Woakes, has joined the elite group of cricketers like Michael Clarke (4 centuries) in 2012, Don Bradman (3 centuries) in 1930, Ricky Ponting (3 centuries) in 2003 and Brendon McCullum (3 centuries) in 2014, who had scored three or more double hundreds in a calendar year.
His first double-ton was scored against West Indies, while the second came in Indore against New Zealand. His third double test-century also made him the first batsman to score a double-century in three successive series in a year. He is also first Indian to score three double-tons in a year.
His score of 235 also became the highest score for an Indian captain in Test cricket. The previous best score was 224, which was scored by Mahendra Singh Dhoni against Australia in Chennai in 2013.
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