APPOINTMENTS
Shammi Silva became the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
• Shammi Silva has been appointed president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
• He replaces India's Jay Shah, who now serves as the ICC chairman.
• Jay Shah completed three terms as ACC president.
• Silva previously chaired the ACC's Finance & Marketing Committee.
• The change in leadership marks a significant shift in the ACC's direction.
• Silva's appointment follows Jay Shah's elevation to the ICC's top role.
• The transition comes after a successful tenure by Jay Shah as ACC president.
• Silva's leadership role reflects his growing influence in Asian cricket.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
PM e-Vidya DTH 24×7 channel for Indian Sign Language has been launched.
• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the PM e-Vidya DTH 24×7 channel for Indian Sign Language (ISL).
• The channel aims to promote ISL as a language and an academic subject.
• It aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 objectives.
• The initiative focuses on improving the educational experience for hearing-impaired students.
• It offers learning content for schoolchildren, teachers, and other educational stakeholders.
• The channel serves as an accessible platform to encourage ISL learning.
• It covers topics like skill development, career guidance, and mental health.
• The channel also focuses on enhancing communication skills.
The world's largest grain storage scheme expanded by India in the cooperative sector.
• India has expanded the world’s largest grain storage project in the cooperative sector, constructing warehouses across 11 states.
• The pilot phase, supported by NCDC, NABARD, and NABCONS, has established a storage capacity of 9,750 metric tonnes.
• Warehouses are built in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Telangana, Tripura, and Rajasthan.
• Three warehouses in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Telangana are for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies' (PACS) own use.
• In Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, warehouses have been leased to state or central agencies, showcasing the project’s flexibility.
• More than 500 additional PACs have been identified across India for new warehouse construction.
• The initiative aims to improve ground-level storage infrastructure and is integrated with government schemes like AIF and AMI.
• The project leverages subsidies and interest subventions to enhance agricultural storage capabilities.
NATIONAL NEWS
4th Mekong-Ganga Dhamma Yatra started in New Delhi.
• The 4th Mekong-Ganga Dhammayatra has begun in New Delhi, with over 20 Buddhist experts and distinguished Thai residents attending.
• The event aims to strengthen the cultural and spiritual connections between the Mekong and Ganga civilizations.
• Dr. Supachai Viraphuchong, Secretary-General of Bodhgaya Institute 980, is leading the Dhammayatra.
• Thailand and India are collaborating as key partners in organizing the Dhammayatra.
• The Yatra seeks to promote the Century of Dharma, fostering cooperation between public and private sectors.
• Its mission is to spread the Dhamma’s teachings on peace, conflict resolution, and environmental awareness globally.
• The BodhiGaya Vijjalaya 980, along with Thai and Indian organizations, is hosting the event.
• The 4th Dhammayatra also marks the 97th birth anniversary of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
7th Smart India Hackathon will start from 11th December.
• The 7th edition of Smart India Hackathon (SIH) will begin on December 11, 2024, at 51 centers across India.
• Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will inaugurate the event virtually.
• SIH aims to foster a culture of innovation and problem-solving among students, helping them address real-world issues.
• Student teams will work on problems suggested by Ministries, Departments, Industries, or submit their ideas in 17 specified themes.
• Over 250 problem statements have been submitted by 54 ministries, departments, state governments, public sector undertakings, and industries.
• The number of internal hackathons at the institute level has surged by 240%, from 900 in 2023 to over 2,247 in 2024.
• This year’s edition is the largest, with over 86,000 teams participating at the institute level.
• Around 49,000 student teams, each consisting of 6 students and 2 mentors, have advanced to the national stage.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
For the first time, India will chair the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs
• India has been appointed to chair the 68th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).
• Shambhu Kumaran, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna, has officially taken over the chairmanship.
• The CND is the UN's key policy-making body on drug-related issues.
• This marks the first time India will chair the CND.
• India will represent the interests of the Global South, reflecting its role in promoting developing nations' perspectives.
• The country aims to enhance dialogue and understanding on global drug policy matters during its tenure.
• The CND was established by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1946.
• Under India's leadership, the CND's ongoing efforts to address drug policy issues will continue to be prioritized.
STATE NEWS
Assam government banned public consumption of beef.
• The Assam government has banned public consumption of beef.
• Beef will no longer be served in hotels, restaurants, or at community events.
• The ban extends to religious, social, and public functions.
• This measure is part of strengthening the Assam Cattle Preservation Act of 2021.
• The Act prohibits cattle slaughter and beef sale in areas with a Hindu, Jain, or Sikh majority.
• The ban follows claims that political parties used beef to influence voters in the Samaguri election.
• The new regulation aims to maintain cultural and religious sensitivities in the state.
A 100-day intensive TB campaign launched in Haryana by Health Minister JP Nadda.
• Union Health Minister JP Nadda launched a 100-day intensified TB campaign in Panchkula, Haryana on December 7.
• The campaign will cover 347 districts across 33 states and Union Territories.
• It aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a TB-free India, set out at the 2018 Delhi End TB Summit.
• Since 2018, several initiatives have strengthened TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment nationwide.
• The 100-day campaign aims to reduce TB incidence, improve diagnostic coverage, and lower mortality rates.
• A major focus is expanding access to advanced diagnostics for TB detection.
• Targeted screening will be conducted for vulnerable groups to identify high-risk individuals.
• The campaign also emphasizes providing specialized care and enhanced nutritional support for TB patients.
AWARDS
India received the award for social security good practices at the Asia-Pacific forum.
• India won the "Good Practice Award for Asia and Pacific 2024" at the Asia-Pacific Forum held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• The award was given for India’s exemplary social security practices for its workforce.
• The Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) was recognized for its effective communication channels.
• EPFO received five certificates of merit for its communication initiatives.
• Ashok Kumar Singh, DG of ESIC, accepted the awards on behalf of EPFO.
• These awards highlight EPFO's commitment to reforming and adopting best practices in social security.
MISCELLANEOUS
India developed the first indigenous Antibiotic ‘Nafithromycin’
• India has developed its first indigenous antibiotic, Nafithromycin, aimed at treating resistant bacteria.
• Nafithromycin targets both typical and atypical drug-resistant bacteria.
• The antibiotic was developed by Wockhardt, with support from BIRAC.
• It is the first new class of antibiotic introduced globally in over 30 years.
• The drug primarily addresses community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP), a deadly infection.
• Nafithromycin is awaiting final manufacturing approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization ( CDSCO).
• This antibiotic is more effective than existing treatments like azithromycin and offers a shorter, three-day treatment course.
• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when pathogens no longer respond to standard antimicrobial medicines.