CURRENT AFFAIRS 12-12-2024

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Mountain Day 2024 observed on December 12.

• International Mountain Day is observed annually on December 12 to raise awareness about the importance of mountains in sustaining life.

• The theme for this year's International Mountain Day is "Mountain Solutions: Innovation, Adaptation, and Youth for a Sustainable Future."

• The day highlights the opportunities and challenges in mountain development.

• It calls for action to safeguard mountains from serious threats like deforestation, mining, and climate change.

• Unsustainable tourism is also a significant threat to mountain ecosystems.

• The day has been celebrated since 2003 under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

• The observance aims to promote sustainable practices and policies for mountain conservation.

LEGAL NEWS

Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024 has been passed by Lok Sabha.

• The Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024 has been approved by the Lok Sabha.

• The Bill seeks to amend the Railways Act of 1989, empowering the Railway Board.

• It aims to enhance the functioning and autonomy of the Railway Board.

• The Bill will grant the central government the authority to decide the Railway Board's composition.

• The central government will determine the number of members, qualifications, and terms of service for the Board.

• It proposes to incorporate the provisions of the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905, into the Railways Act, 1989.

• The Railways Act of 1989 replaced the Indian Railways Act of 1890.

• Despite this, the Railway Board operated without statutory approval until now.

The bill to amend the Disaster Management Act passed by the Lok Sabha.

• The Lok Sabha passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, on December 12.

• The bill aims to enhance the functioning of national and state disaster management authorities.

• The Centre emphasized that the legislation will improve disaster response at the state level.

• The bill was approved by a voice vote in the House.

• Amendments proposed by opposition members were rejected during the session.

• The legislation seeks to improve coordination and clarity among stakeholders in disaster management.

• It aims to better prepare the country for handling disasters when they occur.

• The bill will help strengthen the country’s disaster response system overall.

SPORTS

Ladakh to host Khelo India Winter Games in January 2025.

• Ladakh will host the ice events of the Khelo India Winter Games from January 23-27, 2025.

• Jammu & Kashmir will host the snow events from February 22-25, 2025.

• The Khelo India Winter Games 2025 will kick off with the Youth & Para Games in Bihar in April.

• The Khelo India Winter Games began in 2020, with nearly 1000 athletes, including 306 women, in the inaugural edition.

• The Games grew in size, with over 1350 athletes in 2021 and 1500+ in 2022.

• Ladakh will host a segment of the Khelo India Winter Games for the second consecutive year.

• The 2024 edition saw participation from 700 athletes, 141 support staff, and 113 technical officials.

• Over 250 volunteers, including sport-specific volunteers, contributed to the 2024 KIWG.

AWARDS

Ecologist Madhav Gadgil has been named one of the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) six 'Champions of the Earth' for 2024

• Ecologist Madhav Gadgil has been awarded the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) ‘Champions of the Earth’ Lifetime Achievement award for 2024.

• Other 2024 honorees include Brazil’s Sonia Guajajara, USA’s Amy Bowers Cordalis, Romania’s Gabriel Paun, China’s Lu Qi, and SEKEM, a sustainable agriculture initiative.

• Sonia Guajajara is recognized in the Policy Leadership category as Brazil’s first Minister of Indigenous Peoples and the first female Indigenous minister.

• Amy Bowers Cordalis, honored in the Inspiration and Action category, is an Indigenous rights advocate with a focus on the Yurok tribe and the Klamath River.

• Gabriel Paun, also recognized in the Inspiration and Action category, is a Romanian environmental defender and the founder of Agent Green.

• Lu Qi, a Chinese scientist, is awarded in the Science and Innovation category for his contributions to environmental research.

• SEKEM, a sustainable agriculture initiative, is recognized in the Entrepreneurial Vision category for its impact in sustainable development.

• The Champions of the Earth award is the United Nations’ highest environmental honor, celebrating pioneers in safeguarding people and the environment.

NATIONAL NEWS

According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), India has achieved a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.0.

• India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has reached 2.0, meeting the target of 2.1 set by the National Population Policy 2000 and National Health Policy 2017.

• The government offers various contraceptive options, including condoms, oral pills, emergency contraception, IUCDs, and sterilization.

• New contraceptive methods, such as the Antara injectable and Chhaya centchroman pill, have been introduced.

• Mission Parivar Vikas aims to enhance family planning services in seven high-priority and six northeastern states.

• Financial incentives are provided for individuals undergoing sterilization.

• Post-pregnancy contraceptive options, such as post-partum IUCD, post-abortion IUCD, and post-partum sterilization, are available.

• 16,586 health facilities have been certified under the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS).

• NQAS certification ensures the delivery of quality services in public health facilities.

'Green Steel Taxonomy for India' unveiled by Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

• On 12th December, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy unveiled India's Green Steel Taxonomy in New Delhi.

• India is committed to decarbonizing its steel sector by 2070 to meet the net-zero emission intensity target.

• India becomes the first country to release a Green Steel Taxonomy.

• The taxonomy marks a historic milestone in India's transition to low-emission steel.

• The Ministry of Steel will collaborate with industry stakeholders to achieve this goal.

• The target is to reduce emission intensity to 2.2 tCO2 per tonne by 2030.

• The move aims to ensure the global competitiveness of India's steel industry.

• The initiative supports sustainable growth in the steel sector.

22nd Divya Kala Mela is scheduled to be organized from 12th - 22nd December.

• The 22nd Divya Kala Mela will be held from 12th to 22nd December 2024 at India Gate.

• Organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan).

• Around 100 Divyang entrepreneurs and artisans from 20 states/UTs will participate.

• A unique platform for Divyangjan to display their skills and sell crafted products.

• The Mela will feature handicrafts, handlooms, embroidery works, and eco-friendly products.

• A wide variety of lifestyle products and home décor will also be showcased.

• The Divya Kala Mela has successfully been held in 21 cities across India since 2022.

• The event aims to promote talent and empower persons with disabilities.

BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE

Asian Development Bank (ADB) reduced India’s FY25 GDP growth forecast from earlier estimate of 7% to 6.5%.

• The downgrade is due to weaker-than-expected growth in private investment and housing demand.

• ADB's latest Asian Development Outlook (ADO) suggests that changes in US policies could lead to higher inflation in developing Asia and the Pacific.

• Asia and the Pacific are projected to grow by 4.9% in 2024.

• India's growth forecast for FY26 has also been lowered to 6.6% from 7.2%.

• India's GDP growth slowed to 5.4% in Q2 FY25, falling below the RBI's 7% projection.

• Southeast Asia's growth forecast for 2024 has been upgraded to 4.7% from 4.5%.

• ADB continues to monitor global policy changes, especially in the US, that could impact inflation in the region.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated Bauma CONEXPO INDIA 2024 at India Expo Centre, Greater Noida.

• Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister, inaugurated Bauma CONEXPO INDIA 2024 at the India Expo Centre, Greater Noida.

• Bauma CONEXPO INDIA 2024 is India’s leading trade fair for construction, mining, and infrastructure.

• The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and global delegates on one platform.

• Cutting-edge machinery and sustainable technologies were showcased at the event.

• Live demonstrations of next-generation construction equipment were featured.

• Over 1,000 exhibitors participated, displaying more than 20,000 products.

• The event highlighted live equipment demonstrations for hands-on experience.

• CONEXPO INDIA 2024 stands as the largest platform for the construction and infrastructure industries in India.

World Ayurveda Congress and Ayurveda Expo started in Dehradun from 12 December.

• The World Ayurveda Congress and Ayurveda Expo began on December 12 in Dehradun.

• The event serves as a key platform for advancing research and innovation in Ayurveda.

• The theme for this year's conference is “Digital Health, Ayurvedic Approach,” blending tradition with technology.

• Over 5,500 delegates from India and 350+ international participants are attending the four-day event.

• Discussions will focus on emerging technologies and their role in Ayurveda and healthcare.

• Emphasis will be placed on integrating technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, and Blockchain into Ayurveda.

• The expo will feature a variety of products and services from leading Ayurvedic institutions worldwide.

• The conference aims to explore new breakthroughs and opportunities for Ayurveda in the digital era.

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