Daily GK Update: 5th December 2021

 Summits & Conferences

1. EAM S Jaishankar addresses 5th Indian Ocean Conference in Abu Dhabi

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed 5th Indian Ocean Conference in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing on several pertinent geopolitical issues.
• Theme of conference: Ecology, Economy, Epidemic.
• It is organized by the India foundation and is chaired by Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
• 2021 edition of the conference is dealing with the challenges faced by the Indian ocean, due to the effects of the pandemic, economic decline and climate change.

 National Affairs

2. MeitY hosted ‘Digital Payment Utsav’ and unveiled DIGIDHAN logo

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) hosted unique event titled ‘Digital Payment Utsav’ as part of ‘Azadi Ka Digital Mahotsav’.
• This event celebrated the journey and rise of digital payments in India and brought together leaders.
• Event also witnessed the unveiling of DIGIDHAN logo, along with awareness campaign called Digital Payments Sandesh Yatra with digital payments anthem titled ‘Chutki Baja ke’ (cashless, touchless, paperless).

 Defense

3. GRSE launches ‘First of Class’ Indigenous Survey Vessel Sandhayak

• Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) has launched its first indigenously built Survey Vessel ‘Sandhayak’.
• The launching ceremony was conducted in true maritime traditions with the application of vermillion, breaking of coconut on the ship’s bow and chanting of vedic mantras.
• These survey ships are capable of full scale coastal & deep-water hydrographic survey of Ports & Harbor approaches & determination of navigational channels & routes.

 State Affairs

4. Union Minister announces AYUSH Development packages for Manipur

• Union Minister of Ports, Sarbananda Sonowal has announced AYUSH Development packages for Manipur to construct fifteen AYUSH Dispensaries, seven 10 bedded hospitals and fifty Health and Wellness Centers in Manipur under AYUSH ministry.
• AYUSH ministry has also decided to develop sixteen nurseries in every district of the State and another hundred schools of herbal gardens.
• It will produce quality planting materials and 50 health and wellness centres.

 National & International Appointments

5. Pradip Shah appointed as Chairman of NARCL

• Founder of IndAsia Fund Advisors, Pradip Shah has been appointed as the Chairman of National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL)
• Apart from him, Sanjay Jain will be chief executive of India Debt Resolution Company (IDRCL), privately owned asset management company (AMC) acquired by NARCL
• Diwakar Gupta is selected as chairman of IDRCL and Padmakumar Nair has been appointed as MD of NARCL
• NARCL has been incorporated under Companies Act as an Asset Reconstruction Company 

 Honours & Awards

6. DK Sharma honoured with lifetime achievement award by ICI

• Himachal Pradesh Regulatory Commission (HPERC) Chairman, DK Sharma has been honoured with lifetime achievement award by Indian Concrete Institute (ICI) for his outstanding contribution in building hydropower projects in India and abroad.
• He is also a Member National Security Advisory Board and also Vice President of the International Commission on Large Dams, Paris.
• SJVN’s corporate office building at Shimla bagged ‘Best Built Infrastructure Project award 2021’

 National & International Appointments

7. Kashee Nath Akela appointed as Independent Director of RCF Board

• Kashee Nath Akela has been appointed as an Independent Director on the Board of Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (RCF) for a period of three years with effect from November 5, 2021, or until further orders
• He has been President of Azad Sporting Club, Co-convener of Goswami Tulsidas Memorial Committee, President of Baba Baluaveer Management Committee
• RCF is a PSU under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and is 4th largest producer of fertilizers in India.

 State Affairs

8. KVIC Rolls Out Project RE-HAB in Assam to Prevent Elephant-Human Conflicts

• Chairman KVIC, Vinai Kumar Saxena has launched Project RE-HAB at Village Mornoi, Assam
• RE-HAB stands for Reducing Elephant-Human Attacks using Bees
• Under RE-HAB project, Bee-fences are created by setting up bee boxes in the passage ways of elephants to block their entrance to human territories.
• Boxes are connected with a string so that when elephants attempt to pass through causes the bees to swarm the elephant herds and dissuade them from progressing further. 

 National Affairs

9. NCC launches ‘Azadi ki Vijay Shrankhla’ and ‘Sanskritiyon ka Maha Sangam’

• National Cadet Corps (NCC) has launched Azadi ki Vijay Shrankhla aur Sanskritiyon ka Mahasangam’ as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• Part I of the event 'Azadi ki Vijay Shrankhla' is being conducted from Nov 28 to Dec 10, 2021 wherein bravehearts of 1971 War are being honoured at 75 locations
• Part II ‘Sanskritiyon ka Maha Sangam’: It is a special national integration camp in Delhi wherein candidates from all over the country will participate in cultural exchange

 National Affairs

10. PM Modi inaugurates multiple projects worth Rs 18,000 crore at Dehradun

• PM Modi has inaugurated and laid foundation stone of multiple projects worth Rs 18,000 crore at Dehradun
• The 7 projects inaugurated consist of initiatives focusing on making travel safer including 120 MW Vyasi Hydroelectric Project, along with Himalayan Culture Centre in Dehradun.
• The 11 projects for which foundation has been laid include Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor which will be built at a cost of Rs 8,300 crore