Daily Current Affairs and GK | 1 December 2023

Topic: Sports

1. Punjab defeated Haryana at the 13^th senior men's national hockey championship.

• Punjab won the Gold medal after defeating Haryana in the Final of the 13th Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship 2023.
• The 13th Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship final was played at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Chennai.
• During the shootouts, Sanjay, Deepak, and Abhishek scored for Haryana while Harmanpreet Singh, Simranjeet Singh, and Sukhjeet Singh scored for Punjab.
• Tamil Nadu won the bronze medal after defeating Karnataka in penalty shootouts.
• It was first held in 1928 under the aegis of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).
• The Senior National Hockey Championship is a state-level national field hockey competition.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Art and Culture

2. 24^th edition of Hornbill Festival started at Naga Heritage Village Kisama.

• The opening ceremony of the 10-day Hornbill Festival started at Kisama.
• The United States of America, Germany and Columbia are the Country Partners and Assam is the Partner state for this year’s Hornbill Festival.
• Governor of Nagaland La Ganesan and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio were the Chief guests of the festival.
• The main hornbill stage will feature 40 Bands and acts comprising 800 artists. Bands from Germany, the USA, Colombia, and South Korea are also participating in this festival.
• For the first time, an exhibition featuring the Mithun and Tenyi Vo will be showcased.
• Tenyi Vo is a native breed of pig from rural Nagaland and Mithun is a State animal of Nagaland.
• Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission is launching the first ‘Bee tourism' to showcase Nagaland’s rich beekeeping tradition.
• Performances of 18 cultural troupes, sale of locally made products of Nagaland, handloom & handicrafts, artworks, Agri & allied, horticulture, and traditional stone pulling ceremony will be part of this 10-day festival.
• Photo fest, off-road, night Carnivals, Dzukou experience, village or heritage walk, kids carnival, and sports fest will be part of the festival.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Summits/Conference/ Meetings

3. The 40^th Coast Guard Commanders' Conference inaugurated by Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.

• Inaugurating the 40th Coast Guard Commanders' Conference on November 30, 2023, the defense minister praised the Indian Coast Guard for ensuring maritime security by being at the forefront in the field of search, rescue, and pollution response.
• The three-day conference aims to address contemporary maritime challenges and strengthen the country's coastal surveillance system.
• Defense Minister has called upon the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to continuously work with full dedication and professionalism towards strengthening the country's coastal security and maritime capabilities.
• Since its inception, the ICG has rendered vital service in ensuring the safety of seafarers in all circumstances.
• This conference is held annually in which all the officials put forward the roadmap for the future and discuss about various policy and strategic issues.
• Its objective is to create a futuristic vision for the service and brainstorm ways to efficiently address the challenges.

Topic: Indian Economy

4. India's GDP growth rate increased to 7.6% in the July-September quarter.

• On November 30, the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation shared data that showed India's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 7.6% year-on-year in the second quarter of the current financial year.
• In the same period in 2022, GDP growth was 6.2%.
• However, GDP growth in the second quarter was slightly lower compared to the first quarter of FY 2024. GDP growth in the first quarter was 7.8%.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had estimated the GDP growth rate to be 6.5% in the July-September quarter.
• Manufacturing growth stood at 13.9%, while construction growth stood at 13.3%.
• For Q2 2023-24, the estimated nominal GDP or GDP at current prices is Rs 71.66 lakh crore, showing a growth of 9.1% compared to Rs 65.67 lakh crore for Q2 2022-23.
• The estimated GDP at current prices for the first half of 2023-24 was Rs 142.33 lakh crore, compared to Rs 131.09 lakh crore in the corresponding period last year.

Topic: State News/ Nagaland

5. 61^st statehood day of Nagaland was celebrated 01 December 2023.

• Nagaland celebrated its 61st statehood day on 01 December 2023.
• It became the 16th State of the Union of India on 1st December 1963.
• On this occasion, the Nagaland School Safety Policy Digital Training Platform and Nagaland Disaster Risk Reduction Road Map have been launched by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
• He has also inaugurated a photo exhibition on "Nagaland at 60," which was organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations.
• Nagaland:
  • It is a landlocked state in the northeastern region of India.
  • It is bordered by Arunachal Pradesh to the north, Assam to the west, Manipur to the south and the Sagaing Region of Myanmar to the east.
  • Its capital is Kohima. Dzüko Valley is located at Viswema, in the southern region of Nagaland.
  • Chief Minister of Nagaland: Neiphiu Rio
  • Governor of Nagaland: La Ganesan

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Important Days

6. World AIDS Day 2023: 1 December

• Every year on 1 December, World AIDS Day is celebrated worldwide.
• It is celebrated to raise awareness, remember those who have died, and celebrate positive achievements in dealing with AIDS.
• The theme of World AIDS Day 2023 is “Let communities lead.”
• The theme has been decided to mark the important influence of communities in shaping the HIV response.
• In 1988, the first World AIDS Day was celebrated.
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) targets the immune system and weakens people’s defense against many infections and some types of cancer.
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

7. SBM-GOBARdhan Biogas Conference held in New Delhi on 01 December 2023.

• It aims to accelerate Waste to Wealth and Circular Economy.
• The conference was organized under the aegis of the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
• During the conference, discussions were held on transformational policies for 'waste to compressed biogas' projects. 
• The Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) initiative aims to convert waste to wealth.
• It also aims to build a robust ecosystem for setting up compressed biogas plants.
• India aims for net-zero emissions by 2070 as per Nationally Determined Contributions.

Topic: National News

8. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated 5^th Global Ayurveda Festival at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

• The Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF) 2023 is being held in the capital of Kerala from December 1-5.
• Its theme is 'Emerging Challenges in Healthcare and a Resurgent Ayurveda'.
• In the GAF 2023, international practitioners of Ayurveda, researchers, policymakers and industry leaders will gather to explore its impact in healthcare.
• The festival will be attended by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Ayush Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and President of the Republic of Mauritius Prithvirajsing Roopun, Sisira Jayakody, Minister of State for Indigenous Medicine of Sri Lanka, among others.
• Delegations from over 70 countries will be present at the event. The highlights of the festival include:
  • Experts-led scientific sessions focusing on the latest scientific advancements in Ayurveda
  • High level industry and institutional participation showcasing innovative Ayurveda-based products, services and research initiatives
  • Presentations of posters and papers
• National Arogya Fair at GAF will show medicinal plants and their use in Ayurvedic preparations.
• GAF 2023 will also see India's first dedicated Business-to-Business (B2B) meet on Ayurveda medical tourism.

Topic: Defence

9. 3 anti-submarine watercraft for the Indian Navy have been launched at CSL’s Kochi yard.

• The first three ships of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts have been launched at CSL’s Kochi Yard.
• The first three ships- INS Mahe, INS Malvan and INS Mangrol were constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy.
• These ships have been launched in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Vice Admiral Suraj Berry and Vice Admiral Puneet Bahl.
• These vessels are 78.0 m long and 11.36 m wide. They have a maximum speed of 25 knots and an endurance of 1800 nautical miles.
• The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
• The Mahe Class of Ships will replace Abhay class ASW Corvettes of the Indian Navy.
• They are designed to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters and Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).

Topic: State News/ Odisha

10. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launched Ama Bank to provide banking services through customer service points (CSP).

• Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the ‘Ama Bank’ initiative to cover 4,373 unbanked gram panchayats under the financial inclusion programme.
• Under this initiative, 750 panchayats will get banking services through CSP outlets in the first phase. The remaining panchayats will be covered by March 2024.
• Customer service point (CSP) Plus banking outlets will empower people by providing credit for small businesses.
• These outlets will provide 15 banking services and steps will be taken to provide doorstep services to the elderly, differently-abled persons and pregnant women.
• Around 65 per cent of the total 6,798-gram panchayats do not have a brick-and-mortar bank branch.
• Odisha government in collaboration with six public sector banks has come up with the “Ama Bank” scheme for providing banking services to all unbanked gram panchayats.
• The government will provide rent-free banking space for five years.

Topic: State News/ Uttar Pradesh

11. UP presented a supplementary budget of ₹28,760 crore.

• On November 29, the Uttar Pradesh government presented supplementary demands of Rs 28,760.67 crore for 2023-24 in the assembly.
• It included over Rs 175 crore for various development projects for Ayodhya for 2023-24.
• The finance minister presented the budget in the legislative assembly Suresh Khanna on the second day of the ongoing winter session.
• In the supplementary budget, the expenditure on the revenue account is Rs 19,046 crore and the expenditure on the capital account is Rs 9,714 crore.
• The government has allocated ₹50 crores for the Ayodhya Conservation and Development Fund.
• ₹100 crores has been allocated for "Ramotsav" 2023-24 and ₹25 crores for the development and expansion of the International Ramayana and Vedic Research Institute in Ayodhya.
• The power sector received the largest share with an allocation of over ₹10,000 crore.
• The allocation for the power sector also includes ₹900 crores for free electricity to farmers.
• The government has allotted ₹400 crores to clear the dues of sugarcane farmers.

Topic: Personality in News

12. American diplomat and Nobel winner Henry Kissinger passed away at the age of 100 years on 29 November.

• Henry Kissinger was a diplomatic powerhouse whose service under two Presidents left an indelible mark on U.S. foreign policy.
• Kissinger was active even after completing 100 years of age. He attended meetings at the White House and published a book on leadership styles.
• In the 1970s, serving as Secretary of State under Republican President Richard Nixon, he had a hand in many of the decade's era-changing global events.
• The 1973 Peace Prize was awarded jointly to Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam.
• Le Duc Tho had declined the award, making it one of the most controversial prizes ever awarded.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

13. 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to UNFCCC started in Dubai on 30 November.

• The COP28 meeting is scheduled to be held from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• The conference will be held at Expo City in Dubai, UAE.
• Reining in fossil fuels and carbon emissions is the main agenda of the summit.
• It will also facilitate the exchange of best practices and innovations across vital sectors crucial to decarbonisation efforts in the areas of energy, transport, buildings, industry, finance and nature.
• COP is an annual meeting of leaders, policymakers, scientists and activists to find solutions of the growing challenges of climate change.
• At the meeting, member countries will negotiate on their first Global Stocktake (GST). It is a scorecard to analyze countries’ progress towards the Paris Agreement. 
• The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was established in 1992.
• The main Objectives of COP 28 are:
  • Limiting the increase in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
  • Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
  • Assisting the communities who are most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change.
  • Its main objective is to review the progress of the development of the Paris Agreement.

Topic: International News

14. Nepal became the first South Asian country to register same-sex marriage.

• The marriage between 36-year-old Ram Bahadur (Maya) Gurun and Surendra Pandey has been registered in Nepal.
• The marriage has been registered after the Supreme Court issued an interim order for same-sex couples’ marriage.
• The couple have been in a relationship for nine years and got married according to Hindu rituals in 2016
• The marriage registration certificate has been issued to the couple in consideration of the Supreme Court order and instructions from relevant government authorities.
• Taiwan is the only other country to legalize same-sex marriage in Asia.