Daily Current Affairs and GK | 15 and 16 December 2024

Topic: Important Days

1. Vijay Diwas 2024: December 16

• Every year on 16 December, Vijay Diwas is celebrated to commemorate the victory of the Indian Army over Pakistan during the 1971 war.
• This year, the 53rd anniversary of the 1971 war and Indo-Bangladesh friendship is being celebrated.
• On 16 December 1971, the independence of East Pakistan was declared, and Bangladesh was created as a new nation.
• The war began when Pakistan carried out airstrikes on 11 Indian airbases on 3 December 1971.
• India won the war against Pakistan after fighting for 13 days.
• Pakistani Army Chief General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi surrendered along with his soldiers while kneeling before the Indian forces.
• During the historic war of 1971 between Pakistan and India, Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India.
• Vijay Diwas is also celebrated in Bangladesh as 'Bijoy Dibos' or Bangladesh Liberation Day.
• A Bangladesh delegation, including Muktijoddhas, is likely to participate in the Vijay Diwas celebrations at the Eastern Command Headquarters in Kolkata on December 16, 2024.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

2. A partnership to empower children in rural India formed between BMW and UNICEF.

• On 11 December, a partnership was announced in India by the BMW Group and UNICEF with the aim of transforming the educational landscape for 1 lakh children in four states.
• The partners will focus on foundational education and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills from early years to adolescence.
• The partnership will offer quality STEM education to adolescent girls from marginalized groups in rural Assam, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
• The partnership is part of a global long-term alliance between the BMW Group and UNICEF, which aims to reach more than 10 million children and young people each year through education and training.
• This also includes education in STEM subjects in five countries where BMW has large operations, including South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, and Thailand.

Topic: Indian Economy

3. RBI increased limit for collateral-free agricultural loans from 1.6 lakh to 2 lakh rupees.

• The Reserve Bank of India has decided to increase the limit for collateral-free agricultural loans from 1.6 lakh to 2 lakh rupees.
• It will be effective from 1st January next year.
• It will enhance credit accessibility, particularly for small and marginal farmers.
• This new directive instructs banks to waive collateral and margin requirements for agricultural and allied activity loans up to Rs 2 lakh per borrower.
• It will facilitate easier access to Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans and complement the government's Modified Interest Subvention Scheme.
• It will allow farmers to invest in agricultural operations and improve their livelihoods.
• This initiative will enhance financial inclusion in the agricultural sector.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

4. Satin Creditcare Network has won ‘Microfinance Organization of the Year Award’ at the Global Inclusive Finance Summit.

• Satin Creditcare Network was honoured for making microfinance inclusive.
• It was also honoured for making a lasting impact on large number of households and empowering them to build sustainable livelihoods to help them achieve financial stability.
• Satin Creditcare Network is a leading microfinance company.
• Global Inclusive Finance Summit was organised on 11 and 12 December 2024 in New Delhi.