Category: All Current Affairs

GoI signs $1-bn loan pact with NDB to support Indian Economy

December 17, 2020

• The Government of India and the New Development Bank (NDB) have inked a loan agreement worth $1,000 million for ‘strengthening India’s economic recovery from COVID-19’. The loan has a tenor of 30 years, including a 5-year grace period.

PM Modi initiates the world’s largest renewable energy park in Gujarat

December 17, 2020

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 30,000 megawatts (MW) capacity hybrid renewable energy park in the Kutch district of Gujarat.
• It will be the largest renewable energy park of its kind in the world. It is expected to play a major role in fulfilling India’s vision of producing 450 GW (4,50,000 MW) of power by 2030.

India Post Payments Bank starts new digital payment app ‘DakPay’

December 16, 2020

• The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) along with the Department of Posts (DoP) started a digital payment application called ‘DakPay’ on 15 December 2020, in an attempt to provide Digital Financial inclusion at the last mile across India.

Former Australian Test cricketer all-rounder Eric Freeman passes away

December 16, 2020

• Former Australia Test all-rounder, Eric Freeman has passed away. He made his Test debut against India at the Gabba (Brisbane Cricket Ground) in 1968 during which his opening shot was a six, and he became the first player to attain the feat.

Aerospace Scientist Shri Roddam Narasimha passes away

December 16, 2020

• Famous aerospace scientist and Padma Vibhushan awardee, Roddam Narasimha has passed away. He had served at the esteemed Indian Institute of Science (IISc), where he taught Aerospace Engineering from 1962 to 1999.

Nation commemorates 49th Vijay Diwas on 16 December 2020

December 16, 2020

• In India, Vijay Diwas (also called Victory Day) is commemorated annually on December 16.
• The country is observing the 49th Vijay Diwas in 2020.
• Vijay Diwas is observed to celebrate the service, valour, and sacrifices of the gallant men of the Indian Armed Forces’ victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war.

Om Birla launches book on 19th anniversary of Parliament attack

December 16, 2020

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has launched a book on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of the Parliament attack on 13 December.
• He published the book ‘The Shaurya Unbound’ (English Version) and ‘Samundar Samawe Boond Mein’ (Hindi Version) was released on the 2001 incident.

UNEP declares 2020 Champions of the Earth Award

December 16, 2020

• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has declared six laureates of the 2020 Champions of the Earth award, the UN’s highest environmental honor. The Champions were selected for their transformative impact on the environment and their leadership in urging bold and decisive action on behalf of the planet and its inhabitants.

RBI again designates Uday Kotak as MD of Kotak Mahindra Bank

December 16, 2020

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has adopted the re-appointment of Uday Kotak as Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank for a further period of three years, with effect from January 1, 2021.
• Kotak is the founder managing director and promoter of the bank.

S&P revises India’s GDP contraction forecast in FY21 to 7.7%

December 16, 2020

• S&P Global Ratings (earlier Standard & Poor’s) has boosted India’s GDP growth prediction for the FY21 (2020-21) to – 7.7 percent from – 9 percent predicted earlier.
• The lower contraction rate is based on rising demand and falling COVID infection rates.