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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Government of India and Asian Development Bank sign $175 million loan to improve connectivity in Madhya Pradesh  

• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $175 million loan to improve connectivity and resilience of roads in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
• The signatories to the loan agreement for the Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience of the Madhya Pradesh Road Network Project were Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, in the Ministry of Finance, for the Government of India, and Takeo Konishi, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission, for ADB.

About the Project :

• This project will enhance connectivity in the state road network in 14 districts to enable balanced economic development in Madhya Pradesh.
• In Madhya Pradesh, the ADB has supported the road development program since 2002 by upgrading more than 9,000 kilometres of state highways and major district roads.
• The project will convert about 500 km of state highways and major district roads into standard two-lane roads.
• These roads will include climate and disaster-resilient designs, innovative road safety elements, and features that cater to the needs of the elderly, women, children, and people with disabilities.
• ADB will build the capacity of Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation Limited (MPRDC) on climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster resilience, and road safety in road network planning and management.
• The project will help in formulating strategies and plans for using green technology in road construction and setting up charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
• The project will support MPRDC to formulate a gender equality and social inclusion strategy and establish an internship programme to attract female students to work in the road sector.
• It will engage women self-help groups to promote road safety awareness.
• The project will also conduct livelihood and entrepreneurship training programmes for women and girls and construct at least two roadside markets.

About Ministry of Finance :

• Cabinet Minister : Nirmala Sitharaman
• Minister of State : Bhagwat Karad, Pankaj Choudhar

About ADB : 

• Established : 1966
• Headquarters : Manila, Philippines
• President : Masatsugu Asakawa
• Membership : 68 members, including 49 regional members (countries in Asia and the Pacific) and 19 non-regional members (countries outside the region)

ADB Grants $98 Million Loan to Enhance Access to Disease-Free Planting Materials for Horticulture Crop Farmers in India                    

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $98 million loan to improve horticulture crop farmers’ access to certified disease-free planting materials, which will boost their crops’ yield, quality, and resilience to climate impacts.
• This project supports India’s agricultural transformation.
• ADB’s financing will support the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Program (CPP), which was announced in February 2023 to establish clean plant centers and a certification scheme that will ensure farmers can purchase disease-free planting materials from private nurseries.
• The project will establish at least 6 clean plant centers dedicated to maintaining disease-free foundation materials.
• These centers will feature laboratories equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic testing methods and will be staffed with experts who are trained in clean plant operating procedures and diagnostic testing protocols.
• The project will also develop regulatory frameworks for the CPP, in partnership with private nurseries and researchers.
• It will roll out a clean plant certification scheme, accrediting private nurseries, and testing and certifying their planting materials.
• The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through the National Horticulture Board and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Ministry of railways launched Amrit Bharat Station scheme for the development of stations

• The Ministry of Railways has launched the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for the development of stations on Indian Railways.
• So far, 1309 Stations as appended have been identified for development under this scheme.
• Modernisation/upgradation of railway stations is a continuous and ongoing process.
• The Ministry of Railways also envisages exploration of various models for the development and/or maintenance of railway stations including Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), non-EPC modes etc. and a minuscule number of stations under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
• Further, the development/redevelopment/upgradation of Railway Stations is complex in nature involving safety of passengers & trains. It requires various statutory clearances such as fire clearance, heritage, tree cutting, airport clearance etc.
• The progress also gets affected due to brownfield-related challenges such as shifting of utilities, (involving water/sewage lines, optical fibre cables, gas pipe lines, power/signal cables etc.,) infringements, operation of trains without hindering passenger movement, restrictions due to works carried out in close proximity of high voltage power lines etc. and these factors affect the completion time.
• Therefore, no time frame can be indicated at this stage.

Ministry of Textiles to host ‘One Bharat Sari Walkathon’ in Mumbai

• The Ministry of Textiles will organize the country's largest ever ‘One Bharat Sari Walkathon’ in India's financial capital, Mumbai.
• The event aims to promote the handloom sari culture in India by inviting participation of women across the country to showcase their ways of wearing saris and thus present India as a country of “Unity in Diversity”.
• It will also promote the spirit of traditional textile & support the idea of “Vocal for Local” and will raise awareness about fitness among women and to encourage them lead healthier lives.
• In this celebration of cultural diversity & empowerment, enthusiastic participation of more than 5000 women including leading professionals, Bollywood & television personalities, sports personalities, business women, designers, influencers, housewives, women from the music industry and many more are set to join the event adorned in their distinctive traditional attire.
• Previously, the Sari Walkathon was organized in Surat.
• The Minister of State for Textiles Smt. Darshana Jardosh and Member of Parliament - Lok Sabha Smt. Poonam Mahajan will jointly flag off the Mumbai Edition of ‘One Bharat Sari Walkathon’ at MMRDC Ground, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai.

PM inaugurates ‘Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023’

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023’ being held at Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
• Shri Modi also took a walkthrough of the exhibition and unveiled the Ground Breaking Wall.
• Prime Minister Modi also launched a book Sashakt Uttarakhand and the brand House of Himalayas.
• The theme of the Summit is ‘Peace to Prosperity’.
• Industry leaders also expressed their views on the occasion.
• Shri Pranav Adani, Director Adani Group and Managing Director (Agro, Oil & Gas), Uttarakhand has become one the most attractive destinations for private sector investment because of the state's approach to its growth and development in recent times with an unbeatable combination of single-point clearances, competitive land prices, affordable power and efficient distribution, highly skilled manpower and proximity to the national capital and a very stable law and order environment.
• Shri Adani elaborated on his plans to expand in the state and bring in more investment and jobs.

Background

• ‘Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023’ is a step towards establishing Uttarakhand as a new investment destination.
• The two-day summit is being held with the theme - “Peace to Prosperity”.
• Thousands of investors and delegates will attend the summit from across the world.
• It will witness the participation of Union Ministers, Ambassadors of various countries along with leading industrialists, among others.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Garba Dance from Gujarat Recognized as UNESCO's 'Intangible Cultural Heritage'

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved the inclusion of garba, Gujarat’s most popular folk dance form, in its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity.
• A decision to “inscribe” the dance form as “intangible heritage” was taken at the 18th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in the Republic of Botswana.

Key Highlights :

• With this, 15 elements from various parts of India have been inscribed to UNESCO’s representative list of ICH.
• The nomination for Garba's inclusion was submitted by the Indian government in collaboration with the Gujarat government, and it received approval from the committee's evaluation body.
• After the announcement, an Indian group performed a Garba song penned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 18th session of the committee.
• The 14 other elements from India that have been inscripted to UNESCO’s representative list of ICH are Ramlila; yoga; vedic chanting; Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre of Kerala; Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas; Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala; Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan; Chhau dance of eastern India; Buddhist chanting of Ladakh; Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur; traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making in Punjab; Nawrouz; Kumbh Mela and Durga Puja in Kolkata.

About UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List :

• The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List was established in 2008.
• Objective of UNESCO 2003 Convention: The objective of listing under the UNESCO 2003 Convention is to recognize and promote the significance of intangible cultural heritage while fostering awareness and respecting cultural diversity.
• Indian Representation in IGC: In 2022, India became part of the 24-member Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) of the ICH 2003 Convention for a tenure of 4 years.
• Cultural Diversity and Dialogue: The listing under UNESCO's conventions aims to foster dialogue that respects cultural diversity and emphasizes the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural traditions.

About UNESCO:

• Established : 16 November 1945
• Headquarters : Paris, France
• Director General : Audrey Azoulay
• Parent Organisation : United Nations Economic and Social Council
• UNESCO is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture.

Sri Lanka Secures Debt Treatment Agreement with India and Paris Club     

• Sri Lanka has achieved an “agreement in principle” with India and the Paris Club group of creditors on a debt treatment plan.
• Objective of the Agreement : The agreement facilitates Sri Lanka's access to the next installment of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) nearly $3 billion recovery package.

Key Highlights :

• Terms of Debt Treatment Agreement : Sri Lanka and the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) reached an agreement on the main parameters of debt treatment.
• These parameters are consistent with those of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement between Sri Lanka and the IMF.
• Default on Foreign Debt by Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka decided to default on its almost $51 billion foreign debt.
• Formation and Leadership of OCC : The OCC was formed by major lenders in May 2023 in response to Sri Lanka’s request for debt treatment.
• It is co-chaired by India, Japan and France as chairs of the Paris Club.
• China's Position : China has opted to stay out of the platform.
• China has attended the meetings as an observer. It is Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral creditor.

About Sri Lanka

• Capitals: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
• Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee
• Prime minister: Dinesh Gunawardena

India and UAE Jointly Host Global Green Credit Initiative at COP-28

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi together with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), co-hosted the High-level event on ‘Green Credits Programme’ at COP-28, in Dubai.

Key Highlights :

• The Green Credit Initiative has been conceptualised as a mechanism to incentivize voluntary pro-planet actions, as an effective response to the challenge of climate change.
• It envisions the issue of Green Credits for plantations on waste/degraded lands and river catchment areas, to rejuvenate and revive natural eco-systems.
• In a landmark announcement at COP28 (1st December 2023), the Indian PM launched the 'Green Credit Initiative,' a pathbreaking program aimed at reshaping global environmental policies.
• He also launched the official portal of the Green Credit Initiative at COP28.
• The Green Credits Initiative mirrors the Green Credit Programme launched by the Union government in October, 2023.
• To take ahead of the 'LiFE' - 'Lifestyle for Environment' movement announced by the Prime Minister in 2021, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change introduced the Green Credit Programme (GCP) in 2023.
• GCP is an innovative market-based mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary environmental actions across diverse sectors, by various stakeholders like individuals, communities, private sector industries, and companies.
• The GCP will cover 8 types of activities:
• Tree plantation which is meant to promote activities for increasing the green cover across the country.
• Water management is meant to promote water conservation, water harvesting, and water use efficiency or water savings, including treatment and reuse of wastewater.
• Sustainable agriculture is meant to promote natural and regenerative agricultural practices and land restoration to improve productivity, soil health, and nutritional value of food produced.
• Waste management is meant to promote circularity, sustainable and improved practices for waste management, including collection, segregation, and environmentally sound management.
• Air pollution reduction is meant to promote measures for reducing air pollution and other pollution abatement activities.
• Mangrove conservation and restoration, which is meant to promote measures for conservation and restoration of mangroves.
• In its initial phase, the GCP focuses on two key activities: Water conservation and Afforestation
• Draft methodologies for awarding Green Credits have been developed and will be notified for stakeholder consultation.
• The Green Credit Registry and trading platform, being developed by ICFRE along with experts, would facilitate the registration and thereafter, the buying and selling of Green Credits.

About UAE :

• President : Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• Prime Minister : Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
• Capital : Abu Dhabi
• Currency : UAE dirham

New Zealand's Newly Elected Government Reverses Decision on Smoking Ban

• New Zealand's newly elected government has repealed the decision to implement a smoking ban for the new generation.
• The decision to ban smoking for the new generation has been reversed by the newly-elected government.
• The smoking ban in New Zealand was initially implemented to save lives and prevent youths from taking up smoking.

Key Highlights :

• Specifics of the Anti-Smoking Law : The anti-smoking law prohibited the sale of tobacco to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009.
• It was scheduled to be implemented from July 2024.
• Penalties for Violations : The law included fines of up to NZD 150,000 (approximately NZD 96,000) for violations.
• Global Acclaim for Initial Decision : The initial smoking ban in New Zealand received global acclaim from public health officials.
• Current Smoking Rate in New Zealand : The smoking rate in New Zealand is the lowest in the world and is declining continuously.

About New Zealand:

• Prime Minister : Chris Hipkins
• Capital : Wellington
• Currency : Dollar

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

Governor of Maharashtra Introduces Five School Initiatives Aimed at Holistic Student Development

• Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais launches 5 school initiatives for holistic student development.
• These five futuristic initiatives include

1. Chief Minister Majhi Shala Sundar Shala
2. Maha Vachan Utsav
3. Adopt a School Campaign
4. Majhi Shala Majhi Parasbag,
5. Swachata Monitor.

• These initiatives aim to develop the holistic personality of the students to ensure that future generations are sensitive and responsible towards their environment.

Key Highlights :

• ‘Chief Minister Majhi Shala Sundar Shala’: It is a 45-day challenge to win the Best School Award for maintaining its premises clean and introducing the concepts of financial literacy, environment protection, skill development, and national integrity in the most effective ways.
• ‘Maha Vachan Utsav’: It aims to promote reading culture.
• ‘Swachata Monitor’ campaign: Students will work to spread awareness about cleanliness in public places.
• ‘Majhi Shala Majhi Parasbag’: To promote a healthy lifestyle, this initiative aims to encourage schools to grow their own kitchen gardens. While the best student will be rewarded, it also aims to introduce students to the basics of farming and its importance.
• ‘Adopt a School Campaign’: Under this, the state government has urged corporations, alumni, social organizations, and interested citizens to help by dedicating their resources, with a focus on developing the infrastructure of existing schools.

About Maharashtra

• Governor: Ramesh Bai
• Chief Minister: Eknath Shinde
• Capital: Mumbai
• National Park: Tadoba National Park, Navegaon National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary
• UNESCO Heritage Sites: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai, Ajanta Caves, Elephanta Caves, Ellora Caves

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and US Ambassador Jointly Inaugurate 'The Hump WWII Museum

• Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Pema Khandu and US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti inaugurated ‘The Hump WWII Museum’, the 2nd museum in Asia dedicated to the fallen airmen of the Allied Forces during the WWII at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The Hump, Garcetti claimed, isn’t just a museum in some remote part of India, half the world round from the US but already a world class museum.
• The pilots of the Allied Forces nicknamed the air-route from airfields in Assam to those in Yunnan in China ‘The Hump’ because their aircraft had to navigate deep gorges and then quickly fly over mountains rising beyond 10,000 feet.
• In 2016-17, the US Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) had deployed a team for 30 days in search of remains of unaccounted-for US airmen.
• There are approximately 400 US airmen missing in India, most of whose remains are believed to be located in the Himalayan mountains in the North East, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh.

About Arunachal Pradesh :

• Governor : Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
• Chief Minister : Pema Khandu
• Capital : Itanagar

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Kanchan Devi Makes History as First Female Officer Appointed as Director General of ICFRE     

• Kanchan Devi has become the first woman Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research Education (ICFRE).

About Kanchan Devi :

• Kanchan Devi is an Indian Forest Service officer from the 1991 batch of the Madhya Pradesh cadre.
• She brings to her new role an impressive track record of over 30 years in the realm of forestry.
• Her extensive expertise spans a myriad of aspects, including forest management, administration, education, human resource development, research, and extension.
• She played an important role in setting up the Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management.
• She also played a key role in the implementation of the World Bank-funded Ecosystem Services Improvement Project at ICFRE.
• She served as deputy director general (education) at the ICFRE.
• Kanchan served as a faculty member at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) in Dehradun.

About ICFRE :         

• Established : 1986
• Headquarters : Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
• Indian Council of Forestry Research Education is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India. .
• It plays an important role in advising on forestry research and technologies to the Government of India, State Governments and various stakeholders including farmers, industries and academia.
• It explores new issues in the realm of forest conservation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Indian Immunologicals Launches Measles and Rubella Vaccine Catering to Children                

• The measles and rubella vaccine "Mabella" was launched by Vaccine maker Indian Immunologicals (IIL) for children.
• The live-attenuated MR vaccine, Mabella, was developed through an exclusive partnership with the Polyvac Institute of Vietnam.
• Mabella was launched as part of the 25th celebrations of the IIL division Human Biologicals Institute (HBI) in Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Tamil Nadu (TN).
• The vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective through extensive human clinical trials.
• It will address the urgent need to control the deadly measles and rubella that kill nearly a million children globally.
• In 1998, the Human Biological Institute (HBI), a division of IIL, was established at a time when the need for indigenous vaccines was paramount.
• It developed India's first safe vero-cell rabies vaccine – Abhayrab in 1998, which paved the way for phasing out painful nerve tissue vaccines.

About Ministry of Defence :

• Defence Minister : Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State : Ministry of Defence
• Defence Secretary : Giridhar Aramane

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Taylor Swift named Time’s ‘Person of the Year’

• Taylor Swift is ending her year with another accolade: The pop superstar was named Time magazine’s 2023 “Person of the Year,” beating out Barbie and King Charles III.
• Time said Swift was selected because she found a way to give people around the world hope in some seriously dark times.
• Swift broke her own Spotify record by becoming the most-streamed artist in a single day in the streamer’s history, while “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day this year.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was Time’s 2022 person of the year.
• Taylor Swift was named TIME’s 2023 Person of the Year—making her the first woman to appear twice on a Person of the Year cover since the franchise began in 1927.
• Swift was also named Person of the Year in 2017, when she was recognized as one of the Silence Breakers who inspired women to speak out about sexual misconduct.
• She’s the first person to be selected because of her achievement in the arts, and is only the fourth individual selection who was born in the last 50 years.
• The franchise, which was named “Man of the Year” until 1999, has historically tilted male—the people who tended to be chosen were often global leaders and CEOs, positions long held by men.
• Before 1999, only three women had received the title of “Woman of the Year” individually: Wallis Simpson in 1936, Queen Elizabeth II (1952), and Corazon Aquino in 1986.
• In 2015, then German Chancellor Angela Merkel was the first individual woman to be named Person of the Year in almost 30 years, followed by environmental activist Greta Thunberg in 2019.
• Sam Altman was named as the CEO OF THE YEAR 2023.
• Alex Newell was named BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR 2023.

2022 FIFA World Cup winner Lionel Messi named Time Magazine's Athlete of the Year for 2023

• Football superstar Lionel Messi has been named as Time Magazine's 2023 Athlete Of The Year.
• The 36-year-old won his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or Award in October, and scored 11 goals in 14 games across competitions for Inter Miami - after joining them in July - to 4help the Major League Soccer (MLS) club lift the Leagues Cup trophy for the first time.
• Argentina defeated the reigning champions France in the World Cup final in December of last year, Messi was a major factor in leading his country to its first victory in 36 years.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

UNICEF in collaboration with India to launch the "Green Rising" initiative at the COP28 Summit in Dubai

• UNICEF's Generation Unlimited, in collaboration with India's Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change will unveil the "Green Rising" initiative at COP28 in Dubai.
• The global "Green Rising" initiative and the "Green Rising India Alliance" marks a collaborative effort involving UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, and a diverse network of public, private, and youth partners.
• The main goal is to mobilize millions of young people worldwide, encouraging their active participation in green initiatives addressing and adapting to the severe impacts of climate change on their communities.

Key Highlights

• The "Green Rising" initiative focuses on engaging youth for impactful environmental actions at the grassroots level, aligning with the global effort to address the severe impacts of climate change.
• Through the YuWaah campaign in India, the focus is on engaging youth to drive impactful environmental actions at the grassroots level, inspired by the Mission Life movement.
• Over 83 billion dollars have been mobilized within the first seven days of the COP28, marking a new era of climate action.
• The conference saw historic declarations on food systems, health, renewable energy, and efficiency, with initiatives targeting the decarbonization of heavy-emitting industries.
• 726 million dollars were pledged for Loss and Damage support in response to the climate crisis.
• Key financial boosts include 3.5 billion dollars for the Green Climate Fund, 133.6 million dollars for the Adaptation Fund, and 129.3 million dollars for the Least Developed Countries Fund.
• The UAE's launch of the 30 billion dollars catalytic fund, ALTERRA, aims to mobilize an additional 250 billion dollars emphasizing a strong commitment to global climate action.
• The World Bank announced a 9 billion dollars annual increase for 2024 and 2025, and Multilateral Development Banks committed over 22.6 billion dollars, providing significant financial support for climate-related projects.

About UNICEF

• Headquarters: New York, United States
• Founders: United Nations General Assembly, Ludwik Rajchman
• Founded: 11 December 1946
• Head: Catherine M. Russell

Gujarat govt, AAI signs MoU to develop 11 greenfield airports

• Gujarat, the State government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to develop 11 new greenfield airports and expand nine existing ones.
• Though an estimate for these projects have not been drawn, each airport is likely to cost ₹1,500-3,000 crore.
• Ankleshwar, Morbi, Rajpipla, Botad, Dwarka, Dhordo, Rajula, Dahod, Ambaji, Dholavira and Palitana have been identified for the development of greenfield airports.
• As per the agreement with the AAI, Gujarat government will provide the necessary land and other utility services like electricity and water needed for the airports.
• The government stated that it will also explore possibilities of three additional greenfield airports at Vadnagar, Siddhpur and Kevadia.
• Apart from the greenfield airport development, the state government is also looking at brownfield development of nine airports.
• The government is looking to expand existing airports at Surat, Vadodara, Kandla, Porbandar, Bhavnagar and Keshod.
• The government also plans to expand airstrips at Mehsana, Amreli and Mandvi airports.
• Currently, Gujarat has about 11 functional airports.
• Gujarat government and AAI are jointly developing an international airport at Dholera.
• The State also has at least two sea-plane terminals at Sabarmati River front in Ahmedabad and another at Kevadia.

Indian Oil and EKI Energy ink deal to promote 'Surya Nutan'

• Global carbon credit developer and supplier EKI Energy Services and state-owned refiner Indian Oil Corporation have collaborated to promote sustainable indoor solar cooking system.
• According to the statement, this strategic collaboration aims to promote 'Surya Nutan', IndianOil's innovative indoor solar cooking system.
• IndianOil, the country's largest fuel refiner and retailer, has a prominent presence across the entire hydrocarbon value chain.
• Under the MOU, IndianOil will share the technology of Surya Nutan with EKI Energy to enhance its production and distribution, supported by carbon finance while contributing towards the betterment of society and the environment.

About IOCL

• Indian Oil Corporation Limited is an Indian oil and gas company under the ownership of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India.
• Chairperson: Shrikant Madhav Vaidya.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Anti Corruption Day: 9th December

• International Anti Corruption Day 2023 is observed on the 9th of December 2023.
• Corruption has existed from time immemorial.
• Some of the earliest records of Anti Corruption texts can be found in the Code of Hammurabi of Babylonia, the Great Edict of Horemheb in Egypt, and Arthashastra in India.
• These texts spoke about bribery practices among officers of the state and law.
• The Concept of Public Interest and welfare started to begin in the 19th Century.
• Corruption became a big topic of decisions in the public interest.
• Bribes made officials and people compromise their quality of work and time and finally resulted in spreading to all kinds of people making society polluted.

Daily CA One- Liner: December 9^th

• Ministry of Railways has launched the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for the development of stations on Indian Railways.
• The Ministry of Textiles will organize the country's largest ever ‘One Bharat Sari Walkathon’ in India's financial capital, Mumbai.
• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023’ being held at Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
• Taylor Swift is ending her year with another accolade: The pop superstar was named Time magazine’s 2023 “Person of the Year,” beating out Barbie and King Charles III.
• Football superstar Lionel Messi has been named as Time Magazine's 2023 Athlete Of The Year.
• UNICEF's Generation Unlimited, in collaboration with India's Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change will unveil the "Green Rising" initiative at COP28 in Dubai
• Gujarat, the State government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to develop 11 new greenfield airports and expand nine existing ones
• Global carbon credit developer and supplier EKI Energy Services and state-owned refiner Indian Oil Corporation have collaborated to promote sustainable indoor solar cooking system.
• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $175 million loan to improve connectivity and resilience of roads in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $98 million loan to improve horticulture crop farmers’ access to certified disease-free planting materials, which will boost their crops’ yield, quality, and resilience to climate impacts.
• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved the inclusion of garba, Gujarat’s most popular folk dance form, in its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity.
• Sri Lanka has achieved an “agreement in principle” with India and the Paris Club group of creditors on a debt treatment plan.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi together with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of United Arab Emirates (UAE), co-hosted the High-level event on ‘Green Credits Programme’ at COP-28, in Dubai.
• New Zealand's newly elected government has repealed the decision to implement a smoking ban for the new generation.
• Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais launches 5 school initiatives for holistic student development.
• Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Pema Khandu and US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti inaugurated ‘The Hump WWII Museum’, the 2nd museum in Asia dedicated to the fallen airmen of the Allied Forces during the WWII at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Kanchan Devi has become the first woman Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research Education (ICFRE).
• The measles and rubella vaccine "Mabella" launched by Vaccine maker Indian Immunologicals (IIL) for children.
• International Anti Corruption Day 2023 is observed on the 9th of December 2023.