Current GK on 21 December 2021

International Human Solidarity Day 2021 – December 20

The United Nations(UN)’s International Human Solidarity Day is annually observed across the globe on 20th December to create awareness about the importance of solidarity, a socio-ethical and political concept, which states that it is fair and just that benefits and obligations are shared between members of society.

• The day commemorates the establishment of the World Solidarity Fund on 20th December 2002.

Purpose of International Human Solidarity Day:

• To celebrate unity in diversity.

• To remind the government to respect their commitment to international agreements.

• To raise public awareness on the importance of solidarity.

• To encourage the debate on the ways to promote solidarity to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) including poverty eradication.

• To encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication.

SAIL Receives Prestigious Golden Peacock Environment Management Award 2021

The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), awarded with the prestigious Golden Peacock Environment Management Award (GPEMA) 2021 in the Steel Sector by the Institute of Directors (IOD). SAIL received this award for the 3rd consecutive year.
About the Golden Peacock Environment Management Award:
i.Golden Peacock Environment Management Award is a prestigious award that was instituted by the World Environment Foundation in 1998. ii.It encourages corporate companies to enhance their environmental performances.

Gabriel Boric becomes Youngest President Elect of Chile

On 19 December 2021, Gabriel Boric, 35 year old, won Chile presidential elections, to become the youngest-ever President elect of Chile. He defeated his oppositionJose Antonio Kast in the elections.

Key points:

i.Gabriel Boric will assume office in March 2022, will become the youngest president in Chile’s history.

ii.He secured 56 percent of the votes, while 44 percent votes were won by Jose Antonio Kast.

Uttarakhand State appoints Rishabh Pant as Brand Ambassador

On 19 December 2021,Uttarakhand Chief Minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami appointed Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant as the ‘State Brand Ambassador’ with the aim of encouraging the youth of the state towards sports and public health.

Note – In December 2021, Actor Salman Khan was appointed as the COVID Vaccination Ambassador of Maharashtra. i.Rishabh Rajendra Pant is a 24 year old cricketer, who was born in Roorkee, Uttarakhand.

ii.He is an Indian cricketer who plays as a middle order wicket-keeper batsman for India, Delhi, and the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

iii.In 2015, he was named in India’s squad for the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

Indian Navy’s 2nd Indigenous Stealth Destroyer Sails for Maiden Sea Trials

On 19th December 2021, during the Goa Liberation day, Indian Navy’s indigenous stealth guided-missile destroyer ‘Mormugao’ went for her maiden sea trials.

• This second indigenous stealth destroyer of the Project 15 B (P15B) class, is planning to be commissioned in mid 2022.

Key Highlights:

i.Mormugao is being built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDSL) as part of the Project 15B destroyers and incorporates several indigenous technologies

ii.The ship’s name was dedicated to the maritime state of Goa with the goal to enhance the bonding between the Indian Navy and the people of Goa to link the ship’s identity to the crucial role the Navy played in nation-building.

iii.In November 2021, INS Visakhapatnam and the fourth P75 submarine INS Vela were commissioned into the Indian Navy.

BWF World Championships 2021:Kidambi Srikanth Becomes 1st Indian Male Shuttler To win Silver Medal at BWF World Championships

Kidambi Srikanth (India) made history by becoming the 1st Indian shuttler to win a silver medal in the men’s singles at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) world championships. He achieved this feat by winning silver medal after losing to Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew in the finals of Men’s Singles in the BWF World Championships 2021(officially known as the TotalEnergies BWF World Championships 2021) held in Huelva, Spain.

• This is also the first time that a Men’s(Loh Kean Yew) player from Singapore has won gold Medal at the BWF World Championships.

• India’s Lakshya Sen & Denmark’s Anders Antonsen won the Bronze Medal in the Men’s Singles in BWF World Championships 2021.

• Note-Apart from Kidambi Srikanth 3 Other Men from India had also won the medal in the BWF Championship, they are Prakash Padukone (bronze in 1983), B Sai Praneeth (bronze in 2019) and Lakshya Sen (bronze in 2021).

Nagaland Govt creates 3 new districts namely Tseminyu, Nuiland and Chumukedima

The State Government of Nagaland has created three new districts namely Tseminyu, Nuiland and Chumukedima, reaching the total district tally of the state to 15. Tseminyu became the 13th district followed by Nuiland and Chumukedima as 14th and 15th Districts respectively.

• The decision was taken during a state cabinet meeting held under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today at Kohima.

• Niuland and Chumukedima have been formed out of Dimapur district, while Tseminyu is the sub-division of the Kohima district.

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