Current Affairs in English – December 23 2022

National Events:

Omicron subvariant BF.7:

Union government has announced that three cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7 have been detected in India until 22 Dec 2022. So far, two cases have been reported from Gujarat and one from Odisha.
7 is a sub – lineage of the Omicron variant BA.5 and has the strongest infection ability since it is highly transmissible, has a shorter incubation period, and a higher capacity to cause reinfection.

Dr.Suhel Ajaz Khan:

Suhel Ajaz Khan has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 22 December 2022. He is a 1997 batch Indian Foreign Service officer and is presently serving as Indian ambassador to Lebanon.
He will replace Dr.Ausaf Sayeed, a 1989 batch IFS officer. He worked at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh between September 2017 and June 2019 as Deputy Chief of Mission.

Jal Jeevan Mission:

Union government has announced in December 2022, that over 19 crore rural households have access to tap water. Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide potable, quality drinking water to every rural household by 2024.
Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu became the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified State and Union Territory. Burhanpur district of Madhya Pradesh is the first certified ‘Har Ghar Jal’ district in India.

Rohini Nayyar prize:

Sethrichem Sangtam, who helped triple the incomes of 1,200 marginalised farmers in Eastern Nagaland, was awarde the first Rohini Nayyar prize for outstanding contribution to rural development.
Sangtam was presented with cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a citation, and trophy. The prize has been instituted in memory of Rohini Nayyar, renowned economist who worked with the Planning Commission.

GSI:

The Ministry of Mines has approved the proposal of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to procure two coastal vessels as a replacement to the existing vessels. The project is at an estimated cost of Rs.245.07 crore.
The induction of these two coastal vessels will augment the exploration activities of GSI in the marine domain.

IREDA & KFW:

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) has signed a loan agreement with KFW (German Bank) namely, KFW VI line of credit for financing ‘Access to Clean Energy Projects’ meant for decentralized solar applications.
The total sanctioned amount of the agreement is EUR 20 million. The entire amount has been utilized as of 30th March, 2022.

MUFG Bank:

Japan’s MUFG Bank has executed a 450 crore sustainable trade finance facility for Tata Power.
MUFG extended this financing to fund the procurement of TP Kirnali Limited or TPKL’s two solar power projects-a 100 MW project in Parthur, Maharashtra and a 120MW project in Mesanka, Gujarat-under documentary trade finance.

DAC:

The Defence Acquisition Council, DAC has approved Acceptance of Necessity for 24 Capital Acquisition Proposals worth Rs 84,328 cr for the Armed Forces and Indian Coast Guard.
The decision to this effect was taken in DAC meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 22 December 2022.
It will equip the Indian Army with Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles, Light Tanks and Mounted Gun System.

Nasal Covid vaccine:

The Government has granted approval to Bharat Biotech’s nasal Covid vaccine for booster dose. The nasal vaccine has been approved for those aged above 18 years.
The nasal vaccine BBV154 had received approval of the Drugs Controller General of India in November 2022 for restricted use in an emergency situation for those above 18 as a heterologous booster dose.

Aloke Singh:z

Aloke Singh appointed as the chief of Air India’s low-cost airline business from January 1, 2023. The Low Cost Carrier (LCC) business will comprise AirAsia India and Air India Express.
AirAsia India was launched in 2014 while Air India Express started operations in 2005. Currently, four airlines are part of the Tata group. They are Air India, Air India Express, AirAsia India and Vistara.

UIDAI:

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) headquarter in New Delhi has won the prestigious GRIHA Exemplary Performance Award 2022.
GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) is a national rating system for green buildings in India.
It has been declared a winner among the existing highest rated building category. In 2021, UIDAI HQ building was adjudged the 2nd rank.

AERB:

Senior nuclear scientist Dinesh Kumar Shukla has been appointed as the chairperson of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for a period of three years on 20 December 2022.
He joined the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in the year 1981 after completing the 25th batch of BARC Training School. AERB Founded: 15 November 1983, AERB Headquarters: Mumbai.

National Farmer’s Day:

Kisan Divas or Farmer’s Day in India or National Farmer’s Day is celebrated on 23 December every year. The day is celebrated to mark the anniversary of our India’s fifth Prime Minister Choudhry Charan Singh.
He played an important part in the enactment and drafting of numerous agricultural reform bills. The theme for 2022 is: “Igniting Young Minds By Innovative Farmers”.

First Infantry Museum:

The country’s first Infantry Museum has been opened for public at Mhow, Indore, Madhya Pradesh in December 2022.
It will showcase Infantry Corps history from 1747 to 2020, in which the sacrifice of valour and valiant soldiers have been preserved in statues, murals and photo galleries.
It is the first in the country and second in the world. Before this, such a museum was built in the USA.

‘Chillai Kalan’:

In Jammu and Kashmir, a 40 day intense cold period, Chilia-Kalan began on 21 December 2022. ‘Chillai Kalan’ is the coldest and harshest winter period in Kashmir valley.
The 40 day period (Chillai Kalan) is followed by the 20 day long Chillai Khurd (small cold) and the 10 day long Chillai Bachcha (baby cold). Chillai Kalan starts on 21 December and lasts till 31 January.

24×7 piped drinking water project:

The Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched a 24×7 piped drinking water project ‘Drink from Tap’ in 19 cities of the state on 21 December 2022. About 5.5 lakh people in these cities will be benefited from the project.
These cities will get drinking water directly from the tap adhering to the quality parameters of the Bureau of Indian Standards. Odisha Governor: Ganeshi Lal.

International Events:

Nepal:

Nepal elected member of United Nations Peacebuilding Commission. The United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) is a United Nations intergovernmental advisory body of both the General Assembly and the Security Council.
It supports peace efforts in conflict affected countries. Rabab Fatima is the incumbent chair of PBC. The commission is composed of 31 member states. Formed on: 20 December 2005.

Sports Events:

WTT:

Goa will host India’s first ever World Table Tennis (WTT) series event from 27 Feb to 5 March 2023 at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, Goa. WTT Series is the official professional table tennis series of events.
It will be hosted by Stupa Analytics Company, in association with the Goa government and the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). TTFI Founded: 1926. TTFI President: Rahul Balot.