World Computer Literacy Day 2021
World Computer Literacy Day is observed on 2nd December every year all over the world. The day is celebrated as the world computer literacy day to create awareness and drive digital literacy in underserved communities worldwide. The day promotes technological skills, especially in children and women, and aims to inspire them to learn more and make their work easier by the use of computers. To know, more about the World Computer Literacy day candidates are advised to read the below article.
History of World Computer Literacy Day
The day was originally founded by the Indian computer company NIIT to mark its 20th anniversary in 2001. World Computer Literacy Day was first observed and held in the year 2001 on 2nd December. As mentioned above, the day is celebrated to create awareness and drive digital literacy in underserved communities worldwide.
Government collected Rs 1.31 lakh crores as GST for November
The gross GST revenue collected in the month of November 2021 is Rs 1,31,526 crores. The CGST was Rs 23,978 crore, SGST is Rs 31,127 crore. The IGST was Rs 66,815 crores (of this Rs 32,165 crores was collected from the goods imported). The cess collected was Rs 9,606 crores (This includes Rs 653 crores from the imported goods). The GST revenue collected for the month of November is 25% higher than the GST revenue of November 2020. And is 27% higher than GST revenue collected in November 2019.
Previous months GST Collection
- October 2021: Rs 1.30 lakh crores
- September 2021: Rs. 1,17,010 crores
- August 2021: Rs. 1.12 lakh crores
- July 2021: Rs. 1,16,393 crores
- June 2021: Rs. 92,849 crores
- May 2021: Rs. 1,02,709 crores
- April 2021: Rs. 1.41 lakh crores (All time Highest)
- March 2021: Rs. 1.24 lakh crores
- February 2021: Rs 1,13,143 crores
- January 2021: Rs. 1,19,847 crores
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery: 2 December
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed annually on 2nd December since 1986 by the United Nations General Assembly. The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.
History of the day:
The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, 2 December, marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) of 2 December 1949).
India’s GDP : Ind-Ra projected India’s GDP 9.4% in FY22
The rating agency, India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) expects India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the Second Quarter of Financial Year-2022 (Q2 FY22) at 3 per cent and in FY22 at 9.4 per cent. Workplace mobility in Q1 FY22 was 26 per cent lower than the baseline and 16 per cent lower year-on-year than the baseline at The government’s capital expenditure (capex) grew 51.9 per cent in Q2 FY22 as against 26.3 per cent in Q2 FY21.
SBI signs MoU with Usha International for Empowering Women
State Bank of India (SBI) has signed an agreement with Usha International Limited (UIL) for empowering women entrepreneurs by providing financial assistance. The financial assistance will be provided under the Joint Liability Group model. This is the first of its kind collaboration between UIL and SBI in coming forward together for the upliftment of the social and economic status of women entrepreneurs in rural areas of the country by making them self-reliant and providing equal opportunity for achieving financial growth and inclusion.
About the MoU:
- As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between SBI and UIL, branches of the bank in Uttarakhand, Delhi, Western UP, and NCR Haryana will be financing women entrepreneurs to Usha Silai School to purchase sewing machines for enhancement and up-gradation of technical sewing skills or to purchase thread of clothes, etc. Related to above for running their livelihood.
- UIL has already been providing necessary training to these women through USHA Silai Schools across the country.
- This relationship will bring a new synergy among the women entrepreneurs and lead towards holistic development, SBI has given the name ‘NAVCHETNA’ to this relationship.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- State Bank of India Founded: 1 July 1955;
- State Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai;
- State Bank of India Chairman: Dinesh Kumar Khara.
Narotam Sekhsaria’s autobiography “The Ambuja Story” released soon
Former Vice Chairman/Founder/Promoter, Ambuja Cements Ltd, Narotam Sekhsaria has authored his autobiography titled ‘The Ambuja Story: How a Group of Ordinary Men Created an Extraordinary Company’ which is set to be released in December 2021. The book features the story of his rise from a small-time cotton trader to setting up one of the largest cement companies in the country, Ambuja cement, one of India’s finest companies.
About the book
The year was 1983. A cotton trader, still in his early thirties, began to dream big. His aspiration was to become an ‘industrialist’. The venture he was about to embark on was uncharted territory for him. He knew nothing about cement, limestone or anything remotely associated with it. This book vividly captures that engaging story, the determination and perseverance that went into building one of India’s finest companies.
Nagaland celebrates its 59th Statehood Day
Nagaland is celebrating its 59th Statehood Day on 1 December 2021. Nagaland was granted statehood on December 1, 1963, with Kohima being declared as its capital. Prior to this, Naga leaders and the central government reached an agreement to create a separate region of the Naga Hills in 1957. The State of Nagaland Act, 1962, was thus enacted by the Parliament to give Nagaland statehood.
According to the Article 371-A, no act of Parliament would apply to the State of Nagaland in a matter relating to religious or social practices of Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure, administration of civil or criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law and ownership and transfer of land and its resources. Nagaland is the first state in the northeast to be bifurcated from Assam as the 16th State of the Indian Union.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Chief Minister of Nagaland: Neiphiu Rio; Governor of Nagaland: Jagdish Mukhi.
EIU’s WoLiving Indexrldwide Cost of 2021 announced
Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) has announced the Worldwide Cost of Living Index 2021. According to the Index, Tel Aviv, Israel has become the most expensive city in the world to live in in 2021, pushing Paris, France and Singapore jointly to occupy the second spot with Zurich and Hong Kong at the fourth and fifth spots respectively.
Tel Aviv climbed from 5th place to the top in 2021 due to the rising value of the Israeli currency shekel against the US Dollar along with the increase in the price of grocery and transport. Syria’s Damascus was ranked as the world’s cheapest city.
Key points of the Index:
- Globally, supply chain issues, exchange rate shifts, and changing consumer demand has increased price on commodities and other goods. Transport acquired the fastest gains in the price index followed by the rising energy prices.
- The prices of goods and services have risen 3.5% in 2021 which is doubled to 1.9% in 2020.
- Rome, Italy saw the biggest drop in the ranking from 32nd to 48th place, Tehran, Iran rank increased from 79th to 29th place.
- Hong Kong had the most expensive petrol prices, at $2.50 per litre. The prices of branded cigarettes went up 6.7% on average.
Worldwide Cost of Living 2021 Index
The Worldwide Cost of Living Index examines the cost of living in 173 cities and measures impactful global events. The cost of the living study is conducted twice a year.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Economist Intelligence Unit Established: 1946;
- Economist Intelligence Unit Headquarters: London, United Kingdom;
- Economist Intelligence Unit Global Chief Economist, Managing Director: Simon Baptist.
V Praveen Rao wins 7th Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award for 2017-19
Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, V Praveen Rao wins the 7th Dr M S Swaminathan Award for the period 2017-19. It is a biennial national (every 2 years) award that was presented by the retired ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Employees Association (RICAREA) and Nuziveedu Seeds Limited. It carries a cash prize of INR 2 lakh and a citation.
Highlights of the award:
The Selection Committee, headed by former ICAR Director-General, RS Paroda has decided to select V Praveen Rao for the award recognising his contributions in the fields of ‘agricultural research, teaching, extension and administration’. Praveen Rao handled 13 research and 6 consultancy projects on micro-irrigation in India, Israel and South Africa.
About Dr M S Swaminathan Award :
- This prestigious award was instituted in 2004 in honour of Dr M.S. Swaminathan the main architect of India’s Green Revolution.
- This award is a lifetime achievement award for outstanding contributions to agricultural research and development and for overall food security and sustainability of agriculture.
- The award is open to all, irrespective of his/her nationality.
‘Naoroji: Pioneer of Indian Nationalism’ by Dinyar Patel wins NIF Book Prize 2021
A biography titled ‘Naoroji: Pioneer of Indian Nationalism’, authored by Dinyar Patel and published by Harvard University Press selected as the winner of the 4th Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF (New India Foundation) Book Prize 2021. The bookmarked the life events and legacy of Dada Bhai Naoroji. It also contains the historical background of India’s National Movement during the 19th century.
The winning book was selected on the basis of a jury’s decision chaired by political scientist Niraja Gopal Jayal, Nandan Nilekani and Manish Sabharwal and historians Srinath Raghavan and Nayanjot Lahiri.
About Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (New India Foundation) Book Prize:
- The prize is named after institution-builder Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay who had contributed significantly to the freedom struggle, women’s movement and other fields.
- The prize is given for the high-quality non-fiction literature on modern and contemporary India and carries a cash award of INR 15 lakh and a citation.
- Instituted – 2018 & Instituted by New India Foundation.
Sanjay Dutt roped in as Brand Ambassador for 50th year Celebrations of Arunachal Pradesh
The Arunachal Pradesh (AP) Government has signed Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt as the brand ambassador and award-winning filmmaker and branding expert Rahul Mittra as brand advisor of the occasion of their golden jubilee celebrations, marking the 50th year of the naming of the state. Sanjay Dutt launched a media campaign for the month-long celebrations, from 20th January to 20th February 2022 at the Mechuka valley of AP’s Shi-Yomi district.
As part of the media campaign, Sanjay Dutt will feature in a series of promotional videos on, Tourism in the State, Initiatives on substance and drug abuse along with youths and also on Serious concerns for the state in recent years.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Arunachal Pradesh Capital: Itanagar;
- Arunachal Pradesh Chief minister: Pema Khandu;
- Arunachal Pradesh Governor: B. D. Mishra.
Smriti Mandhana Signed as Brand Ambassador of GUVI
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) incubated startup, GUVI has signed Indian Women’s cricketer Smriti Mandhana as its brand ambassador. As the brand ambassador of GUVI, Smriti Mandhana will be the face of GUVI and feature across the online campaigns of GUVI aimed to strengthen the importance and scope of technological education & information technology (IT) skills.
Key Points:
- She will create awareness about technological education among everyone, especially among women.
- GUVI will be launching a cross-platform campaign with Smriti Mandhana, under which GUVI will offer the most affordable learning solutions for the youth, early professionals to develop their career profile in the IT industry.
About the GUVI:
GUVI is India’s first vernacular Ed-tech Startup to impart tech & programming skills to individuals in their preferred native languages (Tamil, Telugu, Hindi & Many other Indian Languages).
Veteran Telugu film lyricist ‘Sirivennela’ Seetharama Sastry passes away
The renowned Telugu film lyricist and Padma Shri awardee, ‘Sirivennela’ Chembolu Seetharama Sastry passed away at the age of 66 years. He was born on May 20th, 1955 in Anakapalle village in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. He launched his first song in the film, ‘Janani Janmabhoomi’ directed by K Viswanath.
In 1986 the movie ‘Sirivennela’ directed by K Viswanath made him famous and also gave him a second name as ‘Sirivennela’ Seetharama Sastry. He got the first ‘Nandi Award for best lyricist for ‘Sirivennela’, presented by the Andhra Pradesh state government. Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist- Telugu, Padma Shri (2019) and He won ‘Nandi’ Awards several times.
Sweden elects 1st Female Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson
The former Finance Minister of Sweden, Eva Magdalena Andersson from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) won her 2nd election and became the 1st female Prime Minister (PM) of Sweden. On 24 November 2021, she was first elected as the PM but later resigned after her coalition partner (Green Party) quit the government and the budget failed to pass. Swedan’s Parliament is known as Riksdag. Sweden is the last Nordic country to get a female Prime Minister.
About the Magdalena Andersson:
- Magdalena Andersson was born on 23 January 1967. She is a 54-year-old Swedish politician and economist serving as the PM from the Social Democratic Party or SDP.
- She began her political career as a political adviser to then PM Goran Persson in 1996 and then as Director of Planning.
- In 2004 she began to work in the Ministry of Finance as State Secretary.
- She became the head of the SDP on November 4, 2021. She is the second woman leader of the SDP.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Sweden Capital: Stockholm;
- Sweden Currency: Swedish krona.
