National
National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the year 2020
⇒ The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) announced the winners of National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the year 2020.
Best State in promoting empowerment of persons with disabilities:
Tamil Nadu has been recognised as the ‘Best State in promoting empowerment of persons with disabilities’.
Tamil Nadu received an award for this on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, at a ceremony in New Delhi held by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
Best district in providing rehabilitation services:
Salem district of Tamil Nadu got an award for the best district in providing rehabilitation services.
It was among the two districts in the country getting the award. Other best district in providing rehabilitation services is Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
- The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was observed on 3rd December 2021.
Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile
⇒ Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile was successfully flight tested by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha on 07 December 2021.
The first trial was conducted on 22 February 2021 and this was confirmatory trial to prove the consistent performance of the configuration and integrated operation.
Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge Winners
⇒ The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology launched the “Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge” on August 18, 2020.
- The Challenge was launched as part of their series of proactive, pre-emptive and graded measures taken to spur the technology led innovation ecosystem in the country and staying at the forefront of digital adoption.
Shri Ajay Sawhney, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology felicitated the winners of the “Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge – Innovate Solutions for #AatmaNirbhar Bharat”.
- Out of the 30 teams, 10 most innovative teams won the challenge with their strategic solutions to various problems.
The top three winners of the challenge are:
1st Prize Winner:
Team- Vega-FCS-FT who used VEGA processor to demonstrate – Fault Tolerant Reliable Integrated Avionics System for Drones
2nd Prize Winner:
Team- HW Design Labs who used SHAKTI processor to demonstrate – FM RDS Utilities
3rd Prize Winner:
Team- CytoX who used SHAKTI processor to demonstrate – Home solution for blood cell counting
International
Loan Agreement between Government of India and Asian Development Bank
⇒ The Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $150 million loan to provide access to inclusive, resilient, and sustainable housing for the urban poor in the state of Tamil Nadu.
The Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Housing for Urban Poor Sector Project is aligned with the Government of India’s development priorities and policies on urban sector development, particularly the flagship program PMAY-Housing for All (Urban). It will address housing shortage among poor urban dwellers in Tamil Nadu with provision of housing to eligible families.
IMF's First Deputy Managing Director
⇒ Indian-American Gita Gopinath, the chief economist of International Monetary Fund, has been promoted as IMF’s First Deputy Managing Director.
Ms. Gita Gopinath assumed her new responsibility as FDMD on January 21, 2022.
In that role she oversees the work of staff, represents the Fund at multilateral forums, maintains high-level contacts with member governments and Board members, the media, and other institutions. In addition, she leads the Fund’s work on surveillance and related policies, and oversees research and flagship publications.
Ms. Gopinath previously served as the Chief Economist of the Fund from 2019-22. Gopinath, the first female chief economist in IMF history, has replaced Geoffrey Okamoto.
Chairman of AFAA
⇒ The Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA), at its General Body Meeting held on December 1, 2021 elected Srinivasan Swamy as its chairman for four years.
Swamy, a doyen of advertising, chairman of R K Swamy Hansa group, has held leadership positions in many industry bodies at a national and global level.
Sports
2021 FIDE World Chess Championship
⇒ GM Magnus Carlsen won the 2021 FIDE World Chess Championship after beating GM Ian Nepomniachtchi. The final score was 7.5-3.5 in favor of Carlsen.
It was organized under the aegis of FIDE. The International Chess Federation or World Chess Federation, commonly known as FIDE, is an international organization based in Switzerland.
The 2021 World Chess Championship was played during Expo 2020 at Dubai Exhibition Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 24 November to 12 December 2021.