World Soil Day: 5 Dec
World Soil Day is celebrated annually on the 5th of December at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome, the regional offices and through national and local events.
Theme for 2018: Stop Soil Pollution
Why Soil Pollution is a problem for the world?
As the world population will reach 9 billion by 2050, soil pollution is a worldwide problem which degrades our soils, poisons the food we eat, the water we drink and air we breathe.
One –Third of world soil has already been degraded. The major reason for the degradation and soil pollution are related to human activities such as unsustainable farming practices, industrial activities and mining, untreated urban waste and other non-environmental friendly practices.
In the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, soil pollution and soil degradation have been greatly emphasized because of its main role in food security.
India Water Impact Summit-2018 begins in New Delhi
Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugrated India Water Impact Summit 2018, jointly organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga) from 5-7 December 2018 in New Delhi.
India Water Impact Summit
It is an annual event where stakeholders discuss, debate and develop model solutions for some of the biggest water related problems in the country.
This year’s discussion will mainly revolve around rejuvenation of Ganga River Basin.
Nearly 200 participants from across the country including 15 international participants from across the world will debate and discuss on various issues related to water.
The 2018 Summit also introduces the inaugural Ganga Financing Forum that will bring a number of institutions to a common knowledge, information and partnership platform. The Hybrid Annuity Model has redefined the economic landscape of water and waste-water treatment in India.
First-ever Swadesh Darshan Project inaugurated in Nagaland
Peren-Kohima-Wokha Project is the first project to be implemented in Nagaland under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism.
Peren-Kohima-Wokha Project
The project “Development of Tribal Circuit: Peren-Kohima-Wokha” was sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism in November 2015.
Under the project the Ministry has developed facilities like Tribal Tourist Village, Eco Log Huts, Open Air Theatre, Tribal Rejuvenation Centre, Cafeteria, Helipad, Tourist Interpretation Centre, Wayside Amenities, Last Mile Connectivity etc.
In addition to this, the Ministry has also sanctioned another project in Nagaland “Development of Tribal circuit: Mokokchung–Tuensang-Mon” which is under progress.
Book titled 'Blue Waters Ahoy! Released
Admiral Sunil Lamba recently released a book titled ‘Blue Water Ahoy!’ It chronicles the Indian Navy’s History from 2001-10.
The book was released in the presence of President Ram Nath Kovind on the Navy Day which of celebrated every year on 04 Nov.
The book has been authored by retired Vice Admiral Anup Singh.
This is a part of the 6 volume series. The first five books covered the period from 1945 to 2002.
Indian Navy established a History Cell in 1968 to collate and analyse histrocial data relevant to the evolution of The Indian Navy. Also to learn from the past operations and further creating roadmaps for the future.
Govt notifies dual-fuel usage for agri, construction equipment vehicles
In a bid to promote bio-fuel run vehicles, the government on 03 Dec issued notification amending the Central Motor Vehicle Rules,1989 to include dual-fuel vehicles for agricultural tractors and construction equipment vehicles.
Rules 115A and 115 B of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 have been amended to incorporate new rules 115 AA and 115 BB for the purpose.
According to the notification, emission norms for smoke and vapour from these dual-fuel vehicles will be the same as the prevailing mass emission norms for the diesel model.
Benefits of Dual-fuel usage:
Most of the construction vehicles or agricultural equipment are run on diesel but now they can be converted to run on bio-fuels.
With dual fuel usage of vehicles the advantage is that they will use 60% diesel and 40% bio-CNG or LNG and hence cause less pollution and also turn out to be cost effective.
India, UAE sign Currency Swap Agreement
India and UAE government have signed currency swap agreement on 06 Dec to boost trade and investment ties between the two countries.
The agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi during the ministerial meeting of the 12th session of the UAE-India Joint Commission Meeting (JCM).
Benefits of Currency Swap Agreement:
Through the currency swap agreement, both India and the UAE can make payments in their respective currency to boost and trade investment without the involvement of a third currency like dollar.
The swap is for 200 crore dirhams or Rs. 3,500 crore ($496 million), depending on which central bank requests the amount.
It will help Indian government to reduce its dependency on dollars for the payments of imports.
India and UAE governments both have agreed to increase their bilateral trade from existing $52 billion to $100 billion by 2020.
Gautam Gambhir announces retirement from cricket
Indian Cricketer Gautam Gambhir announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He will play his last cricket match against Andhra Pradesh starting from 6 Dec in the Ranji Trophy.
Gautam Gambhir: A career at a glance
- Gambhir played 58 tests for India, accumulating 4154 runs at an average of 41.95.
- He has played 147 ODI games and scored 5238 runs for India.
- In total 37 T20s, he scored 932 runs.
- He was the ICC's Test batsman of the year in 2009.
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