19 December 2017 - Daily Current Affairs
India tops list of migrants living abroad at 17 million: UN
- According to the International Migration Report of the UN, India has topped the list of people living abroad at 17 million with about 5 million Indians residing in the Gulf region alone.
- The number of migrants from India now reside in multiple destination countries, including the UAE at 3 million, the US and Saudi Arabia at 2 million each.
- Mexico(2nd), Russia(3rd), China(4th), Bangladesh(5th), Pakistan Syria(6th), and Ukraine also have large migrant populations living abroad (around 6 to 11 million each).
- International migration makes an important contribution to population growth in many parts of the world and even reverses population decline in some countries or areas.
UK govt extends pilot student visa scheme to 23 more universities
- Britain's Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis has announced extending a pilot student visa scheme to 23 more universities.
- Now, Indian and other non-EU students will get six-month time to find a job after finishing their course.
- Genuine students are welcome and there is no limit on the number who can come to study in the UK.
- Last year, the scheme was introduced on a pilot basis in four British varsities Oxford, Bath, Cambridge and Imperial College London.
India to host meeting of WTO member countries on food security
- According to the Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu, India will host a meeting of WTO member countries in February to muster support for food security and other issues.
- The union govt is trying to call a meeting of almost 30 to 40 countries in Delhi to help the multi-lateral process.
- India has been keenly pushing agriculture issues at the World Trade Organisation.
Note:
- The World Trade Organization(WTO) is an intergovernmental organization that regulates international trade.
- The WTO deals with regulation of trade in goods, services and intellectual & a dispute resolution process aimed at enforcing participating countries by providing a framework for negotiating trade agreements and a dispute resolution process aimed at enforcing participant’s adherence to WTO agreements.
Bharti Airtel to acquire Millicom’s operations in Rwanda
- Telecom operator Bharti Airtel Limited has signed an agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. to acquire its Rwanda’s operation ‘Tigo Rwanda’.
- Tigo’s 370 million customers will join the network of Airtel Rwanda.
- Now, Airtel Rwanda will be the second largest operator in the country with revenues of over USD 80 million and a revenue market share of over 40%.
- At present, Airtel operates in 15 African countries apart from India and South Asia.
- Airtel is one of the largest telecom service providers across the continent in terms of geographical reach and had close to 83 million customers at the end of quarter ended 30th September,2017.
Construction activities to be prohibited within 50 meters from river Ganga in hilly areas: NGT
- According to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) revised order, Construction activities will be prohibited within 50 metres from the edge of river Ganga in hilly areas
- It will now be treated as No Development Zone where no construction including commercial or residential buildings can come up.
- The area falling between 50-100 meters will be considered as "regulatory" zone and ban on construction activity in this area till the state comes with a specific policy.
- Earlier in July, NGT ordered 100 meters from the edge of the river will be treated as no development/construction zone between Haridwar to Unnao in Uttar Pradesh.
Skill Development Ministry & Maruti Suzuki sign Mou to impart skill training
- The Skill Development Ministry & Maruti Suzuki have signed an agreement to impart training to youth and enhance their employment potential in New Delhi.
- As part of the agreement, Maruti Suzuki will ensure that not less than 80% of trainees are placed with Maruti Suzuki or its business partner.
- Maruti Suzuki will develop specific training module as per the need of the automobile industry in consultation with DGT.
Goa celebrating 56th Liberation day today
- Today, Goa is celebrating its 56th Liberation Day.
- The state was liberated on this day in 1961 from Portuguese control after almost 450 years of colonial rule.
- The Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has unfurled the national flag and take a salute at the Goa Liberation Day celebrations in state capital Panaji.
- Goa is a state in India within the coastal region known as the Konkan in Western India, bounded by Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea forming its Western coast.
- It is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population.
Losar Festival being celebrated in Ladakh
- The Losar festival being celebrated in Ladakh region to mark the new year, the celebrations continue for three days to nine days in the different parts of Ladakh region of Jammu Kashmir.
- Prayer flags are hoisted in important religious places to welcome the new year.
- Losar Festival is celebrated by making symbolic meals and offerings.
Note:
- During the festival, Gods, ancestors, and animals are fed properly without delay.
- Walls of the kitchen of the locals are painted with images of Ibex, an auspicious symbol believing that it will usher-in good luck.
Andhra Pradesh cabinet approves pension for State's Transgenders
- The Andhra Pradesh (AP) Cabinet has approved a scheme to provide a pension of Rs. 1500 to transgenders community above 18 years of age in the state.
- Under this scheme, the transgenders will be provided ration cards, plots, scholarships and skill development for financial stability.
- Around 26,000 eligible transgenders in the state.
Mo Farah wins BBC's sports personality of the year award
- Four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah (World 10,000m champion) has been voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2017.
- He won his third successive world 10,000m gold medal in London in August.
- Farah becomes the first long-distance runner to win the Sports Personality award since Paula Radcliffe in 2002.
