25-26 December 2019 - Daily Current Affairs
1. Rohtang tunnel in Himachal Pradesh named as 'Atal Tunnel'
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi named Rohtang passageway in Himachal Pradesh as Atal Tunnel to mark the 95th birth anniversary of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- The strategic Atal tunnel will change the fortunes of this region and will help in promoting tourism in the region.
- The 8.8-kilometre-long tunnel is the world's longest tunnel above an altitude of 3,000 metres.
- After completion of the tunnel, it will provide all-weather connectivity to remote areas of Lahaul and Spiti Valley and reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 Kilometres.
- It is a 10.5-metre wide single tube bi-lane tunnel with a fire-proof emergency tunnel built into the main tunnel itself.
Source: DD News
2. PM Narendra Modi launches 'Atal Bhujal Yojana'
- On the Birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has launched Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) in an event held in New Delhi.
- ATAL JAL scheme has been designed with the principal objective of strengthening the institutional framework for participatory groundwater management and bringing about behavioural changes at the community level for sustainable groundwater resource management in seven States (Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh).
- Out of the total outlay of Rs. 6000 crores to be implemented over a period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25), 50% shall be in the form of World Bank loan and be repaid by the Central Government.
- ATAL JAL will promote panchayat led groundwater management and behavioural change with a primary focus on demand-side management.
- Implementation of the scheme is expected to benefit nearly 8350 Gram Panchayats in 78 districts in these States.
- The remaining 50% shall be through Central Assistance from regular budgetary support.
3. Indian Railways to modernize its signalling system
- Indian Railways has decided to modernize its Signalling system on its entire network by implementing Modern Train Control System (MTCS).
- This is one of the most ambitious modernization projects which envisages up-gradation of a signalling system for improving safety, Line Capacity and to run trains at a higher speed.
- Four works of the total 640-kilometre route at a cost of 1810 crore rupees have been sanctioned as pilot projects in Supplementary Works Programmes 2018-19 for extensive trials of Modern Train Control System.
- The work includes revision of Automatic Train Protection System, Electronic Interlocking System and Remote Diagnostic and Predictive Maintenance System.
4. Mumbai: CSMT gets 'Eat Right' station certificate
- Iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station in Mumbai has been conferred with 'Eat Right Station' certification with the five-star rating by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for food safety and hygiene.
- The CSMT is the first station on the Central Railway to get this certification.
- The CSMT has been judged on the basis of compliance of food safety and hygiene, availability of healthy diet, food handling at preparation, food waste management, promotion of local and seasonal food and creating awareness on food safety and healthy diet.
- 'Eat Right Station' initiative is a part of the 'Eat Right India' movement launched by FSSAI and an FMCG major which is aimed at promoting food safety and hygiene at the static catering units at railway stations.
5. Digital Radio to be launched in 2024: Prakash Javadekar
- According to Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, the union government is bringing Digital Radio in 2024.
- The audio of digital radio will be clearer and its reach will be higher.
- All India Radio is an institution that is a part of people's lives, be it music, news or entertainment.
- Akashvani has one of the largest news gathering and dissemination apparatus in the world.
- Prasar Bharti is looking forward to a change in the format of these awards so that it brings out the hidden talent of the people.
- Digital radio is the use of digital technology to transmit or receive across the radio spectrum.
- Digital transmission by radio waves includes digital broadcasting, and especially digital audio radio services.
6. PM Modi unveiled Atal Bihari Vajpayee statue in Lucknow
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Lok Bhawan in Lucknow.
- The event coincides with the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the co-founder of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee served three terms as the Prime Minister of India.
- He was the first Indian prime minister who was not a member of the Indian National Congress party to have served a full five-year term in office.
7. Dharmendra Pradhan unveils India's first long-distance CNG bus
- Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled India's first long-distance Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus fitted with CNG cylinders at a function in New Delhi.
- It can travel around one thousand kilometers in a single fill.
- The first long-range interstate CNG bus will play from Delhi to Dehradun.
- Mahindra & Mahindra along with Agility Fuel Solutions of USA have partnered with IGL for introducing the new concept of lightweight Type IV composite cylinders in buses.
- The project has been executed by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) and has been achieved through the design of Type IV Composite Cylinders in buses, replacing traditional very heavy Type-I Carbon Steel cylinders.
Important Days
8. 25th December: Good Governance Day
- Good Governance Day is being observed in India annually on 25th December to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- Good Governance Day was established in 2014 to honour former Prime Minister Vajpayee by fostering awareness among the Indian people of accountability in government.
- On occasion of Good Governance Day, Dr. Jitendra Singh (Minister of State for Public Grievances and Pensions) has launched Good Governance Index in New Delhi.
- In the ‘Big States category’ Tamil Nadu topped in the Good Governance Index.
- In the ‘North-East and Hill States’ category, Himachal Pradesh topped the index, followed by Uttarakhand, Tripura, Mizoram and Sikkim.
- The worst performers in this group are Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, with Arunachal Pradesh finishing last in the group.
- Lakshadweep is the worst performing UT (Union Territories).
- The Index was launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, and the Centre for Good Governance.
- The prime objective of the GGI (Good Governance Index) is to provide quantifiable data to compare the state of governance in all states and Union Territories, enable them to formulate and implement suitable strategies for improving governance and shift to result-oriented approaches and administration.
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee had served as the Prime Minister between 1998 and 2004.
- He was born on December 25, 1924, and died on 16th August 2018 after a prolonged illness.
- He was conferred India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee in 2015.
Obituaries
9. England's football World Cup winner Martin Peters passes away
- England World Cup winner Martin Peters (76-years) passed away
- Peters was part of the 1966 World Cup-winning side and scored in the final against West Germany.
- Peters is the fifth member of England's World Cup final team to have died, after captain Bobby Moore, Alan Ball, Ray Wilson and Gordon Banks.
- Peters joined West Ham in 1959 as a 15-year-old, made his debut in 1962 and was a key player in the side who won the 1965 Cup Winners Cup final at Wembley.
Honour & Awards
10. Manushi Chillar is the 'Sexiest Vegetarian Personality' by PETA
- Former Miss World Manushi Chhillar has been voted the Sexiest Vegetarian Personality by American animal rights organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
- Manushi is a strong advocate for vegetarianism and has expressed her views on the subject even on global platforms.
- Manushi has been roped in for Yash Raj Films' biggest historical drama 'Prithviraj' where she will be seen in the lead role opposite Akshay Kumar.
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president.
- Its slogan is "Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way."
Appointment
11. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg steps down
- Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg (55-years) has stepped down as the company is facing tough period following two fatal crashes.
- Muilenburg will be replaced by Chairman David Calhoun (from 13th January 2020).
- Muilenburg became the CEO of the world's largest aerospace company in July 2015.
- The company's best- selling commercial jet was grounded worldwide in March 2019 after two fatal crashes killed 346 people.
- The Boeing Company is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment, and missiles worldwide.
12. MS Dhoni named captain of CA's ODI team of the decade
- Former Indian captain MS Dhoni has been named captain of Cricket Australia's (CA) ODI team of the decade.
- CA announced the ODI team of the year and the line-up features three Indian players.
- CA has selected India’s star batter, Rohit Sharma, as the opener along with South African veteran Hashim Amla.
- Cricket Australia's ODI team of the decade: Rohit Sharma, Hashim Amla, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Shakib Al Hasan, Jos Buttler, MS Dhoni (c), Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Lasith Malinga, Rashid Khan.
13. Indian weightlifter Rakhi Halder creates two new national records
- Indian weightlifter Rakhi Halder clinched a bronze medal in the women's 64kg weight category at the Qatar International Cup in Doha.
- She superseded the senior national record in both snatch and total lift with her personal best effort of 218kg (95kg in snatch + 123 kg in clean and jerk).
- India ended the Olympic qualifying silver level event with three medals.
- Former world champion Mirabai Chanu had won the gold on an opening day while teenager Jeremy Lalrinnunga had claimed silver in a power-packed performance.
14. Kohli among five Wisden cricketers of the decade
- Indian skipper Virat Kohli (31-year) is one of the five players named in the Wisden Cricketers of the Decade.
- Virat Kohli joins Australian batsman Steve Smith, and South Africans, Dale Steyn, and AB de Villiers.
- Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry is the only female cricketer in the list.
- In 2019, Kohli scored 2,370 across formats at an average of 64.05.
- Kohli has 5,775 more international runs and 22 more international hundreds than anyone else in this decade.
