Current Affairs | December 11, 2021

 This article presents a quick overview of everyday events on December 11, 2021, in the form of GK one-liners to help you prepare for the upcoming Kerala PSC, UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, and other competitive examinations.

Current Affairs

December 11, 2021


Important Days & Events

  • International Mountain Day.
    • Theme – Sustainable mountain tourism.
  • UNICEF Day.
    • Theme – To help children recover from interruptions and learning losses experienced through pandemics

New Appointments

  • Newly Appointed Executive Director of UNICEF – Catherine Russell.
    • Headquarters – New York.
    • Formed in – 1946 December 11.
  • New Head of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel – Gautam Raghavan (Indian Origin).

Parliament

  • Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State for Health, revealed today that the government has established provisions for free digital health IDs for all Indian residents. What scheme is this project part of? Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-Jay).

National & International

  • The Zero Covid Policy was introduced by which country? China.
  • Which country ranked first in the 'World Talent Ranking Report' of IMD? Switzerland.
    • In Asia – Hong Kong.
    • IMD – International Institute for Management Development.
  • According to the RSF report, which country is the world's largest prison for journalists? China.
    • RSF – Reporters Without Borders.
    • Formed in – 1985.
    • Headquarters – Paris, France.
    • Report Title – 'The Great Leap Backwards of Journalism in China.'
  • How many countries are taking part in the ongoing 'Summit for Democracy' organized by the United States? 100.
    • Held virtually from Dec 9-10.
  • Which major nations are excluded from the 'Summit for Democracy'? Russia & China.
  • Which country recently legalized same-sex marriage and child adoption? Chile (December 9).
    • Capital – Santiago.
    • Currency – Chilean peso.
    • President – Sebastián Piñera.
  • On December 11, the UN General Assembly granted Observer Status to which organization? International Solar Alliance (ISA).
    • A joint venture by India and France.
  • The smallest planet discovered outside the Solar System – G7 367b. (Exoplanet)
    • Discovered by –  German Aerospace Center (DLR) Institute of Planetary Research. 
    • Duration –
  • Name the newest Ramsar Site in India – Haiderpur wetland (Uttar Pradesh).
    • The site is home to greylag goose, bar-headed goose, and is also the breeding ground for the Indian grassbird.
    • On the banks of – Ganges & its tributary Solani river,
    • Total no. of Ramsar sites in UP – 9.
    • 47th Ramsar site in April 2021.
  • Name the Rs 9,800 crore canal project inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Dec 11 that will provide water for irrigation to over 14 lakh hectares of land? Saryu Nahar Project (Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh).
    • Benefits 29 lakh farmers in 6200 villages.
    • Started in 1978 (discontinued due to lack of budget, support & coordination).
    • Under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana from 2016 onwards.  
    • Interlinking five rivers – Ghaghara, Saryu, Rapti, Banganga & Rohini. 
  • Which is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for the interlinking of rivers? Ken-Betwa Link Canal.
    •  221 km long.
    • The total cost of completion – Rs 44,605 crores.
    • Expected to be completed – 8 years.
  • Ken and Betwa are tributaries of the river – Yamuna.
  • What is the name of the initiative of the Union Ministry of India to measure the air quality of metropolitan cities? System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).
    • Launched by – Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
    • First Launched in – Delhi (2010).
    • First Air Quality Checking App in India – SAFAR.
  • Another air quality checking app released by the Govt of India that gives hourly updates? Sameer App.
    • provides hourly updates on the National Air Quality Index (AQI) published by Central Pollution Control Board.
  • Topper of India Skills Report (ISR) 2022 – Maharashtra.
    • 9th edition.
    • Theme – Rebuilding and Reengineering the Future of Work.
    • 2nd – Uttar Pradesh & 3rd – Kerala.
    • The city with the most highly employable resources – Pune.

Kerala

  • Name the ongoing contemporary art exhibition at Alappuzha - Lokame Tharavadu.

Awards

  •  2021 Yidan Prize – Rukmini Banerji.
    • Chief executive of Pratham.
    • For improving children’s education in India.
  • Winner of the 2022 RIBA Royal Gold Medal for Architecture – Balkrishna Doshi.
    • First Indian architect to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
    • Royal Gold Medal – The highest honor for architecture in the world.

Sports

  • Who won the FIDE World Chess Championship for the fifth time? Magnus Carlsen (Norway).
    • Venue – Dubai Expo 2020.
    • Beat Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia).
  • The first wicket-keeper to take eight catches (in two innings) in his debut Test – Alex Carey (Australia).
    • Against England in Ashes 2021-22.

Obituaries

  • Creator of Nintendo's NES console – Masayuki Uemura.

Today in History

  • 1936 – Abdication of King Edward VIII.
  • 1946 – UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) established.
    • Headquarters – New York.
  • 1997 – Kyoto Protocol.
  • 2013 – India Reintroduces Anti-Gay Legislation.
  • 2019 – India passed the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill.
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