Current Affairs Quiz-December, 2019

Notes:
Government has approved seven projects to set up Frequency Modulation (FM) transmitters in the premises of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The announcement was made by Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar. The aim of the approval of FM transmitters is to strengthen FM coverage along the Indo-Nepal border.
The projects would be in three states namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The transmitters will be set up in: Narkatiaganj (West Champaran), Bathnaha (Araria), Sitamarhi in Bihar, Champawat, Uttarakhand, Nanpara (Bahraich), Gadaniya (Lakhimpur Kheri), and Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh.

Notes:
Four eminent diplomats have been honoured with the ‘Diwali – Power of One’ award in recognition and of their work, especially at United Nations (UN), for a secure and peaceful world. The Winner were honoured with the ‘Power of One’ awards during a ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York, United States. The award annually honours those who have made exemplary contributions in upholding the values that the United Nations stands for.
The awards which have now come to be known as ‘Oscars of Diplomacy’ were established by Diwali Foundation USA, Inc in 2017. The awards seeks to promote a peaceful and consensus-based process to achieve societal good, as befitting high hopes and ideals of humanity enshrined in UN Charter. The co-organisers of this year Diwali Foundation USA’s Power of One awardees were- Permanent Missions of Belarus, Georgia and India to UN, along with 32 co-sponsors.

Notes:
Karnataka conducted a Human Library event in Mysuru on 8 December 2019. Human Library is spread across various metropolitan cities including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru in India. The aim of the Human Library event is to break long-standing prejudices and stereotypes of the past and create a safe framework for conservation by using a library analogy of lending people rather than books. The event aims to generate greater human cohesion across various social, religious and ethnic diversities.

Notes:
Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer who brought beloved “Sesame Street” characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch to life, died. Spinney passed away at his Connecticut home after battling dystonia, a common movement disorder. He was 85. The legendary puppeteer was known for his “kind and loving view of the world,” giving two of the show’s most iconic characters the joyous (and grouchy) personalities that viewers around the world adored.

Notes:
International Mountain Day is observed on 11 December. The day aims to raise awareness about conserving the mountains. A report says that 15% of the world’s population lives in the mountains. It is necessary to conserve the mountains. Mountain conservation is a crucial factor for sustainable development Goal 15 (SDG-15).  The theme of the 2019 International Mountain Day is Mountains Matter for Youth.

Notes:
To ensure the benefits of FASTag beyond tolling, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has launched a pilot project for using FASTags for parking purposes at Hyderabad Airport. Conceptualised as FASTag 2.0, the tag would cover parking payments, fuel payments, etc. After the success of project in Hyderabad, it will be launched at Delhi airport.

Notes:
On December 11, 2019, the social security code bill was introduced in Lok Sabha. The bill paves way for universalization of social security of 50 crore workers in the country.The bill proposes setting up of a social security fund to fulfill benefits such as medical cover, pension, death and disablement benefits including gig workers. This will help to tap the corporate social responsibility fund and divert it towards the unorganized sector.

Notes:
Senior diplomat Vikas Swarup is appointed as the Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs. The Appointments Committee (ACC) of the Cabinet has approved the appointment. Swarup is a 1986 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer. As the Secretary (West), he will be responsible for India’s affairs with the UK and other European nations.

Notes:
The Gosper Mountain Fire is a bushfire incident in Australia. It was formed by the combination of several bushfires and raged along the north west of Sydney. It was formed due to severe heat wave conditions in Australia. It also affected the Wollemi National Park in the Blue Mountains.

Notes:
The ministry of women and child development is planning to implement the ‘Saksham Anganwadi’ scheme. Through this program, 2.5 lakh anganwadis are to be upgraded over the next 5 years. The scheme will introduce upgraded facilities like smart teaching, smart learning, crèche facilities, etc.