13 December 2015 Current Affairs
Construction work TAPI gas pipeline project begins
1800-kilometre-long Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project was held at the ancient city of Mary of Turkmenistan. The function was attended by Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif and Indian Vice President Mohd Hamid Ansari. TAPI gas pipeline project is a proposed trans-country natural gas pipeline from Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan to India through Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Prakash Kumar Singh is new SAIL chairman
Prakash Kumar Singh has been appointed as the new chairman of the Steel Authority of India (SAIL). P K Singh was chosen to become the chairman of the country’s largest steelmaker in the public sector by government head-hunter Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB). The post of permanent chairman in the company has been lying vacant since incumbent CS Verma was refused an extension by the government in June.
Varanasi and Jaipur designated as members of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network
Two Indian cities for first time have been designated as members of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Two cities are Varanasi City (Uttar Pradesh) has been added in the City of Music category of network and Jaipur City (Rajasthan) has been added in the City of Crafts and Folk Art category of network. They are among the 47 cities from 33 countries that have been designated as new members of UNESCO Creative Cities Network. UNESCO Creative Cities Network covers seven creative fields including Crafts and Folk Arts, Film, Media Arts, Gastronomy, Design, Literature and Music.
Losar, Tibetan Buddhist Festival, began in Ladakh region
Losar, the biggest Tibetan Buddhist Festival began on 12 December 2015 in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The festival marks the beginning of New Year for Buddhists. The annual festival is celebrated by people of the area with traditional and religion fervor. The festival begins with illumination of religious and residential places. Buddhists of Ladakh celebrate Losar as their new year. During this, people of Ladakh specially remember ancestors of their family. On this day, people visit graveyards of their family members and pray for peace of the departed soul.