23 December 2017 Current Affairs
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Kohli becomes India’s most valued celeb
For the first time, a cricketer, Virat Kohli has emerged as the top-ranked celeb with a brand value of $144 million. In 2016, SRK was on the top spot with $131.2m brand value. He has slipped to the second rank this year, with a brand value of $106m. Kohli endorses 20 brands as of October 2017, while Khan and Deepika Padukone – ranked on number 3 – endorse 21 and 23 brands, respectively.
No shooting at 2022 Commonwealth Games
Shooting has been excluded from the Commonwealth Games 2022 edition. At the same time, the push to bring cricket back into the fold has gathered momentum, with Commonwealth Games Federation. The CGF declared Birmingham as the host city on Thursday after Durban, the original pick, had pulled out earlier this year due to financial constraints.
National Family Health Survey shows decline in Child Marriages
As per National Family Health Survey, the percentage of women, who were married before legal age, has reduced from 47.4% in 2005-06 to 26.8% in 2014-15. Further, as per analysis of Census 2011 data by NCPCR, ‘nil’ marriages were reported in the age group of 0-9 years for both boys and girls. India has enacted the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 in order to prohibit child marriages.
23 December: Kisan Diwas
Kisan Diwas (Farmer’s Day) is observed every year on 23 December to celebrate the birth anniversary of the fifth prime minister late Chaudhary Charan Singh. He was the PM of India for a very short tenure starting from 28th of July 1979 until 14th January 1980. When he became the Prime Minister of India in July 1979 he made many changes to improve the lives of the farmers. This is also an interesting fact that as the Prime Minister of India, Chaudhary Charan Singh never visited the Lok Sabha. He also served as the Deputy Prime Minister during the reign of Morarji Desai. He introduced Budget 1979 which was designed to accomplish the needs of the farmers in all respects. It had several policies in favour of Indian farmers.
UN Security Council imposes new sanctions on North Korea
The UN Security Council approved tough new sanctions against North Korea in response to its latest launch of a ballistic missile that Pyongyang says is capable of reaching anywhere on the US mainland. The resolution adopted by the council includes sharply lower limits on North Korea’s refined oil imports, the return home of all North Koreans working overseas within 24 months and a crackdown on ships smuggling banned items including coal and oil to and from the country. The resolution, adopted in response to North Korea’s sixth and strongest nuclear test explosion on 3 September 20717, banned North Korea from importing all natural gas liquids and condensates.
M. Subbarayudu appointed as Next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Peru
Shri M. Subbarayudu, presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Peru. He is expected to take up his assignment shortly.
Made-in-India Surface-to-Air Missile QRSAM successfully test fired
Made-In-India’ Surface-to-Air Missile QRSAM was successfully test fired by the Defence Research and Development Organisation from a defense base off Odisha coast. The homegrown canister-based high-speed weapon system can deceive enemy radars making it difficult to be detected, is capable of destroying aerial targets, tanks, bunkers and short-range missiles. It is a highly mobile air defence system which can destroy multiple targets at a distance of 25 km in less than one minute. Considered to be a unique system in its class, the missile is expected to supplement medium-range surface-to-air missile Akash.
Patanjali ranked India’s most trusted FMCG Brand
Brand Trust Report, India Study 2017 has ranked Patanjali as India’s most trusted Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) brand. Patanjali has also been named the most attractive brand. The study was conducted on 11,000 brands in 16 cities of India.
Bengali Singer Jatileswar Mukhopadhyay passes away
Acclaimed Bengali singer Jatileswar Mukhopadhyay passed away in Kolkata following prolonged illness. He was 82. He passed away due to multi-organ failure. The West Bengal government had conferred him with the Sangeet Samman award in 2012. He had a great place in bengali music in the 70s-80s. Some of his popular works are E Kon sakal, Tomar Sange Dekha Na Hole, Aamar Swapan Kinte Paare and Bondhuya Amar Chokhe Jal Enechhe.
Lt Gen B S Sahrawat takes over as Director-General of NCC
Lieutenant General B S Sahrawat took over the reins of National Cadet Corps as its Director General. The General Officer is a third generation army officer. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He was commissioned in December 1980 in 13th Battalion (Rezang La), the Kumaon Regiment. He has been awarded the Sena Medal during the floods of Kosi River in Bihar in 2008.
Rohit Sharma hits fastest T20I century, equals world record
Indian batsman, Rohit Sharma equalled David Miller’s record for the fastest century in T20 format by hitting a 35-ball hundred in the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Indore. Sharma also became the first Indian to score two tons in T20Is. His knock of 118 (43 balls) was studded with 10 sixes and 12 boundaries. It was part of an incredible opening partnership with KL Rahul as the duo put up more than 150 runs in 12 overs. Sharma had recently also scored a record-setting 3rd ODI double century against Sri Lanka.
Russia’s Dy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin visits India
Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin arrived in New Delhi. He will co-chair the meeting of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). The External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will host Mr. Rogozin and lead the Indian side. The meeting will enable the two sides to review the progress achieved by various working groups and sub-groups under the IRIGC-TEC.
Airtel Payments Bank CEO Shashi Arora resigns
Airtel Payments Bank Chief Executive Shashi Arora has quit the company after a recent controversy surrounding India’s largest telecom operator and its payment bank’s alleged violation of rules on using Aadhaar for its electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) verification process. He has been associated with Airtel in senior leadership roles since 2006. the suspension of the e-KYC licence of Airtel Payments Bank has not been revoked.