News on 5-12-2016

1. International Volunteer Day: 5 December

i. The International Volunteer Day (IVD) is observed across the world on 5 December every year.
ii. This year theme is " Global Applause – give volunteers a hand".
iii. This year's theme recognises the volunteers worldwide and their efforts in making peace and sustainable development a reality.


2. World Soil Day: 5 December

i. The World Soil Day 2016 is observed on 5 December annually.
ii. The theme for this year is “Soils and pulses, a symbiosis for life”.
iii. The theme for the 2016 WSD focuses on the positive contributions of pulses to soil properties, such as fixing the atmosphere nitrogen and improving its biodiversity, fertility and structure.


3. Star Screen Awards 2016

i. The 23rd edition of the annual film awards show, Star Screen Awards, was held at Mumbai on 4th December 2016.
ii. The main attraction of the awards show was Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan hosting the event.
iii. Shoojit Sircar's critically-acclaimed Pink bagged as many as four awards, including for the Best Film, at the 23rd Star Screen Awards 2016.
iv. While megastar Amitabh Bachchan received the Best Actor award for the film, Aditya Bannerji got the Best Editing award and Ritesh Shah got the Best Dialogue award for Pink.


4. Web site to educate women on their legal rights launched

i. Tasmania-based Women's Legal Service in collaboration with TRS Law Offices (India) has launched a website (www.Girlsgottaknow.In) for women in the country to educate them about their legal rights.


5. MSS limit raised to Rs 6 lakh crore to manage liquidity

i. In order to mop up extra liquidity from the system in view of demonetisation, government and the Reserve Bank on 03rd December sharply raised the Market Stabilisation Scheme (MSS) ceiling to Rs 6 lakh crore from Rs 30,000 crore.
ii. Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said RBI will operate within that limit as per requirement, not as if the entire quantum of MSS would be utilised overnight.


6. Praful Patel appointed as AFC senior VP

i. All India Football Federation President Praful Patel has been appointed as a Senior Vice-President of Asian Football Confederation.
ii. Under Patel's tutelage, India won the rights to host the Fifa U-17 World Cup India 2017 and hosted the AFC U-16 Championship in September 2016.


7. Crown prince Maha Vajiralongkorn becomes Thailand's new king

i. Thailand named its crown prince Maha Vajiralongkorn as its new king on 1 December 2016, 50 days after the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadei.
ii. Dressed in white, prince Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne and accepted his new responsibilities at the invitation of the National Legislative Assembly’s (NLA) President in his Bangkok Palace amidst the whole of Thai media.


8. Mukesh Kumar makes history in Golf Asia Tour

i. Indian Golfer Mukesh Kumar became the oldest golfer to win an Asian Tour title on December 4, 2016 at Delhi Golf Club (DGC) after winning the Panasonic Open India.
ii. The 51-year-old Mukesh, who has won 123 PGTI titles, scored two-under 70 in the final round which made his total to 10-under 206 to claim the trophy.


9. Flipkart's Binny Bansal, Sachin Bansal named Asians of the Year

i. Flipkart founders Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal have been jointly named "Asian of the Year 2016" by Singapore-based newspaper The Straits Times.
ii. The "Asian of the Year 2016" award recognises entrepreneurs operating at the frontiers of technology's interface with business.


10. KPMG and Microsoft partner to help grow India’s digital transformation

i. KPMG in India and Microsoft India have established a strategic IoT Advisory partnership.
ii. This will enable them to combine their advanced technologies, industry insights, and creative thinking to accelerate the digital transformation of large and mid-market Indian enterprises.


11. Airtel appoints Sunil Taldar as CEO, Director of Digital TV arm

i. Telecom operator Bharti Airtel  announced top level changes by appointing Sunil Taldar as CEO & Director of its DTH arm Airtel Digital TV and moving incumbent Shashi Arora as MD & CEO of Airtel Payments Bank.
ii. He takes over from Shastri Arora who, after a stint of around five years as CEO & DTH, has moved as MD & CEO, Airtel Payments Bank.


12. Amazon launches global startup program 'Launchpad' in India

i. E-commerce major Amazon has launched its global startup program 'Launchpad' in India, an online portal featuring over 400 products from different startups including 25 Indian startups.
ii. The program will also help Indian startups to sell their products overseas. First started in 2015, Amazon Launchpad is now available in seven regions.


13. India's internet population to touch 600 mn by 2020: Study

i. Driven by increased 4G and 3G penetration, India's internet population is likely to increase from current 343 million users to 600 million by 2020, according to a study by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) and Deloitte.
ii. India is the world's second largest mobile phone market with over a billion mobile phone connections. Among these, 240 million mobile connections belong to smartphones.


14. Former international hockey umpire Phulel Singh Sujlana passed away

i. Former international hockey umpire and veteran administrator, Phulel Singh Sujlana, passed away due to old age.
ii. The jovial Sujlana, who was also secretary of the Mumbai Hockey Association Limited (MHAL) for four years from 2000-2004 after being its vice president from 1997, donned quite a few hats in hockey, officiating first at the international level as an umpire at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok

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