Union
Government launched GIAN Scheme to boost higher education
Union Ministry of
Human Resource Development (HRD) has launched Global Initiative of Academic
Networks (GIAN) Scheme to boost the quality of higher education in India. It
was launched by Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani at the Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT) campus.
GIAN Scheme aims at
improving the quality of higher education in the country through international
collaboration. Facilitate participation of high quality international
academicians for delivering short-term courses and programs in Indian institutions.
These courses will
vary in duration from one to three weeks depending on the subject and will be
free for students of the host institution and available for nominal fees for
others. These courses will be webcasted live for students across the country
through web portal www.gian.iitkgp.ac.in designed by IIT Kharagpur.
International
Day for the Abolition of Slavery Observed
International Day for
the Abolition of Slavery was observed worldwide on 2 December 2015. The day is
observed to focus on the elimination of human trafficking, child labour and
other forms of modern-day slavery.
International Day for
the Abolition of Slavery marks the date of adoption of the United Nations
Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation
of the Prostitution of Others by UN General Assembly on 2 December 1929.
India,
France launched International Solar Alliance
India and France launched
the International Solar Alliance in Paris. The alliance was launched jointly by
PM Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande during the United
Nations climate change conference (COP21).
The alliance also
invited all countries located fully or partly between the tropics of Cancer and
Capricorn to join the group. It will function from the National Institute of
Solar Energy in India, Gurgaon.
Delhi
Development Authority awarded with E-India Award
Delhi Development
Authority (DDA) awarded with the E-India Award for adopting technology to serve
the public better and using resources efficiently through mobile applications. The
award was received by VS Tomar, Director (Systems) DDA during the e-INDIA
SUMMIT 2015 in Mumbai.
Koodiyattom
artiste Margi Sathi passed away
Noted Nangiarkoothu
and Koodiyattam performer Margi Sathi has passed away at the age of 50 due to
cancer. Margi Sathi, the doyenne of the exotic dance form of Nangiarkoothu, an
offshoot of Koodiyattam, the ancient temple art form.
Sarangi
maestro Ustad Sabri Khan passed away
Renowned sarangi Ustad
Sabri Khan died on 30 November 2015 in New Delhi due to breathing problems. He
was 88. Born on 21 May 1927 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, Khan belonged to the
Sainia Gharana, which traces the tradition of its music back to Tansen. Ustad
Sabri Khan had received numerous honours and awards, including the Sahitya Kala
Parishad Award, UP Sangeet Natak Academy. Government of India also honoured him
with the prestigious Padma Shree Award in 1992 and Padma Bhushan Award in 2006.
ICBC to
become Tata Group’s banking partner
Tata Sons Ltd and
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd (ICBC) have formed a long-term
partnership, under which ICBC will become a strategic banking partner to the
Tata group. Tata Sons is the principal investment holding company of $108
billion Tata Group and promoter of Tata companies.
President
gave nod to Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2015 to allow women to work in night
shifts
President Pranab
Mukherjee on 1 December 2015 gave assent to Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2015 of
Maharashtra. Among other things, the bill amends Section 66(1)(c) of the
Factories Act, 1948 that restricts women from working at a factory between 7 PM
and 6 AM. The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2015 was passed by the Maharashtra
legislature in July 2015. Later, it was reserved for consideration of the
President by the State Governor C Vidyasagar Rao under article 200 of the
Constitution.
Sir
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan assumed Presidency of the Royal Society.
Sir Venkatraman
Ramakrishnan on 1 December 2015 assumed Presidency of the Royal Society in
London. He was elected to the office in March 2015 by the society’s council and
will serve for up to five years. He was
awarded a knighthood in 2012.
Read Also: Current Affairs December 1, 2015
