Sardar Patel Narmada Trek flagged off

1.World AIDS Day: 01 December

World AIDS Day is being observed every year on 01 December to raise public awareness about Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS.This year, the theme is “Communities Make the Difference”

It is a pandemic disease caused due to the infection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

The day also provides an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV and to show support for those living with HIV.

As per the latest estimate of 2017, there are around 21 lakh 40 thousand people living with HIV in the country.

The government is implementing the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) as a hundred per cent Central Sector Scheme for prevention and control of AIDS.

2.India becomes the first country to make entire Haj process digital

India has become the first country to make the entire process for pilgrims going on Haj completely digital.This came after the minister signed the bilateral agreement for the pilgrimage with the Saudi Haj Minister in Jeddah.

An online application, e-visa, Haj mobile app, “e-MASIHA” health facility, “e-luggage pre-tagging” providing all information in India itself regarding accommodation and transportation in Mecca-Madina.

This year, a 100-line information centre has been established at the Haj House, Mumbai for providing information regarding the entire Haj process.

3.BSF celebrates its 55th raising day on 1 December

The Border Security Force sentinels, who are India’s first line of defence, celebrated BSF’s 55th Raising Day.The ceremony was attended by Union Minister of State Affairs Nityanand Rai at BSF headquarters in New Delhi.

BSF, the border security force, that guards the nation is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces of Union of India.

The BSF was raised on 1 December 1995, in the wake of the 1965 War.

4.Nagaland celebrates its statehood day on 01 December

Nagaland celebrated its 57th Statehood Day on 01 December.It became the 16th State of the Union of India on 1st December 1963.

The formal inauguration was done by the then President of India Dr S. Radhakrishnan.

The state has come a long way in the midst of all the turmoil.

5.Sardar Patel Narmada Trek flagged off

In Gujarat, the Sardar Patel Narmada Trek (SPNT), a national level trekking camp for NCC Senior and Junior Division Cadets, has been flagged off at Statue of Unity-Kevadia in Narmada district.More than 1,000 cadets from Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal and Punjab participated in this camp.

The aim of organizing SPNT camp is to promote National Integration by gathering enthusiastic Nationalist youth from all faiths, castes and cultural identity at a place which is towered by the Iron Man of India.

During the event, the NCC cadets will first trek from the Base Camp at NCC Academy Jeetnagar to Junaraj located 20 kilometres away in the Sundarpura.

They will visit Karjan Dam and power generation plant to study the scientific developments of the country.

6.20th Edition of Hornbill Festival begins in Nagaland

The much-awaited festival, the Hornbill Festival began with a colourful blend of culture and tradition in Nagaland.This is the 20th edition of Hornbill Festival.

The festival organised by Nagaland Government is an annual tourism promotional event to showcase the state’s traditional and rich cultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity and grandeur.

The 10 Days Hornbill Festival will witness the cultural performance of different tribes of Nagaland and Northeastern States, indigenous games, city tour, night carnival, art exhibition, photo-fest and many more.

7.Nana Patole elected as Speaker of  Maharashtra Legislative Assembly

Congress leader Nana Patole has been elected as the Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Kisan Kathore withdrew his nomination.Pro tem speaker Dilip Walse Patil made the announcement.

Maharashtra BJP legislature party leader Devendra Fadnavis was named Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly.

8.Iraq PM Adel Abdul Mahdi resigns

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has submitted his resignation to Parliament amid ongoing anti-government protests across the country.The formal resignation came after an emergency cabinet session in which ministers approved the document and the resignation of key staffers, including Abdul Mahdi’s chief of staff.

The resignation came after Iraq’s top Shia religious leader withdrew his support to the government.

More than 400 people have been killed in Iraq since early October with thousands of people taking to the streets in Baghdad and southern part of the country over corruption, poor services, lack of jobs and calling for an end to the post-2003 political system.

9.Soma Roy Burman takes charge as new Controller General of Accounts

Soma Roy Burman took charge as the new Controller General of Accounts, CGA.She is the 24th CGA and the seventh woman to hold this coveted position.

She took over from J P S Chawla.

Burman, a 1986-batch Indian Civil Accounts Service officer has held cadre positions at different levels in Central government Ministries during her 33-year long career.

Prior to assuming the charge of CGA, Burman served as Additional Controller General of Accounts in the office of the CGA.