GUJARAT

10,000 cameras to be used for 2020 lion census in Gujarat

Around 8,000-10,000 cameras will be used to carry out the 2020 lion census in Gujarat, the last abode of the Asiatic lion.

As against 15,000 sq km area surveyed in the last census, lions will be counted across 25,000 sq km area spanning seven districts.

For the first time, the expertise of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) will be perused in the census, scheduled to take place in May 2020.

The 2015 lion census had counted 523 lions in the state.

The number is expected to have risen phenomenally with internal assessments of the forest department indicating that the population may have crossed the 1,000-mark.

INTERNATIONAL

Portugal to launch a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize

Portugal is to launch a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize with an aim to promote Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals. The announcement was made by the Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa. at the second meeting of the National Committee for Commemoration of the 150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at New Delhi on 19 December 2019. The meeting was presided by President Ram Nath Kovind.

The move comes as the country was inspired by the different thoughts and quotes of Mahatma Gandhi.

The first edition of the Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize has been dedicated to animal welfare. This is after the words of Mahatma Gandhi which said that the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

The initiation of the award shows global reverence for Mahatma Gandhi as the world is realizing that his vision of peace, equality, and non-violence.

China successfully launches largest carrier rocket

China has successfully launched the largest carrier rocket of the country, Long March-5, from Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China’s Hainan Province.

The rocket, also known as CZ-5, blasted off with more than 1,000 tonnes of thrust.

The Chinese space authorities declared the mission a “complete success” just over half an hour after the lift-off when the Shijian-20 satellite it carried entered its designated orbit.

It is the country’s third attempt to launch the rocket.

The first attempt was made in 2016.

Ethiopia launches its first satellite

Ethiopia launched its first satellite, a landmark achievement for the country’s space program that caps a banner year for the African space industry.

The launch of the Ethiopian Remote Sensing Satellite (ETRSS) took place at a space station in China.

The live broadcast was watched by a group of Ethiopian and Chinese officials and scientists who had gathered at the Entoto Observatory and Research Centre outside the capital, Addis Ababa.

NATIONAL

National Mathematics Day: 22 December

The Indian government declared 22 December to be National Mathematics Day.

This was announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 26 February 2012.

Srinivasa Ramanujan was born on 22 December, 1887, Erode.

He made substantial contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions, including solutions to mathematical problems then considered unsolvable.

National Farmers Day: 23 December

December 23 is celebrated as ‘Kisan Diwas’ or ‘National Farmers’ Day’ every year.

The day honours Chaudhary Charan Singh, the 5th Prime Minister of India who was born this day.

It is believed that ‘Zamindari Abolition Bill-1952’ was passed due to Chaudhary Charan Singh’s hard work.

He served as the Prime Minister of India between 28 July 1979 and 14 January 1980.

Govt plans to take khadi turnover to Rs 2 trn in next 5 years

Union minister Nitin Gadkari takes plans to take khadi and village industries turnover to Rs 2 trillion in the next five years from Rs 75,000 crore at present. The industry to expand its share in global trade to about 10 percent, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Minister Gadkari urged players to grab the opportunity to expand in the wake of China that accounts for 17 percent of the global trade business battling increased cost and difficulties. The turnover of khadi and village industries is Rs 75,000 crore at present.

Steps are on to take it to Rs 2 trillion in five years.

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