Observed annually on 11 December.

Theme : ‘Empowering children, transforming futures’.

About UNICEF

• UNICEF stands for United Nations International Children Emergency Fund.
• Established on December 11, 1946.
• It became a permanent part of the United Nations in 1953.
• It focuses on children’s rights, health, education, nutrition, and protection worldwide.
• Headquarters : New York City, USA.

Current Context : Recently, Government of India launched Channel 31 on DTH has been launched specifically for Indian Sign Language (ISL) training, targeted at hearing-impaired students, special educators, and others.

Significance of ISL: Indian Sign Language (ISL) is a well-structured language crucial for communication within the hearing-impaired community.

About PM e-Vidya Scheme

• Launch: The PM e-Vidya Schemewas launched in May 2020 as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan by the Ministry of Education.
• Objective: to provide multi-mode accessto education through digital, online, and on-air platforms, helping to minimize learning losses.

Key Components:

• DIKSHA(Digital Infrastructure for School Education)
• SWAYAM
• Digitally Accessible Information System (DAISY)
• Virtual Labsand Skilling e-labs

Current Context : Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile, will be awarded  Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, 2024 for her contributions to gender equality, human rights, and democracy.

About the Prize:

• Purpose: Awarded annually to individuals or organizations for significant contributions toward promoting international peace, disarmament, and development.
• Prize: The award consists of a  10 million monetary award, a trophy, and a citation.

Selection Process: A jury of 5 to 9 eminent persons, appointed by the Chairperson of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, conducts the scrutiny and selection process​

Current Context : India is chairing the 68th Session of the UNCND for the first time.

About UNCND

• Established by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)in 1946 to monitor and supervise international drug control treaties.
• Members: The commission consists of 53 member states, elected by ECOSOC.
• Headquarters : Vienna International Center in Vienna, Austria.

Functions:

• It acts as the governing body for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
• It reviews and analyzes the global drug situation, addressing both supply reductionand demand reduction.

Global Mandate:

• Focuses on drug policy, particularly combating illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse.

India’s Leadership Role:

• India’s chairmanship emphasizes balancing global drug policy and fostering collaboration among member nations, especially developing countries​

Current Context : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently hiked the rate ceilings on Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) [FCNR (B)] accounts to support foreign flows.

About FCNR(B) Account:

• A term deposit account that can be opened by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs).
• The account can be held in any freely convertible foreign currency.

Other NRI Bank Accounts:

1. Non-Resident (External) Rupee Account (NRE):
   1. Can be opened in Indian Rupees.
   2. Available as Savings, Current, Recurring, and Fixed Deposit accounts.
   3. Exclusively for NRIs or PIOs.
2. Non-Resident Ordinary Rupee Account (NRO):
   1. Also held in Indian Rupees.
   2. Available as Savings, Current, Recurring, and Fixed Deposit accounts.
   3. Can be opened by residents outside India for bonafide transactions in rupees.

Current Context : Recently, a Privilege Motion was moved in the Parliament by the opposition members.

About Privilege Motion

Privilege Motion is a formal request made by a member(s) of Parliament to the presiding officer to address an alleged breach of Parliamentary Privileges.

Parliamentary Privileges:

• These privileges are the rights enjoyed by:
  1. Each House collectively as a part of Parliament.
  2. Individual members of each House to discharge their duties effectively.
• They exceed those possessed by other bodies or individuals.

Sources of Parliamentary Privileges:

• Not codified but derived from various provisions, including:
  1. Article 105of the Constitution of India.
  2. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
  3. Parliamentary Conventions and traditions.

Purpose of Privilege Motion: To ensure that any breach of these privileges is addressed in order to maintain the integrity and functioning of the Parliament.

Current Context : According to the World Drought Atlas around 75 per cent of the population will be affected by drought by 2050

About World Drought Atlas:

Launch: Launched by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in collaboration with the European Commission Joint Research Centre.

Focus Areas:

• Link to Human Activities:Explains how human activities contribute to worsening drought risks.
• Impacts of Drought:The atlas explores impacts in five key areas:
  1. Water Supply
  2. Agriculture
  3. Hydropower
  4. Inland Navigation
  5. Ecosystems

Global Scope:

• Features 21 case studies worldwide, showing that no country is immune to drought, regardless of size, GDP, or latitude.

Strategies for Drought Management:

• Governance Measures:Early warning systems, microinsurance for farmers, water pricing schemes.
• Land-Use Management:Land restoration, agroforestry.
• Water Supply Management:Wastewater reuse, groundwater recharge, and conservation.

Death Anniversary of Alfred Nobel was celebrated on 10 December.

• He was a famous scientist, inventor, businessman, and founder of Nobel Prizes.
• He was born on October 21, 1833, and died on December 10, 1869.

Contribution:

1. Inventor of dynamiteand holder of 355 patents.
2. Established the Nobel Prizesin his will to honor achievements in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace, and later, Economic Sciences.
3. Nobel Prizes are awarded annually on 10 December, commemorating his death.

Celebrated annually on 10 December.

• Aim : to raise awareness about protecting and respecting human rights globally.
• Theme: Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.
• Adoption: Marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948 by the UN General Assembly.

Current Context : Himachal Pradesh received recognition for excellence in the National Panchayat Awards under the Localized Sustainable Development Goals (LSDG) framework.

Awards were given for achievements in themes such as social security, water sufficiency, and sustainable development.

About Awards

1. Thanadhar Gram Panchayat (Shimla District)

1. 1. Theme: Socially Secured Village
   2. Rank: 2nd Prize
   3. Reward: ₹75 lakh
   4. Also secured the 3rd Prize in the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar, receiving ₹50 lakh.

2. Sikander Gram Panchayat (Hamirpur District)

1. 1. Theme: Water Sufficient Panchayat
   2. Rank: 2nd Prize
   3. Reward: ₹75 lakh.

Awards will be Presented by the President of India.