Today's Current Affairs 30th December 2023

INTERNATIONAL

Argentina Rejects BRICS Membership under President Javier Milei

• Argentine President Javier Milei has officially declined the invitation to join the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) grouping of major emerging economies.

About BRICS:

Founded: 16 June 2009

Founders: Russia, China, India, Brazil

 NATIONAL

Lt. Governor Inaugurated CRC Samba-Jammu for Person with Disabilities

• Governor Shri Manoj Sinha of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir unveiled the commemorative plaque, officially inaugurating the Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for Skill Development, Rehabilitation & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) in Samba – Jammu.

Government Modifies Interest Rates on Small Savings Schemes

• The Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme (SSAS) will now yield 8.2%, up from the previous 8%, while the 3-year time deposit rate increases marginally to 7.1% from 7%. Despite expectations of a broader reset, the PPF rate remains stagnant at 7.1%.

Gujarat to Unveil India’s First Submarine Tourism in Dwarka

• Gujarat government, in collaboration with Mazgaon Dock Limited (MDL), is set to make waves in the tourism industry by introducing India’s first submarine tourism venture.
• Saurabh Pardhi is the managing director of Gujarat Tourism.

About Gujarat:

Capital: Gandhinagar

Chief Minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel

Governor: Acharya Devvrat

ULFA Peace Accord Marks Historic Day for Assam: Amit Shah

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the signing of the accord as “a golden day” for Assam, expressing optimism about the region’s future.

About Assam:

Chief Minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma 

Governor: Gulab Chand Kataria

Founded: 15 August 1947

Capital: Dispur

Kerala CM Unveils Board for Transparent PSU Hiring

• Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, recently inaugurated the Kerala Public Enterprises (Selection and Recruitment) Board, a pivotal step toward enhancing transparency and efficiency in the recruitment processes of public sector units (PSUs).

Gujarat Claims the title of “India’s Petro Capital”

• Gujarat has emerged as the nation’s petrochemical powerhouse, boasting the world’s largest grassroots oil refinery and a state-of-the-art petrochemical complex.
• Incorporated in 2006, ONGC Petro additions Limited (OPaL) is a private joint venture with 26% and 5% stakes from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) respectively.

About Gujarat:

Capital: Gandhinagar

Chief Minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel

Governor: Acharya Devvrat

 SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

Navy Unveils New Admirals’ Epaulettes in ‘True Reflection of Indian Rich Maritime Heritage’

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the unveiling of new designs for Admirals’ epaulettes and a renaming of ranks within the Indian Navy. This announcement was made during Navy Day celebrations at Sindhudurg on December 4.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar Appointed as Ex-Officio Chancellor of Pondicherry University

• Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, has been appointed as the ex-officio Chancellor of Pondicherry University. This appointment comes as a result of a modification in Statute 1(1) of the Pondicherry University Act of 1985.

 BOOKS & AUTHOR

A Book Titled “The Babri Masjid Ram Mandir Dilemma” Authored by Madhav Godbole

• A recent publication, titled “The Babri Masjid Ram Mandir Dilemma: An Acid Test for India’s Constitution,” authored by Madhav Godbole.