In BIMSTEC expanding connectivity is among the key priorities.

• The firstever BIMSTEC Conclave of Ports, aims to strengthen
  1. Maritime interaction
  2. Port-led connectivity initiatives
  3. Sharing best practices among Member Countries
• The BIMSTEC region brings together 1.67 billion people (22% of world population)

SAARC Development Fund (SDF) celebrated the 35th SAARC Charter Day on December 8, 2019

India’s 1st HAM project in “Sewerage Sector” 14 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP) was inaugurated in Sarai village near Haridwar.

The National Florence Nightingale Awards 2019 were conferred upon 36 nursing professionals. One award was conferred posthumously to honour nurse Lini Sajeesh from Kozhikode, who had passed away while caring for a NIPAH patient in Kerala. The award was received by her husband Sajeesh.

• A total of 799 Van Dhan Vikas Kendra in the 24 states have been opened since the launch of Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana.
• These Kendra are benefiting 12 lakh tribals across India.
• Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) has collaborated with the renowned fashion designer Ritu Beri to promote tribal crafts and culture across the country and the world.

The Human Library is a concept that replace books with humans to address people’s prejudices by helping them to talk to those they would not normally meet. The international movement was first started in 2000 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Centre on Friday released the list of 10 best police stations across the country with Aberdeen Police Station in Andaman district of Andaman and Nicobar grabbing the first position.

• Researchers have developed a device that will allow scientists to monitor frogs in the wild.
• With FrogPhone, researchers can simply “call” a frog habitat.
• It is described as the world’s first solar-powered remote survey device.
• It can be installed at any frog pond and which receives a 3G or 4G cellular network.
• It can sends text messages with water and air temperature and battery data.
• It will reduce costs and risks, including the negative impact of human presence on the field site.
• These devices also allow for monitoring of local frog populations more frequently than before, which is important because these populations are recognised as indicators of environmental health.

The theme of this year Civil Aviation Day is “75 Years of Connecting the World”.

• Indian Judoka, Sushila Devi brought first gold in women’s 48 kg at 13th South Asian Games in Nepal.
• Later Vijay Kumar Yadav won gold in men’s 60kg and Jasleen Singh Saini clinched gold in 66 kg.
• Three different cities in Nepal hosted the competition, Kathmandu, Pokhara and Janakpur.
• A pair of blackbucks (Krishnashar) is the official mascot for the 2019 South Asian Games

North Korea carried out a very important test at its long-range rocket launch site, Sohae Satellite Launching Station, on 8 December. North Korea stated that the result of the latest test will have an important effect on changing the strategic position of North Korea.

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki announced that she will retire from tennis after next month’s Australian Open.

• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed December 11th  to be International Mountain Day.
• Mountain conservation is a key factor for sustainable development and is part of Goal 15 of the SDGs.
• ‘Mountains Matter for Youth’ is the theme of this year’s International Mountain Day.
• The Andes is the longest above-water mountain range in the world and boasts some of the highest peaks.
• Located along the entire western coast of South America, the Andes mountain range is about 7,242 kilometers long.
• The mountain range spans 7 countries, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.
• The majority of the Andes mountain chains are volcanic.
• The highest active volcano in the world, Ojos del Salado, which stands at 6, 900m, is found here in a remote location along the Chilean – Argentina border.
• The Amazon River originates in the Andes Mountains.
• Potatoes and tomatoes, two of the most widespread crops on our planet, originated from the Andes.
• The Andes is home to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake on the planet.
• The largest gold mine in the world is Peru’s Yanacocha, and almost half of the world’s mined copper are located in the Andes.
• The Andes Mountains comprise 3 different main climatic zones, known as the Tropical Andes (in the north), Dry Andes (in the centre) and Wet Andes, in the south.

Former England captain Bob Willis passed away. He captained England in 18 Tests and 29 one-day internationals before his retirement from all forms of cricket in 1984.

B S Dhanoa