GK Snapshots on 15 December 2021
 

Elon Musk named Time Magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’ 2021

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tesla & SpaceX, Elon Musk named ‘Person of the Year 2021’ by Time magazine. He took over the title from US President Joe Biden & Vice President Kamala Harris, who received the title in 2020.

• In April 2021, NASA granted Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX an exclusive contract to put United States (US) astronauts on the moon for the first time since 1972.

About Elon Musk:

i.Elon Reeve Musk was born on 28 June 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa.

ii.He is an entrepreneur and businessman. He is the founder, CEO and Chief Engineer at SpaceX, and CEO – Product Architect of Tesla.

iii.In 2021, Elon Musk became the world’s richest person with a total worth of USD 300 billion. He succeeded Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, who previously held the position of World’s Richest Person.

Dr Shashi Tharoor’s 23rd Book ‘Pride, Prejudice and Punditry’ Launched

Former union minister and Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Dr Shashi Tharoor‘s 23rd book titled ‘Pride, Prejudice and Punditry’ was launched in Hyderabad, Telangana. The book, published by Aleph Book Company, was earlier launched in Delhi.i.There are ten sections in this book, each devoted to a particular topic such as modern Indian history, Indian Politics etc.

Popular books by Shashi Tharoor:

• An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India

• Inglorious Empire

• The Paradoxical Prime Minister

• Why I Am a Hindu

• The Great Indian Novel

• Pax Indica

Govt launches 2nd edition of Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge

The 2nd edition of ‘Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge’ or ‘Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge 2.0’ was launched by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), in partnership with Startup India.

• It was launched by Union Minister Parshottam Rupala, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAHD) during an event celebrating ‘National Milk Day’ in Anand, Gujarat to commemorate the birth centenary of Dr. Varghese Kurien.

About Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge 2.0:

This challenge will explore innovative and commercially viable solutions to address six problems faced by the animal husbandry and dairy sector.

• The challenge is open for application on the Startup India portal

• The first edition of the start-up grand challenge was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 12 in 2019.

Govt Lays Foundation for Maa Umiya Dham Development Project

Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of Umiya Mata Dham temple and temple premises under Maa Umiya Dham Development Project at Umiya Campus in Sola in Ahmedabad, Gujarat along with several developmental projects including a railway bridge.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually attended and addressed the foundation stone laying of the project on 13th December 2021. He stated the Project as an example of the notion of ‘SabkaPrayas’ (Efforts of everyone).

• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was also present on the occasion.

Govt Launches National Helpline To Report Atrocities Against SCs/STs
 

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched a National Helpline Against Atrocities (NHAA) to prevent atrocities on members of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). The NHAA will ensure proper execution of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, (POA) 1989.

• The NHAA will be available 24×7 on toll-free number 14566 across the country.

Objective: To build an informed awareness about the provisions of the law that are aimed at ending discrimination and providing protection to members of the community.

Uttarakhand’s Askot Wildlife Sanctuary Declared as Eco-Sensitive Zone

According to the gazette of India dated 2nd December 2021 issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEF&CC), an area of 454.65 square kilometres around the boundary of Askot Wildlife Sanctuary in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand has been declared as the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-sensitive Zone(ESZ).

• The notified area extends from 0 to 22 km around the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary.

National Energy Conservation Day 2021 – December 14

National Energy Conservation Day is annually observed across India on 14th December to create awareness about the importance of energy conservation and the benefits of replacing non-renewable resources with renewable energy.

• The day is annually organised by the Ministry of Power.

• The first ever National Energy Conservation Day was celebrated on 14th Decemb