Current Affairs Update 16th-December

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIR : 16TH-DECEMBER

     NATIONAL :-

• The nation is paying tributes to the brave hearts on 16th December,2016 for their sacrifices in 1971 India-Pakistan war on the occasion of 'VIJAY DIWAS'. "VIJAY DIWAS"- 16 th December of each year is celibrated as 'Vijay Diwas' to commemorate the martyrs of 1971 India-Pakistan war.               
• Toll free no: 14444 is launched by Government of India. The main aim  is to create awareness among people about digital transactions. The number '14444' will be operation within a week as per government.  

• Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates Solar Battery Station and Community Development Centre  at 'Bindhakata Tengapukhuri' village in Chabua, Dibrugarh of Assam.

• Major Port Authorities Bill,2016 is approved by Cabinet replacing Major Port Trust Act,1963.   The move aims to expand port infrastructure and facilitate trade and commerce.                              
• Rights of Persons with Disabilities   passed in Loksabha  on 16th December replacing 'Persons with Disabilities Act 1995'.Number of categories for differently- abled has been increased from 7 to 21 so that Divyangs could get benefits. PM Narendra Modi suggested the word Divyangs for persons with disabilities in 'Mann Ki Batt' in 2015.                                                  
• Military college of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME) developed Hi-tech combat gear for military purposes. The demo models include a color detecting Robot and a bike which does not start without finger print authentification.
• India tops Asia's innovation chart index .A survey conducted by global consultancy major Capgemini announced this. 

         MILITARY EXERCISE :

• Defence exercise 'EKUVERIN' is started at Kadhdhoo ,Lammu Atoll, Maldives.                         EKUVERIN is a bilateral annual exercise between India-Maldives. The currently ongoing exercise is 7th edition of its type.                                                                                                    

      CONFERENCES :

•  The 5th India-Arab Partnership conference was held on 14-15th December in Muscat,Oman. The Theme of the conference is 'Partnerships towards innovation and cooperation in IT'. The conference is organised by foreign ministry of India , Oman,GUCCIAC and Federation of  Arab business. [GUCCIAC-General Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the Arab countries.]                 

      AWARDS:

• Mr. Ratan Tata is conferred on 'Lifetime Achievements Award 2016 ' by Indian Council of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) for his contribution as a chairman of Tata Group for making the brand 'TATA' as a globally admired brand.                                                                                            

      APPOINTMENTS:

• Nigeria's Environment minister 'Amina Mohammed' appointed as the Deputy Secretary General of United Nations (UN).       
• Former Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sunil Arora has been appointed as the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Indian Institute of Corporate affairs(IICA).                      

      OBITUARIES:

• Bernard Fox famous for 'ABC series Bewitched' and james cameron's iconic film 'The TITANIC' passed away due to heart failure at Valley Presbyterian hospital in Van Nuys.