Relevance IN - Prelims (about Exercise Hand -in - Hand)
What's the NEWS

• The 8^th India-China joint training exercise 'HAND-IN-HAND 2019' with the theme counter terrorism under United Nations mandate is scheduled to be conduct at Umroi, Meghalaya from 07 to 20 December 2019.

• The Chinese contingent from the Tibet Military command comprising of 130 personal and the Indian Contingent of similar strength will participate in the 14 day long training exercise.
• The aim of the exercise is to practice joint planning and conduct of counter terrorist operations in semi urban terrain.
• The exercise schedule is focused upon training on various lectures & drills associated with counter terrorist handling & firing with each others weapons, special heliborne operations and case studies of various operations carried out in counter terrorist environment.

What's the NEWS

• The seventh edition of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI- 2019 aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational efficiency amongst the armies of both India and Sri Lanka when deployed as part of United Nations peace keeping forces commenced on 01 December at Aundh Military Station, Pune.

Know! more about the exercise

• The objective of the exercise is to build and promote positive relations between armies of India and Sri Lanka through focus on sub unit level training on counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations in urban and rural environment under United Nations mandate.
• The joint training exercise also signifies the strength of India-Sri Lanka relations in the field of military cooperation and engagement, which is vital for refining the interoperability and operational preparedness.
• The joint exercise is designed for incorporating the current dynamics of United Nations peace keeping operations through practical and comprehensive discussions and tactical exercises.
• The primary focus of the joint training exercise will remain on field craft, battle drills and procedures as also the ability to operate jointly with seamless interoperability.

Governance
Corporate Affairs Ministry Launches Independent Director's Databank

Relevance IN - Prelims (about independent director's database) + Mains ( GS II good governance, accountability and transparency + GS III economic development)
What's the NEWS

• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, with the objective of strengthening the institution of Independent Directors under the Companies Act, launched the Independent Director's Databank in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013

Know! more about the database

• The Databank, is a pioneering initiative of the Ministry to provide an easy to access & navigate platform for the registration of existing Independent Directors as well as individuals aspiring to become independent directors.
• Powered by an Integrated Learning Management System, the various e-learning capsules and videos available in the system will enable Individual users to easily acquire knowledge from diverse resources, develop distinct skills and assess their understanding on company operations, regulations and compliances.
• Companies also may register themselves with the databank to search, select and connect with individuals who possess the right skills and attitude for being considered for appointment as Independent Directors as the Databank is expected to become a comprehensive repository of both existing independent directors as well as individuals eligible and willing to be appointed as Independent Directors.
• The Databank portal which has been developed and will be maintained by the Indian Institute for Corporate Affairs (IICA), is a first of its kind initiative from the Ministry.
• It provides for a wide array of e-learning courses on various topics including the Companies Act, Securities laws, basic accountancy, board practices, board ethics and board effectiveness.
• As per the notified rules, all existing Independent Directors are required to register themselves in the databank

Environment Conservation
Blue Flag Certification for beaches
Relevance IN - Prelims (about blue flag certification) + Mains ( GS III environment conservation)

What's the NEWS

• The Ministry has embarked upon a programme for ‘Blue Flag' Certification for select beaches in the country.

Know! more about it

• This Certification is accorded by an international agency "Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark" based on 33 stringent criteria in four major heads i.e. (i) Environmental Education and Information, (ii) Bathing Water Quality, (iii) Environment Management and Conservation and (iv) Safety and Services in the beaches.
• The ‘Blue Flag' beach is an Eco-tourism model endeavouring to provide to the tourists/beach goers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities/amenities, safe and healthy environment and sustainable development of the area.
• 13 pilot beaches that have been identified for the certification, in consultation with concerned coastal States/UTs, are Ghoghala Beach (Diu), Shivrajpur beach (Gujarat), Bhogave (Maharashtra), Padubidri and Kasarkod (Karnagaka), Kappad beach (Kerala), Kovalam beach (Tamil Nadu), Eden beach (Puducherry), Rushikonda beach (Andhra Pradesh), Miramar beach (Goa), Golden beach (Odisha), Radhanagar beach (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) and Bangaram beach (Lakshadweep).

Bilateral Relations
First India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting

Relevance IN - Prelims (about 2+2 ministerial meet) + GS II bilateral relations
What's the NEWS

• Defence Minister of India, Mr. Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar, met Foreign Affairs Minister of Japan, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, and Minister of Defense of Japan, Mr. KONO Taro, on 30 November 2019 in New Delhi for the first India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting.

Know! more about the dialogue

• The 2+2 ministerial dialogue is seen as an upgrade of the meeting between foriegn and defence secretaries of the two countries, the first round of which took place in 2010.
• The upgrade to the ministerial level talks follows an agreement reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during the 13^th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan in October 2018.
• India has a similar ministerial level 2+2' dialogue with the US as well.
• The India-Japan ministerial meeting comes ahead of the annual summit of the two prime ministers next month, scheduled to be held in Guwahati.
• The 2+2 meeting would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the status of and exchange further views on strengthening defence and security cooperation between India and Japan so as to provide greater depth to the 'India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership'," the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement.
• The two sides also exchange views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and their respective efforts under India's 'Act East Policy' and Japan's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision' for achieving their shared objective of peace, prosperity and progress to realise a better future for the people of the two countries and the region.

State Specific
20^th Edition of Hornbill Festival begins in Nagaland

Relevance IN - Prelims (about Hornbill festival)
What's the NEWS

• The much-awaited festival, the Hornbill Festival began with a colourful blend of culture and tradition with a modern twist at Naga Heritage Kisama in Nagaland this evening. This is the 20th edition of Hornbill Festival.

Know! more about the festival

• The festival organised by Nagaland Government is an annual tourism promotional event to showcase the state's traditional and rich cultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity and grandeur.
• The 10 Days Hornbill Festival began with the traditional blessing and by beating the traditional song. The Hornbill Festival coincides with Nagaland Statehood Day
• A display of Sukhoi aircraft flying over Kisama site was also organised in close coordination between the state government and headquarter, Eastern Air Command (IAF) Shillong.

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