Daily Current Affairs December 31 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog releases ‘Innovations For You’ & ‘The Ingenious Tinkerers’:

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) NITI Aayog has released the second edition of – ‘Innovations for You’- a compendium of innovations focused on agriculture featuring 70 startups supported by Atal incubation Centers (AICs) of AIM and ‘The Ingenious Tinkerers’ – a compendium on the innovations on technology featuring 41 innovations from Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) of India.
• As the nation rejoices the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav – 75th Year of Independence, both the books are celebration of the success stories of young innovators of India.

Daily Current Affairs December 30 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

PM Modi has inaugurated the Kanpur Metro Rail and Bina-Panki multi-product pipeline:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has attended the 54th Convocation Ceremony of the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur.
• During his visit to Kanpur Mr Modi also inaugurated the completed section of the Metro Rail Project in the city. This section is nine-kilometre long from IIT, Kanpur to Moti Jheel.
• The Prime Minister inspected the Kanpur Metro Rail Project and undertook a metro ride from IIT Metro Station to Geeta Nagar.
• The entire length of the Metro Rail Project in Kanpur is 32 kilometres and is being built at a cost of over 11,000 crore rupees.
• The Bina-Panki Multi-product Pipeline Project was also inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

Daily Current Affairs December 29 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

India imposes anti-dumping duty on Chinese goods for 5 years

• India has imposed anti-dumping duties on five Chinese products, including certain aluminum goods and some chemicals, for five years to guard local manufacturers from cheap imports from the neighboring country.

List of Products :

• As per separate notifications of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC),

• Flat-rolled products of aluminum
• Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) component R-32
• Silicone sealant (used in the manufacture of solar photovoltaic modules and thermal power applications)
• Sodium hydrosulfite (used in the dye industry)
• Hydrofluorocarbon mixtures (both have found use in the refrigeration industry).

• These duties were imposed following recommendations of the Commerce Ministry’s investigation arm, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR).
• DGTR has concluded that these products have been exported to the Indian markets at below normal value, which has resulted in dumping.
• CBIC has also imposed duty for five years on imports of calcined gypsum powder from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iran.

Daily Current Affairs December 28 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Good Governance Index 2021 launched on Good Governance Day by Amit Shah:

• Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, Mr Amit Shah has released the Good Governance Index 2021 prepared by DARPG on Good Governance Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
• Good Governance Index, GGI 2021 Framework covered ten sectors and 58 indicators.
• The sectors of GGI 2020-21 are:

1. Agriculture and Allied Sectors,
2. Commerce & Industries,
3. Human Resource Development,
4. Public Health,
5. Public Infrastructure & Utilities,
6. Economic Governance,
7. Social Welfare & Development,
8. Judicial & Public Security,
9. Environment, and
10. Citizen-Centric Governance.

 The GGI 2020-21 categorises States and UTs into four categories, i.e.,

• Other States – Group A;
• Other States – Group B;
• North-East and Hill States; and
• Union Territories.

Daily Current Affairs December 26 & 27 2021

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

Good Governance Day- Dec 25:

• Good governance day is observed annually on December 25.
• The day aims to let the citizens, the students, who are the future of the country know about the government’s responsibilities and duties that it needs to fulfill.
• The day is also celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• On December 23, 2014, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (posthumously) were announced as recipients of India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna.
• Following the announcement, the Modi government announced that the birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister would be treated as Good Governance Day.
• Since then, the day is celebrated throughout the country every year on December 25.

Daily Current Affairs December 25 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

National Consumer Rights Day- Dec 24:

• December 24 is celebrated annually in India as National Consumer Rights Day, also called National Consumer Day, to commemorate December 24, 1986, when the Consumer Protection Act received assent of the President of India.
• The purpose of the day is to make consumers aware of their rights and responsibilities.
• The Union government, in partnership with the state government, conducts events on consumer awareness.
• The National Consumer Rights Day was observed for the first time in 1986 under the Consumer Protection Act.

Daily Current Affairs December 24 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

CABINET APPROVALS:

Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Copra for 2022 season:

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for copra for 2022 season.
• The MSP for Fair Average Quality (FAQ) of milling copra has been increased to Rs10,590/- per quintal for 2022 season from Rs.10,335/- per quintal in 2021 and the MSP for ball copra has been increased to Rs.11,000/- per quintal for 2022 season from Rs.10,600/- per quintal in 2021.

Daily Current Affairs December 23 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

National Mathematics Day: Dec 22

• Every year, December 22 is celebrated as National Mathematics Day in India in honour of mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920).
• This year India will celebrate the 134th Birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan
• The day was announced as the national mathematics day by paying the tribute to Ramanujan in Chennai.
• The celebrations were announced by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Madras University in 2012.

Daily Current Affairs December 22 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Ministry of Panchayati Raj organises National Webinar on Atmanirbhar Panchayats in commemoration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

• As the Nation is celebrating 75 years of Independence as ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is undertaking several activities and initiatives to uphold the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in the light of the fact that the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ could only be achieved if the Panchayati Raj Institutions of the country become self-dependent in all aspects, Sunil Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• Thus, it would be apt to say that only ‘Atmanirbhar Panchayats’ can lay the foundation for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

Daily Current Affairs December 21 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

Goa’s Liberation Day- 19 Dec

• Goa Liberation Day is observed on December 19 every year in India, and it marks the day Indian armed forces freed Goa in 1961 following 450 years of Portuguese rule.
• The Portuguese colonised several parts of India in 1510 but by the end of the 19th-century Portuguese colonies in India were limited to Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Anjediva Island.

Daily Current Affairs December 19 & 20 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers 2021 – Dec 17

• Every year On December 17 is Observed as the International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers.

Purpose :

• To end violence and hate crimes against people doing sex work.
• The day was first observed in 2003, and was held as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle Washington.
• The day was was founded by Dr Annie Sprinkle and the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA (SWOP-USA), an American sex worker rights organization.
• The red umbrella is an important symbol for sex worker rights & the International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE) adopted the red umbrella as a symbol of resistance to discrimination in

World Arabic Language Day Observed on 18 December

• Globally World Arabic Language Day is observed on 18 December every year.
• Theme of 2021 is Arabic Language, a bridge between civilisations” reflects the role of Arabic as a connector between civilisations and its role in building peace and enhancing dialogue.

Daily Current Affairs December 18 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Virendra Kumar inaugurates ‘Samajik Adhikarita Shivir’ for distribution of aids and assistive devices to ‘Divyangjan’ and Senior Citizens

• Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar has virtually inaugurated ‘Samajik Adhikarita Shivir’for distribution of aids and assistive devices to ‘Divyangjan’ under the ADIP Scheme and to Senior Citizens under the ‘Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana’ of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India in District
• The Camp was organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) in association with Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), a Miniratna-II PSU under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India and District Administration, Bhadohi (U.P) at Vibhuti Narayan, Government Inter Collage, Gyanpur in Bhadohi District, Uttar Pradesh.

Daily Current Affairs December 17 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTAND DAYS:

Vijay Diwas is observed on – 16 Dec:

• To commemorate its victory over Pakistan during the 1971 war, India celebrates Vijay Diwas on December 16 every year as a tribute to the success of the Indian army.
• This war led to the creation of Bangladesh.
• India is celebrating the 50th Vijay Diwas in 2021.
• On this day, we pay homage to all the soldiers who had defended the nation in the war.

Daily Current Affairs December 16 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

India’s first and one of world’s largest Green Hydrogen Microgrid Projects to be set up at Simhadri:

• NTPC has awarded a project of “Standalone Fuel-Cell based Micro-grid with hydrogen production using electrolyser in NTPC Guest House at Simhadri (near Visakhapatnam)”.
• It is India’s first Green Hydrogen based Energy Storage Project.

Daily Current Affairs December 15 2021 | Latest News

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Venkaiah Naidu to inaugurate exhibition on Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat in Hyderabad:

• Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate an exhibition on Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat in Hyderabad city.
• Exhibition will be organised by the Regional Outreach Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• This exhibition will highlight the various interesting aspects of the paired states of Haryana and Telangana like art forms, cuisine, festivals, monuments and tourism spots.

Daily Current Affairs December 14 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Universal Health Coverage Day:

• Universal Health Coverage Day is celebrated annually on December 12 and is promoted by the World Health Organization.
• December 12 is the anniversary of the first unanimous United Nations resolution calling for all nations to provide for their citizens affordable, quality health care

Daily Current Affairs December 12 & 13 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

UNICEF Day 2021: Observed on Dec 11

• UNICEF Day is observed on December 11 every year, to spread awareness on saving children’s lives, defending their rights and helping them fulfil their potential from childhood to adolescence.
• 2021 Theme is to help children to recover from interruption and learning losses experienced through the pandemic in the last two years.

Daily Current Affairs December 11 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

Human Rights Day: Dec 10

• Human Rights Day is observed by the international community on December 10 every year. 
• It commemorates the day when the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 
• This year’s theme is about ‘Equality’ that refers to Article 1 of the UDHR – “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

Daily Current Affairs December 10 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Anti-Corruption Day- Dec 9

• The International Anti-Corruption Day is observed globally on 9 December to raise awareness about corruption and the ways to combat this global ill.
• The day seeks to highlight the role of every part of society – individuals, non-governmental organisations, law enforcement, governments and media persons — in tackling the issue of corruption.
• The theme for this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day is ‘Your right, your role: Say no to corruption.”

Daily Current Affairs December 09 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme

• In order to address the key constraints faced by extension system in the country with respect to reducing capacity of public extension services, its lack of decentralized and demand driven focus, the Innovations in Technology Dissemination component of National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) was implemented in seven States in the country namely, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Maharashtra and Punjab through four project districts in each State.

Daily Current Affairs December 08 2021 | Latest News

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Lok Sabha passes National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021

• The Lok Sabha has passed the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021
• The Government is taking all out efforts to make the country the pharma capital of the world. Pointing out the export of vaccines and medicines for Covid to over 80 countries.
• More than 40 percent of the generic medicines being made available in the US are made in India and also 60-percent of all vaccines in the world have been manufactured in India.

Daily Current Affairs December 07 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Banks: 04 December

• The United Nations General Assembly decided to keep December 4 as International Day of Banks and it was celebrated for the first time in 2020.
• It was celebrated to recognise the importance of multilateral and international development banks in financing sustainable developments.
• It is also observed in recognition of the vital role of banking systems in Member State in contributing to the improvement of the standard of living.

Daily Current Affairs December 05 & 06 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

Indian Navy Day Observed on Dec 04                                                            

• Indian Navy Day is observed annually on 4 December to recognise the achievements and role of our naval forces.
• The day was chosen to commemorate the launch of Operation Trident against Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistan War in 1971.
• The theme of Indian Navy Day 2021 is ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ signifying 50 years of India’s victory in the Indo-Pakistan war that took place in 1971.

Daily Current Affairs December 04 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Persons with Disabilities- Dec 3

• International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an international observance on December 3 promoted by the United Nations since 1992
• The theme of the day is ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible, and sustainable post-COVID-19 world‘ Every year.
• The day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life.

Daily Current Affairs December 03 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

57th Border Security Force (BSF) Raising Day Celebrated on December 01, 2021                          

• The Border Security Force (BSF) is observing its 57th Raising Day on 01 December 2021.
• The Border Security Force (BSF), India’s central armed police force, was established on December 1, 1965.

Daily Current Affairs December 02 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World AIDS Day -Dec 1

• World AIDS Day is observed across the world on 1st December every year.
• This year the theme of World AIDS Day is End inequalities. End AIDS and End Pandemics.
•  The day provides an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.
• With a special focus on reaching people left behind, WHO and its partners are highlighting the growing inequalities in access to essential HIV services.
• The day was first marked in 1988 and was also the first-ever international day for global health. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic disease that is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

21.52 crore loans extended to women borrowers under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)

• As 21.52 crore loans have been extended to women borrowers by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) since inception of the Scheme.
• This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha
• As per the existing guidelines, any individual who is otherwise eligible to take loan and has a business plan for non-farm income generating activities in sectors such as manufacturing, trading, services and activities allied to agriculture and whose credit need is up to Rs.10 lakh is eligible to avail credit under the Scheme.

About PMMY:

• Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) is a scheme launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on April 8, 2015 for providing loans up to 10 lakhs to the non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises
• These loans are given by Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks, MFIs and NBFCs.

NITI Aayog organises knowledge sharing workshop on Natural Farming

• As a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India, NITI Aayog is organizing a series of events from November 2021 to April 2022.
•  In this connection, a national workshop on Natural Farming was organized by Agriculture vertical, NITI Aayog on 30th November 2021 involving Krishi Vigyan Kendras across India under the Chairmanship by Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog
• An exclusive website on natural farming developed by NITI Aayog was launched by Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog.
• The website covers information regarding natural farming including coverage of the practice in India, various schemes and initiatives by Central and State Governments, success stories from farmers and relevant publications among others.
• The website can be accessed at https://naturalfarming.niti.gov.in/

About NITI Aayog:

• Headquarters: New Delh0069
• Chairperson: Narendra Modi
• Formed: 1 January 2015

Centre forms three-member committee to review criteria for EWS quota : Ex-Finance Secretary Ajay Bhusan Pandey to Head Panel

• On November 30, The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment announced the Centre has formed a three-member committee to review the criteria for reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category.

Committee Members:

• jay Bhushan Pandey – former finance secretary, GOI (Chairman)
• Prof. V K Malhotra – Member secretary of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)
• Shri Sanjay Sanyal – Principal economic advisor to GOI (Member Convenor)
• The committee has been asked to complete its work within three weeks.
• The government constituted the committee in accordance with the commitment given to the Supreme Court to revisit the criteria for determining the economically weaker sections (EWS) in terms of the provisions of the explanation to Article 15 of the Constitution.
• The committee will have to review the criteria for determining the EWS category while keeping in mind the Supreme Court observations dated October 21, 2021.
• It will revisit the criterion in determining EWS category keeping in view the observations of the Supreme Court.
• It will also examine various approaches so far followed in the country for identifying economically weaker sections, and recommend criteria that may be adopted for identifying EWS category in future.

About Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:

• Cabinet Minister: Virendra Kumar Khatik
• Minister of State : Ramdas Athawale, Pratima Bhowmik, A. Narayanaswamy

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Global trade likely to hit $28 trillion in 2021, grow 23% YoY: UNCTAD report

• Global trade is expected to reach about $28 trillion in 2021, growing 11 per cent over pre-pandemic levels, according to the global trade update report issued by UNCTAD.
• The outlook for 2022, however, remains very uncertain, due to slowing economic recovery, disruptions of logistics and rise in shipping costs, global semiconductor shortage, regionalization of trade flows, debt burden and governmental policies affecting international trade
• India’s trade growth accelerated in Q3 CY2021 — both in goods and services — while that of China remained relatively constant although at already high levels
• In 2021, the value of global trade in goods and services is expected to increase by about $5.2 trillion relative to 2020, and by about $2.8 trillion relative to 2019, the equivalent of an increase of about 23 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively.
• Global trade growth stabilised during the second half of 2021, increasing by about 1 per cent quarter-over-quarter.

About UNCTAD:

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Secretary-General: Rebeca Grynspan
• Founder: United Nations General Assembly
• Founded: 30 December 1964

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Himanta Biswa Sarma launches Assam MicroFinance Incentive and Relief Scheme 2021

• Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the ambitious Assam Micro Finance Incentive and Relief Scheme-2021 at Collegiate High School playground in Tezpur in Sonitpur district, Assam.
• He ceremonially distributed cheques to five women beneficiaries during the programme.
• The scheme would benefit 24 lakh women in the state, while 59,468 women would receive reliefs amounting to Rs 16,000-Rs 25,000 in the Sonitpur district.
• The Chief Minister inaugurated the first phase of the scheme for those borrowers who have been repaying microfinance and bank loans regularly.
• They will get a one-time incentive up to Rs 25,000 or an outstanding balance, whichever is less.

Daily Current Affairs December 01 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare- Nov 30

• The Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare is an annual event held November 30
• As a tribute to the victims of chemical warfare, as well as to reaffirm the commitment of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to the elimination of the threat of chemical weapons, thereby promoting the goals of peace, security, and multilateralism.
• The first Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare was held in 2005
• Chemical weapons were used on a massive scale during World War I, resulting in more than 100,000 fatalities and a million casualties.

Daily Current Affairs November 30 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has Chaired the 12th Indian Organ Donation Day Celebrations:

• Mansukh Mandavya, Union Minister for Health and Family has addressed the 12th Indian Organ Donation Day in the presence of Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.
• The event, meant to celebrate the gift of life given by the deceased donors to the transplant recipients was inaugurated by the Union Ministers to promote organ donation at a time the country’s demand for organ replacement far exceeds organ donations.

Inequalities Reasoning Trick Sbi Clerk | PO | IBPS | RRB | Bank Exams | Inequality

Daily Current Affairs November 28 & 29 2021

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

National Organ Donation Day- Nov 27

• National Organ Donation Day is celebrated on November 27 in India every year. 
• The day has been observed for the last 10 years. 
• The main objective of the national organ donation day is to spread awareness among people and to recognize the selfless efforts made towards mankind, and re-establish our belief in humanity.

Daily Current Affairs November 27 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

Indian Constitution Day- Nov 26

• Constitution Day, also known as National Law Day, is celebrated in India on 26 November every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India.
• The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the Indian Constitution Day celebrations organised by the Supreme Court, on November 26, 2018 in New Delhi.

Daily Current Affairs November 26 2021 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women- Nov 25

• The United Nations General Assembly has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
• To raise awareness of the fact that women around the world are subject to various forms of violence and true nature of the issue is often hidden.
• Theme for 2021 is “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!”.
• The day was officially designated by UNGA on December 17, 1999.
• Women’s rights activists have observed 25 November as a day against gender-based violence since 1981.
• This date was selected to honour the Mirabal sisters, three political activists from the Dominican Republic who were brutally murdered in 1960 by order of the country’s ruler, Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).