Daily GK Updates - 20th November, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Girish Karnad conferred with Tata Literature Live Lifetime Achievement Award 2017: Actor-playwright Girish Karnad has been conferred with Tata Literature Live Lifetime Achievement Award 2017 for his outstanding contribution in the field of theatre. Tata Trusts' ‘Big Little Book Award' for Author in Bengali Children's Literature went to Nabaneeta Dev Sen. Book of the year in non-fiction category went to 'Age of Anger: A History of the Present' by Pankaj Mishra.

2. 48th International Film Festival of India began at Panaji: The Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has inaugurated the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2017 at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium at Bambolim, Panaji (Goa). Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan will be honored with Personality of The Year award.

3. Centre hikes import duty on Edible Oils: The Centre has raised import duty on crude palm oil to 30% from 15% and on refined oil to 40% from 20%. It is done in a bid to curb cheaper shipments and boost local prices for supporting farmers and refiners, according to a notification.

4. Qaumi Ekta Week observed across country: The Qaumi Ekta Week is being observed across the country from 19th November to foster and reinforce the spirit of communal harmony and national Integration. As part of the week long programmes, 19 November was observed as National Integration Day. The last day of the Qaumi Ekta Week will be observed as Conservation Day and several meetings and functions will be organized.

5. International Congress of Military Medicine held at New Delhi: The 42nd World Congress of the International Committee of Military Medicine organised by the AFMS under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence began in New Delhi. The five-day event is being organised for the first time in India, and is the largest medical conference ever organised by the AFMS. The theme of this 42nd World Congress is “Military Medicine in Transition: Looking Ahead.”

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. Qatar, the Richest Country: IMF Report: Based on the per capita income of its people, Qatar has been named the world’s richest country as per the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) report. The per capita GDP (gross domestic product) of Qatar is over Rs. 81 lakh. With per capita GDP of over Rs. 38 lakh, the United States is at No. 13. India, with a GDP of over Rs. 4 lakh per person, is ranked 126th.

2. China offers help to resolve Rohingya crisis: China has offered to help Myanmar and Bangladesh resolve the Rohingya crisis.In his official statement Chinese Foreign Minister also called for the economic development of Myanmar’s violence hit Rakhine state.

OTHER UPDATES

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. International Conference on Petroleum held in Jaipur: The 12th Biennial International Conference & Exposition of Society of Petroleum Geophysicists (SPG) India was inaugurated by Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship at Jaipur.The theme of conference was “Energy trough Synergy”.

SPORTS:

1. Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov wins ATP finals in London: Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov has won the ATP Finals, defeating David Goffin (Belgium) in London.Grigor Dimitrov overcame David Goffin 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to win the title.

2. Women's Youth World Boxing Championship begins in Guwahati: Chief Minister of Assam Sarbanand Sonowal inaugurated Women's Youth World Boxing Championship event in Guwahati, Assam. Around 200 players from over 30 countries are taking part in the event. Mary Kom is the brand ambassador of this event and the mascot of this event is called as “Guppy”.

3. Afghanistan wins U-19 Asia Cup (Cricket): Afghanistan won by a massive 185 runs to clinch their maiden Under-19 Asia Cup title, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ikram Ali Khil was the man of the match against Pakistan U19 in the ACC U19 Youth Asia Cup Final for his 107 not out. Mujeeb Zadran was the man of series for his 20 wickets in the tournament.

OBITUARIES:

1. Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, veteran Congress leader, passes away: Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, the veteran Congress leader, passed away in New Delhi He was on life support system after he suffered a massive stroke which left him paralysed in 2008. Mr Dasmunshi served as Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs.