Daily GK Updates - 11th November, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.5th edition of GES 2019 to be held in Bengaluru: The 5th edition of Global Exhibition on Services, GES 2019 is being held from November 26 to 28 at Bengaluru, Karnataka. The Global Exhibition on Services is an annual event which aims to engage industry and governments across the world and to promote greater exchange of trade in services between India and the rest of the world. India is looking to attract investments and partnerships in strategic areas like aviation and space programme, infrastructure, and telecom projects.

Note: Minister of Commerce and Industry: Piyush Goyal.

2. National Education Day: 11th November: The nation celebrates the National Education Day on 11th November as a mark of respect to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a freedom fighter, scholar and eminent educationist and independent India’s first Education Minister (served from 1947 to 1958). He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1992. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) on September 11, 2008, announced, the Ministry has decided to commemorate the birthday of this great son of India by recalling his contribution to the cause of education in India.

Human Resources Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has launched SWAYAM 2.0, Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds in New Delhi. The SWAYAM programme is initiated by the government to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy - access, equity and quality.

3. Cyclone 'Bulbul' disrupts normal life in Bengal and Bangladesh: Cyclone Bulbul claims at least ten lives and affected 2.73 lakh families as it hit the coastal districts of West Bengal, smashes into the low-lying areas of neighbouring Bangladesh. The cyclone has also damaged hundreds of houses. Nearly two lakh people have been moved to relief camps set up in nine places of the state. Hundreds of uprooted trees have blocked thoroughfares in Kolkata and its fringe areas.

4. Indian Oil to set up 2G ethanol plant in Panipat: The Ministry of Environment has granted clearance to the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) to set up a ₹ 766-crore 2G ethanol plant in Haryana’s Panipat district. The Ethanol produced in the plant will be exclusively used to blend transportation fuels. The project also aims at doubling farmer’s income.

Note: Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Prakash Javadekar.

5. Justice Sanjay Karol sworn in as Chief Justice of Patna High Court: Justice Sanjay Karol was sworn in as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court. Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan administered the oath of office to Justice Karol at the Raj Bhavan. He was earlier posted as Chief Justice of Tripura before this appointment.

Note: Patna High Court is the High Court of the state of Bihar, established on 3 February 1916 and later affiliated under the Government of India Act 1915.

6. CJI Ranjan Gogoi releases Assamese version of book 'Courts of India: Past to Present': Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has inaugurated the Assamese version of the book Courts of India: Past to Present' in Guwahati. The book has captured the historical developments which took place in the history of the nation's courts. The book has been published by the Publication division. The various chapters of the book narrate the historical events of the court.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Singapore FinTech Festival 2019 begins with Focus on Sustainability: The Singapore FinTech Festival, one of the biggest of its kind in the world began today(11-15th November). The Fintech Festival Being held alongside the ASEAN summit has the strongest Indian presence among exhibiting fintech companies. There will be over 400 speakers, more than 900 exhibitors, 41 international pavilions, and about 60,000 participants from 130 countries. SFF is organised by MAS, in partnership with The Association of Banks in Singapore, and in collaboration with SingEx Holdings.

2. Dharmendra Pradhan visited UAE for ADIPEC: Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to attend the inaugural Ministerial session of Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference. The Minister is scheduled to meet his UAE counterpart Minister of Energy and Industry, Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei. Both the countries will discuss issues of bilateral hydrocarbon as well as steel sector engagements. He will also explore the opportunities for steel exports to the Middle East countries.

3. Anjani Kumar appointed as next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Mali: The Ministry of external affairs (MEA) announced Anjani Kumar was the next ambassador of India to the Republic of Mali. He is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer of batch 2003. He will replace Pradeep Kumar Gupta.

Note: President: Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

Capital: Bamako; Currency: West African CFA Franc.

4. Iran & Russia inaugurated a new phase of construction for 2nd reactor at Iran's Bushehr: Iran and Russia inaugurated a new phase of construction for a second reactor at Iran's sole nuclear power plant in Bushehr on the Gulf coast. The reactor is one of two officially under construction since 2017 at the Bushehr site. The landmark 2015 nuclear deal Iran signed with six major powers, including Russia, placed restrictions on the sort of nuclear reactor Tehran could develop and its production of nuclear fuel. As part of the agreement, Moscow provides Tehran with the fuel it needs for its electricity-generating nuclear reactors.

5. World Science Day for Peace and Development: 10 November: World Science Day for Peace and Development is celebrated every year on 10th November. The theme for 2019 is “Open science, leaving no one behind”. The day highlights the significant role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. It also underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives. The day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Deepak Chahar becomes second Indian to take T20I hat-trick: Deepak Chahar became the second Indian bowler (first-Ekta Bisht) to clinch a hat-trick in T20 internationals at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur. In women's cricket, Ekta Bisht had taken a hat-trick against Sri Lanka in 2012. Chahar recorded the best bowling figures in T20 International cricket, his 6 for 7 in 3.2 overs (earlier Sri Lankan Ajantha Mendis's figures of 6 for 8 against Zimbabwe in 2012). Chahar completed his hat-trick by removing Mustafizur Rahman and Aminul Islam off consecutive deliveries in the final over.

2. Women's boxing icon Adams retires due to medical advice: Two-time Olympic champion Nicola Adams (37-years) will retire because of fears about her sight Nicola Adams became the first-ever women's Olympic boxing champion at London 2012. Adams successfully defended her title in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Karnataka Gramin Bank initiates ‘mobile ATMs’ in rural areas: The Karnataka Gramin Bank (KGB) has launched ‘mobile ATMs’ in Kalaburagi, among several other districts in the Karnataka. The special vehicle includes an ATM and a screen to show videos of different banking schemes. The mobile ATMs will go to the doorsteps of the farmers and make them aware of the banking schemes and digital operating systems. A bank official would be present in the van, who will provide information regarding the digital operating systems and schemes.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Shanta Gokhale conferred with Tata Literature Live Lifetime Achievement Award 2019: Writer, translator and film critic Shanta Gokhale (79-year) has been conferred with Tata Literature Live Lifetime Achievement Award 2019 for his outstanding contribution in the field of theatre. Recently, Gokhale published her memoir One Foot on the Ground: A Life Told Through the Body. Poet K Satchidanandan was named the Tata Literature Live! Poet Laureate for 2019. Satchidanandan has represented the country at several literary meetings overseas and headed many national literary institutions. Gokhale will be presented with the award on 17th November, while Satchidanandan will be honoured on 14th November 2019.

DEFENCE

1. Defence innovations conference to showcase accomplishments of iDEX: The defence ministry is organising Def-Connect in New Delhi to showcase the accomplishments of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative. The conference aims to bring together all stakeholders of the iDEX ecosystem, Ministry of defence, iDEX selected startups, Partner Incubators, Defence Innovation Organisation, Nodal agencies (Indian Army, Navy, Airforce), Defence Research and Development Organisation and Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Indian Ordnance Factories. The launch of iDEX Portal and launch of Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC)-III are some of the major activities planned during this day-long event.

Note: Union Defence minister: Rajnath Singh.

OBITUARIES

1. Padma Shri Dhrupad vocalist Ramakant Gundecha passes away: Padma Shri-awardee Dhrupad vocalist Ramakant Gundecha passed away. He was awarded the Padma Shri for 2012 in the field of Art – Indian Classical Music – Vocal along with his brother Umakant Gundecha. Dhrupad is a genre in Hindustani classical music from the Indian subcontinent and is related to the South Indian Carnatic tradition.

2. Former chief election commissioner TN Seshan passes away: Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) TN Seshan (86-years) passed away in Chennai. Mr Seshan (IAS Officer: 1955 batch) was appointed CEC on 12th December 1990 during the P V Narasimha Rao led Congress government. He is widely credited for bringing in electoral reforms that changed the face of Indian elections. One of them was the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, which is a set of guidelines issued to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections. He held various key posts in the government including that of Defence Secretary and Cabinet Secretary.