Featured Post

Greetings!

Hi folks, Greetings from Paridhi Madam and Hardik Sir! Paridhi Madam and Hardik Sir are renowned educationists and have shaped li...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Daily GK Updates - 21st November, 2019


NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Cabinet approves establishment of the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR): The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the establishment of the National Institute for Sowa-Rigpa in Leh, Ladakh at an estimated cost of Rs. 47.25 crore. The Institute will be an autonomous National Institute under Ministry of AYUSH with the mandate to undertake interdisciplinary education and research programmes in Sowa-Rigpa in collaboration with premier national and international Institutes and facilitate the integration of different systems of medicine. The objective is to establish the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) as an apex Institute for Sowa-Rigpa with aim of bringing a valid and useful synergy between Traditional Wisdom of Sowa-Rigpa and modern science, tools and technology.
Note: Minister of AYUSH: Shripad Yesso Naik.

2. Census 2021 to be conducted in 16 languages: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed that Census 2021 will be conducted in 16 languages. During Census 2021, a mix mode approach is being adopted for data collection. Census will be conducted in two phases – House-listing and Housing Census from April to September 2020 and Population Enumeration during February 09-28, 2021. The Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) has recommended an amount of Rs. 8754.23 crore for conducting Census 2021 in 16 languages.
Note: Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India: Vivek Joshi.

3. Kolkata becomes first city to install ‘Third Umpire’ RT-PCR Machines: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has installed first of its kind high-end reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machines in India for quick detection of diseases like dengue, tuberculosis and swine flu. These machines are to serve as a ‘third umpire’ in situations when medical reports and blood tests reveal contradictory results. The purpose is to give an accurate DNA report on blood tests in order to ascertain the exact cause of illness.
Note: West Bengal governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar; CM: Mamta Banerjee.

4. IRCTC & KSTDC signs MoU to operate Golden chariot train: The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corp (KSTDC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to market and operate the Golden Chariot train. The luxurious Golden Chariot train will start plying from March 2020. The Golden Chariot is South India’s only luxury train. The Golden Chariot, which started plying in 2008, began as a joint initiative of the Karnataka government and the Indian Railways. It is an 18-coach-long train with 44 guest rooms. At least, 84 passengers can enjoy the train ride at one time.
Note: IRCTC Parent organization: Indian Railways; Headquarters: New Delhi.

5. Smriti Irani addresses South Asia Safety Summit: The Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani was addressing the 2nd edition of South Asia Safety Summit in New Delhi. She has stressed the need to ensure the safety of women and children within their homes, and create safe neighbourhoods to protect them against violence and abuse. The summit was joined by over 100 organisations from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and India. The South Asia Safety Summit is Facebook’s annual event to host critical conversations on digital safety and security.

6. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat inaugurates IPEC at Nagpur: RSS Chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat has inaugurated the International Principal’s Education Conference (IPEC) at Nagpur. Noted mathematician Anand Kumar (Super 30 founder) was honoured with Nachiketa Sarvottama Award on the occasion. Mr. Kumar dedicated this award to all the teachers who are working for the upliftment of underprivileged children. Principals and educationalists from all over the country are attending the 3-day conference based on the theme-Scripting the Legends of Human Excellence through Schools.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Television Day: 21 November: World Television Day is observed on 21 November every year. The day is observed to acknowledge the role of broadcast media. The day recognizes that television plays a major role in presenting the different issue that affects people. On this day, the journalists, writers, bloggers, and others who are associated with the medium promote the role of television in communication and globalization.
Note: In December 1996, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21st November as the World Television Day, on which the first World Television Forum was held

2. World Philosophy Day: 21 November: The World Philosophy Day is observed globally on the third Thursday of November every year. This year it was observed on 21st November. On this day, UNESCO highlighted the value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and individual. The 2019 edition aims to highlight the importance of philosophy in different regional contexts. The goal is to obtain regional contributions to global debates on contemporary challenges that support social transformations. World Philosophy Day was introduced in 2002 by UNESCO.

3. World Fisheries day: 21 November: The World Fisheries day is celebrated every year on 21st November throughout the world by fisherfolk communities. The Day helps in highlighting the critical importance to human lives, of water and the lives it sustains, both in and out of the water. This year’s theme is 2022 Ka Hai Sapna Kisan Ki Aay Ho Dugna – Sankalp Se Siddhi”.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Manu Bhaker bags gold medal in ISSF World Cup Finals: Manu Bhaker (17-years) became only the second Indian shooter after Heena Sidhu to win a gold medal Women's 10m Air Pistol at the ISS World Cup 2019. Serbia's Zorana Arunovic won the silver with 241.9, while Quian Wang of China bagged the bronze with 221.8. Manu Bhaker shot 244.7 to win the gold medal at World Cup Finals.
Note: The 2019 ISSF World Cup is the annual edition of the ISSF World Cup in the Olympic shooting events, governed by the International Shooting Sport Federation.

2. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won F1 Brazilian Grand Prix: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) won F1 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos in São Paulo, Brazil. Verstappen was followed by Pierre Gasly (France) and Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro (Spain) in the second and third place respectively.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. SEBI approves stricter disclosure norms for listed companies: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved stricter disclosure norms for listed companies. Accordingly, in case of default in repayment of loans beyond 30 days, listed companies will have to disclose the fact of such default within 24 hours. SEBI has amended Portfolio Managers (PM) Regulations, 2019 following which net worth requirement of portfolio managers has been enhanced from two crores to five crore rupees. The regulator has informed that existing portfolio managers will have to meet the enhanced requirement within 36 months. SEBI announced that it has approved a proposal to reduce the overall time taken for a rights issue from Securities and Exchange Board of India to 31 days.

AWARDS AND HONOUR

1. Sir David Attenborough to get Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for 2019: Renowned naturalist & broadcaster Sir David Attenborough (93-years) will receive the 2019 Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for his tireless work to preserve and protect biodiversity. This prestigious award (named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi) has been accorded annually by Indira Gandhi Trust since 1986. Sir Attenborough was unanimously chosen for the award by an international jury chaired by the ex-president of India, Pranab Mukherjee. The 2017 Prize had gone to former Prime Minister of India (14th), Manmohan Singh.
Note: In 1986, the award was instituted by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. It is awarded to individuals or organizations in recognition of their creative efforts towards promoting international peace, development. The award consists of a monetary award of 25 lakhs and a citation.

2. Virat Kohli named PETA India’s Person of the Year: India captain Virat Kohli was named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India’s ‘Person of the Year for 2019’ for his animal advocacy efforts. Kohli’s efforts to improve conditions for animals include sending a letter on PETA India’s behalf to officials calling for the release of Malti, an elephant used for rides at Amer Fort, who was reportedly violently beaten by eight men.
Note: PETA established: March 22, 1980; Headquarters: Norfolk, Virginia, United States.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia. Its slogan is ‘Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way’. The PETA awards are given to people or organisations that take initiative in the welfare of animals and violence against animals.

DEFENCE

1. GRSE delivers ICGS ‘Amrit Kaur to Indian Coast Guard: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) delivered to the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Amrit Kaur’, the third in a series of five ‘Fast Patrol Vessels’ (FPV). ICGS ‘Amrit Kaur’ is a 50-metre-long and 7.5-metre- wide medium-range surface vessel, with a displacement of around 308 tonnes. It is capable of performing a rescue, patrolling, anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations in the maritime zones of the country. The vessel can attain a maximum speed of 34 knots with an endurance of over 1,500 nautical miles. The ship is equipped with three main engines and has advanced control systems, water jet units and an ‘Integrated Bridge System’ constituting all communication and navigation systems.
Note: Chairman cum managing director:  Admiral Vipin Kumar Saxena; GRSE Founded: 1934.

No comments:

Post a Comment