Daily GK Updates – 14th Nov, 2020

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Digital/Online media now under govt regulation: Digital/Online media has been brought under the purview of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Currently, there is no law or autonomous body governing digital content. The 2nd Schedule of the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961 has been amended to include following entries viz. Films and Audio-Visual programmes, News and current affairs content. This means that digital content providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hotstar will now be regulated by the Union ministry headed by Prakash Javadekar.

About the Amendment: The I&B ministry will also regulate online audio-visual programmes and current affairs content, according to the amendment order signed by President Ram Nath Kovind. The decision has been taken in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (3) of Article 77 of the Constitution, by amending the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 and it will come into effect immediately. This means OTT platforms, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc and online news portals are brought under the control of the Ministry. Other subjects which are under the purview of the Ministry are Broadcasting Policy And Administration, Cable Television Policy, Radio, Doordarshan, Films, Advertising And Visual Publicity, Press, Publications, Research And Reference etc. Centre had submitted that it is necessary to lay down guidelines for the “web-based digital media” which includes “web magazines” and “web-based news channels” and “web-based news-papers” as the same not only has a very wide reach but is completely uncontrolled.

Note: Minister of Information and Broadcasting: Prakash Javadekar.

 

2. Azim Premji tops Edelgive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2020: The founder-chairman of Wipro Ltd, Azim Premji has topped the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2020. The 75-year-old made the highest contribution of Rs 7,904 crore between April 2019 and March 2020 towards philanthropic causes. It ranks individuals from India who donated Rs 5 crore and above between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020, towards philanthropic contributions. Shiv Nadar, founder and chairman of HCL Technologies, ranked second (Rs 795 crore) on the list. He topped the list in 2019. India’s richest man and the chairman of Reliance Industries, Mukesh Ambani stood at the third spot (Rs 458 crore). 7 women found a place in the list with Rohini Nilekani (donating Rs 47 crore) being India’s most generous woman; followed by Anu Aga & family of Thermax (Rs 36 crore), and Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (Rs 34 crore).

About EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2020: The EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2020 is compiled by the EdelGive Foundation and Hurun Research Institute. It is the seventh edition of the annual list. EdelGive Hurun India philanthropy list includes cash and cash equivalents pledged with legally binding commitments for the twelve months between April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020, and the latest available CSR data filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. For 2020, the list features individuals who have donated Rs 5 crore or more during the period under review.

 

3. Thavaasmi book launched by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu: Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu has launched the book titled “Thavaasmi: Life and Skills through the lens of Ramayana”. The book was authored by Rallabandi Srirama Chakradhar and co-author by Amara Sarada Deepthi. Thavaasmi is in 4 volumes prepared by a team of young professionals. The book presents the story of Ramayana as a dialogue between a father and daughter with a number of exercises making it an interesting learning experience.

 

4. National Ayurveda Day: 13th November: National Ayurveda Day is being observed every year from 2016, on the day of Dhanwantri Jayanti. This year the 5th Ayurveda Day falls on November 13, 2020. The Potential role of Ayurveda in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic will be the focus of this year’s ‘Ayurveda Day’ observation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the two future-ready Ayurveda institutions in Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) at Jamnagar in Gujarat and the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) at Jaipur in Rajasthan on November 13. These institutions are expected to play global leadership roles in the growth and development of Ayurveda in the 21st century.

 

5. Children’s Day: 14th November: On 14th November, Children’s Day is celebrated every year to mark the birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Children’s Day is popularly known as ‘Baal Diwas’ in India. The day aims at increasing the awareness of the rights, care and education of children. On this day, many educational and motivational programs are organised across the country, by and for children.

History of Children’s Day: Jawaharlal Nehru, who was India’s first Prime Minister, was quite famous among children and was popularly known as ‘Chacha Nehru’. Following his death in 1964, it was decided that to move the celebrations of Children’s Day to November 14 as a mark of respect to him and to commemorate his fondness for children. A resolution was passed in the Parliament and since then, Children’s Day is celebrated in India on November 14 every year. Notably, Children’s Day was celebrated in India first on November 20, 1956, along with the Universal Children’s Day.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Australia-India Water Centre inaugurated virtually: Australia-India Water Centre (AIWC) has been inaugurated in a virtual event to promote water-related research, teaching, and training between the two countries. This Water Centre is led by IIT Guwahati from the Indian side and the University of Western Sydney from the Australian side. Along with this, the centre has 21 partners from India and Australia.

About the MoU: The 5-year MoU has been signed to establish an understanding of cooperation for the Australia India Water Centre (AIWC) between the parties. The agreement will bring collaboration in capacity building, technology transfer focusing on water security, river health, safe drinking water, etc. The agreement signed on this occasion tries to explain the cooperation between all the parties. All the included parties will work closely for collaboration in the field of water research, student and staff exchanges, for a joint Master’s level course in water futures, workshops, short-term training, conferences, etc.

About the Water Centre: This Water Centre will help the Indian and Australian partners to explore opportunities and create synergy for a long-time collaboration in the field of research and education between the two countries. This Water Centre will help in fighting against the common water challenges and issues faced by both the countries like floods, droughts, water security, climate change, over-exploitation of water, degradation of water quality, etc.

Note: Prime Minister of Australia: Scott Morrison; Currency of Australia: Australian dollar; Capital of Australia: Canberra.

 

2. Nirmala Sitharaman Attends First BRICS Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors Meeting: The first BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Russia on 09 November 2020, via video-conferencing. From India, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman participated in the meeting, to discuss the BRICS Economic and Financial Cooperation agenda for 2020. Some of the important agendas discussed during the meeting involved discussions on the outcomes of the G20 Saudi Presidency in 2020, develop a digital platform to encourage infrastructure investments (Russia’s initiative) and expansion of the membership of the New Development Bank (NDB).

 

3. PM Modi Leads Indian delegation at 20th SCO Council of Heads of State Summit: The 20th Summit of SCO Council of Heads of State was held on November 10, 2020, in Video Conference Format. The Meeting was chaired by the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led the Indian delegation.

About the Summit: All SCO Member States were represented by their Presidents, while India and Pakistan were represented at the level of Prime Minister. The Secretary-General of the SCO Secretariat, Executive Director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, the Presidents of the four Observers (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia) of the SCO also attended the meeting.

This was the third meeting that India participated after becoming a full member in 2017. India will host the next regular meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government on November 30, 2020, in virtual format.

 

6. World Diabetes Day: 14th November: World Diabetes Day is observed on 14th November every year. The campaign aims to raise awareness around the crucial role that nurses play in supporting people living with diabetes. The theme for World Diabetes Day 2020 is “The Nurse and Diabetes.”  In 2007 General Assembly adopted resolution 61/225 designating 14 November as World Diabetes Day. The document recognized “the urgent need to pursue multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health, and provide access to treatment and health-care education.”

About the Diabetes: Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation. A healthy diet, physical activity and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. In addition, diabetes can be treated and its consequences avoided or delayed with medication, regular screening and treatment for complications.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Mumbai Indians wins IPL 2020 trophy: Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals in the final of Dream11 Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 to lift their fifth IPL trophy. Chasing 157 runs for victory, Mumbai were helped by their captain Rohit Sharma, who hit 68 runs off 51 balls. Mumbai had defeated Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2019 final. They have now become the only side after Chennai Super Kings to defend the title. Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul bagged the Orange Cap for being the leading run-scorer of the IPL 2020. He racked up 670 runs from 14 games at an astronomical average of 55.83. Delhi Capitals’ Kagiso Rabada won the Purple Cap after finishing at the top of the table with a total of 30 wickets at the end of IPL 2020. Here are the award winners:

Rohit Sharma adjudged Game Changer of the Match in the final of IPL 2020.

Trent Boult named the Player of the Match in the final of IPL 2020.

Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul bags the Orange Cap.

Game Changer of the Season: KL Rahul.

Delhi Capitals’ Kagiso Rabada wins the Purple Cap.

Emerging Player of the season: Devdutt Padikkal (RCB).

Rajasthan Royals speedster Jofra Archer emerges as the Most Valuable Player.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bharti AXA General Insurance launches cancer awareness drive on social media: Bharti AXA General Insurance has launched #CancerSendsNoNotifications campaign – a special initiative to increase awareness and spread knowledge on detecting the disease early among people in India. Observing the ‘National Cancer Awareness Day’, the company has embarked upon this social media campaign comprising a series of activities to be held throughout the month to highlight the significance of increased awareness about cancer prevention and early detection among the public. Through this cancer awareness drive, Bharti AXA aims to engage with close to a million Indians on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Ruskin Bond conferred with Tata Literature Lifetime Achievement Award: Ruskin Bond, one of India’s most cherished authors was conferred Tata Literature Live! Lifetime Achievement Award for 2020. He has a substantial body of work, close to 100 books – across genres for children and adults. Bond writing has charmed both categories of readers into lifelong love and admiration. He has been recognised by the Indian Council of Child Education for his contribution to the growth of children’s literature in India. His famous works: Room on the roof, Blue Umbrella, etc. He was conferred the Padma Shri & Padma Bhushan.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. ‘Scooby-Doo’ Co-creator Ken Spears passes away: American television editor, writer and producer Ken Spears, who co-created the beloved animated series “Scooby-Doo” passed away. He was also the co-founder of television animation production company, Ruby-Spears Productions, along with the late Joe Ruby. Together, Spears and Ruby created Scooby-Doo, Dynomutt, Dog Wonder, and Jabberjaw, among other programs. Joe Ruby has recently passed away on August 26, 2020.