NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Prime
Minister Narendra Modi unveils logo, theme and website of India’s G20
presidency: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled India’s
logo, theme and website for its presidency of the G20, which reflects the
country’s message and overarching priorities to the world. The G20 logo,
created with the four colours of India’s national flag, comprises of earth
sitting atop a lotus. The seven petals in the logo signify the seven seas and
the coming together of seven continents at G20 India 2023. The earth reflects
India’s pro-planet approach to life and from this, it derives the theme of G20
India 2023 – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family, One Future.” Key
Points:
a) India will be taking over as president of the G20 next month in a
“significant step” in the evolution of the country’s foreign policy with the
vision of the prime minister to “undertake leadership roles on the global
stage”.
b) The G20 presidency offers a unique opportunity for India to contribute
to the global agenda on pressing issues of international importance.
c) The logo, theme, and website of our G20 presidency would reflect India’s
message and overarching priorities to the world. During the course of its G20
Presidency, India will be holding about 200 meetings in 32 different sectors in
multiple locations across India.
d) According to an official statement, during its G20 presidency, India
will hold about 200 meetings in 32 different sectors in multiple locations
across the country.
2. 15th
Edition of Urban Mobility India Conference Underway in Kochi: In Kerala, the 15th edition of the Urban Mobility India Conference
& Expo opens in Kochi. Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep
Singh Puri and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan jointly inaugurated the
three-day conference. The meet is focus on the theme, ‘Azadi @ 75 — Sustainable
Aatmanirbhar Urban Mobility‘.
The Other
Participants: Senior officers from the central and state
governments, policymakers, Managing Directors of Metro Rail Companies, Chief
Executives of transport undertakings, and international experts are
participating in the conference.
About the
Conference: A total of 12 sessions were held on day two,
including research symposiums on topics like ‘Electric and Clean Urban
Mobility’, ‘Sustainable Transport Planning’ and ‘Urban Transport
Governance’. The Plenary Session was on
‘Strengthening the Ecosystem to Accelerate Shift to Public Transport’.
The event lays
strong emphasis on building capabilities at the state and city level to address
problems associated with urban transport. It will also focus on designing and
implementing efficient, high-quality transport system in cities, and lay down
guidelines for developing equitable and sustainable urban transport systems for
all sections of the society.
3. Justice
DY Chandrachud took Oath as New Chief Justice of India: Senior-most Supreme Court judge and Chief Justice of India-designate
Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud became the 50th head of the Indian judiciary when
President Draupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to him at Rashtrapati
Bhawan. Justice Chnadrachud Important Judgements:
a) He has been part of several Constitution benches and landmark verdicts
of the top court including on matters relating to the Ayodhya land dispute, the
right to privacy and adultery.
b) Justice Chandrachud was also part of the benches which delivered
path-breaking judgements on decriminalising same-sex relations after it
partially struck down Section 377 of the IPC, the validity of the Aadhaar
scheme and the Sabarimala issue.
c) Recently, a bench headed by him expanded the scope of the Medical
Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act and the corresponding rules to include
unmarried women for abortion between 20-24 weeks of pregnancy.
d) The Justice Chandrachud-led bench had also passed several directions to
assuage the miseries faced by people during the COVID-19 crisis, terming the
brutal second wave of the pandemic last year as a “national crisis”.
As A CJI: He succeeds Uday Umesh Lalit, who had recommended him as his successor
to the Centre on October 11. President Draupadi Murmu had appointed him as the
next CJI on October 17. Justice Chandrachud will serve as the CJI for two years
till November 10, 2024. Supreme Court judges retire at the age of 65.
4. Vadodara
issued first-ever municipal bond: Vadodara became
the second city in India to issue a municipal bond with assistance from the US
Treasury Department’s Office of Technical Assistance. The US Embassy and US
Treasury officials joined counterparts from India’s Ministry of Housing and
Urban Development, the city of Vadodara, and the Securities and Exchange Board
to celebrate the successful issuance of Vadodara’s first-ever municipal bond.
Pune was the first city to issue such a bond in 2017. Key Points:
a) The bond will provide funds for infrastructure projects in Vadodara.
b) The bond was oversubscribed by 10 times and was priced at a low yield of
just 7.15%.
c) A written case study will also be published sharing lessons learned from
Vadodara’s bond issuance that will benefit other Indian cities issuing their
municipal bonds in the future.
d) Municipal finance can help to pay for vital capital projects including
roads, energy, water, sanitation, and other essentials.
5. MoS
Rajiv Chandrashekhar releases Two books on achievements and legacy of PM Modi: Two books on the achievements and legacy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
were released by Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Rajiv Chandrashekhar in Dubai. These “Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery” and
“Heartfelt: The Legacy of Faith”. The books were released at a programme of
Vishwa Sadhbhavana, NID Foundation (Dubai chapter) to enhance and consolidate
bonds of fraternity and solidarity among people in the US, Australia, and New
Zealand.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Netherlands
Turns Top Buyer of Indian Petro-Products Amid Ukraine War: The Netherlands has emerged as the top destination for India’s petroleum
product exports such as petrol and diesel in the first half of the current
fiscal year. This change comes in the wake of the Ukraine war, with India continuing
to buy discounted crude oil from sanctions-hit Russia. The Netherlands
accounted for nearly 9% of India’s total petroleum product exports in the April
to September period at ₹4.5 trillion, a growth of 180% over the corresponding
period last year. This bump in exports has also resulted in the Netherlands
becoming the third biggest market for India’s overall exports, thereby
replacing China. China is now displaced to the 4th position, accounting for
just 3.3% of total outbound shipments. About The Other Nations:
a) Brazil also made it to the top eight export market for India compared to
the 19th spot it occupied last year, led by a 273% growth in petroleum product
exports at $2.3 trillion in the April-September period.
b) South Africa rose to become India’s 13th largest export market during
the period from being the 22nd largest last year, largely on account of a 324%
growth in petroleum exports to $2.6 trillion.
2. Ghaem-100
Satellite: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard launches New Satellite-Carrying Rocket: Iran’s powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard launched a new
satellite-carrying rocket, seeking to demonstrate the hard-line force’s prowess
even as anti-government protests rage across the country.
About
Ghaem: The Ghaem 100, Iran’s first three-stage launch
vehicle, will be able to place satellites weighing 80 kg (180 pounds) in an
orbit 500 km (300 miles) from the earth’s surface, IRNA said. Amirali
Hajizadeh, the commander of the Guard’s aerospace division, which developed the
Ghaem-100, said the rocket would be used to launch Iran’s Nahid satellite for
the Telecommunications Ministry.
3. World
Usability Day: 10th November: Every year on
the second Thursday of November, the world observes World Usability Day. The
date is also mentioned on the UN calendar. World Usability Day, which will fall
on November 10 this year, is also known as ‘Make Things Easier’ day.
“Usability” is a quality that evaluates how efficiently and effectively a
person can use a product, as well as how satisfied he or she is with the
process. The day aims to bring together communities of professional,
industrial, educational, citizen, and government groups to work towards a
common goal– making essential services and products easier to access and use.
The purpose of the day is to both celebrate and educate.
The theme of
World Usability Day 2022 is “Our Health”. The theme for this year is to
evaluate systems that provide healthcare in all of its various forms, such as
virtual/telehealth, electronic health records, healthcare products, and all
digital health-related solutions.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Pramod
Bhagat-Manisha Ramadass won gold at BWF Para-Badminton Championships: Pramod Bhagat and Manisha Ramadass won gold medals in singles at the BWF
Para-Badminton World Championships in Tokyo. The reigning Paralympic gold
medallist Bhagat beat compatriot Nitesh Kumar 21-19, 21-19 in 53 minutes in an
all-Indian SL3 final. Key Points:
a) This is Bhagat’s fourth World Championships gold in singles and sixth
overall in the marquee event.
b) Bhagat and Manoj Sarkar went down 21-14, 18-21, 13-21 to Indonesia’s
Hikmat Ramdani-Ukun Rukaendi in the SL3-SL4 men’s doubles final. The pair of
Bhagat and Manoj Sarkar had to be content with a silver medal in the men’s
doubles SL3-SL4 event.
c) Manisha Ramadass beat Japan’s Mamiko Toyoda 21-15, 21-15 in half an hour
in the SU5 final.
d) India ended its campaign with two gold, two silver, and 12 bronze
medals.
2. ICC
Hall of Fame: Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Charlotte Edwards and Abdul Qadir
inducted: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has
announced the latest legends who join the prestigious list of cricketing greats
that make up the ICC Hall of Fame. Following a voting process that included
existing Hall of Famers, media representatives plus senior executives from the
Federation of International Cricketers (FICA) and the ICC, West Indies great
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, England Women’s team legend Charlotte Edwards and
Pakistan legend Abdul Qadir become inductees number 107, 108 and 109
respectively.
Shivnarine
Chanderpaul:
a) He made his international debut v England in March 1994
b) 164 Test matches, 11,867 runs at an average of 51.37
c) Eighth on the list of all-time Test match runs
d) Holds the record of seven half-centuries in consecutive Test innings
e) 268 ODIs, 8,778 runs at an average of 41.60
Charlotte
Edwards
a) 23 Test matches, 1,676 runs at an average of 44.10
b) 191 ODIs, 5,992 runs at an average of 38.16
c) She has the second-highest number of half-centuries in ODIs
d) 95 T20Is, 2,605 runs at an average of 32.97
Abdul
Qadir:
a) 67 Test matches, 236 wickets at an average of 32.80
b) Holds the national record for figures of 9-56 v England at Lahore in
1987
c) 104 ODIs, 132 wickets at an average of 26.16
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. SBI
commits to finance 1000 entrepreneurs in Nagaland: SBI commits to finance 1000 entrepreneurs in Nagaland through a
partnership with Business Association. The State Bank of India (SBI) in
collaboration with the Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has decided to help
1000 entrepreneurs with financing. Key Points:
a) An MoU has been signed between the two parties to facilitate ease of
doing business and finance MSMEs of Naga entrepreneurs in the state, reported
Eastern Mirror.
b) The NIIE trade fair culminated positive impact with huge promise and
commitment to finance 1000 entrepreneurs through the iconic signing of an MOU
between SBI and BAN, which will bring hope and huge respite to the genuine
entrepreneurs of the state.
c) BAN will facilitate the identification, and preparation of MSME through
project screening, documentation, and submission to SBI.
d) Once the loan is finally sanctioned, the association will be responsible
for providing training on bookkeeping, GST filing, statutory compliances, etc.
e) The pact stated that BAN will also closely monitor, handhold, and
actively intervene to avoid any loan becoming irregular.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1. GSMA
elects Airtel CEO Vittal as Deputy Chair: Airtel
CEO Gopal Vittal was elected as deputy chair of the Global System for Mobile
communications Association (GSMA). Bharti Airtel chief executive officer Gopal
Vittal has been elected as the deputy chair of GSMA, a global mobile operators
body. Vittal will hold the post for two years beginning January 1, 2023. Member
companies selected 26 board members for 2023-24 which include senior executives
from mobile operators. Telefonica Group CEO Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete Lopez
continues to be the chair of the GSMA board.
Mathew Oomen,
president of Reliance Jio too has been elected as a board member. Vittal is the
second Indian to hold a senior position in the global grouping of mobile
operators. Bharti Airtel founder Sunil Mittal had held the post of GSMA chair
during 2017-18.
Note: GSMA
Headquarters location: London, United Kingdom; GSMA Chairperson: Stéphane
Richard; GSMA Founded: 1995.
2. Forbes:
Reliance Industries India’s best employer, in top 20 worldwide: According to Forbes’ World’s Finest Employers rankings 2022, Reliance Industries,
the nation’s largest corporation by revenues, profits, and market value, is
India’s best employer and the 20th best company to work for globally.
Oil-to-telecom-to-retail conglomerate Reliance, with 2,30,000 employees, is
ranked 20th – the highest-ranked Indian firm. It is ranked above Mercedes-Benz
of Germany, US beverage maker Coca-Cola, Japanese auto giants Honda and Yamaha,
and Saudi Aramco. Key Points:
a) The global ranking was topped by South Korean giant Samsung Electronics,
followed by US giants Microsoft, IBM, Alphabet and Apple.
b) US companies occupy rankings from 2nd to 12th, followed by German
automaker BMW Group at 13th. The world’s largest online retailer Amazon is
ranked 14th in the list and French giant Decathlon is at 15th rank.
c) There is no Indian company other than Reliance in the top 100. HDFC Bank
is ranked 137th. Bajaj (173rd), Aditya Birla Group (240th), Hero Motocorp
(333rd), Larsen & Toubro (354th), ICICI Bank (365th), HCL Technologies
(455th), State Bank of India (499th), Adani Enterprises (547th) and Infosys
(668th) are the other companies on the list.
DEFENCE
1. Indian
Navy participates Malabar Naval Exercise in Japan: India is participating in 26th International Malabar Naval Exercise
begins in Yokosuka of Japan. In the Malabar Naval Exercise, Australia, Japan
and the USA are also participating. The naval forces of these countries will
take part in the exercise till the 18th of next month. Indian Naval Ships
Shivalik and Kamorta are ready to demonstrate at the event. Key Points:
a) The presence of these indigenously built ships of the Indian Navy at
these multi-national events will be an opportunity to showcase the ship-building
capabilities of Indian Shipyards.
b) The MALABAR exercise was initiated in 1992 between the navies of India
and the United States.
c) The International Fleet Review will be reviewed by Japanese Prime
Minister Fumio Kishida and will see the participation of 40 ships and
submarines from 13 countries.
d) The warships will also be deployed in the four-nation Malabar exercise
scheduled to take place on 8th November.
e) It started as a bilateral drill between the Indian Navy and the US Navy
in the Indian Ocean. Japan became a permanent member of the exercise in 2015.
2. DRDO
launches testing, evaluation facility for sonar systems of Indian Navy: Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) launched the
Hull Module of the Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterization &
Evaluation (SPACE) facility at Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory
(NPOL) Kochi. It is a state-of-the-art testing and evaluation facility for
sonar systems developed for use by the Indian navy onboard various platforms which
include ships, submarines, and helicopters. Key Points:
a) The SPACE facility is based on the concept design and requirements
projected by NPOL and has been constructed by M/s L&T Shipbuilding,
Chennai.
b) It will be mainly utilized for evaluating Sonar systems, allowing for
quick deployment and easy recovery of scientific packages such as sensors and
transducers.
c) The SPACE is a one-of-a-kind facility in the world. The uniqueness of
this facility lies in the specially designed submersible platform, which can be
lowered up to depths of 100 meters using a series of synchronously operated
winches.
d) The design and construction of the platform meet all the statutory needs of the Indian Register of Shipping and the vessel classifying authority.
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