NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Year
2022 declared as ASEAN-India Friendship year: The year 2022 has been declared as the ASEAN-India Friendship year, as
ASEAN and India commemorate 30 years of partnership. A series of events has
been planned to celebrate the occasion throughout the year. As a part of this
programme, Indian media delegation is on a visit to Singapore and Cambodia
under the ASEAN-INDIA Media exchange programme from 8th November to 13th
November.
Key
Points:
a) The delegation interacted with the officials of the Ministries of
Foreign Affairs and Communication & Information of Singapore to understand
the media landscape in Singapore and the kind of challenges Singapore
goverenment faces in timely communicating the correct perspective of people
friendly policies to their citizens. After the first leg of visit, the
delegation has reached Cambodia.
b) As a precursor to the visit of the Vice President of India to Cambodia
for the ASEAN Summit, the delegation visited the Angkor Vat and Ta Prohm temple
complexes and witnessed the prominent role played by the Government of India
and the Archeological Survey of India in restoring these UNESCO World Heritage
sites there. Vice President would be inaugurating the newly restored portions
of the Ta Prohm temple complex during the visit.
2. Govt
Declares Census, NPR Database as Critical Information Infrastructure: The government has declared certain databases related to the Census
and the National Population Register (NPR) as critical information
infrastructure. In a notification issued recently, the Union Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA) said the decision was taken after exercising the powers conferred
to it under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (Amended 2008).
The Centre
declares the computer resources relating to the Census Monitoring and
Management System, the Self Enumeration and Civil Registration System (CRS) web
portals, mobile applications for house listing, population enumeration and
updating the NPR as critical information infrastructure (CII) of the office of
the registrar general and census commissioner, it said. The linked databases,
including the NPR database, the Census database and the CRS database, the
computer resources set up and installed at the National Data Centre, the office
of the registrar general and the census commissioner, Delhi, the Disaster
Recovery Site and the data centres at Bengaluru and Lucknow have also been
declared as CII, according to the notification.
3. Mother
Tongue Survey of India Is Ready: The Ministry of
Home Affairs has successfully completed a mother tongue survey with field
videography of 576 languages and dialects across the country. According to the
annual report of the home ministry for 2021-22, it has been planned to set up a
web archive at the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to preserve and analyse
the original flavour of each indigenous mother tongue.
The home
ministry said in the upcoming census, which has been kept on hold due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, several new initiatives have been taken for facilitating
smooth conduct of the mega exercise, including use of the advanced geospatial
technology.
Changes
In This New Edition:
a) Jurisdictional changes that occurred in the country after Census 2011
till December 31, 2019 have been updated in the geo- referenced database and
further updation is going on as the freezing date has been extended upto June
30, 2022.
b) More than 6 lakh maps (district, sub-district, village level) have been
prepared and being uploaded in the in-house portal for census functionaries and
the same will be further updated and finalised as per jurisdictional changes
till June, 2022.
c) For the first time, the House Listing Block (HLB) Mobile Mapping App for
geo-referencing of all enumeration blocks of the coming census in the country
has been introduced and necessary training on this has been imparted to
national and master trainers.
4. MoRD
signs MoU with Veddis Foundation under DAY- NRLM: The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has signed an MoU with Veddis
Foundation to support the setting up of effective governance systems under the
DAY-NRLM. The DAY-NRLM stands for Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural
Livelihood Mission. The partnership with MoRD and Veddis Foundation for three
years is non-financial in nature. Key Points:
a) The MoU was signed by Joint Secretary Rural Livelihoods, Ms. Nita
Kejrewal from MoRD, and Mr. Murugan Vasudevan, CEO, of Veddis Foundation.
b) The meeting was chaired by Secretary, of Rural Development, Shri
Nagendra Sinha.
c) Joint Secretary Rural Livelihoods Ms. Nita Kejrewal said that working
with various stakeholders with an aligned vision will help MoRD to improve.
d) As per the MoU, Veddis Foundation will establish a PMU in the Rural
Livelihood (RL) Divison of the Ministry of Rural Development for the next five
years.
e) Veddis Foundation has put in place PMUs in the State Rural Livelihoods
Mission (SRLMs) of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Manipur.
f)
One of the initial focuses as part of the MoU is an
annual report on the state of SRLMs in which various SRLMs are expected to be
evaluated based on a ‘Governance Index’.
5. National
Newborn Week: 15th to 21st November: In India,
National Newborn Week is celebrated every year from 15 to 21 November. This
week aims to reinforce the importance of neonatal health as a priority area of
the health sector and reduce infant mortality by improving health care
conditions for infants in the neonatal period. The main purpose of celebrating
this week is to raise awareness about the care of newborn babies. The theme of
this week is ‘Safety, Quality and Nurturing Care – Every Newborn’s Birth
Right’. This year’s theme for NNW has been chosen to ensure reaching every
newborn with quality and developmentally supportive health care services
rendering safety and dignity at all service delivery platforms – Health
Facilities, Community Outreach Sessions, and Homes etc.
The neonatal period
(first 28 days of life) is the most crucial and alarming period for child
survival as this period carries the highest risk of deaths per day than any
other period during the childhood. The first month of life is also a
foundational period for lifelong health and development. Healthy ones grow into
healthy adults who can thrive and contribute to their communities and
societies.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. US
Treasury Removes India from Its Currency Monitoring List: The US Department of Treasury removed India along with Italy, Mexico,
Thailand, and Vietnam from its Currency Monitoring List. China, Japan, Korea,
Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan are the seven economies that are a
part of the current monitoring list, the Department of Treasury said in its
biannual report to the Congress. India had been on the list for the last two
years. Key Points:
a) China’s failure to publish foreign exchange intervention and broader
lack of transparency around key features of its exchange rate mechanism makes
it an outlier among major economies and warrants Treasury’s close monitoring,
said the report.
b) The countries that have been removed from the list have met only one out
of three criteria for two consecutive reports, it said.
c) Surprisingly, Switzerland once again exceeded the thresholds for all
three criteria, which is a parameter for being labelled as a “Currency
Manipulator”. But the term was not used by the Report and the Treasury
Department maintained that there is not enough evidence to use the label for
Switzerland. The Treasury will continue its enhanced bilateral engagement with
Switzerland, which commenced in early 2021, to discuss the Swiss authorities’
policy options to address the underlying causes of its external imbalances, a
media note said.
2. Switzerland
Tourism: Neeraj Chopra becomes ‘Friendship Ambassador’ of Switzerland: Switzerland Tourism has appointed Olympic Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra
as the ‘Friendship Ambassador’. In his new role, the talented Indian sports
superstar will showcase and promote the adventurous, sporty, and stunning
outdoors of Switzerland to Indian travellers. As Switzerland Tourism’s
‘Friendship Ambassador’, Chopra will share his experiences in the country to
showcase it as the ideal destination for outdoors and the best destination for
hiking, biking, soft and extreme adventure and of course snow sports, for
everyone be it beginners or seasoned pros.
The athlete also
donated his gold-winning javelin to The Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland
in September this year. The museum founded by the International Olympic
Committee in 1993 showcases the richness and diversity of Olympism through
history, culture, design, technology, and sociology with sports as the main
element. Mary Kom’s gloves as well as Dhyan Chand’s hockey was already a part
of the exhibits at the Museum.
Note: Switzerland
Currency: Swiss franc; Switzerland Capital: Bern.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. T20
World Cup 2022 Final: England beats Pakistan by 5 wickets: England were crowned the champions after they defeated Pakistan by 5
wickets in the final at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia.
They are the first team to hold the ODI and T20 World Cups at the same time
after their memorable win over New Zealand in the 2019 50-over final at Lord’s.
England also emulated West Indies to become only the second team in the history
of the competition to lift two titles in the T20 World Cup.
England were in
the box-seat after captain Jos Buttler won the toss and elected to field first,
restricting Pakistan to just 8-137. Ben Stokes used all his experience to score
52 from 49 balls just when his team needed it most as England chased down
Pakistan’s meagre total of 137/8 with six deliveries remaining at the MCG.
T20WC Men’s
Player of the Tournament: Sam Curran (12 wickets in six matches)
2. Olympic
medallist PV Sindhu Launches Fit India School Week Mascots Toofan & Toofani:
Recently, Double Olympic medallist, PV Sindhu has
launched the mascots “Toofan and Toofani” for Fit India Movement’s Fit India
School Week initiative for the year 2022. The 4th edition of Fit India School
Week will kick off on 15 November 2022 wherein for a month various schools
across India will celebrate fitness and sports in various forms for 4 to 6 days
and reaffirm its importance amongst the school fraternity.
About the
Fit India Movement: Fit India Movement, which was launched by Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the year 2019, kicked off its annual ‘Fit India
School Week’ programme in December of that same year, and is dedicated to
encouraging schools in inculcating fitness habits and increasing awareness
about fitness and sports among students.
To make the
mascots more connected to sports, they have been given superpowers like running
fast as wind (Athletics), lifting cars (weightlifting), and superb focus skills
(Chess). They also engage with people by telling them various stories about
sports and fitness and inspire, educate and encourage them in the process.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Finance
Minister Approves India’s First Sovereign Green Bonds Framework: Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman
approves the final Sovereign Green Bonds framework of India. This approval will
further strengthen India’s commitment towards its Nationally Determined Contribution
(NDCs) targets.
The Framework
comes close on the footsteps of India’s commitments under Panchamrit as
elucidated by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, at COP26 at Glasgow in
November, 2021. The approval is fulfillment of the announcement in the Union
Budget FY 2022-23 by the Union Finance Minister that Sovereign Green Bonds will
be issued for mobilising resources for green projects. It will help in
attracting global and domestic investments in eligible green projects. The
proceeds generated from issuance of such bonds will be deployed in Public
Sector projects which help in reducing carbon intensity of the economy.
Green
Bonds: A green bond is a debt instrument with which
capital is being raised to fund ‘green’ projects, which typically include those
relating to renewable energy, clean transportation, sustainable water
management etc. A bond is a fixed income instrument that represents a loan made
by an investor to a borrower (typically corporate or governmental). Bonds
traditionally paid a fixed interest rate (coupon) to investors.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1. Moody’s
Cuts India’s Economic Growth Projections to 7% For 2022: Moody’s Investor Services has lowered India’s economic growth forecast
by 70 basis points to 7 per cent for the calendar year 2022. This is in line
with the downward revision of the global growth forecast.
Moody’s said
that annual headline CPI inflation increased to 7.5 per cent in September after
dipping below 7 per cent in July. Wholesale price inflation, however, has
declined for four straight months, from a peak of 16.6 per cent in May to 10.7
per cent in September. From May to September, the RBI raised the repo rate a
cumulative 190 bps to 5.9 per cent to contain inflation risks.
2. NIIFL
Signed an Agreement with JBIC to Boost Japanese Investments in India: National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIFL) has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Japan Bank for International Cooperation
(JBIC) to promote and enhance Japanese investments into India. The MoU outlines
a partnership framework between NIIFL and JBIC which is considering the
establishment of a bilateral India-Japan Fund (IJF). JBIC and the Government of
India will invest in the India-Japan Fund, which will make equity investments
in environmental preservation and low carbon emission strategies,” said NIIFL.
The fund will
also enhance cooperation between the two countries by investing in strategic
partnerships between Japanese and Indian companies and promoting business
collaboration across multiple sectors in India.
About
NIIFL: NIIFL is an active investor in sustainable and
climate friendly technologies and solutions through its investments in Ayana
Renewable Power, IntelliSmart Infrastructure, Ather Energy and the Green Growth
Equity Fund. The India-Japan Fund will further contribute to NIIFL having a
more significant impact in this area.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. National
Fisheries Development Board awarded “India Agribusiness Awards 2022”: National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, a vibrant organization
under the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and
Dairying, Government of India was one of the organisation to be awarded with
“India Agribusiness Awards 2022” for the best Agribusiness Award under
Fisheries Sector. During the event for commemorating the services & support
extended to the fisheries sector by playing a crucial and exemplary role
dedicated to the stakeholders for supporting various need-based projects for
technology upgradation, species diversification in aquaculture, dissemination
of new and improved fish varieties, promoting seaweed cultivation, ornamental
fisheries, training & capacity building etc.
Notably: While Haryana has received the ‘India Agribusiness Awards 2022’ in the
best state category for their contribution in the areas of agriculture.
About the
India International Agro Trade and Technology Fair 2022: The India International Agro Trade and Technology Fair 2022 was
organized to commemorate the services and support extended to the fisheries sector
by playing a crucial and exemplary role dedicated to the stakeholders.
“AgroWorld 2022” – India International Agro Trade and Technology Fair 2022 is
being held from November 9–11, 2022 at Indian Agriculture Research Institute,
Pusa Campus, New Delhi. It is being organised by the Indian Chamber of Food and
Agriculture (ICFA), an Indian Government body on technical collaborations with
numerous national or international industrial associations and related
organisations.
2. Bhopal
Railway Station awarded 4-star rating ‘Eat Right Station’ certification: The Food Safety and Standard Association of India (FSSAI) awarded Bhopal
Railway Station a 4-star ‘Eat Right Station’ certification for providing
‘“high-quality, nutritious food to passengers”. Railway stations are awarded
the certificate after an FSSAI-empaneled third-party audit agency rates them on
a scale of 1 to 5 for food storage and hygiene practices. About the
certification:
a) The certification is part of the ‘Eat Right India’ movement- a
large-scale effort by FSSAI to transform the country’s food system to ensure
safe, healthy and sustainable food for all Indians.
b) Chandigarh Railway station was the fifth Indian railway station to
receive a 5-star ‘Eat Right Station’ certification in September 2021.
c) The other railway stations with this certification include Anand Vihar
Terminal Railway Station; (Delhi), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus; (Mumbai),
Mumbai Central Railway Station; (Mumbai), and Vadodara Railway Station.
d) Eat Right India adopts a judicious mix of regulatory, capacity building,
collaborative, and empowerment approaches to ensure that our food is suitable
both for the people and the planet.
Note: FSSAI Chairperson: Rajesh Bhushan; FSSAI Chief Executive Officer: Arun Singhal; FSSAI Founded: August 2011; FSSAI Headquarters: New Delhi.
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