Daily GK Update- 16th Nov, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s longest river cruise to Sail from Varanasi in January 2023: The government is set to launch the world’s longest luxury river cruise from Varanasi to Dibrugarh via Bangladesh next year. The world’s longest luxury river cruise aims to give a push to Indian inland waterways development. The 50 days cruise will set sail from Varanasi and pass-through Kolkata and Dhaka before reaching Bogibeel in the Dibrugarh district of Assam. The cruise will sail on 10th January 2023 and will cover a distance of 4,000 km. Key Points:

a)      The 50 days long journey will cover 27 river systems and visit over 50 tourist sites including World Heritage Sites.

b)      This journey will also put India and Bangladesh on the river cruise map of the world.

c)       The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal informed that the development of coastal and rover shipping includes cruise services which is one of the priorities of the government.

d)      The development of Inland Waterways systems would also facilitate trade and cargo services. This will boost tourism around the area along with its routes.

e)      The Varanasi-Dibrugarh cruise is expected to be run on a PPP model with the MoU to run the first set of cruise liners signed between the Island Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Anatara Luxury River Cruises and JM Baxi River Cruises.

 

2. PM Modi Unveiled 108-feet tall ‘Statue of Prosperity’: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 108 feet tall bronze statue of Sri Nadaprabhu Kempegowda in Bengaluru. The ‘Statue of Prosperity’ is made to commemorate the contribution of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda who is the founder of Bengaluru. The statue was conceptualized and sculpted by Ram V Sutar, who also curated the Statue of Unity. The ‘Statue of Prosperity’ is made with 98 tonnes of bronze and 120 tonnes of steel.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, the Governor of Karnataka, Thawar Chand Gehlot, and Union Minister Prahlad Joshi.

About Nadaprabhu Kempegowda: Nadaprabhu Hiriye Kempe Gowda is also known as Kempe Gowda. He was a chieftain under the Vijayanagara Empire. The capital of Karnataka, Bengaluru, was fortified by Kempe Gowda in 1537. He erected many Kannada inscriptions in the region. Kempe Gowda was one of the most well-educated rulers of all time.

 

3. CM announces Odisha to be made slum-free by the end of 2023: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced that the Odisha government aims to make Odisha slum-free by the end of 2023. The CM of Odisha has launched a survey using drones to facilitate a process to provide land deeds to slum-dwellers in five municipal areas across Odisha. The land survey was taken in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela, and Sambalpur civic body areas under the state government’s ‘Jaga Mission program. Key Points:

a)      Naveen Patnaik has declared Hinjili and Digapahandi towns in the Gajman district as ‘Slum Free’ and dedicated 707 ‘Biju Adarsh Colonies’ in 33 urban areas.

b)      All the slums in Odisha will be converted into model colonies and Odisha will be made slum-free by December 2023.

c)       Naveen Patnaik also stated that land rights will be given to 2.5 lakh slum families in the state by the next year.

d)      The authorities of ‘Jaga Mission’ signed an MoU with Tata Steel Foundation to identify slum dwellers and areas under the jurisdiction of the five municipal corporations for the land survey of Odisha. Tata Steel Foundation will provide technical support for the purpose.

e)      Over 1.70 lakh families of slum areas in 105 cities and towns have so far been given land rights under the program.

 

4. Nation-wide Campaign for Digital Life Certificate Launched: The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Government of India has launched a Nation-wide Campaign for Promoting Digital Life Certificates for Central Government Pensioners. In 2021, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the milestone Face Authentication Technique of submitting a Life Certificate through any Android Mobile Phone. The department this year is launching a special nationwide campaign to promote the life certificate through Digital mode.

All the registered Pensioners Associations, Pension Disbursing Banks, Ministries of the government of India, and CGHS Wellness Centres have been directed to promote the Digital Life Certificate. All pensioners can visit the Centre for submitting their Life Certificate through Digital means.

 

5. 7th Edition of Amur Falcon Festival Celebrated in Manipur: The Manipur Forest Authority to celebrate the 7th edition of the Amur Falcon Festival in Tamenglong district, Imphal. The objective of the Amur Falcon Festival is to spread awareness about the protection and conservation of the Amur Falcon. It is a day-long festival that is generally celebrated in the first or second week of November to strengthen human-nature relationships and acknowledge the importance of the small raptor in the lives of people. The first edition of the Amur Falcon Festival was celebrated in 2015.

About Amur Falcon: Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) is the world’s longest-traveling small raptor of the Falcon family. Amur Falcon migrates to their wintering grounds in South Africa and they usually arrive in large numbers during October in Nagaland and Manipur. They leave the region in November after having enough food for their non-stop flight to Africa where they spend their winters

 

6. National Press Day: 16th November: National Press Day is observed on November 16 every year to acknowledge and honour the Press Council of India (PCI). The day marks the presence of an independent and responsible press in the country. The Press Council of India also examines the quality of reportage of the Indian press and keeps a check on journalistic activities.

National Press Day History: In the year 1956, the First Press Commission decided to form a body with statutory authority which has the responsibility of maintaining the ethics of journalism. In 1966 on 16 November, the PCI was formed. The National Press Day of India is since then celebrated on November 16 every year to commemorate the establishment of the council.

Note: Press Council of India Founder: Parliament of India; Press Council of India Founded: 4 July 1966, India; Press Council of India Headquarters: New Delhi; Press Council of India Chairperson: Smt. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Announces Additional Contribution of ‘$ 5 million’ to ASEAN-India S & T Fund: India announced an additional contribution of USD 5 million to the ASEAN-India science and technology fund to enhance cooperation in sectors of public health, renewable energy and smart agriculture.

The announcement came during the three-day visit of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to Cambodia for ASEAN-India and East Asia summits. He addressed the ASEAN-India summit.  Vice President Dhankhar highlighted the global concerns on food and energy security and emphasised the role of the East Asia Summit (EAS) mechanism in promoting free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific with freedom of navigation and overflight.

About ASEAN-India Science & Technology Collaboration: ASEAN-India Science & Technology Collaboration formally started in 1996 with the establishment of the ASEAN India S&T working group (AIWGST). Initially, the collaborative S&T projects and activities between India and ASEAN were supported through ASEAN India Fund (AIF) but in 2008, a dedicated ASEAN India S&T Development Fund (AISTDF) with an equivalent amount of USD 1 million was established jointly by the Ministry of External Affairs and Department of Science and Technology (DST) to support R&D (Research and Development) projects and associated project development activities.

About ASEAN: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.  10 member countries of ASEAN: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

 

2. International Day for Tolerance: 16th November: International Day for Tolerance is observed on November 16 every year with an aim to build tolerance among diverse cultures and spread the message that tolerance is an integral part of society. The day is specifically recognized to educate people about the harmful consequences of intolerant society and its impact on the nation.

International Day of Tolerance History: The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 51/95 proclaiming November 16 as International Day for Tolerance back in 1996. The action followed the adoption of a Declaration of Principles on Tolerance by UNESCO’s Member States on the same day in 1995. In 1995, the UN paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 125th birth anniversary by kickstarting the commemoration of International Tolerance Day.

Note: UNESCO Headquarters: Paris, France; UNESCO Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom; UNESCO Director-General: Audrey Azoulay.

 

3. World COPD Day: 16th November: On the third Wednesday in November World COPD Day is observed. This year World COPD Day is observed on November 16. The day aims to create awareness about the condition and ways to reduce the burden of COPD worldwide. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Its aim is to raise awareness, share knowledge, and discuss ways to reduce the burden of COPD worldwide. The 2022 theme for World COPD Day will be “Your Lungs for Life”. This year’s theme aims to highlight the importance of lifelong lung health.  The first World COPD Day was held in 2002. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD):

a)      COPD is a group of progressive lung diseases that are common, preventable, and treatable. This is usually seen among patients above 35 to 40 years of age with or without smoking history and mostly among men though prevalence is increasing in women gradually.

b)      Most people with COPD have emphysema, a condition in which the alveoli (air sacs in the lungs) are destroyed by smoking. The air sacs weaken and eventually break, which reduces the surface area of the lungs and the amount of oxygen that can reach the bloodstream. Another condition that comes under the umbrella of COPD is Chronic bronchitis, in which the lining of the bronchial tube experiences inflammation.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India to Host IBSA Blind Football Women’s Asian/Oceania Championship 2022: Kerala Governor Arif Muhammad Khan inaugurated the IBSA Blind Football Women’s Asian/Oceania Championship 2022 at Kochi, Kerala. The IBSA Blind Football Women’s Asian/Oceania Championship 2022 is being held from 11th November 2022 to 18th November 2022.

This is the first time in India that a para football event will have 10 men’s teams and 2 women’s teams. This para football event is a qualifier for the World’s Championships Birmingham 2022 and the Paris Paralympics 2024. IBSA Blind Football Women’s Asian/Oceania Championship 2022 will be India’s biggest para football event.

IBSA Blind Football Women’s Asian/Oceania Championship 2022: Group A

a)      India

b)      China

c)       Thailand

d)      Malaysia

e)      Kazakhstan

IBSA Blind Football Women’s Asian/Oceania Championship 2022: Group B

a)      South Korea

b)      Japan

c)       Iran

d)      Australia

e)      Uzbekistan

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) tops PSU lenders’ list in Q2 credit growth: In terms of loan growth in percentage terms during the second quarter of 2022-23, Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has emerged as the top performer among public sector lenders. According to the Public Sector Banks (PSBs) quarterly figures, the Pune-based lender increased gross advances by 28.62 percent to Rs 1,48,216 crore at the end of September 2022. Key Points:

a)      Union Bank of India came in second with a 21.54 percent increase to Rs 7,52,469 crore.

b)      State Bank of India, the country’s largest lender, came in third with an 18.15 percent increase in gross advances.

c)       In terms of Retail-Agri-MSME (RAM) loans, the Bank of Maharashtra recorded the highest growth of 22.31 percent during the period under review, followed by the Bank of Baroda at 19.53 percent and SBI at 16.51 percent.

d)      In terms of low-cost current account savings account (CASA) deposits, BoM led the way followed by the Central Bank of India.

e)      With a 3.55 percent net interest margin (NIM), BoM and SBI outperformed PSBs, a key profitability parameter. It was followed by the Bank of India and the Central Bank of India.

f)        BoM has the highest capital adequacy ratio among PSBs at 16.71 percent, followed by Canara Bank and Indian Bank at 16.15 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2022-23.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. BHIM App Open-Source License Model Launched by NPCI: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) announced the launch of the BHIM App open-source license model to regulate entities participating in the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ecosystem. The source code of the BHIM App will help those who do not have a UPI app of their own, to empower them to launch their own UPI App. Key Points:

a)      Several banks in India do not have mobile banking apps and are missing out on extending the benefits of the country’s largest retail payment system, UPI to their customers.

b)      NCPI aims to bridge the gap by extending all the readily available features of UPI to these entities through this BHIM App licensing model.

c)       The BHIM App, will be the economical and quick-to-market solution for these entities.

d)      Under this model new features that get launched on BHIM App in the future, will also be extended to these entities for them to continue accessing the BHIM app’s new features.

e)      UPI processed 7.3 billion transactions, worth Rs 12.11 trillion, a record high in terms of the value of transactions.

 

2. Centre Approves BSNL Rs 26,821 Crore 4G Deal with TCS: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) received a nod from Central Government to go ahead with Rs 26,821 crore deal with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) paving its way to launch 4G services in India. TCS is ready to set up the 4G lines and maintain the network for nine years. BSNL will give Rs 10,000 crore worth of purchase orders to TCS soon. The state-run telco will aim to launch its 4G services by December 2022 or January 2023. Key Points:

a)      Tata Sons’ unit Tejas Network will manufacture the equipment locally for BSNL.

b)      TCS will provide the core equipment within 12 months of the order.

c)       Radio equipment would be provided within 24 months of receiving the order.

d)      The launch of 4G services, BSNL is also aiming to launch 5G services by August 2023.

e)      TCS aims to install 100,00 towers for the BSNL-MTNL network with the Rs 26,821 crore offer.

f)        Additional 25,000 towers will be set up in areas affected by left-wing extremism, Lakshadweep Islands, and 4G saturation areas.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Navy Conducts ‘Prasthan’ an Offshore Security Exercise: The Indian Navy conducted a structured exercise to evaluate organizational effectiveness in protecting offshore assets off Mumbai on an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) platform 150 km into the sea. The exercise was named ‘Prasthan’ by the Indian Navy. Prasthan is conducted twice a year under the aegis of Headquarters, Western Naval Command. The exercise which is conducted every six months aims to integrate the efforts of all maritime stakeholders involved in offshore defense. Key Points:

a)      The ‘Prasthan’ which is an offshore security exercise aims to examine various measures and protocols conceived to address security threats and other contingencies.

b)      The Indian Navy has included several crises such as bomb threats, blows out, fire, Terrorists, and medical evacuations during the exercise.

c)       The Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, ONGC, Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA), the Police fisheries, and customs were a part of the Prasthan exercise.

d)      A detailed analysis will be undertaken to assess areas and aspects that need improvement and attention as a part of the exercise.

 

2. India to Build its First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Catamaran Vessel: Cochin Shipyard signed an MoU with the Inland Waterways Authority of India to build the country’s first hydrogen fuel cell catamaran vessel for Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Another MoU was signed by the Shipyard for the construction of six electric catamaran vessels for Uttar Pradesh and two more such vessels for Guwahati. Key Points:

a)      The MoU by the Shipyard was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. Union Minister for Heavy Industry Mahendra Nath Pandey, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries were part of the event.

b)      The Cochin Shipyard informed us that the air-conditioned hydrogen fuel cell catamaran vessel will have a seating capacity for 100 passengers.

c)       It will be deployed at Varanasi after the test and trials are done in Kochi.

d)      The air-conditioned electric hybrid vessels are designed for short-distance commutes in riverine waters.

e)      These will have a seating capacity of 50 passengers.

f)        The vessels will also provide onboard accommodation for the crew, other than the toilet and washroom facilities for the passengers.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. 85-Year-old Renowned mathematician RL Kashyap passes away: 85-Year-old Renowned mathematician and great scholar Padma Shri Awardee Shri Rangasami Lakshminarayan Kashyap or RL Kashyap passed away. RL Kashyap translated around twenty-five thousand Sanskrit mantras into English language. Apart from Mathematics, RL Kashyap has also made many important contributions to the field of Veda. He received many international awards for his immense contributions to the fields of science and technology. Kashyap also wrote more than 250 research papers.

 

2. Batman legend voice actor Kevin Conroy passes away: Kevin Conroy, an actor and voice actor best known for playing Batman in several animated movies and series, has passed away at the age of 66. Kevin played Batman in a variety of projects, and Mark Hamill took on the role of the Joker. The acclaimed animated series, which launched in 1992 and continued until 1996, is where Conroy first voiced Batman.

His portrayal of Batman in various other DC productions, including the video games Injustice and Batman: Arkham, has received a lot of positive attention. He also appeared in several DC Universe Animated Original Movies, including Batman: Gotham Knight (2008), Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009), Justice League: Doom (2012), Batman: The Killing Joke (2016), and Justice League vs. the Fatal Five (2019).