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Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Daily GK Update- 23rd Nov, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. First Unani Medicine Regional Center of Northeast Inaugurated in Silchar, Assam: The first institute of Unani medicine in the Northeast region of India was inaugurated in Silchar town of Assam. The Unani medicine institute in Silchar of Assam was inaugurated by Union Ayush minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The new complex spreads over an area of 3.5 acres, built with an investment of Rs.48 crore. The National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC) developed the complex, which is a Government of India enterprise. It was handed over to Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.

About Unani Medicine: Unani medicine, also called Unani tibb, Arabian medicine, or Islamic medicine, a traditional system of healing and health maintenance observed in South Asia. The Unani System of Medicine offers treatment of diseases related to all the systems and organs of the human body. The treatments for chronic ailments and diseases of skin, liver, musculo-skeletal and reproductive systems, immunological and lifestyle disorders have been found to be highly effective and acceptable.

 

2. MoS for Education Subhash Sarkar Confers National Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar 2021-22: Thirty-nine schools from across the country have been awarded the Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar for the 2021-22 academic session. Minister of State for Education Dr Subhash Sarkar conferred National Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar 2021-22 in New-Delhi.

The schools selected from among the total 8.23 lakh entries are 28 government and aided while 11 are private schools. A total of 39 schools have been selected for the national award including 34 in the overall category and five in sub-categories by the national selection committee. The schools will get an award money of Rs 60,000 each. Besides, every school will get a certificate of participation showing the category-wise scores and overall rating of the school.

About The Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar: The Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar has been instituted by Ministry of Education to recognize, inspire and celebrate excellence in sanitation and hygiene practice in schools. The purpose of the SVP is to honor schools that have undertaken significant steps towards fulfilling the mandate of the Swachh Vidyalaya Campaign. Six sub-category wise awards have also been introduced for the first time, with award money of Rs 20,000 per school.

 

3. National Museum and Kolding Museum signs Memorandum of Understanding: Museum Kolding and the National Museum in New Delhi will open the joint exhibition “Silver treasures from Denmark and India” at the beginning of March 2023. An MoU of the exhibition was signed and exchanged between the National Museum, New Delhi, India, and the Museum Kolding, Kolding, in New Delhi. Key Points:

a)      The exhibition will showcase the finest of the silver collection from the Museum Kolding and the National Museum in New Delhi in March 2023.

b)      The collaboration and exhibition are under the recently agreed cultural exchange program between India and Denmark for the years 2022 to 2026.

c)       The exhibition “Silver treasures from Denmark and India” is focused on Danish and Indian Silver artifacts where both museums will show the best silver objects from their collections.

d)      Elucidating the beauty and magnificence of silver craftsmanship in both countries, the exhibition will showcase the best selection of 200 objects in total.

e)      For the first time, at the National Museum visitors will be able to see the parallel traditions of the Indian and Danish silver objects.

 

4. Vikram-S Rocket Launched By ISRO, India’s First Privately Developed Rocket: Vikram-S Rocket, India’s first privately developed rocket launched from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) at the Sriharikota launchpad. The launch of Vikram-S Rocket by ISRO is a historic moment. The Vikram-S Rocket is developed by Hyderabad-based start-up Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited, and it is a 6-meter gall and hits a peak altitude of 89.5 kilometers. After five minutes of launch, the Vikram-S Rocket splashed into the Bay of Bengal. The mission was titled Prarambh.

About Vikram-S Rocket: The Vikram-S Rocket is a single-stage solid fuelled, sub-orbital rocket developed over two years by incorporating advanced technologies that include carbon composite structures and 3D printer components. The Vikram-S Rocket is equipped with a gross lift-off mass of 545kg, and a payload mass of 80kg. Vikram-S carried three customer payloads which will map the measurement and validation of certain flight parameters and payload integration processes. Key Points:

a)      The launch of India’s first privately developed rocket was a technology demonstration flight to showcase the capabilities of the company.

b)      The rocket will help validate the technologies that will be used in the subsequent Vikram-1 orbital vehicle of Skyroot.

c)       The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-space) has been operating as a single window, the autonomous nodal agency of the Department of Space (DOS) to boost the private sector economy in India.

d)      This project took Skyroot Aerospace about two years to develop and built the Vikram-S using advanced technologies.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Russia and Ukraine Agree to Further Extend the Black Sea Grain Deal: Russia and Ukraine have agreed to extend a UN-brokered grain export deal for another 120 days, officials announced. World leaders praised the breakthrough for helping “avoid global food shortages” at a crucial time.

Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said that the Black Sea grain deal between Ukraine and Russia will be extended for another 120 days. He said continuing the grain export agreement brokered by Turkey with the UN was “another important step in the global fight against the food crisis.” Russia’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed that the deal would be extended “without changes in terms of scope” to the current agreement.

The Risk Of The Deal: Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to allow Ukrainian foodstuff exports via the Black Sea in a move to ease a global food crisis. The agreement allowed ships to travel without being attacked on specific routes from Ukraine to the Bosporus.

The agreement is crucial in securing food supplies for developing countries in Africa and the Middle East. Ukraine is a major global exporter of wheat, along with Russia. Grain exports were renewed after a hiatus of over four months caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Turkish Role: The deal between the two warring sides, brokered in July by Turkey and the UN, has seen more than 11 million tonnes of agricultural products shipped from three of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, including 4.5 million tonnes of corn and 3.2 million tonnes of wheat. The extension was less than the one year sought by the UN and Ukraine. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Russia and Ukraine’s consensus on continuing the deal. “The significance and benefits of this agreement for the food supply and security of the world have become evident,” Erdogan said.

 

2. Bandaru Wilsonbabu named as the Ambassador of India to Comoros: Indian Foreign Service (2004), Shri Bandaru Wilsonbabu, presently Ambassador of India to the Republic of Madagascar, has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Union of the Comoros, with residence in Antananarivo. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

About the Comoros: The Comoros is an independent country made up of 3 islands in southeastern Africa. The Comoros is a volcanic archipelago off Africa’s east coast, in the warm Indian Ocean waters of the Mozambique Channel. The nation state’s largest island, Grande Comore (Ngazidja) is ringed by beaches and old lava from active Mt. Karthala volcano. Around the port and medina in the capital, Moroni, are carved doors and a white colonnaded mosque, the Ancienne Mosquée du Vendredi, recalling the islands’ Arab heritage.

Note: Comoros Capital: Moroni; Comoros President: Azali Assoumani; ComorosCurrency: Comorian franc.

 

3. CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar Invited as International Observer for Elections in Nepal: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had been invited by the Election Commission of Nepal as an international observer for the forthcoming elections to Nepal’s House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly, the Election Commission said.

About Nepal’s Election: Elections are scheduled in Nepal on 20 November to elect 275 members of the Federal Parliament and 550 seats of the seven Provincial Assemblies.  A total 330 seats in the seven provincial houses will be decided directly; the remaining 220 seats will be filled by proportional representation.

 

4. Cambridge Dictionary announced ‘Homer’ as Word of the Year 2022: The Cambridge Dictionary has revealed its word of the year for 2022 as “homer”, saying that it was inspired by the global word game sensation, Wordle. The word ”homer” was searched for nearly 75,000 times during the first week of May 2022, when it was an answer in the word game Wordle. In the context of the game, ”homer” doesn’t refer to the Greek poet and author, or a character from Simpson, but refers to an informal American English word for a ‘home run’ in baseball.

Cambridge Dictionary also saw other five-letter words surging in search in 2022 due to the “Wordle effect”. The American spelling of “humor” caused the second-highest spike in 2022, followed by ”caulk”, ”tacit, and ”bayou”, the third, fourth, and fifth place respectively.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. 22nd FIFA World Cup 2022 kick starts in Al Khor, Qatar: The 22nd FIFA men’s world cup was formally declared open at a colourful ceremony held at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar on 20 November. It is for the first time that an Arab country is hosting the football tournament. 32 teams will play for the most coveted prize in international football, with the final scheduled to take place on December 18 at the Lusail stadium, the biggest one among the eight stadiums being used to host the World Cup. On December 18, 2022, Qatar’s National Day, the opening game takes place at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor between Qatar and Ecuador. Key Points:

a)      The 22nd FIFA men’s world cup will be held in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022.

b)      It is the first time that an Arab country will host the tournament.

c)       It is the second world cup to be held in Asia after the 2002 World cup which was jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea.

d)      La’eeb is the official mascot of the Cup. It is inspired by the keffiyeh, a traditional headdress worn by Arab men.

Apart from winning the most prestigious trophy in football, there are substantial financial incentives for the teams in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

a)      The winner of the Qatar World Cup will bag a sum of 38 million euros (INR 344 crores).

b)      The runner-up of the Qatar World Cup will get 27.27 million euros (INR 245 crores).

c)       The third-placed team will pocket 24.45 million euros (INR 220 crores).

Note: FIFA President: Gianni Infantino; FIFA Founded: 21 May 1904; FIFA Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland.

 

2. Manipur Tops the Medal Tally in the Northeast Olympic Games: Manipur gets the top position in the Northeast Olympic Games for the second consecutive time with 237 medals, including 85 gold, as the second edition of the regional multi-sport event. Manipur also won 76 silver and 77 bronze while Assam was a close second with 201 medals including 81 gold, 60 silver, and 60 bronzes in the event competed among the eight states of the country’s northeast region from November 10. Key Points:

a)      Arunachal Pradesh ended in third place and the host state Meghalaya was fourth with 149 medals (36 gold, 35 silver, 78 bronze), a much better show than their sixth-place finish with 39 medals in the first edition.

b)      Manipur had also topped the medal tally (80 gold, 49 silver, and 33 bronze) when it hosted the inaugural Games in October 2018.

c)       Manipur, which has produced Olympic medal-winning athletes such as boxer MC Mary Kom and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, overtook Assam and consolidated its top position by winning 17 medals, including seven gold, on the final day.

d)      Around 3000 athletes competed in 18 disciplines at 12 venues spread across Shillong. The first edition in Manipur had 12 disciplines.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Govt Raises Maximum Tenure of PSU Banks’ CEO to 10 Years: Government has decided to provide longer tenure to Managing Director and other whole-time directors of the public sector banks. Now the appointment can be made initially for up to 5 years, which can be extended for the 5 more years. The amendment would be called Nationalised Banks (Management and Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Scheme, 2022.

Earlier, the MD or executive director of a public sector undertaking (PSU) bank was eligible for a maximum tenure of 5 years or 60 years whichever was earlier. This is also applicable for whole-time directors of all Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). Now, The term for the appointment has been extended to 10 years, from the earlier 5 years, subject to superannuation age of 60 years, as per government notification of 17 November.

The Right to Terminate: The central government has the right to terminate the term of office of a whole-time director, including the managing director, any time before the expiry of the term specified, by giving him a notice of not less than three months, in writing or three months’ salary and allowances in lieu of notice.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. India Fastest Growing Market for Microsoft Owned LinkedIn: India has become LinkedIn’s fastest-growing market as more companies and advertisers come online, with sales in the country rising at a 50% year-on-year clip. LinkedIn is a “The Microsoft” owned business networking service company.

CEO Roslansky, the business networking service owned by Microsoft Corp. is looking abroad for new growth opportunities as the worsening economic climate weighs on its US home market. He said LinkedIn has paused hiring to prepare for tougher conditions. The majority of LinkedIn’s growth is happening outside of the United States, he said, adding that new members are joining the networking site in markets such as India, Indonesia and Western Europe.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. NTPC team won Gold award at 47th ICQCC-2022: NTPC’s QC Team from Unchahar ABHYUDAYA has won the “GOLD” award in the 47th International Convention on Quality Control Circle (ICQCC-2022). The theme for ICQCC-2022 was “Built Back Better through Quality Efforts”. NTPC QC Team presented on “Frequent Choking of Collecting tanks of AHP-IV”.

Other awards of NTPC: In March 2022, NTPC had been declared the “Dream Employer of the Year” at the 30th Session of the World HRD Congress. NTPC’s efforts to create a future-ready workforce were recognized when NTPC was selected as a 2022 ATD BEST award winner by The Association for Talent Development (ATD), USA. The awards and recognitions are a testimony that people practices at NTPC are at par with the best companies in the world.

 

2. India won Excellence in Family Planning Leadership (EXCELL) Award: India became the only country to receive the Leadership in Family Planning (EXCELL) Awards 2022 in the ‘country category’ at the International Conference on Family Planning held in Thailand. India’s efforts in improving family planning demonstrate the progress the country has been making toward achieving the SDG targets on women and maternal health. The award recognizes and applauds India’s achievements in ensuring increased access.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Veteran Punjabi actress Daljeet Kaur Khangura passes away: Daljeet Kaur, a veteran actor well-known for her lead roles in several superhit Punjabi movies, has passed away in Punjab’s Ludhiana district. She was 69 years old. Daljeet was one of Pollywood’s best-known actors. Kaur had appeared in several successful films, including Mamla Garbar Hai, Putt Jattan De, Patola, Ki Banu Duniya Da, and Saida Jogan.


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