Daily GK Update- 6th Nov, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi Declared Mangarh Dham National Monument: Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Mangarh Dham a National Monument in the Banswara District, Rajasthan. PM Modi mentioned that India’s past, present, and future are not complete without the tribal community. Mangarh Dham is a symbol of tenacity and sacrifices of tribals and added that this is the common heritage of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Bhil Freedom fighter Shri Govind Guru at the event.

About Mangarh: India was fighting against the British and during the freedom struggle, the Bhil community and other tribes were also fighting a long-stand off against British officials. On 17th November 1913, 1.5 lakh Bhil was performing a rally against the British, where Britishers opened fire at the gathering. The massacre leads to the death of 1500 tribal people.

 

2. Fertilizer Subsidy Doubles as Prices Surge: To insulate farmers from the sharp increases in the prices, the Centre announced a doubling of fertiliser subsidy to Rs 2.15 trillion from the budgeted level for FY23. The move was necessitated by a sharp spike in global prices of urea, DAP and MoP in the last one year. Key Points:

a)      “Despite rising fertiliser prices globally, we have protected our farmers from such price hikes. In addition to the fertiliser subsidy of Rs 1.05 trillion in the Budget, an additional amount of Rs 1.10 trillion is being provided to further cushion our farmers,” the finance minister said.

b)      The Centre said the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) rates for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers for the kharif season (April-September 2022) will be Rs 60,939 crore, as against Rs 57,150 crore for the whole of last year. These soil nutrients are largely imported.

c)       According to fertiliser ministry data, imported urea prices have risen by more than 145% to $930 a tonne in April 2022 from $380 a tonne a year ago. Similarly, prices of DAP and MoP have risen by 66% and 116% to $924 a tonne and $590 a tonne in April 2022, respectively, compared to the year-ago period.

 

3. Meghalaya CM launches “Citizen Engagement and Communication Programme”: The “Citizen Engagement and Communication Programme” was launched by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma at Tura, West Garo Hills district, in Meghalaya. The Meghalaya Government has initiated various welfare programs and the information should be disseminated for the larger benefit of the public. The “Citizen Engagement and Communication Programme” program aims at grassroots penetration of all schemes so that governance is improved in all aspects. The program will create much-needed awareness amongst the masses so that people will have the right information to avail benefits of the schemes being launched by the Government.

 

4. Shyam Saran, first voter of Independent India, casts his postal ballot for Himachal polls: 106-year-old Shyam Saran Negi, the first voter of Independent India, exercised his right to franchise for the 34th time for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections through a postal ballot at his residence in Kinnaur district. Negi, a teacher by profession who hails from the tribal district of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh exercised his right to franchise for the 34th time for the 14th Vidhan Sabha elections through a postal ballot at his home in Kalpa. He cast his vote through a postal ballot for the first time.

Shyam Saran Negi, born in July 1917, voted for the first time in 1951 in the general elections of India and has voted for sixteen times in Lok Sabha Elections. He cast his vote in every Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and all local bodies right after 1951. He has also been made a state election icon in 2014.

 

5. Ministry of Education Releases Report on Performance Grading Index (PGI) for States/UTs: The Ministry of Education released the Performance Grading Index (PGI) for 2020-21, an evidence-based comprehensive analysis of school education system across states and Union Territories. Objective Of PGI: The prime objective of PGI is to promote evidence-based policymaking and highlight course correction to ensure quality education for all, the Ministry of Education said. How The Index Has Been Built:

a)      The PGI structure comprises of 1,000 points across 70 indicators grouped into two categories –Outcomes, and governance management.

b)      These categories are further divided into 5 domains, viz, Learning Outcomes (LO), Access (A), Infrastructure& Facilities (IF), Equity (E) & Governance Process (GP).

c)       As was done in the previous years, PGI 2020-21 classified the States/UTs into ten grades viz., highest achievable Grade is Level 1, which is for State/UT scoring more than 950 points out of total of 1000 points. The lowest grade is Level 10 which is for score below 551.

What Will Be the Benefits: The ultimate benefit of PGI is to propel States & UTs towards undertaking multi-pronged interventions that will bring about the much-desired optimal education outcomes covering all dimensions. The PGI is expected to help States and UTs to pinpoint the gaps and accordingly prioritize areas for intervention to ensure that the school education system is robust at every level.

 

6. University Grants Commission proposed ‘Bharatiya Bhasha Diwas’ to be celebrated on Dec 11: The University Grants Commission has written to vice-chancellors and principals of all universities and colleges in this regard following recommendations of a committee constituted last year by the education ministry to promote Indian languages. All higher education institutions in India must observe a ‘Bharatiya Bhasha Divas’ on December 11 every year to create “language harmony” and develop a conducive environment for learning Indian languages. Key Points:

a)      The committee has proposed to observe December 11 as ‘Bharatiya Bhasha Diwas’ or ‘Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav’ on the birth anniversary of poet Subramania Bharati, a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry who penned songs to kindle patriotism during the Independence movement.

b)      The commission also shared a concept note of the proposal with the universities, according to which universities and colleges will organise competitions, games, exhibitions and other activities to mark the day. They will also be felicitating students who know multiple languages or those who can read the scripts of major Indian languages.

c)       The central government has been making efforts to promote Indian languages. It is soon going to establish 22 bhasha kendras (language centres) to promote Indian languages as enshrined in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.

Note: University Grants Commission Headquarters: New Delhi; University Grants Commission Chairperson: D. P. Singh; University Grants Commission Founded: 1956.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 41st edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair Fall inaugurated at the Expo Centre: Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi has opened, the 41st edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which is taking place from November 2 to13 at the Expo Centre Sharjah, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, was also present at the inauguration of the event, which is organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, under the theme ‘Spread the Word.’

Attendances: This year’s SIBF edition features 2,213 publishers from 95 countries, including 1,298 Arab and 915 foreign publishing houses. Around 150 prominent Arab and foreign writers, thinkers, innovators, and artists from 15 countries will participate in the fair’s activities, across 1,500 events and various dialogue sessions, including 200 cultural events.

 

2. “Permacrisis” Is Collins Dictionary’s Word of The Year: Permacrisis has been chosen as the Collins Dictionary’s word of the year. The word means an extended period of instability and insecurity. “Permacrisis sums up just how truly awful 2022 has been for so many people,” Alex Beecroft, head of Collins Learning told AFP.

‘Permacrisis’ is a word that describes living in an age of continued upheaval; Collins defines the noun as ‘an extended period of instability and insecurity’. According to The Guardian, Collins chose permacrisis as the word of the year as it “sums up quite succinctly how truly awful 2022 has been for so many people”. It is the top word in the annual compilation of the 10 new or noteworthy words from the 18-billion-word database monitored by Collins and from other sources like social media. Permacrisis is also one of six new words on the list added to CollinsDictionary.com.

Notably: Permacrisis was Beating off competition from the likes of “Kyiv”, “sportswashing” and “partygate”, the term “permacrisis” was named as Britain’s word of the year in recognition of a dismal 2022.

 

3. International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict: 6th November: On November 6th, the UN observes the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. The day seeks to make people aware of the consequences that war and conflict have on the environment. This day was established to protect the environment as a source of security and peace and to prevent its use in military conflicts.

International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict History: On 5 November 2001, the UN General Assembly declared 6 November of each year as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict (A/RES/56/4). On 27 May 2016, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted resolution UNEP/EA.2/Res.15, which recognized the role of healthy ecosystems and sustainably managed resources in reducing the risk of armed conflict and reaffirmed its strong commitment to the full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals listed in General Assembly resolution 70/1, entitled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Asian Continental Chess C’ship: India’s R Praggnanandhaa and PV Nandidhaa win titles: Top-seeded Indian Grandmaster, R Praggnanandhaa and compatriot P V Nandhidhaa won the titles in the Open and women’s sections respectively in the Asian Continental Chess championship, in New Delhi. Praggnanandhaa drew with compatriot B Adhiban in a 63-move game in the ninth and final round to emerge clear winner with seven points. The 17-year-old Chennai player had gone into the final round with half a point lead over the rest of the field. He held off the challenge from the experienced Adhiban and shared honours to win the top prize.

Final placings Open: Men

1.      R Praggnanandhaa 7 points,

2.      Harsha Bharathakoti 6.5,

3.      B Adhiban 6.5,

Final placings Open: Women

1.      P V Nandhidhaa 7.5 points,

2.      Priyanka Nutakki 6.5,

3.      Divya Deshmukh

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bank of Baroda Launches BoB World Opulence, BoB World Sapphire premium debit cards: Bank of Baroda and Visa has announced the launch of two new premium debit cards for Bank of Baroda customers – bob World Opulence – a super-premium Visa Infinite Debit Card (Metal Edition) and bob World Sapphire – a Visa Signature Debit Card. The bob World Sapphire card will come in two sub variants – bob World Sapphire (Male) and bob World Sapphire (Female), offering customised privileges to customers.

Features of bob World Opulence – Visa Infinite (Metal Edition) Debit Card:

a)      Complimentary Airport Pickup and Drop Service

b)      Unlimited International Airport Lounge Visits

c)       Unlimited Domestic Airport Lounge Access

d)      Complimentary Club Marriott Membership for a year

e)      Golf Programme: Complimentary sessions at select Golf courses.

Its Benefits:

a)      Health and Wellness benefits – Discounts/Vouchers/Memberships on select brands

b)      Complimentary dining benefits and curated experiences at select hotels

c)       Offers from Premium Brands: such as Satya Paul, Truefitt & Hill, Brooks Brothers and House of Masaba

d)      Room upgrades, late checkouts, complimentary benefits at select hotels, which are a part of the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection

e)      Joining Fee: Rs 9,500 (for the first year)

f)        Annual Fee: Rs 9,500 (from the 2nd year onwards).

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. GST collection over Rs 1.51 trillion in October: 2nd highest ever: The gross GST revenue collected in the month of October 2022 was at Rs 1,51,718 crore, the second-highest monthly collection ever, the ministry of finance. The revenue for October 2022 is second highest monthly collection, next only to the collection in April 2022 and it is for the second time the gross GST collection has crossed Rs. 1.50 lakh crore mark.

Giving a break-up of the October GST collections, the government said CGST figure was at ₹26,039 crore, SGST at ₹33,396 crore, IGST at ₹81,778 crore (including ₹37,297 crore collected on import of goods) and cess at ₹10,505 crore (including ₹ 825 crore collected on import of goods).

This is the ninth month and for eight months in a row now, that the monthly GST revenues have been more than the ₹ 1.4 lakh crore mark. During the month of September 2022, 8.3 crore e-way bills were generated, which was significantly higher than 7.7 crore e-way bills generated in August 2022.

 

2. Google Buys Twitter-Backed AI Avatar Startup Alter for $100 mn: Tech giant Google has acquired Alter, an artificial intelligence (AI) avatar startup that was working on using AI to generate avatars for social media users and brands to express their virtual identity. According to TechCrunch, Google buys the startup for about $100 million in an effort to improve its content game and compete with TikTok.

About Alter: The U.S. and Czech-headquartered, Alter started as Facemoji, a platform that offered plug-and-play technology for helping game and App developers add avatar systems to their Apps. Among its investors are Play Ventures, Roosh Ventures and Twitter, which invested $3 million in the startup. Later Facemoji rebranded as Alter.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. First time CRPF names two female cadre officers as IG of RAF: After their entrance into the CRPF in 1987, two female officers have recently been appointed as Inspectors General (IG). The Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialised anti-riot force, has appointed Annie Abraham as its IG. As the new Bihar sector IG, Seema Dhundia has been appointed. Key Points:

a)      Both female officers were among the first group of female officers to join the paramilitary organisation in 1987.

b)      Additionally, they have led an all-female Indian police contingent at the UN.

c)       During their service, they received the “Ati Utkrisht Sewa Padak,” the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service.

d)      According to officials, there have been female IPS officers in charge of CRPF formations, and in 1986, the CRPF became the first central armed police force to allow women to participate in combat.

e)      There are currently more than 6,000 female constables working in six of these battalions.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Arunachal Pradesh MLA Jambey Tashi passes away: Jambey Tashi, MLA from Lumla assembly seat in Arunachal Pradesh, passed away due to following illness. He was 48. Tashi was the sitting MLA from the Lumla Assembly constituency of Tawang district. He was holding the post of Advisor to the Planning and Investment Minister of the state. He died in a hospital in Guwahati.