Daily GK Update- 9th Nov, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Ministry of Education to celebrates ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’: The Ministry of Education announced that this year India will celebrate ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ in a grand manner in schools, and higher education institutions on 15 November 2022. The Janjatiya Gaurav Divas was a name given on 15 November 2021 by the Union Cabinet of the Government of India to remember the contribution of tribal freedom fighters, as part of the year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of Indian independence. Key Points:

a)      The initiative has been taken under the leadership of Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

b)      15th November is the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda who is revered as Bhagwan by tribal communities across the country.

c)       Birsa Munda was an iconic freedom fighter, social reformer, and revered tribal leader of the country, who fought bravely against the exploitative system of the British colonial government.

d)      He organized and led the tribal movement, giving a call for “Ulgulan” (Revolt) to the tribals. He encouraged tribals to understand their cultural roots and observe unity.

e)      The Ministry of Education in association with the AICTE, UGC, Central Universities, Private Universities, other HEIs, CBSE, KVS, NVS, and Skilling institutions is celebrating ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ to commemorate the contribution of the tribal freedom fighters.

 

2. Madhya Pradesh: Ujjain to Get World’s First Vedic Clock: Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain, the city of Mahakal will soon boast the world’s first Vedic clock which will be synced with the position of the Sun. After laying the foundation stone at the 300-year-old Jiwaji Observatory in Ujjain, the state higher education minister Mohan Yadav said through this project, people will become familiar with the Vedic time calculation. The state government has allocated Rs 1.62 crore for this mega project as it is working to restore the ancient glory of Ujjain. The minister said the (Vikramaditya) Vedic clock will be divided into 24 muhurats (hours).

About the Vedic clock:

a)      This clock will be fixed on the basis of the principles of Vedic time calculation. Changes in the sunrise and sunset at different times in different places in the country and the world will also be synchronised.

b)      The application of the Vedic Clock will be for Vikram Panchang, Vikram Samvat month, planetary position, yoga, Bhadra position, moon position, festival, auspicious time, constellation, birth anniversary, fast, festival, Choghadiya, solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, major holidays, celestial planets, constellations and comets etc.

c)       The citizens will be able to access the Vedic clock through their smartphone, computers, TVs and other electronic gadgets. The vedic clock background will feature Jyotirlingas, Navagrah etc.

Note: Madhya Pradesh Capital: Bhopal; Madhya Pradesh Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel; Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

 

3. Haryana Forest Department and USAID Launched TOFI Program: The Haryana Forest Department and US Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the “Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI)” program in the state. The “Trees Outside Forests in India” program will enhance carbon sequestration, support local communities, and strengthen the climate resilience of agriculture. This initiative will bring farmers, companies, and other private institutions together to rapidly expand tree coverage outside of traditional forests in the state. Key Point:

a)      The Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI) program will take Haryana’s State Action Plan on Climate Change forward and will build on Haryana’s progress and harness agroforestry to bolster the resilience of farming systems.

b)      The program will leverage India’s private sector to promote and scale tree-based enterprises and the sale of carbon credits, helping to create jobs and boost incomes.

c)       Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar informed that the TOFI program will further spur agroforestry and plantation campaigns outside of forests and help raise the income of the farmers while enhancing the green cover in the state.

d)      It will also support India’s Roadmap toward Carbon Neutral Economy by 2070.

e)      The Trees Outside Forests in India program was launched in September by Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Secretary Leena Nandan and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Patricia Lacina.

f)        The program will allocate up to $25 million over five years in seven states including Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.

g)      There will be implementation support from the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (ICRAF).

 

4. Nagaland organized Tokhu Emong Bird Count: Nagaland hosted the first bird documentation event – ‘Tokhü Emong Bird Count’ (TEBC) from 4th November to 7th November 2022. ‘Tokhü Emong Bird Count’ is an effort to promote and encourage the conservation of birds in their natural habitat. ‘Tokhü Emong Bird Count’ is being organized in collaboration with the Wokha Forest Division and the Divisional Management Unit, Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP), Wokha, and Bird Count India. The event has been dubbed after Tokhü Emong, a post-harvest festival of the Lotha Nagas. Tokhü Emong is a festival of thanksgiving, sharing, and reconciliation. The most beautiful aspect of this festival is to forgive the past rancours and develop new ties and bonds of closer intimacy.

 

5. Kishor K Basa named Chairman of National Monuments Authority: Professor Kishor Kumar Basa has been appointed as the chairman of the National Monument Authority (NMA). The Department of Culture of the Government of India issued an official notification in this regard. He will have a tenure of three years. Basa is the vice chancellor of Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo University in Baripada and also the chairman of the Indian National Confederation and Academy of Anthropologists (INCAA), which is the largest anthropological association in India. He had been teaching archaeological anthropology and museum studies since 1980 and was the former head of the department of Anthropology at Utkal University.

 

6. National Legal Services Day: 9th November: National Legal Services Day is marked every year on 9th November to celebrate the commencement of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 which came into force on this very day in 1995. This day was established with a mandate to offer support and help to weaker sections of society including Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, women, disabled persons, natural calamities victims, and human trafficking victims. This Day is crucial in raising public knowledge about various provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act as well as litigants’ rights. The Day is commemorated to educate citizens about the various aspects of the Legal Services Authorities Act and litigants’ rights. Each jurisdiction arranges legal help camps, Lok adalats, and legal aid programmes on this day.

Role of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA): The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was established in 1995 by the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987. It is an act of the Parliament of India for enforcing the provisions of Article 39 A of the Constitution. The authority carried out operations such as providing free legal aid and guidance to the needy and resolving issues through mediation and amicable settlement. NALSA was a one-of-a-kind endeavour to reduce court backlogs in India while providing access to justice for low-income litigants.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Russia Becomes India’s Top Oil Supplier in October: Surpassing traditional suppliers Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Russia has emerged as the top oil supplier to India in October. This comes amid an ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine that has also seen many Western nations issue sanctions against Russian Federation.

The data shows that Russia, which made up for just 0.2 per cent of all oil imported by India in the year to March 31, 2022, supplied 935,556 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil to India in October — the highest ever. Russia now supplies almost 22% of India’s total crude imports, ahead of Iraq’s 20.5 per cent and Saudi Arabia’s 16 per cent.

Other Peers Place: Iraq slipped to No.2 slot with 888,079 bpd of supplies in October, followed by Saudi Arabia at 746,947 bpd.

What Is The Govt Instance: The Indian government has been vehemently defending its trade with Russia, saying it has to source oil from where it is cheapest.  On being asked if India faces a moral conflict due to import from Russia amid the latter’s conflict with Ukraine, he had stated: “Absolutely none. There is no moral conflict. We don’t buy from X or Y. We buy whatever is available. Government does not buy, it’s the oil companies which do the buying.”

 

2. International Week of Science and Peace: 9th to 15th November: November 9 to November 14 is observed as the International Week of Science and Peace every year around the globe. This week is an initiative taken by the United Nations (UN), hoping to make people contribute towards the encouragement and promotion of peace across the globe. During this week, people inspire and promote peace in their countries and also develop advanced technology for better living. Various events and activities are organized worldwide, and people participate internationally.

The main goal behind this week’s celebration is to contribute towards technology development and promote peace. It’s to raise awareness among the general public. The events held during this week promote peace throughout the year.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Indian men’s squash team won gold medal in Asian Squash Team Championships: The Indian men’s team, led by the seasoned Saurav Ghosal, clinched its first-ever gold at the Asian Squash Team Championships with a 2-0 win over Kuwait in the final. Star player Ghosal sealed the victory after Ramit Tandon had given India the lead with fluent straight games win over Ali Aramezi (11-5, 11-7, 11-4). Ghosal then made short work of Ammar Altamimi 11-9, 11-2, 11-3 to give the team an unassailable lead. The third match between Abhay Singh and Falah Mohammad was not played as the tie had been decided following wins for Tandon and Ghosal.

They topped Pool A with an all-win record, recording victories over Qatar, Pakistan, Kuwait, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei 3-0 before edging out Malaysia 2-1 in the semifinal. They defeated Kuwait in the final in straight sets in Cheongju, South Korea. It is the biggest win of Indian Men’s Team since they won 2014 Asian Games Gold. The Indian men’s team has won three silver medals in the Asian Team Squash Championships and seven bronze medals.

Women’s: Hong Kong upset favourites Malaysia to win the women’s Asian Team Championship title for the fourth time this millennium. Earlier, the Indian women’s team settled for the Bronze medal after losing to Malaysia 1-2 in the semifinals.

 

2. Asian Hockey Federation CEO Tayyab Ikram elected as new FIH president: Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) CEO, Mohammad Tayyab Ikram of Macau was elected as the new president of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), succeeding India’s Narinder Batra as its full-time chief. Ikram defeated Marc Coudron of Belgium 79-47 in the 48th FIH Congress held virtually. Out of 129 national associations, 126 casted valid votes. The duration of Ikram’s term will be for two years.

FIH Board: The FIH Executive Board consists of a president; eight ordinary members – four female and four male – one half being renewed every two years; an athletes’ representative; Presidents of the Continental Federations; CEO; any (non-voting) member co-opted onto the Executive Board pursuant to Article 7.1 (c) of the FIH Statutes.

Note: International Hockey Federation Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland; International Hockey Federation CEO: Thierry Weil (Apr 2018–); International Hockey Federation Founded: 7 January 1924, Paris, France; International Hockey Federation Founder: Paul Léautey; International Hockey Federation Motto: FairPlay Friendship Forever.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SBI Logs Highest-Ever Quarterly Profit in The 2nd Quarter: State Bank of India reported 74 per cent year-on-year increase in net profit at ₹13,265 crore for quarter ended September, buoyed by robust loan sales, higher interest income and lower provisions. This marks the highest ever quarterly net profit posted by the bank. The bank’s net interest income rose by 13 per cent to ₹35,183 crore, while its operating profit expanded to ₹21,120 crore, up 17 per cent year-on-year. Robust growth in advances at ₹30,35,071 crore, up 20 per cent year-on-year boosted the bank’s financials in the September quarter.

Improvement In Key Parameters:

a)      The bank’s gross non-performing assets (NPA) at 4 per cent or ₹1,06,804 crore and net NPA at 0.8 per cent or ₹23,572 crore was at decadal best levels.

b)      Slippages or accounts which turned bad during the quarter at ₹2,399 crore almost halved from year-ago level, while credit cost eased to 0.28 per cent in Q2.

c)       Provisioning cost during the quarter was ₹2,011 crore, down 25 per cent year-on-year.

d)      An improvement in asset quality and robust loan growth took bank’s return on assets and return on equity to a 20-year best levels of 0.76 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively.

e)      The bank’s capital adequacy ratio stood at 14 per cent and its common tier-1 capital was 10 per cent in Q2.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. KV Kamath appointed as Independent Director of RIL: Reliance Industries has appointed K V Kamath as the Independent Director of the company for a period of five years. KV Kamath has also been appointed as an Independent Director and non-executive Chairman for Reliance Strategic Investment Limited (RSIL). RSIL will be renamed as Jio Financial Services Limited (“JFSL”) and the scheme of demerger approved by the board of directors for demerger of the financial services business.

Note: Reliance Industries Founded: 8 May 1973, Maharashtra; Reliance Industries Headquarters: Mumbai; Reliance Industries Founder: Dhirubhai Ambani.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman: NSA Ajit Doval and late CDS Gen Rawat to receive award: The Uttarakhand government announced that this year’s Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman would be given to National Securtiy Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval, poet Prasoon Joshi, and three other individuals for their notable achievements. Every year, the government of Uttarakhand honours individuals with the Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman in recognition of their accomplishments in their various disciplines.

Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman: Awardees

a)      Ajit Doval will get the prize, along with former Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat, late poet and author Girish Chandra Tiwari, and late journalist Viren Dangwal.

b)      Journalist and poet Viren Dangwal, who passed away, will receive the honour posthumously.

Note: Uttarakhand Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami; Uttarakhand Capital: Dehradun

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Army Commanders’ Conference Commences in New Delhi: Army Commanders’ Conference is being held in New Delhi from the to brainstorm on current and emerging security and administrative aspects and chart the future course for the Indian Army. It is an apex-level biannual event (occurs once in a 6 months) which is an institutional platform for conceptual level deliberations and culminating in making important policy decisions for the Indian Army.

A Civil-Military Interaction: The event which is attended by senior officers of the Indian Army is also a formal forum for the senior leadership of the Indian Army to interact with the senior officials of the Department of Military Affairs and Department of Defence. During the course of the conference, the apex leadership of Indian Army will brainstorm on current and emerging security and administrative aspects to chart the future course for the Indian Army.

Other activities planned during the conference include talks by eminent subject experts on Contemporary India-China relations as well as Technological Challenges for National Security.