NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. National Unity Day is observed on 31st October 2023: The birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first
home minister of Independent India, is celebrated as National Unity Day or
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on October 31 Aim: To maintain the integrity
and unity of the Indian nation. Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel also dubbed as
‘Sardar Patel’ was born on October 31, 1875, into a landowning family of the
Leva Patidar caste. He earned the title “Iron Man of India.”
2. Indian Navy Launches 25T Bollard Pull Tug ‘MAHABALI’
In Gujarat: ‘Mahabali’ will play a
vital role in towing, berthing, and salvage operations, enhancing
the Navy’s operational efficiency. This addition underscores the Indian
Navy’s commitment to modernization and its role in securing the nation’s
maritime interests. Navy continues to invest in advanced technology to maintain
its superiority in the Indian Ocean Region.
3. Manipur celebrates Mera Houchongba 2023: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren
Singh sent a powerful message of unity and harmony as he participated in
the Mera Houchongba 2023 celebrations in Imphal. Aim: To bring together
the diverse communities of the state, emphasizing the strong bond between the
people of the hills and the valley. About Mera Hounchongba The festival
is observed and celebrated during the month of ‘Mera,’ which typically falls in
September or October.
4. Goa CM Pramod Sawant launches ‘Swayampurna e-bazaar’:
Goa Government has launched the Swayampurna e-bazaar online platform to
give market to different kinds of products made by self-help groups and women. The
Swayampurna e-bazaar is an extension of the successful Swayampurna Chavath
Bazar. Goan entrepreneurs and self-help groups can contact 9262626262 to join
this platform and sell their products online, One can also shop via, thereby
supporting rural Goans’ artisans and craftsmanship
5. 30 Oct To 5 Nov 2023 – Vigilance Awareness Week 2023: Central Vigilance Commission is
observing Vigilance Awareness Week 2023 from 30 October to 5 November. Every
year Vigilance Awareness Week is observed as an outreach measure to create
greater awareness about the importance of integrity and ethics in public life. Theme
2023 – Say no to corruption; Commit to the Nation. The Commission had sought
the participation of all Central Government authorities and organisations to
undertake a three month campaign (16th August to 15th November) on preventive
vigilance activities as focus areas. As a means of eliciting public
participation while also disseminating information on vigilance matters, the
Commission has launched a quiz on vigilance matters.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. BigBasket tops Fairwork index 2023 for gig workers: Tata-owned Big Basket scored the overall highest score of 6 out of
10 points according to research firm Fairwork India 2023. Big Basket,
BluSmart, Zomato, Urban Company, and Swiggy scored the highest points in
the Fairwork India Report 2023. Fairwork assessed platforms against five
principles: fair pay, fair conditions, fair contracts, fair management, and
fair representation Ride-hailing majors Uber and Ola, along with
Porter, are the worst platforms for gig workers
2. Norway To Support India’s ‘Hunger Project’ In
Uttarakhand: Norway will help fund
India’s ‘Hunger Project’ and help strengthen women leaders to protect
the environment and promote food security in Uttarakhand. Aim: To
strengthen elected women’s leadership in gram panchayats so that they can play
a pivotal role in conserving forests and natural resources and adopt
strategies. Objective: To promote sustainable living, and food security
and collaborate with members of van panchayats and the local community,
especially women.
3. Katrina Kaif joins Rado as its newest global brand
ambassador: Bollywood actress Katrina
Kaif has become the global face of the Swiss watchmaking brand,
Rado. Rado released the new Centrix models marking the partnership and
onboarding of its new global brand ambassador. Centrix was first launched
in 2010, the model took cues from the sand dunes. The partnership between the
two transpired in which Katrina Kaif personifies confidence and grace, while
walking out in a desert landscape with a Rado Centrix donning her wrist.
4. FATF removes Cayman Islands from its ‘Grey List’: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has removed offshore tax
haven Cayman Islands from its ‘grey list’. Besides Cayman, Panama, Jordan,
and Albania have been removed from the list, which requires jurisdictions to be
placed under increased monitoring until the identified deficiencies are
resolved in their framework. FATF has added Bulgaria in the grey list. Cayman
was added to the grey list in 2021. The Caribbean Island was in the news during
the probe into charges made by Hindenburg Research against the Adani group.
Some foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) linked to the investigation were
domiciled there.
The
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body responsible
for setting international standards to combat money laundering, terrorist
financing, and proliferation financing.
5. 30 October – World Thrift Day: World Thrift Day or World Savings Day is
celebrated every year on 30 October. Objective – To raise awareness to
people about their financial security, savings, and freedom. Theme 2023
– Preparing for the future through saving In 1934, at the first
International Savings Bank Congress, Filipo Ravizza – an Italian professor –
proposed the idea of World Thrift Day. This day and the awareness it raised
gained more prominence and understanding between 1955 to 1970 as people started
watching the horror of the two World Wars and became increasingly conscious
about their financial security and savings.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Tejas of Maharashtra sets new Games record in Men's
110M Hurdles: Tejas Ashok
Shirse of Maharashtra achieved an incredible feat, setting
a new National Games record in Men's 110M hurdles by
finishing it in 13.80 minutes. Priyanka Goswami of Uttar Pradesh has also
set a new National Games record in the women’s 20km Race Walk with an
impressive time of 1:36:35.
Gold
medal of Women’s 3M Springboard bagged by Palak Sharma of Madhya Pradesh and
that of Men's won by H London Singh of Services.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Fincare SFB to merge with AU Small Finance Bank: Fincare Small Finance Bank (Fincare SFB) is set to merge
with AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) in 2024. AU SFB announced its
approval of the amalgamation. As per the terms of the merger, shareholders
of Fincare SFB will receive 579 shares in AU SFB for every 2,000 shares they
hold in Fincare SFB. Following the transaction, it is expected that
existing shareholders of Fincare SFB will maintain approximately 9.9% ownership
in AU SFB.
2. IndusInd Bank announces strategic collaboration with
Viamericas: IndusInd
Bank announced a strategic collaboration with Viamericas
Corporation to offer digital inward remittance services to NRIs in the USA
through IndusInd Bank ‘Indus Fast Remit’, a remittance service
platform Aim: To enable NRIs to benefit from highly competitive exchange
rates for digital inward remittances to India Objective: To allow NRIs to book
remittance transactions through auto debit payment mode as well as transfer
funds through the overseas Bank account
3. Bank of Baroda introduces BoB LITE Savings Account: Bank of Baroda has launched the Bob LITE Savings
Account, a lifetime zero-balance savings bank account, as part of its
festive campaign. Bob LITE offers customers a hassle-free banking experience
without any minimum balance requirement. The account also includes a lifetime
free RuPay Platinum Debit Card for account holders who maintain a nominal
Quarterly Average Balance (QAB) in the account. Additionally, eligible account
holders can avail of a lifetime free credit card. The BoB LITE Savings Account
with the dual objective of making banking more accessible with an account that
has minimal charges, while also adding more joy to our customers during this
festive season. The account can be opened by any resident individual, including
minors above the age of 10 years. bob LITE opens the doors to the formal
banking ecosystem for a new generation of aspiring Indians and aims to fulfill
their previously unmet banking needs.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Nita Ambani Receives USISPF Global Leadership Award: The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) felicitated Nita Ambani, with the 2023 Global Leadership Award for Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility. She is a businesswoman, has impacted millions of lives in India through Reliance Foundation’s initiatives in education, arts, sports, and healthcare. She champions women’s and children’s causes, contributing significantly to bridging the gender divide and enhancing women’s roles in India’s economy