NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India, ADB sign $200 million loan agreement for
Uttarakhand power system project: The
Centre has signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
for a $200 million loan from the latter to improve the quality,
efficiency, and reliability of power supply in the State of Uttarakhand. The
ADB funding for the project will strengthen power system infrastructure and
help Uttarakhand in achieving its goal of providing 24×7 power to its
residents. The project will modernize Dehradun city’s power network
infrastructure by introducing an advanced and climate-resilient underground
cable system comprising 537 km subterranean cables, 354 ring main units, and 99
compact substations. Additionally, it will enhance the current power system by
installing upstream substations and their associated power lines that will help
meet increasing electricity demand, reduce network congestion, and improve
power distribution reliability in urban and suburban areas.
2. India’s Uma Sekhar elected to Governing Council of
UNIDROIT: In a historic moment for
India, Ms. Uma Sekhar has secured a remarkable victory by garnering
45 out of 59 votes in the initial round of elections for the Governing
Council of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law
(UNIDROIT) held in Rome, Italy. This win not only signifies Ms. Sekhar’s
individual achievement but also elevates India to a prominent position on the
Governing Council for the term spanning 2024-28. Securing a position on the
Governing Council required a minimum of 21 votes, and Ms Uma Sekhar’s
substantial support of 45 votes underscores the confidence and trust vested in
her capabilities. The Governing Council, comprising 25 positions occupied by
distinguished legal experts, holds a pivotal role in shaping international
legal frameworks.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India, South Korea, and US to launch technology
dialogues: India, South Korea and the United States will start
an informal trilateral technology dialogue in the first quarter of 2024 in
response to China's rapid progress in critical technologies within the
Indo-Pacific region. The decision was made during the inaugural US-South Korea
Next Generation Critical and Emerging Technologies Dialogue held in Seoul. The
aim of this programme is to increase cooperation in strategic and defense
technologies between the two countries.
2. Shah Rukh Khan tops UK’s 2023 South Asian celebrity
list: Bollywood superstar Shah
Rukh Khan, referred to as the King Khan of the Indian film industry, has topped a UK list of the ‘Top 50 Asian
Celebrities in the World’. The 58-year-old actor, who had double
box-office success this year with action thrillers “Pathaan” and “Jawan”, is
currently preparing for the Christmas release of comedy-drama “Dunki”. Popular
actor Alia Bhatt came in second for
her impact in Bollywood and Hollywood and also for being a strong role model
for working mothers. Third-placed
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, the most famous Indian on the planet, has been
recognised for her ground-breaking work on the international stage, including
with big-budget series “Citadel”, Hollywood film “Love Again”, humanitarian
work and lighting up the red carpet globally. Fourth-placed Diljit Dosanjh confirmed his place as the
biggest Punjabi star, with stunning work as an actor and singe.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Leander and Vijay Amritraj make it to the Tennis Hall
of Fame: Olympic medallist and multiple Grand Slam
champion Leander Paes,
along with two-time Davis Cup finalist Vijay Amritraj, has made it into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Leander
makes it in the player category and Vijay in the contributor category for his
multi-faceted role in the game. They are the first two Indians to be inducted
into the Hall of Fame. Leander has won eight Grand Slam doubles titles and 10
mixed doubles titles. He is only one of three men in tennis history to complete
a career Grand Slam in both doubles and mixed doubles. Since 2006, Vijay
Amritraj Foundation has provided education and basic needs for women and
children in the Indian community.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI increases UPI Automatic Payment Limit: The Reserve Bank of India increased the limit for automatic
payments through Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to Rs 1 lakh per transaction
from the existing Rs 15,000 for certain categories, including subscription to
mutual funds. As of now, relaxation in Additional Factor of Authentication
(AFA) is permitted while processing e-mandates/standing instructions on cards,
prepaid payment instruments and UPI for subsequent recurring transactions with
values up to Rs 15,000
2. Reliance Industries Collaborates with DBS Bank: Reliance Industries
Limited (RIL) and DBS Bank India have collaborated to establish a financing
programme customized to the requirements of the compressed biogas project
initiated by RIL. The financing initiative aims to support the ecosystem
development for vendor partners involved in aggregating agri-residue as inputs
for Reliance's CBG production plants across India. The CBG plants are expected
to mitigate nearly 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
3. Reliance Industries partners with DBS Bank for
financing programme: Reliance Industries
Limited (RIL) and DBS Bank India have collaborated to establish a financing programme customized to the
requirements of the compressed biogas project initiated by RIL. The
financing will enable the ecosystem development for vendor partners to
aggregate agri-residue as inputs for the Reliance compressed biogas production
plants across India. The company targets to establish 100 compressed biogas
(CBG) plants in the next five years, consuming 5.5 million tonnes of
agro-residue and organic waste. The move would help in mitigating nearly 2
million tonnes of carbon emissions and producing 2.5 million tonnes of organic
manure annually.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Rijul Maini Crowned Miss India USA 2023: Rijul Maini crowned
Miss India USA 2023 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey. The title of Miss
Teen India USA was awarded to Saloni
Rammohan of Pennsylvania, while Mrs India USA was won by Sneha
Nambiar of Massachusetts. Greeshma
Bhat of Virginia was declared first runner-up and Ishita Pai Raikar of North Carolina was
the second runner-up. Ms Maini is a model and a medical student.
2. Kabir Bedi awarded Italy's civilian honour 'Order of
Merit': Veteran actor Kabir Bedi has been
honoured with the highest civilian honour of Italy. He was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Merito
della Repubblica Italiana). Niccolo Fabi gave a unique live musical performance
following the occasion in Mumbai. The scroll of honour was signed by President Mattarella and
counter-signed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
3. Ali Abu Awwad and Daniel
Barenboim won Indira Gandhi Peace Prize: The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and
Development for 2023 has been jointly awarded to Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Awwad for
their efforts in bringing together the youth and peoples of Israel and the Arab
World for a non-violent resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The
International Jury of the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace was chaired by former
CJI T.S. Barenboim and Mr. Awwad have fostered meaningful, mutual social, and
cultural understanding, and peaceful public cooperation via the tools of music,
dialogue and people’s participation. DEFENCE UNICORN INSTITUTE – GANDHINAGAR |
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