Daily GK Update- 2nd Dec, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. First-ever Tribal Winter Festival held in Bandipora, J&K: A first of its kind, Tribal Winter Festival was organised in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. This festival was organised by the district administration in collaboration with various departments at Ketson.Aim: To attract tourists and boost employment opportunities. People from Gujjars and Bakerwals (Kashmiri community) have danced together to the beats of dhol (drum). This event has highlighted the customs and traditions of tribals.

A first of its kind Tribal Winter Festival was held in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, an official spokesperson said.Organised by the district administration in collaboration with various departments at Ketson, the festival witnessed huge public participation, he said.

 

2. Haryana government has launched Nirogi Haryana project: The Haryana government has launched the Nirogi Haryana project across the state. The initial phase of the project began in the District Hospital, Sector 6, Panchkula. The project was inaugurated by Gian Chand Gupta, Haryana Speaker, and Kulbhushan Goyal, Panchkula Mayor. The urban enlisted Antyodaya population would be covered under this scheme. All Antyodaya enlisted families whose income is under 1,80,000 per annum are the beneficiaries for a comprehensive free health check-up followed by required treatment.

About Haryana

Capital – Chandigarh

Chief Minister – Manohar Lal Khattar

Governor – Bandaru Dattatreya

 

3. Supreme Court Bans Two-Finger Test: The Supreme Court on 31 October, reiterated the ban on the “two-finger test” in rape cases, warning that persons using such tests will be deemed guilty of misconduct. Observing that the test was based on a patriarchal mindset that assumed that sexually active women could not be raped, the bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Hima Kohli regretted that such a method of examination was being used even today.

This court has time and again deprecated the use of two finger-test in cases alleging rape and sexual assault. The so called test has no scientific basis. It instead re-victimises and re-traumatises women. The two finger test must not be conducted. The test is based on an incorrect assumption that a sexually active woman cannot be raped. Nothing can be further from the truth.

 

4. Government-approved Electronics Manufacturing Cluster at Ranjangaon: Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced that an Electronics Manufacturing Cluster is to be developed in the Ranjangaon area of Maharashtra.

The Electronics Manufacturing Clusters will be developed for 500 crores. Electronics Manufacturing Clusters are expected to generate thousands of jobs in the coming years and will attract an investment of over 2,000 crores.Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar informed that the Electronics Manufacturing Clusters have been approved to make Maharashtra into an electronics hub.The government will invest upto 500 crore in this project. The Electronics Manufacturing Clusters project has joined Tamil Nadu, Noida, and Karnataka in making an aggressive pitch to emerge as a powerful electronic hub.

 

5. UP government launched ‘One District One Sport’ scheme: UP CM, Yogi Adityanath has launched One District One Sport (ODOS) on the lines of One District One Product (ODOP) scheme of the government. Objectives: (1) Promoting sports culture and keeping the younger generation healthy, and (2) Providing a platform for sportspersons to nurture talents and skills Under this scheme, one sport will be identified in each of the 75 districts of UP. State govt will take necessary steps to find district-wise sport-specific talents.

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], November 30 (ANI): In his mission to promote sports and sportspersons of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched One District One Sport (ODOS) on the lines of the highly successful One District One Product (ODOP) scheme of the government.

The scheme serves the two interrelated objectives of the government, including promoting sports culture and keeping the younger generation healthy in the state and providing a platform for sportspersons to nurture their talents and skills in order to take part in prestigious national and international championships and win medals.

 

6. Nagaland celebrated 60th statehood day: Nagaland celebrated its 60th statehood day on 1 December 2022.

It became the 16th State of the Union of India on 1st December 1963.On the occasion, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launched ‘SAHYOG project’ of Nagaland Police and also flagged off Nagaland Police Special Operation Group Vehicles.

A framework agreement was signed between the Centre and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) in 2015 after over 80 rounds of negotiations since a ceasefire pact was sealed in 1997 to solve the decades-old problem. Nagaland has also hosted the 23rd Hornbill Festival 2022 at Naga Heritage Village Kisama from 1 st-10th December 2022.

 

7. 2 December – National Pollution Control Day: National Pollution Control Day is observed every year on 2 December.

Objective – To raise awareness about pollution control measures and the prevention of industrial disasters. The day is especially observed in the memory of people who lost their lives in the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. India to assume chairmanship of Wassenaar Arrangement on 1st January, 2023: According to the MEA, India will take chairmanship of the Wassenaar Arrangement for a year on January 1, 2023. At the 26th annual plenary of the Wassenaar Arrangement held in Vienna from Nov 30- Dec 1, 2022, Eoin O’Leary (Ireland’s ambassador) has handed over the chairmanship to Jaideep Mazumdar (India’s ambassador). Jaideep Mazumdar is the permanent representative to the UN and international organisations in Vienna. India joined the Wassenaar Arrangement in Dec 2017.

India will assume chairmanship of the plenary of the Wassenaar Arrangement for a year on January 1, 2023, just five years after joining the 42-member voluntary export control regime that monitors transfers of conventional weapons and dual-use goods.

At the 26th annual plenary of the Wassenaar Arrangement held in Vienna during November 30- December 1, Ireland’s ambassador Eoin O’Leary handed over the chairmanship to India’s ambassador Jaideep Mazumdar, who is the permanent representative to the UN and international organisations in Vienna.

 

2. India assumes the Presidency of UN Security Council for December 2022: India has taken charge as the President of the UN Security Council for December 2022. This is the second time in its two-year tenure as an elected member of the UNSC that India has assumed the Presidency of the Council. Earlier, India had assumed the Presidency of the UNSC in August 2021 The presidency of the Council is held by each of the members in turn for one month (English alphabetical order of member states) Permanent Representative of India to UN: Ruchira Kamboj.

India has assumed the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of December. It is the second time in its two-year tenure as an elected member of the UN Security Council that India has assumed the Presidency of the Council. India had earlier assumed the Presidency of the UNSC in August 2021.

 

3. Ghana to assume Presidency of UN Security Council: West African country, Ghana assumes the rotating monthly Presidency of the United Nations Security Council. During the month of November 2022, Ghana shall preside over the meetings of the Council (adoptions, debates and consultations) and, under its authority, shall represent the Security Council in its capacity as an organ of the United Nations. Ghana rejoined the UN Security Council on January 1, 2022. It is the third time Ghana is holding a non­permanent seat on the Council. Ghana was first given the opportunity to serve on the council from 1962 to 1963, and was back for the period of January 2006 – December 2007.

 

4. Sylhet Festival inaugurated by Ministers of India and Bangladesh: G Kishan Reddy (Union Minister of Tourism) and Dr AK Abdul Momen (Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Minister) have inaugurated the Sylhet Festival 2022 at Silchar in the Barak Valley, Assam on 2nd Dec, 2022. The event was attended by Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam CM), K Hari Babu (Mizoram Governor) It was jointly organised by Ministry of Culture and India Foundation It is being organised in the context of the historical relationship between Sylhet and Barak Valley of South Assam.Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region G Kishan Reddy and Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will inaugurate the Sylhet Festival 2022 at Silchar in the Barak Valley of Assam today.

 

5. 2 December – World Computer Literacy Day: World Computer Literacy Day is celebrated every year on December 2.

Objective – To encourage digital literacy across all cultures and communities worldwide. The day, which has been observed on December 2 each year since 2001, promotes technological skills amongst groups that have traditionally had limited access to computers, especially children and women. Theme 2022 – Literacy for human-centered recovery: Narrowing the digital divide.

 

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Stephanie Frappart becomes first woman to referee at men’s 2022 FIFA WC: Stephanie Frappart (French) has become the first female referee at the men’s 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. She has taken charge of the group stage game between Costa Rica and Germany, held on December 2, 2022. Neuza Back (Brazil) and Karen Diaz Medina (Mexican) are the other women officials who have been designated for the same fixture. In 2021, she became the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup qualifying match (Netherlands against Latvia).

The French official will take charge of the group stage game between Costa Rica and Germany on December 2. In the process, she will become the first woman to take charge of a World Cup game in the competition’s 92-year history.Brazil’s Neuza Back and Mexican Karen Diaz Medina are the other women officials who have been designated for the same fixture.

 

2. Formula-1 racing: Max Verstappen won Mexican Formula 1 GP 2022: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen finished in first place at the Mexican Grand Prix 2022 to claim his record-setting 14th win of the season. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez finished second and third respectively.

 

Verstappen 14th victory of the season sees him pass Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel for the most race wins in a single season in Formula One history. Verstappen is now the most successful driver in the history of the Mexican GP, having secured his fourth title. It was the 34th race win of his career & 14th win of the 2022 season.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Protean and Fino Payments Bank tie-up for PAN card issuance services: Fino Payments Bank has tied up with Protean eGov Technologies (formerly NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited) to expand PAN card issuance services in India (especially in rural areas). With this, Fino become the first payments bank to act as PAN Service Agency (PSA) of Protean and facilitate paperless PAN issuance services. At Fino Bank, people can apply for PAN card through Aadhaar based authentication, without the need to submit or upload any documents.Fino Payments Bank has tied up with Protean eGov Technologies (formerly NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited), a market leader in universal, citizen centric and population scale e-governance solutions, to expand PAN card issuance services in India, especially in rural areas.

The association makes Fino the first payments bank to act as PAN Service Agency (PSA) of Protean and facilitate paperless PAN issuance services. The tie-up allows Protean to expand its reach in the interiors of the country through Fino Bank’s phygital network of over 12.2 lakh merchant points.

 

2. YES Bank acquired 9.9 percent stake in JC Flower ARC: Yes Bank has signed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with JC Flowers Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC), acquiring a 9.9 percent stake in the ARC at Rs 11.43 per share. The 9.9% stake represented 12,370,050 equity shares in JC Flowers ARC at ₹11.43 per share. Yes Bank’s board has approved the sale of stressed loans worth Rs 48,000 crore to JC Flowers. JC Flowers ARC is an asset reconstruction company incorporated on May 06, 2015. As of March 31, 2022, the ARC has a turnover of ₹19.91 crore.

About Yes Bank

Founded – 2004

Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra

MD & CEO – Prashant Kumar

Tagline – Experience our Expertise

 

3. India to receive over record $100 billion in remittances in 2022: WB: According to the World Bank’s Migration and Development brief, remittance flows to India are predicted to increase by 12% to $100 billion in 2022. While Mexico is placed second, followed by China, and the Philippines. This will help India maintain its top spot. The World Bank said the strong growth rate forecast for 2022 was noteworthy given that it came after a surge of 10.2 percent in 2021. Global remittance flows, including advanced economies, are expected to reach $794 billion in 2022. Remittances to low and middle-income countries increased by about 5 percent to over $626 billion in 2022. Remittances to India were enhanced by wage hikes and a strong labor market in the United States and other OECD countries.

About World Bank

Founded – 1944

Headquarters – Washington Dc

President – David Malpass

MD & CFO – Anshula Kant

Chief Economist – Carman Reinhart

Executive Director – Rajesh Khullar   

Member Countries -189

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. KIIT conferred Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2022: Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) has conferred the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2022. The award was presented by President Draupadi Murmu to Dr Achyuta Samanta (Founder of KIIT and KISS). The award presented to KIIT in recognition of KIIT's sustained focus towards the development of sports since its inception. The University has sponsored the education and training of hundreds of sportspersons (including: Dutee Chand, Olympian CA Bhavani Devi).

 

2. Kerala green start-up Tree Tag bags award in 2022 Climathon: Green start-up of Kerala, Tree Tag has won Climathon-2022 prize, under the category Life On Land. This hackathon was organized by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) in collaboration with EY Global Delivery Services, UNDP, Startup India, Global Shapers Kochi, NASSCOM and TiE Kerala. The winners has received a prize money of Rs 5 lakh. Climathon-2022 has focussed on climate change with the theme of securing a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

A green start-up by climate-conscious individuals from Kerala, striving to reduce carbon emissions through tech-integrated afforestation projects, has emerged first in the recently held Climathon-2022.Tree Tag, the start-up, received Rs five lakh as prize money in the hackathon which was held in Kerala Technology Innovation Zone (KTIZ), Kochi on November 26-27.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. India and Singapore conclude bilateral exercise 'Agni Warrior': The 12th Edition of a bilateral exercise between the Singapore & Indian Army, 'Agni Warrior' has been concluded on 30 November 2022. Location: Field Firing Ranges, Devlali, Maharashtra During the exercise, both armies have showcased the joint firepower planning, execution and use of New Generation Equipment by the Artillery arm of both armies. Aim: To enhance the mutual understanding of drills & procedures and improving interoperability between the two armies.

The 12th Edition of Exercise Agni Warrior, a bilateral exercise between the Singapore & Indian Army, which had commenced on 13 November 2022 concluded at Field Firing Ranges, Devlali (Maharashtra) on 30 November 2022. Exercise Agni Warrior, involved showcasing joint firepower planning, execution and use of New Generation Equipment by the Artillery arm of both armies.

Exercise also included participation by both sides in a joint computer war-game as part of joint planning process. Both sides utilised niche technology and Artillery Observation Simulators as part of joint training phase. Expert academic discussions were conducted on modern trends in Artillery and refinement of Artillery planning process. Indigenously manufactured Artillery guns and howitzers also participated during the final phase of the exercise.

 

2. ICG Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-III commissioned in Chennai: Indian Coast Guard Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk-III squadron has been commissioned by DG VS Pathaniaon at ICG Air Station, Chennai.

The commissioning of 840 Sqn (CG) is indicative of the leap towards self-reliance in the field of helicopter manufacturing, in line with the government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. A total of 16 ALH Mk-III aircraft have been inducted into the Indian Coast Guard in a phased manner and four of these aircraft are positioned in Chennai. The ALH Mk-III helicopters, are indigenously manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It will provide a major fillip to the abilities of Indian Coast Guard in the security-sensitive waters off Tamil Nadu and Andhra region.

 

3. Joint HADR Exercise ‘Samanvay 2022’ concluded in Agra: The Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise ‘Samanvay 2022’ has been conducted at Air Force Station, Agra. It is an annual joint multi-agency exercise involving various stakeholders from India and representatives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the chief guest of the ceremony.

Recent Exercise

Ø  A joint military exercise between India-Malaysia “Harimau Shakti-2022” has been started at Pulai Klang in Malaysia

Ø  The 13th edition of the bilateral exercise between the Indian navy and the Royal Oman navy Naseem Al Bahr-2022 organized on the coast of Oman.

Ø  India-Indonesia joint exercise ‘Garuda Shakti’ kicks off in Karawang, Indonesia

Ø  The 3rd edition of the ‘Pan-India’ Coastal Defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-22’ has concluded.

Ø  18th edition of India-US joint military exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ started in Uttrakhand

 

 

 

 

OBITUARY

 

1. Former President of China Jiang Zemin passed away: Former President of China Jiang Zemin passed away recently at the age of 96. He was the Communist Party general secretary for 13 years. Jiang Zemin was a Chinese politician who served as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party from 1989 to 2002. He also served as chairman of the Central Military Commission from 1989 to 2004, and as president of China from 1993 to 2003. He was appointed the president after the Tiananmen Square protests. As the general secretary, he has guided China’s rise to global economic power as he welcomed capitalists into the Communist Party. He had also helped pulling in foreign investment after China joined the WTO.

Daily GK Update- 1st Dec, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India' MMR declines to 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20: According to the Special Bulletin released by the Registrar General of India, Maternal Mortality Ratio(MMR) of India has been declined from 130 in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20. MMR: The number of maternal deaths during a given time period per one lakh live births. With this, the country has accomplished the National Health Policy target for MMR of less than 100 per lakh live births. Target: SDG target of MMR of less than 70 per lakh live births by 2030.

The number of states which have achieved the Sustainable Development Goal target has now risen from six to eight leading with Kerala, followed by Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra  Pradesh, and  Tamil Nadu. Reacting to a new milestone in MMR, Union Health Minister Dr. Mnasukh  Mandaviya credited it to the various healthcare initiatives of government to ensure quality maternal and reproductive care.

 

2. Gautam Adani tops Forbes India rich list 2022: As per the Forbes India Rich List 2022, the combined wealth of India’s 100 richest has been increased by $25 billion to $800 billion. The top 10 richest Indians are worth a cumulative $385 billion. Adani Group chairman, Gautam Adani has bagged the top spot on the list with a net worth of $150 billion. He is also the third richest billionaire globally. After Adani, Mukesh Ambani ($88 billion) placed second, followed by Radhakishan Damani, Cyrus Poonawalla, and Shiv Nadar.

The world economy may be slowing but India’s richest have grown even richer this year. The Forbes India India Rich List 2022 is finally here, according to which, the combined wealth of India’s 100 richest grew by $25 billion to touch a colossal $800 billion. The top 10 richest Indians are worth a cumulative $385 billion.

 

3. Meghalaya cabinet approved mental health and social care policy: Meghalaya has become the first state in the Northeast to pass the first-ever Mental Health and Social Care Policy.

Objective – To promote overall mental health and well-being and facilitate appropriate access and care pathways.

After Kerala and Karnataka, Meghalaya becomes the third state in India to have such a policy. This policy will ensure that proper attention is given to mental health, particularly for our youth and adolescents.

About Meghalaya :

Capital – Shillong

Chief Minister – Conrad Kongkal Sangma

Governor – D. Mishra (additional charge)

 

4. International Lusophone Festival to be held in Goa: International Lusophone Festival is being held from 3 to 6 December 2022 in. The Ministry of External Affairs is organizing the festival in partnership with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations and the Goa government. The festival seeks to further India’s connection with the Lusophone world. Goa has had historical linkages with the Lusophone world. This has been nurtured through the presence of Portuguese cultural institutions like the Orient Foundation and the Camoes Institute which promote the Portuguese language and culture in India.

About Goa

Capital – Panaji

Chief Minister – Pramod Sawant

Governor – S. Sreedharan Pillai

 

5. Nagaland celebrates 60th statehood day: Nagaland has observed its 60th Statehood day on 1st Dec 2022. It became the 16th State of the Union of India on 1st December 1963. On the occasion, the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio has launched 'SAHYOG project' of Nagaland Police and also flagged off Nagaland Police Special Operation Group Vehicles.Nagaland has also hosted the 23rd Hornbill Festival 2022 at Naga Heritage Village Kisama from 1st-10th December 2022.

Chief guest of this festival(2022): VP Jagdeep Dhankhar

 

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. Gaslighting’ named Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2022: US dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster has announced “Gaslighting”, as the word of the year for 2022. Gaslighting — behavior that’s mind-manipulating, grossly misleading, downright deceitful. Merriam-Webster has defined Gaslighting, “The act or practice of grossly misleading someone, especially for one’s own advantage”. Interest in the term was up by 1,740% over the previous year according to searches of the online dictionary.

Other popular words 2022- Oligarch, Omicron, Codify, Queen Consort, Raid. Permacrisis is Collins Dictionary’s Word of The Year 2022. Cambridge Dictionary announced ‘Homer’ as Word of the Year 2022.

 

2. UNESCO recommended Great Barrier Reef to be put ‘in danger’ list site: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) released has recommended Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR) on a list of world heritage sites in danger. The UNESCO report found the acidity of the Great Barrier Reef water has increased 26 percent while water quality targets have not been met.

It recommends urgent action to stop sediment runoff, a ban on destructive gill net fishing and a reduction in runoff from banana and sugarcane farming. Spanning nearly 133,000 square miles and home to more than 1,500 species of fish and over 400 species of hard corals, the Great Barrier Reef is an extremely critical marine ecosystem on Earth. It is the world’s biggest coral reef ecosystem. UNESCO classifies 52 such sites as in danger in order to encourage action to protect them.

 

3. India extends financial assistance of 100 million US dollars to Maldives: India has provided financial assistance of 100 million US dollars to the Maldives. The assistance is in the form of budgetary support to tide over the difficult economic situation in the archipelago nation. The assistance is being extended without any conditions and Maldives is free to use it in its economic recovery as it deems fit. The financial assistance has extended by India to showcase the resilience and reliability of the India-Maldives relationship.

 

4. Global Prime Cities Index by Knight Frank: Mumbai ranked 22nd: According to the Knight Frank report released Mumbai was ranked at 22nd rank in ‘Prime Global Cities Index Q3 (July-September) 2022. The three Indian cities; Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi registered an increase in average annual prices in the third quarter of 2022. Bengaluru’s rank also moved up to 27th as against 41st, while New Delhi’s position improved to 36th rank from 38th rank. Dubai recorded the fastest rise in prime prices in 2022. Wellington was the weakest-performing market.

 

5. World AIDS Day 2022: 1st December 2022: World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1 to raise awareness and encourages progress in HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and care. Theme 2022: 'Equalize' Focus of theme: To highlight the particular inequalities faced by HIV patients and to press for the actions needed to address them. WHO has founded this day on December 1 in 1988. In August 1988, James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter have conveyed the idea of AIDS day to the Director of AIDS Global Program.

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. YES BANK partners Turtlefin to create tech platform ‘EasyNsure’: TurtleFin (India's insurtech platform) has collaborated with YES BANK to develop 'EasyNsure', a complete technological platform. Turtlefin’s innovative API will enable the platform to provide a slew of holistic insurance solutions at the push of a button. EasyNsure: It is a first-of-its-kind proposition for YES BANK, that will bring multiple insurance partners onto a single platform.

Yes Bank:

CEO: Prashant Kumar

Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

 

2. India to receive over record $100 billion in remittances in 2022: According to the World Bank's Migration and Development brief, remittance flows to India are predicted to increase by 12% to $100 billion in 2022. While the Mexico is placed second, followed by China, and the Philippines. Remittances to India were enhanced by wage hikes and a strong labor market in the United States and other OECD countries. Remittances to low and middle-income countries increased by about 5 percent to over $626 billion in 2022.

 

India is on course to maintain its position as the top recipient of remittances, with migrant workers who are on track to send home a record amount of money this year. According to the World Bank's Migration and Development brief, remittance flows to India are predicted to increase by 12 percent and hit $100 billion for the first time this year, way ahead of Mexico, China, and the Philippines. This will help India maintain its top spot.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Manthan Platform wins the Best Tech Initiative Award: The Manthan platform won NSEIT the Best Tech Initiative of the Year at the Dun & Bradstreet Business Excellence Awards 2022. Reason: For building the technology infrastructure to support Manthan. Manthan is a platform that promotes collaboration at scale between industry and the scientific research and development ecosystem. The development of the platform was conceptualized andimplemented by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), GoI.

 

The Manthan platform won NSEIT the Best Tech Initiative of the Year at the Dun & Bradstreet Business Excellence Awards 2022 on 29th November 2022 during an event in Mumbai. The award was presented for building the technology infrastructure to support Manthan, a platform that promotes collaboration at scale between industry and the scientific research and development ecosystem. The development of the platform was conceptualized and implemented by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India. The award was received by Dr. Sapna Poti, Director of Strategic Alliances Division, Office of Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India and Shri. Anantharaman Sreenivasan, MD & CEO, NSEIT.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin passes away: Former leader of China, Jiang Zemin, who came to power after the Tiananmen Square protests, has been passed away at 96 due to leukaemia and multiple organ failure. He was the Communist Party general secretary for 13 years. As the general secretary, he has guided China's rise to global economic power as he welcomed capitalists into the Communist Party. He had also helped pulling in foreign investment after China joined the WTO. Former President of China Jiang Zemin, who supported economic reforms leading years of growth in the country, has died at the age of 96. Jiang Zemin crushed the pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square. He died from leukemia and multiple organ failure in Shanghai at 12:13 pm today.

DEFENCE

1. Army’s Sudarshan Chakra Corps conducts 'EX Sudarshan Prahar': Sudarshan Chakra Corps of Indian Army has conducted Exercise Sudarshan Prahar in the deserts of Rajasthan on 30th November 2022. Focus: On the synergised application of combat power through the integration of force multipliers & practising new battle techniques. The exercise was attended by Lt Gen AK Singh, Goc-in-C, Southern Command.

About India Army:

Headquarters: New Delhi

Motto: Service Before Self

Chief: General, Manoj Pande

Daily GK Update- 30th Nov, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Egypt’s President invited as chief guest for Republic Day 2023: India has invited Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as the chief guest for the Republic Day in 2023, reflecting New Delhi’s continuing focus on the Arab world as it prepares for a year of high-profile diplomatic engagements. The formal invitation was handed over when external affairs minister S Jaishankar met Sisi in Cairo on October 16 during an official visit to Egypt, the people said. Egypt is among the nine guest countries invited to the G20 Summit under India’s presidency in 2023.

An invitation as chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 is a signal honour reserved for the country’s close allies and partners. There were no chief guests at the celebrations in 2021 and 2022, largely because of disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro was the last chief guest to participate in the 2020 celebrations.

 

2. India Forms Panel to Revamp Only Govt Job Guarantee Scheme: India’s Union rural development ministry has formed a panel to revamp its only job guarantee scheme in the hope of directing more work to the country’s poorer regions, a senior government official said. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, or MNREGA, was in high demand in the India’s rural areas as they emerged from the pandemic amid soaring inflation and limited non-farm job opportunities. “The panel will recommend institutional mechanisms, including governance and administrative structures, for more effective utilization of funds, especially to address poverty,” the official said. The panel, which is expected to submit its report by January, will examine expenditure trends across various states and identify reasons for variations, the official added.

About The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA): The MNREGA jobs programme, introduced more than 15 years ago, allows citizens to enrol for work such as building roads, digging wells or creating other rural infrastructure, and receive a minimum wage for 100 days each year.

 

3. ISRO Begins Countdown for PSLV-C54 Mission: Scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) commenced the countdown for the launch of Earth Observation Satellite – Oceansat – and eight other customer satellites on a PSLV-C54 rocket from the spaceport of Sriharikota. The countdown for the 56th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), in its extended version (PSLV-XL), from the first launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, 115 km from here.  The primary payload of the rocket is an Oceansat which would be separated in orbit-1 while the eight other nanosatellites would be placed in different orbits based on the customer requirements (in the Sun-synchronous polar orbits). About This mission:

a)      The mission would be one of the longest ones undertaken by the ISRO scientists who would engage the rocket to change orbits using two-orbit change thrusters (OCTs) used in the PSLV-C54 launch vehicle.

b)      The separation of the Earth Observation Satellite is expected to take place in orbit-1 while the passenger payloads would be separated in Orbit-2.

c)       The Earth Observation Satellite is expected to be placed after reaching an altitude of about 742 km about 20 minutes after lift-off.

About The Satellite & Its Objective: The Earth Observation Satellite-6 is the third-generation satellite in the Oceansat series. This is to provide continuity services of Oceansat-2 spacecraft with enhanced payload specifications as well as application areas. The objective of the mission is to ensure data continuity of ocean colour and wind vector data to sustain the operational applications.

 

4. Dharmendra Pradhan Released ‘India: The Mother of Democracy’: Union Education & Skill Development Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan released the book ‘India: The Mother of Democracy’ prepared and published by Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) in New Delhi. The book is an attempt to showcase the democratic ethos ingrained in India since the dawn of civilisation. It is shown in this book that since the dawn of civilization, India has been imbued with democratic ethos. The Minister expressed his confidence that the book—India: The Mother of Democracy, will encourage healthy discussions on India’s democratic legacy and inspire next generations to cherish our timeless ethos, he added.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Expresses Commitment to Peace, Security and Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific Region: The Vice President of India attended the 19th ASEAN-India Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. India and ASEAN in a joint statement reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety, freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific region, and commitment to peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS. They called for establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership and enhancing cooperation against terrorism as Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar addressed the 19th Asean-India Summit in Phnom Penh.

Key-Highlights Of ASEAN-India Meeting: India hailed the deep cultural, economic and civilizational ties that have existed between India and South East Asia from time immemorial and stated that the India-ASEAN relationship forms the central pillar of India’s ACT-EAST policy. India reiterated its support to ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific. As part of maintaining “ASEAN-Centrality”, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of deepening dialogue and coordination through ASEAN-led mechanisms including the ASEAN-India Summit, the East Asia Summit, the Post-Ministerial Conference with India (PMC+1), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF).

About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): It is a regional grouping that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation. It was established in August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Its chairmanship rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.

It’s Members: ASEAN brings together ten Southeast Asian states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – into one organisation.

 

2. India, UAE Central Banks Discuss Rupee-Dirham Trade Prospects: The central banks of India and UAE are discussing a concept paper on promoting bilateral trade in rupee and dirham with a view to reduce transaction cost, a top official said. India’s Ambassador to the UAE Sunjay Sudhir said that the concept paper for trade in local currencies was shared by India. The central banks of both the countries will discuss the standard operating procedures and modalities.

The objective of the exercise is to reduce the cost of transactions. India and the UAE had already signed a free trade agreement (FTA) in February to give a fillip to bilateral trade and economic ties. The free trade agreement was aimed at providing significant benefits to Indian as well as UAE businesses, including enhanced market access and reduced tariffs. Following the free trade pact, bilateral trade is expected to increase from the current USD 60 billion to USD 100 billion in the next five years.

 

3. International Jaguar Day: 29th November: International Jaguar Day was created to raise awareness about the increasing threats facing the jaguar and the critical conservation efforts ensuring its survival. Observed annually on November 29, International Jaguar Day celebrates the Americas’ largest wild cat as an umbrella species for biodiversity conservation and an icon for sustainable development and the centuries-old cultural heritage of Central and South America. This is the third largest Cat Predator of the World and an important species of Amazon Rainforest.

International Jaguar Day History: In March 2018 representatives from 14 range countries gathered in New York at United Nations’ Headquarters for the Jaguar 2030 Forum. This Forum resulted in the creation of the Jaguar 2030 Statement which outlined a wide range of internationally collaborative jaguar conservation initiatives, including the proposal to create an International Jaguar Day.

 

4. Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare: 30th November: Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare is commemorated on November 30 every year. This internationally marked day was adopted by the United Nations to remember the victims of chemical warfare. The day aims to encourage efforts for eliminating the use of chemical weapons and remember those who have suffered because of such warfare.

Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare History:

a)      The first international agreement limiting the use of chemical weapons can be traced back to 1675. France and Germany had come to an agreement to prohibit the use of poison bullets. This agreement was signed in Strasbourg.

b)      In 1874, the Brussels Convention on the Law and Customs of War was signed. It prohibited the employment of poison or poisoned weapons. However, the use of arms, projectiles or material to cause unnecessary suffering, though agreed upon, did not come into force.

c)       The Hague Convention declared to ‘abstain from the use of projectiles, the sole object of which is the diffusion of asphyxiating or deleterious gasses’ in 1899. A second Hague Convention was agreed upon in 1907. It was to reiterate the earlier bans on employing poison or poisoned weapons.

d)      The Chemical Weapons Convention was adopted in 1993. It came into force on April 29, 1997. In 2005, the United Nations proclaimed November 30 as the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes First Male Player to Score in 5 World Cups: Cristiano Ronaldo creates history as he became the first male player to score in five World Cups in Portugal’s opening game in Qatar against Ghana. Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the 65th minute from the penalty spot to open the scoring at Doha’s stadium 974, which was also the 118th goal of his country. The 37-year-old striker converted a penalty in the 65th minute to give Portugal a 1-0 lead. He has now scored a goal in every World Cup since 2006 when he again converted a penalty against Iran in the group stage. Ronaldo scored at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and another at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, and four in 2018 Russia. He has now become the first male player to score in five FIFA World Cups.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IDFC FIRST Bank Launched India’s First Sticker-Based Debit Card FIRSTAP: IDFC First Bank has introduced a sticker-based debit card, called FIRSTAP. The launch is in association with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The FIRSTAP is launched to facilitate transactions by simply tapping the sticker on a Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled point-of-sale terminal. Key Points:

a)      The launch of sticker-based debit cards is in line with the bank’s customer-centric philosophy. The number of transactions being carried out via contactless cards is growing fast.

b)      As a customer-first bank, IDFC claims to be committed to using contactless technology for frictionless digital transactions.

c)       With stickers as the form factor in the wearable category, the debit card is convenient to carry around and enables fast check-out.

d)      The sticker-based debit card is one-third the size of a regular debit card, thus, making the sticker applicable to a wide range of devices and objects.

e)      As per the company, customers can affix the sticker-based debit card on any surface of choice, such as cell phones, identity cards, wallets, AirPodsand airpod cases.

f)        The object can be used to tap and pay, thus doing away with the need to carry a debit card or adapting to wearable devices such as watches and rings, or entering a UPI PIN after scanning a QR code.

 

2. Canara Bank Issues Electronic Bank Guarantee in Partnership with NeSL: Canara Banks steps into digital banking on its 117th Founder’s Day with the issuance of an Electronic Bank Guarantee (e-BG) in partnership with National E-Governance Service Limited (NeSL). The Canara Bank will now offer an API-based digital workflow of Bank guarantees which will eliminate physical insurance, stamping, verification, and paper-based record maintenance.

Key Points:

a)      The platform will offer several advantages such as greater transparency, better monitoring systems, and secured transmission of Bank Guarantees to beneficiaries.

b)      Canara Bank General Manager Mahesh M Pai informed that achieving the milestone of being the first public sector to roll out an electronic bank guarantee is a proud moment.

c)       Canara Bank launched Canara ail, a Mobile banking super app with more than 250 features.

d)      The futuristic vision of “One Bank, One App” was the aim for creating the bank Mobile app.

e)      It was also ranked 1st under the Digital Payment performance on 31st March 2022 by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Senior consultant Romal Shetty is CEO-designate of Deloitte India: Senior consultant Romal Shetty has been nominated CEO-designate of Deloitte India after a months-long selection process, according to an email sent to the firm’s partners late. The nomination committee, after considering multiple candidates, zeroed in on Shetty, who leads Deloitte’s consulting practice in India. The next step is for its Indian equity partners to confirm his candidacy.

Romal Shetty has 20 years of experience in advisory services across large-scale transformation programs covering the business and technology domain and has worked in over 30+ countries across risk and consulting domain. Shetty’s key focus areas are financial and operational turnaround, customer experience, product innovation, revenue management, analytics, business continuity, risk management, cost reduction, managed services and process reengineering. He is a Fellow Member of the ICAI and a Certified Information Systems Auditor.

Note: Deloitte Founder: William Welch Deloitte; Deloitte Headquarters: London, England; Deloitte Founded: 1845, London, United Kingdom.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Rajendra Pawar honoured Lifetime Achievement Award 2022 by FICCI: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), felicitated Rajendra Singh Pawar, Chairman & Founder, NIIT with ‘Lifetime Achievement Award 2022’ at the 8th FICCI Higher Education Excellence Awards ceremony. The award recognises Pawar for his immense contribution and exemplary work in the field of education as well as creating the IT Training industry. The selection of Award was done by a high-level jury panel, Chaired by Dr R. A. Mashelkar, Indian National Research Professor and Chancellor, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai and former Director General of CSIR.

 

2. 39 Schools Awarded with Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar for 2021-22: Thirty-nine schools from across the country were awarded the Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar for the 2021-2022 academic session by the Ministry of Education. The schools were selected from among a total of 8.23 lakh entries. Out of which 28 were government and aided schools and 11 were private schools.

Key Points:

a)      The awarded schools include two Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, one Navodaya Vidyalaya, and three Kendriya Vidyalayas.

b)      The Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar honors the school that has taken exemplary work in the field of water, sanitation, and hygiene.

c)       It also provides a benchmark and roadmap for the schools to make further improvements.

d)      The schools are rated on six broad parameters of water, toilets, handwashing with soap, operation, and maintenance, behavioral change, and capacity building.

e)      Out of 39 schools 17 are elementary and 22 are secondary/higher secondary schools.

f)        34 schools have been awarded a cash prize of ₹60,000 and ₹20,000 were awarded in the sub-categories.