Daily GK Update- 23rd Nov, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi participated in 'Mirabai Janmotsav' in Mathura: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ‘Mirabai Janmotsav’ celebrations, being organised to mark the 525th birth anniversary of Sant Mirabai, in Mathura. During the festival, PM Modi will participate in cultural programmes and release a stamp and a coin in honour of Mirabai. The event would mark year-long programmes that are being planned in the memory of Mirabai.

 

2. Hornbill Festival Returns To Nagaland In December: One of the most anticipated festivals of the year, the Hornbill Festival, is gearing up for its annual return to Nagaland this December. The festival, scheduled from December 1 to December 10, celebrates the rich culture and heritage of Nagaland, drawing thousands of visitors each year who come to savour Nagaland’s cuisine, music, handicrafts, and much more. The event is organised by Nagaland’s Department of Tourism, Arts and Culture every year, and 2023 will mark the 23rd year of the festival. The festival gets its name from the Hornbill, a bird that features prominently in the folklore of the state’s tribes.

 

3. Sourav Ganguly as brand ambassador of West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee made a major announcement during the seventh edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) as she declared former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly as the brand ambassador for the state.

This comes after Ganguly had earlier been appointed as the brand ambassador for Tripura earlier in the year before his ties worsened with the BJP-led government.

 

4. Shaheedi Diwas Or Martyrdom Day Of ‘Guru Tegh Bahadur’: Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh, the 9th Guru of the Sikhs, martyrdom day is commemorated on November 24. He was Born on 21st April 1621, in Amritsar to Mata Nanaki and Guru Hargobind. November 24 is annually observed as a day of remembrance and reflection on the invaluable contribution of Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh to the Sikh faith and the broader tapestry of Indian history.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. CAG Girish Chandra Murmu elected vice-chair of UN external auditors’ panel: Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Girish Chandra Murmu, has been elected vice-chair of the UN Panel of External Auditors. This recognition underscores India’s commitment to the highest standards of external audit and its active participation in shaping the global audit landscape. Murmu participated in the sixty-third session of the Panel of External Auditors, held at the UN headquarters in New York from 20-21 November 2023.

 

2. Indian Mission to ASEAN Hosting ASEAN-India Millet Festival in Jakarta: The Indian Mission to ASEAN, along with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, is hosting the ASEAN-India Millet Festival in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta from November 22-26, 2023, as part of the 'International Year of Millets 2023'. Addressing the inauguration, Jayant Khobragade, Indian Ambassador to ASEAN, highlighted the importance of the ASEAN-India Millet Festival and strengthening India-ASEAN relations.

 

3. ASEAN-India Millet Festival 2023 Kicks Off In South Jakarta, Indonesia: The Indian Mission to ASEAN in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is organizing the ASEAN-India Millet Festival 2023, in Indonesia from 22nd November to 26th November 2023. The inaugural session of the festival took place in the Kota Kasablanka Mall, a prominent shopping destination in South Jakarta, Indonesia. A Millet-centric exhibition is being held as part of the festival featuring participation from Millet-based FPOs, start-ups and Indian chefs. Aligned with the International Year of Millets (IYM) celebrations, an aim of this festival is to raise awareness and create a market for millets and millets-based products among the ASEAN Member states i.e. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Armed Forces Contingent Heads for Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23: An Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising 81 personnel has departed for Australia to participate in the second edition of the Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23. The exercise is scheduled to take place in Perth, Australia, from November 22 to December 6. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) highlighted that the joint exercise aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas and the joint rehearsal of tactics, techniques, and procedures for tactical operations.

 

SPORTS

 

1. ICC Bans Transgender Players From International Women’s Cricket: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently implemented a ban on transgender cricketers from participating in international women’s cricket at the highest level. This decision has raised discussions around inclusivity, athlete rights and the impact of the ban on transgender individuals. The move is said to be in alignment with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) guidelines, considering cricket’s inclusion in the 2008 Olympics.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Nippon Life AIF to raise Rs 1,000 cr for private credit: Nippon Life India Asset Management has joined the likes of Centrum and Avendus to capitalise on the demand for private credit amid the tightening of norms by regulated entities such as banks and mutual funds pulling out of promoter funding. Nippon Life India Alternative Investment Fund, which is set to raise ₹1,000 crore, has already deployed ₹100 crore in two strategic deals and aims to secure an additional ₹1,000 crore through a green shoe option.

 

2. RBI extends payments infrastructure scheme by 2 years till Dec 2025: RBI has extended the Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) scheme by another two years till December 31, 2025. It will now include beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma scheme. “The decision to expand the targeted beneficiaries under the PIDF scheme will provide a fillip to the Reserve Bank’s efforts towards promoting digital transactions at the grassroots level. About – The PIDF Scheme was operationalised in January 2021 for three years to incentivise the deployment of payment acceptance infrastructure such as physical Point of Sale (PoS), Quick Response (QR) codes in tier-3 to tier-6 centres, the north-eastern states and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Beneficiaries of the PM SVANidhi Scheme in Tier-1 and 2 centres were later included in August 2021. As of August 2023, over 2.66 crore new touch-points have been deployed under the Scheme.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Irish author Paul Lynch wins 2023 Booker prize for his novel ‘Prophet Song’: Paul Lynch who is an Irish author won the 2023 Booker prize for his fifth novel ‘Prophet Song.’ Lynch the fifth Irish author to win the prize while the last Irish writer Anna Burns won the award in 2018. Booker Prize is awarded to the best novel of fiction written in English and published in UK and Ireland.

Daily GK Update- 22nd Nov, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Bengaluru tops in women-led startups: The Karnataka capital is home to 1,783 women-led startups, followed by Mumbai and Delhi at 1,480 and 1,195 respectively, according to data from startup data platform Tracxn. Noida, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad took the eighth, ninth, and tenth spots with 324, 184, and 181 women-led startups respectively. With more than 61,400 startups, India’s startup ecosystem has added more firepower to become the third-largest hub globally after the US and China. Bengaluru has been one of the top startup ecosystems in India that has catalysed risk-taking among entrepreneurs with a conducive policy framework. But the gender divide is still stark. A slew of initiatives from incubation programmes, grants and fellowships offered to women-founded startups are trying to address the gender gap. Tracxn counts Zomato, Byju’s, Ofbusiness, Upstox, Lenskart and Open among the top 10 women-led startups in the country.

 

2. Vinay Tonse appoints as MD of SBI: The Government of India has appointed Vinay M. Tonse as the Managing Director of the State Bank of India until November 30, 2025. Earlier in September, the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB), the headhunter for directors of state-owned banks and financial institutions recommended Tonse for the said post, who currently serves as the deputy MD of the state-owned bank. The post fell vacant in June after the appointment of Swaminathan Janakiraman as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank. RBI deputy governor Swaminathan was MD corporate banking and subsidiaries in charge of SBI’s large corporate and commercial credit businesses, as well as subsidiaries of the bank.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Ministry of Toursim: International Tourism Mart at Shillong: The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has organized the 11th edition of the International Tourism Mart at Shillong, Meghalaya. The International Tourism Mart is an annual event held by the Ministry in one of the North Eastern States on a rotation basis. Event to provide a platform to create awareness about tourism potential of North East Region. It provides a platform for North Eastern stakeholders to interact with their counterparts from both within the country and overseas markets. This event has also been planned as a Green Event by adopting low-carbon options along the lines of the action points formulated by Environment Ministry for the implementation of Mission LiFE. There will be no use of Single Use Plastic, and a digital and paperless route will be followed as well as a tree plantation drive will be undertaken.

 

2. Luc Frieden sworn in as PM of Luxembourg: Luc Frieden has officially been sworn in as Luxembourg’s prime minister, along with members of his new CSV-DP government. The rest of the cabinet took charge of their respective ministries over the course. The coalition holds a majority of 35 seats in the 60-seat Luxembourg parliament. Luc Frieden, having served as the finance minister, will ascend to the position of prime minister, steering the nation through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

 

3. INDIA-USA joint exercise Vajra Prahar commences in Umroi: 14th Edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise “VAJRA PRAHAR 2023” commenced at the Joint Training Node, Umroi. The US contingent is represented by personnel from the 1st Special Forces Group (SFG) of US Special Forces. The Indian Army contingent is led by Special Forces personnel from the Eastern Command. Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR is a joint exercise conducted between Indian Army and US Army Special Forces. It aims at sharing best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics. The first edition was conducted in the year 2010 in India and the 13th edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise was conducted at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS), Bakloh (HP). The current edition is being conducted in Umroi Cantonment, Meghalaya from 21st November to 11th December 2023.

 

4. 21 November – World Television Day: World Television Day is observed every year on 21 November. Television plays a crucial role in our lives and our homes are incomplete without it. It is a source of entertainment and information that enriches our lives. The first electric television was introduced in 1927 by Philo Taylor Farnsworth. He was an American inventor who made the television. Later, in 1996, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially announced that World Television Day would be celebrated on 21 November, every year.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Max Verstappen won the Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023: Max Verstappen emerged on top at the end of an action-packed Las Vegas Grand Prix, beating Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. Max Emilian Verstappen is a Belgian and Dutch racing driver and the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Formula One World Champion.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Karnataka Bank ties up with HDFC Life to offer life insurance products: Karnataka Bank has entered into a corporate tie-up with HDFC Life to offer life insurance products to its customers.

This collaboration aligns with our commitment to enhancing the suite of financial products and services available as a choice to our customers. It reflects our dedication to providing holistic financial solutions through our wide distribution and digital network and ensuring the well-being and security of our customers and their families.

 

2. SEBI unveiled Investor Risk Reduction Access platform: Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Madhabi Puri Buch has launched the Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) platform at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Risk Mitigation in financial markets is an evergreen subject and constant efforts are made by regulators to address risks of various kinds. The IRRA platform is one such initiative conceptualized and implemented by Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) under the guidance of SEBI to reduce risks faced by investors in the eventuality of technical glitch at Trading Member end at both Primary site and Disaster Recovery site.

 

3. Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector: SEBI unveiled Investor Risk Reduction Access platform Federal Bank introduces UPI lite for small-value digital payments SIDBI launches ‘Sumpoorn’ MSME Economic Activity Index with Jocata HSBC India launches e-bank guarantee services for MSMEs AU Small Finance Bank launches ‘Planet First-AU Green Fixed Deposit’

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. IFFI 2023: Rajkumar Hirani to head jury panel for best web series award: Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani will serve as the head of the five-member jury for the best web series (OTT) award at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Actors Divya Dutta, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and filmmakers Krishna DK and Utpal Borpujari are part of the jury panel for the inaugural category.

This year, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the addition of the new award category — best web series (OTT) award — to the 54th edition of the film extravaganza that will be presented to a show for its “artistic merit, storytelling excellence, technical prowess, and overall impact”. A total of 32 entries across 10 languages from 15 OTT platforms have been selected for the inaugural Best Web Series award. The winning series will receive a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh. British film “Catching Dust” will open IFFI and American film “The Featherweight” will close the gala on November 28.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former Head of ‘Soka Gakkai’ Daisaku Ikeda passed away: In Japan, the former head of the largest religious Buddhist organization ‘Soka Gakkai’, Daisaku Ikeda passed away. He was 95. Over several decades, Ikeda developed connections with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and bacame an ally of the government. Ikeda increased the organization’s global popularity which is based on the teachings of the 13th-century Japanese priest Nichiren. With 12 million members worldwide, Soka Gakkai is a global community-based Buddhist organization that promotes peace centered on respect for the dignity of life. is well-known for its celebrity connections.

Daily GK Update- 21st Nov, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Founder of Sankara Netralaya Dr.S.S Badrinath passes away in Chennai: The Government of India has appointed Vinay M. Tonse as the Managing Director of State Bank of India until November 30, 2025. Tonse, currently serving as the deputy MD, was recommended by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau. The final decision on the FSIB recommendation has been taken by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

2. EPFO added 17.21 lakh net members during September: Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, EPFO has added 17.21 lakh net members during September.  This is an increase of 21 thousand 475 net members over the previous month of August. EPFO’s provisional payroll data released today reveals that around 8.92 lakh new members have enrolled during September. Out of this, around 2.26 lakh are new female members. The age-group of 18 to 25 years constitutes 58.92 percent of total new members added during the month.

 

3. Mira Murati appointed as interim CEO at OpenAI: Mira Murati has been appointed as interim Chief Executive officer of OpenAI. She will replace Sam Altma. Mira Murati has commented on the current deepfake concerns in India. Ms. Murati, who played a role in promoting Dall-E, an AI model generating images from text, discussed the company’s efforts to address the issue of manipulated media using their technologies during a talk show. Mira Murati, a 34-year-old mechanical engineer born to Albanian parents, has been an integral part of the OpenAI team. She initially joined the company in 2018 as the Vice President of AI and partnerships.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 starts in Ahmedabad: The first ever Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 kicked off at Science City in Ahmedabad. The High-level delegations from about 10 countries, delegates from International Organizations, Fisheries Associations were present at the inaugural session. The conference is being organized by the Department of Fisheries Government of India. Ghol घोल fish was declared as State fish of Gujarat.

 

2. 7th edition of Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) kicks off today: The 7th edition of the two-day Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) that kicks off with business leaders from more than 25 countries. A host of prominent figures of corporate India as well as political dignitaries are attending the event.  Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, is leading a 55-strong delegation of senior figures from a wide range of business institutions which will be the biggest ever UK delegation in the summit.

 

3. 54th International Film Festival of India begins in Goa: Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa.  The opening movie of this year’s IFFI was British film ‘Catching Dust’.  This year’s IFFI has received 2926 entries from 105 countries, which is three times more international submissions than last year 13 World Premieres, 18 International Premieres, 62 Asia Premiers and 89 India Premieres will be screened during the festival

 

4. Luc Frieden sworn in as PM of Luxembourg: Luc Frieden has officially been sworn in as Luxembourg prime minister, along with members of his new CSV-DP government. The rest of the cabinet took charge of their respective ministries over the course of the afternoon. Frieden’s CSV party won 21 seats and Bettel’s DP took 14 seats in the Chamber of Deputies (out of 60 MPs) during the national elections in October.

 

5. World Television Day is globally observed today: World Television Day is globally observed today to highlight the importance of the visual medium and to recognize its increasing impact on decision-making and potential role in shaping global conversations.  The theme for this year's edition is 'Accessibility'. On this day in 1996, the United Nations held the First World Television Forum and decided to observe 21st November every year as World Television Day.

 

6. India ranks third in Global Unicorn Rankings with 72 Unicorns: India ranks third with 72 unicorn companies, with a total valuation of $195.75 billion. The country’s unicorns make a substantial 5 percent contribution to the total global unicorn valuation, according to research by Journalistic Org. The first Indian company to make an appearance in global rankings is BYJUs, which stands at 36th place with a valuation of $11.50 billion. Despite a lower average valuation per unicorn at $2.72 billion compared to some counterparts, India’s unicorns make a substantial 5 percent contribution to the total global unicorn valuation. This places India in league with the UK, emphasizing its significance in the international start-up arena. China has the second-highest number of unicorn companies, with a combined valuation of $641.67 billion, accounting for 17 percent of the total valuation of all unicorn companies in China.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Djokovic beats Sinner to win ATP Finals for record seventh time: Novak Djokovic won a record seventh ATP Finals title with a dominant victory over Jannik Sinner that marked another milestone in his memorable season. He defeated local favorite Jannik Sinner in a commanding fashion with a 6-3, 6-3 victory.

 

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Uttar Pradesh bags first prize for best state in inland fisheries: According to a state government official, Uttar Pradesh has won the best state award in the Inland Fisheries category. The award will be given during the Global Fisheries Conference 2023, which will be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on World Fisheries Day (November 21).  In terms of fish seeds, last year’s production stood at 27,128 lakh MT, which was 36,187 lakh MT this year, he added.

 

2. Deepti Babuta becomes first woman to bag Dhahan Prize for Punjabi literature: Mohali-based Deepti Babuta has become the first woman to bag the Dhahan Prize, the largest international literary award for fiction books in Punjabi language. Babuta received the award for her short story collection, ‘Bhukh Eon Sah Laindi Hai’ (‘Hunger Breathes Like This’). She was presented with a cash award of $25,000 CAD and a trophy at a ceremony held at Northview Golf and Country Club in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Alongside her, two other finalists — Lahore-based Jameel Ahmad Paul and Mohali’s Balijit were awarded $10,000 CAD each. This is for the first time in its 10-year history that the top prize has gone to a woman.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Founder of Sankara Netralaya Dr.S.S Badrinath passes away in Chennai: The founder of Sankara Netralaya Dr.S.S Badrinath (83-years) passed away in Chennai due to illness He founded the Sankara Nethralaya as a unit of the Medical Research Foundation in 1978. He was a recipient of the Padma Shri in 1983 and Padma Bhushan in 1999.

 

2. ‘Dhoom’ Director Sanjay Gadhvi passed away: Filmmaker Sanjay Gadhvi of Dhoom fame died at the age of 56. He was known for directing the 2004 film Dhoom and its 2006 sequel Dhoom 2. Gadhvi made his directorial debut with Tere Liye in 2000. Kunal Kohli, director of “Hum Tum” and “Fanaa”, was one of the first film personalities to condole Gadhvi’s demise on social media. The director also worked on Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai in 2002, which was his first project with Yash Raj Films.

Daily GK Update- 20th Nov, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Set to Extend Rice Export Bans Through 2024: India, the world’s top rice exporter, is expected to maintain its curbs on overseas sales well into 2024, a move likely to hold the staple grain at close to its highest price levels since the food crisis of 2008. Lower prices and ample stockpiles have helped make India one of the top shippers globally over the past decade, recently accounting for almost 40% of the total.  African nations like Benin and Senegal are among the top buyers.

 

2. Ladakh secures 4th GI tag for Sea Buckthorn:  In Ladakh, after GI Tag for Apricot (Raktsey Karpo), Pashmina, and Ladakhi Wood Carving, the Geographical Indication Registry, operating under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has officially granted the GI tag to the Department of Industries & Commerce, Ladakh and approved it as the Registered Proprietor for ‘Ladakh Sea Buckthorn’ in Class 31. Farmers of Kargil are very excited for this special recognition for Sea Buckthorn, one of the most profitable crop of UT Ladakh having 90 % production from Ladakh in India.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Argentina Elects ‘Shock Therapy’ Libertarian Javier Milei as President: Argentina elected right-wing libertarian Javier Milei as its new president. Milei is pledging economic shock therapy.  His plans include shutting the central bank, ditching the peso, and slashing spending, potentially painful reforms that resonated with voters angry at the economic malaise. Milei has been particularly popular among the young, who have grown up seeing their country lurch from one crisis to another.

 

2. Universal Children’s Day is observed on 20th November 2023: World Children’s Day is observed on November 20 every year and is dedicated to the little ones who make our life beautiful. Wishes, images, messages to share. The day is to raise awareness around children rights and improving their welfare. The theme for World Children's Day for the year 2023 is 'For every child, every right.'

 

3. World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims: World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic observed on 20th November 2023 to spread to a growing number of countries on every continent. The Day has become an important tool in global efforts to reduce road casualties.  This year's theme is 'Accelerating Change' The objectives of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims are to provide a platform for road traffic victims and their families

 

4. India Ranks Third In Global Unicorn Rankings With 72 Unicorns: India ranks third with 72 unicorn companies, with a total valuation of $195.75 billion.  The country’s unicorns make a substantial 5 per cent contribution to the total global unicorn valuation, according to research by Journalistic Org.  The first Indian company to make an appearance in global rankings is BYJU’s, which stands at 36th place with a valuation of $11.50 billion. The US has the highest and over three times more than China in second place (172).

 

5. BofA Survey Highlights Japan and India as Preferred Markets in Asia Pacific: Japan and India are the most favored markets in the Asia Pacific region, reveals the fund manager survey (FMS) conducted by Bank of America (BofA). Japan (net 45 percent overweight) cements its place at the top of the preference stack, followed by India (25 percent), while Thailand (net 13 percent underweight), China, and Australia. The net overweight figure is the percent of fund managers saying overweight minus the percent saying underweight.

 

6. WHO and Ministry of Ayush signed the Traditional and Complementary Medicine: The Ministry of Ayush and World Health Organization (WHO) have signed the Traditional and Complementary Medicine ‘Project Collaboration Agreement’ in Geneva. The main objective of this agreement is to standardize Traditional and Complementary Medical Systems, integrate their quality and safety aspects into the National Health System, and disseminate them at the international level. Through this cooperation agreement, efforts will be made to connect Traditional and Complementary Medical Systems with the mainstream of the National Health System. To fulfil this objective, Traditional Medicine Global Strategy 2025-34 will be prepared by WHO with the support of the Ministry of Ayush. Other major objectives of the agreement include efforts to strengthen the system of training and practice in the field of Complementary Medicine System ‘Siddha’, formulation of guidelines for the listing of Traditional and Complementary Medicines, safety and related efforts, etc.

 

7. France test-fires long-range ballistic missile ‘M51.3’ : France has successfully test-fired an M51.3 long-range ballistic missile, boosting the credibility of France’s nuclear deterrence capabilities. The missile, which did not carry a nuclear weapon, was fired from the French army’s Biscarosse missile testing site in southwest France and landed in the North Atlantic, “hundreds of kilometres from any coastline. The M51.3 missile is an upgraded version of the M51, a three-stage sea-land strategic ballistic missile designed to be launched from French Navy submarines. The M51 was first test-fired from a ground base in 2006 and from a submarine in 2010, the year it was commissioned. The new M51.3 missile, which is expected to enter service around 2025, is developed by aerospace firm ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Arbus (AIR.PA) and French defence group Safran (SAF.PA) Ballistic missiles are similar to rockets and follow elliptic trajectories after launch, often leaving the earth’s atmosphere to reach lower space, unlike cruise missiles, which typically follow straight trajectories at low altitudes, powered by continuous thrust until they reach their target.

 

8. 19 November – World Toilet Day: World Toilet Day is observed every year on 19 November. The main objective of celebrating this day is to make people aware of the cleanliness of toilets.

On this day people are told about the importance of using toilets and cleanliness. This day is also used to create awareness about the cleanliness of toilets and also to stop people from defecating in the open.

 

9. 20 November – Africa Industrialization Day: Africa Industrialization Day is celebrated on November 20 each year. It’s a period when governments and organizations in several African countries consider how to accelerate the continent’s industrialization. It’s also an opportunity to draw international media attention to Africa’s industrialization concerns and challenges. A geographical representation of Africa, including the island of Madagascar, is a popular symbol of Africa Industrialization Day. Flags of African international organizations, including the African Union, as well as a variety of national flags, are hoisted in celebration. In July 1989, the Organization of African Unity (O.A.U.) conducted its 25th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Africa Industrialization Day was announced on November 20 during this session. Africa Industrialization Day was recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on December 22, 1989, and on November 20, 1990, it was celebrated for the first time.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Australia lifts ICC Men’s Cricket world cup beating India: Australia lifted the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 defeating India by six wickets in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Virat Kohli was awarded with the "player of the tournament" title for his exemplary performance.  He scored a total of 765 runs in 11 innings, the highest-ever runs scored by a batter in a single edition of the World Cup.  Mohammed Shami finished as the leading wicket taker of the World Cup 2023.

 

2. Virat Kohli earns the “Player of the Tournament” title in the Cricket World Cup 2023: Indian star batter Virat Kohli has been awarded with the “player of the tournament” title in the ICC World Cup 2023 for his exemplary performance. Kohli scored a total of 765 runs in 11 innings, the highest-ever runs scored by a batter in a single edition of the World Cup. He averaged at 95.62, and ended up with a strike rate of 90.3 The former Indian skipper also added 6 fifties & 3 centuries to his name.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India’s GDP Surpasses $4 Trillion Mark: A Historic Milestone: India's economy achieved a historic milestone when its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) crossed the $4 trillion-mark in nominal terms for the first time ever. Neither the finance ministry nor the National Statistical Office have officially confirmed whether the mark has been breached. The milestone was hailed by billionaire and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, two union ministers and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

 

2. Kotak Mahindra Bank Appoints Ashok Vaswani As MD & CEO: Kotak Mahindra Bank has appointed Ashok Vaswani as its managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) from January 1, 2024.  The bank's board has appointed Vaswani for a period of three years, subject to the approval of the members of the bank, according to an exchange filing. The appointment of Vaswani follows the conclusion of Dipak Gupta’s term as the Managing Director and CEO of the bank

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Perumal Murugan wins JCB Prize for Literature: Tamil writer Perumal Murugan won the coveted JCB Prize for Literature for his novel, Fire Bird, an English translation of his Tamil novel Aalanda Patchi. The award carries ₹25 lakh cash prize. The translator is Janani Kannan and the work was published by Penguin. The prize aims to celebrate Indian writing and to help readers across the world discover the very best of contemporary Indian literature. It makes significant awards also to translators; without whose work no reader can appreciate the scale and diversity of literature written in over 20 languages.

 

2. Sheynnis Palacios crowned Miss Universe 2023: Nicaragua’s Sheynnis Palacios has been crowned Miss Universe for the year 2023, marking her country’s first win at the international beauty pageant. The 72nd edition of the Miss Universe pageant was held at the Jose Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador. Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild emerged the first runner-up and Miss Australia Moraya Wilson was named the second runner-up at the event. Palacios was crowned by USA’s R’Bonney Gabriel, who held the title of Miss Universe for the year 2022. According to Miss Universe, Palacios is a 23-year-old mental health activist and audiovisual producer from Managua, Nicaragua. Palacios bested entrants from 83 other countries, including Miss India Shweta Sharda, who was called into the list of top 20 contestants. Erica Robin, who was crowned the first ever Miss Universe Pakistan 2023, also made it to the top 20.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former RBI Governor S. Venkitaramanan Passed Away At 92: S Venkitaramanan, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), passed away early this morning due to a brief illness. He was 92 years old. According to The Business Line, he is survived by his two daughters, Girija and Sudha, along with their respective families. S Venkitaramanan was the 18th Governor of the RBI, serving for two years from 1990 to 1992. Prior to this, he was Finance Secretary in the Ministry of Finance from 1985 to 1989.

Daily GK Update- 19th Nov, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Amit S Telang appointed as Indian envoy to the Caribbean Community: The Ministry of External Affairs has announced that Amit S Telang has been concurrently accredited as the Indian Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and High Commissioner to the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda. Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Anil Kumar Rai has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

 

2. Ashok Vaswani appointed as MD & CEO of Kotak Bank: Kotak Mahindra Bank has appointed Ashok Vaswani as its Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from January 1, 2024. The bank’s board has appointed Vaswani for a period of three years, subject to the approval of the members of the bank, according to an exchange filing. The appointment of Vaswani follows the conclusion of Dipak Gupta’s term as the Managing Director and CEO of the bank, slated to end on December 31, 2023. The Reserve Bank of India had cleared Vaswani’s name for the post on October 21.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Nicaragua’s Sheynis Palacios Crowned 72nd Miss Universe 2023: Sheynis Palacios, representing Nicaragua, won the Miss Universe crown at the 72nd edition of the fashion pageant.  The show took place in San Salvador, El Salvador at Jose Adolfo Pineda Arena on November 19. Sheynis was also crowned as Miss Nicaragua 2023 earlier this year and has a strong social media presence.  For the finale of Miss Universe 2023, Sheynin was seen wearing a stunning embellished body-hugging gown.

 

2. 42nd Edition of India International Trade Fair inaugurated at Pragati Maidan: The 42nd Edition of India International Trade Fair has inaugurated in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The fair will remain open for all till the 27th of this month. This year, the theme of the fair is based on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which emphasizes the significance of interconnectedness and cooperation in trade. Representatives of 13 countries are also displaying their products in the fair. Bihar and Kerala are the Partner States of the Fair, while Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh are the Focus States.

 

3. 19 November – International Men’s Day: International Men’s Day is celebrated on November 19 every year. Objective – To raise awareness about the health and well-being of men and boys and to highlight the issues that they face. The day also celebrates the positive value that men bring to the world and motivates them to become positive role models. Theme 2023 – Zero Male Suicide International Men’s Day was founded in 1999 by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a history lecturer at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. Since then, it has been celebrated every year, and currently, more than 80 countries celebrate the day.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Federal Bank introduces UPI lite for small-value digital payments: Federal Bank has launched UPI Lite to power small-value digital transactions in India. NPCI introduced UPI Lite a simplified version of the Unified Payments Interface system to cater to the growing demand for faster and more efficient small-value payments. Benefits of UPI Lite for customers include reduction in transaction time, a ready-to-access bank statement, higher payment success rate and enhanced security. UPI lite account can be created within the existing UPI app without downloading a new app.

 

2. India to become world’s third-largest economy by 2027: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India is expected to overtake Japan and Germany to emerge as the third largest economy in the world by 2027. India’s economic growth is estimated to be just under 7 per cent during the year, the highest among major economies, despite global headwinds. Amidst supply-chain disruptions and economic turbulence due to contemporary conflicts that impact the Indo-Pacific, irrespective of whether they are occurring in relatively distant Ukraine or in relatively-proximate Israel or Yemen, and despite the palpable tensions prevalent in the South-and East China Sea, the Indian economy stands out as a bright spot. Even according to the usually conservative estimates of the IMF, the Indian economy is set to emerge as the world’s third-largest economy by 2027, hopping over Japan and Germany, as its GDP crosses the USD 5 trillion level. By 2047, India aspires to be a developed economy.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Suresh Wadkar named for Maharashtra’s Lata Mangeshkar Award 2023: The Maharashtra government has chosen the esteemed playback singer and National Award winner, Suresh Ishwar Wadkar, as the recipient of the prestigious ‘Gansamragini Lata Mangeshkar Award’ for 2023. The announcement was made by Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, recognizing Wadkar’s remarkable contribution to the world of music. A Sangeet Natak Akademi laureate, Wadkar, 68, will be presented with a cash prize, a commendation, and a memento as part of the award at a ceremony later. Hailing from an ordinary family of Kolhapur, in his younger days, Wadkar was a wrestler and then became a music teacher in Mumbai before winning a singing competition 1976 that got him his first playback singing break with the late music director Ravindra Jain in 1977.