Daily GK Update- 2nd Nov, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India to Contribute $500,000 For UN Trust Fund for Counter-Terrorism: India is going to contribute half a million dollars to the United Nations’ efforts to counter global terrorism at a time when new and emerging technologies used by terror groups are posing fresh threats to governments around the world, the foreign minister said. The announcement was made during the plenary session of the UN Security Council special meeting of the Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) in New Delhi. Keynote address of Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar:

a)      India will be making a voluntary contribution of half a million dollars to the UN Trust Fund for Counter Terrorism this year to augment the efforts of Office of Counter-Terrorism in providing capacity-building support to member states in preventing and countering the threat of terrorism.

b)      Internet and social media platforms have turned into potent instruments in the toolkit of terrorist and militant groups for spreading propaganda, radicalization and conspiracy theories aimed at destabilizing societies

c)       UN Security Council, in the past 2 decades, has evolved an important architecture built primarily around the Counter-Terrorism Sanctions Regime to combat this menace. This has been very effective in putting those countries on notice that had turned terrorism into a state-funded enterprise.

d)      Despite this, the threat of terrorism is only growing and expanding, particularly in Asia and Africa, as successive reports of the 1267 Sanctions Committee monitoring reports have highlighted.

 

2. Centre approves Terai Elephant Reserve in Uttar Pradesh: The Centre has approved the setting up of the Terai Elephant Reserve (TER) at Dudhwa-Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh. The Terai Elephant Reserve is the 3rd Elephant Reserve in India which is spread over 3,049 sq km. The Terai Elephant Reserve includes protected areas, forest areas, and corridors for the conservation of wild elephants.This will cover the conservation of four wild species including tiger, Asian elephant, swamp deer, and one-horned rhinoceros. Key Points:

a)      The Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said that the move will help conserve transboundary migratory elephant populations.

b)      The reserve through implementing human-elephant conflict mitigation strategies will protect the villagers living in the Indo-Nepal border area of Uttar Pradesh.

c)       This will also be beneficial for the two tiger reserves by managing grassland and corridor maintenance.

d)      The TER is the third new elephant reserve that got approval in the past three months under Project Tiger. The other two TER are Lemru in Chattisgarh and Agasthymalai in Tamil Nadu.

 

3. Indian scientists develop first indigenous Overhauser Magnetometer: Indian scientists developed an indigenous Overhauser Magnetometer, one of the most accurate Magnetometers extensively used in all magnetic observatories around the world. The Overhauser Magnetometer will make way for reducing the cost of sampling, according to the Ministry of Science & Technology. The sensor installed at Alibag Magnetic Observatory (MO) can reduce dependence of India on commercial OVH Magnetometers for performing geomagnetic field measurements. Key Points:

a)      OVH Magnetometers are known for their higher accuracy, higher sensitivity, and efficient power consumption.

b)      The Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), an autonomous research institution under DST, has developed the Magnetometers.

c)       A team from IIG’s instrumentation division used various spectroscopic tools and theoretical simulations to understand the working.

d)      They also performed various control experiments which includes varying the sensor composition and examining the sensor’s performance.

e)      The examinations helped them to optimize the sensor parameters and its associated electronics.

 

4. “Delhi University – Celebrating 100 Glorious Years” authored by Hardeep Singh Puri: Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India (GOI), Hardeep Singh Puri has authored a new book titled “DELHI UNIVERSITY: Celebrating 100 Glorious Years”. The Book is Published by Rupa Publications India. Amitabh Bachchan, Indian Actor, has written the foreword of the book.

The essence of the book: Delhi University: Celebrating 100 Glorious Years is an eclectic collection of personal narratives and reflections of some of the University’s most distinguished alumni and faculty—Amitabh Bachchan, Kiren Rijiju, Dinesh Singh, Meenakshi Gopinath, Shashi Tharoor, Bibek Debroy, Imtiaz Ali, Raian Karanjawala, Sanjeev Sanyal, Arnab Goswami, Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, Lakshmi Puri, Namita Gokhale and Vijay Shekhar Sharma.

 

5. Zojila Day commemorated at Zojila War Memorial near Drass to celebrate action: Zojila Day was commemorated on 1st November, at Zojila War Memorial near Drass. Zojila Day is observed to celebrate the gallant action by Indian troops in ‘Operation Bison’ in 1948 which was launched on the icy heights of Zojila pass, the gateway to Ladakh. A solemn wreath-laying by Commander Drass and warriors of the Leh-based Fire and Fury Corps marks the commemoration of the day, to pay homage to the gallant Bravehearts, who have etched their names in history by liberating the Zojila pass from Pakistani Intruders.

Zojila day epitomizes the indomitable spirit of bravery and the ‘Never Say Die’ attitude of the Indian Army. This battle was also historic for the reason that tanks were used for the first time at such heights. Commander Drass Brigade, interacted with the soldiers on the occasion and called upon all ranks to continue to draw inspiration from the heroic deeds of our Bravehearts and always keep ‘Nation First‘ in their endeavors.

 

6. CSIR-NIScPR Celebrates “International Open Access Week-2022”: International Open Access Week is celebrated worldwide to create awareness about open-access scholarly publishing among researchers and publishers by CSIR-NIScPR. It is celebrated globally during the last full week of October. To highlight the different aspects and opportunities of the Open Access Publishing, different outreach activities are organized including talks, seminars, symposia, or the announcement of open-access mandates or other milestones in open access.

In the year 2022, The International Open Access Week, entered in its fifteenth year of celebration. International Open Access Week is organized by Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) in partnership with the Open Access Week Advisory Committee.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. WHO Releases First-Ever List of Fungal Infection, Flags Global Health Threat: The World Health Organisation (WHO) released the first-ever list of fungal infections — “priority pathogens”. The fungal priority pathogens list (FPPL) includes 19 fungi that represent the greatest threat to human health. The UN body warned that some strains are increasingly drug-resistant and are growing at an alarming rate. The WHO said that fungal infections are becoming increasingly resistant to treatment and can be dangerous to mankind due to a lack of focus, lack of surveillance, treatments and diagnostics.

Three Different Kinds Of Fungal Pathogens:

a)      The WHO FPPL is divided into three categories — critical, high and medium priority.

b)      These fungal pathogens are ranked in each priority category based on their impact on public health and/or emerging antifungal resistance risk.

c)       The critical group includes Candida auris, which is a highly drug-resistant fungi, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida albicans.

d)      The high priority group includes a number of other fungi from the Candida family as well as others such as Mucorales, a group containing “black fungus“, an infection which rose rapidly in seriously ill people, particularly in India, during Covid-19.

e)      The medium priority group lists a number of other fungi, including Coccidioides spp and Cryptococcus gattii.

 

2. India’s Per Capita Greenhouse Gas Emissions Below World Average: UNEP: A new report released by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in October 2022, according to the report At 2.4 CO2e (tonne carbon dioxide equivalent), India’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions were far below the world average (including land use, land-use change, and forestry) of 6.3 tCO2e in 2020. The “Emissions Gap Report 2022: The Closing Window” has been released ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27). The data reflected that the international community is still falling far from the Paris goals, which were proposed with the aim of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5° C in place. Important Highlights of the Report:

a)      The report said India remains far below the world average at 2.4 tCO2e. On average, least developed countries emit 2.3 tCO2e per capita annually.

b)      To achieve the Paris Agreement goals, the world needs to reduce greenhouse gases by unprecedented levels over the next eight years.

c)       One of the major factors in achieving this long-term temperature goal is to address the greenhouse gas emission rates from each country around the world.

d)      To meet the least-cost pathway to holding global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius, emissions must fall by 45% over those envisaged under current policies by 2030.

e)      Least developed countries contributed only 0.5% to historical CO2 fossil fuel and industry emissions between 1850 and 2019.

 

3. International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists: 2nd November: November 2nd has been observed as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI) since 2013. The day came into existence when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution in December 2013. The day draws attention to impunity, i.e., culprits going unpunished, to crimes against journalists. It took a couple of years of work and extensive lobbying from IFEX (formerly International Freedom of Expression Exchange) and others to get the Resolution for marking the day passed.

The main event to celebrate the 2022 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is a High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Conference on the Safety of Journalists with the theme “Protecting Media to Protect Democracy” in Vienna, Austria. This year’s slogan is Knowing the “Truth is Protecting the Truth”.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Akanksha Vyavahare creates three new national records at Khelo India weightlifting meet: Akanksha Vyavahare, who is a Maharashtra-based weightlifter has created three new national records in the 40kg weight category at the Khelo India National Ranking Women’s Weightlifting Tournament. Akanksha Vyavahare was also a part of the Target Olympics Podium Scheme and created records in snatch, clean and jerk, and total.  Key Points:

a)      Akanksha has improved her existing snatch national record by lifting 60kg.

b)      She recorded 71 kg in the clean jerk and the process registered a total lift of 131 kg.

c)       The opening ceremony of the Khelo India National Ranking Women’s Weightlifting Tournament was felicitated by Tokyo Olympics Silver medalist Mirabai Chanu.

d)      Mirabai Chanu won the gold medal in Phase 1 of the Khelo India Weightlifting Tournament in Himachal Pradesh.

 

2. FIFA World Cup: Spain won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Spain, defending champions won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup against the first-time finalists Colombia. Spain won the match after an own goal in the 82nd minute of the finals by Colombian defender Ana María Guzmán Zapata. The final match of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was played between Spain and Colombia in the Patil Sports Stadium. Spain won by 1-0 in the finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup against Colombia.

India was the host of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup this year and unfortunately team India was not able to clear the group stages after losing three matches.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Shiprocket Becomes first Inter-City Logistics Provider to Join ONDC Network: Shiprocket is the first inter-city logistics provider to plug into the ONDC network, enabling sellers from all segments to ship products to cities and towns across India. Shiprocket, a shipping and logistics solutions provider, has gone live on the government’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and made its first successful transaction on October 22.

Shiprocket, which serves more than 100,000 customers, will enable sellers from 24,000 pin codes to select delivery partners to ship products across India, through both cash-on-delivery and pre-paid options. About ONDC:

a)      The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is a government-backed project which is aimed at enabling small merchants and mom-and-pop stores in parts of the country to access processes and technologies that are typically deployed by large e-commerce platforms.

b)      It is an initiative aiming at promoting open networks for all aspects of the exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic networks.

c)       ONDC is to be based on open-sourced methodology, using open specifications and open network protocols independent of any specific platform.

d)      The foundations of ONDC are to be open protocols for all aspects of the entire chain of activities in exchange for goods and services.

e)      It will be similar to hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for information exchange over the internet, simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) for the exchange of emails, and unified payments interface (UPI) for payments.

 

2. Dabur acquires 51% stake in Badshah Masala for Rs 587.52 crore: Dabur India to acquire 51 percent stake in Badshah Masala in a Rs 587.52 crore deal. Dabur India marks its entry into the fast-growing spices and seasoning category. The company signed definitive transaction agreements to acquire 51 percent shareholding of Badshah Masala Pvt Ltd. Badshah Masala Pvt Ltd is a firm engaged in manufacturing, marketing, and export of ground spices, blended spices, and seasoning. The acquisition is in line with the company’s strategic intent of entering into new adjacent categories in the food space. Key Points:

a)      Dabur acquires 51 percent equity shareholding at Rs 587.52 crore.

b)      The 49 percent of the equity will be acquired after a period of 5 years by Dabur.

c)       Dabur India aspires to expand its food business to Rs 500 crore in 3 years and expand into new adjacent categories.

d)      This initiative also marks the entry of Dabur into the over Rs 25,000 crore branded spices and seasoning market in India.

e)      Dabur also joined the league of other FMCG markers such as Tata Consumer Products Ltd and ITC, Emami, etc.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Rajnath Singh virtually launches two helipads in Ladakh, unveils 75 infra projects: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched 75 new projects including the virtual launch of two helipads, one in Hanle and one in Thakung in Eastern Ladakh. These helipads are aimed to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force in the region.

Union minister dedicated the projects worth Rs 2,180 crore spread across six states and two Union Territories at a function held at eastern Ladakh’s strategic Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi (DS-DBO) road that provides connectivity to India’s northernmost outpost of Daulat Bege Oldi. Key Points:

a)      In the event, there was an onsite unveiling of 120-meter-long ‘Class-70 Shyok Setu’ on the DS-DBO road at an altitude of 14,000 feet and a virtual inauguration of two helipads.

b)      The 75 projects implemented by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) included 45 bridges, 27 roads, two helipads, and one ‘Carbon Neutral Habitat’.

c)       Twenty of the projects are in Jammu and Kashmir, 18 in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, five in Uttrakhand, and 14 in other border states of Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan.

d)      The BRO’s first Carbon Neutral Habitat at a height of 19,000 feet for its personnel was also inaugurated at Hanle.

e)      The Key features of this complex include the accommodation of 57 personnel and thermal comfort during extreme weather.

f)        The Defence Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Himank Air Despatch Complex being constructed in Chandigarh and a BRO museum at Leh.

 

2. India to Hold Mega ‘Yudh Abhyas’ Military Drill With US Near China Border: Indian and US militaries to conduct the battalion-level “Yudh Abhyas” exercise between 15th November 2022 to 2nd December 2022. The Yudh Abhyas will be held at Auli in Uttarakhand which from just 100 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The member countries of the “Quad” will conduct the Malabar exercise off Yokosuka in Japan between 8th November 2022 to 18th November 2022. The “Quad” member countries include India, Australia, Japan, and the US. The Quad has declared that it would “deter” any “coercion” in the Indo-Pacific. “Yudh Abhyas” will include high-altitude warfare drills. Key Points:

a)      In the Yudh Abhyas military drill around 350 soldiers from each country are expected to participate.

b)      The soldiers will witness the employment of integrated battle groups in mountains and extremely cold climates, along with heliborne elements in cold climates.

c)       In August, the US and Indian forces conducted the “Vajra Prahar” exercise at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh. The “Vajra Prahar” involved the special forces of the two countries.

d)      India to conduct the “Autra-Hind” infantry combat exercise at the Mahajan range in Rajasthan between 28th November 2022 to 11 December 2022.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Assam’s eminent artist Neel Pawan Baruah passes away: Assam’s eminent artist, Neel Pawan Baruah has passed away after a prolonged illness. He was 84. Baruah was born in Jorhat to Assam’s eminent poet Binanda Chandra Baruah, popularly called ‘Dhwani Kobi’, and Labanya Prava Baruah. An alumnus of Santiniketan’s Kala Bhawan, Baruah was a versatile artist with his oeuvre ranging from painting, pottery, mask-making and writing poetry.

Notably: In 2021, he was awarded the ‘Assam Sourabh’ award by the Government of Assam. Baruah was married to Dipali Borthakur, the ‘Nightingale of Assam’ who passed away on December 21, 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India to Contribute $500,000 For UN Trust Fund for Counter-Terrorism: India is going to contribute half a million dollars to the United Nations’ efforts to counter global terrorism at a time when new and emerging technologies used by terror groups are posing fresh threats to governments around the world, the foreign minister said. The announcement was made during the plenary session of the UN Security Council special meeting of the Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) in New Delhi. Keynote address of Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar:

a)      India will be making a voluntary contribution of half a million dollars to the UN Trust Fund for Counter Terrorism this year to augment the efforts of Office of Counter-Terrorism in providing capacity-building support to member states in preventing and countering the threat of terrorism.

b)      Internet and social media platforms have turned into potent instruments in the toolkit of terrorist and militant groups for spreading propaganda, radicalization and conspiracy theories aimed at destabilizing societies

c)       UN Security Council, in the past 2 decades, has evolved an important architecture built primarily around the Counter-Terrorism Sanctions Regime to combat this menace. This has been very effective in putting those countries on notice that had turned terrorism into a state-funded enterprise.

d)      Despite this, the threat of terrorism is only growing and expanding, particularly in Asia and Africa, as successive reports of the 1267 Sanctions Committee monitoring reports have highlighted.

 

2. Centre approves Terai Elephant Reserve in Uttar Pradesh: The Centre has approved the setting up of the Terai Elephant Reserve (TER) at Dudhwa-Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh. The Terai Elephant Reserve is the 3rd Elephant Reserve in India which is spread over 3,049 sq km. The Terai Elephant Reserve includes protected areas, forest areas, and corridors for the conservation of wild elephants.This will cover the conservation of four wild species including tiger, Asian elephant, swamp deer, and one-horned rhinoceros. Key Points:

a)      The Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said that the move will help conserve transboundary migratory elephant populations.

b)      The reserve through implementing human-elephant conflict mitigation strategies will protect the villagers living in the Indo-Nepal border area of Uttar Pradesh.

c)       This will also be beneficial for the two tiger reserves by managing grassland and corridor maintenance.

d)      The TER is the third new elephant reserve that got approval in the past three months under Project Tiger. The other two TER are Lemru in Chattisgarh and Agasthymalai in Tamil Nadu.

 

3. Indian scientists develop first indigenous Overhauser Magnetometer: Indian scientists developed an indigenous Overhauser Magnetometer, one of the most accurate Magnetometers extensively used in all magnetic observatories around the world. The Overhauser Magnetometer will make way for reducing the cost of sampling, according to the Ministry of Science & Technology. The sensor installed at Alibag Magnetic Observatory (MO) can reduce dependence of India on commercial OVH Magnetometers for performing geomagnetic field measurements. Key Points:

a)      OVH Magnetometers are known for their higher accuracy, higher sensitivity, and efficient power consumption.

b)      The Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), an autonomous research institution under DST, has developed the Magnetometers.

c)       A team from IIG’s instrumentation division used various spectroscopic tools and theoretical simulations to understand the working.

d)      They also performed various control experiments which includes varying the sensor composition and examining the sensor’s performance.

e)      The examinations helped them to optimize the sensor parameters and its associated electronics.

 

4. “Delhi University – Celebrating 100 Glorious Years” authored by Hardeep Singh Puri: Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India (GOI), Hardeep Singh Puri has authored a new book titled “DELHI UNIVERSITY: Celebrating 100 Glorious Years”. The Book is Published by Rupa Publications India. Amitabh Bachchan, Indian Actor, has written the foreword of the book.

The essence of the book: Delhi University: Celebrating 100 Glorious Years is an eclectic collection of personal narratives and reflections of some of the University’s most distinguished alumni and faculty—Amitabh Bachchan, Kiren Rijiju, Dinesh Singh, Meenakshi Gopinath, Shashi Tharoor, Bibek Debroy, Imtiaz Ali, Raian Karanjawala, Sanjeev Sanyal, Arnab Goswami, Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, Lakshmi Puri, Namita Gokhale and Vijay Shekhar Sharma.

 

5. Zojila Day commemorated at Zojila War Memorial near Drass to celebrate action: Zojila Day was commemorated on 1st November, at Zojila War Memorial near Drass. Zojila Day is observed to celebrate the gallant action by Indian troops in ‘Operation Bison’ in 1948 which was launched on the icy heights of Zojila pass, the gateway to Ladakh. A solemn wreath-laying by Commander Drass and warriors of the Leh-based Fire and Fury Corps marks the commemoration of the day, to pay homage to the gallant Bravehearts, who have etched their names in history by liberating the Zojila pass from Pakistani Intruders.

Zojila day epitomizes the indomitable spirit of bravery and the ‘Never Say Die’ attitude of the Indian Army. This battle was also historic for the reason that tanks were used for the first time at such heights. Commander Drass Brigade, interacted with the soldiers on the occasion and called upon all ranks to continue to draw inspiration from the heroic deeds of our Bravehearts and always keep ‘Nation First‘ in their endeavors.

 

6. CSIR-NIScPR Celebrates “International Open Access Week-2022”: International Open Access Week is celebrated worldwide to create awareness about open-access scholarly publishing among researchers and publishers by CSIR-NIScPR. It is celebrated globally during the last full week of October. To highlight the different aspects and opportunities of the Open Access Publishing, different outreach activities are organized including talks, seminars, symposia, or the announcement of open-access mandates or other milestones in open access.

In the year 2022, The International Open Access Week, entered in its fifteenth year of celebration. International Open Access Week is organized by Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) in partnership with the Open Access Week Advisory Committee.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. WHO Releases First-Ever List of Fungal Infection, Flags Global Health Threat: The World Health Organisation (WHO) released the first-ever list of fungal infections — “priority pathogens”. The fungal priority pathogens list (FPPL) includes 19 fungi that represent the greatest threat to human health. The UN body warned that some strains are increasingly drug-resistant and are growing at an alarming rate. The WHO said that fungal infections are becoming increasingly resistant to treatment and can be dangerous to mankind due to a lack of focus, lack of surveillance, treatments and diagnostics.

Three Different Kinds Of Fungal Pathogens:

a)      The WHO FPPL is divided into three categories — critical, high and medium priority.

b)      These fungal pathogens are ranked in each priority category based on their impact on public health and/or emerging antifungal resistance risk.

c)       The critical group includes Candida auris, which is a highly drug-resistant fungi, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida albicans.

d)      The high priority group includes a number of other fungi from the Candida family as well as others such as Mucorales, a group containing “black fungus“, an infection which rose rapidly in seriously ill people, particularly in India, during Covid-19.

e)      The medium priority group lists a number of other fungi, including Coccidioides spp and Cryptococcus gattii.

 

2. India’s Per Capita Greenhouse Gas Emissions Below World Average: UNEP: A new report released by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in October 2022, according to the report At 2.4 CO2e (tonne carbon dioxide equivalent), India’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions were far below the world average (including land use, land-use change, and forestry) of 6.3 tCO2e in 2020. The “Emissions Gap Report 2022: The Closing Window” has been released ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27). The data reflected that the international community is still falling far from the Paris goals, which were proposed with the aim of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5° C in place. Important Highlights of the Report:

a)      The report said India remains far below the world average at 2.4 tCO2e. On average, least developed countries emit 2.3 tCO2e per capita annually.

b)      To achieve the Paris Agreement goals, the world needs to reduce greenhouse gases by unprecedented levels over the next eight years.

c)       One of the major factors in achieving this long-term temperature goal is to address the greenhouse gas emission rates from each country around the world.

d)      To meet the least-cost pathway to holding global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius, emissions must fall by 45% over those envisaged under current policies by 2030.

e)      Least developed countries contributed only 0.5% to historical CO2 fossil fuel and industry emissions between 1850 and 2019.

 

3. International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists: 2nd November: November 2nd has been observed as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI) since 2013. The day came into existence when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution in December 2013. The day draws attention to impunity, i.e., culprits going unpunished, to crimes against journalists. It took a couple of years of work and extensive lobbying from IFEX (formerly International Freedom of Expression Exchange) and others to get the Resolution for marking the day passed.

The main event to celebrate the 2022 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is a High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Conference on the Safety of Journalists with the theme “Protecting Media to Protect Democracy” in Vienna, Austria. This year’s slogan is Knowing the “Truth is Protecting the Truth”.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Akanksha Vyavahare creates three new national records at Khelo India weightlifting meet: Akanksha Vyavahare, who is a Maharashtra-based weightlifter has created three new national records in the 40kg weight category at the Khelo India National Ranking Women’s Weightlifting Tournament. Akanksha Vyavahare was also a part of the Target Olympics Podium Scheme and created records in snatch, clean and jerk, and total.  Key Points:

a)      Akanksha has improved her existing snatch national record by lifting 60kg.

b)      She recorded 71 kg in the clean jerk and the process registered a total lift of 131 kg.

c)       The opening ceremony of the Khelo India National Ranking Women’s Weightlifting Tournament was felicitated by Tokyo Olympics Silver medalist Mirabai Chanu.

d)      Mirabai Chanu won the gold medal in Phase 1 of the Khelo India Weightlifting Tournament in Himachal Pradesh.

 

2. FIFA World Cup: Spain won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Spain, defending champions won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup against the first-time finalists Colombia. Spain won the match after an own goal in the 82nd minute of the finals by Colombian defender Ana María Guzmán Zapata. The final match of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was played between Spain and Colombia in the Patil Sports Stadium. Spain won by 1-0 in the finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup against Colombia.

India was the host of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup this year and unfortunately team India was not able to clear the group stages after losing three matches.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Shiprocket Becomes first Inter-City Logistics Provider to Join ONDC Network: Shiprocket is the first inter-city logistics provider to plug into the ONDC network, enabling sellers from all segments to ship products to cities and towns across India. Shiprocket, a shipping and logistics solutions provider, has gone live on the government’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and made its first successful transaction on October 22.

Shiprocket, which serves more than 100,000 customers, will enable sellers from 24,000 pin codes to select delivery partners to ship products across India, through both cash-on-delivery and pre-paid options. About ONDC:

a)      The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is a government-backed project which is aimed at enabling small merchants and mom-and-pop stores in parts of the country to access processes and technologies that are typically deployed by large e-commerce platforms.

b)      It is an initiative aiming at promoting open networks for all aspects of the exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic networks.

c)       ONDC is to be based on open-sourced methodology, using open specifications and open network protocols independent of any specific platform.

d)      The foundations of ONDC are to be open protocols for all aspects of the entire chain of activities in exchange for goods and services.

e)      It will be similar to hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for information exchange over the internet, simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) for the exchange of emails, and unified payments interface (UPI) for payments.

 

2. Dabur acquires 51% stake in Badshah Masala for Rs 587.52 crore: Dabur India to acquire 51 percent stake in Badshah Masala in a Rs 587.52 crore deal. Dabur India marks its entry into the fast-growing spices and seasoning category. The company signed definitive transaction agreements to acquire 51 percent shareholding of Badshah Masala Pvt Ltd. Badshah Masala Pvt Ltd is a firm engaged in manufacturing, marketing, and export of ground spices, blended spices, and seasoning. The acquisition is in line with the company’s strategic intent of entering into new adjacent categories in the food space. Key Points:

a)      Dabur acquires 51 percent equity shareholding at Rs 587.52 crore.

b)      The 49 percent of the equity will be acquired after a period of 5 years by Dabur.

c)       Dabur India aspires to expand its food business to Rs 500 crore in 3 years and expand into new adjacent categories.

d)      This initiative also marks the entry of Dabur into the over Rs 25,000 crore branded spices and seasoning market in India.

e)      Dabur also joined the league of other FMCG markers such as Tata Consumer Products Ltd and ITC, Emami, etc.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Rajnath Singh virtually launches two helipads in Ladakh, unveils 75 infra projects: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched 75 new projects including the virtual launch of two helipads, one in Hanle and one in Thakung in Eastern Ladakh. These helipads are aimed to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force in the region.

Union minister dedicated the projects worth Rs 2,180 crore spread across six states and two Union Territories at a function held at eastern Ladakh’s strategic Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi (DS-DBO) road that provides connectivity to India’s northernmost outpost of Daulat Bege Oldi. Key Points:

a)      In the event, there was an onsite unveiling of 120-meter-long ‘Class-70 Shyok Setu’ on the DS-DBO road at an altitude of 14,000 feet and a virtual inauguration of two helipads.

b)      The 75 projects implemented by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) included 45 bridges, 27 roads, two helipads, and one ‘Carbon Neutral Habitat’.

c)       Twenty of the projects are in Jammu and Kashmir, 18 in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, five in Uttrakhand, and 14 in other border states of Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan.

d)      The BRO’s first Carbon Neutral Habitat at a height of 19,000 feet for its personnel was also inaugurated at Hanle.

e)      The Key features of this complex include the accommodation of 57 personnel and thermal comfort during extreme weather.

f)        The Defence Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Himank Air Despatch Complex being constructed in Chandigarh and a BRO museum at Leh.

 

2. India to Hold Mega ‘Yudh Abhyas’ Military Drill With US Near China Border: Indian and US militaries to conduct the battalion-level “Yudh Abhyas” exercise between 15th November 2022 to 2nd December 2022. The Yudh Abhyas will be held at Auli in Uttarakhand which from just 100 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The member countries of the “Quad” will conduct the Malabar exercise off Yokosuka in Japan between 8th November 2022 to 18th November 2022. The “Quad” member countries include India, Australia, Japan, and the US. The Quad has declared that it would “deter” any “coercion” in the Indo-Pacific. “Yudh Abhyas” will include high-altitude warfare drills. Key Points:

a)      In the Yudh Abhyas military drill around 350 soldiers from each country are expected to participate.

b)      The soldiers will witness the employment of integrated battle groups in mountains and extremely cold climates, along with heliborne elements in cold climates.

c)       In August, the US and Indian forces conducted the “Vajra Prahar” exercise at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh. The “Vajra Prahar” involved the special forces of the two countries.

d)      India to conduct the “Autra-Hind” infantry combat exercise at the Mahajan range in Rajasthan between 28th November 2022 to 11 December 2022.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Assam’s eminent artist Neel Pawan Baruah passes away: Assam’s eminent artist, Neel Pawan Baruah has passed away after a prolonged illness. He was 84. Baruah was born in Jorhat to Assam’s eminent poet Binanda Chandra Baruah, popularly called ‘Dhwani Kobi’, and Labanya Prava Baruah. An alumnus of Santiniketan’s Kala Bhawan, Baruah was a versatile artist with his oeuvre ranging from painting, pottery, mask-making and writing poetry.

Notably: In 2021, he was awarded the ‘Assam Sourabh’ award by the Government of Assam. Baruah was married to Dipali Borthakur, the ‘Nightingale of Assam’ who passed away on 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 1st Nov, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. New IIFT campus inaugurated by Nirmala Sitharaman in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh: Nirmala Sitharaman, the nation’s finance minister, officially opened the third campus of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) -K campus in Kakinada. She outlined the significance of the IIFT campus for the development of the country. She stressed the value of IIFT in terms of research and policy development for the growth of the Ministry of Commerce. Key Points:

a)      For the construction of the IIFT permanent campus, the state government has allocated 25 acres of land at U. Kothapalli Mandal, which is close to the sea coast in the Kakinada Special Economic Zone (KSEZ).

b)      The Ministry of Commerce and Industry received a proposal from the IIFT authorities for a grant of Rs. 229 crore, and the sanction order is anxiously anticipated.

c)       There were representatives from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs Piyush Goyal (the Union minister), MPs, Ministers, MLAs, and other government bodies.

 

2. Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena launched property tax amnesty scheme SAMRIDDHI: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has launched a one-time property tax amnesty scheme “SAMRIDDHI 2022-23”, which will provide a major relief to lakhs of residential and commercial property owners in the city. SAMRIDDHI, an acronym for Strengthening and Augmentation of Municipal Revenue for Infrastructure Development in Delhi, will end on March 31, 2023, with no further extensions. SAMRIDDHI 2022-23:

a)      The scheme aims at solving thousands of pending court cases since the unit area method for property tax calculation came into existence from 2004.

b)      The scheme will benefit both the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the city’s residents.

c)       Under this scheme, the residential properties will have to pay tax for 1+5 years (the ongoing financial year and last five years), while the commercial properties will be able to pay taxes for 1+6 years (current year + last 6 years).

d)      After this payment, there will be no liability of the taxpayer. This payment can be scrutinised for one year, after which the matter will be settled. The tax will be used for developing roads, parks and schools.

Under The Scheme:

a)      Those who opt to participate in the SAMRIDDHI scheme will have to pay only the principal amounts for the current financial year, and 2017-18 to 2021-22 (residential units) or 2016-17 to 2021-22 (commercial units), following which 100% of the interest and penalty on the outstanding tax amount will be exempted and all dues prior to 2016-17 will be waived off.

b)      The amnesty scheme will also cover cases involving dishonoured cheques, including cases where the bank account and property have been attached, as well as those cases pending under litigation in courts.

c)       The MCD clarified that cases, where the principal, interest and penalty has already been paid before the launch of the scheme, will not be reassessed and reopened.

 

3. Kerala tourism department launched ‘women-friendly tourism’ project: The Kerala state tourism department has launched a ‘Women-Friendly Tourism’ project to ensure safe and hygienic destinations for women. The all-women tour packages, which include food, accommodation, transportation and community guides, will be controlled and operated by women. Launching the state Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission’s initiative, Tourism Minister Mohamed Riyas said Kerala already enjoys the reputation as the safest destination for women tourists. Key Points:

a)      Delivering the keynote address, UN Women India Deputy Representative Kanta Singh said creating a safe, reliable and hygienic infrastructure that addresses the needs of women is vital while implementing the project.

b)      UN Women will sign an MoU with RT Mission regarding gender-inclusive tourism, she said. Through the project, RT Mission aims to create a network of women’s units and tourism centres manned by women. The project will also ensure that tourism destinations in the state are fulfilling the needs of women tourists.

c)       As part of taking the initiative to all districts, RT Mission will provide training to selected women to work as tour coordinators, storytellers, community tour leaders, auto/taxi drivers (guest handling), homestay operators and in various other sectors like souvenir creation. All basic infrastructure will be made available for the project, which will have a monthly evaluation process, led by the tourism minister.

Note: Kerala Capital: Thiruvananthapuram; Kerala Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan; Kerala Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan.

 

4. Viswas Swaroopam, a Shiva statue, installed in the Rajasthani town, Nathdwara: In the presence of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Assembly Speaker CP Joshi, and others, preacher Morari Bapu officially unveiled Viswas Swaroopam, what is said to be the highest Shiva statue in the entire world. A 369-foot-tall Shiva statue called “Viswas Swaroopam” has been built in Nathdwara, Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district. Viswas Swaroopam, The Shiva statue:

a)      The Viswas Swaroopam statue was built by Tat Padam Sansthan and is located 45 kilometres from Udaipur.

b)      The Viswas Swaroopam monument, which is positioned on a mountaintop over a region of 51 bighas and is designed in a meditative pose, is believed to be visible from 20 kilometres away.

c)       According to Jaiprakash Mali, the program’s spokeswoman, the statue has been illuminated with special lights so that it can be seen clearly at night as well.

d)      Its construction, which took ten years to complete, involved the usage of three thousand tonnes of steel, iron, concrete, and sand, as well as 2.5 lakh cubic tonnes of concrete.

e)      According to Mr. Mali, the Viswas Swaroopam statue was built to last 250 years and can withstand winds of up to 250 kmph.

 

5. Central Vigilance Awareness Week: 31st October to 6th November 2022: Central Vigilance Commission observes Vigilance Awareness Week during the week in which 31st of October, the birthday of the late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel falls. This year, Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed from 31st October to 6th November 2022 with the following theme: “Corruption-free India for a developed Nation”.

About the Vigilance Awareness Week: In course of observance of Vigilance Awareness Week, public meetings will be held at district and block levels involving the students, youth, academics, serving and retired Govt. officials, Self Help Groups, NGOs and members of civil society in order to raise public awareness against perils of corruption and enlist the support of all the stakeholders in the anti-corruption campaign. Further, debate, quiz, cartoon, slogans, painting, rangoli & poster competitions on anti-corruption theme amongst the school and college students have been planned. Public rallies, walkathon and marathon etc. involving students and different sections of society will also be organised at different places to raise awareness.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi appointed as Chair of C20: Spiritual leader Mata, Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) has been appointed the Chair of the country’s Civil 20 (C20), an official engagement group of the Group of 20 (G20), by the union government. The G20 is the premier inter-governmental forum for the world’s developed and emerging economies to address financial stability on a global basis. The C20 is its platform for civil society organisations (CSOs) to bring forth non-government and non-business voices to the G20 leaders.

India will assume the Presidency of the G20 for one year from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023. The pinnacle of events is September 9-10, 2023 when the G20 Leaders’ Summit will take place in New Delhi at the level of Heads of State and Government, it said. But in advance, India will host more than 200 meetings across the country, an endeavour that involves intense work by ministerial meetings, working groups, and engagement groups.

 

2. World Vegan Day: 1st November: World Vegan Day is celebrated every year on November 1 to encourage people to follow the vegan lifestyle and spread awareness about veganism. The day is dedicated to the practice of abstaining from use of animal products and exploitation of animals. All across the world, World Vegan Day is celebrated a day after Halloween. Halloween falls on October 31, and a day after is celebrated as World Vegan Day to advocate the benefits of avoiding and banning the exploitation of animals, extending our love and care to other species and the natural environment. According to World Vegan Day, this year’s theme will be based on the animal rights-focused campaign ‘Future Normal’.

World Vegan Day History: World Vegan Day originated in England in 1994, when vegan animal rights activist Louise Wallis established the day to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vegan Society. As the President of the Vegan Society, she emphasised the continued existence of a vegan association and draw attention to the fact that the word ‘vegan’ had found its way into the English language that year. Since then, November 1, 1994, has been celebrated as the World Vegan Day providing an opportunity for all vegans around the world to celebrate and promote veganism with all its positive aspects.

Note: Vegan Society Founded: November 1944; Vegan Society Founders: Donald Watson, Elsie Shrigley.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India defeats Australia to win third Sultan of Johor Cup: Indian junior men’s hockey team defeated Australia to win the Sultan of Johor Cup 2022 in a shootout 5-4 after a 1-1 draw at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. This is the third time India has won the Sultan of Johor Cup. India scored the first goal with Sudeep Chirmako’s field goal in the 14th minute. However, Australia came back in the second quarter as Jack Holland equalised with India.

In the shootout, both teams ended with 3-3 scoreline, forcing the match into sudden death. Uttam Singh scored twice in the shootout, including in sudden death, while Vishnukant Singh, Ankit Pal, Sudeep Chirmako also sounded the board for India. For Australia, Burns Cooper, Foster Brodee, Brooks Joshua and Hart Liam entered their names on the scoresheet.

Notably: The Indians have won the age group tournament twice in 2013 and 2014 and finished second best four times in 2012, 2015, 2018 and the last edition of the event in 2019. The tournament was not held in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI Revokes Authorisation Certificate of Chennai-Based GI Technology: The Reserve Bank has revoked certificate of authorisation of Chennai-based GI Technology Private Limited over governance concerns in the company. The company is in business of issuance and operation of prepaid payment instruments. Key Points:

a)      Governance concerns and non-compliance with regulatory requirements” are the reasons for revocation of Certificate of Authorisation (CoA), the central bank said in a statement.

b)      Following the revocation of the CoA, GI Technology cannot transact the business of issuance and operation of prepaid payment instruments, it said.

c)       However, customers or merchants having a valid claim, if any, on the company as PSO, can approach the company for settlement of their claims, the Reserve Bank added.

d)      The Reserve Bank of India, in the exercise of the powers conferred on it under Section 8 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, has revoked the Certificate of Authorisation (CoA) of the Chennai-based GI Technology Private Limited over governance concerns in the company.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. India’s forex reserves hit a new low, RBI forced to spend $118 billion to defend INR: For the week ending October 14, India’s foreign exchange reserves (Forex Reserves) further declined to a level not seen in more than two years as the country’s central bank, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) continued to defend the rupee’s decline while disregarding the serious threat posed by dwindling foreign exchange reserves. Key Points:

a)      According to information made public by the Reserve Bank of India, the third largest economy in Asia’s foreign exchange reserves decreased by $3.85 billion to $524.52 billion for the week ending October 21.

b)      The spot foreign exchange reserves have decreased from their peak of $642.45 billion on September 3 of last year, which set a record, and from a low of $607 billion at the end of March.

c)       The currency reserves have now run out for 11 of the last 12 weeks. For the week ending October 7, when increases in gold reserves had increased the forex reserves by merely $204 million, it was the only time it was fortunate.

d)      For the week ending October 14, foreign exchange reserves were at $528.37 billion, its lowest level since July 2020.

 

2. Zee-Sony merger: Groups agree to sell 3 Hindi channels to address anti-competition concerns: Sony and Zee media groups have voluntarily agreed to sell their three Hindi Channels- Big Magic, Zee Action, and Zee Classic to address possible anti-competition concerns arising out of their proposed mega-merger deal. Sony and Zee have submitted their proposals to the Competition Commission of India (CCI). They have issued a 58-page long detailed order which informs that the two groups have agreed to divest Big Magic, which is a Hindi general entertainment channel, as well as Zee Action and Zee Classic. Key Points:

a)      The two media groups, Sony and Zee, have voluntarily agreed to the modification to the proposed deals after CCI’s prima-facie opinion.

b)      Deals beyond a certain threshold compulsory require the approval of CCI, which seeks to ensure fair competition in the marketplace.

c)       CCI cleared the proposed Sony-Zee merger deal, which was announced in September.

d)      The regulator has also mandated various requirements to be fulfilled by the purchaser concerned before buying the three channels.

e)      One condition is that the purchaser should not be “Star India Private Limited or Viacom18 Media Private Limited”.

f)        The purchaser should be independent of and with no connections to whatsoever with the resultant entity and its affiliates. It should not be either a past or present employee or director as per the order.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. RRR won best International Film at Saturn Awards 2022: The ace filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s, which recently hit the screens in Japan, has won its first major international honour. The biggie won the ‘Best International Film’ honour at the Saturn Awards 2022, which were held in Los Angeles. RRR is a period drama which features Jr NTR and Ram Charan as the parallel leads. RRR, which grossed nearly Rs 1,200 crore at the worldwide box office, has bagged its first major international honour. RRR beat titles like Downton Abbey: A New Era, Eiffel, I’m Your Man, Riders of Justice, and Silent Night to take home the award for the best international film at the 2022 awards.

About the Saturn Awards: Saturn Awards are presented by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, awarding films in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and other genres belonging to genre fiction in films, TV, as well as streaming. The Saturn Awards were created in 1973 and were originally referred to as Golden Scrolls.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Navy Participates in Maiden Trilateral Exercise with Mozambique and Tanzania: The Defence Ministry has informed that the first edition of the India-Mozambique-Tanzania Trilateral Exercise commenced at Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania on 27th October 2022. The Indian Navy has participated in the Maiden Trilateral Exercise with Mozambique and Tanzania. Indian Navy is represented by the guided missile frigate, INS Tarkash, a Chetak Helicopter, and MARCOS. Key Points

a)      The exercise has three main objectives including capability development to address common threats through training and sharing of best practices, Enhancing interoperability, and strengthening maritime cooperation.

b)      The exercise has been held till 29th October 2022 which also includes the Harbour and sea phases.

c)       In the harbor phase, various capacity-building activities are involved which include visit, board, search, and seizure.

d)      Small arms training, joint diving operations, damage control and fire fighting exercises, and cross-deck visits are scheduled in the capacity building activities.

e)      The sea phase includes boat operations, fleet maneuvers, visit, board, search, and seizure operations, helicopter operations, small arms firing, formation anchoring, and EEZ patrols.