Daily GK Update- 26th Nov, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Saffron of Kishtwar district receives GI tag from Geographical Indications Registry: Jammu and Kashmir, the Saffron of the mountainous Kishtwar district, which is cultivated and harvested in the higher reaches, has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry. The spice is grown in some parts of the Kishtwar region of Jammu, along with parts of Kashmir.

 

2. Uttar Pradesh Govt Declares November 25 As ‘No Non-Veg Day’: The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has designated November 25 as a “No Non-Veg Day“. The decision is aimed at honouring the birth anniversary of spiritual leader Sadhu TL Vaswani and entails the closure of all slaughterhouses and meat shops across the state.

 

3. FICCI appoints Anish Shah as next president: Anish Shah, the managing director and CEO of the Mahindra Group, has been appointed as president-elect of industry body FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry). Shah is currently the senior vice president of FICCI. He will succeed Subhrakant Panda as president of the apex chamber at the conclusion of the 96th Annual General Meeting to be held on December 8-9, 2023 in New Delhi.

 

4. Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2023 Report: The Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2023 report, released by Union Minister Parshottam Rupala, highlights substantial growth in milk, egg, and meat production in India during the fiscal year 2022-23. The report, based on the Animal Integrated Sample Survey conducted between ..

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. November 26: World Sustainable Transport Day 2023: The United Nations General Assembly, in a decisive move towards fostering sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation, has designated November 26 as World Sustainable Transport Day. World Sustainable Transport Day 2023 focuses on the theme “Sustainable transport, sustainable development”.

 

2. Union Minister Inaugurates International Seminar in Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, kicked off the two-day ‘International Seminar on Santha Kavi Bhima Bhoi and the Legacy of Mahima Cult’ in Bhubaneswar today. The event, organized by a collaboration between the ..

 

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Historic Tejas Jet Flight: Prime Minister Narendra Modi achieved a historic milestone recently as he completed a sortie in the supersonic multirole fighter jet Tejas. This makes him the first head of government to undertake such a feat, marking a significant moment for India’s ..

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. The Hidden Costs of Extreme Weather: Long-Term Impact on Economies: A recent study sheds light on the long-term economic consequences of extreme weather events, particularly tropical cyclones, and their impact on the social cost of carbon. The social cost of carbon is a crucial metric in shaping climate policies, estimating ..

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. ADB approves $500 M in loan for healthcare, medical education in Maharashtra: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500 million loan to enhance the quality and affordability of tertiary health care and medical education in Maharashtra. “ADB has been working with the state government of Maharashtra to achieve its vision of providing affordable and accessible tertiary health care to all by 2030 and strengthen a cadre of quality and professional medical practitioners.

Daily GK Update- 25th Nov, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Meghalaya’s launches ‘Water Smart Kid Campaign’ to foster water conservation awareness among young minds: With the aim to sensitizing the young minds on the importance of water conservation, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday launched the ‘Meghalaya Water Smart Kid Campaign’. The campaign is an initiative under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to create awareness about water conservation amongst the children.

 

2. Rahul Gandhi Faces Election Commission Notice for “Panauti” Remark:The Election Commission (EC) recently issued a showcause notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to him as a “pickpocket” and a “panauti.” These remarks were made during election rallies in Rajasthan. ..

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. November 26: World Sustainable Transport Day 2023: The United Nations General Assembly, in a decisive move towards fostering sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation, has designated November 26 as World Sustainable Transport Day. World Sustainable Transport Day 2023 focuses on the theme “Sustainable transport, sustainable development”.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1.India- Nepal Joint Military Exercise Surya Kiran- Xvii Commences At Pithoragarh: The Nepal Army contingent comprising of 334 personnel arrived in India to participate in 17th edition of Joint Military Exercise SURYA KIRAN. The exercise will be conducted in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand from 24th November to 07th December 2023. It is an annual event and conducted alternatively in the two countries. Aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare, counter terrorism operations in mountainous terrain and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief under United Nations Charter on peace keeping operations.

 

2. Indian Navy and DRDO Achieve Milestone in Indigenous Naval Anti-Ship Missile Trials:In a significant stride towards self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta), the Indian Navy, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has successfully conducted Guided Flight Trials of the first indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile. The milestone achievement occurred from a

 

3. Ten New Trilobite Species Unearthed in Thailand: Researchers have made a significant discovery in Thailand, unearthing ten new species of trilobites, extinct arthropods that provide valuable insights into the Earth’s geological history spanning 490 million years. These fossils, hidden in a little-studied part of Thailand, could serve

 

SPORTS

 

1. Max Verstappen Won Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Max Verstappen concluded his exceptional season with a comfortable victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, securing his 19th win of the campaign and 54th overall. This accomplishment propels him to third place on the all-time list of Formula One champions.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. High-Energy Particle “Amaterasu”: Astronomers have made a puzzling discovery, detecting a rare and incredibly high-energy particle named Amaterasu falling to Earth. This mysterious particle, named after the Japanese sun goddess, is causing confusion as it appears to originate from an apparently empty region ..

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. ADB unleashes USD 170 million wave to transform Kochi’s water landscape: Asian Development Bank (ADB) has given the nod to a USD 170 million loan aimed at modernizing water supply services in Kochi, a bustling city in the southern Indian state of Kerala. According to ADB, this move is expected to play a pivotal role in elevating urban living standards, ensuring clean water access, and bolstering climate resilience.

 

2. Bandhan Bank Board Approves Reappointment Of Chandra Shekhar Ghosh As MD & CEO: The board of directors at Bandhan Bank has given the green light for the reappointment of Chandra Shekhar Ghosh as the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD&CEO). The Kolkata-based private sector lender has extended Ghosh’s tenure for a period of three years. The current term is set to expire on July 09, 2024.

Daily GK Update- 24th Nov, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Kerala’s Responsible Tourism makes it to UNWTO list: Kerala’s Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission has made it to the Global List of Case Studies of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), earning yet another laurel for the State’s innovative programme for grassroots development. The UNWTO cited that Kerala Tourism has succeeded in upholding the world body’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while promoting the travel industry in the State. Kerala has been cited for employing local resources and products while boosting RT destinations, thus finding resources to implement its objectives towards realising the SDGs.

 

2. Meghalaya’s launches ‘Water Smart Kid Campaign’ to foster water conservation awareness among young minds: With the aim to sensitizing the young minds on the importance of water conservation, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday launched the ‘Meghalaya Water Smart Kid Campaign’. The campaign is an initiative under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to create awareness about water conservation amongst the children.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Geert Wilders New PM of Dutch: Geert Wilders, leader of the Freedom Party (PVV), secured a landmark win in the recent Dutch elections, signaling a growing shift towards far-right ideologies in Europe. Wilders, known for his anti-immigration stance and admiration for leaders like Donald Trump and Viktor Orban, is eyeing the position of the Netherlands’ next prime minister.

 

2. 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. 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.

 

3. 25 November-International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women 2023: November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a pivotal day designated by the United Nations to raise awareness and address the global issue of violence faced by women. Theme-“UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.”

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Navy deploys INS Sumedha in Mozambique to boost interoperability: Under the ongoing extended operational deployment to Africa, the Indian naval ship Sumedha reached Maputo, Mozambique on November 21. Aims-“The port call is aimed at strengthening long-standing diplomatic relations, reinforce maritime co-operation and boost interoperability between both the navies. Professional interactions, cross-deck visits, planning conferences and joint EEZ surveillance from November 23-25, 2023 are scheduled during the visit.”

 

SPORTS

 

1. Anahat Singh Becomes Second Youngest To Win National Squash Championship Title: 15-year-old Anahat Singh scripted history by becoming the second youngest title winner in the history of Senior National Squash Championships. The young prodigy faced off against Tanvi Khanna in the final, where Khanna was unfortunately forced to retire midway through the match due to a knee injury. Anahat’s victory marked a historic moment, as she triumphed against her opponent who is 12 years her senior.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI Imposes Fine Of ₹10.34 Crore On BoB, Citibank, And IOB: The Reserve Bank of India, on 24 November, took stringent measures against Citibank, Bank of Baroda, and Indian Overseas Bank, imposing penalties totaling ₹10.34 crore. Indian Overseas Bank bore the brunt of a ₹1 crore penalty for non-compliance with specific directions issued by the RBI on ‘loans and advances – statutory and other restrictions.’ Citibank, a major player in the banking sector, faced a hefty penalty of ₹5 crore for failing to comply with various directives. Bank of Baroda found itself in the regulatory crosshairs as the RBI imposed a penalty of ₹4.34 crore.

 

2. ADB unleashes USD 170 million wave to transform Kochi’s water landscape: Asian Development Bank (ADB) has given the nod to a USD 170 million loan aimed at modernizing water supply services in Kochi, a bustling city in the southern Indian state of Kerala. According to ADB, this move is expected to play a pivotal role in elevating urban living standards, ensuring clean water access, and bolstering climate resilience.

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.