Current Affairs 25 November 2023

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Highlights of President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Odisha & Andhra Pradesh from November 20 to 22, 2023Droupadi Murmu, President of India, was on an official visit to Odisha and Andhra Pradesh (AP) from November 20 to 22, 2023.
Highlights of her visit:
i.President Droupadi Murmu along with Arjun Munda, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs (MoTA) inaugurated the new Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) campus at Kuliana, Mayurbhanj (Odisha).
ii.She flagged off 3 new trains from Badampahar railway station in Mayurbhanj, Odisha.
iii.She launched the Education Campaign titled “New Education for New India” of Brahma Kumaris in Sambalpur, Odisha.
iv.She graced the Convocation of  Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Odisha & Sri Sathya Sai Institute, AP
About Odisha: 
Chief Minister(CM)– Naveen Patnaik
Governor– Raghubar Das
Capital– Bhubneswar
National Park– Simlipal National Park, Bhitarkanika Nationl Park
>> Read Full News

DoSJE Signs MOU with ISKCON for Nasha Mukt Bharat AbhiyaanThe Department of Social Justice and Empowerment(DoSJE), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment(MoSJE), and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) to synergize efforts in combating drug abuse and building a healthier, addiction-free nation.
Note: The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is the Nodal agency for Drug Demand Reduction.
Key People:
The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of MSJE, Senior Officers of the Department; Sundar Gopal Das, Chairman of ISKCON India Youth Council (IIYC); and other members and devotees of the ISKCON at the Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, Delhi.
Key Points:
i.This collaboration would help in spreading the message of NMBA among the youth, women, students, etc.
ii.The partnership with religious/spiritual organisation will boost the efforst towards achieving drug-sensitized India.
iii.Under this partnership, ISKCON will publicize NMBA campaign at all their meetings and gatherings.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA):
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), launched on August 15, 2020 by MoSJE, is a campaign to reduce substance abuse in India. It extends efforts beyond educational institutions to reach and engage communities.
Aim: To create awareness about the ill effects of substance abuse among the youth with a special focus on higher education institutions, and schools.
National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR):
i.In an effort to combat drug demand, the MoSJE in India has implemented the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
ii.This comprehensive program serves as an umbrella scheme, extending financial assistance to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.

Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff & CSIR ink MoU on joint R&D in Defence Technology
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS ), and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in New Delhi, Delhi.
i.The MoU aims to provide a framework for initiating collaborative interaction between CSIR Labs, HQ IDS, and Armed Forces(Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force).
ii.The partnership focuses on

• Enhancing scientific understanding of defense-related technologies
• Developing dual-use technologies related to defense.
• Undertaking joint research and development in dual-use technologies

Note:   The MoU was signed by Lieutenant General JP Mathew, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), Ministry of Defence (MoD) and  N Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR & Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST).

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Indian Armed Forces Participates in Exercise “AUSTRAHIND-23” in Australia The Indian Armed Forces takes part in the 2nd edition of the Joint Military Exercise with Australian Army in “AUSTRAHIND-23,” it is being held from November 22nd to December 6th, 2023, in Perth, Australia.

• Exercise “AUSTRAHIND” is an annual exercise that will be held alternatively in India and Australia.
• The 1st edition of the “AUSTRAHIND’ was held in 2022 in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (MFFR) in Mahajan, Rajasthan.

Participants:
i.Indian contingent includes 60 personnel from a Battalion of the Gorkha Rifles regiment of the Indian Army, One officer from the Indian Navy(IN), and 20 personnel from the Indian Air Force(IAF).
ii.The Australian contingent includes 60 personnel from the 13th Brigade of the Australian Army, 20 personnel each from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force.
Key Points:
i.The aim of the exercise is to strengthen collaborative partnerships and share best practices between the two sides.
ii.The exercise promotes inter-operability while undertaking multi-domain operations in Urban and Semi-Urban terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations(UN) on peacekeeping operations.
iii. Both the Indian and the Australian forces undergo the following training together

• Sniper firing
• Rehearsals for Casualty management and evacuation procedures
• Operate surveillance and communication equipment to achieve a high degree of situational awareness.

Additional Info:
During the second India-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue on November 20, 2023, in Delhi, India, Australia has invited India to participate in its largest multinational biennial exercise, “Talisman Sabre,” in 2025, while Australia will participate in India’s multilateral air combat exercise, “Tarang Shakti,” in 2024.

UAE Inaugurates Al Dhafra Solar PV project, World’s Largest Single-Site Solar Power Plant
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s state-owned Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) has inaugurated the world’s largest single-site solar power plant, “2 GigaWatt(GW) Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic(PV) Independent Power Project (IPP)” in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

• Al Dhafra Solar PV project was unveiled by Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
• With this solar power production capacity will increase to 3.2GW.
• This plant will power almost 200,000 homes and eliminate over 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

The project was co-developed by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company(TAQA), French power company EDF Renewables and Chinese solar developer JinkoPower along with procurer Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).

• TAQA owns 40% of the project while, Masdar, EDF Renewables and Jinko Power, own a 20% stake each.

Note: The plant was unveiled ahead of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28), which is set to be hosted by UAE from 30 November to 12 December 2023.

BANKING & FINANCE

ADB Approves USD 500 mn loan for Healthcare, Medical Education in Maharashtra On November 23, 2023, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a loan package of USD500 million for Maharashtra Tertiary Care and Medical Education Sector Development Program which envisages to improve access to quality and affordable tertiary health care and medical education in Maharashtra.

• The program aims to develop tertiary care and medical education infrastructure using the sector development program (SDP) modality. It will also focus on quality improvement of this sector.

L&T Finance signs financing pact with ADB for USD 125 million
Mumbai, Maharashtra based L&T Finance Limited(LFT), a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) and a subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T),signed a USD125 million financing pact with ADB to support financing in rural and peri-urban areas of India, especially for women borrowers.
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
President – Masatsugu Asakawa
Headquarters– Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines
Establishment-1966
Members – 68
>> Read Full News

World Bank & The Global Fund Signed MoU to Tackle the Impact of Climate Change on HealthOn November 22, 2023, a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)   was signed between the World Bank (WB) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS(Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), Tuberculosis(TB), and Malaria (the Global Fund) to improve their collaboration on climate change’s impact on health.
Aim:
To support more efficient, effective, and sustainable financing to improve health outcomes in the face of climate change.
What will be done under the MoU?
i.Reduce the burden of malaria, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection(HIV)/AIDS, and TB.
ii.Improve access to primary healthcare services for vulnerable populations
iii.Make better use of domestic and international health resources
iv.Improve public finance management in countries
v.Use various financing modalities including joint investments and blended finance, and collaborate on joint investments.
vi.They will localize health supply chains by supporting sustainable manufacturing in Africa and low- and middle-income countries.
Key Points:
i.As per WB estimates,  132 million people may be forced into extreme poverty by 2030 due to climate change; one-third will have climate-related health risks, affecting the poorest and most vulnerable people.
ii.Both organizations will also  strengthening the regional production and procurement of health supplies, including drugs and medical devices.
iii.Since 2017, their collaborative blended finance transactions in countries such as India, Indonesia, Haiti, and The Gambia have boosted funding for TB care, improved case detection, increased treatment coverage, and strengthened disease surveillance, enhancing overall health systems.
About The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund):
Executive Director– Peter Sands
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland

HSBC India & UK Export Finance Tie Up for 100 mn Pound Financing Program
The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, India (HSBC India) have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with UK Export Finance (UKEF),  the United Kingdom (UK)’s export credit agency, to establish a financing programme of up to 100 million pound.

• This programme will support Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and corporates for financing their imports from UK.
• HSBC India and UKEF will collaborate to originate, structure, and extend financing and credit facilities for Indian MSMEs.
• The Program also supports corporates in financing their imports from the UK, which boosts trade ties between the two countries.

UKEF offers guarantee-backed structures, which are financial instruments that can help businesses reduce their risk when exporting goods and services to overseas markets.
About HSBC India:
CEO– Hitendra Dave
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established in -1853

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Amazon & DGFT Signed MoU to Leverage Districts as Export Hubs Initiative & Boost MSME Exports From IndiaAmazon India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India to enable Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and boost e-commerce exports from India.

• The collaboration aims to enable MSMEs to sell their ‘Made in India’ products to Amazon customers in over 200 countries.
• The partnership aligns with the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, which identifies e-commerce as a focus area for amplifying India’s exports.

Key People:
The MoU was signed in the presence of Santosh Sarangi, Additional Secretary and Director General of DGFT; Chetan Krishnaswamy, Vice President of Public Policy, Amazon; and Bhupen Wakankar, Director of Global Trade, Amazon India.
Key Points:
i.Under this MoU, Amazon, and DGFT will co-create capacity-building sessions, training, and workshops in collaboration with DGFT- Regional Authorities in a phased manner for MSMEs across 75 districts.

• The 75 districts were identified by the DGFT as part of the “Districts as Exports Hub” initiative outlined in the Foreign Trade Policy 2023.

ii.Amazon will facilitate access to third-party service providers that engage MSMEs to avail services like product imaging, digital cataloging, tax advisory, and more.
Districts as Export Hubs initiative:
i.The initiative focuses on boosting manufacturing and exports in urban areas while stimulating economic activity in rural districts.
ii.It aims to link local producers even in remote areas, with global supply chains.
Amazon & WBIDC Signed an MoU to Boost Exports from West Bengal
Amazon India and the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) signed a MoU to enable MSMEs and boost e-commerce exports from West Bengal(WB) during the 7th edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS).

• This collaboration aligns with the vision of the “District as Exports Hub initiative” under the Foreign Trade Policy.
• It focuses on establishing dedicated e-commerce export hubs in key districts across West Bengal.

Key People:
The MoU was signed in the presence of Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister (CM) of WB; Vandana Yadav, Principal Secretary, Industry, Commerce and Enterprises, Govt of WB and Amazon leaders.
Key Points:
i.As part of this MoU, Amazon, and WBIDC will co-create capacity-building sessions, training, and workshops for thousands of MSMEs across West Bengal including Kolkata, North 24 Paraganas, South 24 Paraganas, Howrah, and Hooghly amongst others.

• Amazon will organize awareness sessions and conduct capacity-building workshops for MSMEs in these e-commerce export hubs.

ii.Under this MoU, Amazon will play a pivotal role in training and onboarding local talent, fostering West Bengal’s participation in the global marketplace.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

REC Honoured With ‘Best Employer In Diversity & Inclusion’ Award By ASSOCHAM
REC Limited (Formerly Rural Electrification Corporation Limited) received the “Best Employer for Policies in Diversity & Inclusion” Award.

• It was awarded at the 4th Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Awards and Conclave 2023 organized by the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in New Delhi, Delhi.
• REC was awarded for its commitment to creating a workplace that accommodates differences, fosters innovation, and promotes equal opportunities for all employees.

About REC Limited:
i.Established in 1969, REC Limited is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE)  functioning under the Ministry of Power.
ii.It also received the ‘Best Central PSU’ Award in the Financial Services category at the Dun & Bradstreet PSU Awards 2023.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Indian Cricketer Ravindra Jadeja Appointed as Brand Ambassador of AS-IT-IS NutritionAS-IT-IS Nutrition, a fitness and sports nutrition brand, has appointed Indian cricketer Ravindrasinh Anirudhsinh Jadeja (Ravindra Jadeja) as its brand ambassador.

• The collaboration aims to work as a catalyst for change, encouraging individuals to prioritize their health and well-being.

About Ravindra Jadeja:
i.Ravindra Jadeja(34) made his first Under-19(U-19) appearance for India in 2005 at the age of 16.

• He was the vice-captain of the Indian team that won the 2008 U-19 Cricket World Cup.

ii.He made his international debut in 2009 in a One Day International (ODI) match against Sri Lanka.
iii.He made his IPL debut in 2008 and has played for Rajasthan Royals(2008-2009); Kochi Tuskers Kerala(2011); Chennai Super Kings (CSK) (2012-2015 and 2018-present) and Gujarat Lions (2016-2017).
iv.In 2013, He became the first Indian bowler after Anil Kumble (1996) to top the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s ODI bowlers’ rankings.
SportsBaazi Appoints Afghan Cricketer Rashid Khan As Brand Ambassador SportsBaazi (formerly BalleBaazi), a sports gaming platform, has appointed Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan Arman as its brand ambassador.

• This decision aligns with SportsBaazi’s redesigned brand identity, which aims to provide thrilling new formats and unique user experiences to alter fans’ interactions with sports.
• As part of the collaboration, Khan will enhance SportsBaazi’s core message ‘Play LIVE. WIN LIVE’ with a focus on the Watch and Play category.

Rashid Khan:
i.He made his ODI debut on Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe in October 2015.
ii.He made his IPL debut in 2017 and played for SunRisers Hyderabad (2017-21) and Gujarat Titans (2022-present).
iii.In 2018, Rashid topped the ICC ODI bowler ranking at the age of 19 (7092 days) and became the youngest player and the only teenager to top any ICC Player Rankings.
iv.In September 2023, Rashid Khan has taken the fastest 100 wickets in ODI cricket (in just 44 matches).
Guinness World Record:

• Youngest international cricket captain (male)- He was named the captain of the Afghanistan cricket team in 2018 at the age of 19 years 165 days.
• He holds a record for the most international wickets taken by a teenager – 176 international games, including 110 in ODIs.

About AS-IT-IS Nutrition:
Co-Founders – Himmanth Jain & Arvind Jain
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka Established in – 2018
About SportsBaazi:
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Saurabh Chopra
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established in – 2018

SPORTS

India Wins One Silver and Two Bronze Medals in World Wushu Championship 2023India won three medals(one silver and two bronze) in the 16th edition of the World Wushu Championships(2023) was held from 16th to 20th November 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas, United States of America(USA).

• The Indian medalists were Naorem Roshibina Devi (silver), Kushal Kumar (bronze), and Chhavi Ruhela(bronze).

Indian Medal Winners:
i.Naorem Roshibina Devi won the silver medal in the women’s sanda 60kg category after she lost to Thi Thu Nguyen(Vietnam) in the finals.

• Manipur’s Roshibina Devi was the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games silver medalist and the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games bronze medalist.

ii.Kushal Kumar from Punjab won the bronze medal in the men’s 48kg Sanda category
iii.Chhavi Ruhela from Uttar Pradesh won the bronze medal in the women’s 48kg Sanda category.
Note:
In the 15th and last edition of the World Wushu Championship 2019, India finished with four medals (1 Gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze) in Shanghai, China.
Highlights of the World Wushu Championship(WWC):
i.The World Wushu Championship 2023, the biennial event is hosted by the International Wushu Federation (IWUF).
The 12-member Indian contingent participated in the 2023 WWC event.
ii.The first edition of the WWC was held in 1991 in Beijing, China.
iii.China finished top in the medal tally with 15 Gold medals while Vietnam finished second with 11 medals(5 Gold, 3 Silver, and 3 Bronze).

• Macau(the Autonomous Region in China) finished third in the medal tally with 11 medals(5 Gold, 2 Silver, and 4 Bronze).

About Wushu Sport:
i.Wushu is the umbrella term for all martial art styles originating in China, including disciplines ranging from tai chi to full-contact fighting(kungfu)
ii.Wushu has been standardized into two categories Taolu and Sanda for competition purposes.

Anurag Singh Thakur announces First-Ever Khelo India Para Games
Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Ministry for Youth Affairs and Sports, announced the first-ever Khelo India Para Games 2023, it will be held in New Delhi, Delhi from December 10 to 17, 2023.
About Khelo India Para Games:
i.The Khelo India Para Games is organised to develop para sports and to identify talented para-athletes.
i.The games will feature seven disciplines such as para-athletics, para-shooting, para-archery, para-football, para-badminton, para-table tennis, and para-weight lifting.
ii.These games will be held at three Sports Authority of India (SAI) stadiums in Delhi namely:

• Indira Gandhi Sports Complex
• Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range
• Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

OBITUARY

Justice Fathima Beevi, India’s 1st Woman Judge of Supreme Court, Passed AwayJustice M Fathima Beevi, India’s 1st woman Judge of Supreme Court of India and former Governor of Tamil Nadu(TN) passed away at the age of 96 in Kollam, Kerala. She was born in April 1927 in Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

•  She was the 1st Muslim woman judge to be appointed to any higher judiciary.
• She was also the 1st woman to become a Supreme Court Justice in an Asian country.

About Justice M Fathima Beevi:
i.Fathima Beevi started her career in 1950 as an advocate in Kerala.

• She topped the Bar Council exam and became the first woman to receive a Bar Council gold medal.

ii.In 1958, She was appointed as Munsiff in the Kerala Sub-ordinate Judicial Services and promoted as the Sub-ordinate Judge in 1968.
iii.She also served as Chief Judicial Magistrate (in 1972) and District & Sessions Judge (in 1974).
iv.She was appointed as the Judicial Member of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in 1980.
v.She was promoted to the Kerala High Court in 1983 and became the Permanent Judge in 1984.
vi.She became the Judge of Supreme Court of India in 1989 and retired from the post in 1992.
vii.After her retirement, she served as a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) from 1993 to 1997.

• She also served as Chairman of Kerala Commission for Backward Classes in 1993.

viii.She served as the Governor of TN from 1997 to 2002.

• During her tenure as Governor of TN, she served as the Chancellor of Madras University.

Awards:
i.She received Hon. D Litt and Mahila Shiromani Award in 1990.
ii.She was also awarded the  Bharat Jyoti Award and the US-India Business Council (USIBC) Life Time Achievement Award. 

BOOKS & AUTHORS

IGNCA Launched a book titled “Mapping of the Archives in India”On November 23, 2023, Kalanidhi division of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) launched the book titled ‘Mapping of the Archives in India’, authored by Prof. Ramesh Chandra Gaur and Vismay Basu, in an event held in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The book was published by IGNCA and with the support of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) New Delhi.
• During the event, a Descriptive e- Catalogue of ‘Aagam- Tantra- Mantr- Yantra, Khand- 3, Bhag – 1-5’ was also launched.

Key People:
The book launch session was chaired by Ram Bahadur Rai , President, IGNCA Trust.
Satyananda Mishra, Chief Information Commissioner of India and Mr. Hezekiel Dlamini, Advisor Communication and Information for South Asia UNESCO, New Delhi Office were the guest of honour of the event.
About the Book:
i.The book featuring 424 directories of archives of India contains complete profile of the archives contained in the book.
ii.It also provides information of the conservation, digitization, and archivisation perspectives as well.
Background:
i.The study of Mapping of the Archives in India was jointly conducted by UNESCO and IGNCA.
ii.The project’s mandate was to create a Directory of Archives in India that can offer researchers and academics across the board a near encyclopedic picture of active archives and their collections.
iii.The formal contract for the project was signed in March 2018 and formally started in 2019

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