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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM Modi’s visit to Bihar on 13th November 2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Bihar on 13th November 2024 and laid foundation stones of various projects for the development in the region.
- PM Modi foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects around Rs 12,100 crore in Bihar.
- The development projects comprised of health, rail, road, petroleum and natural gas sectors.
i.PM laid the foundation stone of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Darbhanga,Bihar at a cost of Rs. 1264 Crore.
ii.PM Modi inaugurated multiple initiatives in the petroleum and natural gas sector worth over Rs 4,020 crore.
About Bihar:
Chief minister – Nitish Kumar
Governor– Rajendra Arlekar
Capital – Patna
>> ReadFull News
India Launches Tri-Services Military Exercise ‘Poorvi Prahar’ in eastern sector
The Indian Army is conducting a high-intensity tri-services exercise Poorvi Prahar from 10th to 18th November 2024 in the forward areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
- This joint exercise aims to sharpen the combat effectiveness of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force in implementing Integrated Joint Operations in the difficult mountainous terrain of the region, thus increasing the inter-service coordination and operational readiness.
About Poorvi Lehar:
i.The exercise will act as a platform to show various sophisticated platforms and assets from all three services, including fighter and reconnaissance aircraft, strategic helicopters like the Chinook and Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra), and M777 Ultra-Light Howitzer Artillery Systems.
- The Indian Army uses its M-777 ultra-lightweight howitzers which is a weapon for the mountain and has been recently introduced in the artillery units deployed in the eastern sector.
ii.The exercise, Poorvi Prahar, will involve innovative technological advancements such as, First Person View (FPV) Drones, and Loiter Munitions. These technologies Swarm Drones will transform modern warfare providing situational awareness and accuracy in operations.
iii. Joint control structures will be established during the exercise to maintain the efficiency of operations.
- These structures will develop a refined Common Operating Picture (COP) through the use of satellite communications and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven analytics providing coordination and precise decision-making across the services.
Recent Related News
i.Indian Navy conducted Exercise Poorvi Lehar on East Coast under the Operational Control of The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command in April 2024.
ii.The exercise aimed at analysing the ability of the Indian Navy to tackle maritime security challenges in the region by testing its procedures.
About Indian Army
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) – General Upendra Dwivedi
Headquarters – New Delhi, India
Founded – 1895
Gujarat becomes India’s 1st State to Implement a Dedicated Semiconductor Policy
Bhupendra Patel, the Chief Minister(CM) of Gujarat, has launched ‘Gujarat Semiconductor Policy 2022-2027‘, and became the first Indian state to implement a dedicated semiconductor policy.
- Gujarat has established the ‘Gujarat State Electronics Mission,‘ to ensure the effective implementation of this policy. The mission is a dedicated institution aimed at advancing Gujarat’s leadership in semiconductor self-reliance.
- This initiative complements the central government’s ‘India Semiconductor Mission,’ launched in 2021 with a budget of Rs 76,000 crore to boost domestic semiconductor production.
Note: India’s semiconductor market, valued at USD 15 billion in 2020, is projected to surpass USD 63 billion by 2026.
About Gujarat:
Chief Minister(CM) – Bhupendra Patel
Governor – Acharya Devvrat
Capital – Gandhinagar
National Park(NP) – Gir National Park, Vansda National Park
>> ReadFull News
CEEW Report: India’s Climate Policies Expected to Reduce CO2 Emissions by around 4 Billion Tonnes by 2030
According to the New Delhi (Delhi)-based independent climate think tank, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)’s latest report, India’s current climate policies are expected to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by around 4 billion tonnes between 2020 and 2030.
- This key finding of the report is important considering India, the fast-developing South Asian country, now the world’s 5th largest economy, had pledged to reducing emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030 at the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Glasgow, Scotland in 2021.
i.The report showed that policies designed for India’s power, residential and transport sectors have already saved 440 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO2) between 2015 and 2020.
ii.As per the report, the policies promoting renewable energy only in the power sector are projected to drive a 24% decline in coal-based power generation by 2030, relative to no-policy scenario.
About Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Arunabha Ghosh
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 2010
>> ReadFull News
AUSTRAHIND-2024: India-Australia Joint Military Exercise Held in Pune, Maharashtra
The 3rd edition of the India-Australia joint military exercise “AUSTRAHIND-24” is being conducted at Foreign Training Node in Pune(Maharashtra) from November 8 to November 21, 2024.
- The exercise aims to strengthen military cooperation between India and Australia by improving the ability of both forces to work together in joint unconventional operations.
Background:
i.This annual exercise AUSTRAHIND was started in 2022 in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (MFFR) in Mahajan, Rajasthan. Since then, it was conducted alternatively in India and Australia.
ii.The last edition of this exercise was held in Perth, Australia in December 2023.
About AUSTRAHIND-2024 :
i.This year’s drill is set in a semi-urban, semi-desert environment, reflecting conditions under Chapter VII of the United Nations (UN) mandate on peacekeeping operations.
ii.Key focus areas will include joint physical fitness, planning, and tactical coordination.
iii.During the AUSTRAHIND -24 exercise, soldiers from both India and Australia engaged in social and cultural activities.
Participants:
i.The Indian contingent includes 140 personnel, mainly from the DOGRA Regiment of the Indian Army (IA), along with 14 members of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
ii.The Australian Contingent includes 120 personnel, represented by the 13th Light Horse Regiment from the 10th Brigade of the 2nd Division of the Australian Army.
Phases :
i.Combat Conditioning and Tactical Training: Soldiers undergo conditioning and training for joint operations.
ii.Validation Phase: Skills learned are applied in a realistic setting.
iii.Activities and Tactical Drills: The exercise covers:
- Handling terrorist actions and capturing territories
- Setting up a Joint Operations Center
- Conducting counter-terrorism missions, including raids, search-and-destroy tasks, helipad security, and drone operations
- Special Heli Borne Operations
About Australia:
Prime Minister(PM) – Anthony Albanese
Capital – Canberra
Currency – Australian Dollar (AUD)
Jitendra Singh Inaugurates India’s First Biomanufacturing Institute “BRIC-National Agri-Food Bio-Manufacturing Institute” at Mohali
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology(MoST) inaugurated the new complex of India’s first Biomanufacturing Institute, “BRIC-National Agri-Food Bio-Manufacturing Institute” (BRIC-NABI) aimed at enhancing India’s agri-food sector through advanced biotechnology at Mohali, Punjab.
i.BRIC-NABI created through the strategic merger of the NABI and the Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB), is set to revolutionize India’s agricultural sector by combining expertise in biotechnology and bioprocessing.
ii.As part of its mission to advance biomanufacturing, the Biomanufacturing Workshop 1.0 is scheduled to take place in December 2024.
iii.The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) policy, which focuses on biotechnology for the economy, employment, and the environment, highlights the government’s commitment to nurturing a science sector with significant impact.
iv.The Bioincubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies (BioNEST) BRIC-NABI Incubation Center aims to empower local youth, women, and agriculture, food, and bioprocessing, and to accelerate the commercialization of agri-food innovations.
India’s First “Writer’s village” Inaugurated in Dehradun
India’s first “Writer’s Village” was jointly inaugurated by former President Ram Nath Kovind, Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant (Lt) General Gurmit Singh (retired) and Chief Minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami in Dehradun, Uttarkhand.
- It is conceived by former CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, a reowned writer in his own right.
i.It aims to encourage creativity and offer a supportive space for writers from all over the nation, positioning Dehradun as an emerging cultural center for literary excellence.
ii.The village hosted its first event, the three-day International Literature, Culture, and Art Festival, “Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav,” with writers from more than 40 countries participating in person, while those from around 25 nations joined virtually.
- During the event, Nishank unveiled his book “Ram in the Himalayas”
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Climate Change: Public Adaptation Finance Grew by 32% in 2022, but Large Gap Remains: UNEP Report
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s “Adaptation Gap Report (AGR) 2024: Come Hell and High Water”, International public adaptation finance flows to developing countries has increased by 32%, from USD 22 billion (in 2021) to USD 28 billion (in 2022), which is the largest relative Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) increase since the Paris Agreement (2015).
- This shows progress towards the adaptation component of the Glasgow Climate Pact signed at the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Glasgow, Scotland in 2021, which urged developed country parties to at least double their collective provision of climate finance for adaptation to developing country parties from about USD 19 billion (2019 levels) by 2025.
- However, when this figure is compared with adaptation finance needs estimated at USD 215-387 billion annually in AGR2023, shows that a very large adaptation finance gap still exists.
Point to Note: European Climate Change agency “Copernicus” has projected that 2024 will be the warmest year on record and the 1st with an average temperature at least 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels, following the 2nd –warmest October in history.
Key Findings:
i.The report underscored that even achieving the Glasgow Climate Pact target would only help to adaptation finance gap (which is estimated at USD187-359 billion per year), by around only 5%.
ii.The report highlighted that at present, 171 countries (87%) have at least one national adaptation policy strategy in place, of which 51% have a second and 20% have a third instrument.
- Of the 26 countries which do not have such instrument, 10 have not shown the interest to develop one.
- While, 7 of these are conflict-affected or fragile states and will require significant support in order to achieve the set targets under United Arab Emirates (UAE) Framework for Global Climate Resilience (UAE-FGCR) by 2030.
Note: UAE-FGCR was established as the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) at the UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai, UAE in 2023.
About United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
Executive Director- Inger Anderson
Headquarters- Nairobi, Kenya
Established- 1972
BANKING & FINANCE
JSFL Launched “Smart Gold” for Easy Digital Gold Investment
Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL), registered with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as non-deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), has launched “Smart Gold”, a digital gold investment platform which will be accessible through the JioFinance application (app).
- This new offering will enable the customers to purchase 24-Karat (K) physical gold anytime, with a minimum amount of Rs 10.
Key Features:
i.The Customers can buy, sell or redeem their gold holdings for either in cash or physical gold coins and jewelry, ensuring a seamless and secure investment experience.
- The customers can also have the option to buy smart gold in denominations of rupees or grams(gms).
ii.The underlying physical gold of the customer will be procured and stored in insured vaults. It will also enable the customers to monitor the live market price of gold on the JioFinance app, promoting transparency in their investments.
iii.The delivery of physical gold is available for holdings of 0.5 gms and the gold is available in denominations of 0.5gm, 1 gm, 2 gm, 5 gm, and 10 gm.
JPSL Received RBI Approval to Operate as Online PA
Jio Payment Solutions Limited (JPSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jio Financial Services (JFS), has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online Payment Aggregator (PA). The certificate of authorisation came effective from 28th October 2024.
- With this authorisation, JPSL is now allowed to manage digital transactions in compliance with Section 7 of the Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007.
- A Payment Aggregator acts as an intermediary between customers and businesses. It is a third-party service provider that allows customers to make and businesses to accept payments online.
About Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL):
JFSL was originally incorporated as Reliance Strategic Investments Private Limited on July 22, 1999, under the Companies Act 1956.
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Hitesh Kumar Sethia
Headquarters – Mumbai
Mahindra Finance & RBL Bank launched its co-branded credit cards
Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (Mahindra Finance) launched a co-branded credit card in partnership with RBL Bank Limited. The credit card is designed to meet its customers’ aspirational needs.
- This will be the first co-branded credit card offering for Mahindra Finance.
- This partnership aims to provide a one-stop solution that offers unmatched benefits across a wide range of categories.
- Mahindra Finance aims to tap into the growth potential, aligning with the adoption of e-commerce and technological advancements seen even in non-metro locations.
Note: Mahindra group entity holds a 3.53% stake in RBL Bank, acquired for Rs.417 crore.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
M Karunakar Reddy receives first Jadav Payeng International Award
Telangana-based environmentalist M Karunakar Reddy has been selected to be awarded with the first Jadav Payeng International Award, launched by the Jyoti-Protap Education Trust in Jorhat district, Assam.
- M Karunakar Reddy is known as the Water Man and Green Man of India will be awarded for his extraordinary efforts towards conserving environment and climate action.
- He is also known as the Crisis Man of India for his efforts to provide disaster relief and management in some of the disaster-prone areas affected by climate change.
Key Points:
i.The award will be presented to Reddy in January 2025, at the ceremony that will be held at Jyoti Protap Bidyalay in Teok, Jorhat.
ii.The Jadav Payeng International Award consists of a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, a citation, and various other mementos.
- The award will be given annually to a person of national and international repute.
iii.The award is named after Padma Shri awardee Jadav Payeng, who is also known as the “Forest Man of India” for his continuous efforts in developing a 550-hectare forest in Assam’s Jorhat district.
iv.Thus, the award honors the individuals who have made notable efforts in tackling climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.
About Jyoti-Protap Education Trust:
i.Protap Saikia is the founder of the Jyoti-Protap Education Trust and has also developed this this international award in Payeng’s honor.
ii.The Jyoti-Protap Education Trust is a non-profit organization and also operates Jyoti Protap Gyanmarg Bidyalay in Kaliapani, Teok, to provide free education to economically disadvantaged students.
About M Karunakar Reddy:
i.Karunakar Reddy is a social entrepreneur and philanthropist who has made significant contributions across the rural and urban landscape.
ii.He has delivered various to combat environmental challenges including the water crisis, climate change, biodiversity loss and human impacts. Some of his initiatives are –
- Smaat India – excels in providing Water, Air, Energy and Waste Management Solutions to all the people using the latest state of the art technology at an affordable cost.
- Walk For Water – an Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) set up with the aim of providing clean water access to one and all.
- Igniting Minds – aim to educate, engage, and empower the youngsters’ citizens and motivate them to transform India.
- Green India Challenge
- Disaster Management – providing help to the needy at the time of disasters and calamities
- Reddy Organics – assuring farmers of good returns for their perishable goods
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Zimbabwe Launches ‘ZIMSAT-2’ Satellite to Enhance Space Program
Republic of Zimbabwe successfully launched its second satellite, ZIMSAT-2 on the Soyuz-2.1b spacecraft from Vostochny Cosmodrome, in Amu Oblast, Russia
- The launch was a joint effort between the Zimbabwe National Geo-Spatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA) and Southwest State University in Kursk, Russia, with help from Zimbabwean engineers and Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) students based in Russia.
- This launch follows the success of Zimbabwe’s first satellite, ZIMSAT-1, which was launched in 2022, highlighting the country’s ongoing advancements in space technology and innovation.
About ZIMSAT-2:
i.ZIMSAT-2 is a low Earth observation satellite, equipped with a high-resolution multispectral camera with an 8-metre(m) spatial resolution designed for capturing detailed imagery. This imaging technology is central to its primary functions, including:
- Monitoring crop health, predicting yields, and identifying nutrient deficiencies, Resource Mapping.
- Data gathered will aid in early warning systems and disaster response, particularly for natural events affecting agriculture and resource management.
- Environmental Surveillance: The satellite’s imaging will enable better tracking and management of environmental conditions, promoting sustainable practices and environmental protection.
- ZIMSAT-2 will also support geographical research, helping to identify potential mineral resources.
ii. The satellite is equipped with a data transmission system that enables the collected information to be sent back to a ground control station.
- Additionally,it can operate across multiple spectra, including visible and infrared, significantly enhancing its observation capabilities.
About Republic of Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe):
President – Emmerson Mnangagwa
Capital – Harare
Currency – United States Dollar (USD)
SPORTS
Australian cricketer Matthew Wade retires from international cricket
Australian cricketer Matthew Wade (36-year-old) announced his retirement from international cricket and will become an wicketkeeping and fielding coach with Australia national team for the Twenty20 (T20) series against Pakistan in November 2024.
i.Matthew Wade has played 36 Tests and scored 1,613 runs with four centuries, including a top score of 117 in the 2019 Ashes.
ii.He has played 225 international matches for Australia across the three formats.
iii.He played 97 ODIs, amassing 1,867 runs, and 92 T20Is with 1,202 runs.
iv.He played for Australia for 13 years and served as the T20 captain between December 2020 and February 2024.
OBITUARY
BPL Group founder TP Gopalan Nambiar passed away at 94
TP Gopalan Nambiar(also known as TPG), the founder of British Physical Laboratories(BPL) group, passed away at the age of 94 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He was born on 25 November, 1929 in Kannur, Kerala.
About T P Gopalan Nambiar:
i.T P Gopalan Nambiar was a prominent Indian entrepreneur and business leader, best known for establishing BPL, one of India’s leading consumer electronics companies.
ii.He actively supported the evolution of the Indian electronics industry between the years 1960 and 1990 and had established itself as a leader in the Indian consumer electronics market.
iii.He was honored with the Electronics Man of the Year Award (1992), National Citizen’s Award (2000) and Lifetime Achievement Award (2007).
- He was also recognized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) (2008) for his leadership in building a strong Indian brand in the global electronics market.
Note: BPL was founded in 1963. Its first manufacturing facility was set up in Palakkad, Kerala.
IMPORTANT DAYS
Children’s Day/Bal Divas 2024– November 14
Children’s Day or Bal Divas is annually observed across India on November 14 to honor the birth anniversary of India’s 1st Prime Minister(PM), Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who is remembered for his affection for children.
- 14th November 2024 marks the 135th birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Background:
i.Before 1964, India celebrated Children’s Day on November 20 which is the day the United Nations (UN) celebrated World Children’s Day.
ii.However, after the death of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, India celebrated Children’s Day on November 14, in honor of his birthday.
About Jawaharlal Nehru:
i.Jawaharlal Nehru was born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh(UP) on November 14, 1889.
ii.In 1929, he was elected President of the Indian National Congress(INC) and was the PM of the interim Indian Government between 1946 and 1950.
iii.In 1947, he was sworn in as the 1st PM of independent India and remained in office continuously for nearly 17 years until 27 May 1964, the day he died.
Books:
Letters from a Father to His Daughter (1929); Glimpses of World History (1934); Towards Freedom; The Autobiography of Jawaharlal Nehru (1936); The Discovery of India (1946).
Awards:
i.India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna was awarded to him in 1955.
ii.In 1970, posthumously he was awarded the World Peace Council prize.
World Usability Day 2024 – November 14
World Usability Day (WUD), or Make Things Easier Day is annually observed across the globe on the 2nd Thursday of November to promote the principles of usability, accessibility, and user experience in design.
- WUD 2024 falls on 14 November 2024.
- The 2024 theme of WUD is, “Designing for a Better World”.
Background:
i.World Usability Day was established in 2004 by the Usability Professionals Association (UPA).
ii.The first WUD was observed on 10 November 2005.
About User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA):
UPA, was established in 1991, now known as the User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA) since 2012.
President & Director of Marketing & Communications– Sara Mastro
>> ReadFull News
STATE NEWS
Andhra Pradesh Govt Presents Budget with an outlay Rs 2.94 lakh crore
The Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) led by Chief Minister (CM) N Chandrababu Naidu pegged the Budget outlay for 2024-25 at Rs 2.94 lakh crore. Payyavula Kesav, AP’s Finance Minister, presented his 1st budget in the Assembly in Amaravati, AP.
- The revenue expenditure has been pegged at Rs 2,35,916 crore and the capital expenditure was Rs 32,712 crore.
Points to note:
i.The revenue deficit and fiscal deficit are at Rs 34,743 crore and Rs 68,742 crore respectively.
ii.The fiscal deficit will be around 4.19% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), and the revenue deficit will be around 2.12% of the GSDP.
About Andhra Pradesh(AP):
Chief Minister(CM)– N. Chandrababu Naidu
Governor– Sayed Abdul Nazeer
Wildlife Sanctuary– Kaundinya WildLife Sanctuary; Penusila Narasimhaswamy wildlife sanctuary; Kambalakonda WildLife Sanctuary
Zoological Park– Indira Gandhi Zoological Park; Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park
>> ReadFull News
Alka Tiwari appointed as New Chief Secretary of Jharkhand
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has approved Jharkhand’s proposal to appoint Alka Tiwari as the new Chief Secretary of the state. She replaced Lalbiaktluanga Khiangte, who retired on October 31, 2024. Her tenure will end on September 30, 2025.
i.Alka Tiwari, a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service(IAS)officer, currently the senior-most IAS officer in the cadre.
ii.Prior to this appointment, she served as the Secretary of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
iii.She has held various positions, including deputy commissioner of Gumla and Lohardaga districts in Jharkhand.
iv.She was an advisor in Niti Aayog and additional secretary in the Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers( MoC&F).
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