Current Affairs 14,15 & 16 November 2020

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 14,15 & 16 November 2020, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2020 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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Top 20 Current Affairs of 14,15 & 16 November 2020

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Finance Ministry Approved the Creation of 1^st ever National Database of Unorganised Labour

i.On November 10, 2020, the Ministry of Finance gave its nod for the creation of the first ever “National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW)” with an expected outlay of Rs 650 crore. In this regard, Ministry of Labour & Employment has envisaged development of NDUW seeded with Aadhaar.
ii.This project will include migrant workers also and the benefits to be provided through this database will encourage them to enroll on the website.
iii.It will be helpful in providing welfare schemes or implementing social security initiatives for the labour by the government.
About Ministry of Finance:
Union Minister– Nirmala Sitharaman
Minister of State (MoS)– Anurag Singh Thakur
<<Read Full News>>

Nirmala Sitharaman Detailed ‘Aatmanirbhar’ Package 3.0 worth Rs 2,65,080 cr; 12 schemes Announced

i.Ahead of Diwali festival, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance during a press conference has announced the “Aatmanirbhar Package 3.0” covering following 12 schemes as a stimulus measure of additional Rs 2,65,080 crores to boost economic growth.

1. Announcement of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana, EPFO Incentive for New Employees
2. Extension of ECLGS 1.0 till March 31, 2021 from Oct 31, 2020; Launch of ECLGS 2.0
3. Rs 1,45980 cr boost to Atmanirbhar manufacturing by PLI for 10 Key Sectors
4. Rs 18,000 crore additional fund for PMAY-Urban
5. Govt relaxed rules on EMD and Performance Security on Contracts
6. Income tax relief for home buyers, developers to boost real estate demand
7. Govt infuses Rs 6,000 cr in NIIF debt platform to increase infra funding
8. FM announces Rs 65,000-cr fertilizer subsidy for farmers
9. Additional funding of Rs 10,000 crore to boost rural employment
10. Finance Ministry released Rs 3,000 cr to EXIM Bank for LoC under IDEAS
11. Rs 10,200 cr additional funds provided towards Capital and industrial expenditure
12. FinMin announced Rs 900 crore grant for COVID-19 vaccine research

 Summary of Stimulus Measures Announced Till Date (November 12, 2020)

About EXIM Bank:
Managing Director (MD)– David Rasquinha
Headquarter– Mumbai, Maharashtra
<<Read Full News>>

L&T Emerges as Lowest Bidder for the India’s Longest River Bridge in Northeast

Larsen & Toubro(L&T) has emerged as the lowest bidder with Rs.3166 crores for the construction of the 20 kilometer(km) 4 lane road bridge across River Brahmaputra connecting Dhubri of Assam to Phulbair of Meghalaya on National Highway(NH) 127B. This will be India’s longest Bridge over a River in the northeast.
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is the executing agency and is expected to be completed by 2026-27.
About the River Bridge Project:
i.This river bridge project is financed by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).
ii.This project will enable better connectivity between the Northeastern states to the rest of India.
iii.The approach including the embankment and viaduct in Dhubri and Phulbari will be around 4.3 km and 2.3 km respectively.
Benefits:
i.This will reduce around 200 km of detour travel distance from Dhubri to Phulbari, and increase the connectivity of the Northeastern states.
ii.This bridge will act as a conduit for the Indian armed forces and enhance trade and commerce.
iii.This bridge will also provide an additional domestic link for Meghalaya.
Additional Info:
In October 2020, L & T bagged a Rs 25,000 crore order for the largest section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project.
In November 2020, it bagged a Rs 7,000 crore order for another section on the corridor connecting Vadodara with Ahmedabad.

IREDA Sanctioned Loans worth Rs 12,696cr in 2019-20

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA) had sanctioned loans worth Rs 12,696 crore in 2019-20 and has disbursed Rs 8,785 crore, supporting capacity addition of 5,673 MW (Mega Watt) during 2019-20. This was announced during the 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of IREDA on November 11, 2020 where the annual accounts for the financial year 2019-20 were adopted.

• The gross income of the company increased to Rs 2,372.38 crore, a growth of 17.32%.
• It should be noted that India’s Green Energy sector is expected to get a further boost with various policy initiatives of the government, such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha even Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme, Solar & Wind hybrid technologies, Biofuels such as Ethanol and Compressed BioGas (CBG), E-mobility and associated infrastructure, Off-shore Wind energy, Solar Roof-top programme etc.

About Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA):
It is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)– Pradip Kumar Das
Headquarter– New Delhi

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India, Nepal Launch construction of 3rd Integrated Check Post to boost Trade

On 12th November, 2020, India and Nepal launched the construction of 3rd Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Nepalgunj, Nepal which will bring customs and immigration facilities under one roof to smoothen cross-border movement of cargo trucks.
i.It is being constructed at a cost of INR 147.12 Crores(Nepalese Rupee ~NRs2354).
ii.The portion of ICP on Nepalese side will be built at Nepalgunj and the Portion on Indian side will be built at Rupaidiha (Uttar Pradesh).
iii.India has ICP on the India-Nepal border at Birgunj and Biratnagar, which were operationalised in April 2018 and January 2020.
About Nepal:
Prime Minister – K. P. Sharma Oli
Currency – Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
Capital – Kathmandu
<<Read Full News>>

PM Narendra Modi Co-chaired the Virtual 17th ASEAN India Summit 2020 along with Nguyen Xuan Phuc

i.On November 12, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the virtual 17th ASEAN-India Summit 2020 along with Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Vietnam, the current Chair of (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). The Summit saw the participation of all ten ASEAN Member States.
ii.The focus of the summit was to discuss regional and international issues of common interest and concern, including South China Sea and terrorism.
iii.During the summit India announced a contribution of US$ 1 million to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund.
About ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations):
Members – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Chair – Vietnam (2020)
Headquarters – Jakarta, Indonesia
<<Read Full News>>

India’s Renewable Energy Sector to see the Largest Growth after COVID-19:IEA

According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) report, Renewables 2020 – Analysis and Forecast to 2025, India’s Renewable Energy sector will see the largest growth after COVID-19. India will double its green energy capacity addition in 2021 compared to 2020 levels.
Driven by China and the United States, new additions of renewable power capacity worldwide are expected to a record level of almost 200 Gigawatts (GW) in 2020.
i.Total Installed Wind and Solar PV capacity will surpass natural gas in 2023 and coal in 2024. Solar PV accounts for 60% of all renewable capacity additions through 2025, and wind provides another 30%.
ii.Renewable will overtake coal to become the largest source of electricity generation worldwide in 2025 (one-third of world’s electricity supply). Hydropower will be the largest source of renewable electricity worldwide, followed by wind and solar PV.
About International Energy Agency:
Executive Director – Dr Fatih Birol
Headquarters – Paris, France
<<Read Full News>>

T S Tirumurti virtually addresses the 44th Annual G-77 Foreign Ministers Meeting 

On November 12, 2020, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador T S Tirumurti virtually addressed the 44^th Annual Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 (G77) & China.
During the meeting, he reiterated India’s commitment to work with its partners from Global South towards a strong and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Group of 77 (G77):
i.The Group of 77 (G77) at the UN is a coalition of 134 developing countries established in 1964.
ii.It is a means for countries of the south to articulate and promote their collective economic interests.
About Group of 77 (G77):
Chairmanship of G77 (2020) – Guyana
Headquarters – New York, United States of America (USA) (United Nations Headquarters)
<<Read Full News>>

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI to Evaluate Impact of ‘RBI Kehta Hai’ Campaign

The Reserve Bank is all set to evaluate the impact of multi-media public awareness campaign ‘RBI Kehta Hai’, which was launched in 14 languages to educate public about good practices, regulations and initiatives in banking and financial sector

• In this regard, RBI has invited Expression of Interest (EoI) from eligible companies and other entities which have successfully completed at least five similar projects.
• ‘RBI Kehta Hai’ was the first even 360 degree campaign initiated by the central bank using all mass media, including media such as television, radio, newspapers, hoardings, web banners, gifs, social media and SMS.

About Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Formation– 1 April 1935
Governor– Shaktikanta Das
Deputy Governors– 4 (Bibhu Prasad Kanungo, Mahesh Kumar Jain, Michael Debabrata Patra, and M. Rajeshwar Rao).

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS        

HelpAge India and  Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, Queen Mother of Bhutan Receive 2020 UN Population Award

i.HelpAge India won the 2020 United Nations(UN) Population Award as the institutional laureate.
ii.Her MajestyGyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, Queen Mother of Bhutan won the award as the individual laureatue.
About UNFPA(United Nations Population Fund):
Executive Director– Dr. Natalia Kanem
Headquarters– New York, United States
<<Read Full News>>

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS          

Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD Party Wins Majority in 2020 Myanmar election

According to the Union Election Commission (UEC) of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) is likely to win the 2020 Myanmar elections by securing 346 seats out of 664 seats in the Parliament (as on 13th November) which is enough to form the next government.
i.This will be the second term for Aung San Suu Kyi as State Counsellor and second victory for her party NLD.
ii.This is the Second Free elections in Myanmar, since the country emerged from Military rule in 2011.
About Myanmar:
President – Win Myint
Capital – Naypyitaw
Currency – Myanmar Kyat
<<Read Full News>>

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS        

IRDAI gives Final Approval for Merger of HDFC ERGO Health with HDFC ERGO General Insurance

i.On November 11, 2020 Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India(IRDAI) gave its final approval for the merger of HDFC ERGO Health Insurance (formerly Apollo Munich Health Insurance Co Ltd) with HDFC ERGO General Insurance Co Ltd (HDFC ERGO).
ii.The National Company Law Tribunal(NCLT) has sanctioned the scheme of amalgamation between HDFC ERGO Health and HDFC ERGO General on september 30, 2020.
About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI):
Chairman – Subhash Chandra(C) Khuntia
Headquarters – Hyderabad, Telangana
<<Read Full News>>

CCI Approves Acquisitions between Orix and GEH & Sinochem, ChemChina and Central SASAC

On November 12, 2020 The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the following acquisitions under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.CCI approved the acquisition of
i.Greenko Energy Holdings (GEH) from Orix Wind SPVs,ORIX Corporation (Orix).
ii. Similarly, also Orix will acquire an equity stake in GEH.
iii.CCI also approved the transfer of 100% shareholding of Sinochem Group Company Limited (Sinochem) and China National Chemical Corporation Limited (ChemChina) to State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration (Central SASAC),  a new company wholly owned by China.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI) :
Headquarters– New Delhi, India
Chairman– Ashok Kumar Gupta
Established by– The Central Government with effect from 14th October 2003
<<Read Full News>>

ENVIRONMENT

“Rohanixalus”: New Genus of Tree Frog Discovered in Andaman Island and Northeast India

A team of researchers from India, China, Indonesia and Thailand had found a new genus of tree frogs in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the Northeastern parts of India.
The new genus was named “Rohanixalus” after Rohan Pethiyagoda, taxonomist from Sri Lanka. The research team was led by Professor S D Biju of Delhi University.
About the study:
i.The findings of the discovery have been published in the article titled ‘New insights on the systematics and reproductive behaviour in tree frogs of the genus Feihyla, with description of a new related genus from Asia (Anura, Rhacophoridae)” in the November 12 issue of Zootaxa, an international journal for animal taxonomists.
ii.The multiple aspects, like external morphology of adults and tadpoles, phylogeny, calls and breeding biology of several tree frog species found across South, Southeast and East Asia were studied to confirm this as a new genus.
Note:
This is the first report of a tree frog species – Striped Bubble-nest frog, from the Andaman Islands.
About “Rohanixalus”:
i.Rohanixalus is the 20th recognised genus of the family of Rhacopho-ridae.
ii.Around 8 species of 422 known old world tree frog species found in Asia and Africa which were under the genus of Chirixalus or Feihyla are formally transferred to the genus Rohanixalus based on the integrative evidence.
iii.These 8 species are known to inhabit the forest and human dominated landscapes from northeast India, the Andaman Islands, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, to southern China.
Characteristics:

• 2 to 3 cm long, small and slender body.
• Contrastingly coloured lateral lines on either side of the body.
• Small brown speckles across the upper body.
• Light green-coloured eggs laid in arboreal bubble-nests.
• The behavioural traits include maternal egg attendance and community egg attendance.

OBITUARY

Jerry Rawlings, Former President of Ghana Passed Away at 73

On November 12, 2020 Jerry John Rawlings, former president of Ghana passed away at the age of 73 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana  due to short illness. He is the 1st president of the 4th republic of Ghana. He is the founder of National Democratic Congress (NDC). A former air force officer and military leader was born on June 22, 1947 at Accra, Ghana.
About Jerry Rawlings:
i.He led 2 military coups, one in 1979 and another in 1981.
ii.He served as the chairman of the  Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
iii.He became president of Ghana in 1993 and served till 2001, i.e., he served for 2 elected 4 year terms.
Awards

• He received an Honorary degree (Doctorate of Letters) from the University for Development Studies in northern Ghana in October 2013.
• He received the Global Champion for People’s Freedom award from  the Mkiva Humanitarian Foundation in October 2013.

About Ghana(Officially the Republic of Ghana):
Capital– Accra
President–  Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo
Currency– Ghanaian cedi

Padma Shri Awardee & Renowned Sculptor Arjun Prajapati Passed Away at 64

On 12th November 2020, Arjun Prajapati, the renowned Sculptor and Padma shri awardee from Rajasthan passed away at the age of 64 in a hospital at Jaipur, Rajasthan. He passed away due to COVID-19. He was born on 9th April 1956 and hails from Rajasthan.
He was popularly known as the “Maharathi of Cloning” – master of cloning, since he has cloned celebrities like Prince Charles of Britain, former US President Bill Clinton, Padmashree Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt.
About Arjun Prajapati:
i.Arjun Prajapati gave a new identity to the traditional ‘Bani-Thani’ form of art and established a different identity for it in the country and abroad, this art is known as “Arjuna’s Bani-sthani”.
ii.He was skilled in making sculptures in marble, terracotta, bronze, plaster of Paris and fiberglass.
iii.The Mati Manasa, built by Prajapati is the first Sculpture museum of Rajasthan.
iv.His sculpture has been placed in the Royal Albert Palace, London and the Indian Cultural Society of the United States of America.
Awards & honours:
i.He received a National Award in 2004.
ii.He received the Padma Shri award, one of the highest civilian awards, for arts in 2010.
iii.Bill Clinton honored him with the title “Magician of Sculpture” when he showed his clone in 20 minutes.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Rachna Bisht Rawat’s New book “Insomnia: Army Stories”, a Collection of Tales About Indian Army

Rachna Bisht Rawat launched her new book “Insomnia: Army Stories” featuring stories based on life in the armed forces. The book is published by the Penguin Random house India.
About the book:
i.Rachna Bisht Rawat stated that all the characters featured in Insomnia are not heroic, the characters represent ordinary people who have their own weaknesses and failures.
ii.She also stated that this book speaks more about emotions in various forms and speaks less about the army.
iii.The book also features Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), murder, human right violations, and the horrors of war.
About Rachna Bisht Rawat:
i.Rachna Bisht Rawat is a journalist and a writer, who has worked with publications like The Statesman, Indian Express, Deccan Herald, Outlook, Discover India, The Hindu and Femina.
ii.She has written for websites like www.yourstory.com and Iconoculture, a global research and advisory company.
iii.She had helped in the editing of the regimental history of The Fifth Airborne, the Indian Army’s highly decorated Para regiment, to which her late father Brigadier B.S. Bisht and her brother Col Sameer Bisht belong.
Books:
Her books include, The Brave, 1965: Stories from the Second Indo-Pakistan War, Shoot.Dive.Fly. and The Dreamcatchers.
Awards:
i.Her first short story titled “Munni Mausi” won the 2008-09 Commonwealth Short Story Competition. 
ii.She received the Commonwealth Press Quarterly’s Rolls Royce Award in 2006 for her article on Pooja, an 8-year-old girl who supported her family by doing acrobatics on streets, she received the award jointly with Samson Victor, Deccan herald’s photographer.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Ayurveda Day 2020 – November 13

i.Ayurveda Day is annually celebrated across the globe on the day of Dhanwantri Jayanti, as a global initiative to promote and preserve the health science of Ayurveda. The 2020 Ayurveda Day falls on 13th November 2020. 
ii.The year 2020 marks the 5th Ayurveda Day which falls on 13th November 2020.4th Ayurveda Day was celebrated on October 25th, 2019.
iii.India celebrates Ayurveda Day 2020 under the theme – “Ayurveda for Covid-19” with a focus on the potential role of Ayurveda in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
iv.To mark the celebration of the 5th Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated 2 future ready national premier Ayurveda institutions to the country over a virtual platform.
v.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of World Health Organisation(WHO) announced that WHO will set up a Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India.
<<Read Full News>>

STATE NEWS

Jharkhand Assembly passes resolution on ‘Sarna Code’ seeking separate Identity Code for Tribals

On November 11, 2020, Jharkhand Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on ‘Sarna Code’ during a special one-day assembly session on November 11, 2020. The resolution seeks the inclusion of Sarna as a separate religion in the 2021 census.
i.Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren tabled the proposal in the Jharkhand Assembly.
ii.The bill will now be sent to the Central Government for approval.
‘Sarna Religion’:
i.Sarna Followers are worshippers of nature; they do not consider themselves Hindus.
ii.They pray to trees and hills and believe in protecting the forest areas.
About Jharkhand:
Governor – Draupadi Murmu
Capital – Ranchi
<<Read Full News>>

Satyendar Jain, Delhi Health Minister Launches Jeevan Seva App, the 1st ever Initiative to Help COVID-19 Patients Reach Healthcare Facilities in EV cabs

i.On November 12, 2020 Satyendar Jain, Health Minister of Delhi launched Jeevan Seva App, the first-ever initiative to help COVID-19 patients reach healthcare facilities in EV(Electric Vehicles) for free of cost .
ii.For this initiative, Delhi Govt has collaborated with the EVERA, an EV cab facility launched by Prakriti E-Mobility Pvt Ltd.
Purpose of the app
To help transport COVID-19 patients(not critical) to and from their homes, hospitals and healthcare facilities from any point in Delhi for free of cost in a safe and timely manner.
About Delhi:
Chief Minister(CM)– Arvind Kejriwal
Zoological Parks– National Zoological Park
<<Read Full News>>

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