We are here for you to provide the important Current Affairs November 19 2018, which have unique updates of all daily 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.
Our complete current affairs helps you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC,CLAT and all State Exams.
Useful Links:
- Current Affairs
- Current Affairs 2018
- Current Affairs Today
- Current Affairs November 2018
- Current Affairs October 2018
- Current Affairs September 2018
- Current Affairs 2018 PDF
Click here for Current Affairs November 18 2018
INDIAN AFFAIRS
10th Indra 2018: India, Russia joint military exercise held in Jhansi, UP
On November 18, 2018, the 10th joint military exercise between Indian and Russia– EXERCISE INDRA, under the United Nations (UN) started at Babina Field Firing Ranges, Babina Military Station, in Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh.
This exercise will continue for 11 days and it will expect to finish on November 28, 2018.
On combating insurgency.
Key Points:
i. Participants in the training exercise include:
- 5th Army of the Russian Federation from Russian side and
- Mechanised Infantry Battalion of Republic of India from the Indian side.
ii. It will focus on:
- Training on enhancing team building,
- Special tactical level operations such as Cordon and Search,
- To share best practices and
- For peace keeping/ enforcement environment.
Russia:
♦ Capital: Moscow.
♦ Currency: Russian ruble.
Uttar Pradesh:
♦ Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath.
♦ Governor: Ram Naik.
♦ National Parks: Dudhwa National Park, Philibit Tiger Reserve , Sandi Bird Sanctuary.
♦ Uttar Pradesh has 23 wildlife sanctuaries across 27 districts covering over 5,000 sq km.
Kerala launched new open online learning programme – ‘KOOL’
On November 18, 2018, the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) unveiled its Online Open Learning training platform named- KOOL.
i. It will enable training to teachers, students and the general public and the first batch will commence from December 2018.
ii. It will be used under a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) model, which will enable the state’s schools to go Hi-Tech.
iii. This will help Kerala to become India’s first complete digital state in Education.
iv. The state government is yet to approve KOOL Certificate acceptable for declaring the probation of teachers.
About its features:
i. KOOL has been developed as an expansion of ‘Samagra’, the resource portal of the education department.
ii. It will have materials in the form of animated learning assistants, video tutorials and checklists for practicing the activities.
iii. The 6 week course includes creation of word documents, spreadsheet, presentation, image editing, video-audio editing, development of digital resources, Malayalam typing, internet, educational applications.
iv. It will have 200 mentors with a capacity to train 4,000 persons at a time.
v .It will be compulsory for teachers to successfully complete 45 hours of computer course in order to clear their probation.
vi. The first batch of KOOL will include 2,500 teachers in the proportion of one mentor for every 20 teachers.
vii. Teachers upon completion of the complete course would be awarded certificates.
Kerala:
♦ Capital: Thiruvananthapuram.
♦ Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan.
♦ Governor: Palanisamy Sathasivam.
♦ National Parks: Periyar National Park, Silent Valley National Park, Pampadum Shola National Park, Mathikettan National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park.
3-day 6th Indian Social Work Congress held in New Delhi
On November 1, 2018, the 3-day 6th Indian Social Work Congress commenced in New Delhi.
It continued till November 3, 2018.
i. It was jointly organized by National Association of Professional Social Workers in India (NAPSWI) and Department of Social Work (Delhi School of Social Work) University of Delhi.
ii. The theme of the 2018 Congress was “Human Development and Social Inclusion: Imperatives for Social Work Education and Practice”.
iii. The objective of the initiative is to bring about social fraternity to discuss the issues of social work, education and research in India.
iv. In this edition,Dr. Martha Farrell was posthumously honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award for her lifelong work towards gender equality women’s empowerment and prevention of sexual harassment at workplace.
Background:
♦ The Indian Social Work Congress is an initiative of the National Association of Professional Social Workers in India (NAPSWI).
♦ The congress was first held in 2013.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Africa’s First Ever High Speed Train Line unveiled in Morocco
On November 18, 2018, Morocco‘s first high-speed rail line, the first ever such line in Africa was unveiled.
ii. It is known and LGV and will connect the economic hubs of Tangier and Casablanca in 2 hours 10 minutes.
iii. The cost of the project was $2 billion project and was launched in September 2011.
Morocco:
♦ Capital: Rabat.
♦ Currency: Moroccan dirham.
BANKING & FINANCE
Sunil Mehta committee incorporated ‘Sashakt India AMC’ for large NPAs over 500 crore rupees
On November 18, 2018, the Sunil Mehta committee released the statement for formation of an asset management company (AMC) for resolving large bad loans.
i. The name of the AMC is: Sashakt India Asset Management.
ii. It was announced by Sunil Mehta, the chairman of a bankers’ panel working on faster resolution of stressed assets in public sector banks on the sidelines of a CII-CFO summit held in Mumbai.
iii. The company will follow a five-pronged strategy under Project Sashakt to tackle stress in the banking sector.
iv. Under the project, the following will happen:
- The AMC will have an Alternate Investment Fund (AIF)to resolve non-performing assets (NPAs) over Rs 500 crore.
- The AIF will be formed engaging various potential investors including private sector banks,
- For the resolution an inter creditor agreement (ICA)has been made with 33 banks
Background:
About 200 bad loan accounts have been identified which owe more than Rs 500 crore each to banks at present, with a total exposure of about Rs 3.1 lakh crore.
Karnataka bank launches new SB scheme “KBL SB – TASC”
On 15th November 2018,Karnataka Bank introduced a new saving bank scheme ‘KBL SB – TASC’, a specialized scheme for Trusts, Associates Societies and Clubs during Current & Saving Accounts campaign (CASA) for FY 2018-19.
i. Karnataka bank has launched a nationwide campaign by active involvement of its 8000+ workforce and 823 branches across the nation from 15th November to 28th November with an aim to open more than 4.18 lakhs current & saving accounts.
ii. Bank will offer multiple add-on facilities and services to suit the needs of its customer. It is extending various user friendly digital channels such as KBL BHIM UPI, KBL ApnaApp, SMS banking etc. along with Mobile and Internet banking facilities.
iii. Bank is also offering Personal Accident Insurance cover upto Rs. 10 Lakh under “KBL Suraksha” to its Savings Bank Account customer with an annual premium of Rs. 125 excluding GST.
Karnataka Bank
♦ Headquarters: Mangalore, Karnataka
♦ MD & CEO : Shri Mahabaleshwara M.S.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan presented lifetime achievement award in Delhi
On 17th November 2018,One of India’s greatest Sarod Master Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was presented “Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement” at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi for his immense contribution to the enrichment and promotion of Indian Classical Music.
i. Former Diplomat Lalit Mansingh presented the award to Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.
ii. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has already received fellowship of sangeet Natak Akademi, UNESCO Award, UNICEP National Ambassadorship, Fukuoka cultural Grand price of Japan & ‘Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters’ of France.
iii. Ustad Amjad Khan was born in 1945 in Gwalior and received Padma Vibhushan in 2001.
Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement
The award is named after Sumitra Charat Ram, founder of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Raghu Ram elected as president of Association of Surgeons of India(ASI)
On 16th November 2018,Eminent breast cancer surgeon Raghu Ram who is also the director of KIMS Ushalakshmi centre for breast diseases has been elected the President of Association of Surgeons of India (ASI) by defeating Tamonas Chaudhuri from Kolkata.
Key Points
i. The result was declared at ASI Headquarter in Chennai by Mr. Arvind Kumar who acted as the chief election officer.
ii. Raghu Ram is a recipient of Padma Shri award and B.C. Roy National Award.
iii. ASI regarded as “Voice of Surgery” in India is the largest surgical Association of Asia Pacific Region.Americal College of Surgeons is the largest surgical association of the world.
Association of Surgeons of India (ASI)
♦ Headquarter: Chennai
♦ Motto of Organization: Vayam Sevaamahe:”We are for service”.
UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey to replace Hasmukh Adhia as Revenue Secretary
On November 17, 2018, Appointments Committee of the Cabinet appointed Ajay Bhushan Pandey as the new Secretary in Department of Revenue.
ii. He currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) Chairman. After the appointment he will continue to hold these positions.
Other News:
i. ACC also appointed Girish Chandra Murmu as the Expenditure Secretary.
ii. He will replace Ajay Narayan Jha who will retire on January 31 2019.
iii. He is currently the Special Secretary at Revenue Department.
iv. Additionally, it also appointed N Sivasailam, special secretary in the Department of Telecommunications as special secretary (Logistics), Department of Commerce.
Finance Ministry:
♦ Union Minister: Shri Arun Jaitley.
♦ Minister of State: Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla, Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan.
UIDAI:
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi.
♦ Chairman (Part time): Shri. J Satyanarayana.
Retired High Court judge Asim Kumar Roy appointed 2nd Bengal Lokayukta
On November 16, 2018, retired Calcutta High Court judge Asim Kumar Roy was appointed the Lokayukta of West Bengal for a period of threeyears.
i. He will be the second Lokayukta in the state succeeding Samaresh Banerjee, who had served in the post between 2006 and 2009.
ii. Justice Roy is presently serving as the chairperson of the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission.
Background:
On July 2018, West Bengal government passed the Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2018 containing 59 subjects in the State List.
West Bengal:
♦ Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee.
♦ Governor: Kesari Nath Tripathi.
♦ National Parks: Jaldapara National Park, Sunderbans National Park, Gorumara National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Singalila National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary.
♦ Airports: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Cooch Behar Airport, Bagdogra Airport, Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
Myntra to merge with Jabong ; Narayanan to continue as CEO
On November 18, 2018, Myntra revealed plans to integrate its sister firm, Jabong with itself.
ii. Post the merger, the companies will continue working as separate brands.
iii. Narayanan would report to Flipkart chief executive Kalyan Krishnamurthy after the exit of group CEO Binny Bansal.
Background:
Flipkart had acquired Myntra in 2014 and Myntra had acquired Jabong in 2016.
SPORTS
8th Asian Shotgun Championship in Kuwait
8th Asian Shotgun Championship held from 3rd November to 11th November in Kuwait.
i. Angad Vir Singh Bajwa has became the first Indian skeet shooter to win a gold. He set a world record with a shot of perfect 60 out of 60 in final round.
ii. He defeated China’s Di Jin who shot 58 in the final round. Saeed Al Maktoum of UAE won the bronze medal with a score of 46.
iii. China Topped the Medal Tally by winning 19Medals,Kazakhstan followed it by winning 14 Medals.India won a Single gold medal in the event.
About Asian Shooting Confederation:
♦ President:Sheikh Ali Al Khalifa
♦ HeadQuarter:Kuwait.
Prajnesh Gunneswaran defeats Saketh Myneni to win Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger
On 17th November 2018, Prajnesh Gunneswaran won the Bengaluru Open ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger title in Bengaluru.
i. Prajnesh Gunneswaran defeated Saketh Myneni and won the Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger title.
ii. Prajnesh Gunneswaran is 29 years old. He hails from Chennai. He has gained 125 ranking points through this win. Total prize money for the event was $ 150,000.
OBITUARY
Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, Hero of 1971 Longewala Battle, passed away
On November 18, 2018, Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri passed away at 78 in Mohali, Punjab.
ii. He was a recipient of the Maha Vir Chakra — the country’s second-highest gallantry award — for his role at Longewala.
iii. He served in the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) for about a year.
iv. He also served twice as an instructor at the Infantry School, Mhow.
Background:
Kuldip Singh Chandpuri defended a border post in Rajasthan with just 120 Indian soldiers during the 1971 war against around 2000 Pakistani soldiers who were backed by more than 40 tanks.
Mardal maestro in Odisi music Banamali Maharana passed away
On November 18, 2018, eminent percussionist Banamali Maharana passed away at 77 in Odisha.
i. He was known for playing ‘mardala’ in Odissi music and dance across the globe.
ii. He was previously honoured with the prestigious Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1994, Kendriya Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2004 and the Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Sanman in 2016.
iii. He founded the Mardala Academy in Bhubaneswar, which organizes ‘Tala Vadya Utsav’.
T.S. Kanaka, Asia’s First and World’s Third Woman Neurosurgeon Passed Away
On November 16 2018,Dr. T. S. Kanaka, Asia’s first and World’s Third woman Neurosurgeon passed away after a brief illness in Chennai at the age of 86. She was one of the first few Neurosurgeons of the world.
i. Earlier,She had worked as a professor of Neurosurgery in Madras Medical College and retired in 1990 and inspired women from all over the nation to make career in the field of Neurosurgery.
ii. She was born on March 31, 1932 and raised in Chennai.
iii. Deep Brain Stimulation was one of the area of interests of Dr. T.S. Kanaka.
IMPORTANT DAYS
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims – 18 November
On 18th November 2018, The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims was observed throughout the world.
Key Points:
i. When: The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is observed every year on the third Sunday of November. This day was started by Road Peace organization in 1993. In 2005, United Nations endorsed this day as a global observance.
ii. Why: This day remembers people who had killed and injured on the roads across the world, together with their families, friends and others who are affected. This day also thanks the emergency services.
iii. Theme: for The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2018 is “Roads have stories”.
About RoadPeace:
♦ Set up – 1992
♦ Objective – national charity for road crash victims in the United Kingdom
♦ Founder and President – Brigitte Chaudhry
♦ Location – London, England
AYUSH Ministry celebrates first Naturopathy Day – November 18
On 18th November 2018, Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) celebrated the first Naturopathy Day throughout India.
i. Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy, an autonomous body under AYUSH Ministry, organised health camps, workshops and exhibitions in association with local naturopathy centres and hospitals from 14th to 18th November 2018.
ii. AYUSH Minister Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated the first Naturopathy Day Programme in New Delhi.
iii. He announced that building natural clinics is in progress in Pune, Goa, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.
iv. Over 1,000 Naturopathy specialist doctors from all over India participated in the event organised by International Naturopathy Organisation (INO) along with Ministry of AYUSH.
v. INO also organized Painting and Kaun Banega Swasth Rakshak Competitions for school children.
About International Naturopathy Organisation (INO):
♦ Chairman – Jai Prakash Agarwal
♦ Location – New Delhi
