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INDIAN AFFAIRS
Grand challenge for improving Ease of Doing Business in the Startup India Portal launched in New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi
On November 19, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a grand challenge, in the Startup India Portal platform, for improving the Ease of Doing Business in New Delhi.
i. This iniative will invite innovative ideas based on cutting-edge technology to reform Government processes and better India’s Ease of Doing Business rank.
ii. This is a step towards PM’s vision of achieving the goal of 50th position in the Ease of Doing Business.
Malaria cases declined by 24% in India: World malaria report by WHO
World malaria report by World Health Organisation (WHO) states that, India is the only country to have achieved a substantial decrease in malaria cases in 2017 out of the 11 highest burden countries throughout the world.
Key Points:
i. As per the report, India accounted for 4 % of global malaria cases in 2017. It has made significant progress in reducing malaria since then.
ii. India has registered a 24 % reduction in cases over 2016, mainly due to its reduction in the highly malaria infected state of Odisha.
iii. Odisha contributed to nearly 40 % of all malaria cases in India. Success factors for this reduction includes: political commitment, strengthened technical leadership, which focused on prioritizing the right mix of vector control measures, and increased levels of domestic funding to back efforts.
iv. Odisha also used its network of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to deliver malaria services especially in rural and remote areas.
v.In 2018, WHO certified Paraguay as malaria-free, becoming the first country in the American continent to receive this status in 45 years.
About World Health Organisation (WHO):
♦ Director-General – Tedros Adhanom
♦ Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Centre approved Rs 74k-crore for sanitation projects: Hardeep Singh Puri
On 20th November 2018,Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that, the Centre has approved 2,400 projects worth Rs 74,000 crore for improved water supply, sewerage and drainage.
i. Hardeep Singh Puri made the announcement at the National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Innovation Summit, organised by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and Elets Technomedia Private Limited in Delhi.
ii. These projects have been approved under AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) under the state annual action plans for 2015-2020.
Centre approves additional assistance of Rs 546.21 crore from NDRF to Karnataka
On 19th November 2018, Centre approved additional assistance of Rs 546.21 crore from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to Karnataka.
Key Points:
i. This decision was taken during a High-Level Committee meeting, chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi, to consider the additional Central Assistance to Karnataka affected by floods in 2018.
ii. Karnataka was hit by floods and landslide in August 2018.
iii. The fund has been approved following a report of an inter-ministerial team that visited areas affected by floods and landslides in Karnataka including Kodagu district, which is India’s largest coffee-growing region.
Some national parks in Karnataka:
♦ Bandipur National Park
♦ Bannerghatta National Park
♦ Dandeli National Park
NMCG approved 10 composite Sewerage Projects in Agra worth Rs. 1573.28 Crore to help reduce pollution in Yamuna
On November 21, 2018, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) approved 10 sewerage projects worth Rs 1573.28 crore to address Yamuna’s pollution issues in Agra.
i. The decision was taken by the Executive Committee (EC) of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) for the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh.
ii. This consists of:
- The project for Rehabilitation / Renovation of Agra Sewerage Scheme (Interception & Diversion Works) at a total cost of Rs. 857.26 crore including O&M cost for 15 years.
- Interception & Diversion works (I&D) and Sewage Treatment Plant at Kasganj at a cost of Rs. 76.73 crore including O&M cost for 15 years.
- Interception & Diversion works (I&D) and Sewage Treatment Plant at Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh were approved by EC at a total project cost of Rs.64.76 plus O&M costs for 15 years.
- Projects worth Rs. 328.52 crore in Chhapra, Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur and Khagaria in Bihar.
- Fatuha I&D and STP Project has been approved at a total cost of Rs.35.49 Crore.
- Bakhtiyarpur I&D and STP Project was approved at a total cost of Rs.35.88 Crore.
- Khagaria I&D and STP Project has been approved at a total project cost of Rs. 21 Crore including of 15 years O&M.
- I&D works including pumping stations and STPs under Burdwan Municipality, in West-Bengal has been approved at a total project cost of Rs.234.31 crores.
- Sewerage scheme for Zone-II and III of Paonta Town, Himachal Pradesh was approved at a total project cost of Rs.11.57 crore.
About National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG):
♦ Director General: Shri Rajiv Ranjan Mishra.
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi.
A National Institute of Inter-Faith Studies to be set up in Punjab to commemorate 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak: Government
On November 21, 2018, the Union Minister of Culture, Shri Mahesh Sharma, announced centre’s proposal to set up a first-of-its-kind institute of Inter-Faith Studies in Amritsar, Punjab as a part of the year-long activities to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in 2019.
i. It will incorporate studies on the lines of the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji .
Objective:
To promote brotherhood and diversity.
Key Points:
i. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Implementation Committee (NIC) headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
ii. The NIC was constituted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the purpose of commemorating the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
Other Proposals:
i. The government will also develop Sultanpur Lodhi in Punjab where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, spent most of his life.
ii. It will be developed as a heritage city incorporating ‘Pind Babe Nanak Da’ and a high powered telescope will be installed in Indian territory to view Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan where spent his last days.
iii. An international seminar will also be organised in Delhi where commemorative coin and postage stamps will be released by the Department of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Posts.
iv.Furthermore, Chairs on Shri Guru Nanak Devji will be set up in one University each in UK andCanada.
v.UNESCO will be requested to publish Shri Guru Nanak Devji’s writings in world languages.
vi.Ministry of Railways will run a special train passing through the various holy places associated with Shri Guru Nanak Devji, for pilgrims and tourists.
Ministry of Culture:
♦ Minister of State(I/C): Shri Mahesh Sharma.
Himachal Pradesh government approved implementation of Sashakt Mahila Yojna
On November 20, 2018,the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur approved implementation of Sashakt Mahila Yojna in the State.
i. It aims to empower rural women by providing them an interface for organization and socio-economic development.
ii. The scheme would link rural women with sustainable livelihood opportunities and improving their skill by imparting training.
iii.It also decided to implement the Himachal Healthcare Scheme (HIMCARE) in the state.The cashless treatment coverage of Rs 5 lakh per year per family will be provided under the scheme on family floater basis.
Himachal Pradesh:
♦ Capital: Shimla.
♦ Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur.
♦ Governor: Acharya Devvrat.
♦ National Parks: Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park.
Andhra Pradesh launches Bhuseva programme and Bhudaar web portal to make land records accessible to people
On 20th November 2018, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched Bhuseva programme and Bhudaar web portal to make land records available to people, in Amaravati.
Key Points:
i. Under the Bhuseva programme, each agriculture land holding and rural and urban properties in Andhra Pradesh will be allotted a unique 11-digit identity number called “Bhudaar’’.
ii. All revenue land-related transactions like mutation, registration etc. will be performed using Bhudaar card.
iii. Temporary Bhudhaar number starts with 99. Permanent Bhudaar will start with 28. If it is a government land, 28 is followed by 00.
iv. Two types of Bhudaar cards are available: e-Bhudaar and M-Bhudaar. Chief Minister also launched Bhudaar security policy to provide security to the land records.
v. The Bhudaar card can be availed from Bhudaar portal as well as from Mee seva centres. The portal is available at:wwwbhuseva.ap.gov.in.
Some Wildlife Sanctuaries in Andhra Pradesh:
♦ Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
♦ Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary
♦ Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary
West Bengal Assembly passes Bill to give land rights to enclave dwellers in north Bengal
On 19th November 2018, West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed West Bengal Land Reforms (Amendments) bill, 2018 to give land rights to enclave dwellers in north Bengal ending an era of uncertain future of people living in those areas.
Key Points
i. On 1stAugust 2015, India and Bangladesh had exchanged a total of 162 enclaves to end one of the world’s most complex border disputes that had lingered for 7 decades since Independence.
ii. IN Cooch Behar, 111 Indian enclaves spreading across 17,160 acres became the part of Bangladesh territory whereas 51 Bangladesh enclaves spreading across 7,110 acres became part of Indian Territory.
iii. Minister of State for Land and Land reforms, Chandrima Bhattacharya moved the bill to the House where it was passed unopposed.
iv. This bill will help the enclave dwellers to get full-fledged status as citizens of India along with all civil amenities and citizenship rights.
About West Bengal
♦ Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee
♦ Governor: Keshari Nath Tripathi
BANKING & FINANCE
RBI board to set up panel to examine Economic Capital Framework; to work jointly with Govt for transfer of funds worth Rs 3.6 lakh crore
On November 19, 2018, in its board meeting, RBI decided to set up an expert committee to examine the central bank’s Economic Capital Framework (ECF) to enable transfer of reserve worth Rs 3.6 lakh crore to Government of India.
i. The membership and terms of reference of the committee will be jointly determined by the government and the RBI.
ii. This decision was made after a key demand of the government on the same for transfer of a surplus of Rs 3.6 lakh crore, more than a third of the total Rs 9.6 lakh crore reserves of the central bank to the government.
iii. Since the Finance Ministry argued that the current framework was “unilaterally” adopted by the RBI in July 2017, it has suggested RBI to work jointly for the constitution.
iv. However, the government has proposed that the use of these funds should be decided in consultation with the RBI.
Other News:
i. In addition to the above, the RBI agreed to consider a scheme for restructuring of stressed standard assets of MSME borrowers with aggregate credit facilities of up to Rs 250 million.
ii. It also decided to relax a deadline for lenders to boost capital ratios as it estimated the lending capacity to be around an extra 2.5 trillion rupees to 3.0 trillion rupees ($35 billion to $42 billion) over the next year for the Indian banks.
iii. The relaxation will also reduce banks’ capital requirements by about 300 billion to 350 billion rupees of capital.
iv.In last 5 years, RBI had transferred 75%(Rs 2.48 lakh crore) of its income as surplus.During the financial year 2015-16,RBI had transferred 83% of its income to the Centre as surplus,This is the highest payout.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
AAI inked agreement with US Trade and Development Agency to prepare modernized air traffic roadmap
On November 16, 2018, state-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) partnered up with the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to develop a roadmap for modernisation of its air traffic services.
i. It is aimed at developing a CNS/ATM roadmap for the AAI for modernisation of the national airspace system (NAS).
ii. This would consist of air traffic management (ATM) and communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) and ground equipage in the short, medium and long term (up to 10 years).
iii. Under the agreement, US aircraft manufacturer Boeing will provide technical assistance and invest in CNS/ATM facilities.
AAI:
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi.
♦ Chairman: Guruprasad Mohapatra.
Indian Army selected Russian Igla-S missile system of Rosoboronexport worth $1.47 billion
On November 19, 2018, Russian defence major Rosoboronexport emerged as the lowest bidder in the Indian Army’s tender for procurement of a batch of Igla-S, very short range air defence or VSHORAD program missile system, worth $1.47 billion.
i. The Russian Igla-S system is the the latest model of Russian’s MAN Portable Air Defence Systems(MANPADS) technology offered to the Indian Army,which is expected to replace the IGLA M systems of Russia that is being used since the 1980s.
ii. This was done as per the request for proposal that was first issued in October 2010 and Rosoboronexport was a part of 5 contenders namely,MBDA of France, Rosoboronexport from Russia and SAAB from Sweden.
iii. Under this, the Indian Army has asked for 5,175 missiles and associated equipment in the VSHORAD program, out of which around 2,300 missiles will be bought in fully formed condition, 260 will be in semi-knocked down (SKD) condition and 1,000 missiles will be completely knocked down (CKD).
iv. Furthermore, 600 missiles will be produced in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative.
v. These must have a maximum range of 6km, altitude of 3 km along with all-weather capability.
Russia:
♦ Capital: Moscow.
♦ Currency: Russian ruble.
India, Russia finalize USD 500 million deal for construction of 2 Talvar-class warships for Indian Navy in Goa
On November 20, 2018, India and Russia confirmed a USD 500 million deal for construction of two Talvar-class missile frigates in Goa for the Indian Navy.
i. The agreement was signed under the government-to-government framework for defence cooperation between:
Defence PSU Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and Russia’s state-run defence major Rosoboronexport.
ii. According to the finalized deal, Russia will provide design, technology know how and key materials to GSL for construction of the ships in India.
iii. The construction of the ships will begin in 2020 and the first one will be inducted in 2026 while second one will be ready by 2027.
iv. Additionally, the two sides already finalized another deal amounting to around USD 1 billion under which Russia will supply two frigates to India by 2023.
Rosoboronexport:
♦ Headquarters: Moscow, Russia.
UK India Business Council released 4th annual Ease of Doing Business in India report
On November 21, 2018, UK India Business Council (UKIBC) released its ‘4th Annual Ease of Doing Business in India Report: The UK Perspective’.
i. It had an in-depth survey of businesses with a combined turnover of USD 122 billion.
Highlights:
i. 25 percent of UK businesses saw corruption as a major barrier in 2018.
ii. 46 percent of UK Businesses responding had plans to expand their investments in India in the next 12 months.
iii. 25 percent of those responding intend to direct this new investment eastwards – seeking new opportunities in states such as West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur.
Background:
Since 2000, the UK has been the largest G20 investor in India, investing £17.5 billion.
UKIBC:
♦ Headquarters: London, UK.
♦ Group CEO: Richard Herald OBE.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Centre for Science and Environment wins 2018 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has won 2018 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, conferred by Indira Gandhi Trust every year on the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary.
Key Points:
i. Former President Pranab Mukerjee headed the international jury for the awards.
ii. CSE was established in 1980 under the leadership of late Anil Agarwal. It has been working on various issues like air and water pollution, food safety, waste water management, climate change etc.
About Centre for Science and Environment (CSE):
♦ Director General – Sunita Narain
♦ Location – New Delhi
100-Year-old WWII veteran Retired Lt. Col. William Pollard awarded French Legion of Honor
On 19th November 2018, French Government has awarded French Legion of Honor to 100-year-old Retired Col. William Pollard during a ceremony at the Kentucky Capitol. William Pollard fought in World War II and rescued 14 soldiers from a concrete caisson that was hit by enemy fire.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Fiji leader Voreqe Bainimarama sworn in as PM for 4 more years after winning election
On 20th November, 2018, incumbent Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama was re-elected for a second term after his ruling Fiji first Party won this year’s general election. President, Major- General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote will administer the oath of the office to the PM at State House.
Key points:
i. Bainimarama’s party secured 27 seats out of 51 seats in the parliament by receiving 50.02 % of the total vote.
ii. Major Opposition party, Social Democratic Liberal Party secured 21 seats by getting 39.85 % vote.
iii. This is Fiji’s second general election since a military coup in 2006 and the last election took place in 2014.
About Fiji
♦ Fiji Capital- Suva.
♦ Fiji Currency- Fijian Dollar.
Millie Bobby Brown named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
Millie Bobby Brown, actor of Netflix sci-fi drama ‘Stranger Things’ has been appointed as UNICEF’s latest Goodwill Ambassador. The 14 –year old, Emmy award nominated star is the youngest person ever to be appointed to this position. Millie will use her global platform to help raise awareness of children’s rights and issues affecting youth, such as lack of education, safe places to play and learn, and the impact of violence, bullying and poverty.
Key points:
The announcement was made on the 20th November, World Children’s Day– a global day of action “for children, by children” to raise awareness and funds for the millions of children’s rights and issues affecting young people.
About United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):
♦ UNICEF president: Tore Hattrem
♦ UNICEF Executive Director: Henrietta H. Fore
♦ UNICEF Headquarter: New York
Interpol elected South Korean Kim Jong-yang as next president
On November 21, 2018, Interpol’s 94 member states elected South Korea’s Kim Jong-yang as Interpol’s next president in Dubai.
i. The 57-year-oldwill serve until 2020 and succeeded Meng Hongwei.
ii. Prior to this, he had been serving as Interpol’s acting president since Meng resigned and was a vice-president representing Asia.
iii. He defeated Russia’s candidate, Alexander Prokopchuk, for the post.
Dr Dixit appointed ambassador of Maharashtra’s anti-obesity campaign
Medical education Ministry of the Maharashtra government has appointed Dr Jagannath Dixit as the brand ambassador of its anti-obesity campaign. In 2012, Dr Dixit had started a WhatsApp campaign to address this issue and to provide guidance to people affected by the lifestyle disease. Girish Mahajan, the Medical Education Minister of Maharashtra government gave a letter to this effect to Dr Dixit. He was appointed due to his experience and knowledge in the field, the letter stated.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Standard definitions of kilogram, Ampere, Kelvin and mole changed after 130 years
The world’s standard definition of the kilogram (kg), the Ampere (A), the Kelvin (K), and the mole has been changed, after 130 years.
Key Points:
i. The changes were done after representatives from 60 countries voted to redefine the International System of Units (SI) for weight, current, temperature and amount of chemical substance.
ii. This decision was made at the General Conference on Weights and Measures, held from November 13-16 2018, in Versailles, France, organized by International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in France.
iii. Now, all SI units will be defined in terms of constants that describe the natural world. The changes will come into effect on May 20, 2019.
iv. The definition of the kilogram, the International Prototype of the Kilogram (IPK), a cylinder of a platinum alloy stored at BIPM will be replaced by the Planck constant – the fundamental constant of quantum physics.
About International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM):
♦ Director – Martin Milton
♦ Location – France
World’s first total-body scanner “Explorer” produces 3D human images
On 19th November 2018, scientists announced that, the world’s first medical imaging scanner “Explorer” that can capture a 3D picture of the whole human body at once in 20-30 seconds, has produced its first scans.
i. Explorer has been developed by scientists from the University of California – Davis in the US in partnership with Shanghai-based United Imaging Healthcare (UIH).
ii. It is a combined positron emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner that can image the entire body at the same time.
iii. The first images from scans of humans through this device will be displayed at the Radiological Society of North America meeting that will commence on November 24, 2018 in Chicago, US.
NASA selects landing site for Mars 2020 Rover
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has selected Jezero Crater as the landing site for its upcoming Mars 2020 rover mission.
i. The rover mission is scheduled to launch in July 2020. It will look for signs of ancient habitable conditions and past microbial life. It will collect rock and soil samples.
ii. Jezero Crater is located on the western edge of Isidis Planitia, a huge impact basin north of the Martian equator. The crater is 28-mile-wide (45-kilometer).
iii. Mars 2020 mission will launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, US.
Elon Musk renames SpaceX’s ‘BFR’ rocket as ‘Starship’
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has announced that he is changing the name of “BFR” rocket to “Starship.”
i. This rocket aims to carry people to the Moon and also to the Mars one day. BFR was referred as the “Big Falcon Rocket.”
ii. The rocket is 387-foot tall. It has a first stage with engines and fuel systems, which will be called the “Super Heavy.”
iii. Passengers will ride in the second stage of “Starship”. The estimated cost of the rocket system is USD 5 billion.
China successfully launches five satellites
On 19th November, 2018, China successfully launched five satellites, including a new space environment research satellite and four nano satellites on a single rocket. The rocket Long March -2D carried away the satellites from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China’s Gansu province.
Key points:
i. Satellite named Shiyan Weixing-6 will be used for space environment detection and related technical tests.
ii. The Nano Satellites will be used for precision calibration of ground monitoring equipment and to support the adaption of on-ground android system technologies for space application.
iii. Small artificial satellite weighing between 1 and 10 kg are called as Nano Satellites.
Highlights of Chinese Space Program:
♦ Chinese space agency name: China National Space Administration (CNSA)
♦ Headquarter: Beijing, China.
India’s first sewer cleaning machine launched by Sulabh International on World Toilet Day 2018 in New Delhi
On November 19, 2018, on World Toilet Day 2018, Sulabh International introduced India’s first sewer cleaning machine costing Rs. 43 lakh in New Delhi.
i. This will reduce sewer deaths and get rid of 99 per cent of unsafe practice of manual scavenging.
ENVIRONMENT
Four new horned frogs discovered by Delhi University team in Northern Himalayas
Four new horned frogs’ species have been discovered by a team of biologists from Delhi University, University College Dublin (Ireland) and Natural History Museum (UK) in the Himalayan regions of Northeast India. The Team of biologists also includes S D Biju from Department of Environment Studies, Delhi University who is known as the “Frogman of India”.
SPORTS
Bangladesh Krida Shiksha Prothishtan (BKSP) wins 59th edition of Subroto cup International Football Tournament
On 20th November 2018, The finals of the 59th edition of Subroto Cup International Football Tournament (Junior Boys category) was won by Bangladesh’s Krida Shiksha Prothishtan (BKSP) by defeating Amini School of Afghanistan with a solitary goal scored by Habibur Rahman at the 11th minute. The Closing Ceremony & the Final Match was held at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi Gate, New Delhi.
Key points:
i. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff & Chairman, Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society was the Chief Guest for the ceremony and handed over the prize money to the captain of Bangladesh Krida Shiksha Prothishtan (BKSP).
ii. PranubLimboo of Govt. Senior Secondary School, Namchi, Sikkim was presented Best Goalkeeper award.
iii. The Best Player award was presented to Mohammad Nemil of Reliance Foundation School, Mumbai.
iv. Raghu Kumarof Army Boys Sports Company was adjudged as Best Coach while, the Fair Play Trophy was given away to Reliance Foundation School, Mumbai.
v. NNMHSS, Chelembra, Malappuram and Kerala were awarded for the Most Contributing School for Football.
vi. A total of 95 teams, 1500 players 149 officials participated in the tournament making it one of the biggest tournamentsin its category in the entire soccer world. There were 08 teams from 03 overseas countries, viz. Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
India Win two bronze medals in Acrobatic Gymnastics world cup
On 17th and 18th November, the two day event of FIG Acrobatic Gymnastics world cup was held at National Gymnastic Arena in Baku for the first time in which India wins two bronze medals in the men’s and women’s group events.
Key Points:
i. Prins Aris, Siddhesh Bhosle, Rushikesh More and Rejilesh Suribabu scored 20.560 to bag bronze medal at National Gymnastics Arena on 18thNovember.
ii. Indian women’s trio of Ayushi Ghodeswar, Prachi Parkhi and Mrunmayi Walde scored 18.200 and bagged bronze medal.
iii. More than 70 athletes competed in Men’s Pairs, Women’s Pairs, Mixed Pairs, Women’s groups and Men’s groups.
iv. Russian gymnasts dominates the event by claiming all five titles.
About Azerbaijan
♦ Capital: Baku
♦ Currency: Manat
About International Gymnastics Federation
♦ Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
♦ President: Morinari Watanabe
Wasim Jaffer becomes first Indian to touch 11,000-run milestone in Ranji Trophy
On 21st November 2018, Veteran first-class cricketer Wasim Jaffer became the first Indian player to touch the 11,000 run figure in the Ranji Trophy by scoring an impressive knock of 153 off 284 balls during the third round match against Baroda in Nagpur at Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium. The Right Hand Vidarbha batsman had played 32 international test matches and scored 1944 with the average of 34.11.
West Indies name Nic Pothas as interim head coach
Fielding coach Nic Pothas has been appointed interim head coach of West Indies for the tour of Bangladesh.
i. He replaces Stuart Law. Nic Pothas will be in charge during the tour of Bangladesh.
ii. In April 2017, Nic Pothas resigned as the fielding consultant of Sri Lanka.
IMPORTANT DAYS
46th World Hello Day celebrated across the world
November 21, 2018 is seen as the 46th World Hello Day to express the power of communications to resolve differences.
i. World Hello Day began in response to the conflict between Egypt and Israel in the Fall of 1973. Since then, World Hello Day has been observed by people in 180 countries.
ii. The concept was created by Brian McCormack, a Ph.D. graduate of Arizona State University, and Michael McCormack, a graduate of Harvard University.
iii. The way to celebrate World Hello Day is by greeting at least 10 people during one day.
The website of the day is: http://www.worldhelloday.org/
23rd World Television Day celebrated by UNGA
November 21, 2018 is celebrated as the 23rd annual World Television Day all across the world since its inception in December 1996 by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
i. UN releases its UN Video reports from all over the world consisting of news footage direct from the latest humanitarian crisis; documentaries putting a human face to crucial issues of present time.
ii. It is produced in the six official languages of the UN (French, Spanish, English, Chinese, Arabic, Russian).
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA):
♦ Headquarters: New York City, USA.
♦ President: María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés.
World Fisheries Day (21st November)
21st November is celebrated as World Fisheries day every year throughout the world. Fishing Communities celebrates the day by organizing rallies, Cultural programs, workshops and exhibition to highlight the importance of healthy ocean ecosystems and to ensure sustainable stocks of fisheries in the world.
Key Points
i. The day explores moves towards finding solutions to the increasingly inter-connected problems that the world is facing in order to follow sustainable model.
ii. Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said that the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fundof Rs. 7522 crore will augment production and create more employment opportunities.
iii. Fisheries in India makes up to 5.3 percent to the agriculture and allied activities and contributes about 1.07 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). India has over 8000 km of coastline and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2 million sq km.
