We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 8 November 2019, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2019 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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INDIAN AFFAIRS
2nd edition of joint naval exercise “Samudra Shakti 2019 ” between India & Indonesia held in Bay of Bengal
The 2nd divisional naval exercise ‘Samudra Shakti 2019 ‘ between India navy & Indonesia navy was held in Bay of Bengal, the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean,from November 6-7,2019. INS (Indian Naval Ship) Kamorta, an anti-submarine warfare corvette was jointly exercising with Indonesian warship KRI Usman Harun as part of the exercise.
i.The aim of this joint exercise is to expand mutual relations, deepen maritime cooperation and adopt each other’s best practices.
ii.Harbor phase of practice was conducted from November 4-5,2019 at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.…Click here to Read More
Indian Coast Guard conducted Regional Level Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise 2019 (ReSAREX- 19) near Goa
The Indian Coast Guard(ICG) conducted Regional Level Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise 2019 (ReSAREX- 19) near the coast of Goa, to check the efficiency and preparedness of ICG. The exercise was organised for 2 days, by the coast guard district headquarters of Goa from November 6-7, 2019.
Key Points:
i.The exercise comprised of search and rescue workshop and table top exercise.
ii.ICG participation: 5 ships of ICG, 2 Chetak helicopters were used for the workshop while resources from State Marine Police, Indian Mission Control Centre (IMCC) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Captain of Ports, state administration of Goa, Goa medical college and Goa’s Mormugao Port Trust were used in the service.
About ICG:
Founded- 18 August 1978.
Headquarters- New Delhi.
Motto(s)- Vayam Rakṣāmaḥ (We protect).
India Justice Report 2019: Maharashtra holds top, UP rank bottom
On November 7 2019, According to ‘India Justice Report 2019’, Maharashtra is the top state among the 18 large-medium states that leads in the overall ranking of Indian States on justice delivery, followed by Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab. In this classification, Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are at the bottom, while among the list of seven smaller States, Goa leads the group.
i.Four Pillars-The report covers the justice of delivery on police, judiciary, prisons and legal aid.
ii.Tata Trusts in collaboration with the Centre for Social Justice, Common Cause, and Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative released the India Justice Report 2019.…Click here to Read More
Coal minister Pralhad Joshi announced 300% Ex-gratia increase for fatal coal mine accidents in Odisha
On November 7, 2019 the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and parliamentary affairs Shri Prahlad Joshi announced for a 300% hike in the ex-gratia amount for fatal accidents in coal mining. With this, the ex-gratia amount has increased to Rs15 lakhs from the previous amount of Rs 5 lakhs. This announcement was made at Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) in Odisha.
Key Points:
i.MCL future plans: The future plans of MCL are as follows,
- 4000 new jobs to be created at MCL by 2024-2025 .
- Investment of Rs 9000 crores for railway infrastructure creation that would enable coal transportation.
- The MCL also plans to run Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) to provide free healthcare to the villages near its operational areas.
ii.Other event: Foundation stone of MCL DAV (Dayanand Anglo Vedic) School, estimated worth of Rs 45 crore, was laid. Chief Managing Director(CMD) of Coal India Ltd (CIL) Anil Kumar Jha, CMD of MCL Bhola Nath Shukla and others were present in the event.
iii.Aerial survey of the operations of the Talcher Coalfields at MCL was undertaken. This Talcher coalfield is the world’s second biggest subsidiary of state-run CIL and contributes 25% of total CIL’s production.
About MCL:
Founded- 1992.
Headquarters- Sambalpur, Odisha.
Fact- It is one of the eight subsidiaries of CIL.
FSSAI released draft regulations of Safe Food and Healthy Diet for school children
On November 7, 2019 the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India(FSSAI) has proposed a draft regulation titled “Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and healthy diets for School Children) Regulations, 2019”. The regulations which is a 10-point charter, were proposed to ensure safe and wholesome food for School children.
10-point charter regulations:
i.Foods with high fat, salt and sugar content are banned to be sold in school canteens and other school premises or within 50 meters of school campus.
ii.Licence: Proper license should be obtained for operation of mid-day meal scheme and also should comply with sanitary and hygienic practices under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) regulations,2011….Click here for 10 point charter regulations
About FSSAI:
Founded- August 2011.
Headquarters- New Delhi.
Chief Executive Officer(CEO)- Pawan Kumar Agarwal.
Chairperson- Rita Teaotia.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Highlights of defence minister Rajnath’s visit to Russia for 19th IRIGC-M&MTC in Moscow, Russia
The union Defence Minister shri Rajnath Singh co-chaired the 19th Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) in Moscow, Russia that was held from November 5-7,2019. From the Russian side, it was co-chaired by Russian Defence Minister General Sergey Shoigu. This is the first visit of Rajnath Singh to Russia as a defence minister.
Protocol signed: A Protocol was signed by the two ministers during the meeting. Both the nations on September 4, 2019 signed an agreement on Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) which defines a framework for mutual cooperation, for joint manufacturing of spares, components, and other materials related to Russian or Soviet Origin Arms and Defence Equipment. The agreement was signed during 20th India-Russia Annual Summit in Vladivostok, Russia.
India-Russia Defence Industry Cooperation Conference:
Shri Rajnath Singh jointly inaugurated the “India-Russia Defence Industry Cooperation Conference” held in Moscow, along with Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov on November 5, 2019.
i.After the inauguration, Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the Chief Executive Officers(CEO) of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) from Russian Defence Industry.
ii.DefExpo: On Rajnath Singh’s invitation the Russian defence minister Sergey accepted to participate in the DefExpo 2020 (defence expo 2020) which is going to be held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from february 5-8, 2020. Russia also assured full support for india’s capabilities in the ‘Make in India’ initiative for defence equipment manufacturing.
iii.Indo-Russian joint venture: The Russian side also accepted its readiness to operationalize a joint venture(JV) of the Indo-Russia Rifles Private Ltd for manufacturing Kalashnikov AK 203 rifles in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh….Click here to Read More
Biennial Commonwealth Law Ministers’ Conference 2019 was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka
The four-day Biennial Commonwealth Law Ministers’ Conference (CLM) 2019 was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 4-7 November 2019. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Law and Justice represented India at the conference.
Key Points:-
i.The theme of 2019 CLM Conference is ‘Equal Access to Justice and the Rule of Law’.
ii.The conference was chaired by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms, Thalatha Atukorala.
iii.Participants-On the fourth day of conference Law Ministers and Attorney general from commonwealth countries are participated.
iv.Objective- The main objectives faced by millions of people such as recent legal developments and issues of interest to Commonwealth jurisdictions, including electronic evidence, data protection, reform of civil procedure, international commercial arbitration, anti-corruption, access to justice, and vulnerable persons in the justice system were discussed in this conference.
v.Consequence- The access to justice is important for democracy and peace to grow thus, Commonwealth countries are working mutually to support and encourage the vulnerable group barrier.
BANKING & FINANCE
IRDAI prevents Reliance health insurance from selling new insurance policy
On November 7, 2019, IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India ), an autonomous, statutory body tasked with regulating insurance and re-insurance, has barred Anil Ambani’s company Reliance Health Insurance Ltd (RHICL) from selling new insurance policies due its poor financial condition and only they can provide service to old policies.
Key Points:
i.Mandate: RHICL has also required to transfer its entire financial assets including current insurance liabilities to to sister concern Reliance General Insurance Co Ltd (RGICL), which will settle claims of existing insurance holders.
ii.Restriction: RHICL will stop selling insurance from November 15,2019 and will display it with clarity on its website and all branches.
iii. Background: On June 30,2019, RHICL had reported a solvency ratio (the financial ability of an insurer to service its obligations, including payment to claims)of 106 %. It was below 150 %, which is the control level of solvency.It was asked to restore the required level of solvency margin by September 30,2019.
About RHICL:
Formation– 2017
Parent organization– Reliance Capital
Executive Director & CEO– Mr. Ravi Vishwanath
About IRDAI:
Formation– 1999
Headquarters– Hyderabad, Telangana
Chairman– Subhash Chandra Khuntia
Exim Bank grants $30 million line of credit to Ghana for potable water project
On November 7, 2019, Export-Import (Exim)Bank, the premier export finance institution of India has given a $30 million (about Rs 210 crore) line of credit (LoC, a soft loan / loan with low interest rate) to the Government of the Republic of Ghana for financing rehabilitation and up-gradation of Potable Water System in Yendi, Ghana. The Agreement in this regard is effective from October 11, 2019.
Key Points:
i.Out of the total assistance by Exim Bank under the agreement,financing of eligible goods, works and services of the value of at least 75 % of the contract price shall be supplied by the seller from India and the remaining 25 % of goods and services may be procured by the seller for the purpose of eligible contract from outside India. It will be subject to the eligibility for export under the Foreign Trade Policy of India.
ii.As per the agreement,the terminal utilisation time is 60 months period after the scheduled completion date of the project.
iii.On April 05, 2019, Exim Bank has signed an agreement with Ghana for the purpose of potable water project.
About Exim Bank:
Founded -1 January 1982
Headquarters -Mumbai, Maharashtra
Managing Director – David Rasquinha
About Ghana:
Capital- Accra
Currency- Ghanaian cedi
President -Nana Akufo-Addo
Indian Bank sign MoU with Muthoot microfinance to jointly lend MSME customers
On November 8, 2019, Indian Bank, an Indian state-owned financial services company has inked an memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Muthoot Microfinance Ltd,a leading non-banking finance company (NBFC) ,to jointly lend to the MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) borrowers.
i.The agreement was signed by Sudhakar Rao, Indian Bank general manager-MSME &Praveen T, Muthoot Microfin deputy CFO (Chief Financial Officer) in the presence of the bank’s managing director (MD) and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Padmaja Chunduru.
About Indian Bank:
Founded -15 August 1907
Headquarters -Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Tagline- Your Own Bank
About Muthoot microfinance:
Founded -2015
Headquarters Ernakulam, Kerala
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) -Sadaf Sayeed
GeM inks MoU with Central Bank of India for payment-related services
On November 7, 2019, Government e-Marketplace (GeM) ,a one stop portal to facilitate online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by various government departments, has signed MoU (Memorandum of understanding) with Central Bank of India to provide various payments and various banking services on its portal.
Key Points:
i.As per the MoU, the Central Bank of India will offer a number of services including transfer of funds through GeM Pool Accounts (GPA), advising of electronic Performance Bank Guarantees (e-PBG) and Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) to users registered on GeM portal.
ii.This integration will help sellers and MSMEs (Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) to get easy credit and do better business with the government.
iii.GeM has already signed an MoU with 18 public and private banks in this regard.
iv.The MOU was signed by Rajeev Kandpal, CFO, GeM and A.K. Mishra, Field General Manager,Central Bank of India in the presence of Talleen Kumar, CEO, GeM.
About Central Bank of India:
Formation- 21 December 1911
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
MD & CEO- Pallav Mahapatra
Tagline- Central to you since 1911 , Build A Better Life Around Us
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Moody’s revises India’s economic outlook to “negative” from “Stable”
On November 8, 2019 the American financial service company Moody’s has downgraded India’s economic outlook to “Negative” from “Stable”. This downgrade was due to slow growth in the economy. It also predicted that the slow growth would be prolonged and would also have debt rises.
i.Budget deficit: Moody’s has also predicted a budget deficit of 3.7% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the year through March 2020, which is a breach in the govt’s target of 3.3%. This was due to corporate tax rate cuts, slow growth etc.
ii.Foreign currency bond: The long term foreign currency bond and bank deposit ceilings were unchanged at Baa1 and Baa2(both being 2nd lowest investment grade score), respectively.
About Moodys:
Founded- 1909.
Founder- John Moody.
Headquarters- New York, United States.
Chief Executive Officer(CEO)- Raymond W. McDaniel Jr.
About Bond ratings:
Moody’s created the rating system to provide the investors, the system of gradation to measure the creditworthiness of securities. Baa1 and Baa2 are rated as medium grade, with some speculative elements and moderate credit risk.
Nasscom’s new report titled “Indian Tech Start-Up Ecosystem: Leading Tech In The 20s” for 2019 released
On November 7, 2019 the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) released a report on Indian startup ecosystem and job generation at the sidelines of the 16th anniversary edition of NASSCOM Product Conclave 2019. It was prepared with the support of consulting company named ‘Zinnov’. The report titled “Indian Tech Start-Up Ecosystem: Leading Tech In The 20s” in detail are as follows
- By 2025, Indian startup ecosystem could create upto 12.5 lakh direct jobs. The job generation ranges from 3.9-4.3 lakh in 2019.
- Indian start-up ecosystem is positioned as the 3rd largest in the world after China and the United States(US) in the first and second place respectively.
- Delhi has the highest number (6) of startups with Unicorn status(privately held company valued at over $1 billion).…Click here to Read More
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Kumar Mangalam Birla conferred with 2019 ABLF Global Asian Award 2019
On November 7, 2019 Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, Kumar Mangalam Birla was conferred with UAE (United Arab Emirates) govt. backed 2019 ABLF Global Asian Award at an event in Dubai. The award was given for ‘powerful individual whose business footprint and commitment to excellence have engaged international interest’.
Key Points:
i.Previous awardees: The previous awardees include Dhirubhai Ambani, Lakshmi Mittal, Mohamed Ali Alaber, chairman of Emaar group, and Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates.
ii.The Asia Business Leadership Forum (ABLF) currently runs in three forms, they are on ‘talks, awards, and publications’.
About UAE:
Capital- Abu Dhabi.
Currency- United Arab Emirates dirham.
President- Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
KSUM recognized as world no 1 public business accelerator
On November 8, 2019 Sweden based company UBI Global has recognised the Kerala Startup Mission(KSUM) as the World’s top Public Business Accelerator. UBI Awards & Recognition Gala event 2019 released the top lists of business incubators and accelerators as per the assessment made in the World Benchmark Study 2019 -2020. The announcement in this regard was made at the World Incubation Summit for best programmes, hosted by Qatar Development Bank at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar.
Key Points:
i.A total of 364 programmes from 78countries were selected for the assessment.
ii.Other categories: Awards were given in other categories, they are, World Top University Business Incubators, World Top Public Business Incubators, World Top Private Business Incubators, World Top University Business Accelerators and World Top Private Business Accelerators.
About KSUM:
KSUM: KSUM is a nodal agency for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the Indian states.
Founded- 2006.
Headquarters- Thiruvananthapuram.
Chief Executive Officer(CEO)- Dr. Saji Gopinath.
West Bengal writer Abhisek Sarkar won 2019 Gemcon Young Poetry Literature award at Dhaka Lit-fest in Bangladesh
The 9th edition of the Dhaka Lit-fest, which was a literature festival organised from November 5-7, 2019 was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. West Bengal based Indian writer Abhisek Sarkar won “Gemcon Young Literature Award” for the year 2019 for his manuscript “Nishiddho”.
Focus: The special focus for the 2019 fest was on Indigenous Languages as the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has marked 2019 as the year of Indigenous Language Protection.
Key Points:
i.Poetry winner: Bangladeshi poet Rofiquzzaman Rony won the 2019 Gemcon Young Poetry Award for the poem “Dhoashar Tamate Rong”.
ii.Award-winning author and Booker prize finalist Monica Ali, iconic author of Bangla literature Sankar, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jeffrey Gettleman, writer Shashi Tharoor(India) and others participated in the event.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Indian Railways launches three applications to strengthen IT enablement
On November 8 2019, Indian Railways launched three applications namely “CRS Sanction Management System”, “Rail-road crossing GAD approval system” and “TMS for construction” for India to strengthen IT enablement of railways. It helps to ensure the proper monitoring of projects being undertaken by Indian Railways and boots the Digital India.
Three applications: –
i.CRS Sanction Management System– CRS Sanction is an important aspect in construction, maintenance and up-gradation of railway assets.
Benefits-
- Efficient preparation and processing of cases for CRS Sanction.
- Managerial reports to monitor the cases, comparative performance.
ii.Rail-road crossing GAD(General Agreement Drawings)approval system –It is foronline e-Governance platform to expedite preparation, processing & approval of General Agreement Drawings (GADs) related to the construction of Road Over Bridges (ROB)/Road Under Bridges (RUB).…Click here to Read More
CSIR’s NEERI launches India’s 1st air pollution web repository called “IndAIR”
On November 6, 2019 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) ‘s , National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), a research institute created and funded by the Government of India (GoI) ,has launched India’s 1st interactive online repository called IndAIR (Indian Air quality Studies Interactive Repository),which documents air quality studies undertaken in the past 60 years.
i.IndAIR will provide information about innovative research & analysis in the field of air pollution in India and its disadvantages and effects and with its help, researchers, media and academics can access studies being conducted on air pollution.
ii.IndAIR has brought about 1,215 research papers, 170 reports and case studies, more than 100 cases and 2000 laws and Internet time to spread the history of research and legal processes related to air pollution in India. Stored around 700 scanned documents, ‘Indair’ has all the major laws dating back to the year 1905.…Click here to Read More
OBITUARY
Nabaneeta Dev Sen -Legendary Bengali Writer died at the age of 81 in Kolkata
Nabaneeta Dev Sen, a Bengali Writer passed away at her age of 81 in Kolkata due to cancer. She is a poet, a novelist, a columnist and a writer of short stories and travelogues. Dev Sen was well-known for her research on the Ramayana.
About Nabaneeta Dev
i.Nabaneeta Dev Sen was Born on January 13, 1938 on Kolkata. Dev Sen is the Vice President of the Bangiya Sahitya Parishat.
ii.She is the founder and president of West Bengal Women Writers’ Association.
iii.She was a former wife of Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen. Her parents are poet couple Narendra Dev and Radharani Devi.
iv.Bama Bodhini, Srestho Kobita, Sita Theke Shuru, Icchamati are some of her notable works
v.Pratham Pratyay, was the first poem published by Nabaneeta Dev Sen on 1959.
vi.Nabaneeta Dev Sen’s 1978 book on ‘Naxal movement in Bengal’ was published in English.
Awards Received-
- Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999
- Padmashree in 2000.
Football club Mohun Bagan’s former secretary Anjan mitra passes away at the age of 72
On November 8, 2019, Anjan Mitra, who was the general secretary of Iconic football club Mohun Bagan for more than two decades, passed away in Kolkata,West Bengal after suffering from several complications following a bypass surgery in 2014.He was 72.
i.A chartered accountant by profession, Mitra became the general secretary of Mohun Bagan from May 1995 to October 2018.
ii.A professional football club based in West Bengal, Mohun Bagan Athletic Club(AC) is one of the oldest existing association football clubs in India and Asia.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Book titled “Kashmir” by Historian Chitralekha Zutshi released
On November 7, 2019 a new book by renowned historian Chitralekha Zutshi titled “Kashmir” was released. The book is part of Oxford India’s short introduction series. The book portrays the history of the region that was made up of interconnected political and religious ideologies, literary traditions, and social classes etc.
Key Points:
i.Zutshi is currently working as a professor at the College of William & Mary, in the United States of America. Her previous books include “Kashmir’s Contested Pasts: Narratives, Sacred Geographies, and the Historical Imagination” (2014) and “Kashmir: History, Politics, Representation” (2018).
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day of Radiology (IDOR) 2019 is observed on November 8
The International Day of Radiology (IDOR) is an annual celebration held on every 8th of November. On November 8 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen discovered the existence of x-rays. It is to highlight the role that imaging professionals play in detection, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of sports-related injuries.
i.The theme of 2019 is ‘sports imaging’.
ii.Aim of this day-The aim of this event is to build a great awareness of radiology, which contributes to safe patients to understand the vital role of radiologists and radiological technologists.
iii.Joining with European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)- From this year of 2019, they are joining with ESSR and released the book of IDOR.
STATE NEWS
Gujarat’s controversial anti-terrorism bill becomes law after getting President’s nod
On November 8, 2019, The Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime Bill (GCTOC), designed to crack down on terrorism and organized crime, has now become law after getting approval from President Ram Nath Kovind.
i.This law will tighten terrorism & organized crime such as liquor smuggling, extortion, forgery. The special feature of this law is that the record of telephone conversations will be considered as statutory evidence.
ii.The Gujarat Control Organized of Crime Bill (GUJCOC) was first introduced in the Gujarat Assembly in 2003 by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
iii.Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) was the first that get President approval.…Click here to Read More
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