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INDIAN AFFAIRS
Uttar Pradesh tops in mobilising Jan Dhan Account
Uttar Pradesh has topped in opening new Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts after demonetisation (post November 8, 2017).
i. One-fifth of the more than five crore new PMJDY accounts, from November 9, 2016 to November 8, 2017 were opened in Uttar Pradesh. With this, the total accounts under PMJDY has crossed 4 crore in Uttar Pradesh.
ii. Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal cumulatively added another 2.2 crore new PMJDY accounts in the last one year………………………………..Click here to Read more
Andhra Pradesh hosting its first ever hot-air balloon festival
On 14 – 16th November 2017, Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh is hosting the first edition of its Hot Air Balloon Festival.
Hot Air Balloon Festival:
i. The Hot Air Balloon Festival is organised by SkyWaltz and supported by Andhra Pradesh tourism. The festival will feature unique balloons from 13 countries. Some of the participating countries are India, Australia, USA, Brazil and South Korea.
ii. Extraordinary shaped balloons like the Seahorse, the Kiwi, the Bee and many more are lined up in the festival. This festival is being organised to promote tourism.
iii. A large team of over 100 photographers, nature lovers and students from across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana arrived at Araku to capture the scenes of the festival. Araku is known for its coffee plantations, rich cultural heritage and stunning waterfalls.
About SkyWaltz:
♦ Services – Hot Air Balloon Safari, Adventure Tourism
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi
♦ CEO – Samit Garg
Bihar government to set up ‘State Ayush Society’ to boost alternative medicine
On November 14, 2017, Bihar State Government gave approval for setting up a ‘State Ayush Society’ with an aim to promote the usage of alternative medicine in the state.
More Information about Bihar’s ‘State Ayush Society’:
i. Approval for setting up a ‘State Ayush Society’ was given at a State cabinet meeting chaired by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
ii. Bihar’s ‘State Ayush Society’ will be set up as part of Central Government’s “National Ayush Mission”. It will be registered under the Society Registration Act.
iii. During this meeting of Bihar state cabinet, approval was also given for extending the contracts of those providing technical services in the health department till March 31, 2019, and to set up an industrial training institute in Banka district as part of the Skill Development scheme in districts affected by Left Wing Extremism.
Quick Facts about Bihar:
♦ Capital – Patna
♦ Current Chief Minister – Nitish Kumar
♦ Current Deputy Chief Minister – Sushil Kumar Modi
♦ Current Governor – Satya Pal Malik
♦ Important National Park – Valmiki National Park
Navy chief launches document on joint training of 3 services
On November 14, 2017, Indian armed forces released ‘Joint Training Doctrine Indian Armed Forces – 2017’, aimed at ensuring integration amongst the three defence services and optimum utilisation of resources.
i. This document was released by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba in presence of Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat, IAF Chief, Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa and Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), Lt Gen Satish Dua.
ii. This training document flows from ‘Joint Doctrine Indian Armed Forces -2017’ which was released in April 2017.
iii. ‘Joint Training Doctrine Indian Armed Forces – 2017’ brings out Indian Armed Forces’ approach to Joint training at macro-level, Fundamentals, Objectives, Joint Structures, Planning and Organisation.
iv. The concept of using ‘joint training’ for promoting ‘diplomacy’ and ‘civil-military interface’ has also been highlighted in the doctrine.
v. Besides, this document will serve as a knowledge base from which directives and strategies will be issued by the Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, Admiral Lanba, to the Integrated Defence Staff and Service headquarters.
Dantewada Holds India’s 1st Tribal Entrepreneurship Summit
India’s 1st Tribal Entrepreneurship Summit was held in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh on November 14, 2017.
More Information about India’s 1st Tribal Entrepreneurship Summit:
i. The summit was inaugurated by Y S Choudhary, Union MoS Science and Technology.
ii. It has been organised as a run up to the upcoming 8th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), which will be held in Hyderabad from 28th – 30th November, 2017.
iii. The objective of Tribal Entrepreneurship Summit was to inspire and inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship in tribal youth and thereby move towards tribal-centric sustainable and inclusive development.
iv. The Summit was organised by NITI Aayog in association with Government of United States of America. Eminent speakers from NITI Aayog, health and agri-pharma sectors addressed the summit.
v. Tribal entrepreneurs from various sectors across India, participated in this summit and discussed various challenges faced by tribal youth.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
31st ASEAN Summit held in Manila, Philippines
31tst ASEAN Summit and Related Summits were held in Manila, Philippines from 10th – 14th November, 2017.Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte chaired the plenary session of the 31st ASEAN Summit. It is to be noted that (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) ASEAN Chairmanship for 2017 is held by Philippines.
i. ‘Partnering for Change, Engaging the World’, has been the theme of Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2017.
ii. Prime Minister Narendra Modi represented India at the 15th India-ASEAN Summit and 12th East Asia Summit on November 14, 2017 in Manila, Philippines…………………………….Click here to Read more
Syria signs up Paris Agreement on climate change
On 14th November 2017, United Nations announced that, Syria has officially signed the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Syria signs Paris Agreement:
i. Syria has become the 169th of 196 countries that are members of the UN climate convention to take the legal step of ratification.
ii. After Nicaragua signed up in October 2017, Syria was the only country not to have adopted the pact. Another 27 nations that have signed the treaty have yet to pass domestic laws required for full accession.
iii. The Paris agreement on climate change commits countries to limiting average global warming to under 2 deg C over Industrial Revolution levels, and 1.5 deg C if possible, to prevent unwanted climate change-induced storms, drought and sea-level rise.
iv. To support the agreement, nations submitted voluntary commitments to control greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal, oil and natural gas.
About Paris climate agreement:
♦ An agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance
♦ Drafted – 30 November – 12 December 2015
Indians second-highest public bingers in the world: Study
As per a survey released by online streaming platform Netflix, binge watching in public is on the rise among Indian population. Indians have been adjudged as the second-highest public bingers in the world, just behind Mexico. ‘Binge’ means excessive indulgence in an activity.
i. As per the survey, number of Indians found to be binge watching in public has increased by 71% as compared to last year.
ii. Prevalence of binge watching in public is highest in Mexico (89%) followed by India (88%).
iii. The survey was conducted by Netflix through SurveyMonkey during August 24 – September 7, 2017. It was administered on 37056 adult online respondents who watch movies and TV shows via streaming services in public settings.
iv. Redpondents were from US, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey.
v. The survey also highlighted that one in two Indians stream or download movies and TV shows for their daily commute.
Quick Facts about Netflix:
♦ Founded in – 1997
♦ Headquarters – California, United States
♦ Current CEO – Reed Hastings
US Consulate General launches for young entrepreneurs
On November 14, 2017, The US Consulate General, Kolkata launched ‘Youth for Business-Y4BIZ’, a support programme for young entrepreneurs in the eastern region of India.
More Information about ‘Youth for Business-Y4BIZ’:
i. Under ‘Youth for Business-Y4BIZ’ programme, a group of 50 young entrepreneurs will be supported to transform their business ideas from the initial stage to a sustainable business model.
ii. This programme will be launched soon in three other cities of eastern India – Guwahati (Assam) , Patna (Bihar), Ranchi (Jharkhand).
iii. The 50 entrepreneurs will be selected through a screening process after the programme is launched in all four cities.
iv. This programme is an initiative undertaken by US Consulate General in collaboration with social enterprise Contact Base and is part of a series of activities in the run up to the upcoming 8th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) which will be held in Hyderabad from 28th – 30th November, 2017.
International meet on buffaloes held in Nepal
Four-daylong symposium to discuss ways to promote the economic and food value of buffalo, organised by Agriculture and Forestry University at Chitawan, Nepal begun on November 15, 2017.
i. The symposium “Increase in buffalo production for food and economic growth” is being held in Nepal for the first time. It has been organised in collaboration with the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Livestock Development, Department of Livestock Service, Nepal Agriculture Research Council and Michigan State University, US.
ii. At this symposium, scientists from various nations, including India, Pakistan and the US will exchange views on various aspects of commercial rearing of buffaloes.
UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial conference 2017 held in Vancouver
UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial Conference 2017 was held in Vancouver, Canada on 14th & 15th November, 2017.
More Information about UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial Conference 2017:
i. This conference was the largest gathering of Defence ministers of countries who support UN Peacekeeping operations.
ii. Over 500 delegates from more than 70 countries and international organizations attended this conference.
iii. During the conference, new pledges were sought from member countries, particularly in areas where the UN faces gaps, such as rapid deployment, helicopters and francophone units.
iv. Emphasis was laid on fostering pragmatic and innovative solutions to make UN Peacekeeping Operations more effective, by building on the “3Ps” – Pledges, Planning, Performance.
Quick Fact about United Nations Peacekeeping:
♦ Founded in – 1948
♦ Purpose – To help countries torn by conflict in creating conditions for lasting peace
♦ Head of Department of Peacekeeping Operations – Jean-Pierre Lacroix
BANKING & FINANCE
Government launches BHARAT-22 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)
On November 13, 2017, Government of India launched New Fund Offer (NFO) for BHARAT-22 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), through which it is targeting to raise initial amount of about Rs. 8000 crore as a part of disinvestment programme for the current fiscal.
i. New Fund Offer of Bharat-22 ETF will be open till November 17, 2017, and is being managed by ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund.
ii. The ETF features four banking stocks — SBI, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda and Indian Bank………………………………………………………….Click here to Read more
Japan to relax visa regime for Indians from January 2018
On 14th November 2017, the Japanese embassy said that, Japan will simplify its visa rules for Indians from January 2018 and issue multiple-entry visa for short-term stays.
Japan simplifies visa rules for Indians:
i. Multiple entry visas with a validity of maximum five years and stay of maximum 90 days will be issued to applicants who have travel records to Japan twice or more in the last one year.
ii. In this case, the eligible applicants may submit only their passports and visa application form. Their employment certificate and explanation letter will be exempted.
iii. Under this relaxation, Indian students, graduate students and alumni of universities in India may submit certificate of student status or graduationinstead of the document to prove financial capability in the application for single entry visa for short-term stay.
About World Heritage Sites in Japan:
♦ Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area
♦ Shirakami-Sanchi in Aomori/Akita Prefecture
♦ Yakushima at Kagoshima Prefecture
BSE arm, Thomson Reuters launch ‘BEST’ new trading solution
On 15th November 2017, Marketplace Tech Infra Services, an arm of the premier exchange BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange), launched BEST (BSE Electronic Smart Trader).
BEST (BSE Electronic Smart Trader):
i. BEST (BSE Electronic Smart Trader) is an advanced hosted trading solution built on Thomson Reuters Omnesys NEST platform.
ii. In October 2017, Marketplace had signed a pact with Thomson Reuters to build the trading solution for BSEs members and customers.
iii. The new platform will facilitate smooth trading for BSE customers across multiple exchanges, including the BSE, NSE, MCX and NCDEX for a wide range of investment categories like equity, equity derivatives, bonds, currency and commodities on a single terminal.
iv. The platform aims to help traders make informed investing decisions and manage risks, along with the benefit of speed and accuracy, increasing the effectiveness of the transaction.
About Thomas Reuters:
♦ Canadian multinational mass media and information firm
♦ Headquarters – Toronto, Canada
♦ CEO – James C. Smith
BUSINESS
International solar alliance announces setting up 1000 GW of solar energy by 2030
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) has announced a target to support setting up 1000GW of solar energy capacity by 2030 across its member countries.
ISA’s 1000GW of solar energy capacity initiative:
i. The 1000 GW solar energy capacity target by 2030 has been set by the ISA. It will
be met through projects that ISA will support under its various work programmes.
ii. This target does not take into account renewable energy targets or projects that countries are pursuing on their own as part of their national efforts.
iii. This initiative by India to harness the untapped resource of sunshine-rich countries between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn was backed by France, and was launched at the Paris climate talks in 2015.
iv. Sixteen countries have ratified the framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and it will come into force on 6 December 2017.
About International Solar Alliance (ISA):
♦ Founder – Narendra Modi
♦ Purpose – bring together a group of nations to endorse clean energy, sustainable environment, public transport and climate
♦ Members – more than 121 countries
Maharashtra government, Patanjali to partner in Rs 25,000 crore cow project
On 12th November 2017, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced that, Maharashtra governemnt would raise a Rs 25,000 crore project on 800 acres at Heti (Kundi) village in Vidarbha, Maharshtra.
Patanjali partners with Maharashtra for the Rs 25000 crore cow project:
i. This project is to be carried forward with the help of Ramdev’s Patanjali group. According to Nitin Gadkari, Patanjali will purchase 10,000 cows to develop a breeding centre and to carry out dairy and allied activities at the site.
ii. Wardha Collector Shailesh Nawal said that, there is already a cow breeding centre of the state animal husbandry department at Heti (Kundi).
iii. Patanjali’s Acharya Balkrishna said that, it is not a commercial project and will benefit the country. It will be operated on government land with an investment of Rs 500 crore.
About Patanjali Ayurved:
♦ Products – Foods, beverages, cleaning agents, personal care products, Ayurvedic medicine
♦ Headquarters – Haridwar, Uttarakhand
♦ Founder – Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna
♦ Founded – 2006
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Google Doodle celebrates 151st Birthday of India’s First Female Advocate Cornelia Sorabji
On 15th November 2017, Google paid its tributes to Cornelia Sorabji, India’s first woman lawyer, through a doodle on the occasion of her 151st birth anniversary.
Google Doodle on Cornelia Sorabji’s birthday:
i. Cornelia Sorabji is the first woman to graduate in law from India in 1892 and the first Indian national to attend a British University.
ii. The Google Doodle was created by Jasjyot Singh Hans with Cornelia Sorabji in front of the Allahabad High Court, where she started her career as pleader.
iii. Cornelia was born in Nashik in 1866. She became the first woman to be graduated from Bombay University.
iv. She pursued law at the Oxford University. She appeared for LLB examination in Bombay University to obtain a law degree, becoming the first woman graduate from the institution. Cornelia began practicing in Kolkata in 1924. She died on 6 July 1954.
About University of Oxford:
Oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world’s second-oldest university in continuous operation
♦ Established in – 1096
♦ Chancellor – Chris Patten
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) appoints S Ravi as its new chairman
Eminent chartered accountant Sethurathnam Ravi has been appointed as the chairman of the leading stock exchange BSE.
S Ravi – Chairman of BSE:
i. S Ravi, who was a public interest director at the BSE, replaced Dhirendra Swarup as chairman of BSE with effect from 13 November 2017.
ii. He has experience of holding a number of positions on the board of banks, financial institutions and asset management companies in the financial sector.
iii. Presently, Ravi serves as a director on boards of various companies such as IDBI Capital Markets Services, UTI Trustee Company, S Ravi Financial Management Services, SMERA Ratings, SBI-SG Global Securities, IDBI Bank, STCI Finance, Tourism Finance Corporation of India and BOI Merchant Bankers.
iv. Also, he is member of the working group, constituted by Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, for suggesting possible modalities for creation of an institutional structure on corporate social responsibilities matters. Also, he is a member of SEBI’s takeover panel, and mutual funds advisory committee.
About Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE):
♦ MD & CEO – Ashishkumar Chauhan
♦ Founded – 9 July 1875
♦ Location – Mumbai
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Power minister R K Singh launches National Power Portal (NPP)
On 14th November 2017, Power Minister R K Singh launched a National Power Portal (NPP), a centralised platform for collation and dissemination of Indian power sector information.
National Power Portal (NPP):
i. The NPP would be a single point interface for all power sector apps launched previously by the power ministry. The portal may be accessed at http://npp.gov.in.
ii. The NPP is a centralised system for the power sector which facilitates online data capture/input (daily, monthly, annually) from generation, transmission and distribution utilities.
About Ministry of Power:
♦ Purpose – overseeing electricity production and infrastructure development, including generation, transmission, and delivery, as well as maintenance projects
♦ Formed – 2 July 1992
♦ Minister of Power – R K Singh
US approves “Abilify MyCite”, first pill with digital tracking device
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved “Abilify MyCite” the first drug in the United States with a digital ingestion tracking system, to ensure that patients with mental illness take the medicine prescribed for them.
Abilify MyCite:
i. The drug Abilify MyCite was developed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. It was first approved by the FDA in 2002 to treat schizophrenia. The ingestible sensor, made by Proteus Digital health, was approved for marketing in 2012.
ii. The medication works by sending a message from the pill’s sensor to a wearable patch. Being able to track ingestion of medications prescribed for illness may be useful for some patients.
iii. The statement by FDA said that, Abilify MyCite should not be used to track drug ingestion in ‘real-time’ or during an emergency because detection may be delayed or may not occur.
About Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
♦ Purpose – protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs etc.
♦ Headquarters – Maryland, US
♦ Commissioner of Food and Drugs – Scott Gottlieb
Astronomers spot pair of rare hyper-luminous galaxies “ADFS-27”
For the first time, astronomers have spotted close encounter between two hyper-luminous galaxies, collectively known as ADFS-27, bright and massive galaxies in the early universe.
ADFS-27:
i. Astronomers captured these two interacting galaxies, collectively known as ADFS-27, as they began the gradual process of merging into a single, massive elliptical galaxy.
ii. The study published in the Astrophysical Journal said that, the ADFS-27 system has approximately 50 times the amount of star-forming gas as the Milky Way.
iii. The ADFS-27 galaxy pair is located approximately 12.7 billion light-years from Earth in the direction of the Dorado constellation. At this distance, astronomers viewed this system as it appeared when the universe was only about one billion years old.
iv. Follow-up observations with the Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (APEX) telescope confirmed these initial interpretations.
About Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (APEX) telescope:
♦ Radio telescope 5,100 meters above sea level, at the Llano de Chajnantor Observatory in northern Chile
♦ Inaugurated on – 25 September 2005
SPORTS
Aditi Ashok becomes first Indian golfer to qualify for LPGA Tour Championships
Aditi Ashok has qualified for the CME Group Tour Championship on the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association), becoming the first from India to play in the prestigious meet.
Aditi Ashok – first Indian golfer to qualify for LPGA Tour Championships:
i. Aditi Ashok is one of the eight rookies to make it to the LPGA Tour Championships, one of the strongest fields in women’s golf. Also, Aditi has succeeded in keeping her LPGA card for 2018 after a sterling rookie season.
ii. She is 19 years old and hails from Bangalore. With a record of great performances, including a Top-10 and starts at all five Majors, it has been a remarkable year for Aditi.
iii. This year Aditi has played 20 events on the LPGA and made cut in 13 of them with tied 8th at the Marathon Classic as her best result.
About 2017 CME Group Tour Championship:
♦ Dates – 16 – 19 November 2017
♦ Location – Naples, Florida
♦ Courses – Tiburon Golf Club, Gold Course
OBITUARY
Former MP Abdul Mannan Hossain passed away
On 14th November 2017, former Murshidabad MP and senior Trinamool Congress leader Abdul Mannan Hossain died at Belle vue clinic due to age related problems, in Kolkata.
Death of Abdul Mannan Hossain:
i. Abdul Mannan Hossain was suffering from old age problems and was admitted to Belle vue clinic where he passed away on 14 November 2017, in Kolkata.
ii. He was 65 years old. He is survived by his two wives, two sons and two daughters. He was a Congress leader and a two term MP of the party from 2004-2014.
iii. Earlier he was an MLA of Congress from 1987. He joined All India Trinamool Congress in 2014 after he had differences with the Congress’ state leadership.
About Abdul Mannan Hossain:
♦ Occupation – Politician
♦ Political Parties – All India Trinamool Congress, Indian National Congress
Veteran Hindustani vocalist Jagdish Mohan passes away
On 14th November 2017, noted Hindustani vocalist of Kirana Gharana, Jagdish Mohan died in New Delhi.
Death of Jagdish Mohan:
i. Jagdish Mohan passed away at his residence in New Delhi on 14th November 2017. He was 87 years old. He hailed from Uttarakhand’s Haridwar.
ii. He was born on 4 March, 1930. He was awarded the title of Sangeet Sartaj by Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh. He was a regular performer at the All India Radio and Doordarshan.
iii. He is survived by his wife Mala Rani, sons Deepak Sharma and Kamod Sharma, and daughters Ragini Pratap, Sadhna and Sangeeta.
About Doordarshan:
♦ Public service broadcaster founded by the Government of India
♦ Owned by – Broadcasting Ministry of India
♦ Director – General – Supriya Sahu
