Daily updates 23 November 2019

National News

1. Army dedicates Goodwill Park to Late Naib Subedar Chuni Lal

• As a mark of tribute to one of the most decorated soldiers of Indian Army Late Naib Subedar Chuni Lal, an Army Goodwill Park was dedicated at his native village Bhara in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Army Goodwill Park has a statue of the martyred soldier, beside a Children park and open Gym for the villagers.

2. 11th edition of Agro Vision inaugurated by Nitin Gadkari

• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurating the 11th edition of Agro Vision-2019, an Agricultural exhibition at Reshimbag Ground of Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• The 4-day event will comprise of national Agri exhibition workshop for farmers and seminars.
• A Pavilion dedicated to Micro Small Medium Enterprise and display of livestock will be a special attraction in Agro Vision 2019.
• Union Minister has stressed upon the importance of Agricultural allied businesses for the development of farmers in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.
• Emphasizing the need for a permanent venue for training on best practices in agriculture & extension activities for the farmers in Vidarbha.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Maharashtra Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

State News

3. J&K achieves highest road length under PMGSY in 2019

• Jammu and Kashmir have achieved the highest road length in the country this year so far under a Centre's rural roads' programme with the completion of around 11,400 kilometres covering 1,838 habitations.
• The work is being carried under the centrally-sponsored Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which is a mega flagship programme with the main objective of providing connectivity to rural areas.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Lieutenant (Lt) Governors of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K): Girish Chandra Murmu.

4. Kalaburagi Airport inaugurated under UDAN / RCS

• The first flight from Kalaburagi Airport to Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru took off after the inauguration of Kalaburagi airport by the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
• The airport has been built under the UDAN-RCS Scheme of Govt. of India. Kalaburagi Airport will act as a gateway for tourist destinations including Buddha Vihar, Sharana Basaveshwara Temple, Khwaja Banda Nawaz Dargah and, Gulbarga Fort.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Chief Minister of Karnataka: B. S. Yediyurappa.
• Governor of Karnataka: Vajubhai Vala.

Awards

5. Greta Thunberg awarded international children's peace prize

• Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg was awarded an international children's peace prize, for her work in the struggle against climate change which has resonated with schoolchildren across the world.
• Cameroonian peace activist Divina Maloum, aged 15, also received the International Children's Peace Prize, for her fighting spirit and ‘Peaceful struggle’ against Boko Haram jihadist group.
• The prizes were distributed by Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian children’s rights activist and 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner.
• The award ceremony was organized by the Dutch Kids Right Organization.

Appointments

6. Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as CM of Maharashtra

• Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP has taken oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister for a second time.
• Ajit Pawar of the NCP has also taken oath as Deputy Chief Minister.
• Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari administered the oath to the two leaders.
• The BJP and NCP have formed an alliance to give a new government to Maharashtra after nearly a month-long wait after the results.

Defence

7. US clears sale of $1 billion worth of Naval Guns to India

• The US State Department cleared the sale of sophisticated MK-45 naval guns worth $1 billion to India.
• The MK-45 guns will enhance India's naval capabilities, particularly in the Arabian Sea.
• The Gun System will provide the capability to conduct anti-surface warfare and anti-air defence missions while enhancing interoperability with the U.S. and other allied forces.

Sports

8. Bodybuilder Chitahresh Natesan crowned Mr Universe 2019

• Chitahresh Natesan 33yr old former hockey player turned bodybuilder also known as the ‘Indian Monster’ by bodybuilding circles became the first Indian to win ‘Mr. Universe (Pro) 2019’ in 90kg category at the 11th World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship(WBPF) in South Korea.
• India secured the second position in the team championship category at the same event.

Books and Authors

9. Jal Shakti Minister releases short documentary film named 'SHIKHAR SE PUKAR'

• Union Minister for Jal Shakti released a short documentary film on Water Conservation named 'SHIKHAR SE PUKAR' in New Delhi.
• The film has been made to promote 'Jalshakti Abhiyan' and is based on the Journey of an IAS Officer Ravindra Kumar, who climbed Everest this year to attract the attention of people from the top of the Everest on the serious issue of Water Conservation and stopping Water Pollution.
• The film also gives a glimpse of the significance of Himalaya as the main source of water needs of India by means of the river.
• It also picturizes the difficulties and challenges in climbing the highest peak in the world.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Union Minister for Jal Shakti: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Obituaries

10. Veteran actor Shaukat Kaifi passes away

• Veteran actor Shaukat Kaifi passed away. She is remembered for her roles in MS Sathyu’s Garm Hawa, Sagar Sathadi’s Bazaar and Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan.
• Her last film was the Vivek Oberoi-Rani Mukerji starrer Saathiya. Kaifi's husband was the celebrated Urdu poet and film lyricist, Kaifi Azmi. Kaifi and Shaukat were leaders of the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) and the Progressive Writers Association (IWA).

Miscellaneous

11. World's biggest Islamic Congregation begins in Bhopal

• In Madhya Pradesh, the 4-day Aalmi Tablighi Ijtima, world's biggest Islamic Congregation began in Bhopal.
• More than one million people from 54 countries are expected to attend the congregation which will continue till 25th November.
• It is a forum for delivering some important religious-spiritual messages to Muslims around the world.
• Ijtima started in the era of Nawabs in Bhopal and now it has become the identity of Bhopal worldwide.
• The first Alami Tablighi Ijtima took place in Bhopal in 1944 and only 14 people attended it then.
• Now the number has increased to millions. Thousands of people from various countries across the world including Russia, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have reached Bhopal to participate in this event.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Governor of Madhya Pradesh: Lal Ji Tandon.
• Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Kamal Nath.

12. Lieutenant Shivangi is the first-ever woman pilot for Navy

• The first woman pilot, Lieutenant Shivangi, will join naval operations on completion of operational training here on December 2. She hails from Muzzafarpur, Bihar.
• She was inducted into Indian Navy as SSC (Pilot) as part of 27 NOC course in Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala.
• She, who had been undergoing training at the Southern Naval Command, will get authorisation on December 2 to fly Dornier aircraft.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL: 

• Chief of the Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.

13. Oxford Dictionary names ‘Climate Emergency’ its 2019 Word of the Year

• Oxford Dictionaries has named “climate emergency” as its 2019 Word of the Year, choosing it from an all-environmental shortlist that also included “climate action,” “climate denial,” “eco-anxiety,” “extinction” and “flight shame.
• The word is selected because it shows the increase in usage since 2018. Climate emergency defines as “a situation in which urgent action is required to reduce or halt climate change and also to avoid the possible irreversible environmental loss resulting from it.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• The Oxford English Dictionary is the principal historical dictionary of the English language, published by Oxford University Press.
• Headquarters: United Kingdom.

Daily updates 22 November 2019

National News

1. Jitendra Singh to inaugurate ‘Destination North East’ Festival

• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Dr Jitendra Singh will inaugurate the ‘Destination North East’ Festival in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on 23rd November 2019.
• All 8 North East states will be present at the event along with their handicrafts, handloom, organic products and cultural troupes.
• During the festival, the visitors will have live experiences of the artisans and artists from the NE states working on their looms and crafts, performing their songs and dances in the open stage during the day.
• Indigenous games will also be performed where visitors can also participate.

State News

2. Assam government releases the new Land Policy 2019 after 30 years

• Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal released the new Land Policy 2019 prepared by Revenue and Disaster Management Department.
• The Land Policy was approved by Cabinet on 21st October and it has been prepared by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department after 30 years. It was last prepared in 1989.
• The state government has been putting a lot of emphasis in preparing the Land Policy to safeguard the interest of the indigenous people and the Policy would remove complications regarding land allotments and settlements.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Governor of Assam: Jagdish Mukhi.
• Capital of Assam: Dispur.

Awards

3. Swachh Survekshan Grameen Awards 2019

• The Union Minister of the Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers, conferred the Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2019 awards to top-ranked states, union territories, and districts in the various categories on the occasion of World Toilet Day at Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra, New Delhi.
• The top-ranked state: Tamil Nadu, and the top-ranked district: Peddapalli (Telangana), along with the state with the maximum citizen participation: Uttar Pradesh.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Union Minister of the Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers: D.V. Sadananda Gowdaand.

Agreements

4. IIM Indore inks MoU with Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy

• IIM Indore has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie.
• The MoU has been signed with a view to exchange faculty members for various training programmes.
• The MoU is in line with the vision to remain socially conscious and contribute to the society and nation.
• The two organisations have agreed for joint participation in research activities of common interest in the areas of public administration, management and public policy.
• The motive behind the training programme is to bring together representatives from these three fields, help them understand one another's problems and find solutions.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Director of LBSNAA: Dr Sanjeev Chopra; Established: 1959; Located: Mussoorie, UK.

Defence

5. Indian Naval Academy awarded President’s Colour

• President Ram Nath Kovind and Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces awarded President’s Colour to Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala at Kochi, Kerala.
• The President’s Colour is the highest honour bestowed upon a military unit.
• It was awarded to INA in recognition of the yeoman service rendered by the institution in training and shaping Indian Naval officers over the last 50 years at three different locations – Goa, Kochi and Ezhimala.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Chief of the Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.

6. The NIA will host the first-ever counter-terrorism (CT) exercise

• The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will host the first-ever counter-terrorism (CT) exercise for the Quad countries in New Delhi.
• The Quad countries include the United States (US), India, Australia, and Japan.
• According to the NIA, the exercise is to assess and validate CT response mechanisms in the light of emerging terrorist threats.
• It also aims to provide opportunities to share the best practices and to explore areas for enhanced cooperation amongst participating countries.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• DG of NIA: Yogesh Chander Modi.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.

Summit and Conferences

7. Global Bio-India Summit begins in Delhi

• Three-day Global Bio-India Summit 2019 begins in New Delhi.
• It will be one of the largest biotechnology stakeholders conglomerate to be held in India for the first time.
• It will bring academia, innovators, researchers, start-ups, medium and large companies together on the same platform. Over three thousand delegates from around 25 countries and over 15 states of India will participate in the mega event.

Banking

8. RBI supersedes DHFL board to initiate insolvency proceedings

• The Reserve Bank of India superseded the board of debt-laden Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL) as it intends to shortly initiate the process of resolution of the company under the insolvency and bankruptcy rules.
• The company is all set to become India’s first financier to land up in bankruptcy courts.
• The central bank superseded the board “owing to governance concerns and defaults by DHFL in meeting various payment obligations.
• R Subramaniakumar, ex-MD and CEO of Indian Overseas Bank has been appointed as the administrator.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Headquarters of DHFL: Haryana; CEO of DHFL: Kapil Wadhawan.

Ranks and Reports

9. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella tops Fortune's Businessperson of the Year 2019 list

• Microsoft's India-born Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella has occupied the top spot in Fortune's Businessperson of the Year 2019 list.
• The list also includes Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga and Arista head Jayshree Ullal. Banga is ranked 8th, while Ullal comes in at the 18th spot in the list for which Fortune looked at 10 financial factors ranging from a total return to shareholders to return on capital. Both Banga and Ullal are of Indian-origin.
• Fortune's annual Businessperson of the Year list features 20 business leaders "who tackled audacious goals, overcame impossible odds, found creative solutions".

Sports

10. Elavenil Valarivan, Divyansh Panwar win gold medals at ISSF World Cup

• Elavenil Valarivan and Divyansh Panwar clinching gold medals in their events to give the country its best ever single-day show in the ISSF World Cup Finals in Putian, China.
• The 20-year-old Elavenil claimed the top honours in the women's 10 metres air rifle competition.
• Later, another teen sensation Divyansh finished on top in the men's 10 metres air rifle competition.
• India is currently top of the table with 3 gold medals, followed by China 2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze.

Important Days

11. World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD) Day

• The WHO (World Health Organization) and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) organize World COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Day on the third Wednesday of November every year.
• It was first launched in 1997 by WHO, GOLD and other institutes in the US.
• This year the day is marked to create awareness in the Theme: All Together to End COPD.
• COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It causes severe breathlessness and predisposes to exacerbations.

Miscellaneous

12. Russia is the focus country at IFFI 2019

• International Film Festival of India 2019, IFFI features a Country of Focus that brings out the cinematic excellence and contributions of that particular country every year and this year, the country of focus is Russia.
• The section will showcase eight movies from Russia.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• President of Russia: Vladimir Putin; Prime Minister(PM) of Russia: Dmitry Medvedev.
• Capital of Russia: Moscow; Currency of Russia: Russian ruble.

13. I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar inaugurates Film Bazaar on IFFI 2019

• The Film Bazaar, which is being organised by the National Film Development Corporation, was inaugurated by the Information and Broadcasting Minister on the sidelines of the golden jubilee edition of the International Film Festival of India.
• The Film Bazaar encourages creative and financial collaboration between the South Asian and International film communities.
• Over the years, films such as Lunch Box, Margarita With A Straw, Chauthi Koot, Qissa, Miss Lovely, Dum Lagake Haisha and Thithi have been through one or more programmes of the Bazaar.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Information and Broadcasting Minister: Prakash Javadekar.

Daily updates 21 November 2019

National News

1. Parliament passes Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill 2019

• Parliament has passed the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
• The Bill seeks to amend the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 1951.
• It has a provision to remove the President of the Congress party as a trustee and clarifies that when there is no Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the leader of the single largest Opposition party will be the trustee.
• The Bill also allows the Central government to terminate the term of a nominated trustee before the expiry of the period of his term, without assigning any reason.

2. Cabinet approves establishment of the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR)

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister  Narendra Modi approved the establishment of the National Institute for Sowa-Rigpa in Leh, Ladakh.
• The Institute will be an autonomous National Institute under Ministry of AYUSH with the mandate to undertake interdisciplinary education and research programmes in Sowa-Rigpa in collaboration with premier national and international Institutes and facilitate the integration of different systems of medicine.
• The objective is to establish the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) as an apex Institute for Sowa-Rigpa with aim of bringing a valid and useful synergy between Traditional Wisdom of Sowa-Rigpa and modern science, tools and technology.
• It will help to promote interdisciplinary research & education of Sowa-Rigpa.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Minister of AYUSH: Shripad Yesso Naik.

3. Census 2021 to be conducted in 16 languages

• Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed that Census 2021 will be conducted in 16 languages.
• During Census 2021, a mix mode approach is being adopted for data collection. Census will be conducted in two phases - House-listing and Housing Census from April to September 2020 and Population Enumeration during February 09-28, 2021.
• The Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) has recommended an amount of Rs. 8754.23 crore for conducting Census 2021 in 16 languages.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India: Vivek Joshi.

State News

4. Kolkata becomes first city to install 'Third Umpire' RT-PCR Machines

• The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has installed first of its kind high-end reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machines in India for quick detection of diseases like dengue, tuberculosis and swine flu.
• These machines are to serve as a ‘third umpire’ in situations when medical reports and blood tests reveal contradictory results.
• The purpose is to give an accurate DNA report on blood tests in order to ascertain the exact cause of illness.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Jagdeep Dhankhar is the governor of West Bengal.
• Mamta Banerjee is the CM of West Bengal.

Awards

5. Naturalist Sir David Attenborough will receive Indira Gandhi peace prize 2019

• The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2019 will be conferred on renowned naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough for his tireless work to preserve and protect biodiversity.
• His name was selected for the prize by an international jury chaired by former president Pranab Mukherjee, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
• This prestigious award, named after former prime minister (PM) Indira Gandhi, has been accorded annually by Indira Gandhi Trust since 1986.
• It is awarded to individuals or organizations in recognition of their creative efforts towards promoting international peace, development.
• The award consists of a monetary award of 25 lakhs and a citation. The 2017 Prize had gone to former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh.

6. Virat Kohli named PETA India’s Person of the Year

• India captain Virat Kohli was named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India’s ‘Person of the Year for 2019’ for his animal advocacy efforts.
• Kohli’s efforts to improve conditions for animals include sending a letter on PETA India’s behalf to officials calling for the release of Malti, an elephant used for rides at Amer Fort, who was reportedly violently beaten by eight men.
• The PETA awards are given to people or organisations that take initiative in the welfare of animals and violence against animals.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• PETA established: March 22, 1980
• Headquarters: Norfolk, Virginia, United States.

Agreements

7. Health ministry signs pact with Gates Foundation for support in innovation

• The Union ministry of health and family welfare signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
• Under the MoC, Gates Foundation will provide technical, management and program design support through its grantees and other partners, with a special focus on innovation, best practices and enhancing performance management, while working closely with the government.
• The Foundation will support the ministry’s work towards strengthening the primary health aspects such as reducing maternal and child mortality, improving nutrition services and increasing the immunization reach.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Union minister of health and family welfare: Harsh Vardhan.

Defence

8. GRSE delivers ICGS 'Amrit Kaur to Indian Coast Guard

• Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) delivered to the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) 'Amrit Kaur', the third in a series of five 'Fast Patrol Vessels' (FPV).
• ICGS 'Amrit Kaur' is a 50-metre-long and 7.5-metre- wide medium-range surface vessel, with a displacement of around 308 tonnes.
• It is capable of performing a rescue, patrolling, anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations in the maritime zones of the country.
• The vessel can attain a maximum speed of 34 knots with an endurance of over 1,500 nautical miles.
• The ship is equipped with three main engines and has advanced control systems, water jet units and an 'Integrated Bridge System' constituting all communication and navigation systems.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/SSC CGL:

• Chairman cum managing director:  Admiral Vipin Kumar Saxena.
• GRSE Founded: 1934.

Summit and Conferences

9. Smriti Irani addresses South Asia Safety Summit

• The Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani was addressing the 2nd edition of South Asia Safety Summit in New Delhi.
• She has stressed the need to ensure the safety of women and children within their homes, and create safe neighbourhoods to protect them against violence and abuse.
• The summit was joined by over 100 organisations from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and India.
• The South Asia Safety Summit is Facebook’s annual event to host critical conversations on digital safety and security.

Sports

10. Manu Bhaker bags gold medal in ISSF World Cup Finals

• India's Manu Bhaker created history at World Cup Finals in Women's 10m Air Pistol event.
• She bagged India's first gold medal in the tournament this year.
• She shot 244.7 to claim the top prize in the season-ending tournament of International Shooting Sport Federation at Putian in China.
• Serbia's Zorana Arunovic won the silver while Quian Wang of China bagged the bronze.

11. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won F1 Brazilian Grand Prix

• Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) won F1 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos in São Paulo, Brazil.
• Verstappen was followed by Pierre Gasly (France) and Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro (Spain) in the second and third place respectively.

Important Days

12. World Television Day: 21 November

• World Television Day is observed on 21 November every year. The day is observed to acknowledge the role of broadcast media.
• On this day, the journalists, writers, bloggers, and others who are associated with the medium promote the role of television in communication and globalization.

13. World Philosophy Day

• The World Philosophy Day is observed globally on the third Thursday of November every year.
• This year it was observed on 21st November. On this day, UNESCO highlighted the value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and individual.
• The 2019 edition aims to highlight the importance of philosophy in different regional contexts.
• The goal is to obtain regional contributions to global debates on contemporary challenges that support social transformations. World Philosophy Day was introduced in 2002 by UNESCO.

14. World Children's Day: 20 November

• World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.
• November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
• It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Miscellaneous

15. IRCTC & KSTDC signs MoU to operate Golden chariot train

• The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corp (KSTDC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to market and operate the Golden Chariot train. The luxurious Golden Chariot train will start plying from March 2020.
• The Golden Chariot is South India's only luxury train. The Golden Chariot, which started plying in 2008, began as a joint initiative of the Karnataka government and the Indian Railways.
• It is an 18-coach-long train with 44 guest rooms. At least, 84 passengers can enjoy the train ride at one time.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS SO 2019:

• IRCTC Parent organization: Indian Railways.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.