NATIONAL NEWS
ADB inks loans agreements worth $574 mn for various projects in India
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed three loan agreements with the government to provide debt of $574 million for on-lending, electricity transmission and water supply infrastructure projects.
- As part of the loan agreements, ADB will provide $300 million to support lending by India Infrastructure Finance Company (IIFCL).
- Among others, the $169 million loan is the first tranche of up to $500 million loan that will be used to develop climate-resilient water supply, sewerage and drainage infrastructure in at least 10 cities in Tamil Nadu.
- The $105 million is the third tranche of the $350 million multi-tranche financing facility for multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) for Himachal Pradesh Clean Energy Transmission Investment Program approved by the ADB Board in September 2011.
Kerala Government launches ‘Gau Samridhi Plus scheme’ for dairy farmers
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the 'Gau Samridhi Plus Scheme' to provide insurance coverage to dairy farmers in the state. Farmers belonging to the general category will be getting 50% subsidy on premiums while those belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) category would get 70% subsidy on the premium.
- Apart from the Gau Samridhi Plus Scheme, the Kerala government in collaboration with the Central government has decided to set a regional autism and research centre at the National Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (NIPMR) in Thrissur.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
UNSC unanimously agrees to lift sanctions against Eritrea after nine years
The United Nations Security Council has unanimously agreed to lift sanctions against Eritrea after nine years.The resolution, drafted by the UK, was backed by the US and its allies. The UN vote comes amid a thaw in relations between Eritrea and its neighbours following years of conflict.
- An arms embargo, asset freeze, and travel ban were imposed in 2009 amid claims that Eritrea supported al-Shabab militants in Somalia.
- Extra info.:
Eritrea Capital: Asmara
Currency: Eritrean nakfa
BANKING & FINANCE
Sunil Mehta panel incorporates 'Sashakt India AMC' for large NPAs
Sunil Mehta, the chairman of a bankers' panel working on faster resolution of stressed assets in public sector banks, said an Asset Management Company (AMC) for resolving large bad loans has been formed and will be called as Sashakt India Asset Management.
- The panel is now working towards identifying potential investors for an Alternate Investment Fund (AIF) which will fund the AMC.
- Under the project, the committee had to float an AMC and an AIF to resolve non-performing assets (NPAs) over Rs 500 crore.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Induslnd Bank launches India’s first interactive credit card named ‘Nexxt Credit Card’
IndusInd Bank has launched the IndusInd Bank Nexxt Credit Card, the first interactive Credit Card in India with buttons which provides customers with the flexibility of three payment options at a Point of Sale (POS) terminal - Credit, Converting Transactions into EMIs with 4 tenure options (6, 12, 18 & 24 months) or using accumulated Reward Points, by simply pushing a button on the card.
- This Card has been created in partnership with Dynamics Inc., which is headquartered in Pittsburgh USA, and designs and manufactures intelligent, battery powered payment cards.
- Extra info.:
IndusInd Bank Headquarters: Mumbai
CEO: Romesh Sobti
SPORTS
India’s ace cueist Pankaj Advani wins third straight IBSF billiards crown, takes overall world title tally to 20
India's ace cueist Pankaj Advani won his third straight IBSF billiards crown in the 150-up format, taking his overall tally of world titles to 20. Advani overcame Nay Thway Oo of Myanmar in the final.
- This win also marks a hat-trick of wins for Advani in the shorter format. He had won in his hometown Bengaluru in 2016 before doing the same in Doha last year.
Prajnesh wins Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger
Fourth seed Prajnesh Gunneswaran brushed aside wild card entrant Saketh Myneni in straight sets to win the $ 150,000 Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger in Bengaluru.
- Prajnesh who took 56 minutes to beat Myneni in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 to wear the crown.
Viswanathan Anand beats Hikaru Nakamura to win Chess India Blitz Tournament
Viswanathan Anand won the inaugural Chess India Blitz Tournament by beating overnight leader Hikaru Nakamura in the play-off in Kolkata. Five-time world champion Anand was on a roll as he secured six wins and three draws in the nine rounds to draw level with Nakamura to force a play-off.
APPOINTMENTS
Ajay Bhushan Pandey to replace Hasmukh Adhia as Revenue Secretary
UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey will be the new Finance Secretary, replacing Hasmukh Adhia, the Gujarat-cadre IAS officer who is set to retire on November 30.
- Pandey would continue to hold the additional charge of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) CEO and Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) Chairman till further instructions, according to an order issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
AWARDS
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan presented lifetime achievement award in Delhi
One of India's greatest sarod masters, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, was presented the 'Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement' at the Kamani Auditorium, for his "immense contribution to the enrichment and promotion of the Indian classical music".
- Khan is sixth in the lineage of a family devoted to Indian classical music's Senia Bangash Gharana.
OBITUARIES
Mardal maestro Banamali Maharana passes away
Eminent percussionist Banamali Maharana passed away at a private hospital. He was 77. Maharana earned accolades for playing 'mardala' in Odissi music and dance across the globe.
- He also founded the Mardala Academy in Bhubaneswar, which has been organising 'Tala Vadya Utsav'.
Decorated war veteran Brigadier Chandpuri passes away
Decorated war veteran Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri passed away in a private hospital in Mohali. He was 78. Chandpuri, who was an Army Major during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, had held his post through the night in the famous battle of Longewala in Rajasthan with just 120 men against a full-fledged attack by advancing Pakistani Patton tanks.
- He was decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) for the heroic stand-off against the tanks and forcing the enemy to retreat. The feat of Brig Chandpuri and his men was later featured in Bollywood blockbuster movie "Border" which was released in 1997.
Veteran actor, ad guru Alyque Padamsee passes away
Veteran actor, theatre personality and advertising guru Alyque Padamsee passed away in Mumbai. He was 90.
- Among various professional achievements, Padamsee is best remembered for his role of a stern and stubborn Mohammed Ali Jinnah in Richard Attenborough's multi-Oscar award winner classic, "Gandhi" (1982).
- Padamsee was conferred several honours during his lifetime including the Padma Shri, Advertising Man of The Century and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Ratna.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
‘A Great Association-Glimpses into the Life of Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha’, a book on Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha released
A book written on the life of Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha, Kerala's saint, is an outcome of the fundamental principle of 'guru-shishya parampara' and the spiritual 'saadhana' of the author.
- The book 'A Great Association-Glimpses into the Life of Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha' authored by Swami Nirviseshananda Tirtha was released by Prasar Bharati's CEO Shashi Shekar Vempati and Sreedharan was the guest of honour at the book release function in New Delhi.
- Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha, the renowned saint of Narayanashrama Tapovanam, Kerala, is the spiritual Guru of Sreedharan.
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