NATIONAL NEWS
Union Cabinet approves renaming of Jharsuguda Airport
The Cabinet approved renaming Jharsuguda aerodrome in Odisha as 'Veer Surendra Sai Airport'. Veer Surendra Sai is a well-known freedom fighter of Odisha. The renaming of the airport as 'Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda' was cleared by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- PM Modi inaugurated the airport on September 22. The airport has been developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in collaboration with Odisha government at an estimated cost of Rs 210 crore, with Rs 75 crore contribution from the state.
MHA approves Safe City Project for Lucknow
The city of Lucknow will soon see exclusive women police outposts for facilitating filing of complaints by women, pink toilets, improved public transport services for women and exclusive women power line, with the city being selected for the Safe City project by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- With a total cost of Rs 194.44 crore approved by the MHA, the project will be implemented under the Nirbhaya Fund scheme as a centrally sponsored scheme with Centre and state contributing the funds in 60:40 ratio.
- Lucknow is among eight cities selected for the project by MHA including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad where the safety and security of the women in public places will be strengthened.
- The Safe City proposal for Lucknow will be implemented by Uttar Pradesh Police, assisted by the Municipal bodies and city transport authorities.
India Signs $950 Million Contract With Russia To Buy Two Stealth Frigates
India has signed a $950 million contract with Russia for two upgraded Krivak III-class stealth frigates. A government-to-government contract was signed between India and United Shipbuilding Corporation of Russia for the supply of two stealth frigates after two years of negotiations.
- The frigates are built by Yantar Shipyard of Russia and will be powered by Ukrainian gas turbine engines. The ships are expected to be delivered by the end of 2022.
India ranks 66 in Global Passport Index, Singapore tops the chart
The Indian passport was ranked 66th in the world in the latest ranking of the Global Passport Index. The ranking was based on the passports’ visa-free score. The ranking of Indian passport, granting its holders visa-free access to 66 countries, improved nine notches since the previous year.
- As per the annual passport index, Singapore and Germany have the world’s “most powerful” passport with access to 165 countries. The results are part of citizenship planning firm Henley and Partners’ annual passport index.
India-Japan military exercise begins in Mizoram
Armies of India and Japan began their first-ever joint military exercise at a jungle warfare school in Mizoram’s Vairengte with a focus on strengthening counter-terror cooperation.
- The focus of the two-week-long exercise ‘Dharma Guardian-2018' will be to enhance tactical skills against global terrorism and increase interoperability between the two forces.
Malayalam film Olu to be opening film at 49th IFFI
Malayalam film Olu will be the opening film at the 49th International Film Festival of India, IFFI this year. This was decided by the jury for the Indian Panorama. The IFFI will be held in Goa next month. The Feature Film Jury of thirteen members was headed by acclaimed film director and screenwriter, Rahul Rawail.
- The Non-Feature film Jury selected the Marathi film Kharvas directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale as the Opening non-feature film.
IIT-Madras creates ‘Shakti’, India’s first microprocessor
Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IITM) have designed and booted up India’s first microprocessor, Shakti, which could be used in mobile computing and other devices.
- According to IITM, the Shakti microprocessor can be used in low-power wireless systems and networking systems besides reducing reliance on imported microprocessors in communication and defence sectors.
'Soura Jalanidhi' Scheme Launched In Odisha
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched ‘Soura Jalanidhi’ scheme which aims at increasing use of solar energy for helping farmers in irrigation. ‘Soura Jalanidhi’ is a dug well based solar pump irrigation system in convergence mode.
- Under the scheme, 5,000 solar pumps will be provided to farmers at a subsidy of 90 per cent to irrigate 2,500 acres of land. The State Government has allocated 27.18 crore for implementation of the scheme.
- Farmers having valid farmer identification, belonging to small and marginal categories having minimum 0.5 acre cultivable land and a dug well will be covered under the programme.
J&K Guv flags off 'Saubhagya Raths' on achieving 100 pc electrification
After having achieved the target of cent percent electrification, Governor, Satya Pal Malik flagged off ‘Saubhagya Raths’ for 22 districts of Kashmir and Jammu Divisions in Jammu from Raj Bhavan to ensure on-the-spot electrification of the households left out, if any.
- ‘Saubhagya Raths’ under ‘Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana’ -SAUBHAGYA shall traverse each district for one month till November 30 to rule out the possibility of any household remaining un-electrified in the state.
Karnataka launches Samruddhi scheme for aspiring SC/ST rural entrepreneurs
Karnataka Social Welfare Department launched the Samruddhi scheme to boost employment opportunities for SC/ST youth through entrepreneurship. For this, the government is partnering with private enterprises to train the youth from backward communities.
- The Samruddhi scheme is targeted at socially marginalised communities to provide them with skill development and alternate means of employment.
- The department is hoping to create around 10,000 entrepreneurs annually in the next three years from among the economically and socially marginalised communities in the State.
Kerala launches virtual tour guide 'SMiLE' for Malabar
Tapping into the huge potential of Malabar as a major tourist destination, the Tourism Department has brought out a high-tech digital facility that provides visitors all details about the experiential and service packages offered in the region in north Kerala.
- A ‘SMiLE Virtual Tour Guide’ links tourists with their places of attraction and providers of experiential services. The package has got its acronym SMiLE from Small and Medium Industries Leveraging Experiential Tourism.
- Conceived and executed by the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC) that focuses on eco-friendly and experiential tourism, the SMiLE guide renders information on 40 Malabar attractions, ways to reach them, plan tours and fix reminder alarm notification, besides means to share portal material, find accommodation and book rooms.
Clean Air Week from 1st November to control pollution in Delhi
Amid growing concerns over the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, a 'Clean Air Week' would be organised from November 1-5 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with the Delhi government and the four major National Capital Region cities to control the air pollution.
- This decision was taken in a meeting held in Delhi on Tuesday under the Chairmanship of Union Environment Secretary CK Mishra to discuss the urgent steps for air pollution reduction and regulating fire crackers in the light of the Supreme Court's Order.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
TCS acquires London-based W12 Studios
Global IT company Tata Consultancy Services announced the acquisition of W12 Studios, an award-winning digital design studio based in London, for an undisclosed sum.
- W12 Studios will be part of TCS Interactive, the digital design division of TCS' Business and Technology Services. W12 Studios creates experiences and products for leading global brands.
NIIF Acquires IDFC Infrastructure Finance
The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) has acquired IDFC Infrastructure Finance (IDFC-IFL), an infrastructure debt fund. This acquisition is the first investment from NIIF’s strategic fund. The acquisition will allow NIIF to play a meaningful role in the private debt space in Indian Infrastructure.
SPORTS
Rahul Dravid officially inducted into ICC Hall of Fame
Former India captain Rahul Dravid was formally inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. To mark the occasion, Dravid received his commemorative cap from fellow ICC Cricket Hall of Famer Sunil Gavaskar.
- Dravid was named in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame along with Australia legend Ricky Ponting and England women's stalwart Claire Taylor during the ICC Annual Conference in Dublin.
- Dravid is the fifth India cricketer to be formally inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame after Bishen Singh Bedi, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Anil Kumble.
Tata Steel Named Official Partner of FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2018
Indian multinational steel-making giant Tata Steel was announced as an Official Partner for the prestigious Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 which is scheduled to be held from November 28 – December 16, 2018 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
- Tata Steel, the 10th-largest steel producer in the world, signed the agreement with the quadrennial event to continue their efforts of promoting development through sports throughout the country.
Arunachal to host Indian National Rally Championships
The third round of the Indian National Rally Championships the country's premier motorsports event will be held in Itanagar. The November 2 to 4 event will be flagged off by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
- Top motorsports competitors from across the country will particpate in the rally that is being hosted by the Motorsports Club of Arunachal, which has been affiliated to the Federation of Motorsports Clubs Of India (FMSCI) the apex governing body of motorsports in the country.
AWARDS
Punjab Police bags CCTNS award
Punjab Police bags Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) good practice award for the development of Digital Criminal Intelligence Gazette and generation of State Crime Record Bureau (SCRB) reports.
- Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Director Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain, Director National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Ish Kumar and Punya Srivastava joint secretary conferred the awards to DGP IT&T, V.K. Bhawra who has also got individual award for his immense contribution in CCTNS implementation in Punjab.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Vegan Day
World Vegan Day is an annual event celebrated by vegans around the world every 1 November. It is an annual event that commemorates the benefits of veganism for humans, animals, and the natural environment. Established in the year 1994, World Vegan Day is celebrated through exhibitions, seminars, public debates, workshops etc.
- This day is said to be a chance for individuals to advocate the lifestyle, share ideas and sensitise their friends its value and benefits.
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