NATIONAL NEWS
Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Signs $75 Million Loan to Improve Urban Services in 4 Karnataka Towns
Government of India and the Asian Development Bank signed a $75 million loan to provide 24 x7 water supply in Karnataka’s four coastal towns of Kundapura, Mangalore Puttur and Udupi and improve sanitation infrastructure for Mangalore town.
- The Program, approved by ADB Board in 2014, aims to improve urban water resource management in selected river basins in Karnataka through modernization and expansion of urban water supply.
Defence Minister launches 'Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti'
In a bid to increase self-reliance, the Ministry of Defence will launch Operation Raksha Gyan Shakti on November 27 to increase Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) filing in design with an aim to reduce the transfer of technology and dependence on foreign companies.
- The project will be formally launched by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The aim is to train 10,000 personnel in the year 2018-19.
Health Ministry Launches Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)
Preeti Sudan, Union Health Secretary did soft-launch of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) segment of Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) in 7 states (Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh).
- The path-breaking initiative will provide near-real-time data to policy makers for detecting outbreaks, reducing the morbidity and mortality and lessening disease burden in the populations and better health systems.
- The first one-of-its-kind initiative by the Government of India, IHIP uses the latest technologies and digital health initiatives.
CSIR to establish a High-End Skill Development Centre in Chandigarh
India’s premier National Research Laboratory CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (CSIR-IMTECH) announced a new partnership with Merck, a leading German science and technology company, to establish a ‘High End Skill Development Centre’ in CSIR-IMTECH, Chandigarh.
- This ‘High End Skill Development Centre’ will enrich skills by conducting workshops, trainings and seminar series on cutting edges life science processes, tools and techniques.
- Extra info.:
CSIR: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
HQ: New Delhi
Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport to be renamed after Vajpayee
The Uttarakhand government decided to rename the Dehradun airport after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The proposal to rename the Jolly Grant airport after Vajpayee was approved by the state cabinet at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.
- The cabinet also gave its nod to the setting up of the Uttarakhand State Agency For Public Services to ensure time-bound delivery of services and redressal of complaints.
Himachal becomes first state to launch single emergency number
Himachal Pradesh became the first Indian state to launch a single emergency number "112" which will connect to police, fire, health and other helplines through an Emergency Response Centre (ERC) in Shimla along with 12 District Command Centers (DCCs) covering entire State.
- The service is part of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) which includes a '112 India' mobile app integrated with panic button of smartphones and ERSS state website for ease of citizen in availing immediate assistance.
- Launching the ERSS project, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh appealed residents of Himachal Pradesh to download '112 India' mobile app available in App store of Google and Apple.
- The Central government has allocated Rs 321.69 crore under the Nirbhaya Fund for the implementation of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) project across the country.
NPCC now a 'mini-ratna'
The government conferred the National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC) with the status of Miniratna : Category –I, empowering it to "taking speedy decisions".
- Incorporated in 1957, NPCC is a premier construction company under the administrative control of Ministry of Water Resources "having mandate with creation of infrastructure to provide impetus for economic development of the country".
Gandhi Smriti to Organise ‘South Asia Regional Youth Peace Conference’ in New Delhi
Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS), functioning under Ministry of Culture will be organising a 3 day ‘South Asia Regional Youth Peace Conference’ in partnership with UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (UNESCO-MGIEP) and Standing Together to Enable Peace from November 28-30.
- The conference will be held at Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat, Delhi. The conference is being organized to mark the beginning of celebration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
- The thematic thrust areas include Gender; Interfaith issues; Food Security in the context of Gandhian vision of village economy; Digital Media; Arts, Democracy and Dialogue.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Guatemala focal country of 43rd International Kolkata Book Fair
The 43rd International Kolkata Book Fair will begin from January 30 next year, with the central American nation Guatemala, the heart of the Mayan World as the focal country.
- Around 20 countries from Asia, Europe and Latin America would take part in the 12-day mega event known over the decades for its huge footfall that is slated to be inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
- The focal theme this time is 'The Heart of the Mayan World-Guatemala'.
- Extra info.:
Guatemala Capital: Guatemala City
Currency: Guatemalan quetzal
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Govt hikes FAME-I outlay to Rs 895 crore
The government has increased the outlay by Rs 100 crore to Rs 895 crore for the first phase of the FAME India scheme to promote mass adoption of electric vehicles, having extended the scheme four times.
- The phase-I of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles (FAME India) scheme was supposed to be implemented over a two-year period commencing from April 1, 2015.
- The first phase was extended four times for six months each. The latest extension is in effect till March 2019 or till a notification for the second phase.
SPORTS
Hockey World Cup 2018 Inaugurated In Odisha
The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar was in vibrant colours after the grand opening ceremony of 14th edition of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup kicked off with a laser show with an army of drones and fire crackers.
The opening ceremony ended with the official song of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018, 'Jai Hind Jai Hind Jai India' sung and composed by Rahman, written by veteran writer Gulzar featuring Shah Rukh Khan in the video.
B'desh captain fastest to 200 wickets, 3,000 runs Test double
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan surpassed legendary English cricketer Ian Botham to become the fastest cricketer in the history of Test cricket to complete the double of 200 wickets and 3,000 runs.
- Shakib achieved this feat in his 54th Test, one less than Botham's long-standing record of 55.
APPOINTMENTS
World Gold Council appoints David Tait as next CEO
The World Gold Council announced the appointment of David Tait as its next CEO. David will join the organisation on January 7, 2019 as CEO Designate for a transitionary period before becoming CEO on February 25.
- He will succeed Aram Shishmanian, who served as CEO over the last 10 years.
- Extra info.:
WGC Headquartered: London, U.K.
Arvind Saxena appointed UPSC chairman
President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Arvind Saxena as the Chairman of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). He would hold the post till August 7, 2020, or till further orders whichever is earlier.
- Prior to joining UPSC as a Member, Saxena was working as Director of the Aviation Research Centre (ARC).
A.M. Naik appointed Chairman of National Skill Development Corp
The government appointed A.M. Naik as the Chairman of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Naik is currently the Group Chairman of engineering conglomerate Larsen and Toubro.
- NSDC was set up in 2008 under the Public Private Partnership model. The Centre through Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship holds 49 per cent of the share capital of NSDC, while the private sector has the balance of 51 per cent.
- Extra info.:
NSDC Headquarters: New Delhi
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