NATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM MODI LAUNCHES COUNTRY'S FIRST SEAPLANE SERVICE
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the country’s first seaplane service between the Statue of Unity near Kevadiya in Gujarat’s Narmada district and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.
The 19-seater seaplane will be managed by private airline SpiceJet. The service will cover the 200km distance between Sabarmati and Kevadia, in just 45 minutes by flight.
There will be four flights a day between Ahmedabad and Kevadia on each side, which means four arrivals and four departures.
PM MODI INAUGURATED 'AROGYA VAN' IN GUJARAT
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Arogya Van’ in the Narmada district of Gujarat.
PM Modi along with this also inaugurated Arogya Kutir, Ekta Mall, and Children Nutrition Park.
Arogya Van is set up on 17 acres of land in Kevadia for spreading awareness on Yoga, Ayurveda and Meditation. It features around 380 species of plants and trees with rich medicinal values.
ASSAM: FIRST TO ADD 'TRANSGENDER' IN CIVIL SERVICES
Assam has become the first state in the country to add a ‘transgender’ option in the gender category of the civil service examination form.
The examination is similar to the civil services examinations conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and selects candidates for state civil and other allied services for the state.
• UPSC headquartered at New Delhi.
• Pradeep Kumar Joshi is the Chairman of UPSC.
PANNA TIGER RESERVE INCLUDED IN LIST OF UNESCO
In Madhya Pradesh, the Panna Tiger Reserve has been included in the ‘World Network of Biosphere Reserves’ list of the UNESCO.
This is the 12th biosphere reserve from India to be included in the ‘World Network of Biosphere Reserves’, and third from Madhya Pradesh, after Pachmarhi and Amarkantak.
Currently, Panna Tiger Reserve is home to 54 tigers.
The UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) covers internationally designated protected areas (known as biosphere reserves) that demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature (like encourage sustainable development).
MALABAR NAVAL EXERCISE 2020 BEGAN IN BAY OF BENGAL
The Navies of India, the US, Japan and Australia began the four-day-long phase first of the Malabar naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal.
This is the first time that the member nations of the Quad or Quadrilateral Coalition are participating in the exercise together after 2007 (Quad member nations are India, the US, Japan and Australia).
The Malabar exercise started in 1992 as a bilateral drill between the Indian Navy and the US Navy in the Indian Ocean. Japan became a permanent member of the exercise in 2015. Australia was recently added to the exercise in 2020.
NMCG ORGANIZED 'GANGA UTSAV' 2020
Ganga Utsav-2020 has been organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) jointly with the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The three-day-long Ganga Utsav-2020 has been organized from 02 to 04 November 2020, virtually amidst COVID-19 precautions.
The 2020 edition marks the 12th anniversary of Ganga being accorded the status of National River, on 4th November 2008.
• Minister of Jal Shakti: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
VIETNAM HIT BY STORM 'TYPHOON MOLAVE'
Recently, Vietnam has been hit by one of its biggest storms in two decades - Typhoon Molave.
Typhoon is a regionally specific name for a strong "tropical cyclone". Tropical cyclones are known as ‘typhoons’ in the northwest pacific ocean, hurricanes in the North Atlantic Ocean,
Willy-willies in north-western Australia and Tropical Cyclones in the Indian Ocean Region.
A tropical cyclone is a generic term used by meteorologists to describe a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed low-level circulation.
CHINA'S LONG TERM PROGRAM FOR ECONOMY & DEFENCE
China’s ruling party- CPC (Communist Party of China) – sets long-term targets for boosting the economy and military power.
It announced 3 goals to be achieved by 2025, 2027 and 2035. They are: Boosting domestic consumption and innovation.
A ‘Vision 2035’ longer-term economic blueprint that calls for “big leaps” in economic strength and technological prowess. China’s national security plans and goals are to establish the PLA as a modern force by 2027.
DUARTE PACHECO ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF IPU
Portugal MP, Duarte Pacheco has won the elections for the post of the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The term of the Duarte Pacheco will be from 2020-2023.
He will be the 30th President of the IPU and will succeed Mexican MP Gabriela Cuevas Barron.
The other three participants were Pakistan’s Muhammad Sanjrani, Uzbekistan’s Akmal Saidov and Canada’s Pakistani origin Salma Ataullahjan.
• Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU): founded in 1889.
• It consists of representatives from the National Parliaments of 179 countries.
INDIAN ORIGIN WOMAN BECOMES A MINISTER IN NEW-ZEALAND
Indian-origin New Zealand politician, Priyanca Radhakrishnan has created history by becoming the first Indian-Kiwi woman to become a minister in New Zealand.
She was appointed as Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities in Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s cabinet.
• Prime minister of New Zealand: Jacinda Ardern.
• Capital of New Zealand: Wellington.
JOHN POMBE MAGUFULI ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF TANZANIA
The President of Tanzania, John Pombe Magufuli has been sworn for a second five-year term.
Magufuli won 84% of the total votes in elections held on October 28.
He was elected as the fifth President of Tanzania and in office since 2015. CHADEMA party candidate Tundu Lissu took the second position.
• Capital of Tanzania: Dodoma
• Currency of Tanzania: Tanzanian shilling.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
RBI IMPOSED MONETARY PENALTY ON DCB & JIO PAYMENT
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed monetary penalty on DCB Bank and Jio Payments Bank for various rule violations.
The central bank has imposed a penalty of Rs 22 lakh on DCB Bank for non-compliance with certain provisions of Section 47A (1) (c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
In the case of Jio Payments Bank, the RBI imposed a penalty of Rs 1 crore for non-compliance with RBI directions under Section 35B of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (the Act).
• Governor of RBI: Shaktikanta Das.
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
WHATSAPP PARTNERSHIP WITH 5 BANKS FOR UPI OPTIONS
WhatsApp has partnered with five Indian banks to process its payment services.
These are State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and Jio Payments Bank.
The payment system will be rolled out in ten Indian regional languages in the latest version of WhatsApp app to its 20 million users.
APPOINTMENTS
TUMMALA SRINIVASA AS THE NEW DIRECTOR OF INCOIS
Tummala Srinivasa Kumar took charge as the new Indian National Centre for Ocean Information System (INCOIS) Director.
INCOIS is an autonomous organization of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
India has a tsunami early warning system which provides a tsunami warning in 10 – 20 minutes established at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information System (INCOIS).
BIMAL JULKA AS THE CHAIRMAN OF FIFS
Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) has announced the appointment of Bimal Julka as its Chairman.
Bimal Julka is an (IAS) officer belonging to the Madhya Pradesh Cadre. Julka is taking over from John Loffhagen, who served as the Chairman of FIFS for over three years.
Loffhagen will assume the role of a Strategic Advisor and support FIFS on collaborating with relevant international bodies in the industry.
PVG MENON APPOINTED AS CEO OF ESSCI
The Electronics Sector Skill Council of India (ESSCI) announced the appointment of PVG Menon as its CEO.
ESSCI works with industry, the National Skill Development Corporation, and the Ministry of Electronics and IT to provide both skilling and re-skilling services to the industry.
• Electronics Sector Skill Council of India Headquarters: New Delhi.
AK GUPTA: MD & CEO OF ONGC VIDESH LIMITED
AK Gupta, the new Managing Director and CEO of ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) took charge. Before this, he was Director (Operations) of the company.
OVL is the international petroleum company of India and the overseas arm of national oil and gas major Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Limited.
AK Gupta brings with him over three decades of experience in various capacities in domestic and overseas oil and gas exploration and production operations.
• ONGC Videsh Limited Founded: 1965.
• ONGC Videsh Limited Headquarters: New Delhi.
FIRST PRESIDENT OF HOCKEY INDIA FROM NORTH EAST
Manipur’s Gyanendro Ningombam was elected unopposed as the President of Hockey India,
While former President Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad is back in the Hockey India Executive Board after being Elected Unopposed for the Senior Vice President post.
Earlier, Gyanendro Ningombam has been serving as the Officiating President of Hockey India.
He was Senior Vice President of Hockey India, Senior Vice President of Manipur Hockey, and also Chief Executive Officer of Manipur Hockey. He also served as the editor of Meeyam, an evening daily in Manipur.
• Hockey India Founded: 20 May 2009.
• Hockey India Headquarters: New Delhi.
AWARDS & HONOURS
PAUL ZACHARIA SELECTED FOR EZHUTHACHAN PURASKARAM
Noted Malayalam writer, Paul Zacharia has been selected for this year’s Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, the Kerala government’s highest literary honour.
Paul Zacharia was chosen for his contribution to Malayalam literature during the past five decades.
Zacharia also won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1979 and the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 2004.
The Ezhuthachan Puraskaram is the highest literary honour that is given by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Government of Kerala.
HARIHARAN WINS JC DANIELS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Noted filmmaker Hariharan has been selected for the JC Daniel Award, the state government’s highest honour for lifetime contributions to Malayalam cinema.
Hariharan was chosen for the prestigious award by a jury chaired by MT Vasudevan Nair.
In 1972 he directed the film ‘Girls Hostel’. Later he got here up with a few of the evergreen films in Malayalam.
SPORTS
SHANE WATSON RETIRES FROM ALL FORMAT OF CRICKET
Shane Watson, Australian opener for the Chennai Super Kings announced his retirement from all forms of cricke.
The cricketer had already retired from international cricket when CSK bought him in the 2018 IPL auction.
Shane Watson was one of the most successful all-rounders in IPL. He initially played for the Rajasthan Royals. He was a part of Royal Challengers Bangalore & currently was playing for the Chennai Super Kings.
AMIT PANGHAL WINS GOLD IN INT. BOXING TOURNAMENT
Indian boxers Amit Panghal, Sanjeet and Ashish Kumar have won gold medals at the recently concluded Alexis Valentine International Boxing Tournament held in Nantes, France.
• Amit Panghal, the silver medalist at the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships in the 52 kg-weight categories, overcame the challenge from American boxer Rene Abraham.
• Sanjeet was up against France’s Soheb Bouafia in the 91 kg final bout and produced a clinical performance to win the top honours.
• In the 75 kg weight category, Indian boxer Ashish Kumar won the gold medal after his opponent from the USA, Joseph Gerome Hiks, gave him a walkover due to injury.
LEWIS HAMILTON WINS EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) has won the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2020 at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track, Italy.
This was his 9th win of the season and 93rd F1 win of his career. Valtteri Bottas finished second while Daniel Ricciardo finished third.
He also won the 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix, held at Algarve International Circuit, Portugal. With this win, he has surpassed the record of 91 wins set by German great Michael Schumacher.
MARLON SAMUELS RETIRES FROM ALL FORMAT OF CRICKET
West Indies batsman, Marlon Samuels has announced his retirement from professional cricket.
Having last he played for his country in December 2018 against Bangladesh.
He has played 71 Tests, 207 ODIs, and 67 T20s at the international level, has scored 11,134 international runs including 17 centuries across all formats. He also has 152 international wickets to his name.
He also represented several T20 franchises around the world later in his career, including Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, Melbourne Renegades, and Peshawar Zalmi.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
WORLD CITIES DAY: 31ST OCTOBER
The United Nations General Assembly has designated the 31st of October as World Cities Day. Theme for the year 2020 is Valuing Our Communities and Cities.
The Day is celebrated to promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization.
Urban October was launched by UN-Habitat in 2014 to emphasize the world’s urban challenges and engage the international community towards the New Urban Agenda.
World Cities Day 2020 is the seventh global celebration since the day was launched on 31 October 2014 in Shanghai, China.
WORLD PSORIASIS DAY 2020: 29TH OCTOBER
World Psoriasis Day is commemorated by the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA) annually on 29th October. World Psoriasis Day Theme for 2020 is INFORMED.
It aims to create awareness and promotes empowerment, taking action regarding improving the quality of life for citizens with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
• President of International Federation of Psoriasis Associations: Hoseah Waweru.
• International Federation of Psoriasis Associations Headquarters: Sweden.
WORLD TSUNAMI AWARENESS DAY 2020
World Tsunami Awareness Day was observed across the world on 5 November.
The day is celebrated to spread awareness among people across the world in matters related to the dangers of tsunami.
This year’s observance promotes “Sendai Seven Campaign,” target. World Tsunami Awareness Day was the brainchild of Japan.
In December 2015, the UN General Assembly designated 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day, calling on countries, international bodies and civil society to raise tsunami awareness and share innovative approaches to risk reduction.
NATIONAL CANCER AWARENESS DAY: 7TH NOVEMBER
The National Cancer Awareness Day is observed annually in India on November 7, to spread awareness on cancer, its symptoms and treatment.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally.
The day was first observed in 2014 as and when announced by the union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan. The day coincides with the birth anniversary of scientist Marie Curie winner of the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics.
World Cancer Day which was celebrated on 4th of February.
REPORTS AND INDEXES
KERALA BEST GOVERNED STATE IN INDIA: PAI INDEX
Kerala has adjudged the best - governed state in the country while Uttar Pradesh (UP) pushed to the bottom in the large states category, according to the PAI - Public Affairs Index 2020 released by the Public Affairs Centre.
Four southern states, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, & Karnataka stood in the 1st four ranks in the large state category in terms of governance.
Uttar Pradesh, Odisha & Bihar were at the bottom of the ranking. In the small state category, Goa ranked 1st, followed by Meghalaya and Himachal Pradesh.
Chandigarh emerged the best - governed union territory in the category of UTs PAI points, followed by Puducherry & Lakshadweep.
By the PAC, the governance performance is analyzed in the context of sustainable development defined by 3 pillars of equity, growth and sustainability.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DRDO TEST-FIRED PINAKA ROCKET SYSTEM
The enhanced version of PINAKA rocket system was successfully flight tested by DRDOfrom Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.
This enhanced version of the Pinaka rocket would replace the existing Pinaka Mk-I rockets.
The design and development of Pinaka were done by DRDO laboratories based in Pune, namely Armament Research and Development Establishment, ARDE and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, HEMRL.
INDIA RECEIVED SECOND BATCH OF THREE RAFALE AIRCRAFT
India receives the second batch of three Rafale Aircraft, bringing total Rafale Jets with IAF to eight.
The second batch of three Rafale jets landed in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
With the arrival of the second batch, the IAF now has a total of eight Rafale fighter aircraft. As per the information by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, the induction of all 36 jets will be completed by 2023.
ISRO LAUNCHES PSLV C49 WITH 10 SATELLITES
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched the 51st mission of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). This is the first mission by ISRO in 2020.
The carrier vehicle PSLV C49 will deliver 10 satellites in all with EOS-01 as the primary one. It is the 51st mission of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
The carrier was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
ISRO Chairman: K.Sivan.
ISRO Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka.
OBITUARIES
JAMES BOND ACTOR SEAN CONNERY PASSES AWAY
The Scottish actor, best known for his portrayal of James Bond, Sean Connery passed away. Connery will be remembered first as British agent 007.
Scottish movie legend Connery, who shot British agent James Bond and went on to grace the silver screen for four decades.
He was admired by generations of film fans in films such as The Man Who Would Be King, the Name of the Rose and the Untouchables.
MISCELLANEOUS
'TILL WE WIN': BOOK BY AIIMS DIRECTOR GULERIA
A new book titled “Till We Win” written by AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria and two other doctors
It will give a definitive account of India’s fight against Covid-19 and how to deal with the pandemic in the days to come.
The book deals with the “realization of inner strength and unity” amongst people of all walks of life in a country known for its cultural and linguistic diversity.
It will hit the stands this month and published by Penguin Random House India.
LEGAL AFFAIRS
'UNION TERRITORY OF J&K' LAND REORGANISATION 2020
Recently, the Centre notified ‘Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020', which states that any Indian citizen can now buy land in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) without being a domicile.
Features of Latest Order:
• No domicile or permanent resident certificate is required to purchase non-agricultural land in the Union Territory.
• Amended the Jammu & Kashmir Land Revenue Act, 1996, under which only agriculturists of J&K can purchase agricultural land.
• The Centre also notified the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, which paves the way for the acquisition of land in J&K by all Indian citizens.
LAWS AND PROVISIONS FOR PLATFORM WORKERS
The Code on Social Security, 2020, for the first time in Indian law, attempted to define ‘platform work’ outside of the traditional employment category. Labour falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution.
Significance of Platform Work:
• Platform work promises workers flexibility and ownership over delivery of work.
• Important for delivery of essential services as seen during pandemic.
• Employment Intensive Sector.
• Potential Sector for growth due to fast pace of Urbanization.
