National News

Center Renames Ayushman Bharat Health And Wellness Centers To Ayushman Arogya Mandir

• The Union Government has decided to rebrand the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centers (AB-HWCs) as 'Ayushman Arogya Mandir.'
• This decision, conveyed through a letter from the Union Health Ministry to all States and Union Territories, is coupled with the tagline 'Arogyam Parmam Dhanam.'
• The primary objective behind this rebranding initiative is to amplify the identity and outreach of these essential healthcare facilities.
• The nationwide completion of this process is targeted by the end of 2023, emphasizing the urgency for States and Union Territories to promptly execute the rebranding.
• This timely completion is imperative to ensure a seamless transition and project a unified identity for the health and wellness centers.

International News

New Zealand's Shift on Landmark Smoking Ban

• New Zealand, under its recently elected government, has chosen to abandon its groundbreaking law aimed at banning smoking for future generations.
• This decision is driven by the government's intention to finance tax cuts, raising concerns among public health officials about potential consequences.
• They foresee thousands of lives at risk, especially within Māori communities.
• The 2022 legislation, considered a world-first, established a progressively increasing smoking age, preventing those born after January 2009 from legally purchasing cigarettes.
• The primary goal was to curtail smoking-related fatalities and alleviate the strain on the health system.

Dave Sharma's Victory in Australian Senate

• Indian-origin politician Dave Sharma has achieved a significant political comeback by winning the New South Wales Liberal Senate race.
• This victory, replacing the retired former foreign minister, Marise Payne, marks a pivotal moment in Sharma's political career.
• In 2019, he made history as the first Indian-origin lawmaker in the Australian Parliament, bringing a wealth of diplomatic and foreign policy expertise to the Senate.

First Human Case of H1N2 Pig Virus in the UK

• The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported the first human case of H1N2, or the pig virus, detected through routine national flu surveillance.
• The affected individual experienced mild illness and fully recovered, prompting questions about potential pig-to-human transmission.
• This discovery raises awareness of the risks associated with zoonotic transmission, where viruses move from animals to humans.
• The virus in question contains genetic material from various sources, including pigs, birds, and humans, reminiscent of the 2009 swine flu pandemic.

Defence News 

NATPOLREX-IX: Indian Coast Guard’s Pollution Response Exercise

• On November 25, 2023, the Indian Coast Guard conducted the 9th National Level Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX-IX) off Vadinar, Gujarat.
• This exercise aimed to assess the readiness and coordination of various agencies in responding to a marine oil spill, aligning with the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP).
• Representatives from central and coastal state governments, ports, oil handling agencies, and more than 31 foreign observers and 80 delegates participated in this comprehensive event.

Business News

IndiGo's AI-Powered Chat Assistant "6Eskai"

• IndiGo, India's largest airline, has introduced its AI-powered chat assistant, "6Eskai."
• This innovative tool is designed to handle customer inquiries in a variety of languages, marking a significant step forward in enhancing customer service in the aviation industry. This move follows Air India's introduction of its AI-powered chat assistant, "Maharaja," on November 10.
• While Maharaja utilizes Microsoft's Azure OpenAI service, 6Eskai is powered by the advanced technology of Microsoft's GPT-4, showcasing the rapid evolution and adoption of AI in the aviation sector.

SEBI's Decision to Boost Social Stock Exchange

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved a reduction in the minimum issue size for Not for Profit Organisations (NPOs) on the social stock exchange.
• In a bid to enhance fundraising capabilities for NPOs, SEBI has decreased the minimum issue size for public issuance of Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instruments (ZCZP) from Rs 1 crore to Rs 50 lakh.
• This reduction aims to make fundraising more accessible for NPOs, fostering a conducive environment for social impact initiatives.

Appointments News:

Col Sunita BS Assumes Historic Role

• In a historic moment on November 21, 2023, Colonel Sunita BS, an officer in the Army Medical Corps, made history by becoming the first woman to assume the role of Commanding Officer at the Armed Forces Transfusion Centre (AFTC) in Delhi Cantt.
• Col Sunita, a proud graduate of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences Rohtak, holds a Post Graduate degree (MD & DNB) in Pathology.
• Before this groundbreaking appointment, she served as the Commanding Officer at a strategically important Field Hospital in Arunachal Pradesh.

Fino Payments Bank Welcomes Rajat Kumar Jain

• In another significant appointment, Mumbai-based Fino Payments Bank has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the appointment of Rajat Kumar Jain as Part-time Chairman.
• Effective from November 24, 2023, until November 01, 2025, this approval marks a crucial development for the bank. Rajat Kumar Jain, an alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, brings over three decades of strategic leadership experience to the role.
• Currently serving as a non-executive director on various boards, including those of Aditya Birla and Mahindra conglomerates, Jain’s extensive knowledge is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Fino Payments Bank’s future trajectory.

HDFC Bank's New Appointments

• HDFC Bank’s Board of Directors has greenlit the nomination of Harsh Kumar Bhanwala as the Additional Independent Director, with a three-year tenure commencing from January 25, 2024.
• Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, with past roles including Chairman & Managing Director of India Infrastructure Finance Company and Senior Vice President at IL&FS Water, brings a wealth of experience to the position.
• Simultaneously, the HDFC Bank Board has approved the appointment of V Srinivasa Rangan as the new Executive Director (whole-time Director), effective from November 23, 2023.

Awards News:

Ministry Of Power's Recognition at IITF 2023

• The Ministry of Power, Government of India, has been honored with the Special Appreciation Medal for Excellence in Display at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2023.
• This prestigious award acknowledges the Ministry's outstanding contribution to the 42nd edition of the IITF, held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from November 14 to 27, 2023.
• The accolade specifically recognizes the remarkable Power Pavilion set up by the Ministry, inaugurated with grandeur on November 14, 2023, by the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri R. K. Singh.
• The Special Appreciation Medal was received by Shri Ajay Agarwal, Director at the Ministry of Power, and Shri Harjit Singh, Chief General Manager (Corporate Communications) at NTPC.

Books & Authors News:

Sharmishtha Mukherjee's 'Pranab, My Father: A Daughter Remembers'

• The book, titled ‘Pranab, My Father: A Daughter Remembers’ authored by Sharmishtha Mukherjee, is being brought out by Rupa Publications.
• This biographical work delves into the father-daughter relationship between Pranab Mukherjee and Sharmishtha.
• The narrative traces Mukherjee’s life from an unprepossessing village in West Bengal’s Birbhum district to a roller-coaster career, offering unique insights into his journey.

Sports News:

Vidya Pillai's Historic Win

• Seasoned cueist Vidya Pillai secured a monumental milestone in her illustrious career by clinching the IBSF 6-Red Snooker World Championship title in Doha, Qatar, just days before her 46th birthday.
• The Bengalurean showcased stellar performance, dominating her opponents throughout the championship. In the final clash, she secured a standout victory of 4-1 against compatriot Anupama Ramachandran.
• Vidya's expertise was evident in the semifinal clash against Bai Yulu, where she demonstrated a notable run of 33 in the second frame and an impressive clearance of 63 in the fourth.
• Notably, in 2017, she made history as the first Indian woman to reach the finals of the WLBSA World Women’s Snooker Championship.

Italy's Davis Cup Triumph

• Italy fulfilled their potential as one of the most promising tennis nations by defeating Australia 2-0 to become Davis Cup champions for the first time since 1976.
• The victory was sealed by Matteo Arnaldi, who dug deep to beat Alexei Popyrin 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in the opening clash. Italy had secured their place in the final after defeating Novak Djokovic’s Serbia.
• The final, held in the Spanish city of Malaga, witnessed Matteo Arnaldi's determination in the tense 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 win over Alexei Popyrin.

Obituaries News:

C.K. Gopinathan's Sudden Demise

• The banking community and shareholders of Kerala-based Dhanlaxmi Bank mourned the sudden demise of Mr. C.K. Gopinathan, a director on the bank’s board and a significant shareholder.
• Appointed to the board of Dhanlaxmi Bank in August 2016, Gopinathan brought his extensive knowledge and insights to the table.
• Holding a 7.5 percent stake as of September 2023, he played a crucial role in the bank’s strategic decisions.
• Beyond his role in the banking sector, Gopinathan served as a Director of C.K.G Supermarket Limited and held the position of Managing Director at K.G Securities and Investments Limited.