International News

Bhutan’s King Wangchuck Arrives In Delhi For Talks With Prime Minister Modi

• Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck's recent arrival in India, marked by a grand reception, aligns with renewed efforts by Bhutan and China to resolve their ongoing border dispute.
• King Wangchuck's eight-day visit to India commenced in Guwahati on November 3, where External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar extended a warm welcome, emphasizing India's dedication to the visit.
• This visit aims to further strengthen the deep-rooted friendship and cooperation between the two nations, underscoring India's strategic partnership with Bhutan.

State News

NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd’s First 50 MW Dayapar Wind Project In Kutch, Gujarat

• NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd (NTPC REL) successfully initiated its 50 MW Dayapar Wind Project in Kutch, Gujarat, on November 4, 2023.
• This project holds the distinction of being the first capacity in India declared commercial under the new Indian Electricity Grid Code and General Network Access Regime.
• NTPC REL's commitment to renewable energy extends beyond wind and solar power, as they venture into green hydrogen technologies, further contributing to India's sustainable energy future.
• As a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC, NTPC REL is determined to accelerate the addition of renewable energy capacity within the NTPC Group, with a goal to achieve an impressive 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032.

17th Jaipur Literature Festival 2024 To Begin From February 1

• The 17th edition of the renowned Jaipur Literature Festival, known as the "greatest literary show on Earth," is scheduled to take place from February 1 to February 5, 2024.
• The festival's theme, "Stories Unite Us," will explore the profound impact of storytelling, highlighting how narratives transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries.
• The festival boasts a lineup of 25 distinguished speakers from various fields, engaging in meaningful conversations, aligning with the festival's mission.

Business News

IOC Acquires Mercator Petroleum For Rs 148 Crore

• Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), a state-owned entity, has acquired Mercator Petroleum Limited (MPL) through an insolvency proceeding, with an approximate value of Rs 148 crore.
• The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved this acquisition under the relevant provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
• This acquisition enhances Indian Oil's presence in the oil and gas exploration sector, with MPL holding a promising onland oil and gas exploration block in the Cambay Basin, Gujarat, estimated to have 45.5 million barrels of inplace reserves.
• IOC's resolution plan includes payments of Rs 135 crore to secured financial creditors and Rs 5.40 crore to operational creditors, further solidifying its position in the energy industry.

Important Days News

International Day For Preventing The Exploitation Of The Environment In War And Armed Conflict 2023

• The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, observed annually on November 6, underscores the critical importance of safeguarding the environment during times of conflict.
• This global initiative was established by the United Nations through resolution A/RES/56/4 on November 5, 2001.
• It serves as a reminder of the need to protect the environment as a source of security and peace, preventing its exploitation during military conflicts.

Schemes News

Prime Minister Modi Extends Free Ration Scheme For 5 More Years

• Prime Minister Modi has extended the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for an additional five years. This scheme, initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, provides 5 kg of free food grains every month to those in need.
• The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has played a pivotal role in supporting economically vulnerable segments of society, especially during times of lockdowns and economic disruptions.
• Targeting approximately 80 crore individuals categorized as "poor," the scheme encompasses those living below the poverty line, daily wage laborers, and other vulnerable groups.

Jal Diwali - "Water For Women, Women For Water Campaign" Launched

• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is launching a groundbreaking initiative called the "Women for Water, Water for Women Campaign," known as "Jal Diwali."
• Scheduled to run from November 7, 2023, through November 9, 2023, this campaign aims to actively involve women in water governance.
• Women participants will gain hands-on knowledge about water treatment processes by visiting Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) in their respective cities.

COLORS Joins Forces To Support The 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' Initiative

• COLORS, India's leading Hindi GEC, has collaborated with the Ministry of Women and Child Development's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' initiative to address the issue of girl child abandonment through the launch of the fiction show "Doree."
• This initiative aims to raise awareness about the social problem of girl child abandonment and promote the 24-hour emergency toll-free Child helpline number (1098) for assistance with abandoned girl children across the nation.

Appointments News

Rohit Rishi Appointed As Executive Director At Bank Of Maharashtra

• Rohit Rishi has assumed the role of Executive Director at the Bank of Maharashtra, serving a three-year tenure starting from November 1, 2023.
• With over 28 years of experience in the banking industry, Rohit Rishi's journey began in 1995 when he joined Indian Bank as an Industrial Development Officer.
• He holds a B. Tech degree in Textiles, an MBA in Finance, and is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB).
• His extensive experience encompasses various aspects of banking, with a strong focus on MSME, Mid-Corporate, and Corporate credit.

RBI Appoints Manoranjan Mishra As Its New Executive Director

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Manoranjan Mishra as the new Executive Director, effective from November 1, 2023.
• With over three decades of experience in the RBI and a strong background in various aspects of banking and finance, Mishra holds post-graduate degrees in economics and banking and finance, along with a master's degree in finance and financial regulation from the United Kingdom's Aston Business School.
• In his role as Executive Director, Mishra will oversee three crucial departments within the RBI: Enforcement Department, Risk Monitoring Department, and Department of External Investments & Operations.

Books & Authors News

ISRO Chief Withdraws Release Of His Autobiography 'Nilavu Kudicha Simhangal'

• S Somanath, the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has made the unprecedented decision to withdraw the release of his forthcoming autobiography, titled 'Nilavu Kudicha Simhangal' (Lions that drank the Moonlight).
• This decision arose from controversy surrounding alleged critical comments made about his predecessor, K Sivan, which led to public outcry.
• Somanath acknowledged that his book contained references to the lack of clarity surrounding the announcement of the failure of the Chandrayaan-2 mission, India's second lunar exploration mission.

Sports News

Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews Becomes First Cricketer To Get 'Timed Out'

• In a dramatic turn of events during the Cricket World Cup 2023 match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews became the first player to be timed out in an international cricket match.
• The International Cricket Council (ICC) had established clear rules regarding timed out dismissals, and Mathews fell victim to this rule due to issues with his helmet and the subsequent request for a replacement.

Sultan Of Johor Cup 2023: Indian Hockey Team Wins Bronze Medal

• The Indian junior men's hockey team secured the bronze medal in a thrilling match at the Sultan of Johor Cup 2023 in Johor, Malaysia.
• This victory marked India's third title in the Sultan of Johor Cup, having previously won the prestigious Johor Bahru Cup twice in 2013 and 2014.
• Although they faced a tough defeat at the hands of Germany in the semi-finals, India bounced back to claim the bronze, solidifying their presence on the international stage.

Science & Technology News

NASA's INFUSE Mission: Studying The Cygnus Loop Supernova Remnant

• NASA recently launched a sounding rocket as part of its Integral Field Ultraviolet Spectroscope Experiment (INFUSE) mission to study the Cygnus Loop, a 20,000-year-old supernova remnant located 2,600 light-years away from Earth.
• The INFUSE mission's primary objective is to deepen our understanding of the formation of new star systems by analyzing the properties and characteristics of the Cygnus Loop.
• This research aims to unravel the complex processes that occur after a massive star undergoes a supernova explosion, shedding light on the universe's intricate mechanisms.

Wolbachia: A Bacterial Symbiont With Intriguing Biological Roles

• Wolbachia, an intracellular bacteria that infects various arthropods, has garnered attention for its fascinating biological properties and potential applications.
• Wolbachia resides inside the cells of its host organisms, forming a symbiotic relationship. Scientists are exploring the use of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to control the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
• These mosquitoes, when released into the wild, can disrupt the breeding patterns of disease-carrying mosquito populations, offering a unique approach to disease control.

Miscellaneous News

Time Magazine Features Sheikh Hasina, World's Longest Serving Female Head Of Govt

• Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at 76 years old, has been featured in a Time cover story as a political phenomenon who has played a pivotal role in guiding Bangladesh's remarkable growth from a rustic jute producer to the Asia-Pacific's fastest-expanding economy over the past decade.
• Sheikh Hasina, who has served as Bangladesh's prime minister since 2009, has been a prominent figure in Bangladeshi politics.
• Her governance has witnessed significant economic growth, making Bangladesh South Asia's second-largest economy after India.