NATIONAL NEWS

Second Edition of 'World Food India 2023'

· Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the second edition of 'World Food India 2023' at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 3 November 2023. Under this programme, the Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the ‘Food Street’.

· The second edition of 'World Food India 2023' is being organized from 03 to 0 5 November 2023, after which the program will be concluded by President Draupadi Murmu.

· The event aims to showcase India as the ‘food basket of the world’ and celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

· In this edition of World Food India, the Netherlands will be the ‘Partner Country,’ and Japan and Vietnam are designated as ‘Focus Countries.’

· The pavilions within the Food Street showcase regional cuisines from various corners of India, including street food and culinary delights from the royal heritage of the country.

ECI Signed an Agreement with Ministry of Education

· The Election Commission of India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education to bring electoral literacy in schools across the country.

· Its objective is to include voter education and electoral literacy in the curriculum from classes 6th to 12th in all schools.

· It envisages instilling electoral literacy in the young people through the educational institutions.

· Under the MoU, study material on electoral literacy will be included in NCERT school textbooks and state education boards will also be advised to follow the same.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

'Mobility and Migration Agreement' – India and Italy

· External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar held a comprehensive and productive meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Italy Antonio Tajani in Rome.

· In the meeting, the two leaders signed Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement and the Cultural Exchange Programme to enable seamless movement of workers, students and professionals and also address the challenges of illegal migration.

· Dr Jaishankar also met Defence Minister of Italy Guido Crosetto. The agenda focused on taking forward the renewed defence and security partnership.

· They agreed that potential in agro-tech, innovation, space, defence and the digital domain should be explored.

2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

· US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin are expected to visit India for the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue.

· The India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is a high-level diplomatic meeting between the Foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers of India and the United States.

· This visit comes at a time when there are ongoing international crises and challenges that require diplomatic and security discussions between the two countries.

· The 2+2 ministerial dialogue is an important platform for the United States and India to engage in strategic discussions on various issues, including security, defense, and regional cooperation.

· It is the highest-level institutional mechanism between the two countries.

· The dialogue is an opportunity for the two countries to discuss and cooperate on a wide range of issues, including defense and security, trade and investment, and global challenges.

Putin Withdraws Russia’s Ratification of Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

· President Vladimir Putin signed laws to remove Russia's ratification of the worldwide treaty prohibiting nuclear testing.

·  Russia claims that its withdrawal from the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is only intended to bring Russia in line with the United States.

· The move demonstrates the key gulf between the United States and Russia.

· The United Nations enacted the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996 with the goal of outlawing the use of nuclear weapons for either military or non-military reasons.

BANKING

ICICI Bank Customers - The Digital Rupee App

· ICICI Bank has announced that it has enabled millions of customers to pay to any merchant QR code by using the Bank’s digital rupee (e₹) app named ‘Digital Rupee by ICICI Bank’.

· The Bank has made it possible by making its digital rupee app UPI (Unified Payments Interface) interoperable.

· This integration empowers customers to scan existing UPI QR code at merchant outlets and pay via the digital rupee app.

· At the same time, it helps merchants to accept digital rupee payments on their existing UPI QR code, eliminating the need for mandatory on-boarding procedure.

· ICICI Bank’s introduction of UPI interoperability on its digital rupee app provides flexibility and convenience to customers.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Rohini Nayyar Award

· Deenanath Rajput, a former engineer who transitioned into social work, received the prestigious Second Rohini Nayyar Prize for his exceptional dedication to rural development.

· Deenanath Rajput received the Second Rohini Nayyar Prize for his remarkable work in empowering tribal women in Bastar, Chhattisgarh.

· The prize was presented by N K Singh, Chairman of the Fifteenth Finance Commission. The jury panel included Dr. Ashok Khosla, Dr. Rajesh Tandon, Renana Jhabvala, and Professor Seeta Prabhu.

· The award, commemorating the late economist-administrator Dr. Rohini Nayyar, included a trophy, a citation, and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Chairman of Armed Forces Tribunal

· Former Chief Justice Rajendra Menon of the Delhi High Court has been re-elected as the Chairman of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) for a four-year term.

· This marks his second consecutive term as Chairman, having initially been nominated for the position in 2019.

· Justice Menon’s legal journey has been marked by significant appointments and contributions to the Indian judiciary.

OBITUTARY

Classical Singer- Leela Omchery

· Noted classical singer, Leela Omchery, passed away in New Delhi. She was 94.

·  Leela received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, for her contributions to the field of music in 2005.

· Leela headed the Music Department in Delhi University, from where she retired in 1994 after serving 28 years at the prestigious institution.

· She authored a number of books, notably 'Abhinava Sangeetham', 'Padhavum Paadhavum' and 'Keralathile Lasyarachanakal'.

· She was a recipient of Sahitya Akademi awards from Kerala and the Centre.
 

MISCELLANEOUS

First International Cruise Liner 'Costa Serena'

· Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal launched the domestic sailing of 'Costa Serena', the first international cruise liner in India, in Mumbai.

· With this, Costa will become the first international cruise liner to offer domestic itineraries in India and offer international cruising experience for Indians along the Mumbai - Goa - Lakshadweep - Cochin routes.

· The cruise ship is expected to carry approximately 45,000 passengers in its next two months voyages.

· The target of 50 million cruise passengers in India by the year 2047 has also been discussed in the recently concluded Global Maritime India Summit 2023. Such cruise initiatives are part of 'Dekho Apna Desh'.