INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Symbiosis International University's First Global Campus in Dubai

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar presided over the inauguration of Symbiosis International University’s first overseas campus at Dubai Knowledge Park

The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.

The event marked a significant milestone in India-UAE relations.

It aligns with Dubai’s Economic Agenda 33, which aims to transform the emirate’s economy over the next decade by focusing on human capital development and the education sector.

The Dubai campus will offer programs in management, technology, and media.

The emphasis is on developing 21st-century skills to prepare students for the global workforce.

The initiative reflects the philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", meaning "The world is one family," promoting international cooperation and harmony.

The campus will contribute to the development of human capital, which is a key priority of Dubai’s economic agenda

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Google Introduces Air View+

Google launched Air View+, an ecosystem-based solution aimed at providing hyperlocal air quality information to users and government authorities in collaboration with local climate tech firms.

The initiative is designed to help government agencies and urban planners with real-time air quality data, particularly in cities with insufficient infrastructure for monitoring air quality.

Google collaborated with climate tech firms Aurassure and Respirer Living Sciences to set up an air quality sensor network in cities lacking the infrastructure to monitor air quality.

The sensors measure various air quality parameters like 5, PM10, CO2, NO2, ozone, VOCs, along with temperature and humidity, taking measurements every minute.

Air View+ uses Google AI to combine data from various sources such as sensor networks, government data, satellite imagery, weather conditions, and traffic patterns to create real-time, granular air quality insights.

Real-time hyperlocal air quality data is integrated into Google Maps, enabling users across India to access air quality information.

The system generates a dynamic Air Quality Index (AQI) at a granular level, reflecting the methodology and categorization defined in the National Air Quality Index (NAQI).

The platform aims to empower local municipal corporations, urban planners, and citizens with valuable air quality insights for better environmental monitoring and decision-making.

The solution helps identify air quality hotspots, make necessary interventions, and improve the overall urban planning and sustainability of cities in India.

BANKING

Matrimony.com Launches 'Weddingloans.com' Platform to Provide Wedding Loans

Matchmaking service provider com has launched a new financial technology platform, Weddingloans.com, designed to provide financial assistance for marriages.

The platform has partnered with prominent financial institutions such as IDFC, Tata Capital, and Larsen and Toubro Finance to offer a comprehensive loan solution for wedding-related expenses.

The platform aims to offer more than just wedding loans; it will provide financial advice and guidance to help customers make the right decisions for their financial well-being.

It aims to simplify the process of wedding planning, budgeting, and execution.

Wedding loans offered through the platform are unsecured personal loans provided as a lump sum, with the option for couples to repay the loan in fixed instalments over time.

Weddingloans.com offers unbiased advice, clear loan breakdowns, and tools to help customers understand total loan costs, including interest.

Trained advisors will assist borrowers in choosing the right loan products, ensuring that consumers are not just sold loans, but receive personalized financial advice.

RBI Creates Booklets in Santali Language to Promote Financial Awareness Among Tribals

To create financial literacy awareness among the tribal population, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Odisha office has prepared five specific booklets in Santali (Ol Chik) language.

Odisha's Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, unveiled the booklets at the Bali Jatra festival in Cuttack.

These booklets were created as part of the RBI's celebrations marking 90 years of its operations in India.

The RBI has prepared the booklets for school children, farmers, entrepreneurs, self-help groups and senior citizens with the aim to create awareness about financial products and services, good financial practices, digital and consumer protection.

In addition to Odisha, the booklets will be distributed in states like Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura, where there is a significant Santali-speaking population.

IBBI Suggests Mandatory Monitoring Committees for Resolution Plans

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has proposed the introduction of monitoring committees for implementing resolution plans under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

The move aims to address challenges in the implementation of resolution plans and increase transparency and confidence in the insolvency resolution process.

This proposal follows a Supreme Court ruling on November 7, 2024, which emphasized the need for statutory recognition of monitoring committees for smooth plan implementation.

Constitution of Monitoring Committees:These committees are currently formed based on directions from adjudicating authorities.

The court recommended empowering the committee of creditors (CoC) to constitute these committees.

The monitoring committees will consist of representatives from the CoC, resolution applicants, and an insolvency professional serving as the chairperson.

Committee expenses will be borne by the resolution applicant, with a cap on the chairperson's fees.

The committees will oversee the implementation of the resolution plan, ensure compliance with statutory requirements, and monitor the distribution of resolution proceeds.

They will submit quarterly reports to adjudicating authorities and the IBBI.

IBBI has called for comments on the draft proposal by December 9.

DEFENCE

Rajnath Singh Attends 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Plus Meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh represented India at the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Plus Forum meeting in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s capital, Vientiane, on 21 November 2024.

During his visit to Vientiane, Rajnath Singh also held a bilateral meeting with the Defence Minister of Lao PDR, General Chansamone Chanyalath, Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun and Malaysian Defence Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin, on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Plus Meeting.

India has a close partnership with ASEAN. India was made a sectoral partner in 1992 and the relationship between the two was raised to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 21st ASEAN-India and the 19th East Asia Summit meetings, which were held in Vientiane in October 2024.

The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Plus Forum is an extended group of ASEAN and resident powers of the region that are also known as dialogue partners.

They are Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States.

It aims to strengthen security and defence cooperation amongst the countries of Asia Pacific to promote peace, stability, and development in the region.

AWARDS & PRIZES

PM Modi Honoured with Guyana and Dominica's Highest National Honour

During his visit to Guyana Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the highest national award of Guyana and the Dominican Republic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the fourth foreign dignitary to receive Guyana's highest national award, “The Order of Excellence”.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana conferred the award on Narendra Modi in a ceremony at Georgetown on November 19, 2024.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with Dominica’s highest national award, the Dominica Award of Honour, by Dominican Republic President Sylvanie Burton.

After Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom (1969), Prime Minister Modi was the second foreign leader to receive the award.

The Prime Minister's visit to Guyana was bilateral, and he also attended the 2nd India-CARICOM summit meeting.

SPORTS

Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Competition

For the first time, India is hosting the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Competition from 19-22 November 2024 at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex in New Delhi.

The event is open to athletes from the Asia-Pacific with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This is the first time a competitive bowling event has been held in India.

Eighty-one athletes from 12 countries of the Asia-Pacific region are participating in the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Competition

The Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Competition were inaugurated by the Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, on 19 November 2024.

The Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Competition is organised by Special Olympics Bharat and supported by the Jindal Steel Company.