NATIONAL NEWS

India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) in New Delhi

· Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, inaugurated the 8th Edition of the India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.

· The summit, organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Center for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (Ganga), spans three days from November 22 to 24, 2023.

· The theme of IWIS 2023 is 'Development vis-à-vis Land, Water and Rivers,'.

· The theme is aimed at uniting scientific experts, stakeholders, and government representatives to address dynamic challenges and opportunities in India's water sector.

Uttar Pradesh Government Prohibits Halal Branding on Food Products

· The Uttar Pradesh government has imposed a ban on halal-branded food items.

· The State Food Commissioner's office has banned halal-labelled food items such as dairy products, sugar, bakery items, peppermint oil, savouries and edible oil.

· The State Food Commissioner's office issued an order, citing that halal labelling contradicts legislation passed in 2006 aimed at ensuring product quality.

· Halal labelling is considered to create confusion among consumers and is deemed contrary to the principles of the state government's law on the quality of edible products.

Divyangjan, Dehradun, signed MOU with Nation Book Trust

· The National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (Divyangjan) took significant strides towards inclusivity through two groundbreaking Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed

· MOU with National Book Trust, New Delhi Under the mentorship of the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, NIEPVD and the National Book Trust, New Delhi, formalized their commitment to fostering collaboration.

· The MOU paves the way for the establishment of a Universal Design Center for Reading in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

· This centre will showcase the National Book Trust's extensive collection of publications and learning materials in various accessible formats, including physical books, Braille books, e-books, and audiobooks.

· The collaboration aims to make reading materials more accessible to individuals with visual disabilities, ensuring equal opportunities for learning and education.

Consultative Workshop in collaboration with Tamil Nadu SRLM

· The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India organised the fourth consultative workshop, in collaboration with Tamil Nadu state mission of DAY-NRLM on the theme of "Women's Economic Empowerment through Promotion of Producer Collectives”.

· Participants from seven states- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka along with some eminent stakeholders from government, private and social sector organizations joined the workshop.

· Additional Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, Shri Charanjit Singh reiterated the commitment of DAY-NRLM to partner with State SRLMs (State Rural Livelihoods Mission) in the spirit of convergence and whole of government approach.

· He added that they aim to weave an array of support for income generation among SHG women, leveraging partnerships with institutions, converging with government schemes and fostering collectivization.

· He emphasized on focused sector-based interventions across the country

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India Becomes Chair of ISO For 2024

· The International Sugar Organization (ISO) announced during its 63rd Council meeting that India will be the Chair of the organization for the year 2024.

· Leading the global sugar sector is a major achievement for the country and reflects the country's growing stature in the region.

· India was led by Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra at the 63rd Council Meeting of ISO.

· India's top priority will be to take decisions with the support and cooperation of all Member States during its Presidency of ISO in 2024.

· Along with this, India will also focus on bringing together all the member countries to adopt more sustainable practices in sugarcane cultivation, sugar and ethanol production and better utilization of by-products.

· ISO is a unique intergovernmental organization established in 1968 by the International Sugar Agreement. Its headquarters is in London.

 

BANKING

ADB’s USD 125 Million Loan To L&T Finance

· Non-banking financial company L&T Finance has signed a USD 125 million loan pact with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support financing in rural and peri-urban areas in India, particularly for women borrowers.

· The funding comprises a loan of up to USD 125 million from ADB, and an agreement to syndicate an additional USD 125 million co-financing from other development partners.

· At least 40 per cent of the proceeds is allocated for women borrowers, while the rest will support farmers, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and loans to purchase new two-wheelers, among others.

· By focusing on lending in rural and peri-urban areas of lagging states in India, the project is strategically aligned with the goals of the Ministry of Rural Development.

Karnataka Bank to Tie-Up With HDFC Life

· Karnataka Bank has entered into a strategic corporate tie-up with HDFC Life to offer life insurance products to its customers.

· The partnership is a testament to the stated commitment to offer customers a range of innovative and customer-centric financial solutions.

· HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited is a long-term life insurance provider offering individual and group insurance services.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Bengaluru Becomes India's Top Destination for Women-Led Startups

· According to data from startup data platform Tracxn, Bengaluru (Karnataka) has the highest number (1,783) of women-led startups in India.

· It is followed by Mumbai and Delhi with 1,480 and 1,195 women-led startups respectively.

· Noida, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad are ranked at the 8th,9th, and 10th places with 324, 184, and 181 women-led startups respectively.

· Karnataka is the first state in India to provide a grant-in-aid of Rs 50 lakh to encourage innovators.

· According to Tracxn, Zomato, Byju’s, Ofbusiness, Upstox, Lenskart, and Open are among the top 10 women-led startups in India.

· The funding for women-led startups has decreased from 183 startups in 2014 to 7 in 2023.

· As per the data, the number of women-led unicorns from 2008 to 2018 was 14.

· Bengaluru-based neobank Open, with two women co-founders, became the 100th unicorn.

· With more than 61,400 startups, India’s startup ecosystem has added more firepower to become the third-largest hub globally after the US and China.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

REC as 'Best Employer in Diversity and Inclusion'

· REC Limited was awarded the 'Best Employer for Policies in Diversity and Inclusion' award at the 4th Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Awards and Conference organized by ASSOCHAM.

· REC Limited, under the Ministry of Power, is recognized as a Maharatna CPSE.

· The awards ceremony recognized REC's unwavering commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion on the national stage.

· The 'Best Employer for Policies in Diversity and Inclusion' award reflects REC's commitment in creating a workplace that celebrates diversity, fosters innovation and promotes equal opportunities for all employees.

· REC has favorable policies and friendly staff in the human resource area and has played a vital role in achieving this milestone.

National Gopal Ratna Awards 2023

· Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, will present the National Gopal Ratna Awards on November 26, 2023, at the Veterinary College Ground in Guwahati, Assam.

· The National Gopal Ratna Awards 2023 to be conferred on 26th November 2023 as a part of National Milk Day celebration 2023.

· The National Gopal Ratna Award is one of the highest national honours in the livestock and dairy industries.

· It is given to recognise and promote all those engaged in this field, such as farmers growing indigenous animals, AI technicians, and dairy cooperative societies/milk producer companies/dairy farmers producers organisations.

The Economic Times HR World Exceptional Employee Experience Award 2023

· NHPC has won the prestigious ‘The Economic Times HR World Exceptional Employee Experience Award 2023’ (ET HR World EX Awards) in the ‘Large Scale Enterprise’ category.

· The award was presented at a ceremony organized by ET HR World in Bengaluru.

· The award has been presented to NHPC in recognition of its wide range of employee centric human resource initiatives which are not limited to employees only but also extended to their families.

· It is also a recognition for the organizational culture of NHPC which, despite tough geographical and climatic challenges, is not only supporting the employees during their service but also providing good care and support after their retirement.

 

DEFENCE

National Pollution Response Exercise

· Indian Coast Guard (ICG) commenced two-day National Level Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX-lX) from 24 November 2023 at Vadinar in Gulf of Kutch, Gujarat.

· The exercise will end on 25 November 2023.

· Indian Coast Guard has initiated the 9th edition of National Level Pollution Response Exercise-IX (NATPOLREX-IX) off the Vadinar coast, in line with the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP).

· This exercise is an important initiative that tests various aspects of marine pollution response mechanisms and assesses the preparedness of resource agencies to deal with any marine spill contingencies.

· Indian Coast Guard Director General K Rakesh Pal and other senior officers are participating in the exercise along with other stakeholders responsible for combating pollution in the ocean.

Joint Military Exercise Surya Kiran XVII

· The 17th edition of the regularly conducted joint military exercise Surya Kiran between India and Nepal is being organized in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand from 24 November to 07 December 2023.

· Nepal Army contingent comprising 334 personnel arrived in India to participate in the 17th edition of joint military exercise Surya Kiran.

· It is an annual event and is held alternately in both the countries.

· The exercise aims to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operations in mountainous areas and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief under the United Nations Charter on Peacekeeping Operations.

· The exercise will focus on the employment of drones and counter drone measures, medical training, aviation aspects and environmental protection.

· Through these activities, the soldiers will enhance their operational capabilities, hone their fighting skills and strengthen their coordination in challenging situations.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

· International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2023 is observed on 25 November 2023.

· On November 25, 1960, the Mirabal sisters of the Dominican Republic were assassinated by dictator Rafael Trujillo.

· The sisters, who had been active in movements against the Trujillo regime, were beaten and strangled to death, then placed in a Jeep that was driven off a mountainous road in order to make their deaths appear accidental.

· According to a report by the United Nations, 19 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 49 years of age have experienced physical and/or sexual violence “by an intimate partner.”

· In some cases, this violence ends in the woman's death.

· In December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.