NATIONAL NEWS

National Milk Day 2023 at Guwahati's Veterinary College

· The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has decided to celebrate “National Milk Day 2023” on 26 November 2023 in the premises of the Veterinary College, Guwahati.

· This special day is organized in honor of the 102nd birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the “Father of the White Revolution in India”.

· The chief guest of this organized program will be Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Minister Parshottam Rupala.

· The event also marks the state level launch of the A-HELP (Authorized Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) program.

· During the event, an exhibition showcasing innovative technologies, livestock products and services and a technical session focusing on feed and fodder with special emphasis on formulating fodder strategy for North Eastern (NER) states will be organised.

Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, Renamed

· The Government of India has renamed the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWC) into Ayushman Arogya Mandir.

· The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has directed the State and the Union Territories governments to make the necessary changes to the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWC) portal.

· The government has also changed the tagline of the AB-HWC to 'Arogyam Paramam Dhanam'.

· The Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres are part of the government of India's flagship programme, “Ayushman Bharat”.

· The government of India launched the Ayushman Bharat Scheme as per the National Health Policy 2017 to achieve the goal of Universal Health Coverage in India.

· The Government of India's flagship health programme, the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, has been designed to meet the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its underlying commitment to "leave no one behind."

· The National Health Authority, under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is implementing the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.

World’s First 3D Printed Temple

· The world’s first 3D-printed temple has been unveiled by Telangana.

· The world's first 3D-printed temple is a ground-breaking structure located at Burugupally in Siddipet district.

· The innovative construction, achieved through a three-month 3D printing process, is a significant technological milestone.

· Spread over 4,000 square feet and situated at a height of 35.5 feet, this temple has three different parts.

· Especially, the temple consists of three sanctums, each dedicated to a different deity.

· The temple, has been built by Hyderabad Apsuja Infratech in collaboration with additive manufacturing solutions provider Simpliforge Creations.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

ASEAN-India Millet Festival in Jakarta

· The Indian Mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), along with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, is hosting the ASEAN-India Millet Festival in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta from November 22-26, 2023, as part of the 'International Year of Millets 2023'.

· The food festival started by showcasing culinary skills through innovative millet dishes and featuring participation from Millet-based Food Producer Organisations, and start-ups.

· The 5-day festival is strategically organized in alignment with the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition.

· The joint statement was adopted at the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta on September 7, 2023.

· The joint statement emphasizes strengthening food security and nutrition in response to crises, showcasing a proactive approach to addressing challenges.

       

BANKING

RBI Imposes Cumulative Penalties of ₹10.34 Crore

· The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalties amounting to ₹10.34 crore on Citibank, Bank of Baroda (BoB, and Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) for contravention of various regulatory norms.

· RBI imposed a fine of ₹1 crore on Indian Overseas Bank for non-compliance with certain directions issued by it on ‘loans and advances – statutory and other restrictions’.

· Citibank is fined ₹5 crore for non-compliance with various directions, including 'operational guidelines, managing risks and code of conduct in outsourcing of financial services by banks,' and 'the depositor education and awareness fund scheme, 2014.'

· A monetary penalty of ₹4.34 crore has been imposed by the RBI on the Bank of Baroda for non-compliance related to ‘loans and advances – statutory and other restrictions’, and ‘Reserve Bank of India (interest rate on deposits) directions, 2016’.

HSBC India Collaborates with UK Export Finance

· The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, India (HSBC India) and UK Export Finance (UKEF), the United Kingdom’s export credit agency, intend to establish a financing programme of up to £100 million to support Indian Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) and corporates for financing their imports from the UK.

· This partnership is expected to enhance the availability of credit for Indian MSMEs and boost trade ties between the two countries.

· HSBC India and UKEF signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to enable them to work together on opportunities relating to UKEF’s guarantee-backed structures.

· HSBC India and UKEF will work closely to originate, structure and extend financing and credit facilities to Indian MSMEs.

· India was UK’s 12th largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023, accounting for 2.1% of total UK trade.

Karnataka Bank Partnered with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance

· Karnataka Bank has announced a strategic corporate tie-up with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co Ltd, one of India’s leading private life insurers to distribute life insurance products to its

· This collaboration is designed to leverage the strength of BALIC’s product capabilities and Karnataka Bank’s large customer base with wide distribution of over 900+ branches across India.

· These offerings will cater to various life stages and financial needs, ensuring that customers receive structured insurance solutions aligned with their requirements.

 

SPORTS 

Khelo India Para Games 2023 Logo And Mascot Ujjwala

· The logo and mascot Ujjwala of the first-ever Khelo India Para Games 2023 were launched by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur and several eminent athletes and para athletes on 26 November 2023 in New Delhi.

· New Delhi gears up for the inaugural Khelo India Para Games, scheduled from December 10 to 17 December, 2023.

· The official mascot for Khelo India – Para Games 2023 is 'Ujjwala,' a lively sparrow introduced to symbolize the spirit and energy of the upcoming event.

· This little sparrow is a symbol of the pride of Delhi and its uniqueness reflects determination and empathy.

· As the mascot of Khelo India-Para Games 2023, Ujjwala is a reminder of the fact that strength comes in many forms and the human spirit is unbreakable.

World 6 Red Women Snooker Championships

· In the World 6 Red Women Snooker Championships, Vidya Pillai secured Gold to clinch the title of World Champion.

· In the final, she defeated compatriot Anupama Ramachandran by 4-1 frames, who settled for Silver.

· Vidya earlier defeated top seed Bai Yulu of China by 4-3 frames in semi-final round.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

2023 Booker Prize

· The Prophet Song, written by 46-year-old Paul Lynch of Ireland, won the prestigious 2023 Booker Prize.

· The winning prize money of £50,000 and the trophy were presented to Paul Lynch by the 2022 winner, Shehan Karunatilaka of Sri Lanka, at a ceremony held in London on 26 November 2023.

· It took Paul Lynch 4 years to write the 'Prophet Song', which tells the story of a family dealing with a terrifying world in which the democratic norms they are used to begin to disappear.

· According to the author Paul Lynch, the book Prophet Song was inspired by the Syrian civil war and the ensuing refugee crisis.

· The Booker Prize is a literary prize awarded for the best novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

MD and CEO of Bandhan Bank

· Bandhan Bank's board has approved the reappointment of Chandra Shekhar Ghosh as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD&CEO) for a period of 3 years.

· The reappointment is subject to approval by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

· If approved, the reappointment will be effective from July 10, 2024.

· Chandra Shekhar Ghosh's current tenure as MD and CEO of Bandhan Bank is set to expire on July 09, 2024.

· Regulatory provisions require the submission of the application for reappointment to the RBI at least 6 months before the expiry of the current term.

Anish Shah Elected as FICCI President

· Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the country’s oldest and largest industry body, has appointed Anish Shah as President.

· The announcement took place during a recent FICCI National Executive Committee Meeting.

· He would succeed Subhrakant Panda as President.

· Shah had 14-year tenure at GE, holding various leadership positions at GE Capital’s US and global units.

· He has also led the Bank of America’s US Debit Products business and worked with Bain & Company in Boston and Citibank in Mumbai.

Additional Director of South Indian Bank

· Renowned banking expert Lakshmi Ramakrishna Srinivas has been appointed as Additional Director of the South Indian Bank.

· She will be the non-executive independent director for 3 years from 20 November 2023.

· With an extensive 38-year background in the banking industry, Lakshmi previously served as the Chief General Manager of State Bank of India, as highlighted in a statement by South Indian Bank.

· She has occupied various high-ranking positions, including the Directorship of State Bank Staff College, showcasing her wealth of experience in the sector.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Constitution Day

· Indian Constitution Day 2023 is observed on 26 November.

· On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the Constitution of India.

· It came into force on January 26, 1950.

· Constitution Day aims to bring awareness about the importance of the Constitution and Dr. B R Ambedkar.

· Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, chairman of the drafting committee, is considered to be the chief architect of the Constitution of India.

· He is also called the Father of the Indian Constitution.

· The Constitution of India was drafted by the members of the Constituent Assembly.