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28th November, 2024

Las Vegas Grand Prix, Max Verstappen, Formula 1, Network Readiness Index, Indian Chemical Council, OPCW-The Hague Award, John Tinniswood, India, Japan, Economic Security, Trade, Health Ministry, One Health, IITF, Army Chief, President’s Colours, Mechanised Infantry Battalions, SBI, Bonds, FY25, Rural Credit Access, Divith Reddy, U-8 World Champion, Milk Production, CM Rio, Kisama, Hornbill Fest, Roche, Thomas Schinecker, IFPMA, National Quantum Mission, Startups, Sri Lanka, Central Bank, Monetary Policy, Economic Recovery, Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat, Union Minister, Gujarat, Cottage and Rural Industries Policy, International Gita Mahotsav, Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Aviation Safety Awareness Week

  1. Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024: Max Verstappen Clinches Fourth Formula 1 Title
  2. India Joins Top 50 in Network Readiness Index 2024
  3. Indian Chemical Council Honored with 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award
  4. UK’s John Tinniswood, World’s Oldest Man, Passes Away at 112
  5. “India, Japan Begin First Talks on Economic Security and Trade”
  6. Health Ministry’s ‘One Health’ Pavilion Wins Special Appreciation Medal at IITF 2024
  7. Army Chief Presents President’s Colours to Four Mechanised Infantry Battalions
  8. SBI Raises ₹50,000 Crore via Bonds in FY25, Strengthens Rural Credit Access
  9. India’s Divith Reddy Crowned U-8 World Champion
  10. India’s Milk Production Surges by 3.78% in 2023-24
  11. CM Rio Opens New Amenities at Kisama for Hornbill Fest
  12. Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker to Lead IFPMA as New President
  13. Eight Startups Selected Under National Quantum Mission
  14. Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Eases Monetary Policy to Support Economic Recovery
  15. ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ Campaign Launched by Union Minister
  16. Gujarat Launches Cottage and Rural Industries Policy 2024-29
  17. International Gita Mahotsav 2024: Celebrating the Essence of Srimad Bhagavad Gita
  18. Aviation Safety Awareness Week 2024: November 25 to 29

Table of Content

1. National News

2. State News

3. International News

4. Banking and Economy

5. Reports and Indices

6. Agriculture and Rural Development

7. Awards

8. Important Days

9. Sports

10. Appointments

11. Miscellaneous

National News

  1. India-Japan Dialogue on Economic Security Held in Tokyo
      • What:
        • Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri co-chaired the first round of the India-Japan Dialogue on Economic Security in Tokyo.
      • Why:
        • The dialogue aims to strengthen partnerships for building industrial and technological resilience between India and Japan.
      • Tell me more:
        • It seeks to promote collaboration in research and application of key technologies to protect economic interests.
        • The meeting was announced during the India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial meeting held in New Delhi on August 20, 2024.
        • Both sides discussed enhancing collaboration to build resilient supply chains and critical infrastructure.
        • They explored ways to facilitate talent exchange and upskilling in fields of mutual interest.
          Source: MEA
  2. India Selects Startups for Quantum Technology Support
      • What:
        • The Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, announced the selection of eight startups for support under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) and the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NMICPS).
      • Why:
        • This initiative aims to establish India as a global leader in quantum technology by fostering innovation and research in this field.
      • Tell me more:
        • The selected startups include:
Company NameDetails
QNu LabsDeveloping quantum-safe communication networks.
QPiAI India Private Ltd.Building a superconducting quantum computer.
Dimira TechnologiesFocusing on indigenous cryogenic cables for quantum computing.
PrenishqDeveloping precision diode-laser systems.
QuPrayogInnovating optical atomic clocks and related technologies.
QuanastraWorking on advanced cryogenics and superconducting detectors
Pristine DiamondsCreating diamond materials for quantum sensing.
Quan2D TechnologiesAdvancing superconducting Nanowire Single-photon Detectors.
Knowledge Nuggets
o Quantum communication offers ultra-secure information sharing through quantum cryptography.
o Quantum sensing can revolutionize healthcare with precise medical diagnostics.
o Quantum technologies have implications for cybersecurity, energy efficiency, satellite communication, and climate change solutions.
o The initiative aligns with India's vision for technological self-reliance by 2047.
Source: TOI

  1. Launch of “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” Campaign
      • What:
        • The Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, launched the “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” campaign in New Delhi to eliminate child marriage and empower young girls.
      • Tell me more:
        • The campaign includes the inauguration of the Child Marriage Free Bharat Portal, allowing citizens to report instances of child marriage and access information about Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs).
        • The campaign aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 and aims for a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.
          Source: PIB

State News

  1. Nagaland Prepares for 25th Hornbill Festival
      • What:
        • Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated various facilities for the 25th Hornbill Festival at Kisama, starting from December 1.
      • Why:
        • The festival aims to celebrate Naga culture and attract international tourists, showcasing Nagaland as a vibrant cultural destination.
      • Tell me more:
        • New facilities include the international morung, a Hornbill festival app, dormitories for cultural troupes, a marketing complex for handloom and crafts, and a medical booth.
        • The festival has evolved into an international event with participation from global partners.
        • Rio encouraged local tribes to utilize the facilities to preserve and promote Naga traditions year-round.
Knowledge Nuggets
o The Hornbill Festival is celebrated annually from December 1 to 10.
o It was first held in December 2000 and is often referred to as the "Festival of Festivals."
o The festival features traditional dances, music, crafts, and indigenous games from various Naga tribes.
Source: TOI

  1. Gujarat Government Launches New Cottage Industries Policy
      • What:
        • The Gujarat government announced a new cottage and rural industries policy aimed at supporting artisans and entrepreneurs.
      • Why:
        • The policy is designed to create job opportunities and promote the development of self-sustaining cottage industries in the state.
      • Tell me more:
        • The new policy will facilitate the creation of nearly 12 lakh jobs over five years.
        • It replaces the previous scheme that had a five-year validity.
        • The maximum loan amount for artisans has been increased from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.
        • The government will focus on providing credit, market support, infrastructure, skill development, technology upgrades, and innovation.
          Source: ET
  2. Gita Mahotsav Celebrates Bhagavad Gita’s Birth
      • What:
        • The Gita Mahotsav, also known as Bhagawad Gita Jayanti Samaroh, celebrates the birth of the ‘Srimad Bhagwat Gita’ worldwide.
      • Tell me more:
        • The Bhagavad Gita contains the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna during the Kurukshetra War, approximately 5152 years ago.
        • Organized by the Kurukshetra Development Board and Haryana Tourism, the event has become an annual observance since 2016.
        • Gita Mahotsav 2024 will take place from November 28 to December 15 in Kurukshetra, Haryana.
        • The festival is observed on the 11th day of Shukla Paksha in the Margashirsh month according to the Hindu lunar calendar.
          Source: IE

International News

  1. Sri Lanka Central Bank Eases Policy Rate to 8%
      • What:
        • Sri Lanka’s central bank has set a new single policy rate of 8% to support the country’s economic recovery from a financial crisis.
      • Why:
        • The adjustment aims to help stabilize the economy and foster growth by making it easier for markets to adapt to lower interest rates.
      • Tell me more:
        • The central bank introduced an overnight policy rate (OPR), moving away from the previous dual-rate system.
        • The Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) will no longer be considered policy rates but can still be used by banks.
        • Factors influencing this decision include deflationary conditions, moderate inflationary pressures, and better-than-expected global economic developments.
        • The central bank’s governor, P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, indicated that further easing may depend on monitoring various economic indicators.
Knowledge Nuggets
o Sri Lanka is gradually recovering from a debt crisis, aided by a $2.9 billion assistance package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) secured in March 2023.
o The economy is projected to grow by 4.5%-5% in 2024.
o A bond swap was launched to aid in the ongoing $12.55 billion debt restructuring process.

Source: RT

Banking and Economy

  1. SBI Raises Rs 10,000 Crore Through Infrastructure Bonds
      • What:
        • State Bank of India (SBI) raised Rs 10,000 crore through its seventh infrastructure bond issuance to enhance its financial capacity and support infrastructure development in India.
      • Tell me more:
        • SBI’s total fundraising for the current financial year has reached Rs 50,000 crore.
        • The bank has issued various bonds, including Rs 5,000 crore in AT1 Bonds, Rs 15,000 crore in Tier 2 Bonds, and Rs 30,000 crore in Long Term Bonds.
        • The bonds have a tenor of 15 years, except for the AT1 Bonds, which are perpetual.
Knowledge Nuggets
o AT-1 bonds are perpetual debt instruments issued by banks to raise core equity capital. These bonds have no maturity date, meaning the principal is not repaid, but periodic interest payments are made.
o However, they usually include a ‘call option,’ allowing banks to redeem them after a specified period. Introduced under Basel norms post-Global Financial Crisis, AT-1 bonds help banks increase capital without relying on government funding.

Source: BS ET

Report and Indices

  1. India Ranks 49th in Network Readiness Index 2024
      • What:
        • India has improved its position by eleven slots to rank 49th in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024 report, released on November 21, 2024.
        • The country’s score increased from 49.93 in 2023 to 53.63 in 2024.
      • Why:
        • The report aims to assess the network-based readiness of economies, highlighting areas for growth and development.
      • Tell me more:
        • The NRI report evaluates 133 economies based on four pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact, covering a total of 54 variables.
        • India ranks first in several indicators, including AI scientific publications and ICT services exports.
        • It ranks second in FTTH/Building Internet subscriptions and mobile broadband internet traffic.
        • USA, Singapore, and Finland are the top 3 countries respectively in the Income Group.
Knowledge Nuggets
o India is ranked second among lower-middle-income countries, following Vietnam.
o The Department of Telecommunications has made significant advances in telecommunication infrastructure over the past decade.
o India launched its 5G services in 2022, improving its global mobile broadband speed ranking from 118 to 15.

Source: PIB NRI

Agriculture and Rural Development

  1. India’s Milk, Meat, and Egg Production Increases
      • What:
        • India’s milk production rose by 3.78% to 239.30 million tonnes in 2023-24, while meat and egg production increased by 4.95% and 3.17%, respectively.
      • Tell me more:
        • The report was released by Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Rajeev Ranjan Singh on National Milk Day, November 26.
        • Milk production from exotic/crossbred cattle increased by 8%, while indigenous cattle saw a rise of 44.76%.
        • Despite the overall increase, buffalo milk production decreased by 16%.
        • Total egg production reached 142.77 billion, making India the second-largest egg producer globally.
        • Meat production is estimated at 10.25 million tonnes for the current year.
Knowledge Nuggets
o The per-capita availability of eggs is now 103 eggs per year.
o The government is providing free vaccines to dairy farmers to enhance livestock health and productivity.
o The National Gopal Ratna Awards were conferred during the event to recognize excellence in the livestock sector.

Source: IE

Awards

  1. Indian Chemical Council Receives OPCW Award
      • What:
        • The Indian Chemical Council (ICC) was awarded the 2024 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW): The Hague Award for its contributions to OPCW priority areas.
        • The award was presented during the 29th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP) of the OPCW in The Hague.
      • Why:
        • The award recognizes ICC’s efforts in promoting chemical safety and compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention.
      • Tell me more:
        • This is the first time a chemical industry body has received this award.
        • ICC represents over 80% of India’s chemical industry, valued at USD 220 billion.
        • Initiatives like the Chemical Weapons Convention Helpdesks and ‘Nicer Globe’ focus on improving compliance and safety in chemical transportation.
Knowledge Nuggets
o The award was presented by OPCW Director-General Ambassador Fernando Arias and Mayor of The Hague Jan van Zanen.
o Algeria's National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology was also recognized alongside ICC.
o The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.
Source: ANI

  1. Health Pavilion Wins Award at India International Trade Fair
      • What:
        • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Health Pavilion, themed ‘One Health’, received the Special Appreciation Medal at the 43rd India International Trade Fair (IITF) held at Bharat Mandapam.
      • Why:
        • The Pavilion aimed to promote the ‘One Health’ approach, which emphasizes the interdependence of human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health.
      • Tell me more:
        • The ‘One Health’ initiative mobilizes collaboration among different sectors to improve health outcomes.
        • It seeks to raise awareness about health and environmental challenges while promoting collaboration across sectors.
        • The IITF is an annual event that showcases various sectors, including health, technology, and trade.
          Source: PIB
  2. Indian Army Units Awarded President’s Colours
      • What:
        • General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, presented the President’s Colours to four Mechanised Infantry Units of the Indian Army during a ceremony at the Mechanised Infantry Centre and School in Ahilyanagar.
      • Why:
        • The President’s Colours are awarded to military units for their distinguished service in combat and peacetime operations.
      • Tell me more:
        • The award recognizes the exemplary services of the 26th and 27th Battalions of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment and the 20th and 22nd Battalions of the Brigade of the Guards.
        • The ceremony included a Colour Presentation Parade, which showcased the marching and mounted contingents of the honored battalions.
        • The Mechanised Infantry is known for its versatility and operates across various terrains, including deserts, mountains, and urban areas.
        • The units have participated in significant operations such as Operation Pawan, Operation Vijay, and UN peacekeeping missions.
Knowledge Nuggets
o The Mechanised Infantry was established in 1979 and has since become a modern force within the Indian Army.
o The tradition of presenting Colours to military units is rooted in historical military practices where flags represented unit identity.
o The President's Colours serve as a morale booster for troops, symbolizing their achievements and contributions.

Source: NIE

Important Days

  1. Aviation Safety Awareness Week – November 25 to 29
      • The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is observing Aviation Safety Awareness Week 2024 from November 25 to November 29 across all airports and Air Navigation Services (ANS) locations.
      • Chairman of AAI, Shri Vipin Kumar, highlighted the commitment to aviation safety in line with the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan.
        Source: AAI

Sports

  1. Max Verstappen Wins Fourth Consecutive F1 Championship
      • Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
      • The Las Vegas Grand Prix is known for its challenging track conditions.
        Source: TOI
  2. Divith Reddy Crowned Under-8 Chess Champion
      • Eight-year-old Divith Reddy from Hyderabad won the Under-8 World Cadets Chess Championship in Montesilvano, Italy.
      • Divith has a FIDE rating of 1784 points.
        Source: TW

Appointments

  1. Dr. Thomas Schinecker Appointed IFPMA President
      • What:
        • Dr. Thomas Schinecker, CEO of the Roche Group, has been announced as the new President of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), effective January 1, 2025.
      • Tell me more:
        • Dr. Schinecker previously served as IFPMA Vice-President for two years.
        • He will be joined by Rob Davis, CEO of MSD, as Vice-President, and Dr. Sunao Manabe, CEO of Daiichi Sankyo, who continues his role as Vice-President.
        • The current President, Dr. Albert Bourla of Pfizer, is completing his term.
Knowledge Nuggets
o The IFPMA (Geneva, Switzerland) represents the innovative pharmaceutical industry at an international level.

Source: HBL

Miscellaneous

  1. World’s Oldest Man John Tinniswood Passes Away
      • John Tinniswood, the world’s oldest man from the UK, passed away at the age of 112 in a care home in Southport, England.
      • Tinniswood became the world’s oldest man in April 2023 after the death of Juan Vicente Perez from Venezuela.
        Source: IE

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CEO of Anujjindal.in

About Anuj Jindal

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Anuj Jindal, the founder, is an ex-manager from SBI, with an M.Com from Delhi School of Economics. He also has a JRF in Commerce & Management and NET in HRM, along with more than 5 years of experience in the field of Education.

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