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Current Affairs Today – 16th November2019
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
International Day for Tolerance observed on 16 November
- The United Nations observes “International Day for Tolerance” on 16th November every year. The United Nations is committed to strengthening tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples.
- In 1995, to mark the United Nations Year for Tolerance and the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, UNESCO created a prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence.
- The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence rewards significant activities in the scientific, artistic, cultural or communication fields aimed at the promotion of a spirit of tolerance and non-violence.
- The prize is awarded every two years on the International Day for Tolerance, 16 November.
United Nations: It is an International Organization. Its Objective of UN is to not only maintain International Peace and Security but also to develop Friendly relations among nations.
- Founded – 24th October, 1945
- Headquarter- New York,United States
- Secretary General- Antonio Guterres (9th SG OF UN)
- He is from PORTUGAL
- Portugal (Capital/Currency) – Lisbon/ Euro
- United States (Capital/Currency) – Washington, D.C/ US Dollar
UNESCO: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Paris, France.
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Head: Audrey Azoulay
- Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom
- Formation: 4 November 1946; 72 years ago
National Press Day observed on 16th November
- India celebrates “National Press Day” on 16th November every year.
- The day is symbolic of a free and responsible press. On this day the Press Council of India started functioning as a moral watchdog to ensure that the press maintains high standards and is not constrained by any influence or threats.
- To celebrate the day, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu will confer excellence in journalism awards.
BANKING CURRENT AFFAIRS
AIIB to lend USD 500 mn to India to develop suburban rail network
- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is to lend a $500-million loan to develop a suburban rail network in Mumbai.
- It will also fund $75 million to help finance renewable energy projects in India.
- AIIB plans to scale up lending operations to $10 billion every year.
- Until now, it was lending $4.2 billion.
- India’s share in the total borrowing is about 30%. India is the largest borrower from AIIB.
- The total funding India received from AIIB, so far, is $2.9 billion.
Extra Shots:
AIIB: The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is a multilateral development bank that aims to support the building of infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. The bank currently has 74 members as well as 26 prospective members from around the world.
- Headquarters: Beijing, China
- Membership: 74 Members
Maharashtra:
- Capital: Mumbai
- Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
- Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
- National Parks: Chandoli National Park, Nawegaon National Park, Gugamal National Park, Pench National Park, Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park, Tadoba National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Amba Barwa WLS, Bor WLS, Great Indian Bustard WLS,
- Lonar WLS, Melghat WLS, Gangewadi New Great Indian Bustard WLS, etc.
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
India to contribute $13.5 mn for UN development activities for 2020
- India will contribute USD 13.5 million for various operational activities of development across the UN agencies for the year 2020.
- The contribution was announced at the UN General Assembly Pledging Conference for Development Activities.
- The contribution is in line with the country’s long-standing tradition of supporting development activities across the UN system.
- About 16 countries pledged a total of USD 516 million at the 2019 United Nations Pledging Conference for Development Activities.
Extra Shots:
United Nations: It is an International Organization. Its Objective of UN is to not only maintain International Peace and Security but also to develop Friendly relations among nations.
- Founded – 24th October, 1945
- Headquarter- New York,United States
- Secretary General- Antonio Guterres (9th SG OF UN)
- He is from PORTUGAL
- Portugal (Capital/Currency) – Lisbon/ Euro
- United States (Capital/Currency) – Washington, D.C/ US Dollar
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Pakistan elected as Chairperson of UN Convention on CCW
- Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, has been elected as Chairperson of the Annual Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).
- The Convention on CCW represents an important arms control framework that will prohibit and restrict certain conventional weapons that can cause unnecessary suffering to combatants or affect civilians indiscriminately.
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Pakistan (Capital/Currency): Islamabad/Pakistani Rupees
- Prime Minister: Imran Khan
- President: Arif Alvi
SUMMITS, CONFERENCES AND FESTIVALS
National Tribal Festival Aadi Mahotsav to begin in New Delhi
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav” in New Delhi.
- The theme of the 15-day Mahotsav is celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Culture, Craft, Cuisine and Commerce.
- It will be held at Dilli Haat in INA, New Delhi.
- The tribal textiles manufactured by master tribal craftsmen from Jammu & Kashmir in the North to Tamil Nadu in the South and from Gujarat in the West to Nagaland/Sikkim in the East will be the main attractions.
Extra Shots:
Delhi:
- Chief Minister: Arvind Kejriwal
- Governor: Anil Baijal
Conference on “Replication of Good Governance Practices in Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh” begins
- Regional Conference on the theme “Replication of Good Governance Practices in Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh” begins in Jammu.
- The Conference is being organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Government of India in collaboration with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
- The Conference aims to bring national and state-level organizations on a common platform and to share experiences in Digital Governance, Citizen-Centric Governance, and Capacity Building and Personnel Administration etc. Delegates from 19 states and 4 Union Territories are participating in the Conference.
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Jammu & Kashmir:
- Capitals: Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
- Governor: GC Murmu
- National Parks: City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baltal: Thajwas WLS, Changthang Cold Desert WLS, Gulmarg WLS, Jasrota WLS, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS etc
Ladakh:
- Capital: Leh
- Governor: R K Mathur
Ministry of Tourism participates in China International Travel Mart
- Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is participating in the three day China International Travel Mart (CITM) from 15-17 November 2019 at Kunming, China.
- The aim is to increase Tourism & Trade between India and China.
Extra Shots:
China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi
- President: Xi Jinping
SCHEMES
National Mission ‘NISHTHA’ launched in J&K
- National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) has been launched in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- NISHTHA is aimed at improving learning outcomes at Elementary level through integrated Teacher Trainings.
- NISHTHA is a pioneer scheme being launched across the country, with a total of 86000 Elementary teachers of Government Schools being trained in J&K under the programme.
Extra Shots:
Jammu & Kashmir:
- Capitals: Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
- Governor: GC Murmu
- National Parks: City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baltal: Thajwas WLS, Changthang Cold Desert WLS, Gulmarg WLS, Jasrota WLS, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS etc
RANKS AND INDICES
AirVisual data showed Delhi as the most polluted city
- IQAirVisual, a Swiss-based group, named India’s Capital Delhi, is the most polluted city in the world.
- The report also showed that Kolkata and Mumbai on its list as the world’s sixth and ninth most polluted cities.
- The top 10 polluted cities include Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, the Chinese cities, namely Chengdu, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Beijing, and Pakistan’s Lahore, Uzbekistan’s Tashkent, and Nepal’s Kathmandu.
APPOINTMENT
Lt Col Jyoti Sharma appointed as first female JAG officer
- Lieutenant Colonel Jyoti Sharma has been appointed as the Indian Army’s first female Judge Advocate General officer to be deployed on a foreign mission.
- She will be appointed as the military legal expert with the government of Seychelles.
- The main role of Jyoti would be to update the government of Seychelles officials on the defence and military act.
Justice Ravi Ranjan appointed as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand HC
- The Government of India appointed Justice Ravi Ranjan as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.
- His approval comes after the recommendation made by the Collegium on 15 October 2019. Justice Ranjan will take over the position from the Jharkhand High Court from Acting Chief Justice, Harish Chandra Mishra.
- Mishra was appointed after the sudden demise of Acting Chief Justice Prashant Kumar.
Extra Shots:
Jharkhand
- Capital: Ranchi
- Chief Minister: Raghubar Das
- Governor: Draupadi Murmu
Kamala Vardhana Rao appointed as Chairman of ITDC
- India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) appointed G.Kamala Vardhana Rao as the new Chairman and Managing Director of the department.
- Kamala Vardhana Rao is an IAS officer of the 1990 batch from Kerala Cadre.
AWARDS
Movie “Bhonsle” Wins awards at Asian Film Festival Barcelona
- The Critically acclaimed movie “Bhonsle” has won prestigious awards at the Asian Film Festival Barcelona.
- The film has bagged two awards in the ‘Best Screenplay’ and ‘Best Director’ categories at the festival. The film is directed by Devashish Makhija.
- Bhonsle revolves around a police constable played by Manoj Bajpayee, who tries to help in the struggles of migrants and their battles with the local politicians.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
India joins with China, Russia, Japan to oppose the use of 26 GHz spectrum band for 5G operations
- India is to partner with China, Russia, and Japan to oppose the use of a 26 GHz spectrum band for 5G operations.
- The Countries announced their decision at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) 2019.
- China, Russia, and Japan supported the use of alternative bands for 5G services with around 3000 Mhz of frequencies, whereas India is yet to decide on alternative bands.
- Earlier, China and Russia have opposed 5G operations in the 26 GHz band in order to defend their military operations.
- India has aligned with the countries as the 26 GHz spectrum has been used by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for satellite services.
Extra Shots:
Japan (Capital/Currency): Tokyo/Yen
- Prime Minister: Shinzo Abe
Russia (Capital/Currency): Moscow/Ruble
- Prime Minister: Dmitry Medvedev
- President: Vladimir Putin
China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi
- President: Xi Jinping
ISRO: The Indian Space Research Organisation is the space agency of the Government of India.
- Founded: 15 August 1969
- Headquarters: Bengaluru
- Founder: Vikram Sarabhai
- Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan
- Subsidiary: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
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