Daily Current Affairs- November 5, 2023

PM Modi to launch World Food India 2023 and support SHGs

• World Food India 2023 is a mega food event that aims to showcase India’s food processing potential and attract global investors.
• PM Modi will inaugurate the event today and address the participants through video conferencing.
• The event will feature exhibitions, conferences, B2B meetings, and culinary demonstrations by renowned chefs.
• The event will also highlight the achievements of the government’s schemes such as PM FME, PM Kisan Sampada, and PM Matsya Sampada.
• To strengthen Self Help Groups, PM Modi will disburse seed capital assistance for over one lakh SHG members.

Finance Minister announces relief measures for economy amid Covid-19

• The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a slew of relief measures for various sectors of the economy affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The measures include:
  • Rs 1.1 lakh crore loan guarantee scheme for Covid-affected sectors such as health, tourism, and hospitality.
  • Rs 50,000 crore credit guarantee scheme for microfinance institutions to lend to small borrowers at lower interest rates.
  • Rs 23,220 crore additional funding for public health infrastructure, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
  • Rs 15,000 crore subsidy for DAP fertilizers to help farmers cope with rising input costs.
  • Rs 33,000 crore boost for project exports through National Export Insurance Account.
  • Rs 88,000 crore additional allocation for MGNREGA to provide employment and income support to rural households.
  • Rs 19,041 crore for broadband connectivity in all villages under BharatNet project.
  • Extension of various tax reliefs and compliance deadlines for taxpayers and businesses.
• The Finance Minister said that these measures are aimed at reviving the economy and providing relief to the common man. She also said that the government is prepared to take more steps if needed.

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NCERT to Introduce Electoral Literacy Content in Textbooks

• The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is collaborating with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to include electoral literacy content in textbooks for classes 6 to 12 and higher education institutions.
• The aim is to engage young urban voters and increase their awareness and participation in the electoral process. The initiative is part of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program.
• The electoral literacy content will cover topics such as voter registration, voting procedures, electoral rights and duties, electoral malpractices, and electoral reforms. The content will also be integrated into adult literacy and basic education curriculum.
• The initiative will also involve the training and orientation of teachers, the establishment of Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) in schools and colleges, the provision of voter ID cards to students who turn 18, and the designation of Democracy Rooms in senior secondary schools for displaying voter education materials and conducting activities.

ICC Champions Trophy Winners List from 1998 to 20231

• The ICC Champions Trophy was a cricket tournament that featured the top ODI teams in the world. It was also known as the “Mini World Cup”.
• The tournament was introduced in 1998 as the ICC Knockout Tournament and was held every four years. The main goal was to raise funds for non-Test cricketing countries.
• The tournament was renamed as the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 and the format was changed to include only the top 8 teams in the ICC ODI rankings. The rankings cutoff was set six months before the trophy started.
• The tournament was discontinued after the 2017 edition to focus on having one global tournament for each of the three cricket formats. However, in 2021, the ICC announced the return of the Champions Trophy, set to be held in 2025 and 2029.
• The list of the winners and runners-up of each past edition of the Champions Trophy is given below:

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PM Modi Elected as SST Chairman for Five Years

• PM Modi has been elected as the chairman of the Shree Somnath Trust (SST) for a five-year term, breaking the tradition of one-year tenure.
• The SST manages the Somnath temple, a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site in Gujarat. The charity commissioner of Gujarat approved an amendment to the trust deed to allow the longer term.
• This is PM Modi’s third time as the SST chairman. He was first elected in 2021 after the death of former chairman Keshubhai Patel.
• PM Modi also unveiled a video showcasing the heritage and history of the Somnath temple as part of the Centre’s “Meri Mitti Mera Desh” campaign.

India and Italy Sign Agreement to Boost Mobility and Migration

• India and Italy held a productive meeting in Rome to strengthen their strategic partnership and explore opportunities in various sectors.
• They also discussed global issues such as the situation in West Asia, the conflict in Ukraine, and the evolving Indo-Pacific landscape.
• They signed two agreements: the Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement and the Cultural Exchange Programme. These agreements aim to facilitate the smooth movement of workers, students, and professionals while also addressing the challenges associated with illegal migration.
• India expressed its appreciation for Italy’s support of its initiatives and its role during the G20 Presidency.

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India and UAE Sign MoU to Strengthen Educational Cooperation

• The MoU aims to enhance educational collaboration between India and the UAE, covering aspects such as student and faculty mobility, exchange of information, capacity development, and academic partnerships.
• The MoU is part of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program, which seeks to engage young urban voters and increase their awareness and participation in the electoral process.
• A Joint Working Group (JWG) will be established to oversee the implementation of the MoU. The JWG will be chaired by a representative from the Ministry of Education in both countries and will meet at least once a year.
• The MoU also supports the Indian curriculum schools in the UAE, which provide quality education for Indian students. The MoU also plans to facilitate student exchange programs between the two countries.
• The MoU is part of the efforts to build a knowledge bridge between the UAE, a global economic hotspot, and India, a global talent hotspot. The MoU will strengthen the cultural and educational ties between the two nations.

First International Cruise Liner in India Launched by Sarbananda Sonowal

• Costa Serena is India’s first international cruise liner, which started its maiden voyage from Mumbai on November 4th, 2023.
• The cruise liner is part of the Dekho Apna Desh initiative of PM Modi, which aims to boost domestic tourism and showcase India’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has implemented several measures to promote cruise tourism, such as improving infrastructure, providing financial incentives, simplifying procedures, and waiving cabotage for foreign cruise vessels.
• The cruise sector has witnessed remarkable growth in the past decade, with a 223% increase in cruise ship calls and a 461% increase in cruise passengers from 2013-14 to 2022-23.
• The government has set ambitious targets for the future of cruise tourism, such as establishing 25 operational cruise terminals and attracting 5 million cruise passengers by 2047. It also plans to launch a comprehensive cruise tourism policy.

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Indian diplomat re-elected to UN budgetary committee

• Surendra Adhana, a senior Indian diplomat, has been re-elected to the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) at the UN for the term 2024-26.
• The ACABQ is an expert committee of 21 members that examines and advises on the UN budget, administrative matters, specialized agencies, and auditors’ reports.
• Adhana’s re-election reflects his expertise and the confidence of the international community in his abilities to address complex budgetary and administrative issues at the UN.

NITI Aayog workshop on India-AU collaboration

• The workshop was organized by NITI Aayog and Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi to implement the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD) signed at a recent G20 Conference.
• The workshop focused on three key areas of cooperation between India and the African Union (AU): inclusive growth, sustainable infrastructure, and migration management.
• The workshop drew participation from over 50 experts, including representatives from national and international think tanks, academia, and diplomats from India and the AU.
• The workshop aimed to formulate an action plan to facilitate the collaboration between India and the AU for a more inclusive and resilient world.

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RBI imposes penalties on Punjab National Bank, Federal Bank and others

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced monetary penalties on four financial institutions for violating various regulations on November 3, 2023.
• The penalized institutions are Punjab National Bank (PNB), Federal Bank, Kosamattam Finance, and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India.
• The penalties range from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 72 lakh and are based on the nature and severity of the violations.
• The violations include imposing SMS charges on invalid mobile numbers, not adhering to the interest rate schedule, not specifying the interest reset date, issuing demand drafts without the purchaser’s name, not maintaining the loan-to-value ratio, not conducting ongoing due diligence of customers, and not updating the KYC information of high-risk customers.
• The RBI issued notices to the affected institutions and asked them to explain the reasons for non-compliance with the RBI’s directions. The RBI took these actions to ensure transparency and accountability in the financial sector and to uphold regulatory standards.

UNESCO celebrates International Day for Biosphere Reserves

• The International Day for Biosphere Reserves is observed on November 3 every year to raise awareness and appreciation of the role of Biosphere Reserves in conserving natural and cultural diversity.
• Biosphere Reserves are designated by UNESCO under the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme as representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes that harmonize economic and social development, cultural preservation, and environmental protection.
• Biosphere Reserves have three main zones: core areas, buffer zones, and transition areas, each with different functions and activities. They are nominated by national governments and remain under their sovereign jurisdiction.
• India has 18 biosphere reserves, covering about 60,000 square kilometers. The first one was the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. The largest one is the Gulf of Kachchh in Gujarat and the smallest one is Dibru-Saikhowa in Assam.
• Worldwide, there are 738 biosphere reserves in 134 countries, including 22 transboundary sites. The regions with the most reserves are Europe and North America, followed by Asia and the Pacific. The world’s first 5-country biosphere reserve was declared in September 2021, covering 700 kilometers of the Mura, Drava, and Danube rivers in Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, and Serbia.

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World Tsunami Awareness Day 2023: Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future

• World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed on November 5 every year to raise awareness and appreciation of the role of Biosphere Reserves in conserving natural and cultural diversity.
• The 2023 theme is Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future, which highlights the relationship between tsunamis and inequality and how reducing inequality can enhance disaster risk reduction and recovery.
• Tsunamis are colossal ocean waves caused by underwater disturbances such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and extraterrestrial collisions. They can cause massive destruction and loss of life along coastlines and beyond.
• The UN General Assembly designated November 5 as World Tsunami Awareness Day in 2015, with the objective of raising tsunami awareness and sharing innovative approaches for risk reduction. Japan played a pivotal role in initiating this day due to its extensive experience in tsunami early warning systems and disaster recovery.
• World Tsunami Awareness Day encourages diverse sectors of society to collaborate on disaster risk reduction, addressing both the causes and the consequences of tsunamis. It also aligns with the global goal of reducing inequality and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

India to Host 2024 World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly

• India will host the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) in 2024, a quadrennial event that sets global telecommunication standards.
• The announcement was made by Union Communication & IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, at the India Mobile Congress 2023, highlighting India’s growing importance in the global technology landscape.
• India has developed the 5Gi standard, which has been recognized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as one of the key technologies for 5G networks.
• India also signed the Host Country Agreement (HCA) with the ITU for the establishment of an Area Office and Innovation Centre in New Delhi, further strengthening its role in the global telecommunications arena.
• The WTSA will focus on the advancements of 5G and 6G networks and address the connectivity challenges, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

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