National News

PM Modi To Launch PM-PVTG Mission And Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra On Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas

• On the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to inaugurate the PM-PVTG Development Mission.
• This innovative initiative targets the holistic development of around 28 lakh individuals belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• The launch ceremony aligns with the birth anniversary celebrations of Birsa Munda, a revered tribal freedom fighter.
• Concurrently, the Prime Minister will kick off the "Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra" from Khunti, aiming for the widespread implementation of flagship government schemes nationwide.

International News

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s Five-Day Visit To The United Kingdom

• In a bid to fortify the bilateral ties between India and the United Kingdom, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar embarks on a five-day official visit.
• The visit underscores the warm and thriving relationship between the two nations. Dr. Jaishankar is slated to engage in crucial discussions with Foreign Secretary Sir James Cleverly, focusing on diplomatic issues, shared interests, and collaborative initiatives.
• The anticipated exchange of ideas and collaboration across various fronts is poised to enhance the overall diplomatic relationship.

State News

Uttarakhand’s Unique Products Gets Geographical Indication Tags

• Uttarakhand has received Geographical Indication (GI) tags for more than 15 unique products, a commendable recognition by the GI Registry.
• Notably, the GI tag has been conferred upon Uttarakhand's finger millet, Mandua, a staple in the local diets of Garhwal and Kumaon.
• Additionally, Jhangora, another indigenous millet from the rain-fed areas of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, has also been granted the prestigious GI tag.

Important Days News

World Diabetes Day 2023

• Annually observed on November 14, World Diabetes Day sheds light on diabetes as a global public health concern. The theme for 2023 is "Access to Diabetes Care."
• November 14 holds significance as the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, the co-discoverer of insulin in 1922 alongside Charles Herbert Best.
• Established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), World Diabetes Day gained official recognition by the United Nations in 2006.

Childrens Day 2023

• Celebrated on November 14th every year, Children’s Day in India commemorates the birthday of India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
• The theme for this year, ‘For every child, every right,’ underscores the commitment to uphold the rights of every child globally.
• The history of Children’s Day traces back to November 5, 1948, initially observed as “Flower Day.” However, it officially transitioned into Children’s Day in 1954, coinciding with Nehru’s birthday.

Schemes News

Government Unveils Financial Incentive For Empowering Divyang Individuals

• In a groundbreaking move aimed at fostering economic empowerment and financial inclusion among persons with disabilities, the government has introduced a one percent interest rate rebate for divyang borrowers.
• This progressive initiative is a part of the National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC), demonstrating a strong commitment to alleviating financial burdens within this community.
• As an essential step towards enhancing financial inclusion, this move specifically addresses the unique financial challenges faced by divyang individuals.

Govt Introduces PM Kisan Bhai To Break Traders’ Monopoly

• Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture is gearing up to launch a revolutionary scheme, PMKisan Bhai (Bhandaran Incentive), aimed at supporting small and marginal farmers.
• The scheme seeks to break the monopoly of traders in determining crop prices, providing farmers with the autonomy to decide when to sell their produce.
• This initiative empowers farmers, allowing them to retain their crops for a minimum of three months post-harvest, ensuring better market conditions and economic stability.

Summits & Conferences News

Islamic Arab Summit

• The Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, concluded with a strong call for an immediate, durable, and comprehensive cessation of the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.
• E. Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, the Secretary-General of the OIC, emphasized the importance of a just, durable, and comprehensive peace based on international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
• This summit highlights the collaborative efforts of Islamic Arab nations to address pressing regional issues and advocate for peace.

Ranks Reports News

SIDBI's 'Sumpoorn' MSME Economic Activity Index

• The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), in collaboration with Jocata, has introduced a groundbreaking initiative named Sumpoorn—a unique MSME Economic Activity Index.
• Unlike traditional macro indices relying on subjective opinions and survey data, ‘Sumpoorn’ is a high-frequency indicator tailored for the MSME segment.
• Leveraging consent-led and anonymized monthly sales data from over 50,000 credit-seeking MSMEs, sourced from official GSTN returns, this index provides a more accurate and real-time representation of the MSME economic landscape.

Appointments News

Supreme Court's Judicial Expansion

• The Supreme Court of India has bolstered its judicial strength by welcoming three new judges.
• The induction of Delhi High Court Chief Justice Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, Rajasthan Chief Justice Augustine George Masih, and Gauhati Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta brings the court's judicial strength to its sanctioned capacity of 34.
• This expansion is crucial for ensuring that the court has the necessary manpower to efficiently tackle the multitude of cases that come its way, thereby contributing to a more effective and expedited judicial process.

Cabinet Reshuffle in the UK Government

• Former K. Prime Minister David Cameron has been appointed as the Foreign Secretary by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
• Cameron, with his wealth of experience in leading the country from 2010 to 2016, brings a seasoned perspective to the role.
• In a broader cabinet reshuffle, former Financial Secretary Victoria Atkins has been appointed as the new Health Secretary, with Steve Barclay replacing Thegrave;se Coffey as the Environment Secretary.
• These strategic appointments signify a significant shift in the dynamics of the UK government, aligning key figures with pivotal roles.

AI-Powered CEO at Dictador

• In a pioneering move, Dictador, a Polish beverage company, appointed Mika, an AI-powered humanoid robot, as its experimental CEO.
• Mika, described as a more sophisticated version of the well-known AI robot Sophia, operates tirelessly, being “always on 24/7” and working seven days a week.
• Her responsibilities encompass identifying potential clients and selecting artists for designing bottles for the rum producer.
• Mika's decision-making process relies on extensive data analysis aligned with the company’s strategic objectives, ensuring unbiased and strategic choices that prioritize the organization’s best interests, devoid of personal bias.
• This move represents a bold step in integrating AI into corporate leadership, exploring new dimensions of efficiency and decision-making.

Agreements News

India And ADB Ink $400 Million Deal For Urban Infrastructure Development

• India has recently reached a milestone in its quest for superior urban infrastructure, solidifying the commitment through a groundbreaking $400 million policy-based loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
• This initiative stands in perfect harmony with the government's urban sector strategy, placing a strong emphasis on reforms geared towards transforming cities into vibrant, economically thriving centers.
• The program specifically targets urban water security, incorporating measures such as minimizing water losses, repurposing treated sewage for non-domestic purposes, revitalizing water bodies, and ensuring sustainable groundwater levels.

Obituaries News

Lala Kedarnath Aggarwal, Founder And Chairman Of Bikanervala, Passes Away At 86

• In a somber turn of events, the entrepreneurial world bid farewell to Lala Kedarnath Aggarwal, the visionary founder of the iconic sweets and snacks brand Bikanervala.
• At the age of 86, Aggarwal, a native of Bikaner, where his family had run a modest sweet shop called Bikaner Namkeen Bhandar since 1905, left behind a legacy of culinary excellence.
• Bikanervala gained widespread acclaim for its delectable offerings, including the renowned Moong Dal Halwa, Bikaneri Bhujia, Kaju Katli, and a plethora of other delicacies.

Miscellaneous News

Pablo Picasso’s ‘Woman With A Watch’ Sells For Record $139 Million

• Shifting gears to the art realm, the auction world witnessed a historic moment as Pablo Picasso's masterpiece, "Woman with a Watch" ('Femme à la montre'), fetched an astounding $139 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York on November 8, 2023.
• This sale not only secures its position as the second most expensive Picasso painting ever auctioned but also claims the title of the most expensive artwork sold at auction this year.
• Painted in 1932, this portrait of Picasso's lover, Marie-Thérèse Walter, seated against a blue background in a throne-like chair, marks a pivotal moment in the artist's career and is considered one of his most significant works.