Latest Current Affairs For Tuesday 30th November, 2021

MoS for Ayush Munjpara Mahedrabhai inaugurates Ayurveda Parv-2021

Mister of State for Ayush Munjpara Mahedrabhai has virtually inaugurated Ayurveda Parv-2021 in New Delhi.

It is a three-day event that has been organized to promote Ayurveda.

An exhibition has been arranged with 40 stalls and participation of Pharmaceutical companies.

It has been organized for proper utilization of Ayurvedic health care and also for coordination and better utilization of Ayurvedic research, education and manufacturing of medicines. 

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People: 29 November

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is organized every year on 29th November to mark the anniversary of resolution 181, wherein the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine on November 29, 1947.

It is an UN-organized day to educate the public on the question of Palestine and support a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

United Nations headquarters: New York.

Petr Fiala appointed as new Prime Minister of Czech Republic

Petr Fiala has been sworn in as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic by President Milos Zeman with effect from 28th November 2021.

He is the chairman of the Civic Democrat party and head of the SPOLU (Together) alliance.

He succeeded Andrej Babis.

Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe and is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the east.

Capital: Prague.

Currency: Czech koruna.

WHO classified a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, Omicron

World Health Organization (WHO) has classified new variant of SARS-CoV-2, titled as Omicron.

It is currently circulating in South Africa, as a ‘variant of concern’. 

It has been identified as Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa (NGS-SA). 

It had detected a group of related SARS-CoV-2 viruses, which belong to a lineage named B.1.1.529.

Early indications are that this variant is possibly even more transmissible than the highly infectious Delta variant.

Union Health Ministry releases NFHS-5 Phase II Findings

Union Health Ministry has released Factsheets of key indicators on population, reproductive and child health, family welfare, nutrition and others for India and 14 States/UTs (clubbed under Phase-II) of the 2019-21 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5).

India has also officially hit total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.0 that indicates a decrease from the 2.2 in the NFHS-4.

Proportion of anaemic children (5-59 months) increased from 58% to 67%.

IGSTC launched WISER program for encouraging women researchers

Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) has launched Women’s Involvement in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) program for encouraging women researchers in joint research and development (R&D) projects.

It will be in addition to the ongoing flagship 2+2 program. 

It is a joint initiative of Dept of Science and Technology (DST) and Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Govt of Germany. 

It will be possible through lateral entry. 

MSDE launches pilot projects to revive and catalyze traditional Namda Craft

Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched two projects:

‘Revival of Namda craft of Kashmir’ as a special pilot project under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 3.0. 

Upskilling of artisans and weavers of Kashmir under Recognition of Prior Learning component of PMKVY. 

Aim: to boost and preserve the traditional Namda craft of Kashmir and upskill the local weavers and artisans. 

Namda craft is a rug made of sheep wool through felting technique. 

Maiden Colombo Security Conclave Focused Operation being conducted

Maiden Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Focused Operation is being conducted between lead Maritime Security Agencies of India, Maldives and Sri Lanka in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of the three countries in Southern Arabian Sea.

It is a two day CSC Focused Operation with an aim of keeping this vital part of the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping, international trade and conduct of legitimate maritime activities.

7th India International Science Festival 2021 to be held in Goa

The 7th edition of India International Science Festival (IISF) 2021 will be held in Panaji, Goa. 

It is a 4-day event, that will be held from 10th to 13th December 2021. 

Organized by: Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Dept of Atomic Energy, Department of Space and Govt of Goa. 

More than 100 scientists from different fields will participate. 

Theme will be based on Aazadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav with motto of Celebration of science and its promotion. 

Senior bureaucrat Vivek Johri appointed as Chairman of CBIC

Senior bureaucrat Vivek Johri has been appointed as the chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) with effect from 30th November 2021. 

He is a 1985-batch IRS (Customs and Indirect Taxes) officer and is currently working as a member in CBIC. 

He succeeded M Ajit Kumar, who will complete his tenure on 30th November 2021. 

CBIC is the nodal national agency responsible for administering Customs, GST, Central Excise, Service Tax & Narcotics in India. 

India-US launched ‘Operation Broader Sword’

India and the USA, jointly conducted an ‘Operation Broader Sword’ to stop the illegal shipment of drugs through the International Mail System.

It targeted shipments of illicit, potentially dangerous, unapproved prescription drugs, combination medical devices, and synthetic drug precursors shipped through International Mail Facilities.

The operation resulted in the interception of over 500 shipments of illicit and unapproved prescription drugs bound for US consumers.

NLU Delhi launches research affiliate program ‘Eklavya’

The National Law University (NLU), Delhi launched Eklavya, a ‘Research Affiliate’ program, for those who do not have a traditional law degree.

Aim: To emphasize its commitment to actively seek partnerships outside the varsity and draw from their experiences and perspectives to develop quality legal scholarship. 

It is open to those who have at least three years of demonstrable experience working on issues that have a significant interface with the law.

CarTrade Tech to acquire OLX India's auto business for Rs 537 cr

Mumbai-based used cars platform CarTrade Tech Ltd will acquire online marketplace OLX India's auto sales business for Rs 537 crore.

CarTrade will acquire a 100% stake in Sobek Auto India Pvt Ltd, the entity that houses OLX India’s Automotive business, in an all-cash deal.

The acquisition will likely to be completed in 21-30 days.

Sobek is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, of 2013.

It is engaged in the business of running an automotive digital platform.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy.