Latest Current Affairs For Friday 4th November, 2022

Niva Bupa & IDFC FIRST Bank partner for Bancassurance

Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited (NBHICL) has partnered with IDFC FIRST Bank to provide best-in-class health insurance solutions to the bank’s customers.

It is the first bancassurance partnership of NBHICL for FY 23.

Benefit: With this partnership, NBHIC can expand its reach through bank for their services, and address the healthcare related concerns of the bank's customers.

Previously, NBHIC was known as the Max Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited.

Bank of India launches special deposit scheme

The Bank of India has launched a special fixed deposit scheme named Star Super Triple Seven Fixed Deposit.

This special scheme is providing 7.25% rate of interest (7.75 per cent for citizens) on a deposit for 777 days, for limited period.

The bank has raised interest rate on its existing 555-days fixed deposit scheme to 6.30%.

And, on other maturities from 180 days to less than 5 years, it has raised interest rates by 25 basis points.

Garuda Aerospace, IISc sign MoU for research projects, geographical surveys

Garuda Aerospace has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) for collaborative research operations and services using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Department of Aerospace Engineering (DoAE) at IISC will provide support them for future operations.

It will provide developments of digital input processing packaging tools, including yield estimation from a given image, diagnoses of crops, and mapping of fields.

CEO Garuda: Agnishwar Jayaprakash

India emerges as leading defence exporter to African nations

As per the report, by the India EXIM bank, India has emerged as a leading defence exporter Africa's maritime, aerospace and defence requirements with Mauritius, Mozambique and Seychelles.

These countries has become the major buyers of Indian arms during 2017-2021.

Report title: 'Reinvigorating India's Economic Engagements with Southern Africa'. 

The report was released at the inauguration of the CII-Exim Bank Regional Conclave on India-Southern Africa Growth Partnership.

Central Vigilance Awareness Week 2022: 31st Oct to 6th Nov

Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has observed Vigilance Awareness Week from 31st October 2022 (birth of Vallabhbhai Patel) to 6th November, 2022.

Theme 2022: Corruption free India for a developed Nation. 

During the Vigilance Awareness Week, public meetings held at district and block levels in order to raise public awareness against perils of corruption.

CVC has the mandate under the CVC Act, 2003 to fight corruption and to ensure integrity in public administration.

Khattar launches ‘CM dashboard’ for live monitoring of departments

Haryana CM, Manohar Lal Khattar has launched the “CM dashboard” to access the real-time data of all departments and decisions taken on major schemes.

It will provide live monitoring of every department at the block, district and panchayat levels.

This will enable tracking of methodology and analysis of reports, and also help the govt in comparing the old data with new data.

He has also launched a dedicated e-Upphar portal to auction gifts received by him.

Arunachal Pradesh's Hollongi Airport renamed as Donyi Polo Airport

The Union Cabinet committee, chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved the naming of greenfield airport at Hollongi, Itanagar, as Donyi Polo Airport.

This reflect the people’s reverence of the Sun (Donyi) and the Moon (Polo), that symbolize the traditions and rich cultural heritage of the state.

It is the third airport of state after Pasighat and Tezu airports.

The airport was developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at a cost of ₹646 crore.

A Book “Nuclearization of Asia” released by French author, Rene Naba

A book titled “De la Nucléarisation de l’Asie“ (Nuclearization of Asia), authored by Rene Naba (French) has been released. 

The book is bilingual book, and will be available in both French and English.

The book discusses the nuclear emergency and threat posed by the nexus of Pakistan and China.

The book was published by Golias.

He is also a writer of “Pakistan facing the challenge of the post­ Western world and Eurasia”, published in 2018. 

Goa hosts CANSO Asia Pacific Conference

The three day Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) Conference is being organised in Goa from 1st to 3rd November 2022.

Aim: To turn the Complete Air Traffic System (CATS) Global Council’s vision for the skies of 2045 into a reality.

The delegates and exhibitors from the Asia Pacific region and beyond has discussed and collaborated on the key issues.

Theme: Think Global, Collaborate Regional, Accomplish Local. 

SEWA founder, Elaben Bhatt passes away

A noted Gandhian, and founder of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Elaben Bhatt has been passed away at the age of 89.

She was the Chairperson of Sabarmati Ashram and recently resigned as the Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi-founded Gujarat Vidhyapith.

In 2007, she joined the group of world leaders called the Elders (founded by Nelson Mandela) to promote human rights and peace across the world.

Awards: Padma Bhushan (1985), Ramon Magsaysay Award (1977). 

Meghalaya launched Citizen Engagement and Communication Programme

CM Conrad Sangma has launched the Citizen Engagement and Communication Programme at Tura, West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.

With this programme, the state govt can create awareness about the correct information of schemes to avail benefits to citizens.

The govt has launched various welfare programmes and information should be spread for the larger benefit of the public.

Aim: to increase the penetration of all schemes so that governance is improved in all aspects.

DRDO successfully conducts flight-test of Phase-II AD-1 missile

DRDO has conducted a successful maiden flight-test of Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor AD-1 missile from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.

This flight-test was carried out with the participation of all BMD weapon system elements.

AD-1 is a long-range interceptor missile.

It is designed for both low exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception of long-range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft.

It is propelled by a two-stage solid motor.

VR Krishna Gupta assumes additional charge of Chairman of BPCL

Vetsa Rama Krishna Gupta has assumed the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).

He has replaced Arun Kumar Singh, who superannuated on 31st October 2022.

Gupta has joined BPCL in August 1998 and has an experience across Finance functions (Commercial Finance, Corporate Accounts, Risk Management, Budgeting, Treasury operations, etc).

Presently, he is serving as a Board member in BPRL and Fino Paytech Limited.

PM Narendra Modi to be awarded prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023

The Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) would confer the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pune on August 1, 2023.

Reason: This award recognizes PM Modi's supreme leadership under which India has climbed the ladder of progress

It is presented annually on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak's death anniversary.

Other awardees: Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sharad Pawar, Cyrus Poonawalla, and Manmohan Singh. 

J&K Bank wins award for Best Performance in CASA

Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been felicitated for the Best Performance in CASA-India (1st Runner up in Small Bank Category) at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2022.

The event was participated by banks from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Myanmar.

The function was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Goa.

Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group headquartered in Calcutta.

India poised to become world’s 2nd-largest economy by 2075: Goldman Sachs

According to the Investment Bank Goldman Sachs, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075.

As per the report, India would cross Japan, Germany, and the US With a population of 1.4 billion people.

India’s GDP is estimated to expand remarkably, reaching 52.5 trillion dollars surpassing the US GDP projection.

The labour force participation set to make India the second-largest economy in the world by 2075.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.