Latest Current Affairs For Monday 7th November, 2022

Anant Goenka appointed as interim MD of Zensar Tech

Zensar Technologies Ltd has appointed Anant Goenka as interim managing director, who is presently working as MD at Ceat Ltd.

He has been appointed for a term up to the next annual general meeting of the company or 31 July 2023 whichever is earlier subject to requisite approvals.

Reason: As the present CEO Ajay Bhutoria is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed health condition.

There would be no remuneration payable to Anant Goenka in his capacity as interim MD.

Mathura-Vrindavan to become a carbon neutral tourist destination by 2041

UP government aims to make one of India’s largest pilgrimage centres, Mathura-Vrindavan a “net zero carbon emission” tourist destination by 2041.

This means that tourist vehicles will be banned from the entire Braj region, which includes famous pilgrim centres such as Vrindavan and Krishna Janmabhoomi.

Instead, only electric vehicles used as public transport will be allowed into the area.

All 252 water bodies and 24 forests in the area will also be revived.

India's first voter Shyam Saran Negi passes away

Shyam Saran Negi, the first voter of independent India has been passed away at the age of 106 in Kinnaur, HP.

He had cast his vote for the 34th time on November 2 for the Himachal assembly polls.

He would be cremated with full honours at his village in Kalpa.

In 1951, he was a member of the polling team and vividly remembers that he cast his first vote in Shonthong polling station.

Negi was also made the brand ambassador by the Election Commission.

Aibawk cluster becomes the first cluster to be completed under SPMRM

Aibawk cluster in the Aizwal district of Mizoram has become the first cluster to be completed under the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM).

SPMRM was launched by the  Prime Minister in February 2016.

Aim of scheme: To provide amenities to rural areas which are perceived to be urban and have the potential to stimulate local economic development.

Such clusters were selected for well-planned and holistic development.

India Infrastructure Project Development Fund Scheme

The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance has  notified India Infrastructure Project Development Fund Scheme (IIPDF Scheme) for Financial Support for Project Development Expenses of PPP Projects.

Aim: To improve the quality and pace of infrastructure development in the country.

Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are being encouraged to bring private capital and efficiency in execution and operation of infrastructure projects. 

Budgetary outlay: Rs. 100 Crore

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav led Indian delegation at COP 27

Bhupender Yadav (Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister) will lead Indian delegation to attend the 27th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 27).

The conference will be scheduled to held at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt from 6th to 18th November.

Aim: To take action toward achieving the world's collective climate goals as agreed under the Paris agreement and the convention. 

India will also emphasize again its invitation to all countries to join the LiFE movement. 

Asian Hockey Federation CEO, Tayyab Ikram elected as FIH president

Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) CEO, Mohammad Tayyab Ikram (Macau) has been elected as the new president of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for two years.

He has succeeded Narinder Batra (India) as its full-time chief.

He has defeated Marc Coudron (Belgium) in the 48th FIH Congress.

Batra became the FIH president in 2016, resigned from the post in July.

After the resignation of Batra, Seif Ahmed had served as the acting president of the FIH.

Indian men’s squash team won gold at 2022 Asian Team Championships

The Indian men’s team has clinched its first-ever gold at the Asian Squash Team Championships, held in Cheongju, South Korea.

The Indian team has defeated Kuwait by 2-0 in final.

Saurav Ghoshal and Ramit Tandon have won their games in the final to dole out a 2-0 defeat to Kuwait.

The first game was won by Ramit against Ali Aramezi and the second game won by Saurav against Ammar Altamimi.

It is the biggest win of Indian Men’s Team since 2014 Asian Games Gold.

RIL appoints KV Kamath as independent director

KV Kamath has been appointed as an Independent Director and non-executive Chairman for Reliance Strategic Investment Limited (RSIL) for 5 years.

Currently, he is the Chairman of the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development.

He was retired from ICICI Bank as MD & CEO in 2009 and continued as chairman till 2015.

He was also appointed as the first president of BRICS Countries bank, NBD.

RSIL will be renamed as Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL).

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.