Latest Current Affairs For Saturday 26th November, 2022

FDI equity inflows dip 14% during April-September to $26.9 bn

As per the data of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflows into India has been declined by 14% to $26.9 billion during the April-September 2022.

Singapore emerged as the top investor with USD 10 billion FDI.

It was followed by Mauritius (USD 3.32 billion), UAE (USD 2.95 billion), USA (USD 2.6 billion), the Netherlands (USD 1.76 billion), and Japan (USD 1.18 billion).

Ravi Kumar Sagar conferred with the prestigious Dr. Kalam Seva Puraskar

Ravi Kumar Sagar (22), one of the youngest founders and CEO of RK'S INNO group was conferred with the most prestigious Dr. Abdul Kalam Seva Puraskar.

Reason: For his persistent service to society

Dr. Kalam Seva Purasakar is hosted every year by Vandhe Bharat Foundation and LeadIndia Foundation.

The award is conferred on the birth anniversary of Dr. Kalam for recognizing various people who have been doing extraordinary work for society.

Canara Bank launches Electronic Bank Guarantee with NeSL

Canara Bank has launched an Electronic Bank Guarantee (e-BG) in partnership with National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL).

With this, bank can offers an API based digital workflow of Bank guarantees.

It will eliminate physical issuance, stamping, verification and paper-based record maintenance of Bank Guarantees paving the way to augment integration of Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) framework into Business.

Canara Bank CEO: Lingam Venkat Prabhakar

IDFC First Bank launches sticker-based debit card

IDFC First Bank has launched a sticker-based debit card named FIRSTAP.

It was launched in association with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Aim: To facilitate transactions by simply tapping the sticker on a Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled point-of-sale terminal.

The sticker-based debit card is one third the size of a regular debit card.

This card comes with a complimentary personal accidental cover and 24/7 concierge services.

Odisha launches Anemia eradication programme ‘AMLAN’

Odisha CM, Naveen Patnaik has launched AMLAN- ‘Anemia Mukta Lakhya Abhiyan’ programme.

Aim: To ensure complete eradication of anemia problem among women and children. 

The programme will be implemented with joint efforts of departments including Health and Family Welfare, School and Mass Education, Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti and ST and SC Development Department.

The state has formulated a multi-pronged approach for accelerated reduction of anaemia.

International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women 2022

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women has been observed every year on November 25 to pay tribute to the Mirabal sisters, the Dominican Republic activists who were murdered at the order of Rafael Trujilllo in 1960.

2022 theme: UNITE! Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls. 

On 7 February 2000, the General Assembly has adopted the resolution 54/134 to officially designate 25 November as day for Elimination of Violence against Women. 

India's unemployment rate eases to 7.2% in July-September 2022

As per the NSO 16th Periodic Labour Force Survey, unemployment rate of India for people aged 15 years and above in urban areas has been relaxed to 7.2% in the fiscal second quarter (July - Sep 2022) from 9.8%.

Indication: Sustained economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic.

The survey also showed that the unemployment rate among females (aged 15 years and above) in urban areas slowed to 9.4% and among males in urban areas eased to 6.6% (July-September).

13th bilateral naval exercise Naseem Al Bahr-2022

The 13th edition of bilateral exercise between the Indian navy and the Royal Oman navy, Naseem Al Bahr-2022 was organised on the coast of Oman.

The exercise was conducted from 19 to 24 Nov 22.

The exercise organised in three phases: harbour phase, sea phase and debrief.

The Indian Navy’s guided missile stealth frigate, INS Trikand, offshore patrol vessel, INS Sumitra, and Maritime Patrol Aircraft, (MPA) Dornier were participated in the exercise.

IAF to conduct Joint HADR Exercise 'Samanvay 2022'

Indian Air Force has conducted the annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise 'Samanvay 2022' from 28th-30th November 2022 at Air Force Station Agra.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of institutional Disaster Management structures and contingency measures.

The exercise will also see participation by representatives from the ASEAN countries.

Rajnath Singh will be Chief Guest for the Capability Demonstration events on 29th Nov 2022.

India wins IEC Vice Presidency and SMB Chair for 2023-25

India has won the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Vice Presidency and Strategic Management Board (SMB) Chair for the 2023-25.

India has secured the 90% of votes cast by full members of IEC during its General Meeting in San Francisco, USA.

India’s Vimal Mahendru will be the IEC Vice President representing India.

IEC: International standard-setting body, that publishes international Standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies.

The book ‘India: The Mother of Democracy’ launched by Dharmendra Pradhan

Dharmendra Pradhan (Union Education & Skill Development Minister) has released the new book title, ‘India: The Mother of Democracy’.

The book was published by Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR).

The event was also attended by Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar, (Chairperson, ICHR) and Prof. Umesh Ashok Kadam (Member Secretary, ICHR).

The book is an attempt to showcase the democratic ethos ingrained in India since the dawn of civilisation.

India’s proposal to protect Leith’s softshell turtle adopted in Panama

India's proposal to strengthen the protection of Leith’s Soft-shelled Turtle has been adopted by the Conference of Parties to CITES in its 19th Meeting at Panama.

Proposal: Transferring Leith’s Softshell Turtle from Appendix II to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora. 

Reason: To ensure that legal international trade in the species does not take place for commercial purposes.

Status: Critically Endangered by IUCN

Anwar Ibrahim sworn in as new Prime Minister of Malaysia

Anwar Ibrahim(75) has been sworn-in as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia, by King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah at the palace in Kuala Lumpur.

Neither Anwar nor ex-premier Muhyiddin Yassin had won the simple majority (112 seats) needed to form a government.

Anwar started his political career as a student leader before joining United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), where he rose to become deputy PM and finance minister.

Malaysia currency: Malaysian ringgit 

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.