1. Chandrayaan-3: Second bid to land on Moon by November 2020
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which failed to land a probe on Moon in its first attempt in September 2019 (Chandrayaan-2), has begun work on Chandrayaan-3 with a deadline of November 2020.
ISRO has formed multiple committees — an overall panel and three sub-committees — and held at least four high-level meetings since October.
The new mission will include only a lander and rover, as the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter is functioning well.
So far ISRO has looked at 10 specific aspects of the mission, including landing site selection, absolute navigation, and local navigation.
The top priority for the new mission is “Strengthening the Legs of the Lander”, so that it allows landing even with a high velocity.
ISRO will be building a new lander and a rover.
Note:
It is to be noted that India has launched Chandrayaan-2 in July 2019, with three modules - Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) & Rover (Pragyan).
Source:Times of India
2. India ranked 78th in the Global Bribery Risk Index
According to the latest Global Bribery Risk Index, Bangladesh has been identified as the “country with the highest risk” in terms of bribery threats in South Asia.
India has been ranked at 78th in the Global Bribery Risk Index out of 178 countries.
In South Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries where the bribery risk is “high”.
Except for Bhutan, which has a “low” risk of bribery demands, the risk level of other countries in the region is “medium”. Bhutan, which has the lowest risk score of 41, was placed ranked 52nd.
The five countries with the lowest bribery risk in the world are New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.
The countries with the highest risk are Venezuela, Yemen, North Korea, South Sudan and Somalia.
Source: The Daily Star
3. CSIR-IMTECH signs MOU with IIT Bombay for collaborative research
CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay to promote collaborative research.
The MoU will facilitate the exchange of ideas, development of new knowledge and enhance high-quality research acumen between the researchers and faculty of both the institutes.
The objective of this collaboration is to carry out state of the art research in areas of healthcare especially in projects and missions where both the institutes can significantly complement each other.
This MoU is in line with the circular issued by MHRD in 2018 paving way for all IITs to sign MoUs with National Research Laboratories affiliated to CSIR to start new collaborations and to deepen, broaden interactions where such collaborations already exist.
Note:
CSIR-IMTECH is a national center for excellence in microbial sciences and was established in 1984.
IMTECH’s vision is to discover and develop translational products and new drugs to address key unmet societal and medical needs.
International Affairs
4. India to contribute $13.5 mn for UN development activities for 2020
India has pledged to contribute USD 13.5 million for various operational activities of development across the UN agencies for the year 2020.
Counsellor at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Anjani Kumar announced India’s pledges at the UN General Assembly Pledging Conference for Development Activities.
India will contribute USD 5 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, USD 4.5 million to the UN Development Programme.
The World Food Programme will get USD 1.92 million, USD 900,000 to the UN Children’s Fund, USD 500,000 to the UN Population Fund, USD 200,000 dollars to the UN Voluntary Fund for Technical Co-operation and USD 150,000 dollars to the UN Commission on Human Settlements Programme.
About 16 countries pledged a total of USD 516 million at the 2019 United Nations Pledging Conference for Development Activities.
The contribution is in line with the country’s long-standing tradition of supporting development activities across the UN system.
Source: The Hindu
Awards and Honours
5. Tobacco Board got ‘Golden Leaf Award’ Tab Expo 2019 in the Netherlands
The Tobacco Board of India was awarded the ‘Golden Leaf award 2019’ at the Tab Expo 2019 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
It gets the award in the ‘Public Service Initiative’ category for its efforts in undertaking various ecological initiatives towards Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco cultivation in India.
The award was received by Executive Director of Tobacco Board, Sunitha.
In 2014 too, the board won the coveted award for its implementation of an electronic auction system, which has made the marketing procedure of flue-cured tobacco in India more transparent.
The awards under this category are given to a company or institution which practices a public service programme or educational campaign, to ensure optimum utilization of resources.
Note:
The Golden Leaf Awards was created by Tobacco Reporter, an international magazine in 2006 to recognize professional excellence and dedication in the tobacco industry.
Tobacco Board works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Chairman- Shri Raghunadha Babu Yadlapati.
Headquarters-Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
6. Manoj Bajpayee starrer 'Bhonsle' won two awards at Asian Film Festival Barcelona
Manoj Bajpayee-starrer and critically acclaimed movie "Bhonsle" has won the ‘Best Screenplay’ and ‘Best Director’ awards at the ‘Asian Film Festival’ in Barcelona, Spain.
The movie was directed by Devashish Makhija.
The movie "Bhonsle" revolves around a police constable played by Manoj Bajpayee, who tries to help in the struggles of migrants and their battles with the local politicians.
It also addresses the concerns of various ethnic groups and highlights the issues that they face in order to survive in a city like Mumbai, away from their home.
"Bhonsle" was premiered in the 'A Window on Asian Cinema' section of the 2018 Busan International Film Festival.
It was also screened at renowned film festivals including the MAMI Film Festival, 2018 Dharamshala Film Festival, the 2019 International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Bengaluru International Film Festival and the Singapore South Asian International film festival.
Source: Daily Hunt
Conference and Summit
7. Regional Conference on “Replication of Good Governance Practices in Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh” begins
On November 15, 2019, a two-day Regional Conference on the theme: “Replication of Good Governance Practices in Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh” has begun in Jammu.
The Conference is organized by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India in collaboration with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The main objective of the Conference is to bring national and state-level organizations on a common platform and to share experiences in Digital Governance, Citizen-Centric Governance, and Capacity Building and Personnel Administration, etc.
Delegates from 19 states and 4 Union Territories are participating in the Conference.
Source: News on AIR
Important Days
8. National Press Day observed today
Today (16th November) is National Press Day.
The day, observed on 16th November every year, is symbolic of a free and responsible press.
It was on this day the Press Council of India started functioning as a moral watchdog to ensure that the press maintains high standards and is not fettered by any influence or threats.
On the occasion, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar said the media should guard against “fake news” and desist from providing any “disinformation and misinformation”.
Source: News on AIR
9. International Day for Tolerance: 16 November
International Day for Tolerance is observed by the United Nations(UN) all across the world on November 16 every year.
In 1996, the UN General Assembly by a resolution invited UN Member States to observe the International Day for Tolerance on 16 November.
The Day is observed to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems and to celebrate and reinforce the achievements of humanity.
In 1995, to mark the United Nations Year for Tolerance and the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, UNESCO created a prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence.
The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence rewards significant activities in the scientific, artistic, cultural or communication fields aimed at the promotion of a spirit of tolerance and non-violence.
The prize is awarded every two years on the International Day for Tolerance, 16 November.
The Prize may be awarded to institutions, organizations or persons, who have contributed in a particularly meritorious and effective manner to tolerance and non-violence.
Source: The United Nations
State Affairs
10. National Mission 'NISHTHA' launched in J&K
National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) was launched in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The event was attended by around 300 teachers, Key Resource Persons (KRPs) and Chief Education Officers, DIET Principals and Educational Administrators.
NISHTHA is a National Mission aimed at improving learning outcomes at Elementary level through integrated Teacher Training.
Source: News on AIR
11. Andhra Pradesh launches ‘Nadu-Nedu’ scheme to introduce English medium in govt schools
Andhra Pradesh government has launched the ‘Nadu-Nedu’ scheme to introduce English medium from classes 1 to 6 in the government schools.
the government also planning to introduce another scheme called ‘Amma Vodi’ in January 2020 to give incentives to mothers who send their children to school and continue their education till class 12.
In the first phase, the ‘Nadu-Nedu’ programme will be implemented in 15,715 schools.
It will cover all schools in three years under a budget of Rs 12,000 crores.
For the first year in the initial phase, Rs 3,500 crores will be spent on infrastructure development.
Source: Indian Express
Banking and Economy
12. CCI approved merger of BNP Paribas and Bank of Baroda Mutual Funds
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the merger of the BNP Paribas (BNPP) Mutual Fund and the Baroda (BOB) Mutual Fund, under Section 31(1) the Competition Act, 2002
The Proposed Combination relates to the merger of the BNP Paribas Mutual Fund and the BOB Mutual Fund.
The parties propose to amalgamate (i) BOB Asset Management Company (AMC) into BNPP AMC; and (ii) BNPP Trustee Company (TC) into BOB TC.
After the merger BNPP AMC and BOB TC will be the surviving entities, an official release said.
Note:
Competition Commission of India is a statutory body of the Government of India responsible for enforcing The Competition Act, 2002 throughout India.
Ashok Kumar Gupta is the Chairman of CII and its Headquarters is in New Delhi.
MD and CEO of BNP Paribas Mutual Fund: Mr. Sharad Sharma
BNP Paribas Mutual Fund Headquarter: New Delhi
Source: The Business Line
Sports
13. FIFA names Arsene Wenger as global football development chief
Veteran coach Arsene Wenger has been named FIFA's Chief of global football development.
He will be responsible for the growth of the game for both men and women around the world and would also be the leading authority on technical matters, including potential changes to the sport's laws.
Wenger, 70, would also be tasked with coach education and aiding a programme designed to help former players enter management.
Wenger made the Gunners one of the strongest sides in Europe, winning three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups and taking his team to the 2006 Champions League final.
Source: News on AIR
14. Dutee Chand named in TIME 100 Next list
India sprinter Dutee Chand has been named in the TIME 100 Next, an expansion of the TIME 100 list of the most influential persons in the world.
The list, an initiative of TIME magazine, highlights 100 rising stars who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, health, science, activism, etc.
Dutee Chand from Odisha won two silver medals — 100m, 200m — at the Jakarta Asian Games and had become the first Indian woman sprinter to win gold in 100m at the 31st Summer Universiade Competition in Naples, Italy in 2019
