21 November 2019 - Daily Current Affairs
1. Sir David Attenborough to get Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for 2019
- Renowned naturalist & broadcaster Sir David Attenborough (93-years) will receive the 2019 Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for his tireless work to preserve and protect biodiversity.
- This prestigious award (named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi) has been accorded annually by Indira Gandhi Trust since 1986.
- Sir Attenborough was unanimously chosen for the award by an international jury chaired by the ex-president of India, Pranab Mukherjee.
- The 2017 Prize had gone to former Prime Minister of India (14th), Manmohan Singh.
- In 1986, the award was instituted by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
- The award, comprising a cash prize of Rs. 25 lakh and a citation.
2. Virat Kohli named PETA India’s 2019 Person of the Year
- India captain Virat Kohli has been named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India’s Person of the Year for 2019 for his animal advocacy efforts.
- Virat Kohli’s efforts to improve conditions for animals include sending a letter to officials asking for the release of an elephant used for rides at Amer Fort.
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia.
- Its slogan is ‘Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way’.
Important Days
3. World Fisheries day is being observed today
- The World Fisheries day is celebrated every year on 21st November throughout the world by fisherfolk communities.
- The Day helps in highlighting the critical importance to human lives, of water and the lives it sustains, both in and out of the water.
- This year’s theme is 2022 Ka Hai Sapna Kisan Ki Aay Ho Dugna – Sankalp Se Siddhi”.
- The Indian Government will invest 25,000 crores in the next five years to enhance infrastructure and boost production of fishes in India.
- The Fisheries sector is a major source of livelihood for over 1.60 Crore people along with double the number in down and upstream.
4. 21st November: World Television Day
- United Nations proclaimed 21st November as World Television Day commemorating the date on which the first World Television Forum was held in 1996.
- The day recognizes that television plays a major role in presenting the different issue that affects people.
- In December 1996, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21st November as the World Television Day.
5. 21 November 2019: World Philosophy Day (third Thursday in Nov)
- The World Philosophy Day 2019 was proclaimed by UNESCO to be celebrated every 3rd Thursday of November.
- It was first celebrated on 21 November 2002.
- The 2019 edition aims to highlight the importance of philosophy in different regional contexts.
- In 2005 the UNESCO General Conference proclaimed PDF document that World Philosophy Day would be celebrated every third Thursday of November.
International Affairs
6. UNICEF releases a booklet named ‘From Uttapam to Sprouted Dal Parantha
- UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) has released a 28-page booklet called “From uttapam to sprouted dal parantha”.
- It explains that nutritious food prepared at less than 20 rupees will help in dealing with problems like underweight, obesity and anaemia in children.
- The book gives a detailed break-up of protein, carbohydrate, fat, total fibre, iron, vitamin C and calcium content of the recipe.
- The book is based on the findings of the overall National Nutrition Survey 2016-18, according to which 35 % of children under the age of five are stunted (low height for age), 17 % are wasted (low weight for height) and 33 % are underweight.
Banking & Finance
7. SEBI approves stricter disclosure norms for listed companies
- The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved stricter disclosure norms for listed companies.
- Accordingly, in case of default in repayment of loans beyond 30 days, listed companies will have to disclose the fact of such default within 24 hours.
- SEBI has amended Portfolio Managers (PM) Regulations, 2019 following which net worth requirement of portfolio managers has been enhanced from two crores to five crore rupees.
- The regulator has informed that existing portfolio managers will have to meet the enhanced requirement within 36 months.
- SEBI announced that it has approved a proposal to reduce the overall time taken for a rights issue from Securities and Exchange Board of India to 31 days.
National Affairs
8. Cabinet approves strategic disinvestment of public sector oil company BPCL
- The Union Cabinet has taken major decisions including strategic disinvestment of public sector enterprises along with transfer of management control.
- The Union Cabinet also gave relief to telecom companies and gave nod to a 2-year moratorium on spectrum payments.
- The legal framework was cleared to grant ownership rights to people living in unauthorized colonies in Delhi.
- The Union Cabinet has approved the strategic disinvestment of five Central Public Sector Enterprises in Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) and Tehri Hydro Development Corporation India Limited (THDC).
- The government has also cleared the legal framework to grant ownership rights to people living in unauthorised colonies in Delhi.
9. Lok Sabha passes Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2019
- The Lok Sabha passed the Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2019 by voice vote.
- The bill seeks to amend the Chit Funds Act, 1982, which regulates chit funds and prohibits a fund from being created without the prior sanction of a State Government.
- The amendments have been made to facilitate the orderly growth of the chit fund sector to remove bottlenecks and enable greater financial access to people.
- Under the legislation, the prescribed ceiling of aggregate chit fund amount for individuals has been raised from one lakh rupees to three lakh rupees and in case of firms, the limit has been raised from 6 lakh to 18 lakh rupees.
10. Cabinet approves the establishment of National Institute for Sowa-Rigpa in Leh
- The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Institute for Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) in Leh (Union Territory of Ladakh) at an estimated cost of Rs. 47.25 crore.
- The setting up of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) would provide an impetus for the revival of Sowa-Rigpa in the Indian Sub-continent.
- It will be an autonomous organization under the Ministry of AYUSH.
- It also approved the creation of the post of director in Level-14 to oversee implementation of the project from the construction stage itself.
State News
11. DSEJ launches special enrollment drive under 'Aao School Chalein'
- In Jammu, the Directorate of School Education (DSEJ) has launched a special enrolment drive under the banner 'Aao School Chalein' for increasing the enrolment in government schools.
- The special enrolment drive would be conducted across all the villages and catchment areas of the government schools, under the supervision of chief education officers of all the districts of Jammu Division.
- The prime focus of the drive is on the strengthening of pre-schooling of children in the age group of 3 to 5 years.
12. UP CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurates Munderwa Sugar Mill in Basti district
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has inaugurated the newly established Munderwa Sugar Mill in Basti district.
- Munderwa mill will have a capacity of 5000 Tons of Cane per Day and generate 27 Mega Watt of power.
- It will be the third inauguration of sugar mills in the state in just three weeks (Ramala in Baghpat and Pipraich in Gorakhpur).
Conference
13. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat inaugurates IPEC at Nagpur
- RSS Chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat has inaugurated the International Principal’s Education Conference (IPEC) at Nagpur.
- Noted mathematician Anand Kumar (Super 30 founder) was honoured with Nachiketa Sarvottama Award on the occasion.
- Mr. Kumar dedicated this award to all the teachers who are working for the upliftment of underprivileged children.
- Principals and educationalists from all over the country are attending the 3-day conference based on the theme-Scripting the Legends of Human Excellence through Schools.
Sports
14. Manu Bhaker bags gold medal in 10m Air Pistol at 2019 ISSF World Cup
- Manu Bhaker (17-years) became only the second Indian shooter after Heena Sidhu to win a gold medal Women's 10m Air Pistol at the ISS World Cup 2019.
- Serbia's Zorana Arunovic won the silver with 241.9, while Quian Wang of China bagged the bronze with 221.8.
- Manu Bhaker shot 244.7 to win the gold medal at World Cup Finals.
- The 2019 ISSF World Cup is the annual edition of the ISSF World Cup in the Olympic shooting events, governed by the International Shooting Sport Federation.
