PREFACE
It gives us great pleasure to release the monthly edition of the PRAVAHINI - Monthly e-Compendium & Weekly e-Periodicals of Current Affairs. The magazine’s members have shown considerable cooperation as well as devotion. We at successmantra.in work tirelessly to create this magazine and bring it to you with a great sense of gratitude.
The PRAVAHINI October-2021 eBook covers the current events that happened in the month of October. Current Affairs is a crucial component of any competitive exams including CLAT, AILET, DU-LLB, HM, CAT, IAS, PCS, SSC, Banking, MBA and various other competitive examinations.
Current Affairs play the bigger role in many competitive and government exams. It holds the power of making or breaking your chance of success. Therefore, the candidates should cover the Current Affairs thoroughly and smartly.
The PRAVAHINI October-2021 eBook is divided into different sections keeping in mind the need of various exams. The sections covered namely International, National, Economy, Ecology and Environment, Science & Technology, Legal Affairs, Sports, States News Makers and few others.
We would also be pleased to receive any suggestion that could assist us with the upcoming editions.
Success Mantra (GTB Nagar, Delhi)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. National Affairs
2. International Affairs
3. Economic Affairs
4. Appointments
5. Awards And Honors
6. Important Dates & Sports
7. Reports And Indexes
8. Science & Technology
9. Miscellaneous
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
INDIA'S 1ST MANNED OCEAN MISSION: SAMUDRAYAAN
Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh launched India’s first manned ocean mission Samudrayaan at the National Institute of Ocean Technology in Chennai.
With this launch of the Unique Ocean Mission, India joined the elite club of nations such as the US, Russia, France, Japan, and China to have niche technology and vehicles to carry out subsea activities.
This will open up more growth avenues to explore ocean resources for clean energy, drinking water, and blue economy.
Samudrayaan mission is India’s first unique manned ocean mission that aims to send men into the deep sea in a submersible vehicle for deep-ocean exploration and mining of rare minerals.
The 200-crores Samudrayaan Mission will send three persons in a manned submersible vehicle MATSYA 6000 to a depth of 6000 metres into the sea for deep underwater studies. Submarines go only about 200 metres.
The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) had announced the Samudrayaan mission in sync with the Gaganyaan mission of ISRO that aims to send a manned mission into space by 2022.
The Samudrayaan mission is a part of the Rs 6000-crores Deep Ocean Mission. The proposal of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on the ‘Deep Ocean Mission’ was approved on June 16, 2021, by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
The Deep Ocean Mission aims to explore the deep ocean for resources, develop deep-sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources, and support the Blue Economy Initiatives of the Indian Government.
The manned submersible vehicle MATSYA 6000 under the Samudrayaan Mission will facilitate the Ministry of Earth Sciences, MoES in conducting deep ocean exploration of resources such as gas hydrates, polymetallic manganese nodules, hydro-thermal sulfides, and cobalt crusts which are located at an approximate depth between 1000 and 5500 metres.
The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) have indigenously developed the manned submersible MATSYA 6000 with a depth capability of 6000 metres under the umbrella of Deep Ocean Mission.
The 'Samudrayaan Mission' is not increasing the scientific capacity of India but also building the national esteem of India. Developed countries have already carried out similar ocean missions. India could be the 1st country among the developing nations to carry out a deep ocean mission
PM MODI DEDICATED MULTIPLE NH & ROADS PROJECT
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated various National Highway and Road projects to the nation in the temple town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra, through video conference.
These initiatives are aimed at improving connectivity in the region to facilitate the hassle-free and safe movement of devotees.
About the Project: PM laid the foundation stone for four laning of five sections of Sreesanth Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965) and four laning of three sections of Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965G).
The Sreesanth Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg will be completed in five phases at estimated costs of more than Rs. 6690 crore while Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg will be completed in three phases at estimated costs of about Rs. 4400 crore.
The project also includes the construction of dedicated walkways for ‘Palkhi’ on either side of these National Highways.
PM also dedicated to the nation more than 223 km of completed and upgraded road projects of over Rs. 1180 crore at different National Highways aimed at boosting connectivity to Pandharpur.
AYUSHMAN BHARAT CAPF HEALTHCARE SCHEME
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah rolled out the ‘Ayushman Bharat CAPF’ healthcare scheme on a pan-India basis.
The scheme has been launched for the personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in all states in a phased manner.
‘Ayushman CAPF healthcare’ scheme is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Health Authority (NHA).
It aims to provide cashless and paperless medical treatment at the empanelled hospitals and will also ensure access to health services across the country to CAPF personnel.
The Ayushman Bharat CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) is a first-of-its-kind initiative that leverages the strength of the existing robust IT framework, access to the network of various private hospitals, and the portability of services across India.
The health facilities under the Ayushman CAPF healthcare scheme will be available in all CGHS and Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) empanelled private hospitals in a phased manner.
A dedicated website has also been prepared to facilitate the jawans of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and their families.
NMCG ORGANISED 'GANGA UTSAV 2021' BEGINS
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is organising a three-day-long "Ganga Utsav 2021” to mark the anniversary of Ganga being declared as the "National River".
The fifth edition of the Ganga Utsav is being considered as a 'River Festival' celebrating rivers across the Ganga Basin and involving more than 150 districts across the country.
This year the effort will be to take the experience of the celebration of Ganga Utsav 2021 to the various river basins in India and promote the celebration of River Festival - 2021.
The “Ganga Utsav 2021 – The River Festival “ will not only celebrate the glory of the river Ganga but all the rivers of the country to promote the celebration of ‘Nadi Utsav’ (River Festival).
The 2021 event has been organised under the leadership of the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
About the event: The annual event is organised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) jointly with the Ministry of Jal Shakti to mark the anniversary of the announcement of River Ganga as the ‘National River’ on November 04, 2008.
The 2021 celebrations will be part of the 75 years of Independence and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
On the first day of the festival, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) got registered in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest number of photos of handwritten notes uploaded on Facebook in an hour.
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is the implementation wing of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA).
It is a registered society, originally formed by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on 12th August 2011 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
Main pillars of the programme include sewerage treatment infrastructure, river-front development, river-surface cleaning, biodiversity, afforestation, public awareness industrial effluent monitoring, and ganga gram.
DELHI GOVT. LAUNCHED SHRAMIK MITRA SCHEME
The Delhi government launched the Shramik Mitra scheme to ensure all construction workers in Delhi are informed and able to avail benefits of government schemes.
The Shramik Mitra scheme is an initiative by the Delhi Government to ensure that the benefits of all government schemes reach construction workers in Delhi.
Under the scheme, around 800 Shramik Mitras will go door-to-door of all construction workers in the national capital to make them aware of several government schemes in the interest of the workers.
The Shramik Mitra scheme will appoint at least 3 to 4 Shramik Mitras across all wards who will reach out to workers registered by the Construction Board at the ward level.
The Shramik Mitras will also help workers in applying and availing the benefits of these government schemes.
There are about 6 lakh construction workers in Delhi who have registered themselves with the Construction Board through various registration campuses that were launched by the CM Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government.
PAKAL DUL HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT IN J&K
In J&K, the "Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project" was inaugurated by the Union Power Minister.
Pakal Dul HE Project (1,000 MW) is being built by Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Limited (CVPPPL) and Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation in Kishtwar, J&K.
Union Power Minister R K Singh virtually inaugurated the diversion of the Marusudar River of Pakal Dul HE Project in Kishtwar, J&K. The Chenab River is fed by the Marusudar River, which is a major tributary.
"Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project"
The Pakal Dul HE Project has a capacity of 1000 MW. Chenab Valley Power Projects [P] Ltd is constructing it. JKSPDC (Govt of J&K) and NHPC Ltd have formed a joint venture business (Govt of India Enterprise).
The Pakal Dul H.E. Project will contribute to achieving the 450 GW renewable energy target by 2030.
CVPPPL has been tasked with the building of 3094 MW hydropower projects in J&K. A 10 km long headrace tunnel will be used to move water from the dam to the south.
In February 2014, this project was granted to a coalition of domestic and foreign companies led by Bharat Heavy Electricals, AFCONS, and Jay Prakash Associate.
In this region, an investment of Rs 8212 crores is being made through this project. As a result of the investment, direct and indirect job opportunities will be created. It will contribute to the general development of the local population.
IAF PARTICIPATED IN INT. BIENNIAL EXERCISE 'BLUE FLAG'
The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has hosted seven air forces at its biennial Exercise Blue Flag at Ovda Airbase near Eilat in southern Israel.
Blue Flag is described as an international training exercise hosting air forces from around the world to strengthen cooperation between the nations.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Israel's Ovda Airbase to meet the Indian contingent participating in the biennial Blue Flag exercise involving Air Force missions from eight countries, that aims to share knowledge and combat experience to improve operational capabilities.
A total of 84 Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel are taking part in the exercises along with five upgraded Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft.
They are the latest updated technological version of the French aircraft, equipped with advanced avionics and weapons systems.
The US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Greece and Israel are the other nations participating in the exercises, which will for the first time see the participation of F-35 aircraft.
India had also participated in this biennial event in 2017 with the focus then on boosting special operations capabilities, including search and rescue operations under different conditions and cross border counter-terrorist operations.
The theme of Blue Flag 2021: Integration of fourth and fifth-generation aircraft in complex operational scenarios.
The Blue Flag drill is a bi-annual exercise designed to strengthen Israel’s military cooperation internationally.
Israel is among the top arms suppliers to India with sales ranging from Phalcon AWACS (airborne warning and control systems) and Searcher, Heron and Harop UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) to Aerostat and Green Pine radars, Barak anti-missile defence and several types of missiles and laser-guided bombs.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM MODI LAUNCHED 'OSOWOG INITIATIVE' WITH UK PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson jointly launched the ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’ (OSOWOG) initiative at the COP 26 Climate Meet in Glasgow.
This project is about setting a ‘trans-national electricity grid to supply solar power across the world.
About OSOWOG: The vision behind OSOWOG is ‘The Sun Never Sets. It is a constant at some geographical location, across the globe, at any given point of time.
This is the most ambitious scheme undertaken by India and is significant in terms of economic benefits. It has been taken up under the technical assistance program of the World Bank.
This plan will also leverage the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
On the occasion, he also announced that India’s space agency, ISRO will provide a calculator to the world soon, that can measure the solar energy potential of any region.
‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’ (OSOWOG) solution will be used to tackle the challenge of solar power.
Earth’s atmosphere receives enough sunlight in one hour, that can be used to power the electricity needed of every human on earth for a year. However, solar energy is only available during the day. Another challenge is that it is dependent on weather conditions.
G20 ENDED WITH ADOPTION OF ROME DECLARATION
The 2021 G20 (Group of Twenty) Summit was held in Rome, Italy on October 30 and 31, 2021. It was the 16th meeting of the G20 group.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. The summit concluded with the adoption of the Rome Declaration by G20 Leaders.
Agenda and Motto of the Summit:
Motto: People, Planet, and Prosperity
Agenda: climate change, economic recovery, the pandemic and the global minimum corporate tax rate.
The final document committed the G20 member’s nation leaders to the following:
• Providing $100 billion every year from now until 2025 to counter climate change.
• To end international financing for all new coal plants by the end of 2021,
• Take action to limit global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
• Strengthen the WHO on Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for Covid-19 vaccines.
Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi led the Indian delegation at the Summit. The Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal was India’s G20 sherpa or personal representative of the head of government.
PM MODI AT COP-26 GLASGOW CLIMATE SUMMIT
Addressing the COP26 Glasgow Climate Summit held in Scotland, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India will reach net-zero carbon emission by 2070.
PM Modi stressed on a five-point plan or ‘Panchamrit’ to fight the devastating effects of global warming and climate change.
More than 120 world leaders were present at the COP26 Glasgow Climate Summit.
India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target.
China has said that it would reach the net-zero carbon emission goal in 2060 while the United States and the European Union are aiming for reaching the goal by 2050.
Highlights from PM Modi’s speech
India would increase its 2030 target for an installed capacity of ‘non-fossil energy’, mostly solar from 450 to 500 gigawatts.
PM Modi said that India will fulfil 50% of its energy requirement through renewable energy by 2030. India is committed to reducing carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes and a net 45% carbon reduction among the five-point plan.
The number of goods produced per unit of energy would be reduced by 45% by 2030. The previous goal was 35%.
GLOBAL METHANE PLEDGE LAUNCHED AT COP-26 SUMMIT
In the United Nations COP26 climate conference in Glasgow Global Methane Pledge was launched.
This promise has been signed by over 90 countries so far. The United States and the European Union are jointly leading the Global Methane Pledge.
Because methane is the second most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, this vow is significant.
The US and EU originally launched the Global Methane Pledge in September 2021. It's a deal to cut down on worldwide methane emissions.
This commitment was made with the goal of reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030 when compared to 2020 levels.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, methane is responsible for around half of the 1.0 degree Celsius increase in global average temperature since pre-industrial times.
According to the United Nations, methane is responsible for 25% of global warming.
Methane is a greenhouse gas and a natural gas component. Its presence in the atmosphere raises the Earth's temperature. Methane is produced both by humans and by nature.
INDIA HOSTED A SECURITY DIALOGUE ON AFGHANISTAN
On November 10, 2021, India hosted a security dialogue on Afghanistan. The involvement of Russia, Iran, and the other Central Asian countries in the dialogue has been confirmed.
For the first time, all Central Asian countries will be represented, not just Afghanistan's close geographical neighbors.
China and Pakistan have also been invited to participate in the dialogue. Pakistan, on the other hand, has stated that it will not participate.
In the aftermath of the Taliban's takeover of power, India is organizing a debate to address the overall security situation in Afghanistan. The security dialogue will take place at the level of the participating countries' national security advisers.
The conference will be chaired by Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor..This format has been used for two previous sessions. In September 2018 and December 2019, meetings were held in Iran.
US BECOMES 101ST MEMBER OF INT. SOLAR ALLIANCE
The United States has become the 101st member country of the International Solar Alliance.
US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry formally signed the ISA framework agreement on November 10, 2021 during the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.
Green Grids Initiative – One Sun One World One Grid
India along with the United Kingdom had launched the Green Grids Initiative – One Sun One World One Grid on November 2, 2021 during the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.
The steering committee of the initiative comprised five members- India, Australia, France, the US and the United Kingdom.
Under the initiative, 80 countries endorsing the One Sun Declaration resolved to combine their efforts to create more interconnected grids to deliver the vision of One Sun One World One Grid.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was launched in 2015 by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former French President Francois Hollande during the 21st session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP-21) in Paris, France.
The then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had attended the conference along with the heads of state of about 120 nations who had affirmed their participation in the International Solar Alliance.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an alliance of 124 countries, most of whom lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
The main objective of the alliance is to work towards efficient consumption of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The initiative was proposed by PM Modi in a speech in November 2015 in the United Kingdom.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
YAHOO INC. DISCONTINUED ITS SERVICES IN CHINA
Because of the increasingly difficult commercial and regulatory environment in China, Yahoo Inc. announced its exit on November 2, 2021.
Yahoo's services in China will be discontinued on November 1, 2021. This decision was made in accordance with Yahoo's commitment to user rights and free and open internet.
This judgment falls on the same day that China's Personal Information Protection Law goes into effect. Companies operating in China are compelled by Chinese law to provide extra data if authorities make such a request.
Lawmakers chastised Yahoo in 2007 after it gave over data on two Chinese dissidents to Beijing. Chinese dissidents were imprisoned as a result. Yahoo's operations in China have previously been halted. In the year 2015, it shuttered its Beijing office.
Because Yahoo's services and web gateway had previously been restricted in China, the move is mostly symbolic. During the 2010s, China also shut down Yahoo's music and email services on the mainland.
INDIA'S 1ST GLOBAL HACKATHON 'HARBINGER 2021'
The Reserve Bank of India has launched its first global hackathon named “HARBINGER 2021 – Innovation for Transformation”.
The theme of HARBINGER 2021 is ‘Smarter Digital Payments’.
The Hackathon invites participants to identify and develop solutions that have the potential to make digital payments accessible to the under-served, enhance the ease of payments and user experience while strengthening the security of digital payments and promote customer protection.
HARBINGER 2021 invites innovative ideas for the following problem statements in the payment and settlement systems landscape:
• Innovative, easy-to-use, non-mobile digital payment solutions for converting small-ticket cash transactions to digital mode.
• Context-based retail payments to remove the physical act of payment.
• The alternate authentication mechanism for digital payments.
• Social Media Analysis Monitoring tool for detection of digital payment fraud and disruption.
Being part of HARBINGER 2021 gives an opportunity to the participants to get mentored by industry experts and exhibit their innovative solutions before an eminent jury and win exciting prizes in each category.
APPOINTMENTS
SHAKTIKANTA DAS REAPPOINTED AS RBI GOVERNOR
Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das has been reappointed to the post for a term of three years.
Shaktikanta Das's current term was scheduled to end on December 10, 2021. The reappointment will keep him at the bank's helm to aid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shaktikanta Das was appointed as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in December 2018 for a term of three years.
Under his leadership, the apex bank worked to support growth and keep the economy afloat by maintaining liquidity through the worst pandemic the world has ever seen in the 21st century.
Shaktikanta Das was first appointed as the 25th RBI Governor in 2018, after the resignation of his predecessor Urjit Patel. He is a retired 1980 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.
Das has vast experience in various areas of governance. He has held several important positions in the Central and Tamil Nadu state government.
He has earlier been a member of the Fifteenth Finance Commission and India's Sherpa to the G20. He has represented India in various other international forums as well including SAARC, IMF and BRICS.
SHEEL VARDHAN APPOINTED AS HEAD OF CISF
The government has announced the appointment of chiefs of two key Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
These are the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau Sheel Vardhan Singh has been appointed as the new CISF DG, while National Police Academy Director Atul Karwal has been appointed as the NDRF DG.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for appointments.
Singh, a 1986 batch Indian Police Service officer of Bihar cadre, is currently Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau. Singh has been appointed as the Director-General, CISF up to August 2023.
AMWAY ROPED IN AMITABH BACHCHAN AS AMBASSADOR
Amway India, a Direct Selling FMCG company announced the appointment of Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan as its brand ambassador.
It is a time in moment as the two brands have come together to proliferate the message on the significance of holistic health & wellness, women empowerment, and inspiring youth towards entrepreneurship for a progressive India.
As a part of this momentous association, the veteran actor will endorse the brand Amway and the Nutrilite range of products across all platforms, encourage women and youth empowerment through guided entrepreneurship thereby reinforcing Amway’s vision of helping people live healthier and better lives.
Building on the heightened awareness for health and nutrition, the company is aggressively exploring innovative solutions to cater to the evolving and growing market.
Toward this, Amway had recently launched powerful nutritional products such as Nutrilite Vitamin C Cherry Plus and Nutrilite Vitamin D Plus which have proved game changers in the category.
R HARI KUMAR TO TAKE OVER AS NEXT NAVY CHIEF
Western Naval Command (WNC) chief Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar will take over as the next Navy chief from Admiral Karambir Singh on November 30.
Commissioned in the executive branch of the Navy in January 1983, Vice Admiral Kumar has served in a variety of command, staff and instructional appointments.
Among other warships, he has commanded aircraft carrier INS Viraat and guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvir as well as also served as the chief of integrated defence staff.
He had taken over the reins of the Mumbai-based WNC, called the sword-arm of the Navy, in February this year. Southern Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Anil Chawla retires on the same day as Admiral Karambir Singh.
AWARDS & HONOURS
TEDROS ADHANOM HONOURED WITH NIZAMI GANJAVI AWARD
World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus and UN Geneva Office Director General Tatiana Valovaya were honoured with the Nizami Ganjavi International Award on November 4, 2021.
The Nizami Ganjavi International Award was established in 2012. The award celebrates the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjvai and is presented to distinguished personalities and institutions who embody the values that Nizami Ganjavi promoted through his poetry.
Who was Nizami Ganjavi?
Nizami Ganjavi is the greatest representative of the Eastern Renaissance. He was born in the 12th century in Ganja, Azerbaijan.
He epitomized the global citizen of his day and represented the quintessence of world literature in his immortal work “Khamsa” (Five).
Nizami Ganjavi’s poetry has been centred around humanity and his mission has been to apply his creativity to the service of his people.
The main theme of his work include people and nations, gender equality, peaceful coexistence, cross-cultural understanding, ideal leadership and respect among classes.
Ganjavi was also a social reformer and his works reflect a genuine, deep concern for the human condition, for all people and the status of women. He is not just celebrated in his native Azerbaijan but in the whole world.
Nizami Ganjavi International Award winners
The Nizami Ganjavi International Award 2019 was conferred to Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani for his contribution to international security and peace.
In 2018, the award was bestowed upon Mehriban Aliyeva, the first Vice-President of Azerbaijan for her role in fostering global projects for the development of science, education and culture and M.V.Vardinoyannis, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for her humanitarian and cultural endeavors.
DAMON GALGUT WINS BOOKER PRIZE FOR 'THE PROMISE'
Damon Galgut just became the third South African novelist to win the Booker Prize for his novel, The Promise.
The novel which won the author 50,000-pound ($69,000) prize centers around a white African family and the promise they made to their black house help, Salome, of giving her the house she stays in along with the land.
The Promise,'' a novel about one white family's reckoning with South Africa's racist history.
Galgut's ninth novel traces members of the Swart family _ the word is Afrikaans for black _ haunted by an unkept promise to give their Black maid, Salome, her own house.
The book is structured around a series of funerals over several decades; Galgut has said he wanted to make readers fill in the narrative gaps themselves.
He is the third South African novelist to win the Booker Prize, after Nadine Gordimer in 1974 and J.M. Coetzee, who won twice, in 1983 and 1999.
The Promise'' was selected over five other novels, including three by U.S. writers: Richard Powers' Bewilderment,'' the story of an astrobiologist trying to care for his neurodivergent son; Patricia Lockwood's social media-steeped novel 'No One is Talking About This' and Maggie Shipstead's aviator saga 'Great Circle'.
Spanning several decades, the book shows the family’s growing disintegration as the country emerges into democracy.
Mr. Galgut took the prize on his third time as a finalist, for a book the judges called a “tour de force.” He was previously shortlisted for “The Good Doctor” in 2003 and “In a Strange Room” in 2010, but lost both times.
SPORTS
RAHUL DRAVID APPOINTED AS HEAD COACH
Rahul Dravid was appointed as the head coach of Team India (Senior) on November 3, 2021. He was unanimously chosen for the post by the Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Sulakshana Naik and RP S ingh.
The former India skipper will take charge of the Indian cricket team from the upcoming home T20 series against New Zealand.
The Indian team is currently in a state of transition with many youngsters coming in and they have all worked with Dravid, as he was the head coach of India Under 19 and India A side.
Rahul Dravid was appointed as the head of the National Cricket Academy in 2019, a position which he will leave before taking over as India’s head coach.
Before this, he was serving as the Head Coach for the India Under-19 and India A teams from 2016 to 2019.
Under his mentorship, the India under-19 team was runners-up at the 2016 under-19 Cricket World Cup and winners at the 2018 u-19 Cricket World Cup.
Known as 'The Wall' and Dependable, Dravid is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket.
The current Team India coach Ravi Shastri's contract ends with the T20 World Cup that is currently being held in Oman and UAE.
The BCCI board congratulated Shastri and other coaches, B. Arun (Bowling Coach), R. Sridhar (Fielding Coach) and Vikram Rathour (Batting Coach) for their successful tenure.
The board noted that under Shastri's tenure, Team India adopted a bold and fearless approach and performed creditably both in-home and away conditions and also climbed to the top position in the Test format and made it to the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in England.
DWAYNE BRAVO TO RETIRE FROM INT. CRICKET
The International Cricket Council informed on November 5, 2021 that West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has confirmed that he will retire at the end of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
The news comes after the West Indies were knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2021 after losing to Sri Lanka by 20 runs in the Super 12 Group stage, their third loss in the tournament. The defending champions are now out of contention for a semifinal spot.
Dwayne Bravo initial retirement and return
Dwayne Bravo had announced his retirement from Test cricket in January 2015. He had then announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket except franchise T20 cricket in October 2018. Since 2011, Bravo has been a part of the Chennai Super Kings IPL team.
He had later come out of international retirement in December 2019 ahead of the 2020 T20 World Cup. He was then named in the West Indies squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Dwayne John Bravo is a former Trinidadian cricketer and former captain of the West Indies cricket team.
The all-rounder is a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler. He is regarded as one of the best death bowlers in T20 Cricket.
Since his debut in 2004, Bravo has played 40 Tests, 164 ODIs and 66 Twenty20 Internationals for the West Indies. He had been an integral part of the West Indies team that had won the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup and 2016 ICC T20 World Cup.
In IPL, he was initially a part of the Mumbai Indians team for the first three seasons. He was picked up by CSK during the 2011 IPL auctions.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
WORLD TSUNAMI AWARENESS DAY: 5TH NOVEMBER
In December 2015, the United Nations (UN) selected 5 November as the World Tsunami Awareness Day to call on international bodies, civil society, and countries to raise awareness about the natural disaster.
The UN also wanted countries and other related bodies to share innovative approaches to risk reduction in the future.
For the unversed, this day is a brainchild of Japan. Over the years, Japan has developed major expertise on Tsunami early warning as well as public action due to the country’s sad and repeated experience with the disaster.
The word “tsunami” comes from the Japanese words "tsu" meaning (harbour) and "nami" meaning (wave).
It is a series of gigantic waves that are created by an underwater disturbance, generally associated with earthquakes. These underwater disturbances occur near or below the ocean.
The things that can generate a Tsunami are; submarine landslides, volcanic eruptions, coastal rock falls as well as a large asteroid impacting the ocean. Surprisingly, these huge tsunami waves look like walls of water that can be dangerous for hours. Also, the waves come every 5 to 60 minutes.
Most deadliest Tsunami ever:
As per a report by the UN, the worst Tsunami ever occurred was in December 2004 that took place in the Indian Ocean. It surpassed any other natural hazard that has occurred in the past 100 years.
During that Tsunami, nearly millions of deaths took place and 14 countries were badly affected by it. Among the many hit countries, the worst affected was Thailand. However, an estimate suggests that nearly 2,27,000 died alone in India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.
NATIONAL AYURVEDA DAY OBSERVED ON 2ND NOVEMBER
Every year since 2016, the National Ayurveda Day is observed on the occasion of Dhanwantri Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the Lord Dhanwantri which occurs on Dhanteras.
Lord Dhanwantri is believed to be the God of Ayurveda who bestowed the knowledge of Ayurveda to mankind.
This year, the National Ayurveda Day 2021 is being celebrated on November 2, 2021, to promote the Ayurvedic principles of wellness and healing.
On the occasion of 6th Ayurveda Day which is being celebrated on November 2, 2021, a report titled 'AYUSH Sector in India: Prospects and Challenges’ was released during the event Ayur-Udyam. The report highlighted that the AYUSH market size has crossed $18 billion and it is expected to reach $23.3 billion in 2022.
‘Ayurveda for Poshan’ is the theme of the 6th Ayurveda Day being celebrated on Dhanwantri Jayanti on November 2, 2021.
The first Ayurveda Day in India was celebrated on October 28, 2016, on the occasion of Dhanwantri Jayanti.
The Ministry of AYUSH decided to observe Dhanwantri Jayanti every year as the National Ayurveda Day as this day marks the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanwantri, the God of Ayurveda.
The AYUSH Ministry found the occasion of Dhanwantri Jayanti as a significant day to promote and globalize Ayurveda as one of the most ancient and holistic approaches to medicine across the world.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF RADIOLOGY: 8TH NOVEMBER
Every year on November 8, the world celebrates International Day of Radiology.
The purpose of the day is to raise public awareness of the importance of radiology in providing safe patient care and to improve public knowledge of the critical role that radiologists and radiographers play in the healthcare system.
Radiology is a medical specialty that involves the use of medical imaging to diagnose and treat diseases in both animals and humans.
To diagnose or treat diseases, a range of imaging techniques are utilized, including X-ray radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, including positron emission tomography (PET), fluoroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Interventional radiology is the practice of performing minimally invasive medical operations under the supervision of imaging techniques such as those listed above.
The discovery of x-rays by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895 is also commemorated on this day. The first World Radiology Day was held in the year 2012.
NATIONAL LEGAL SERVICES DAY: 9TH NOVEMBER
National Legal Services Day is marked across the country annually on 9 November.
The day is observed to commemorate the enactment of the Legal Services Authorities Act and to create awareness about the various provisions related to the act.
The Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted in 1987 to provide a “statutory base to legal aid programmes” in India on a uniform pattern, according to the website of the National Legal Services Authority of India (NALSA).
After a lot of deliberation and some amendments, the Legacy Services Authorities Act came into existence on 9 November 1995.
The purpose of the Act is to provide competent and free legal aid to people who belonged to marginalised socio-economic communities in the country. The Act also mentions the setting up of Lok Adalats for the settlement of disputes amicably.
Since then, the passing of the Act has been every year through awareness programmes and camps about the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act.
What does the Legal Services Authorities Act entail?
The Legal Services Authorities Act provides free legal aid to a person if any of the following criteria are met:
• They are a member of a Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe
• They are a woman, child, specially-abled or mentally challenged
• They have been a victim of human trafficking or beggar
• An industrial workman
• Have an annual income of less than Rs 9,000 or any such amount laid down by the government
• A victim of “a mass disaster, ethnic violence, caste atrocity”, natural or industrial disaster
• In custody, juvenile home or protective custody or in a psychiatric nursing home or hospital
The NALSA will bear the costs of filing or defending the case, as well as provide the person with counsel at the expense of the state.
Ayurveda comprises traditional and non-conventional systems of healthcare including diet, yoga, yogic breathing, herbal treatment, etc.
NATIONAL CANCER AWARENESS DAY: NOVEMBER 7TH
The National Cancer Awareness Day is observed annually in India on November 7, to spread awareness on cancer, its symptoms and treatment.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally.
In 2018, approximately 18 million cases were there globally, of which, 1.5 million were in India alone. In 2018, there were around 0.8 million cancer deaths in India against 9.5 million globally.
National Cancer Awareness Day 2021 History:
On 7 November 2014, Former Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan announced that seventh November will be celebrated as national Cancer awareness day every year to highlight the contributions of an eminent scientist who is important and a role model for all those who are fighting cancer.
WORLD URBANISM DAY OBSERVED ON 8TH NOVEMBER
The 8th of November is World Urbanism Day, often known as "World Town Planning Day."
Its goal is to acknowledge and promote the importance of planning in the development of livable communities.
World Urbanism Day is an occasion to examine planning from a global perspective in order to raise awareness of the environmental consequences of urban and territorial development.
The International Society of City and Regional Planners hosts WUD (ISOCARP).
Professor Carlos Maria della Paolera of the University of Buenos Aires inaugurated the day in 1949 to promote public and professional interest in planning. ISOCARP was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.
REPORTS AND INDEXES
EDELGIVE HURUN INDIA PHILANTHROPY LIST 2021
The Edelgive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2021 was jointly released by Hurun India and EdelGive.
Azim Premji, the founder and chairman of Wipro, topped the list with a donation of Rs 9,713 crore in fiscal 2020-21, or roughly Rs 27 crore each day.
Shiv Nadar of HCL held second place on the list with a 59 percent increase in annual donations to Rs 1,263 crore.
With an annual donation of Rs 577 crore, Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, and his family came in third on the philanthropy list.
Despite the cut-off being up 54 percent this year, according to Hurun India and EdelGive, there is only one new face in the India Top 10 this year.
After five years, three persons remain in the India Top 10, led by Shiv Nadar and followed by Mukesh Ambani and Bajaj & family.
Top 5 Philanthropists In the List
• Azim Premji
• Shiv Nadar
• Mukesh Ambani
• Kumar Mangalam Birla
• Bajaj & Family
NATIONAL LOGISTICS INDEX - LEADS 2021
Gujarat ranked 1st among 21 states on the national logistics index 2021 chart for its ‘well-developed infrastructure and services driven by a responsive government’.
The logistics index chart released on November 8, 2021, in the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2021 report by commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal assessed the logistics efficiency of states in 2021. Gujarat was ranked number one in the LEADS 2019 index as well.
There was no ranking in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The top ten states in the LEADS 2021 report are Gujarat followed by Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Uttar Pradesh jumped seven places to rank 6th in LEADS 2021 compared to its 13th position in LEADS 2018 report.
In the North-Eastern States and Himalayan Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir ranked at the top.
Gujarat again ranked 1st in the LEADS 2021 Index among 21 states for its ‘proactive policies, well-developed infrastructure and services driven by a responsive government’. Gujarat retained its top position in the 3rd edition of the national logistics index similar to the previous two rankings in 2018 and 2019.
Gujarat retains its top position for its logistics efficiency due to its integrated logistics policy and a logistics park policy, creation of institutional framework up till the city level, and creation of suitable port-related infrastructure.
Gujarat has ranked on top over 20 other states in indicators such as quality and availability of infrastructure, ease of obtaining all approvals, the extent of facilitation, implementation of LEADS 2019 recommendations such as introducing faceless services in license renewals, widening of roads, expansion of warehousing, etc.
Haryana ranked 2nd in the LEADS 2021 Index due to its timeliness of cargo delivery during transportation, quality of warehousing, the efficiency of regulatory services, operating and regulatory environment. Haryana has gained four places to reach the No. 2 rank compared to its No.6 rank in the LEADS 2021 report.
Punjab ranked 3rd in the LEADS 2021 Index for its proactive policies including fiscal incentives under the Ind
What is the LEADS Index?
The Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Index was launched in 2018 by the Commerce and Industry Ministry and Deloitte.
The LEADS Index ranks states on the score of their logistics services and efficiency that are indicative of economic growth.
The LEADS 2018 looked into import-export trade and assessed the efficiency of the logistics ecosystem in each state and UT. The LEADS 2019 looked into domestic and international trade. The LEADS 2021 assessed the domestic and EXIM logistics ecosystem of each state.
The LEADS 2021 survey was conducted between May to August 2021 that included 21 indicators, 17 perception indicators, and 4 objective indicators.
The ranking parameters of each state on the LEADS 2021 Index were based on the availability of logistics infrastructure, timeliness, the competitiveness of pricing, and services. The LEADS Index aims to push states into adopting policies that improve their logistics infrastructure.
6TH EDITION OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS INDEX (PAI 2021)
According to the 6th edition of the Public Affairs Index (PAI 2021) report by the Public Affairs Centre (PAC), a Bengaluru- based non-profit think tank, the top three slots have been taken by Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana among 18 large states.
PAI 2021 highlights the state government’s quality governance and especially the state’s government involvement over the curb of Covid-19.
Toppers among large states
• Kerala (1.618)
• Tamil Nadu (0.857)
• Telangana (0.891)
Toppers among small states
• Sikkim (1.617)
• Meghalaya (1.144)
• Mizoram (1.123)
Toppers among Union Territories
• Puducherry (1.182)
• Jammu and Kashmir (0.705)
• Chandigarh (0.628)
Public Affairs Index (PAI 2021) ranks the states and Union Territories based on three pillars of equity, growth and sustainability along with 5 themes, 14 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 43 indicators.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
WANG YAPING: 1ST CHINESE WOMAN TO WALK INTO SPACE
Wang Yaping, a Chinese astronaut, has become the first Chinese woman to walk in space.
Wang Yaping's team performed a six-hour trip outside Tiangong space station as part of ongoing construction.
On November 7, 2021, Wang and her colleague Zhai Zhigang left Tiangong. They added a suspension system as well as transfer connectors.
This was the Shenzhou-13 crew's first extravehicular activity. They will stay on board the space station for six months.
Tiangong, which translates to "heavenly palace," is China's most recent success in its quest to become a significant space force. China has sent multiple missions to the Moon and has landed a rover on Mars. The Tiangong's core module was launched into orbit in 2021.
By 2022, this station should be operating. Tiangong is projected to be operational for around 10 years.
The crew set up equipment and test technology in preparation for future construction. Zhai, the mission commander, is a veteran fighter pilot who made China's first spacewalk in 2008.
China is building Tiangong, a space station in low Earth orbit. It is being built between 340 and 450 kilometres above sea level. It is the first long-term space station built by China. On April 29, 2021, the first module, Tianhe core module, was released.
WORLD'S FIRST EARTH SCIENCE SATELLITE: GUANGMU
China has launched the world’s first Earth-science satellite, Guangmu or SDGSAT-1 into space from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in the northern Shanxi Province.
The satellite was launched by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and developed by the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS).
About the Guangmu: Guangmu was launched by a Long March-6 carrier rocket which is the 395th flight mission.
SDGSAT-1 is the first satellite customized according to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which was adopted in 2015 with 17 SDGs for peace and prosperity.
MISCELLANEOUS
1ST STATE TO PASS WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN: MAHARASHTRA
The government of Maharashtra approved its own Wildlife Action Plan 2021-2030.
The Wildlife Action Plan was passed during the 17th meeting of the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL). Wildlife Action Plan (2021-2030) will be implemented over the next 10 years.
Maharashtra became India's first state to pass its own Wildlife Action Plan.
The board has also approved the extension of the boundary of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in the Chandrapur district of the Vidarbha region.
It will be extended around 79 sq km. The plan has suggested uniting climate change adaptation in wildlife conservation.
It aims to develop a Climate Action Plan for the state's Coastal Region in sync with the 'State Climate Change Action Plan' with particular emphasis on 'Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and 'Disaster Risk Reduction (DDR).
COVAXIN GETS MUCH AWAITED WHO APPROVAL
The World Health Organisation (WHO) granted its much-awaited Emergency Use Listing (EUL) to India's first indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin.
The vaccine has now been added to the growing portfolio of vaccines that have received a go-ahead from WHO for emergency use against COVID-19.
The WHO EUL Listing will now enable Covaxin to get emergency use approval in other countries as well that haven't yet given it a go-ahead.The countries will now be able to expedite their regulatory approval processes to import and administer Covaxin.
This also means that UNICEF, GAVI COVAX facility, Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), will be able to procure Covaxin for distribution to countries worldwide.
Covaxin has shown 77.8 percent efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 and 65.2 percent efficacy against the new Delta variant.
Bharat Biotech has concluded the final analysis of the protection offered by Covaxin against the COVID-19 virus from its Phase 3 trials.
The Covaxin data was reviewed by WHO's Technical Advisory Group and Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE).
The strategic advisory group recommended the use of the vaccine in two doses, with a dose interval of four weeks, in all age groups 18 and above.
The WHO approval finally came through upon the recommendation of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for Emergency Use Listing (TAG-EUL).
The group determined that the Covaxin vaccine meets WHO standards for protection against COVID and that the benefit of the vaccine far outweighs risks and the vaccine can be used across the world.
The Technical Advisory Group is an independent advisory panel that was convened by WHO to provide recommendations on whether the COVID vaccine should be listed for emergency use under the EUL procedure. The advisory group is made up of regulatory experts from around the world.
WORLD'S 1ST ORAL PILL TO TREAT COVID-19
Recently, it is claimed that Molnupiravir, an oral drug, can cut the risk of hospitalisation in Covid-19 patients by half, in phase 3 trials.
In India, the Optimus Group recently announced the results of phase 3 clinical trials, which found 91.5% of patients given the drug tested RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) negative.
Molnupiravir: It belongs to a class of broad spectrum antiviral drugs called nucleoside analogues.
They act by interfering with the function of viral RNA (Ribonucleic Acids) polymerases – which are enzymes that make new viral RNA in infected cells.
RNA is a polymer of ribonucleotides and an important biological macromolecule that is present in all biological cells.
It is principally involved in the synthesis of proteins, carrying the messenger instructions from Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which itself contains the genetic instructions required for the development and maintenance of life.
It works by causing viruses to make errors when copying their own RNA, introducing mutations that inhibit replication. It was initially invented as a drug for the influenza virus.
Mechanism: These drugs work by preventing the process of replication of the virus inside human cells.
A virus is a biological agent that can self-replicate inside a host cell. The infected cells by viruses may produce thousands of new copies of the original virus at an extraordinary rate. It alters critical enzymes that were necessary to the virus for replicating in the human body cells.
SM Current Affairs NOVEMBER 2021 Set 01, 02, 03 - CLICK HERE
