Daily Current Affairs and GK | 19 November 2022

Topic: Sports

1. India won 25 out of 28 golds at the 15^th Asian Airgun Championships in South Korea.

• India total won 38 medals including 25 Gold, 9 silver, and 4 bronze at the 15^th Asian Airgun Championships.
• Indian Pair of Manu Bhaker and Samrat Rana won the 10-meter Junior Air Pistol Mixed Team event.
• The Indian pair of Rhythm Sangwan and Vijayveer Sidhu won gold in the senior event.
• Indian contingents, consisting of 36 shooters took part in the tournament.
• The 15th Asian Airgun Championship was held in Daegu, Korea November 9-19, 2022.
• The Korea Shooting Federation has organized the event at the Daegu International Shooting Range.
• This was the first Rifle/Pistol Asian Shooting Confederation Championship that will be counted for the new Asian Ranking System.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

2. Domestic LPG cylinders will soon come up with QR codes.

• Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) cylinders will soon come with QR codes.
• This initiative will help combat theft issues and provide security to cylinders. It will also help in resolving tracking and tracing issues.
• 20,000 LPG cylinders of the first batch have been issued with the code.
• The code-based LPG cylinders will ensure better inventory management of the cylinders.
• QR (Quick Response) codes will contain details about the cylinder and are machine-readable.
• All domestic LPG cylinders will have QR codes in the next three to six months.
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas:
  • It is a liquid mixture of the volatile hydrocarbons propene, propane, and butane.
  • It is obtained by refining crude oil or processing natural gas.
  • It is a non-renewable source of energy.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

3. National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) signed an MoU with the 1 Million For 1 Billion Foundation (1M1B).

• The MoU has been signed to conduct training and capacity-building programs for teachers and students of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs stated the program will also teach teachers and students Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) skills using CBSE's AR-VR skills curriculum.
• The program has been implemented on a pilot basis in EMRS of Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.
• The Ministry stated its a social innovation and future skills program connected with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The MoU was signed on November 7 at the NESTS headquarters in New Delhi.
• NESTS is an autonomous organization established under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• 1 Million For 1 Billion (1M1B) is a Bengaluru-based Not For Profit Company recognized by the United Nations. It is headquartered in Bangalore.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

4. Geo Smart India 2022 Summit was inaugurated by Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

• It was organized from 15 to 17 November in Hyderabad.
• The three-day summit is attended by around 2500 delegates from around 500 government, and private organizations working on geospatial technology and so on.
• Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the country is leading a new wave of socio-economic prosperity driven by cutting-edge technology and innovation.
• He said that the country is moving towards an era of sustainable development from the grassroots level. It aims to eradicate poverty, combat climate change, and improve business and living standards.
• Geospatial information has emerged as a major tool for development in the country.
• The government has recently issued guidelines to pave the way for the use of geospatial data in various sectors of the economy.

Topic: National Appointments

5. Arun Kumar Singh will be appointed as the next ONGC chairman.

• He retired from BPCL after attaining the superannuation age last month.
• It will be the first time that a person above the age of 60 will hold the top PSU board-level post.
• He was selected by a search-cum-selection committee constituted by the oil ministry.
• Singh will lead the ONGC for three years.
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is without a regular CMD since April 2021.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

6. India and Australia hold the 5th Bilateral Cyber Policy Dialogue in New Delhi on 17 November.

• The Dialogue was held under the aegis of the India-Australia Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber-Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation and Action Plan 2020-2025 for Comprehensive and Deeper Cyber Cooperation.
• The dialogue was co-chaired by Muanpui Sayawi, Joint Secretary (Cyber Diplomacy Division), Ministry of External Affairs.
• The Indian delegation included senior officials from the National Security Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, etc.
• At this dialogue, discussions were held related to strategic priorities, cyber threat assessment, next-generation telecommunications (including 5G technology), the United Nations' most recent cyber developments, etc.      
• Australia and India agreed to look into expanding their partnership with the private sector and academia.
• Both countries will jointly organize cyber boot camps, and exchange cyber and tech policy in collaboration with Indo-Pacific partners.

Topic: Important Days

7. World Toilet Day: 19 November

• World Toilet Day is celebrated annually since 2013.
• It raises awareness about the 3.6 billion people living without access to safely managed sanitation.
• This year, the theme of World Toilet Day is 'Making the Invisible Visible'.
• UN General Assembly adopted World Toilet Day on 24 July 2013.
• Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) organised the 'Swachhta Run' across rural India on 19 November to mark World Toilet Day.
• Ministry of Jal Shakti has directed states and union territories to conduct the Swachhta Run at the Gram Panchayat level.
• Related SDG: Sustainable Development Goal 6 (sanitation and water for all by 2030).

Topic: Defence

8. INS Trikand took part in Combined Maritime Forces led Focused Operation “Sea Sword 2”.

• INS Trikand took part in Sea Sword 2 in the Northwest Arabian Sea to counter terrorism, prevent narcotics trade and stop smuggling.
• Operation “Sea Sword 2” was organized from November 6-14, 2022.
• Earlier, the 26th edition of the multinational maritime exercise “MALABAR 22” ended in the seas off Japan on November 15.
• This edition was hosted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. It marked the 30th anniversary of the exercise.
• INS Trikand (F51):
  • INS Trikand is a Talwar-class frigate of the Indian Navy.
  • INS Trikand was built by the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.
  • INS Trikand was commissioned into the Indian Navy service on 29 June 2013.

Topic: Indian Economy

9. India's foreign exchange reserves gained their biggest weekly rise in the last 1 year.

• The foreign exchange reserve of India has risen by 14.72 billion dollars to 544.715 billion dollars.
• India's foreign exchange recorded its biggest weekly rise in the week that ended on 11 November.
• For the week ending October 28, the foreign exchange reserves had jumped 6.56 billion dollars to 531.08 billion dollars.
• The sharp increase is primarily due to an increase of $11.8 billion in the central bank’s foreign currency assets.
• The main reason for the increase in foreign exchange reserves is the weakening of the US dollar and purchases of dollars in the spot market by the central bank.
• Due to the softening of the prices of global crude and commodities the demand for the dollar has decreased.
• The rupee climbed 2.3% between October 21 and November 11.
• To ensure the rupee's stability, RBI sold a net of $10.3 billion in the spot market and another $9.7 billion in the forwards market in September.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

10. RINL won prestigious gold awards at the International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC).

• Three lean quality circle (LQC) teams from RINL's Visakhapatnam steel plant have bagged the "Gold Awards" at ICQCC-2022.
• The International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC-2022) was organized in Jakarta, Indonesia, from November 15–18, 2022.
• It has been organized by the Indonesia Quality Management Association (IQMA).
• It was organized under the "Building back better through quality efforts" theme.
• Teams of RINL presented their case studies in the competition conducted during the convention.
• The QC team "PROXY TECH" of the BF department bagged an "Excellence" award.
• Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) is a navratna PSU under the Ministry of Steel. It runs the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

Topic: National News

11. PM Modi will visit Arunachal Pradesh and UP to inaugurate Itanagar Airport & ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ on November 19.

• He will inaugurate Arunachal Pradesh's first greenfield airport - Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar- to enhance connectivity in the Northeast region.      
• The airport's name shows the ancient indigenous regard to the Sun ('Donyi') and Moon ('Polo') in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The cost of development of the airport is 640 crores. It has a runway of 2300 meters and is well suited for all weather day operations.
• PM Modi will also dedicate 600 MW Kameng Hydro Power Station to the nation developed at a cost of more than Rs 8450 crores.
• The aim of this project is to transform Arunachal Pradesh into a power surplus state.
• In Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, a month-long programme, "Kashi Tamil Sangamam" will also be inaugurated by the PM Modi. 
• The aim of this event is to celebrate and reaffirm the ancient links between Kashi and Tamil Nadu.
• The program is being implemented by IIT Madras and BHU.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

12. India has raised livelihood issues associated with the use of Boswellia serrata oleo-resin.

• On November 16, India raised this issue at the ongoing Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP19).
• In its submissions to the plant committee, India emphasized that any consideration of a genus-level listing for Boswellia is premature and should not be considered.
• Indian representatives stated that tree is abundant and well-maintained in India and Indian species of the tree does not require listings in any of the CITES Appendix.
• He said that people in rural areas and tribal communities depend on Boswellia for livelihood.
• Boswellia Serrata oleo-resin:
  • Boswellia serrata oleo-resin trees are commonly referred to as Indian frankincense trees.
  • These are found in the dry regions of India, Nigeria, Yemen, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Pakistan and are members of the Burseraceae family.
  • The tree is commercially important as its highly precious oleo gum resin is used to make essential oil.
  • This essential oil is utilised in the food, flavour, and perfume industries.
• Significance of CITES listing:
  • It helps prevent the loss of biodiversity, regulates trade in wildlife, conserve wildlife and ensures that species survive in the wild.
  • It also makes sure that the local communities and indigenous peoples who depend on these species can prosper, have their livelihoods, and contribute to the economy.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

13. India has received the Leadership in Family Planning (EXCELL) Awards-2022 at ICFP 2022 held in Pattaya city, Thailand.

• India is the only country to have conferred the award in the 'country category' at the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP).
• The award applauds India’s achievements in ensuring increased access and adoption of modern contraceptive methods.
• It also applauds India’s achievements in significantly reducing unmet needs for family planning.
• As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS) – 5 data, the overall Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) has increased substantially from 54% to 67% in the country.
• Unmet needs of family planning have also significantly declined from 13% to 9%.
• The total 'demand satisfied' for family planning among currently married women of 15-49 years of age has increased from 66% in 2015-16 to 76% in 2019-21.
• This has reached beyond the SDG target of 75 set globally for 2030.
• Mission Parivar Vikas is the government’s flagship programme to reduce unmet needs in family planning.
• It has been launched for increasing access to contraceptives and family planning services in146 high fertility districts with Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 3 and above in seven high focus states.
• Sixth International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) was held in Thailand from 14-17 November 2022.
• ICFP is the world’s largest scientific conference on family planning and reproductive health.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Personality in News

14. Lance Naik Manju became the first woman soldier skydiver of the Indian Army.

• She jumped from a height of 10,000 ft on 15^th November 2022.
• She jumped off from Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv chopper.
• She belonged to the Eastern Command of the corps of Military Police.
• Skydiving training team of the Indian Army’s Adventure Wing trained her for the jump.
• Army Adventure Wing is part of the Indian Army under the Director General of Military training. It plans, coordinates and promotes adventure activities of the Indian Army.
• In May 2022, Captain Abhilasha Barak became the first woman officer to join the Army Aviation Corps as Combat Aviator.
• Last year, Mawya Sudan became first woman from J&K to become Indian Air Force's fighter pilot.