Daily Current Affairs and GK | 7 November 2023

Topic: Defence

1. Sweden's Saab has become the first foreign company to bag 100% FDI in India's defence projects.

• Currently, India allows only 74% FDI in the defence sector under the automatic route.
• After that, clearance can be obtained on a case-by-case basis. The rules for clearance were relaxed in 2015.
• Saab has set up a new company – Saab FFV India to make the new generation of the Cal-Gustaf M4 system.
• A new facility to manufacture shoulder-fired rockets will be set up by Saab in Haryana.
• It will be the first time that Saab will manufacture shoulder-fired rockets outside Sweden.
• The shoulder-fired rockets are already in extensive use by the Indian armed forces.
• A Rs 500 crore proposal from Saab was cleared in October.
• In 2016, a French company DCNS sought approval for 100% FDI to set up an Indian subsidiary but it could not get the required permissions.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

2. Kerala received the Global Responsible Tourism Award 2023.

• For promoting sustainable and women-inclusive initiatives, Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission received the Global Responsible Tourism Award 2023.
• Kerala received the award in the 'Best for Local Sourcing - Craft and Food' category.
• The Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission has been selected for this award along with Eswatini, a landlocked country in southern Africa.
• The Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission is implementing women-friendly tourism projects with the help of the UN.
• The Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission received the Responsible Tourism Global Award for the second time.
• Global Responsible Tourism Award:
  • It was instituted by the Responsible Tourism Partnership and the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT).
  • It is being given in six categories.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. 3-day Women for Water, Water for Women Campaign launched by the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry.

• On 7 November, the Ministry has launched this campaign to celebrate Jal Diwali.
• The Ministry has launched this progressive initiative under its flagship scheme – Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
• The National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) of the Ministry is also participating in this scheme.
• Odisha Urban Academy is its ‘knowledge partner’.
• The celebration of this “Jal Diwali” campaign will continue till November 9, 2023.
• Under this three-day campaign, women self-help groups will visit more than five hundred and fifty water treatment plants.
• Its objective is to involve women in water management.
• They will be provided with first-hand information about water treatment processes through visits to Water Treatment Plants (WTP) in their respective cities.
• There are more than 3,000 water treatment plants in India, with a constructed water treatment capacity of more than 65,000 MLD and an operational capacity of more than 55,000 MLD.
• During this campaign, women self-help groups (SHGs) will visit more than 550 water treatment plants, whose combined operational capacity is more than 20,000 MLD (more than 35% of the total capacity of the country).
• The first phase of the campaign “Jal Diwali” will see participation from all States/UTs (except 5 States under the Model Code of Conduct) with the expected participation of more than 15,000 Self-Help Group women nationwide.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Art and Culture

4. 54th International Film Festival of India will be held in Goa from 20 to 28 November.

• On 6 November, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Shri Anurag Thakur announced this.
• On this occasion, Shri Thakur said that the world ranking of India's market is at number 5, which shows the strength of India's media and entertainment industry.
• This market is growing every year with an average annual growth of 20% in the last three years.
• Films made in India have spread to every corner of the country and are now reaching far-flung places of the world.
• This year the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to the shining star of world cinema, Mr. Michael Douglas.
• Over 270 films will be screened across four venues during the festival – INOX Panjim (4), Maquinez Palace (1), INOX Porvorim (4), Jade Square Samrat Ashoka (2).
• The 'International Section' of the 54th IFFI will have 198 films. This time there are 18 more films in this category compared to the 53rd IFFI.
• The 'Indian Panorama' section will showcase 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films from India. The opening film in the feature section is the Malayalam film, Attam, and in the non-feature section is Andro Dreams from Manipur.
• The Best Web Series (OTT) Award has been started this year.
• 32 entries were received from 15 OTT platforms in 10 languages. The winner will receive a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh as prize money.
• The International Film Category of this year's IFFI will have eight curated sections:
  • Opening Film: Catching Dust
  • Mid-Fest Film: About Dry Grasses
  • Closing Film: The Featherweight
  • International Competition Section
  • Best Feature Film Debut Director
  • International Jury
  • Festival Kaleidoscope
  • Cinema of the World

Topic: Sports

5. All-rounder of Sri Lankan team Angelo Mathews became the first batsman to be timed out in international cricket.

• During the World Cup 2023 group match against Bangladesh, Angelo Mathews created an unwanted record by becoming the first batsman to be timed out in the history of international cricket.
• When Mathews came out to bat, the strap of his helmet broke and the Sri Lankan all-rounder wanted to replace it.
• While he was waiting for the replacement of his helmet, Bangladesh captain Shakib filed an appeal and Mathews was given out.
• As per the ICC World Cup 2023 playing conditions, after the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must face their next ball within 2 minutes.
• If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, timing out.

Topic: Meetings/Conferences/ Meetings

6. Workshop on Transformative Technologies to Drive Development, Growth, and Innovation through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPIs) organized.

• NITI Aayog organized it on 5 November 2023 in New Delhi.
• This will be the fourth workshop in a series of G20 feeder thematic workshops being organized on the 10 themes discussed in the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration (NDLD).
• This workshop has been jointly organized with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• This workshop will seek to bring together to identify the way forward and the resources required to achieve the objectives and outcomes outlined in the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration.
• This workshop endeavored to bring together various views from experts, entrepreneurs, innovators, academia, representatives of think tanks, and government in the DPI space.
• The workshop identified the way forward and the resources required to achieve the objectives and outcomes outlined in the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration.
• This workshop was divided into the following four sections.
  • Digital Identities for Empowering People
  • Payments: Fuelling the Digital Economy
  • Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA)
  • Unlocking Opportunities: The Power of Open Networks

Topic: International News

7. Chile has become the 95th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

• It handed over the instrument of ISA ratification during the meeting of Ambassador Juan Angulo of Chile with the Joint Secretary (Economic Diplomacy) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
• The meeting was held in New Delhi on 06 November 2023.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA) was co-founded by India and France.
• India and France jointly launched the International Solar Alliance (ISA) on 30 November 2015 at COP21 in Paris, France.
• ISA is an intergovernmental organization whose headquarters is located in Gurugram, Haryana.
• Presently, 116 countries are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement.
• Out of these, 95 countries have submitted the necessary instruments of ratification to become full members of the ISA.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

8. IIT-Kanpur is prepared to use artificial rain to tackle air pollution in the Delhi-NCR.

• It proposes to use artificial rain through cloud seeding to clear pollutants and dust from the air.
• A number of permissions and particular climatic conditions are needed for cloud seeding and producing artificial rain.
• IIT-Kanpur has been working on creating needed conditions for artificial rains for over five years. It carried out successful trials in July.
• The researchers have got permission from government authorities, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), for cloud seeding.
• Artificial rains require specific meteorological conditions, such as the presence of clouds with adequate moisture and suitable winds.
• It remains to be seen whether cloud seeding and creating artificial rain can work in pre-winter months.
• Delhi's air quality entered the 'severe plus' category for the 2nd time in three days.
• Silver iodide, potassium iodide and dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) are the most common chemicals used for cloud seeding.
• Liquid propane has also been used. The use of hygroscopic materials—like table salt—popularity is growing.

Topic: India and its Neighbourhood

9. India and Bhutan discussed new routes of regional connectivity.

• India and Bhutan agreed to upgrade border and immigration posts and discussed new routes of regional connectivity.
• Both sides agreed to explore a second rail link for about 18 km between Samtse in Bhutan and Banarhat in West Bengal.
• Bhutan is also planning to build an international airport at Gelephu as part of the Sarpang district Special Economic Zone.
• India also agreed to allow Bhutanese trade items to be carried further on from Haldibari in West Bengal to Chilahati in Bangladesh.
• India and Bhutan agreed to designate the Darranga-Samdrup Jongkhar border crossing.
• Both sides agreed to strengthen trade infrastructure with the upgradation of an existing land customs station at Dadgiri to a modernised “Integrated Check Post” (ICP).
• Bhutan is planning to develop a smart city at Gelephu on the border between Bhutan and Assam.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

10. GRAP-IV restrictions have been imposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the entire NCR.

• To prevent further deterioration of air quality, Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been imposed in the entire NCR region.
• An 8-point action plan has become applicable with immediate effect in the entire NCR.
• As per the 8-point action plan, entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services and all LNG/ CNG/ electric trucks) has been restricted.
• Diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), except carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services, have been banned.
• Physical classes for students of classes VI-IX and class XI have been stopped.
• Public, municipal, and private offices have been allowed to work with 50 per cent strength and the rest to work from home.
• Only CNG, electric, and BS VI vehicles from other states will be allowed in Delhi.
• Delhi government imposed the Odd-even scheme from 13th -20th November.
• Private vehicles with licence plates ending in odd numbers will be allowed to run on odd-numbered dates, while even-numbered vehicles can run on even dates.

Topic: Indian Economy

11. India's mid-term GDP growth forecast upgraded by Fitch to 6.2% from 5.5%.

• On November 6, rating agency Fitch raised India's gross domestic product (GDP) medium-term growth forecast by 70 basis points to 6.2%, from 5.5% earlier.
• This cut is mainly due to a large reduction in the estimate of China's supply-side growth potential by 0.7 percentage points.
• The agency said in its report that the potential growth of the emerging market has weakened due to China's slow pace.
• China's medium-term growth forecast has been reduced from 5.3% to 4.6%.
• Fitch has said that India's growth rate for 2023-24 is expected to be 6.3%.
• The forecast for Russia has been reduced from 1.6% to 0.8%, for Korea from 2.3% to 2.1% and for South Africa from 1.2% to 1%.

Topic: Important Days

12. National Cancer Awareness Day 2023: 07 November

• Every year on 7th November, National Cancer Awareness Day is observed.
• It is observed to promote awareness about the diagnosis, treatment, and early detection of cancer.
• National Cancer Awareness Day is being celebrated every year on 7 November since 2014 in India.
• It is observed on 7th November coinciding with the birth anniversary of scientist Madame Curie.
• In India, nearly 1.1 million new cases of cancer are reported annually.
• The main reasons for the late detection of 50% of cancers are illiteracy, lack of awareness, fear, and stigma.
• In India, 70% of cancers (40% tobacco related, 20% infection related and 10% others) are caused by potentially modifiable and preventable risk factors.
• World Cancer Day is celebrated on 4 February.

Topic: National Appointments

13. Heeralal Samariya has been appointed as Chief information commissioner.

• President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of Heeralal Samariya as Chief Information Commissioner.
• Heeralal Samariya was currently serving as the Information Commissioner in the Central Information Commission.
• He was appointed as an information commissioner on November 7, 2020. He is a 1985 batch officer of the Telangana cadre.
• Currently, there are two information commissioners while eight information commissioners’ post is vacant.
• Central Information Commission:
  • As per the RTI Act, there should be a Central Information Commission (CIC) at the central level and state information commissions (SICs) in each state.
  • Each Commission consists of the CIC and information commissioners. It can have a maximum of 11 members.
  • The Chief Information Commissioner heads the Central Information Commission.
  • The Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners hold office for the term prescribed by the Central Government or till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
  • The Chief information commissioner is appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the prime minister, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a Union cabinet minister nominated by the Prime minister.

Topic: Defence

14. Maternity and Childcare leave for women soldiers, sailors, and air warriors on par with officer counterparts has been approved by the Defence Ministry.

• A proposal to grant maternity, child care and child adoption leave to women soldiers, sailors and air warriors on par with their officer counterparts has been approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
• The grant of such leaves will be equally applicable to all women in the Army, whether officers or any other rank.
• This decision has been taken in line with the government’s vision of inclusive participation of all women in the Armed Forces.
• The extension of leave rules will help in resolving women-specific family and social issues relevant to the Armed Forces. 
• It will also improve the working conditions of women in the military and help in creating a balance between professional and family life.
• At present, Women officers in the three services are eligible for 180 days of maternity leave.
• Women officers who adopt a child below the age of one year are also eligible for 180 days.
• Permanent commission women officers are eligible for 360 days of childcare leave. Short Service Commission women officers are eligible for 180 days of leave.