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NOVEMBER-2017

Vaid’s ICS Lucknow B-36, Sector –C, Aliganj, Lucknow Mob: 9415011892/93, 8765163028 website: www.vaidicslucknow.com

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Content

Pages 1. National Events 3 2. International Events 7 3. Economy 11 4. Science & Technology 14 5. Treaty & Agreements 16 6. Planning & Project 19 7. Conference 20 8. Sports 23 9. Awards & Honours 26 10. Persons in news 28 11. Places in news 29 12. Commissions & Committee 31 13. Operations & Campaign 32 14. Associations & Organizations 33 15. Law & Justice 34 16. Year, Day & Week 35 16. Miscellaneous 38

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• In the year 2014, 14.5 percent of the total NATIONAL EVENTS cases of crimes against women (49,262 cases) were held in Uttar Pradesh. After this, West Crime in India 2016- Statistics Bengal is at second with 9.6 percent (32,513) th • On November 30 , 2017, Union Home cases. Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh released the • Rape incidents rose 12.4 percent in the year ‘Crime in India – 2016’ published by the 2016 compared to year 2015. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), • According to the Reports, the highest rape Ministry of Home Affairs. cases took place in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar • It is for the first time, for 19 Metropolitan Pradesh. cities (having population above 2 million) also, • Out of total incidents, 12.5 percent were in chapters on “Violent Crimes”,” Crime Against Madhya Pradesh, 12.4 percent in UP and 10.7 Women”,” Crime Against Children”, “Juveniles percent in Maharashtra. in conflict with law”, “Crime Against SC/STs”, “Economic Crimes”,” Cyber Crimes”,” Crime Cabinet approves setting up of Against Senior Citizens” and “Disposal of National Nutrition Mission Cases by Police and Court” have been included th • On November 30 , 2017, Union Cabinet in the report. chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi • In addition to first time Statistics on the yesterday has approved setting up of National seizures of Arms, Ammunitions, Drugs and Nutrition Mission (NNM). Currency by CAPFs/CPOs (Assam Rifles, CISF, • The mission is commencing from 2017-18 BSF, CRPF, NIA and SSB). with a three year budget of Rs.9046.17 crore. • Murder cases in the country have shown • The NNM, as an apex body, will monitor, declining trends during the last three years. supervise, fix targets and guide the nutrition Murder cases decreased by 5.2% in 2015-16, related interventions across the Ministries. from 32,127 cases in 2015 to 30,450 cases in • The proposal consists of 2016. • Mapping of various Schemes contributing • For States perspective, Uttar Pradesh towards addressing malnutrition accounted for 9.5% of total IPC crime reported • Introducing a very robust convergence in the mechanism • The highest cases of crime were registered • ICT based Real Time Monitoring system in Uttar Pradesh followed by followed by • Incentivizing States/UTs for meeting the Madhya Pradesh (8.9%), Maharashtra (8.8%) targets and Kerala (8.7). • Incentivizing Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) • Cases under ‘Crime Against Women’ have for using IT based tools reported a marginal decrease in the year 2016 • Eliminating registers used by AWWs (3,38,954) compared to the year 2014 • Introducing measurement of height of (3,39,457), however for 2016, it is a marginal children at the Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) increase compared to 2015 (3,29,243). Social Audits • Delhi City accounted for 38.8% of total IPC • Setting-up Nutrition Resource Centres, crime reported in the cities followed by involving masses through Jan Andolan for their Bengaluru (8.9%) and Mumbai (7.7%). participation on nutrition through various • According to the report, the incidents of activities, among others. murder were highest in Uttar Pradesh. • This program will take measures to reduce • 4,889 cases of murder were reported here, the level of weight loss of children, short which is 16.1 percent of the total cases. nutrition, deficiency of blood and at the time of • After this, the maximum 2,581 (8.4%) birth, through targets. incidents of murder were registered in Bihar.

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• More than 10 crore people will be benefitted him’. This film is based on an episode of by this programme.All the States and districts Gurudev Ravindra Nath Tagore’s life. will be covered in a phased manner i.e. 315 • The Golden Peacock Award for Best Film of districts in 2017-18, 235 districts in 2018-19 and this Festival was awarded to the film directed by remaining districts in 2019-20. Moroccan-born film director Sebile Campello, • An amount of 9046.17 crore will be ‘120 Bits per Minutes’. expended for three years commencing from • This film is made on the backdrop of the 2017-18. homosexuality and AIDS epidemic spread in • This will be funded by Government France in the 1990s. Its world premiere was held Budgetary Support (50%) and 50% by IBRD or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. other MDB. Government budgetary support • China’s director Vivian Qu won the best would be 60:40 between Centre and States/UTs, director award for her film ‘Angels wear White’. 90:10 for NER and Himalayan States and 100% • Best Actor Male Award was awarded to for UTs without legislature. Nahuel Perez Biscayart for his film ‘120 Bits • Total Government of India share over a ‘Per Minute. period of three years would be Rs. 2849.54 • Parvathy Thiruvoth Kottuvatta was given the crore. Best Actress Award for her Malayalam film • NNM targets to reduce stunting, under- ‘Take-Off’. nutrition, anemia (among young children, • Famous actor Amitabh Bachchan was women and adolescent girls) and reduce low awarded the Best Indian Film Personality of the birth weight by 2%, 2%, 3% and 2% per annum Year for his contribution to Indian cinema. respectively. • In the 48th IFFI, Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan was awarded the Lifetime Achievement 48th International Film Festival of Award. India-2017 • Marathi film ‘Kshitij- A Horizon’ was th th • During 20 -28 November, 2017, India’s awarded the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal. 48th International Film Festival of India was • In this festival world’s first 3D film in the held in Panaji, Goa. Sanskrit language, ‘Anurakti’ was performed. • This year Canada was chosen as Focus Country in 48th IFFI 2017. Paradise Papers Case • This year’s IFFI theme was ‘Connecting the  On November 5th, 2017, International World through Stories’. Consortium of Investigative Journalists made st • On November 21 , 2017, famous actress public the 'Paradise Papers' received by the Sridevi inaugurated the 48th IFFI Panorama. German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. • During the inauguration, the audience was  95 other media partners with 'US-based ICIJ' introduced to the official selection of 26 feature (total 96) made 'Paradise Papers' public. and 16 non-feature films of IFFI under the  Paradise Papers contains the names of 180 Indian Panorama 2017 category. countries in which India's position is 19th. • In IFFI-2017, about 195 films from over 82  It contains names of 714 Indians which countries were exhibited. includes in these papers as Bollywood star • Of which 10 were world premieres, 10 Asian Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt's wife and international premieres and more than 64 Mannyata Dutt, Union Minister Jayant Sinha, Indian premieres. BJP MP RK Sinha, Congress MP Veerappa • The exhibition of the films was inaugurated Moily, son of P. Chidambaram, Kirti with the performance of Iranian master Majeedis Chidambaram etc. first film featured in India ‘Beyond the Clouds’.  In India on November 6th, 2017, Finance While the festival ended with Pablo Caesar’s Minister Arun Jaitley ordered the inquiry into Indo-Argentine co-production ‘Thinking of the matter. 4

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 In this financial document, files related to What is ICIJ: investment in 'Tax Haven' countries have been  The International Consortium of Investigative made public, which is linked to the offshore law Journalists was founded in 1997 by American firm. Such kind of investment in technical Journalist Chuck Lewis. language is called 'Offshore Finance'.  It is a global network spread across 70  It is believed that about 1.34 crore documents countries in which more than 200 journalists are have been made public in Paradise Papers. connected.  This document is related to two financial  India's daily newspaper The Indian Express is companies-Bermuda's 'Appleby' and a member of ICIJ who has examined all Singapore’s Asiaciti. documents related to India.  Through leak papers, about 1 crore million  The team examines the received information pounds of foreign investment of Queen and makes it public when found correct. Elizabeth II of Britain have been revealed. She  Its headquarters is in Washington DC, US. invested in an offshore in the year 2004 and in the year 2005. National Achievement Survey-2017  Investment in Russian shipping company by  In November 2017, the National Commerce Minister Wilbur Ross of the trump’s Achievement Survey was organized by the government was also revealed through these National Council of Educational Research and papers. Training (NCERT).  This will again trigger questions in regards to  This survey was developed by NCERT. relations between Donald Trump's government  This survey conducted by NCERT is not only and Russia. India’s largest ‘national achievement survey’  It is important that in the year-2016, Panama but it is also one of the world’s largest Papers were also made public by the ICIJ, which assessment surveys. was received by the German newspaper German  This survey was organized for class 3, 5 and 8 newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. in government and government-aided schools.  This paper was based only on financial  Under the survey, levels of learning of more matters. than 25 lakh students were evaluated in 700  Similarly, documents related to Bahamas districts of all the 36 States / Union Territories leaks (year-2016), Swiss leaks (Year-2012), of the country. Luxembourg Leaks (Year-2014), Offshore  A monitoring team was formed for the Leaks (Year-2014) and Wiki Leaks Cablegate fairness of this survey. (Year-2010) also made in public in all the  This monitoring team included the inter- countries. ministerial departments of State Governments, What is Offshore Finance: the National and State Supervisors of Education  A place, outside the legal area of a person's Departments and Supervisors of Multilateral country; given to a person or company for Organizations. money investing, which can make more profit  The implementation of the survey conducted by reducing taxes. in all the districts was monitored on the day of  Generally, such places are called 'tax haven'. assessment by the monitoring team. In the language of the industry, they are called  The District Education Report Card will be Offshore Financial Centers (OFC). prepared through this survey.  It is not necessary that the investor spends his  The known findings from this survey will black money on these sectors, but he also prove to be helpful in understanding the invests in these centers to take advantage of low efficiency of the education system. tax payouts.  The results of this survey will provide guidance in the planning and implementation of

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national, state, district and classroom levels of  The objective of constructing the India Youth education policy in order to improve the level of Development Index (YDI) 2017 is to track the learning of children and to make qualitative trends in Youth Development across the States. improvements in them.  The Index enables recognizing the high and low performing states, identifies the weak Bharat Stage- VI domains and informs the policy makers the  On November 15, 2017, an important priority areas of intervention for youth decision by the central government concerned development in the states. was taken in regards to serious level of air  Youth Development Index and Report 2017 is pollution in the national capital, Delhi and an initiative outcome of The Rajiv Gandhi adjoining areas. National Institute of Youth Development  The Government decided for preponement of (RGNIYD), Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. BS-VI grade auto fuels in NCT of Delhi w.e.f  In preparing this report latest definition of 01.04.2018 instead of 01.04.2020 (two years youth as used in National Youth Policy – 2014 before the scheduled period). (India) and World Youth Development Report  This decision was made by the Petroleum of Commonwealth have been used. Ministry in consultation with Public Oil  This report is of immense value to enable Marketing Companies. comparisons across geographical areas and  This step of Petroleum Ministry will help in categories, as human development index has tackling the problem of air pollution in the done in comparing the development situation National Capital Region, Delhi and its adjacent across regions, nations and localities. areas.  The index also measures the achievements  The Ministry of Petroleum and natural Gas made besides serving as an advocacy tool for has successfully introduced the BS-IV grade youth development and facilitates to identify transportation fuels across the country w.e.f priority areas for development of Policy and April 1st. Interventions.  The Government of India has been making concerted efforts in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Commitment at COP 21, to reduce vehicular emissions and improve fuel efficiency with an aim to reduce the carbon footprints and keep a healthy environment.  After discussions with various stakeholders, the government decided to apply BS-VI grade directly to BS-IV, which could be adopted on better international initiatives.  It s noteworthy that oil refiners are investing heavily in the upgradation of projects for the production of BS-VI level fuel.

India Youth Development Index and Report 2017  On November 13th, 2017, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent Charge) Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore released the India Youth Development Index and Report 2017.

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 This is a fourteen days Fair is being organized INTERNATIONAL from November 14-27, 2017.  IITF is organized by India Trade Promotion EVENTS Organisation (ITPO).  3,000 exhibitors, including 22 companies World Talent Index-2017 from abroad, are participating at IITF 2017.  In November 2017, ‘World Talent Ranking’  The Fair will be opened for Business visitor was released by Switzerland’s leading business from November 14th -17th and for General school IMD. Public from 18th- 27th.  IMD’s World Talent Index has included 63  Thirty-two of India’s states and Union countries. territories are represented. The IMD World Talent Ranking studies  The format of IITF has Business, Social, three factors: Cultural and Educational Dimensions that are Investment & Development, Appeal, and weaved together where visitors and exhibitors, Readiness. media persons, marketing professionals, social  World talent ranking includes most of activists, NGOs etc. all come together to explore Europe’s countries. their objectives.  Switzerland has topped in the World Talent  It is noteworthy that this is the largest Index. integrated trade fair with both B2B and B2C  Switzerland has followed by Denmark, components. Belgium, Australia and Finland respectively.  It is one of the largest trade fairs in the world  According to the report, Europe’s tremendous both in terms of exhibitors and visitors education system makes it different from the participation and has evolved its unique crowd. It provides them the ability to attract character as an iconic International event. local talent and attract foreign talent and high skilled professionals at the same time. Cabinet approval of India’s  India is ranked 51st in the World Talent Index Membership for European Bank for -2017.  It is notable that in last year (2016), India was Reconstruction & Development at 60th place.  On November 22, 2017, Union Cabinet  Arturo Bris, Director IMD World chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Competitiveness Center, said that India is not has approved India’s Membership for European doing well in the field of adopting local talent Bank for Reconstruction & Development and attracting foreign workforce. (EBRD).  China’s position amongst BRICS countries is  Necessary steps will be initiated by the best and ranked 40th in the list. Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of  After China, Russia has been placed at 43rd, Finance to acquire the membership of the South Africa at 48th, India at 51st and Brazil at EBRD. 52nd. From its membership, India will have the following benefits: 37th India International Trade Fair-  Membership of EBRD would enhance India’s international profile and promote its economic 2017 interests. Access to EBRD’s Countries of  On November 14th, 2017, the President of Operation and sector knowledge. India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the  India’s investment opportunities would get a 37th India International Trade Fair (IITF) -2017, boost. at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.  It would increase the scope of cooperation  The theme of this fair is “Start up India: Stand between India and EBRD through co-financing up India”. 7

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opportunities in manufacturing, services,  India has been ranked 14th with 60.02 score Information Technology, and Energy. in this index.  EBRD’s core operations pertain to private  India marks an improvement of 6 places from sector development in their countries of its 20th rank in CCPI 2017. operation. The membership would help India  This year India has been put in the high rating leverage the technical assistance and sectoral in the emissions and energy use categories knowledge of the bank for the benefit of whilst last year it had got a place in medium development of private sector. rating categories.  This would contribute to an improved investment climate in the country. WHO Global Ministerial Conference  The membership of EBRD would enhance the on TB eradication competitive strength of the Indian firms, and  During November 16-17; WHO Global provide an enhanced access to international Ministerial Conference Tuberculosis Eradication markets in terms of business opportunities, in the Sustainable Development Era, 2017 – was procurement activities, consultancy assignments held in Moscow, Russia. etc.  In this conference, India is represented by  This would open up new vistas for Indian Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. professionals on the one hand, and give a fillip Nadda. to Indian exports on the other.  On this occasion, he said that India is  Increased economic activities would have the committed to eradicating TB by 2025. employment generating potential.  Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family  It would also enable Indian nationals to get Welfare has announced the implementation of the employment opportunity in the Bank. the daily dose of medicine for TB disease  EBRD was established in 1991. victims across the country under the revised  Headquarter of EBRD is located in London National TB Control Program (RNTCP). (U.K.)  The ministry had earlier asked to take the  Currently its chairman is Sir Suma drug supplements three times a week for the Chakrabarti. treatment of TB disease.  The Ministry of Health will extend it to all the Climate Change Performance Index- major hospitals, IMAs, IAPs and professional 2018 medical organizations to make available doses  ‘Climate Change Performance Index, 2018’ of mixed drugs daily to all TB patients. was released by Environmental organization-  According to World Health Organization’s German Watch in November 2018. Global TB report 2017, the number of people  This index was first released in the year 2005. suffering from TB has decreased from 28.2 lakh  Sweden with 74.32 has been put on top (4th to 27 lakh and death has decreased by 60 Rank) amongst the 56 countries and the EU in thousand in the last one year. the Climate Change Performance Index of the year 2018, whilst last year France was at top 15th ASEAN-India Summit and 12th rank. East Asia Summit  Rank of the Sweden is 4th in the list because  On November 14, 2017, the 15th ASEAN- none of the countries achieved positions one to India and 12th East Asia Summit was organized three as no one is doing enough to prevent in Manila, Philippines. dangerous climate change.  The Summits was attended by Heads of  The first five top countries are Sweden (4th), State/Government of the 10 ASEAN and 18 Lithuania (5th), Morocco (6th), Norway (7th) East Asia Summit Participating Countries and United Kingdom (8th). respectively.

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 Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Indian  It is the 23rd annual ‘ Conference of the delegation to this summit. Parties’ (COP) of the nations of the world,  It is remarkable that Trade between India and whose aim is to ‘prevent dangerous human ASEAN stood at US$ 71 billion in 2016-17 and generated disturbances with climate system’. comprises 10.85% of India’s total trade with the  It is significant that in the year 2016, the world. Climate Change Conference (COP22 / CM12 /  At the 15th ASEAN-India Summit, Prime CMA1) was organized in Marrakesh, Morocco. Minister and ASEAN Leaders reviewed the  Earlier, there was a historic ‘Paris settlement commemorative activities undertaken in 2017 to ‘took place in the Climate Change Conference mark the 25 years of India’s dialogue (COP21 / CMP11) organized in Paris, France. partnership with ASEAN as well as review the broad spectrum of ASEAN-India cooperation in Global Gender gap Report all its aspects.  On 2 November, 2017, the ‘Global Gender  India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Report-2017’ was released by the World New Zealand, USA and Russia Heads of State / Economic Forum (WEF). Government attended the meeting of the 12th  144 countries have been listed in this gender East Asia Summit on November 14, 2017. gap index this year.  India is a founding member of the East Asia  Iceland is at first place in the list. Its total Summit formed in 2005. score is 0.878.  The summit discussed regional and  In the list, Norway (score -0.830) second in international issues including terrorism, nuclear the list, Finland (score -0.823) third, Rwanda nonproliferation and irregular displacement. (score -0.822) fourth and Sweden (score -0.816)  With this, on 13-14 November, 2017the 31st has been placed at fifth. Summit of 10-member ASEAN countries  This list has 5 countries in the lower order is concluded in Manila. – Yemen (144th place), Pakistan (143nd place),  The theme of the 31st ASEAN Summit was Syria (142nd), Chad (141st) and Iran, Islamic ‘Partnering for Change Engaging the World’. Republic (140th place).  The summit was chaired by President  This year’s edition of the Report benchmarks Rodrigues Dutter of the Philippines. these countries on their progress towards gender  Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the parity on a scale from 0 (imparity) to 1 (parity) Asian Trade and Investment Conference (ABIS) across four thematic dimensions- Economic on November 13, 2017, during his visit to the Participation and Opportunity, Educational Philippines. Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political  Apart from this, the Prime Minister also held Empowerment. bilateral meetings with many other leaders of  India has been placed 108th on the list with a the world. score of 0.669. India was ranked 87th last year. India’s position in various sectors of the United Nations Climate Change index remained as follows: Conference (i) Economic Partnerships and Opportunities -  During November 6-17, 2017, the United 139th Place Nations Climate Change Conference is being (ii) Academic Achievements -112th Place organized in Bonn, Germany. (iii) Health and Survival -141th Place  This conference is referred to by COP23 / (iv) Political Empowerment- 15th place CMP13 / CMA 1-2. The position of neighboring countries of  The Secretary of the UN Framework India in the list is as follows: Convention on Climate Change hosting the  Bangladesh -47th Conference.  China – 100th  Fiji is presiding over this conference.  Nepal -111th, 9

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 Bhutan -124th  In the elections of the year 2015, the new  Sri Lanka -109th government was elected under the leadership of  Among BRICS countries South Africa is at Carlos Piedmont, in Catolonia, who promised to 19th, Russia Federation ranked 71st and Brazil make a referendum for Catalonia’s ranked 90th. independence.

Catalonia Independence Doing Business Index -2018  On October 27, 2017, Catalonia province  On October 31, 2017, the 15th report ‘Doing declared itself independent from Spain after Business-2018’ was released by the getting majority by the provincial parliament in Washington-based World Bank and favor of independence. International Finance Corporation.  In the provincial parliament of 135 seats, 70  The central theme of this year’s report is votes were in favor of independence and 10 ‘Reforming to Create Jobs’. votes in the opposition.  In the report released for year-2018, the  The opposition did not participate in this economy of 190 countries has been included. voting.  In the Doing Business Index -2018 report,  Catalonia is financially strong and has about New Zealand has been ranked top with 86.55 20 percent of Spain’s national income. followed by Singapore (Score-84.57) second,  It is significant that in order to become Denmark (Score-84.06) third, Korea Republic independent from Spain, a referendum was held (Score-83.92), fourth and Hong Kong (Score- in Catalonia on October 1, 2017, which was 83.44) fifth. declared as unconstitutional by the Spanish  This index includes Somalia (190th place), court. Eritrea (189th), Venezuela (188th), Southern  In this referendum, 43 percent of the voters Sudan (187th) and Yemen Republic (186th took part in which 90 percent of the votes were place) as countries with the lowest trade in favor of independence and 10 percent in regulatory environment. opposition.  In the Doing Business Index 2018, India  After passing the proposal with majority in secured 100th position (Score-60.76). the provincial parliament, the parliament of  Last year India was ranked 130th. Spain ended the autonomy of Catalonia, which  Among BRICS countries, Russia ranked 35th, would now have direct control of the Spanish China 78th, South Africa 82nd and Brazil government in Catalonia. ranked 125th.  Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy  For the ease of business in BRICS countries, dismissed Catalonia leader Carlos Puedemont the highest improvement was done in India and his cabinet. compared to the previous year.  The Prime Minister has announced that he  Among neighboring countries to India Bhutan will be holding the law on December 21, 2017 is at 75th rank, Nepal is at 105th, Sri Lanka is at and again in a fair manner. 111th, Pakistanis at 147th, 177th in Bangladesh  It is notable that in Spain, autonomy was is at 177th, and Afghanistan secured 183rdplace. given to Catalonia before the Civil War, which  According to the World Bank report, high was abolished under General Francisco’s ranking means that the government of that leadership from 1939-1975. particular country has provided a favorable  After the death of Jan Franco, it was re- regulatory environment for doing business, granted with political and cultural autonomy by while the low ranking reflects the adverse the 1978 constitution, which received more environment of the business. force by the Act of 2006.  But in 2010 the Spanish court snatched all the powers from him. 10

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• In addition, the Commission will review the ECONOMY status of efforts of the Union and States to maintain current financial system, deficit, credit 15th Finance Commission Constituted levels, cash surplus and fiscal discipline and • The Central Government constituted 15th recommend fiscal framework for fiscal Finance Commission on November 27, 2017. consolidation for strong fiscal management. • Commission will be Presided over by N. K. • Following the recommendations of the Singh, former Rajya Sabha member, former Commission, the 14th Finance Commission will Secretary of the Central Government and former consider the impact on the financial condition of member of the Planning Commission. the Union with the continuation of the national • Former Union Government Secretary development agenda, including the increase in Shaktikant Das and Assistant Professor of the overall growth of taxes, renunciation of Georgetown University Dr. Anoop Singh will be states, including New India, 2022. the other members of the Commission. • The Commission will consider the effect of • Ashok Lahiri, Chairman, Bandhan Bank the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the (Non-Executive Part-time) and member of the financial instruments of the Center and the Policy Commission Dr. Ramesh Chand will be States. part-time member of the Commission. • Including the payment of compensation for • Arvind Mehta will be the secretary of the potential revenue loss for 5 years and commission. termination of certain subtaxes which will be • The Chairman and other members of the decided for compensation and other structural Commission shall hold the post from the date improvements. they hold their position, till the date of • The Commission will use the population submission of report or till 30th October, 2019 data of 2011 when making its recommendations. whichever is earlier. • The Commission will present its report to • It is notable that the Finance Commission is the Central Government by October 30, 2019, constituted under Article 280 (1) of the Indian potentializing the period of 5 years starting from Constitution. 1st April, 2020. • The 15th Finance Commission will be applicable from 1st April, 2020. Constitution of Task Force for drafting The Commission will make recommendations a New Direct Tax Legislation about the following topics, i.e.  On November 22, 2017, the Central • the net proceeds between the Union and Government constituted a work force to draft the States, new direct tax laws under the chairmanship of • The principles governing grants-in-aid in the Central Direct Tax Board (CBDT) under the the revenue of states from the accumulated chairmanship of Arbind Modi. fund of India and those states as specified in Followings are the member of Task Force: the proviso to clause (1) of that article as a  Shri Arbind Modi, Member (Legislation), grant-aid in their revenues under Article 275 CBDT – Convener of the Constitution. For the purposes  Shri Girish Ahuja, practicing Chartered different from the purposes, assistance is Accountant and non-official Director, State required, funds to be paid, and Bank of India; • On the basis of the recommendations  Shri Rajiv Memani, Chairman & Regional made by the State Finance Commission, Managing Partner of E&Y necessary assistance for the promotion of the  Shri Mukesh Patel, Practicing Tax Advocate, accumulated fund of any state for the Ahmedabad; provision of resources of Panchayats and  Mansi Kedia, Consultant, ICRIER, New Municipalities in the state. Delhi; 11

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 Shri G.C. Srivastava, Retd. IRS (1971 Batch) (36th), Bangur family of Shree Cement group and Advocate. (37th), Sehgal family of auto parts industry  Dr. Arvind Subramanian, Chief Economic (41st), Wadia family (42nd), Kushal Pal Singh Adviser (CEA) will be a permanent Special belonging to Real Estate (44th), Patel family of Invitee in the Task Force. Cadila Healthcare Group (45th), Piramal family  The Terms of Reference of the Task Force is (47th) and Munjal family of Hero Group (48th). to draft an appropriate Direct Tax Legislation keeping in view: The direct tax system prevalent Increase in the number of millionaires in various countries, the international best in India, 2017 practices the economic needs of the country; and  According to a report released by Credit any other matter connected thereto. Suisse on November 14, 2017, the number of  The Task Force will submit its report to the millionaires in India has reached a level of government within 6 months. 245000.  It is noteworthy that during the Rajaswa Gyan  At the same time, the total wealth of families Sangam held on 1st and 2nd September, 2017, in India has also increased to $ 5 trillion. the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had  According to the report, by the year 2022, the proposed the reviewing the Income tax Act- number of millionaires in the country is 1961 and to draft a new Direct Tax Law in expected to reach 372,000, while the total consonance with economic needs of the country. wealth of families is estimated to 7.1 trillion dollars by 7.5%. Asia’s richest families List-2017  According to the report, since 2000, the  On November 15, 2017 went Asia’s richest proportion wealth of people in India has families List-2017 was released by the increased annually by 9.2%, which is more than prestigious American magazine Forbes. 6% of the average global growth.  This list covers the 50 richest families of  The actual growth rate in the population is Asia. estimated at 2.2%.  Ambani family with 44.8 billion USD is the  The growth of India’s property by 451 billion richest family of Asia. dollars reflects the 8th largest increase in the  After this, family of Samsung Group (South case of the rise in the wealth of one country on a Korea) is second in the list with total assets of global basis. USD 40.8 billion.  Approximately 92% of the adult population  With USD 4 billion, Kwok family of Sun has less than $ 10,000 worth; while on the other Hung Kai & Co. group is at third place. hand, the smallest share of the total population  With a total worth of USD 36.6 billion, (only 0.5% of the adult population) has wealth Chearavanont family of Thailand’s Charoen over $ 100,000 which is only 4.2 million in Pokphand (CP) Group is at fourth place. regards to India’s large population.  In the list beside Ambani family following  In India, much of the share of the private Indian families were also included: Premji property is in the form of land and another real family (with 19.2 billion USD) 11th, Hinduja estate, which is around 86% of the total family family (with 18.8 billion USD) 12th, Mittal wealth. family (with 17.2 billion USD) 14th, Egyptian  The share of private sector in single property family (with 16.1 billion USD) 16th, Birla is estimated to be only 9%. family (with 14.1 billion USD) 19th, Godrej  Switzerland is at the first place in the world family (with 14 billion USD) 20th, Bajaj family according to the per capita property, where the (with 9.3 billion USD) 26th and Jindal family per-person property is $ 537600 in 2017. (with 7.68 billion USD) 32nd.  After this, Australia is at the second place  Apart from these families, the other richest with the wealth $ 402600 and the United States families respectively are: The Burman family of is third with $ 388,000. Dabar group (35th), Lal family of Eihcher group 12

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 Since 2012, the total global capital has risen by a fast pace of 6.4% to $ 280 trillion.  Global Wealth Report, 2017, is the 8th report of this series.

India Announces Contribution to India-UN Development Partnership Fund  On November 6, 2017, India has been pledged an additional amount of USD 100 million to the India-UN Development Partnership Fund at United Nations Pledging Conference for Development Activities held in New York.  This announcement was made by Anjani Kumar, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.  This contribution will be in addition to India’s contribution of 10.582 million dollars in other UN programs.  During the conference almost 20 countries assured the contribution of USD 398.38 million in this fund.  The India-UN Development Partnership Fund was launched on occasion of the World Oceans Day at a special ceremony held at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.  ‘Climate Early Warning System in Pacific Island Countries‘ was the first project get assistance by this fund.

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 The missile has a speed of more than Mach SCIENCE & 10.  Missile has a 12,000-kilometer range. TECHNOLOGY  This missile is able to target anywhere in the world. Multi State Mega Mock Tsunami  This missile can carry 10 nuclear weapons Exercise simultaneously and can aim differently.  On November 24, 2017, the Union Home  The missile is expected to be inducted in the Ministry conducted the first multi-state Mega Chinese army next year. Mock Tsunami Exercise-017 on Tsunami preparation on the entire East coast of the Successfull flight-test of Brahmos country.  On November 22nd, 2017, a history is created  The exercise was conducted with after successful flight-test of world’s fastest corroboration of National Disaster Management supersonic cruise missile Brahmos-Air Authority (NDMA) and the Indian National Launched Cruise Missile. Centre for Ocean Information Services  For the first time this successful flight test (INCOIS). was done by from the Indian Air Force’s (IAF)  Simulation exercises were conducted frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30MKIagainst a simultaneously in 35 coastal districts across four sea based target in the Bay of Bengal. States of West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh  This successful maiden test firing of Brahmos & Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) from Su- Puducherry along with the entire East Coast. 30MKI will significantly bolster the IAF’s air  The purpose of this exercise is to assess and combat operations capability from standoff improve the early warning and response ranges. mechanism to mitigate the impact of a high-  It is noteworthy that Brahmos is a two stage intensity tsunami. missile with a solid propellant booster engine.  This program is one of the programs  The missile has a flight range of up to 290-km organized on the occasion of Second World with supersonic speed all through the flight, Tsunami Awareness Day celebrated on leading to the shorter flight time. November 5, 2017.  It operates on ‘Fire and Forget’ principle,  Under this practice, the artificial landscape of adopting varieties of flight on its way to the Tsunami disaster was presented to evaluate target. preparation on Eastern Marine Coast.  It carries a conventional warhead weighing of  This practice is important because the eastern 200 to 300 kgs. coast of India is susceptible to the view of cyclone and tsunami. Layer of dust surrounding the  The region was one of the worst affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004. Proxima Century  This exercise will go a long way in helping  In November 2017, scientists detected a layer States/UTs in updating their resources, of dust surrounding the Proxima Century. procedures and plans.  This conclusion indicated the fact that the Proxima Century hosts the planetary system. Dongfong-41  The new assessment of the Chilean-based observatory has revealed that the light coming  According to a report published in November from the cold dust in the area is one to four 2017, China has built an intercontinental missile times the distance from the Proxima Century as ‘Dongfong 41’. far as the distance from Earth to the Sun.  It is a three-stage solid-fuel missile.  Proxima Century is the closest star to the sun.

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 It is located approximately four light years  It can also provide better satellite based away from us. services in the search and rescue operations  ‘Proxima B’ revolves around it. according to international standards.

7th Joint Exercise Sampriti 2017 World’s First Fully Electric Operated  During 6-18 November, 2017, seventh Indo- Cargo Ship Bangladesh joint exercise SAMPRITI concluded  China’s first all-electric cargo ship was at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare launched in November 2017. School, Vairengte in Mizoram.  It was launched in Guangzhou, capital of  The exercise has been aimed to strengthen Guangdong Province, southern China. and broaden the aspects of interoperability and  The ship can run 80 kilometers with 2000 cooperation between the Indian and Bangladesh tons of goods after being fully charged. Armies.  It is manufactured by Guangzhou Shipyard  It also aimed to work together in a counter- International Co. Ltd. insurgency and counter-terrorism environment  It is powered by lithium battery (26 tons). under the UN mandate.  The length of this vessel is 70.5 meters and its  Exercise was conducted under the aegis of the maximum speed is 12.8 km / h. Red Horns Division of Gajraj Corps and had  There is zero emission of waste gas two distinct components which included pollutants. Command Post Exercise (CPX) and Field Training Exercise (FTX).  Troops from 38 East Bengal Regiment of Bangladesh Army and Mahar Regiment of Indian Army represented respective Armies during the exercise.

China launches two navigation satellites  On November 5th, 2017, China successfully launched two BeiDou-3satellites in space.  These two satellites were launched from the Sichan satellite launch center in Sichuan province with the help of Rocket Long March- 3b.  The launching satellite represents the third phase of the Beidou navigation satellite system.  This system will provide services to the countries involved in China’s Belt and Road initiative.  This system will create fully controlled satellite navigation system by the year 2020.  In the year 1994 the BeiDou project was started.  Compared to first-generation satellites, BeiDou-3 is capable of sending better signals than other satellite navigation systems.

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• On November 27, 2017, an agreement was TREATY & signed between India and Greece to start direct air services between the two countries. AGREEMENTS • The two Ministers held discussions on various aspects of bilateral ties as well as India and Russia important regional and multilateral issues of th • On November 27 , 2017 India and Russia mutual interest. agreed on a programme of training of specialists • The discussions between the two Ministers and sharing of each other’s experiences as well focused on building closer cooperation in the as best practices in the field of Disaster areas of trade & investment, trade fairs, Management. agriculture, maritime sector, culture and • The two leaders later signed a Joint tourism. Implementation Plan for the years 2018-19 for • During the visit, the two Ministers also cooperation in Disaster Management. signed the Memorandum of Understanding on • This agreement made during the Rajnath Co-operation in the field of New and Renewable Singh’s three-day visit to Russia. Energy. • Both the sides agreed that EMERCOM of • Greece also gave full supportto India’s bid Russia would cooperate with India in the for a permanent membership of the United establishment of the National Crisis Nations Security Council. Management Centre (NCMC) in India. • Under the Air Services Agreement, Indian Airlines will be allowed to operate the airline in Agreement between India and Brazil Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion. th • On November 30 , 2017 The Union Cabinet • Greek Airlines will also start flying services chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra in major Indian cities. Modi has given its approval for signing and • It is noteworthy that On February 22, 2017, ratification of the Investment Cooperation and Union Cabinet has given its approval the Facilitation Treaty (ICFT) between India and signing of Air Services Agreement (ASA) Brazil. between India and Greece. • The Treaty will result in increase of investment flows between the two countries. Agreement between India and Britain • The ICFT between India and Brazil will • On November 28, 2017; It was announced provide appropriate facilitation to Brazilian by the Government of India that an agreement investors in India and Indian investors in the will be signed for cooperation in policy Brazil. planning, technology transfer and institutional • It would help project India as a preferred organization in the urban transport sector Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) destination to between India and the UK. all Brazilian investors. • On November 27, 2017, Union Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Water Agreement between India and Greece Resources, River Development and Ganga • From 25-28 November 2017, Minister of Protection Minister Nitin Gadkari met UK Foreign Affairs of Greece, H.E. Mr. Nikos Transport Secretary Chris Grilling in London. Kotzias, was on visit to India. • During the meeting, the two sides discussed • The visit of the Greek Foreign Minister is a the draft of this agreement letter. part of the regular high-level exchanges between • In the draft of the agreement, mutual the two countries. cooperation between the two countries in the • FM Kotzias had a meeting with External transport sector is to facilitate transport Affairs Minister, Smt Sushma Swaraj, in New facilitation through exchange of expertise and Delhi on 27 November. technology. 16

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• This agreement will facilitate the digital and USD 23 million in CTF Loan) and transactions and the use of more efficient diesel (ii) Technical Assistance (USD 2 million in and electric vehicles in the country. CTF Grant). • During the London visit, Nitin Gadkari will  The objective of the project is to increase also address a session of the International solar generation capacity through establishment Marine Organization. of large-scale parks in the country.  The project will help establish large-scale Indo-Russian Agreement solar parks and support the government’s plan  On November 22nd, 2017 Union Cabinet to install 100 Gigawatts (GW) of solar power chaired by the Prime Minister has given its out of a total renewable-energy target of 175 approval for signing an Agreement on GW by 2022. Cooperation between India and Russia in the field of combating all forms of terrorism and MoU between India and Philippines organized crime.  On November 10th, 2017, Union Cabinet  The Agreement is proposed to be signed chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the upcoming visit of Indian Delegation, has given its approval for signing a led by Home Minister, to Russia from 27-29 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between November, 2017. India and Philippines in the field of agriculture  The proposed Agreement will replace the and related fields. Agreement of October, 1993.  Total four agreements were made after the  Agreement is a step towards consolidating the extensive talks between Prime Minister benefits accrued in the field of security and Narendra Modi and the President of the seeks to jointly fight the new and evolving risks Philippines, Rodrigo Dutter, who were attending and threats. the ASEAN conference held in the Philippines.  This MoU provides for cooperation in the Agreement to Set-Up Large-Scale fields of rice production and processing, multi Solar Parks cropping system, dryland farming systems, bio- organic farming, solid and water conservation  On November 20, 2017, A Guarantee and management, soil fertility, sericulture, agro Agreement for IBRD/CTF loan of USD 98 forestry, livestock improvement etc. million and Grant Agreement for USD 2 million  The MoU provides for constitution of Joint for the “Shared Infrastructure for Solar Parks Working Group composed of equal number of Project” were signed by India with World Bank. representatives.  The Agreement was signed by Mr Sameer  The Joint Working Group shall meet once Kumar Khare, Joint Secretary (MI), Department every two years alternatively in the Philippines of Economic Affairs on behalf of Government and India. of India, and Mr Hisham A. Abdo, Acting

Country Director, World Bank India, on behalf of the World Bank. Loan agreement between India and the  A Loan Agreement was also signed by Mr K World Bank S Popli, Chairman and Managing Director, India  On November 7th, 2017, a loan agreement of Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. $ 119 million between India and the World (IREDA) and Mr Hisham A. Abdo, Acting Bank was signed. Country Director, World Bank India, on behalf  This amount will be spent on improving the of the World Bank. state’s higher education system in Odisha. The project consists of two components viz.  This loan agreement has been signed for the (i) Shared Infrastructure for Solar Parks “Odisha Higher Education Programme for (estimated total project cost of USD 100 Excellence & Equity (OHEPEE) Project”. million, including USD 75 million in IBRD loan 17

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 The Objective of the project is to improve the the number of representatives of both countries quality of ‘students’ equitable access to selected will be included. institutions and enhance governance of the  The Joint Working Group meeting will be higher education system in Odisha. held simultaneously once every two years in the Philippines and India. Agreement between India and Colombia Agreement between India and  On November 10, 2017, Union Cabinet has Ethiopia given approval for signing the Joint  On November 1, 2017, the Union Cabinet Interpretative Declaration (JID) between India approved the Ex-Post Facto approval for the and Colombia regarding the existing Agreement trade agreement to strengthen and promote for the Promotion and Protection of Investments business and economic cooperation between between India and Colombia. India and Ethiopia.  The agreement was signed on November 10,  This trade agreement was signed on October 2009. 5, 2017 during the state visit of the President of  The JID would impart clarity to the India to Ethiopia during October 4-6, 2017. interpretation of the existing Agreement as it  Before it the current trade agreement was includes interpretative notes to be jointly signed in the year 1982. adopted for many clauses, including, the  Under this new trade agreement, all necessary definition of investor, definition of investment, measures will be provided for promotion of Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET), National economic cooperation, investment and technical Treatment (NT) and Most Favoured Nation sector. (MFN) treatment, expropriation, Investor –State Dispute Settlement provision and Denial of Benefits.  Joint Interpretative Declarations/Statements in general play an important supplementary role in strengthening the investment treaty regime.

India and the Philippines  On November 10, 2017, the Union Cabinet approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between India and the Philippines for cooperation in agriculture and related fields.  This will help in understanding the best agricultural practices between the two countries and will help in improving access to advanced global markets as well as better productivity.  The MoU has made provisions for cooperation in the following areas: paddy production and processing, multifold system, dry land farming system, organic farming, solid and water maintenance and management, soil fertility, silk pest farming, agriculture forestry and livestock improvement.  There is also a provision for the formation of a Joint Working Group in this MOU, in which 18

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TARANG, UJALA, VIDYUT PRAVAH, PLANNING & GARV, URJA, and MERIT.  NPP is integrated with associated systems of PROJECT Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Rural Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Electrification Corporation (REC) and other Kendra major utilities.  On November 22nd, 2017, Cabinet  It would serve as single authentic source of Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the power sector information to apex bodies, Prime Minister has given its approval to the new utilities for the purpose of analysis, planning, scheme called ‘Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti monitoring as well as for public users. Kendra’.  The system is available 24×7 and ensures  This scheme will empower rural women effective and timely collection of data. through community participation to create an environment in which they realize their full BharatNet – Launch of Phase II potential.  On November 13, 2017, the Central  The new scheme “Pradhan Mantri Mahila Government launched the phase II of the Shakti Kendra (PMMSK)” is envisaged to work BharatNet project. at various levels.  In the National Conference on BharatNet,  In addition, has given its approval for organized by the Department of expansion of the schemes of Ministry of Women Telecommunications in Science Bhawan, New and Child Development under Umbrella Scheme Delhi, the Central Government announced that “Mission for Protection and Empowerment for internet services will be started in 2.5 lakh Gram Women” for a period 2017-18 to 2019-20. Panchayats by 2019.  The financial outlay during 2017-18 to 2019-  The Conference attended by representatives 20 will be Rs.3, 636.85 crore with a Central of State Governments and Service Providers to Share of approximately Rs.3, 084.96 crore. benefit from the BharatNet Framework and discuss its various dimensions. National Power Portal (NPP)  In the first phase of BharatNet, a target was  On November 14th, 2017, Shri R.K. Singh, made to provide optical fiber connectivity to Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & more than one lakh village panchayats in many Renewable Energy, launched the National states of the country. Power Portal (NPP) here today. The portal may  The purpose of this project is to promote be accessed at http://npp.gov.in. internet services, e-healthcare, e-education,  NPP is a centralised system for Indian Power ecommerce and employment generation in rural Sector which facilitates online data capture/ areas. input (daily, monthly, annually) from generation, transmission and distribution utilities in the country.  It disseminate Power Sector Information (operational, capacity, demand, supply, consumption etc.) through various analysed reports, graphs, statistics for generation, transmission and distribution at all India, region, state level for central, state and private sector.  The Dashboard would also act as the single point interface for all Power Sector Apps launched previously by the Ministry, like 19

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• This conference is being jointly organized CONFERENCE by India and America.

• The theme of this three-day conference is AADI MAHOTSAV ‘Women First, Prosperity for All’. American  From November 16th-30th, 2017, “AADI President Donald Trump’s daughter and advisor MAHOTSAV” a celebration of the spirit of Ivanka Trump is leading the American Tribal Culture, Cuisine and Commerce will be delegation to this conference. organized at Dilli Haat New Delhi. • This is the first time that this conference is  The Theme of the festival is: A Celebration of going on in South Asia. the Spirit of Tribal Culture, Cuisine and • The world’s entrepreneurs, investors, Commerce. government officials and business  On November 14th, in a Curtain Raiser Press representatives are participating in this Conference, Ms. Leena Nair, Secretary, conference. Ministry of Tribal Affairs, informed that • It is important that the US has declared Mahotsav will be inaugurated by Shri M. ‘National Entrepreneurship Day’ on November Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India. 21 and November as ‘National Entrepreneurship  Ministry of Tribal Affairs along with Tribal Month’. Cooperative Marketing Development Federation Ltd (TRIFED) is organizing “AADI 5th Global Conference on Cyberspace MAHOTSAV” a celebration of the spirit of  During November 23rd -24th, 2017, ‘5th Tribal Culture, Cuisine and Commerce. Global Conference on Cyberspace’ was  Over 480 tribal artisans from over 25 States organized at Aerocity, New Delhi. will participate in the festival.  It is one of the world’s largest conferences in  The festival will feature exhibition-cum-sale the field of Cyberspace and related issues. of tribal handicrafts, art, paintings, fabric,  For the first time, this conference is taking jewellery and much more through 160 stalls. place outside Organisation for Economic Co–  It is noteworthy that Tribal Cooperative operation and Development (OECD). Marketing Development of India Ltd.,  The theme of this conference was (TRIFED) is an organization under the Ministry “Cyber4All: A Secure and Inclusive Cyberspace of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India and is engaged for Sustainable Development”. in marketing development of tribal products  The two days conference was inaugurated by including tribal art & craft under the brand name PM Narendra Modi. “TRIBES INDIA”.  Senior officials, industry leaders from more  The main mandate of TRIFED is capability than 100 nations and about 2000 delegates from enhancement of the tribals, promotion of tribal civil society attended this conference. products and creation of marketing opportunities for the tribals with a view to ensuring them fair prices for their products and augmenting their 20th International Children’s Film income on sustainable basis. Festival’ India  During 8-14 November, 2017, the ’20th Eighth Global Entrepreneurship International Indian Child Film Festival’ Conference (ICFFI) was organized in the sculpture Vedika Hyderabad, Telangana. • During November 28-30, 2017; the ‘8th  The theme of this festival was ‘New India’. Global Entrepreneurship Summit: GES’ is being  This festival was jointly hosted by the Indian organized in Hyderabad, Telangana. Children Film Society (CFSI) and Ministry of • On November 28, 2017, Prime Minister Information and Broadcasting, along with Narendra Modi inaugurated this conference. Telangana Government.

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 CFSI is an autonomous body under the development issues and challenges facing South Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Asian countries, and advancing the cause of regional integration and cooperation. India-China Tourism Exchange Seminar 7th Regional Economic Cooperation  On October 26th, 2017, the India-China Conference on Afghanistan Tourism Exchange Seminar was held at the  On 14-15 November 2017, Seventh Regional Yalong Bay Conference Center at city Sanya, Economic Cooperation Conference on China. Afghanistan (RECCA VII) was held in  It was organized by the Indian Consulate in Ashgabat. GuangZhou.  Minister of State for External Affairs M.J.  The seminar was organized in Sanya with a 3- Akbar participated in the conference as Indian day Global Yoga Exchange Conference. representative.  The seminar was attended by senior officials  Representatives from over 67 countries and from Sanya Municipal Government comprising Regional and international organizations of Foreign Affairs office, Tourism Development participated in the conference. Commission, Department of Culture,  Significant trade and transit agreements were representatives of media organisations, business signed between Afghanistan and regional houses, academia and around 150 travelagents countries during the conference. from all over China, representatives from  It is noteworthy that Reka was launched in airlines. 2005 with the aim of providing help in the  In the year 2016, about 135 million Chinese ongoing peace process in Afghanistan. passengers traveled abroad.  On March 28th, 2017, a proposal by the Indo-China border consultation Sanya Government for establishing a friendly mechanism meeting relationship with Bangalore was approved at  17 November 2017 Executive Committee for The Third Meeting of the Seventh NPC Consultation and Coordination on Indo-China Standing Committee of Sanya City. Border Affairs (WMCC) held in Beijing, China.  It is noteworthy that China is currently the  In this meeting, the two countries reviewed world’s top tourist source market. the situation in all areas of the mutual border.  In August 2017, a new Sanya-Guangzhou-  Both countries agreed on the topic that Delhi air route was opened. maintaining peace and tranquility in the border  During the India-China Tourism Exchanges areas is an important condition of continued seminar, delegates of both the parties presented growth in mutual relations. presentations on their respective tourism  Both sides exchanged views on more resources. measures of confidence restoration and measures were taken to strengthen the contacts 10th South Asia Economic Summit between the two countries’ armies.  The tenth South Asia Economic Summit  It is a noteworthy that WMCC was (SAES X) was held in Kathmandu, Nepal from established in 2012, which aims to provide 14-16 November 2017. institutional support in maintaining peace and  The theme of this three-day conference was stability in border areas of India-China. “Deepening Economic Integration for Inclusive and Sustainable Development in South Asia.” International seminar organized on the  200 delegates from South Asian countries Indian Space Program participated in this conference.  During November 20-21, 2017, International  This conference is being organized since Seminar on Indian Space Programme: ‘Trends 2008 and is a premier regional platform for and Opportunities for Industry’ was organized in discussing and analysing economic and New Delhi. 21

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 It was inaugurated by Secretary of Space,  The workshop was inaugurated by Union Chairman of the Space Commission and Human Resource Development Minister Chairman of the Indian Space Research Prakash Javadekar. Organization (ISRO) A.S. Kiran Kumar.  The main aim of the workshop was to provide  The seminar was organised by Indian Space holistic education relevant for 21st century India Research Organisation (ISRO), Antrix and to bring together key stakeholders from Corporation Limited (the commercial arm of various NGOs, private sector and individuals to ISRO), in coordination with Federation of deliberate on key themes in the education sector. Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry  Workshop mainly focused on five themes i.e. (FICCI). Digital education, Life Skill education,  The objective of this two-day conference was Experimental learning, and Physical Education to deliberate on the best practices, pursue the and Value education. ongoing discussion process to support further  Union HRD Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar work of India’s Space Sector and facilitate also launched a Compendium on ‘Innovations arriving at coherent framework, where in India’s and Best Practices in School Education’ and a Space Sector can start expanding the domestic State-NGO-CSR Portal –‘Shaala Sarathi’ on the and global opportunities through enhanced occasion. partnerships and collaborations.  Over the course of two days a total of 157  Apart from this, seminar was aimed to organizations/experts will be making their point highlight the achievements and major via presentations. milestones of Indian Space Sector in recent past, and the future programs and plans. World Youth Forum  From November 4th- 10th, 2017, third World 4th Global Conference on Sustained Youth Forum, held at Sharam El Shiekh, Egypt. Eradication of Child Labour  Its promotional hashtag was  During 14-16 November, 2017, the 4th #WeNeedToTalk. Global Conference on the Sustained Eradication  The seminar was inaugurated by the Egyptian of Child Labor was organized in Buenos Aires, President Abdel-Fateh al-Sisi. Argentina.  Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore,  The conference has been organized jointly by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Government of Argentina and International (Independent Charge) from India participated in Labour Organization (ILO). this seminar.  The conference attended by representatives of  The Forum aims to provide a platform to the government, employers and workers from more youth from all over the globe to engage with the than 100 countries. key global policy makers.  Central Women and Child Development  The Summit segment was attended by the Minister Maneka Gandhi represented India at Heads of State/Government, Ministers of youth this conference. from 14 countries and Representatives of UN, Arab League and African Union. National Workshop ‘Chintan Shivir’  It involved discussions on the role of youth in  Union HRD Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar the business, new methods of creating future inaugurated a two-day during 6-7 November, leaders, challenges, gender equality and women 2017 National Workshop ‘Chintan Shivir’ empowerment. organized by Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development in New Delhi.

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SPORTS Hockey Asia Cup (Women), 2017  The 9th edition of Hockey Asia Cup European Open, 2017 (Women) concluded in Kakamigahara, Gifu  Men Tennis Competition ‘European Open, (Japan). (October 28 to November 5, 2017) 2017’ concluded in Antwerp, Belgium. (From  The tournament was attended by 8 teams. 16 to 22 October, 2017)  Indian women team won the Asian Cup title  Competition Result: (gold) for the second time by defeating China 5-  Men’s Singles: 4 in the penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in the  winner- Jo Wilfred Tsonga (France) final.  Runner up- Diego Schwartzman (Argentina)  Korea won the Bronze medal by defeating  Men’s Doubles: hosting nation Japan 1-0.  Winner- Divij Sharan (India) and Scott  Zhong Jiachi of China scored the maximum Lipsky (United States) of 11 goals in the tournament.  Runner up- Santiago Gonzalez (Mexico) and  The Indian women’s hockey team had won Julio Pastilla (Chile) the first Asia Cup title in New Delhi in 2004, defeating Japan. Kremlin Cup, 2017  Indian women’s hockey team captain is Rani  International tennis Championship, Kremlin Rampal and Harendra Singh is the chief coach. Cup, 2017, concluded in Moscow, Russia.  Following this victory, the Indian women’s (October 16-22, 2017) hockey team retreated Spain by achieving 10th  The result of the competition for singles title: place in the FIH World Ranking released on 6th  Men’s Singles: November.  Winner-Damir Dzumhur (Bosnia and  In the ranking, the Netherlands occupies the Herzegovina) top.  Runner up- Richardas Berankis (Lithuania)  Women’s Singles: FIFA U17 Football World Cup  Winner- Julia Goerges (Germany)  FIFA U-17 Football World Cup-2017, held in  Runner up – Daria Kasatkina (Russia) India for the first time, concluded in Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, after organizing various Under-19 Youth Asia Cup cities. (October 6-28, 2017)  From 10-19 November, 2017 ‘Under-19  24 teams of 6 confederation participated in Youth Asia Cup 2017’ concluded in Malaysia. the world cup.  Eight countries (India, Nepal, Malaysia,  For the first time on October 28th, England Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, UAE, Pakistan and won the title of world cup (gold medal) by Afghanistan) took part in this competition. defeating Spain 5-2 in match played in Salt lake  Afghanistan won the title for the first time by stadium in Kolkata. defeating Pakistan by 187 runs in the final  Brazil won bronze title by defeating Mali 2-0. match held in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) on  The Golden Ball award for Best Player was November 19, 2017. awarded to Phil Foden of England.  Player of the Series- Mujib Jadran from  Silver Ball – Sergio Gomez (Spain) Afghanistan; most wickets (20) in the series.  Bronze Ball- Rhian Brewster (England)  Most runs in the series- Mohammad Taha  England’s Rhian Brewster was awarded the (Pakistan) ‘Golden Boot’ award (8 goals).  Naveen-ul–Haq is the captain of  Silver Boot- Lassana Ndiaye (Mali) Afghanistan’s Under-19 Asia Cup team.  Bronze Boot-Abel Ruiz (Spain)  Golden Glove Award was presented to Brazilian Gabriel Brazzo.  Brazil was awarded ‘FIFA Fair Play Award’. 23

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 England won the match consistently and the  Runner up -PV Sindhu (AP) England team was unbeaten in the tournament.  Mixed Double:  Spain never won the title even after reaching  Winners – Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (AP) and the final 4 times. Ashwini Ponnappa (PSPB)  Its England’s third title of the year.  Runner up- Pranab J Chopra and N. Sikki  Earlier, England has won the U-20 World Reddy (both PSPB) Cup and U-19 European Championships in  Saina won the title ten years later, while HS Korea. Prannoy won the title for the first time.  England’s Brewster became the first footballer to have two hat-tricks in any World AIBA Young Women’s World Boxing Cup. Championship-2017  England is the 9th team to win the U-17  The Indian Boxing Federation (BFI) released World Cup. the official song, logo and mascot of the first  This time in the world cup final match (score AIBA Youth Woman World Boxing 5-2 ) was the highest score match. Championships. (November 6, 2017)  Earlier, in the Ecuador World Cup-1995,  The famous one-horned rhinoceros (female) Ghana defeated Brazil by 3-2. of Assam has been made an official mascot,  Total 183 goals were made in this World Cup, which has been named GUPPY. which is the highest one in any U-17 world cup.  It symbolizes strength and patience.  13, 47,143 spectators have enjoyed the  The official song of the championship matches, which is also a new record. (Anthem) is ‘Make Some Noise’.  Earlier, 13, 09,929 spectators had made a  Shan has composed the lyrics and it is sung record presence in the 2011 Colombia World by Kunwar Juneja and Sunidhi Chauhan. Cup.  This logo consists of two essential elements-  The mascot of the FIFA U-17 World Cup was the culture of Assam (host state) and the a leopard named ‘Kheleo’. strength of a woman.  From 19-26 November, 2017, about 193 82nd Senior National Badminton boxers from 39 countries will participate in this Championship competition in Guwahati, Assam.  82th Senior National Badminton  India hosted the Senior Women’s World Championship, 2017concluded in Nagpur, Championship in 2006. Maharashtra (November 2nd-8th, 2017).  Indian women boxers Mary Kom, Shiv Thapa  Competition Results- and Zubin Garg are the brand ambassadors of  Men’s Singles: AIBA for this championship.  Winner-H.S.Prannoy (PSPB)  Runners up- Srikanth Kidambi (PSPB) ASBC Asian Women’s boxing  Women’s Doubles: championship  Winner- Ashwini Ponnappa and N. Sikki  ASBC Asian Female Boxing Championship, Reddy (both PSPB) 2017 Ho Chi Minh, completed in Vietnam.  Runner up- Sanyogita Ghorpade and Prajakta (November 2-8, 2017) Sawant (both AI)  Five-time world champion and famous Indian  Men’s Doubles: woman boxer by the nickname ‘Magnificent  Winner-Manu Attri (PSPB) and B. Sumit Mary’ MC Mary Kom won the gold medal for Reddy (TS) the fifth time in this championship.  Runners up- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (AP)  In the final of 48 kg weight class, Mary and Chirag Shetty (MAHA) defeated Kim Hyang Mi of North Korea 5-0.  Women’s Singles:  This is Mary’s first medal in the Light  Winner- Saina Nehwal (PSPB) flyweight 48 kg weight category.

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 India won a total of 7 medals (1 gold, 1 silver,  Before this double century, the record of 11 5 bronze) in the championship. double centuries of cricketer Vijay Merchant  Mary Kom became the world’s first boxer to broke. win 5 gold medals in the Asian Championships.  3 Triple Centuries are also in the names of  She participated in Asian boxing 6 times and Pujara in domestic cricket. reached the final every time.  His highest individual score in the first-class  5 times she won gold medal and won the match is 352 runs. silver medal in Guwahati in the year 2008.  Pujara has scored a total of 42 centuries and  The International Boxing Association gave 43 half-centuries in the first-class match. her the nickname ‘Magnificent Mary’ in 2010.  Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, and Vijay  35-year-old Mary Kom is also the Rajya Hazare have scored 10 double centuries in the Sabha MP and Government Supervisor of first class. Boxing in India.  She got the Arjuna Award in 2003, the Padma Russian gold medalist athlete has been Shri in 2006, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in restricted for the lifetime 2009 and the Padma Bhushan in 2013.  In a decision taken by the International Other medal winners in the championship- Olympic Association (IOC), the Winter  Sonia Lather (57kg) – Silver Olympics, 2014 gold medalist Russian athlete  Shiksha (54kg) – Bronze Alexander Legkov was disqualified in the Dope  Priyanka Chaudhary (60kg) Bronze Test. (November 1, 2017).  Lashram Sarita Devi (64kg) Bronze  Legkov won a gold medal in the cross  Lavina Borgohein (69kg) – Bronze country race (50 km), which has been  Seema Punia (81+kg) – Bronze withdrawn.  Chief Coach-Shiv Singh  Legkov will no longer be able to participate  The best boxer award for the championship in any Olympics. was given to Lin Yu Ting (Chinese Taipei).  His record in Sochi also has been canceled.

France to host Rugby World Cup President of the Indian Weightlifting  France will host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Federation Re-elected  On November 15, 2017, this decision was  The Indian Weightlifting Federation held its taken at an interim meeting of the World Rugby Annual General Meeting on 30th October 2017 Council in London. in New Delhi, India.  2015th edition of Rugby World Cup  The Elections of the Indian Weightlifting concluded in England. Federation has been conducted under strict  It is noteworthy that the Rugby World Cup of guidelines issued by Ministry of Youth Affairs 2019 will be held in Japan. & Sports, Government of India with the

supervision of Observers from Ministry of First Indian cricketer to score highest Sports and Indian Olympic Association. double century in first-class cricket The following officials were elected:  In a Ranji Trophy 2017-18 match Cheteshwar  President: Mr. Birendra Prasad Baishya Pujara, playing for Saurashtra hit a double  Secretary General: Mr. Sahdev Yadav century (204 runs) against Jharkhand  Treasurer: Mr. Naresh Sharma (November 2, 2017).  Secretary: Mr. Badeti Venkataramaiah  With this, Pujara became the first Indian cricketer to score 12 double centuries in first class cricket.

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 The National Child Awards for Exceptional AWARDS AND Achievement that give recognition to children with exceptional abilities and outstanding HONOURS achievements in the fields of innovation, scholastic achievements, sports, arts, culture, Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for year social service and music. 2017  The child with the most outstanding  On November 18th, 2017, Indira Gandhi achievement is honoured with a cash prize of Prize for peace, Disarmament and Development Rs.20,000/-, a certificate/citation and a Gold for 2017 was awarded to Dr. Manmohan Singh. Medal. Fifteen children are being honoured with  Manmohan was chosen by an international a cash prize of Rs. 10,000/-, a certificate/citation jury headed by former President Pranab and a Silver Medal each for this year. Mukherjee.  Since 2015, the gold and silver awardees are  He was being recognised for the leadership he also given book voucher of Rs. 10,000/- and provided to the country and for his Rs.3, 000/- respectively. achievements during the “momentous” ten years between 2004 and 201.4 Miss World -2017  The International award named after former On November 18th, 2017, India’s Manushi Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was instituted in Chhillar was crowned as Miss World 2017 at 1986. a grand event held in Sanya in China. 118  This Prestigious award accorded annually by contestants from all over the world competed Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. for the crown.  The award comprises a cash prize of 25 lakh The first and the second runners-up were and a citation. Miss England Stephanie Hill and Miss Mexico Andrea Meza respectively. National Child Awards Top five contestants were: Manushi  On November 14th, 2017, The President of Chhillar-Miss India, Stephanie Hill- Miss India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind gave away the England, Andrea Meza-Miss Mexico, Aurore National Child Awards 2017 on the occasion of Kichenin-Miss France and Magline Jeruto- Children’s Day in New Delhi. Miss Kenya.  This year, the President honoured 16 children Manushi Chhillar is a 20-year-old medical in the category of The National Child Awards student from Haryana state born on born 14 for Exceptional Achievement, out of which one May 1997. child was given a gold medal and 15 children Earlier, on June 25th, 2017, Miss Haryana were given silver medals. Manushi Chhillar was declared Femina Miss  The National Award for Child Welfare was India World 2017. conferred on 3 individuals and 5 institutions. She is the 6th Indian to win this title. Reita The Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award was Faria was the first Indian to win the crown in conferred on 3 individuals. the 1966.  Master Akash Manoj from Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu got Gold medal in the field of innovation. Hindi Writer Krishna Sobti awarded  He has invented a device to detect silent heart Jnanpith award 2017 attacks six hours prior to attack, that has the Eminent Hindi Litterateur Krishna Sobti (92) potential to save many lives. was awarded the 53rd Jnanpith Award for the About National Child Awards- year 2017 for her path-breaking contribution to  Children in the age group of 5-18 years are Indian literature. She will be overall eight eligible for the award. women to win this prestigious award.

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She is known for experimenting with new wisdom. writing styles and creating bold and daring characters in her stories. Her language is highly The Best FIFA Football Awards -2017 influenced by the intermingling of Hindi, Urdu  On October 23rd, 2017, annual awards of and Punjabi cultures. football’s highest regulatory body FIFA were She was born on 18 February 1925 in Gujrat distributed in London. Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan). She also  The Best FIFA Men’s Player – Cristiano has written under the name Hashmat and has Ronaldo (Portugal) published Hum Hashmat, a compilation of pen  The Best FIFA Women’s Player – Lieke portraits of writers and friends. Martens (Netherlands) She is known for enriching Hindi literature by  The Best FIFA Men’s Coach – Zinedine experimenting with new styles and of writing Zidane (France) and also by minting several words in Hindi. Her  The Best FIFA Women’s Coach- Sarina writings have dealt with plethora of issues Wiegeman (Netherlands) ranging from partition, relationships between  The Best FIFA Goalkeeper – Gianluigi man and woman, changing dynamics of Indian Buffon (Italy) society and slow deterioration of human values.  Fair Play Award – Francis Kone (Togo) Some of her celebrated works include Mitro  Puskás Award – Olivier Giroud (France) Marjani, Daar Se Bichhudi, Zindaginama,  Fan Award – Celtic supporters (Scotland) Badalom ke Ghere, Ai Ladki, Dil-o-Danish and  In addition to these, FIFA FIFPro World11 Gujarat Pakistan Se Gujarat Hindustan. Several team including Gianluigi Buffon; Dani Alves, of her works have been translated into other Leonardo Bonucci, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Indian languages and also in English, Swedish Toni Kroos, Andres Iniesta, Luka Modric; and Russian. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar was She has been recipient of many coveted also announced. awards in the past including Hindi Akademi Awards, Shiroman Awards, Maithli Sharan Sakharov Award Gupt Samman, Sahitya Akademi Award for her  On October 26, 2017, the European novel Zindaginama, Sahitya Akademi Parliament announced the recipient of Sakharov Fellowship Padma Bhushan. Award, 2017, for the independence of ideas. Jnanpith Award  For the year 2017 this award will be Jnanpith Award is India’s highest literary conferred to the Democratic opposition in honour. Its name has been taken from Sanskrit Venezuela. words Jnana and Pitha which means knowledge-  The prize money of 50 thousand euro will be seat. provided at the award distribution ceremony to It was instituted in 1961 by Bharatiya Jnanpith be held on December 13, 2017 in Strasbourg, trust founded by the Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain France. family that owns the Times of India newspaper  The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, group. It is bestowed upon any Indian citizen named in honour of the Soviet physicist and who writes in any 22 official languages of India political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded mentioned in VIII Schedule of Constitution of each year by the European Parliament. India and English. Prior to 1982, the award was  It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals only given for a single work by a writer. But and organizations defending human rights and after 1982, the award is given for lifetime fundamental freedoms. contribution to Indian literature. The award carries cash prize of 11 lakh rupees, a citation plaque and a bronze replica of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge and

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following Robert Mugabe’s resignation as PERSONS IN NEWS president of Zimbabwe at the age of 93.

UN Environment Goodwill Ajay Bisaria Ambassador for India  According to a press release issued by the th • On November 29 2017, Former Miss Asia Ministry of External Affairs On 31st October, Pacific, actor, producer, entrepreneur and 2017, Ajay Bisaria has been appointed as the environmentalist, Dia Mirza, was appointed as next High Commissioner of India to the Islamic UN Environment’s Goodwill Ambassador for Republic of Pakistan. India.  He is the 1987 batch senior officer of the • She has been appointed in view of his long Indian Foreign Service. standing contribution on raising awareness of  Presently he is Ambassador of India to and seeking solutions to environmental issues Republic of Poland. that the world and India in particular, facing. • It is noteworthy that Dia has joined other New Director General of Police accomplished and dedicated past and present Research and Development Bureau UN Goodwill Ambassadors, including UN  On October 30th, 2017, the special director Environment’s Li Binging, Gisele Bündchen general of Border Security Force (BSF), AP and Don Cheadle, and others such as Cate Maheshwari has been appointed Director Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie, Katy General of Police Research and Development Perry and Emma Watson. Bureau by the Central Government.  He will hold the post for a period up to his Indian Navy’s first woman pilot superannuation on February 28, 2021, or till  On November 22, 2017, the Shubhangi further orders. Swarup form of Uttar Pradesh became the first  He has been appointed in place of Meeran C woman pilot of the Indian Navy. Borwankar.  Apart fromthis, three other women cadets, Astha Segal from New Delhi, Roopa A. from America’s Top Young Scientist Puducherry and Sakthi Maya S. from Kerala,  On October 17, 2017, Indian-American also honored as the country’s first women Gitanjali Rao won the ‘Discovery Education officers of the Naval Armament Inspectorate contest and 3M Young Scientist Challenge’. (NAI) branch. This award has been given to her to develop a sensor that can detect lead levels in water better Zimbabwe’s New President than traditional methods.  On November 24th, 2017, Former Vice-  GitaJangli named the device after the President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa ‘Tethys’-Greek goddess of pure water. sworn in as the new President of the country.  This device can be moved anywhere and  Emmerson Mnangagwa has taken over from connecting with mobile app can be used to Robert Mugabe. detect the amount of lead in the water  It is noteworthy that Robert Mugabe resigned immediately. from the office of President after being removed  This was developed in response to learning from the post of chairman of Zimbabwe’s ruling about the ongoing water crisis in Flint, Michigan party ZANU-PF party on November 22, 2017. USA, in 2014-15.  After ruling over past 37 years since the abolition of British Colonial Rule, he resigned from the office.  It is notable that Queen Elizabeth II aged 91, is now the world’s oldest living head of state 28

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the quality with the availability of various PLACES IN NEWS tissues.

Terrorist attack in northern Sinai province World’s First Floating City  On November 24, 2017, militants attacked the  In November 2017, the French government al-Rawdah Sufi mosque during Zuma prayers in decided to make a floating city in the Pacific al-Alrish city of the restive North Sinai province Ocean with researchers. of Egypt.  A city floating in the South Pacific Ocean of  235 people died in this attack and more than France will be built. 100 people were injured.  This will be the world’s first floating city.  No terrorist organization has taken  This city will be prepared by the French responsibility for the attack on. Polynesia Government.  French government hopes that they will India’s first cartoon network Theme complete the construction of this city by the year Park 2020.  In November 2017, Turner International India  This city will have power houses that provide Pvt. Ltd. has partnered with Rajgreen Group of fields, health care, medical research centers and Companies for set up India’s first Cartoon sustainable energy. Network branded amusement park.  The city will consist of about a dozen  The park will be opened in Surat, Gujarat. structures, including homes, hotels, offices, and  The name of the park will be” Amaazia”. restaurants.  Park will be spread across an expansive  Earlier this year, an agreement was signed 61,000 sq meter area. between The San Francisco- based Seasteading  For this park Rajgreen Group of Companies Institute and government of French Polynesiato will invest 450 crore. begin construction.  This park is likely to be operational in the first quarter of 2019. India’s Largest CDQ Plant  Park is conceptualised and designed by the  On November 6, 2017, Tata Steel established Sanderson Group, Australia. India’s largest CDQ plant (CDQ: Coke Dry  Cartoon Network characters from “Ben 10”, Quenching) in Odisha. “The Powerpuff Girls” and “Adventure Time”  The plant has been established at will be part of this theme park. Kalinganagar Industrial Complex in Jajpur  Park will host 33 theme-based attractions as district of Odisha. well as 20 unique water-slides.  Nippon Steel and Sumkin Engineering  It is Turner’s third such arrangement at global (NSENGI) of Japan are the supplier and level. technology partner and plant is being operated  Prior to this, it has set up its timeline model by Essar Group. IMG in Dubai and CNN Water Park, Thailand.  The coal is heated at 1000oC temperature and left in the plant for cooling and is mixed with National Biomaterial Centre inert gas.  On November 22, 2017, Minister of State for  Electricity is made from this coal which is Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel more energy efficient and environmentally inaugurated National Biometric Center friendly. (National Tissue Bank) at the National Organ  CDQ is a heat recovery system to cool hot and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) coke from coke ovens. located in Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.  This plant has the capacity to perform 200  The main purpose of this center is to bridge metric tons of coal in one hour. the gap between demand and supply and ensure 29

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Dharampura Haveli  The aim of the construction ofcentral is to  On November 1st, 2017, Dharmapura Haveli, increase academic and business cooperation located at Chandni Chowk, New Delhi was between India and Israel. awarded by the UNESCO Asia Pacific Awards  Abhoy K Ojha is the President of the Israeli for Cultural Heritage Conservation in category Center. of Honourable Mention.  It is mentionable that sixteen projects from Attack on Riyadh Airport six countries – Australia, China, India, Iran,  On November 4, 2017, the Shiite Houthi New Zealand, and Singapore were recognized in rebels of Yemen attacked at King Khalid this year’s Heritage Awards by an international International Airport located in Riyadh, Saudi panel of conservation experts. Arabia, by the missile.  This is the first time when the United Nations  Saudi Arabia has claimed to have destroyed Educational, Scientific and Cultural this long-range ballistic missile fired from Organization (UNESCO) has given this honor to Yemen. any building in Delhi.  It is known that the struggle between  At this mention, the hotel is currently President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi’s operating by a private company. government and Houthi rebels in Yemen  Besides this, 6 other submissions (total 7) continues. from India have also been awarded in other  Saudi Arabia is leading a campaign against categories. the Houthi rebels.  Saudi Arabia is one of the major countries First charging station for electric involved in the International Coalition taking vehicles action on this rebel organization since 2015

 On November 19th, 2017, the public sector fuel marketing company Indian Oil Corporation

Limited launched the country’s first electric charging station at one of its petrol/diesel stations in IBI Square, Nagpur (Maharashtra).  IOCL established this station in collaboration with Ola.  It is noteworthy that Nagpur, being the first city to introduce Electric Public Transportation Model in India, has added one more feather by adding the first Electric Charging Station at Indian Oil’s COCO fuel station.

Opening of Israel Center  On November 5th, 2017, the Israeli Center was inaugurated by the Indian Consulate in Israel at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM).  The center was inaugurated by Daniel Cormon, Ambassador of Israel.  This center was established on the occasion of completion of 25 years of Indo-Israel Partnership.

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 The Commission will review the various COMMISSION & functions and non-cash benefits received by the judicial officers in addition to the wages besides COMMITTEE examining the methods of working system, and

Consultative Group constituted to suggesting them to rationalize and simplify them. facilitate GST  On November 6, 2017; a consultation group Committee for Sports University in was formed with the GST Council Law Committee to make GST simpler and easier by Patiala the Central Government.  On October 30, 2017, Punjab Chief Minister  This group will give its report to the legal Amarinder Singh today constituted a steering committee at the end of this month. committee, headed by Olympian Randhir Singh,  In this group, five persons including National to set in motion the process of setting up a sports General Secretary Praveen Khandelwal of All university in Patiala. India Traders Association have been included.  The committee has been set up under the  Former Chief Commissioner of the Central aegis of the Sports and Youth Affairs Board of Trade and Customs, Gautam Ray has Department to work out the modalities for been made the Chief convenor of the group. setting up the proposed university  Other members of this group include  Besides International Olympic Committee Research Director of Center for Legal Policy (IOC) member Randhir Singh, the committee Ardhyasen Gupta, Vinod Jain (CA), Chief includes Olympian Pargat Singh, along with Executive Officer of Indian Exporters former Vice Chancellor of Lakshmibai Federation, Ajay Sahay and the Chairman of National University of Physical Education Laghu Udyog Bharti Om Prakash Mittal. (LNIPE), Gwalior, J S Narula, and former Vice Chancellor of Rajasthan Sports University Dr L Second National Judicial Pay S Ranawat.

Commission Committee set up for review of merger  On November 10, 2017, the Union Cabinet approved the appointment of the second proposal of public sector banks National Judicial Pay Commission (SNJPC) for  On October 30th, 2017, Central Government the subordinate judiciary in the country. has made improvements in public sector banks  The Commission is to be headed by Shri to pursue further; the Ministerial Committee has Justice (Retd. J P.Venkatrama Reddi, former been constituted under the chairmanship of Judge of Supreme Court of India. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.  Shri R. Basant, a former Judge of the Kerala  Committee will consider the merger proposal High Court is the Member of the Commission. of public sector banks.  The Commission will make its  Other members of the committee include recommendations to the State Governments Railway and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal and preferably within a period of 18 months. Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.  The Commission also aims at making the pay scales and conditions of service of Judicial Officers uniform throughout the country.  This commission will examine the present structure of emoluments and conditions of service of Judicial Officers in the States and UTs.

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seaward cover along the Goa Coast jointly from OPERATIONS & coastal belt area line to the limit of territorial water (12 nautical miles). CAMPAIGN  Agencies like Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Goa Police, Goa Coastal Security ‘Blue Flag 17’ Intelligence Agencies, MPT, Ports  During November 2-16, 2017, The Combined Administration Department, CISF and Customs exercise ‘Blue Flag 17’ is being organized at etc. participating in this exercise. Uvda Air Force Base in Israel.  Began in 2013, ‘Blue Flag’ is the two-yearly Air Force Maneuver of Israel.  Seven countries France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Poland, America, and India, including Israel are participating in this year’s exercise.  In this multilateral exercise, Indian Air Force is participating with the C-130J special operations aircraft along with Garud commandos.  A 45 member contingent of the Indian Air Force was led by Captain Malluk Singh.  This is the first time the Indian Air Force is operating with Israeli AF in a multilateral exercise setting.  The aim of this exercise is to promote information, experience, operational efficiency and military support of the countries involved.

PRABAL DOSTYK 2017  On November 2, 2017, the joint training exercise ‘PRABAL DOSTYK 2017’ was commenced between Indian Army and the Kazakhstan Army at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.  This was a fourteen day joint training exercise which concluded on November 15, 2017.  The joint exercise was aimed at enhancing the military ties between the two countries as also at achieving interoperability between the two armies.  The training contingents comprised of platoon strength from the 11th Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army and a similar strength of the Kazakhstan Army.

Sagar Kavach exercise  From November 8-9, 2017, Coastal Security Exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ will be held in Goa.  In this two-day coastal security exercise, all the security agencies to provide seamless 32

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Gadkari (Road Transport Minister), Thawar ASSOCIATIONS & Chand Gehlot (Social Justice and Authorization) and Nirmala Sitharaman (Defense Minister). ORGANIZATIONS  Chief Minister of all the states and Chief New member of the International Ministers of the Union Territories of all the Solar Alliance Legislative Assembly shall be the members of  On November 6, 2017, Foreign Minister this Council. Sushma Swaraj met with Guinea’s Foreign  Apart from this, 8 Union Ministers have also Minister, Mamady Toure in New Delhi. been appointed permanent invitees.  The Foreign Minister of the Republic of  Article 263 of the Constitution provides for Guinea submitted its formal instrument of the creation of Inter-state Council. ratification of the ISA framework agreement to  In the year 1988, on the recommendation the Minister of External Affairs, Government of Commission (Sarkaria Commission) constituted India. under the chairmanship of Justice R.S. Sarkaria  Both exchanged views on a broad range of the Inter-state Council was formed in the year subjects covering bilateral friendship and 1990. cooperation.  The objective is to try to resolve the dispute  On this occasion, the Foreign Minister of arising on any issue between two or more states Guinea invited Indian Government and Indian / center administered areas or center and business to participate in the Donors / Investors between two or more states / center Conference to be held in Paris in the third week administered areas. of November, 2017.  Council provides a solution to the issues  The International Solar Alliance is a common related to the interests of the interests and platform for cooperation among sun-rich i.e. all investigate the appropriate solutions. 121 prospective member countries lying fully or  Apart from this, the policy is also partially between the Tropics of Cancer and recommended for better cooperation and Capricorn. appropriate action.  The initiative was launched at the UN  On the same day, the Standing Committee of Climate Change Conference in Paris at the end the Inter-state Council was reconstituted under of 2015 by the President of France and the the chairmanship of Home Minister Rajnath Prime Minister of India. Singh.  Bilateral trade between India and Guinea was  It is known that the Home Minister of India is $ 634.15 million in the year 2016-17. the ex-officio Chairman of this committee.  The founding ceremony of ISA is scheduled  In this reconstituted Standing Committee, for December 08, 2017 in Greater Noida, India. four Union Ministers and seven Chief Ministers have been nominated members. Reorganization of inter-state council  This committee includes Union Ministers  On November 1st, 2017, the inter-state Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari and council was reorganized under the chairmanship Thawar Chand Gehlot. of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  There are chief ministers in this committee-  It is known that the Prime Minister is the ex- N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh), officio chairman of this council. Amarinder Singh (Punjab), Raman Singh  Six Central Ministers and Chief Ministers of (Chhattisgarh), Manik Sarkar (Tripura), Naveen all the States have been included as members. Patnaik (Odisha), Vasundhara Raje (Rajasthan)  The following are the six central ministers and Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh). included in the Council: Rajnath Singh (Home Minister), Sushma Swaraj (External Affairs Minister), Arun Jaitley (Finance Minister), Nitin 33

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 Drones cannot be operated within 5 km radius LAW & JUSTICE from Vijay Chowk in Delhi and from a mobile platform such as a moving vehicle, ship or Draft Regulation of CAR aircraft.  On November 1st, 2017, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced the Approval of amendment in the regulations on civil use of Remotely Piloted National Council for Teacher Aircraft Systems. Education Act, 1993  As per the draft Civil Aviation  On November 1st, 2017, Union Cabinet Requirementsthe drones have been classified in chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra 5 categories as follows on the basis of their Modi has given its approval for introduction of a maximum take-off weight: Bill in Parliament to amend the National (1) Nano- Less than or equal to 250 gm Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993. (2) Micro- Greater than 250 gm and less than or  A new amendment act namely; National equal to 2 kg Teaching Training (Amendment) Act, 2017 was (3) Mini- Greater than 2 kg and less than or approved in Parliament to present. equal to 25 kg  Approval grants retrospective recognition to (4) Small- Greater than 25 kg and less than or the Central/State/Universities who are found to equal to 150 kg be conducting teacher education courses without (5) Large – Greater than 150 kg. NCTE permission.  As per the draft regulation all drones are  The amendment will make students studying proposed to be operated in visual line of sight, in these Institutions/Universities, or already during day time only and below 200 feet. passed out from here, eligible for employment  Dropping of any substance, carriage of as a teacher. hazardous material or animal or human payload  Department of School Education & Literacy, will not be permitted. Ministry of Human Resource Development has  All commercial categories of drones except brought about this amendment. those in the Nano category and those operated  All institutions running Teacher Education by government security agencies, will have to be Courses such as B.Ed. and D.El.Ed. have to registered by DGCA as per ICAO proposed obtain recognition from the National Council for policy, in the form of Unique Identification Teacher Education under section 14 of the Number (UIN). NCTE Act.  The Mini and above categories will require  The courses of such recognised Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP). Institutions/Universities have to be permitted  The draft regulation also specifies certain under section 15, of the NCTE Act. restricted areas for operations of drones.  The NCTE Act, 1993 came into force on 1st  Drones cannot be operated within an area of July, 1995. 5km from airport, within permanent or  Act is applicable throughout the country, temporary Prohibited, Restricted and Danger except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Areas as notified by AAI in AIP and without  The main objective of the Act is to provide prior approval. for the establishment of a NCTE to achieve  Areas or over or near an area, which are planned and coordinated development of the densely populated affecting public safety or teacher education system, regulation and ensure where emergency operations are underway and proper maintenance of norms and standards in within 50 km from international border and the system. beyond 500 m (horizontal) into sea along the coastline.

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World Philosophy Day YEAR, DAY & WEEK  On November 16th, 2017, World Philosophy

International Day for the Elimination Day was celebrated all over the world.  In 2005 the UNESCO General Conference of Violence against Women proclaimed that World Philosophy Day would  International Day for the Elimination of be celebrated every third Thursday of Violence against Women is celebrated on November. November 25thevery year.  The purpose of this day is to encourage all the  This year’s theme for the campaign is ‘Leave people of the world to share the philosophical No One Behind: End Violence against Women heritage and bring openness to new ideas, as and Girls.’ well as intellectuals and civil society to motivate  On 20 December 1993, the General Assembly discussions to fight social challenges. adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of  From the year 2002, UNESCO has started the Violence against Women and in 1999 the United tradition of celebrating World Day of Visions. Nations General Assembly designated 25  World Philosophy Day is celebrated in honor November as the International Day for the of those visitors, who provided the entire world Elimination of Violence against Women. space for independent ideas.  The purpose of this day is to make people aware of the eradication of violence against International Tolerance Day women.  ‘International Day of Tolerance’ is celebrated on November 16th across the world. World Fisheries Day  This day is celebrated to create awareness  On November 21st, 2017; ‘World Fisheries among people about the dangers of intolerance. Day’ was celebrated across the world.  In 1996, the UN General Assembly (by  It is notable that on November 21, 1997, the resolution 51/95) invited UN Member States to meeting of working fishermen and fisherwomen observe the International Day for Tolerance on representing the world forum of fisheries and 16 November. fishery workers in 18 countries was held in New  UN General Assembly in 1993 at the Delhi. initiative of UNESCO proclaimed year 1995 as  On this occasion, the ‘World Fisheries United Nations Year for Tolerance. Forum’ (W.F.F.) was founded while advocating  In 1995, to mark the United Nations Year for a global mandate of sustainable fisheries Tolerance and the 125th anniversary of the birth experiments and policies. of Mahatma Gandhi, UNESCO created a prize  This day is celebrated on 21 November every for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence. year in its memory.  The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the  On this occasion, it was organized by the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and rewards significant activities in the scientific, Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers artistic, cultural or communication fields aimed Welfare at the National Agricultural Science at the promotion of a spirit of tolerance and non- Center (N.A.C.C.) Complex, New Delhi. violence.  In the year 2017, the main theme of this day  The prize is awarded every two years. was (2022 Ka Hai Sapna-Kisan Ki Aay ho  The 2016 winner was the Federal Research Duguna-Sankalp se Siddhi. and Methodological Center for Tolerance  In this, an exhibition was organized Psychology and Education (Tolerance Center) demonstrating the progress made in the of Russia. technological advances and fisheries sector so World Television day far.  On November 21st, World Television day is celebrated across the world every year. 35

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 The United Nations General Assembly  In 2013, the United Nations General proclaimed 21 November as World Television Assembly officially designated November 19 as Day (through resolution 51/205of 17 December World Toilet Day. 1996).  World Toilet Day is coordinated by UN-  It is noteworthy that On 21 and 22 November Water in collaboration with governments and 1996 the United Nations held the first World partners. Television Forum, where leading media figures  This year the theme of world toilet day is: met under the auspices of the United Nations to “Wastewater”. discuss the growing significance of television in It is notable that 4.5 billion people live without a today’s changing world and to consider how household toilet that safely disposes of their they might enhance their mutual cooperation. waste.  The Sustainable Development Goals, Universal Children’s Day launched in 2015, include a target specifically  United Nations Universal Children’s Day was SDG #6, to ensure everyone has access to a established in 1954 and is celebrated on safely-managed household toilet by 2030. November 20th each year.  On World Toilet Day Prime Minister of India  The celebration aims to promote international Sri Narendra Modi reaffirm our commitment togetherness, awareness among children towards improving sanitation facilities across worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. our nation.  The theme for 2017: It’s a #KidsTakeOver  It is also noteworthy that on World Toilet  The date 20th November is important because Day, Kimberly-Clark Announces the Expansion it is the date in 1959 when the UN General of its Toilets Change Lives Program to Assam Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights and Chhattisgarh under second phase of its of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the global Toilets Change Lives program in India. UN General assembly adopted the Convention  Earlier, Kimberly-Clark launched its Toilets on the Rights of the Child. Change Lives program, as a global intervention, in 2014. Child Rights Week “Hausala 2017”  The Ministry of Women and Child World Tsunami Awareness Day Development celebrated the Child Rights Week  World Tsunami Awareness Day is celebrated (Hausla 2017) from 16th to 20th November, on November 5thacross the world. 2017.  The purpose of this day is to create awareness  Festival “Hausala 2017” provided an occasion about the warning systems of tsunami and to showcase the talents of children from CCIs reducing its impact. from various child care institutions across the  It is notable that in December 2015, the country and provide them with a space to United Nations General Assembly designated 5 express their dreams and aspiration. November as World Tsunami Awareness Day to  During this children participated in various promote a global culture of tsunami awareness. programs such as Children’s Parliament, painting competition, athletic meet, football, World Science Day for Peace and chess competition and speech writing. Development  Nearly 500 Children residing in Child Care  World Science Day for Peace and Institutions from all over the country Development was celebrated on 10th November, participated in various events of ‘Hausla 2017’ 2017 across the world.  In the year 2017, the theme of this day was World Toilet Day ‘Science for Global Understanding’.  World Toilet Day is celebrated on 19 November every year across the world. 36

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 It is noteworthy that the General Assembly of World Diabetes Day UNESCO had announced the celebration of this  On November 14th, World Diabetes Day is day in 2001. celebrated across the world.  This Year (2017) the theme for World Qaumi Ekta Week diabetes day is “Women and diabetes – our right  “Qaumi Ekta Week” (National Integration to a healthy future.” Week) will be observed all over the country,  The World Diabetes Day campaign; led by from the 19th to 25th November, 2017. International Federation of Diabetes draws  With a view to foster and reinforce the spirit attention to issues of paramount importance to of Communal Harmony, National Integration the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in and pride in vibrant, composite culture and the public and political spotlight. nationhood this week was started.  The campaign is represented by a blue circle The week long programmes to be observed logo signifies the unity of the global diabetes during Qaumi Ekta Week will be as under: community in response to the diabetes epidemic.  The week long programmes to be observed  According to International Diabetes during Quami Ekta Week (November 19- Federation statics there are currently over 199 25th,2017) include National Integration Day million women living with diabetes. (November 19), Welfare of Minorities Day  This total is projected to increase to 313 (November 20), Linguistic Harmony Day million by 2040. (November 21), Weaker Sections Day  Two out of every five women with diabetes (November 22), Cultural Unity Day (November are of reproductive age, accounting for over 60 23), Women’s Day(November 24) and million women worldwide. Conservation Day (November 25).  Diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in  It is noteworthy that The National Foundation women globally, causing 2.1 million deaths per for Communal Harmony (NFCH), an year. autonomous organisation with the Ministry of  It is noteworthy that World Diabetes Day was Home Affairs, organises Communal Harmony created in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Campaign coinciding with the Qaumi Ekta Organization in response to growing concerns Week and observes the Communal Harmony about the escalating health threat posed by Flag Day on 25th November. diabetes.  World Diabetes Day became an official Public Broadcasting Day United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of  On November 12th, 2017, ‘Public Service’ United Nation Resolution 61/225. Broadcasting Day was celebrated.  The day is observed every year to commemorate the first and last visit of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi to the studio of All India Radio, Delhi in 1947.

National Education Day  On November 11, 2017, National Education Day was celebrated.  It is remarkable that this day is celebrated on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter and India’s first education minister Bharat Ratna Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

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Mudhol Hunter Dog MISCELLANEOUS  Mudhol hunter dog is the first Indian breed of

Mandatory Use of Tribal Language on dogs to be included in the Indian Army.  In Meerut, Army’s Remount and Veterinary Signboards Corps (RVC) center has completed training of 6  On November 20th, 2017, Tripura Mudhol hunter dogs and will be included in the government has made it mandatory to display army until the end of 2017. the tribal name and language on signboards,  The first deployment of these predatory dogs name plates and other notice boards in all will be done in Jammu and Kashmir. government buildings.  Mudhol hunter is found in northern  A high level committee has been set up in the Karnataka, which is known for its patience, state to oversee the work of writing tribal names agility, speed, and stamina. and tribal language ‘Kokboroka’.  Mudhol dog is hybrid of Iranian, turkey and It is noteworthy that the total population of local species. Tripura is 37 lakhs, out of which one-third is  In present, Indian Army is been using foreign tribal. breed dogs like the German shepherd, Labrador,  More than 60% of the total 11, 66,813 tribal and Great Swiss Mountain Dogs. populations in this state speaks Kokboroka language. Mandatory use of Public Finance

Top 20 Employers List issued by Management System (PFMS) for all  On 27th October, 2017, the Union Finance AAAS Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley launched the  On October 19, 2017, the ‘American mandatory use of Public Finance Management Association for the Advancement of Science’ System (PFMS) for all Central Sector Schemes (AAAS) released a survey list of ‘Top 20 in the National Capital Region. Employers’ for the year 2017.  It would help in tracking and monitoring the  In this list, America’s Regeneron has been put flow of funds to the implementing agencies. at first place followed by Denmark’s  Due to the monitoring of funds through Novozymes and America’s Vertx PFMS, one can know the actual status of Pharmaceuticals respectively. utilization of funds by the multiple  Biocon Limited, India’s biotechnology and implementing agencies of the Central and the pharmaceutical company, is ranked 9th in this State Governments. list. It was also at 9th place in the list for year  PFMS would not only help in complete 2016. tracking of funds but would also ensure just in  Biocon has been recognized for ´being an time transfer of funds. innovative leader in the industry´, ´having a  It is notable that 13 Central Sector Schemes clear vision´ and ´being socially responsible´. are now under PFMS.  The American Association for the  Schemes through PFMS have brought Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world’s transparency in system and helped in easy largest general scientific society and publisher transfer and tracking of funds. of the journal Science.  Nearly 250 societies and academies of “Fraud Risk Management -New science are affiliated with it. Initiatives”  AAAS fulfills its mission to “advance science On November 3rd, 2017, EPFO organized a and serve society” through initiatives in science national seminar on “Fraud Risk Management- policy, international programs, science the New Initiatives” at India Habitat Centre, education, public engagement, and more. New Delhi.

 This seminar was organized nationwide to promote transparency and probity in public 38

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governance as a part of “Vigilance Awareness Week – 2017”.  The seminar was inaugurated by Dr. T.M. Bhasin, Vigilance Commissioner, CVC.  Dr. V.P. Joy, Central P.F. Commissioner presided over the function.

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