DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER 2, 2017
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER 2, 2017
NATIONAL
President of India inaugurates 21st World Congress of mental health, calls for fighting stigma:
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the 21st World Congress of Mental Health being organised by the World Federation for Mental Health in partnership with Caring Foundation and other institutions in New Delhi.
Smt. Sumitra Mahajan inaugurates 65th foundation day celebrations of EPFO in New Delhi:
Smt. Sumitra Mahajan praised the efforts of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to digitalize the services to accelerate the claims of EPFO beneficiaries in Provident Fund, Pension & Insurance. Smt Mahajan inaugurated 65th foundation day celebrations of EPFO in New Delhi. She also inaugurated 1 MW solar power plant at various regional offices of EPFO.
EESL launches $454 million project in partnership with the GEF:
Recognizing India’s efforts towards a low emission-economy and focusing on energy efficiency programmes, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has now partnered with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under Ministry of Power, for the project ‘Creating and Sustaining Markets for Energy Efficiency’. The project will receive a composite funding of $454 million comprised of the GEF grant of $20 million and co-financing of $434 million in the form of loans and equity, including a $200 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Maharashtra govt adds 18m to Shivaji statue, to be world’s tallest at 210m:
The 210-metre-high statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which the Maharashtra government plans to build in the sea off the Mumbai coast, has received environmental clearance, making it the world’s tallest statue, once built. The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) approved the government’s application to increase the height from the earlier proposed 192 metres.
Currently, the Spring Temple Buddha statue, which stands at 208 metres in China, is the world’s tallest statue.
Maharashtra
- Capital: Mumbai
- Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
- Governor: C. Vidyasagar Rao
Central Government allocated Rs 109 crores to promote tourism projects in Puducherry:
Central Government earmarked Rs 109 crores to promote heritage and spiritual tourism projects under ‘Swadesh Darshan’ Scheme in Puducherry.
The main focuses on integrated development of tourist circuits around specific themes.
Delhi to host 9th global green film festival:
The 9th edition of ‘CMS Vatavaran’, a global film festival on environment and wildlife, will begin on November 2, 2017 in New Delhi.
The Theme of CMS Vatavaran is “Conservation 4 Water”.
The event is supported and partnered by Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, National Geographic, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
President of India inaugurates Global Clubfoot Conference in New Delhi:
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the Global Clubfoot Conference being organised by the CURE India in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in New Delhi.
AIIB grants Rs. 13,000 cr loan to Andhra Pradesh:
China-sponsored Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) approved USD 2 million loan (Rs. 13,000 crores) for five project in Andhra Pradesh.
Five projects which includes two roads and buildings department, one each for rural safe drinking water department, municipal and urban development department and Panchayat Raj department.
Andhra Pradesh
- Capital: Amaravati
- Chief Minister: Chandrababu Naidu
- Governor: E. S. L. Narasimhan
INTERNATIONAL
7th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable in Bangkok:
The 7th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable (AMER7) will take place in Bangkok, Thailand from 1-3 November 2017.
The Government of Thailand will host this prestigious biennial event, which is a key feature of the global energy dialogue promoted under the neutral banner of the International Energy Forum. The Ministerial will be co-Hosted by the United Arab Emirates.
Thailand
- Currency: Thai baht
- Capital: Bangkok
Narendra Modi, Sheikh Hasina to launch Indo-Bangla train:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina will flag off a new Indo-Bangla train, strengthening bilateral ties and communication.
The commercial service between Kolkata and Khulna, the third-largest city of Bangladesh, will roll out after Modi and Hasina flags it off through a special video conference.
Bangladesh
- Capital: Dhaka
- Currency: Bangladeshi taka
BANKING & BUSINESS
SBI reduces lending rates on home and vehicle loans:
India’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) announced reduction of interest rates on home and automobile loans by five basis points (bps).
In a statement issued here the bank said, it has reduced home loan interest rates to 8.30 per cent.Similarly, automobile loan is now offered at a starting interest rate of 8.70 per cent per annum compared to earlier 8.75 per cent.
With this reduction, SBI’s offering in home loan is the lowest in the market. The new rates will be effective from November 01.
PFRDA increases upper age limit to join NPS to 65 years:
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has raised the upper age limit to join under NPS-Private Sector from 60 years to 65 years.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
K Satchidanandan selected for Ezhuthachan Puraskaram:
Noted Malayalam Poet and literary critic, K Satchidanandan, has been selected for this year’s Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, Kerala government’s highest literary honour.
UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon resigns:
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has resigned, saying his behaviour may have “fallen short” of the standards expected by the UK military.
SPORTS
C’wealth Shooting: Gagan Narang wins silver medal in 50m rifle prone event:
Olympic bronze-medallist Gagan Narang won a silver medal in the men’s 50m rifle prone event of the Commonwealth Shooting Championships in Gold Coast.
Another Indian, Swapnil Suresh Kusale, bagged the bronze in the same event, while Dane Sampson of Australia won the gold.
In women’s 25m pistol final, India’s Anuraj Singh won the bronze, while the gold and silver went to host country’s L Yaumleuskay and E Galiabovitch respectively.
HISTORIC EVENTS OF THE DAY
World Vegan Day – November 1:
Vegan Day first occurred on November 1st, 1994 as a way of commemorating the 50th anniversary of the UK Vegan Society and indeed the term “Vegan”. The Vegan Society was established in November of 1944; although the exact date was unknown. The President of the Vegan Society decided to elect the date of the 1st of November. This is now recognised as the date on which the Vegan Society was founded and on which Vegan Day would be observed..
