Daily Current Affairs November 12 to 14 2023 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

NHAI Accepts First Insurance Surety Bond as Bid Security for NHAI TOT Bid for Monetization                              

• To boost liquidity and capacity of bidders, National Highways Authority of India(NHAI) has accepted Insurance Surety Bond for the monetization program of the upcoming bid of Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) Bundle 14.
• This will be the first time this innovative instrument is being utilised as a Bank Guarantee (BG) in the road infrastructure sector for monetization of bids.

Key Highlights :

• Collaboration and Partnerships : NHAI collaborated with the Highway Operators Association of India (HOAI), SBI General Insurance, and AON India Insurance to implement the initiative.
• This collaboration indicates the involvement of key stakeholders in the road infrastructure development sector.
• Cost and Savings : The Insurance Surety Bond for TOT Bundle 14 has been issued at a rate of 0.25% by the insurer without requiring any margin money.
• This approach translates into significant cost savings for concessionaires, contributing to enhanced liquidity in the market.
• Implications for Concessionaires : The utilisation of Insurance Surety Bonds will result in substantial savings for concessionaires participating in the NHAI monetization bid.
• Increased liquidity is expected to create a favourable environment for the growth and development of the road sector.
• Industry Benchmark : The issuance of Insurance Surety Bonds for NHAI monetization bids is positioned to set a new benchmark for the industry.
• This highlights the importance of innovative financial solutions in the evolving landscape of road infrastructure development.
• Volume and Scope : NHAI has received a substantial number of Bank Guarantees (BGs) since 2022, amounting to 15,000 crore.
• This large volume of BGs provides a significant scope for Insurance Companies, and wider adoption of surety bonds can boost the availability of capital for road projects.
• So far, over 40 Surety Bonds have been issued for various NHAI contracts.

What are Insurance Surety Bonds?

• Insurance Surety Bonds are instruments where insurance companies act as ‘Surety’ and provide the financial guarantee that the contractor will fulfil its obligation as per the agreed terms.
• The Ministry of Finance, Government of India has made e-BG and Insurance Surety Bonds at par with Bank Guarantees for all Government procurements.
• Instruments like Insurance Surety Bonds will help to strengthen National Highway Infrastructure development, which has a cascading positive impact on the Indian economy.

What is Surety Bond?

• Definition and Purpose : Surety bonds are insurance policies that protect parties in a contract from financial losses in case of a breach of contract or non-performance by the principal.
• They serve as a guarantee that the obligations outlined in the contract will be fulfilled.
• Parties Involved :
• Principal: The party purchasing the bond and undertaking the obligation.
• Surety: The insurance company guaranteeing performance and assuming liability for losses.
• Obligee: The party requiring the surety bond, often a government entity in the case of most surety bonds.
• For most surety bonds, the obligee is a local, state or federal government organisation.
• Types of Surety Bonds :
• Contract Surety Bonds: Specifically related to construction contracts, ensuring that the contractor fulfills the terms of the contract.
• Commercial/Miscellaneous Surety Bonds: Cover a broad range of obligations outside of construction contracts.
• Benefits of Surety Bonds :
• Alternative to Bank Guarantees: Surety bonds provide an alternative to traditional bank guarantees in securing performance.
• Infrastructure Sector: Surety bonds address the significant liquidity and funding requirements in sectors like infrastructure development.

About Ministry of Road Transport & Highways :

• Cabinet Minister ; Nitin Gadkari
• Minister of State : General V. K. Singh

Centre for Advanced Financial Research and Learning Unveils Inaugural India Finance Report (IFR) Centered on Non-Bank Financial Companies (NBFCs) Sector

• The Centre for Advanced Financial Research and Learning (CAFRAL), an independent body established by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), releases the first edition of the India Finance Report (IFR) focusing on the non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) sector.
• The report provides a comprehensive evaluation of the NBFC sector, commonly known as the shadow banking sector, highlighting ongoing improvements and identifying emerging risks.

Key Highlights :

• On the positive side, the CAFRAL report finds that after the liquidity crisis of 2018 and the Covid pandemic, the NBFC sector has improved, along all dimensions –capital position, asset quality, and
• The IFR 2023, with “Connecting the Last Mile” as its theme, provides an in-depth assessment of non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in India.
• For instance, as against the stipulated norm of 15% of the capital to risk-weighted assets ratio (CRAR), in 2022-23, NBFCs witnessed a notable improvement with the CRAR rising to 27.6% from 22.9% in 2019-2020.
• Similarly, gross and net non-performing asset (NPA) ratios continue trending downwards.
• Banks’ exposure to NBFCs rose by 25.8% to Rs 13.83 lakh crore as of August 2023 as against Rs 10.99 lakh crore a year ago.
• The report highlights new risks, particularly the recent increase in bank financing for NBFCs.
• Raises concerns about systemic contagion and emphasizes the necessity for tighter preventive measures to mitigate potential systemic fallout.

What is NBFC?

• An NBFC is a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 engaged in the business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares/stocks/bonds/debentures/securities issued by Government or local authority or other marketable securities of a like nature, leasing, hire-purchase, insurance business, chit business chit-business.

About CAFRAL :

• CAFRAL, a not-for-profit organisation, was set up in 2011 as an independent body by the RBI to promote research and learning in banking and finance.

Jocata Unveils “Sumpoorn”: India’s Inaugural MSME Economic Activity Index in Partnership with SIDBI                        

• Jocata, a financial advisory and technology company, collaborates with the principal financial institution for MSME development, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to introduce the MSME Economic Activity Index called “Sumpoorn.”
• This MSME-specific high-frequency indicator will capture the state of India’s growth engine, its MSMEs, which contribute more than a quarter of the country’s overall Gross Value Added (GVA) and more than 40% of its total exports.

Key Highlights :

• Sumpoorn is a relative amplitude-adjusted composite diffusion index.
• It utilizes consent-led and anonymized monthly sales data from over 50,000 MSMEs seeking credit from financial institutions, spanning from October 2019 to the present.
• The Index relies on official GSTN returns, not survey data, for its calculations.
• A minimum of 13 months of sales data (GSTR1) is required to calculate the Index for a particular month and a minimum of 1,000 MSMEs are considered to release the Index for any month.
• The current monthly count of MSMEs is around 2,500, according to the company.
• It will release the index monthly with only a four-week reporting cycle.
• MSME sales performance will be measured on a scale of 0 to 1 in the index.
• The ‘bin’ will represent the state of contraction or expansion of economic activity in the MSME sector.

About Jocata :

• Founded : 2010
• MD & CEO : Prashant Muddu
• Jocata, a subsidiary of online payment gateway company BillDesk, specializes in digital lending using credit automation, smart decisioning, and intelligent monitoring.

About SIDBI :

• Established : 2 April 1990
• Headquarters : Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
• Chairman & MD : Sivasubramanian Ramann
• The SIDBI is the apex regulatory body for overall licensing and regulation of micro, small and medium enterprise finance companies in India.
• It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance , Government of India (GoI).

IMF Executive Board Greenlights 50% Quota Expansion to Bolster Resource Strength

• The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a proposal to make a 50% increase in the quota allocated to members in proportion to their current quotas.
• The proposal will now be considered and made effective by the board of governors as part of concluding the 16th general review of quotas.
• The proposal follows the guidance from the International Monetary and Financial Committee at the 2023 annual meetings.
• The proposal is centred around an increase in quotas of 50%, allocated to members in proportion to their current quotas.
• The quota increase would enhance the IMF’s permanent resources and strengthen the quota-based nature of the Fund by reducing the reliance on borrowing and thus ensuring the primary role of quotas in fund resources.
• Currently, India has a quota of special drawing rights (SDR) 13,114.4 million which denotes a share of 2.75%, making it the 8th largest quota-holding country in the IMF.
• Based on the quota, India has 132,063 votes, which denotes a share of 2.63%.

About IMF :

• Established : 27 December 1945
• Headquarters : Washington, D.C., United States
• Managing Director : Kristalina Georgieva
• Membership : 190 countries (189 UN countries and Kosovo)
• Purpose : To Promote international monetary cooperation, facilitate international trade, foster sustainable economic growth, make resources available to members experiencing balance of payments difficulties, prevent and assist with recovery from international financial crises.

SBI opens its branch at Shri Kedarnath Dham at 11,755 feet height                                  

• State Bank of India (SBI) achieved a significant milestone by inaugurating its highest-altitude non-motorable branch at Shri Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand Foundation Day (09.11.2023).
• The new branch is located at an elevation of 11,755 feet above sea level.
• Purpose of the Branch : The branch aims to provide banking services to both esteemed customers and pilgrims visiting Shri Kedarnath.
• The objective is to ensure a smooth and hassle-free banking experience for individuals in the region.
• Services Offered : The branch is well-equipped to offer comprehensive banking services, catering to the diverse needs of customers and pilgrims.
• This includes facilitating financial transactions, account services, and other banking facilities.

About Kedarnath temple :

• Kedarnath temple is a sacred pilgrimage centre in Northern India, situated on the bank of the Mandakini river.
• The temple is located at an altitude of 3584 metres above sea level.
• The region is historically known as “Kedar Khand.”
• Kedarnath temple is a crucial part of Char Dhams and Panch Kedar in Uttarakhand.
• It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India, adding to its religious and cultural significance.

About SBI :

• Established : 1 July 1955
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Chairman : Dinesh Kumar Khara
• CFO : Kameshwar Rao Kodavanti

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

IndiGo Parent InterGlobe To Operate Electric Air Taxis In India

• InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent company of IndiGo, has announced its intention to introduce an all-electric air taxi service in India by 2026.
• In connection with its plans to operate the air taxi service, IndiGo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Archer Aviation – a company that deals in electric aircrafts, air taxis.
• Once launched, the InterGlobe-Archer flight will carry passengers from Connaught Place in the national capital to Gurugram in Haryana in approximately 7 minutes whereas by road, the 27-kilometre-long trip will take 60-90 minutes.
• The collaboration also intends to finance the acquisition of as many as 200 of Archer’s Midnight aircraft for deployment in India.
• The Midnight aircraft is characterized as a piloted four-passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, specifically engineered to facilitate quick consecutive flights with minimal charging time required between operations.
• InterGlobe Enterprises is an Indian travel conglomerate and the country’s largest airline IndiGo is part of it.
• Rahul Bhatia, Group Managing Director of InterGlobe.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Norway to Support India’s ‘Hunger Project’ for Women Leaders, Environmental Protection, and Food Security in Uttarakhand                        

• Norway commits to providing financial support for India’s ‘Hunger Project’ aimed at strengthening women leaders, environmental protection, and promoting food security in Uttarakhand.
• The duration of the project would be 3 years, until September 2026 with a budget of ₹44.7 million.

Key Highlights :

• The hunger project organises capacity-building training for elected women representatives (EWRs) and federations, focusing on strengthening van panchayats (forest councils) which in turn will ensure food security and livelihood opportunities for marginalised households.
• The project will be implemented in three districts, nine blocks, 172 gram panchayats, and 145 van panchayats of Uttarakhand.
• Approximately 900 EWRs will be involved in the initiative, contributing to the protection of standing forests and nurturing the immediate environment crucial to community livelihoods and food security.
• The intergovernmental Panel Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (2007) suggests that the Himalayan Eco-system is particularly at risk of a rise in global temperatures and one of the states in India that is most at risk is Uttarakhand, which is one of the most ecologically sensitive, fragile and climatically vulnerable states of the country.
• The Hunger Project will leverage the Uttarakhand government’s priority of making sustainable development an important element in the state’s growth strategy.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

Bihar Assembly Unanimously Passes Resolution to Raise Reservation Quota from 50% to 65% for Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Backward Classes

• The Bihar Legislative Council unanimously passed the amendment bill related to increasing reservation quotas in state government jobs.
• The proposed increase is from the existing 50% to 65% for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Extremely Backward Caste (EBC), and other Backward Castes.
• Similar to the State Assembly, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also supported the amendment bill in the Upper House.
• The Bill will be now sent to the Governor for consent and after the nod of the Rajbhavan it will become an act.

Key Highlights :

• Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, the bill’s introducer, highlighted that Backward Castes would receive 18% reservation in state government jobs.
• The proposed maximum reservation percentages are: 25% for Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs), 20% for Scheduled Castes, and 2% for Scheduled Tribes in government jobs.
• The state retains a 10% reservation quota for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) among the general category, and this allocation remains unchanged.
• With the proposed changes, the total reservation quota limit will effectively rise to 75%, leaving 25% unreserved.
• The Upper House also passed the Amendment Bill unanimously to increase the reservation quota for admission in government educational institutions to 65% for SCs, STs, EBCs, and other BCs.

About Bihar :

• Governor : Rajendra Arlekar
• Chief Minister : Nitish Kumar
• Capital : Patna
• National Parks : Valmiki National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries : Bhimbandh Sanctuary, Gautam Buddha Bird Sanctuary, Nakti Dam Bird Sanctuary

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

FDA Grants Approval for the First Vaccine Preventing Chikungunya Virus-Induced Disease                                               

• The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the world’s inaugural vaccine targeting chikungunya, a virus transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
• The FDA’s decision to approve the vaccine highlights its recognition of chikungunya as an emerging global health threat.

Key Highlights :

• Vaccine Developer and Branding : The chikungunya vaccine was developed by Valneva, a European pharmaceutical company.
• The vaccine will be marketed under the name Ixchiq.
• Target Population : FDA approval covers individuals aged 18 and above, a demographic identified to be at an elevated risk of exposure to the chikungunya virus.
• Vaccine Composition and Administration : Ixchiq is administered as a single-dose vaccine.
• The vaccine contains a live, weakened version of the chikungunya virus, following the standard approach for vaccine development.
• Regulatory Processes : Valneva has submitted an application for authorization with the European Medicines Agency (EMA), indicating the intent to make the vaccine available in the European market.
• The FDA approval is expected to expedite the vaccine’s deployment, particularly in regions where the chikungunya virus is prevalent.
• Global Impact of Chikungunya : Chikungunya, first identified in Tanzania in 1952, has spread to over 110 countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

About Food and Drug Administration :

• Established : June 30, 1906
• Headquarters : Maryland, United States
• The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services.

India successfully test-fires ‘Pralay’ missile off Odisha coast                                  

• India achieves a successful test-firing of its surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) named ‘Pralay’ from the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.
• The missile is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), emphasising its indigenous origin.

About ‘Pralay’ :

• ‘Pralay’ is designed to meet India’s defence requirements along its borders with neighbouring China and Pakistan, underscoring its strategic importance.
• Pralay’ is a 350-500 km short-range, surface-to-surface missile with a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg.
• The missile is characterised by its use of solid fuel and its designation as a battlefield missile.
• It is based on the Prithvi Defence Vehicle, showcasing its technological lineage.
• ‘Pralay’ has been specifically developed for deployment along critical areas such as the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Line of Control (LoC).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

India’s IIP Grows By 5.8 Per Cent In September 2023

• The Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) are released on the 12th of every month with a six-week lag and compiled with data received from source agencies, which in turn receive the data from the producing factories/ establishments.
• For the month of September 2023, the Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) with base 2011-12 stands at 141.6.
• The Indices of Industrial Production for the Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity sectors for the month of September 2023 stand at 111.5, 140.6 and 205.9 respectively.
• These Quick Estimates will undergo revision in subsequent releases as per the revision policy of IIP.
• As per Use-based classification, the indices stand at 138.8 for Primary Goods, 111.6 for Capital Goods, 153.8 for Intermediate Goods and 168.7 for Infrastructure/ Construction Goods for the month of September 2023.
• Further, the indices for Consumer durables and Consumer non-durables stand at 125.0 and 142.6 respectively for the month of September 2023.
• Details of Quick Estimates of the Index of Industrial Production for the month of September 2023 at Sectoral, 2-digit level of National Industrial Classification (NIC-2008) and by Use-based classification are given at Statements I, II and III respectively.
• Also, for users to appreciate the changes in the industrial sector, Statement IV provides month-wise indices for the last 12 months, by industry groups (as per the 2-digit level of NIC-2008) and sectors.

Moody’s retains India 2023 growth at 6.7% on strong domestic demand

• Moody’s Investor Services retained India’s economic growth at 6.7% for 2023, citing the country’s remarkable resilience amid a global slowdown buoyed by solid domestic demand.
• The rating agency, in its Global Macro Outlook 2024-25 report, India along with other emerging market economies like Brazil, Mexico and Indonesia are well-positioned to capture a greater share of global trade flows due to the push from the West to diversify supply chains away from China amid geopolitical tensions.
• Moody’s expects India’s GDP (gross domestic product) to grow 6.7% in 2023, 6.1% in 2024 and 6.3% in 2025.
• The Indian economy expanded 7.8% in the first quarter of the current fiscal (Q1FY24), up from 6.1% in the previous quarter on higher government spending, coupled with increased private capital expenditure and strong services growth.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also raised its 2023-24 growth projection for India, to 6.3% from its July estimate of 6.1%, citing stronger-than-expected consumption during Q1.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) estimates growth at 6.5% for FY24.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Public screening of 69th National Film Award-winning films of 2021 to take place in Delhi

• The public screening of the 69th National Film Award-winning films of 2021 will take place in Delhi from the 14th to the 25th of November.
• A total of 30 Feature Films and 27 Non-Feature Films from 18 Languages will be screened during the 12-day screening at Delhi’s Siri Fort Auditorium.
• Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, Kashmir Files, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Eikhogi Yum are amongst the various films that will be screened.
• The entry of the public to the screening will be free of cost on a first come first serve basis.
• All the films will carry English subtitles.
• President Droupadi Murmu conferred the 69th National Film Awards on the 16th of October in New Delhi.
• The public screening of the films will showcase the selection of the most compelling and noteworthy films honoured at the awards.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND INDEX

Fintech firm InCred becomes 2nd unicorn in 2023 after Zepto

• InCred Holdings, the parent of InCred Financial Services, has turned a unicorn (valued at over $1 billion) after it raised Rs 500 crore from a clutch of investors including a global PE fund, corporate treasuries, family offices, and ultra-high net-worth individuals (UHNIs).
• Incred (112th overall) is the second startup to enter the Indian unicorn club in 2023 after quick commerce platform Zepto (August fund-raise).
• The funding would be deployed across InCred’s core business verticals: consumer loans, student loans, and MSME lending.

About InCred

• InCred Financial Services was formed by the merger of KKR India Financial Services Ltd and the erstwhile InCred Financial.
• InCred is a new-age lender offering online and offline loans to consumers, small businesses and for education.
• Bhupinder Singh, founder and group CEO of InCred.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Icrisat joins hands with Assam Millet Mission

• The International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) and the Government of Assam have joined hands to collaborate on climate-resilient and nutritionally enhanced food systems through the Assam Millet Mission.
• The collaboration would focus on the State’s target to boost the cultivation, production and consumption of three native millet crops – finger millet, foxtail millet, and proso millet.
• Presently, millets are only cultivated across 6,000 hectares in 15 districts of the northeastern State , contributing 97 per cent of the State’s millet production.
• The collaboration will include empowering stakeholders through extensive training in various areas such as farming practices, seed production, and food safety management.
• They will also develop and promote scientifically validated nutritious millet-based recipes, ready-to-eat (RTE) and ready-to-cook (RTC) food products, adapted to local taste preferences and distributed through various government schemes.
• Icrisat will also work with the Assam Agriculture University (AAU), private seed companies, and more than 7,000 smallholder farmers to enhance millet seed and associated production systems.
• The Assam Millet Mission (AMM) is part of the World Bank-funded Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART).
• The Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services (ARIAS) Society is overseeing the project, while Icrisat is providing technical consultancy services to support AMM under APART for about 18 months.

About AMM :

• The Assam Millet Mission (AMM) is part of the World Bank-funded Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART).
• The Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services (ARIAS) Society is overseeing the project, while Icrisat is providing technical consultancy services to support AMM under APART for about 18 months.

About ICRISAT :

• Established : 1972
• Headquarters : Hyderabad, Telangana, India
• Director : Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes
• The ICRISAT is an international organisation which conducts agricultural research for rural development.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

ICC Board suspends Sri Lanka Cricket’s membership of ICC with immediate effect

• Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been suspended by the ICC with immediate effect because of extensive government interference in the board’s administration.
• Though the ICC has termed the sanction a “suspension”, in reality, it is a warning as the ICC seeks to prevent further government interference in the running of SLC.
• Sri Lanka’s sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe had sacked the SLC board and installed an interim committee headed by Arjuna Ranatunga, but Sri Lanka’s courts essentially reinstated the board a day later by issuing a 14-day stay order on the gazette that dissolved the board.
• Since then, the affairs of Sri Lanka Cricket have been debated at length in the country’s parliament.
• When the ICC suspension came, it was the elected SLC board headed by Silva that was running cricket in the country.
• SLC is the second Full Member to be suspended by ICC in the last four years after Zimbabwe Cricket was suspended in 2019 for similar reasons.
• However, unlike in Zimbabwe’s case, where all cricket activities in the country were abruptly shut down, in addition to a freeze on funding, the ICC will tread carefully in Sri Lanka’s case.

About ICC

• Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Founded: 15 June 1909
• CEO: Geoff Allardice
• Chairman: Greg Barclay

Australia captain Meg Lanning quits international women’s cricket after winning 7 World Cup titles

• Australia captain Meg Lanning has announced her retirement from international cricket.
• Lanning declared it is “the right time” to end her 13-year-long stint as an Aussie cricketer.
• Lanning has represented Australia in 241 matches – six Tests, 103 ODIs and 132 T20Is.
• She walks away from the international stage with 8,352 runs in total which includes 17 international hundreds. She is Australia’s most prolific runscorer in all formats.
• The 31-year-old is a seven-time World Cup winner, five of which she has won as captain.
• She led Australia to a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year.
• Lanning has captained Australia on 182 occasions, more than any other women’s player, and led the team to a historic five World Cup crowns.
• Overall, Australia had an 80 per cent win rate under her leadership.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Pneumonia Day 2023: 12th November

• World Pneumonia Day 2023 is observed on the 12th of November 2023.
• Pneumonia is one of the oldest and deadliest diseases among the children age group less than 5 and older age group more than 50.
• World Pneumonia Day was first observed on 12 November 2009.
• The main purpose of observing World Pneumonia Day is to create awareness about the disease Pneumonia.
• It was observed under the “Stop Pneumonia” initiatives by the Global Coalition Against Child Pneumonia, a coalition of various institutions all together to fight child mortality due to respiratory infection.
• Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial Pneumonia in Children

World Kindness Day: 13th November

• World Kindness Day 2023 is observed on the 13th of November 2023.
• World Kindness Day is celebrated by nearly 27 countries around the world.
• But yet the UN has not officially celebrated this day.
• Some of the countries which celebrate World Kindness Day are India, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Japan, Italy, etc.
• World Kindness Day was first celebrated in 1998 at the Tokyo Conference.
• World Kindness Day Movement has been started which helped to bring small Organizations together for the World Kindness Day Celebration.
• Now it helped to conduct a mega event to promote Kindness globally.

Children’s Day in India: 14th November

• Children’s Day in India is observed on the 14th of November 2023.
• Jawaharlal Nehru was born to a Kashmiri Brahmans Royal family on November 14th, 1889.
• Later he moved to Delhi and completed his Scholarship.
• His father’s name was Motilal Nehru.
• Jawaharlal was the eldest of four children, two of whom were girls.
• A sister, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, later became the first woman president of the United Nations General Assembly.
• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was called Chacha Nehru by the children.
• Jawaharlal Nehru believed that Children are the real strength of the nation and the foundation of society.
• After the death of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, a resolution was passed in the parliament unanimously to honour him, declaring his birth anniversary as the official date of Children’s Day.

World Diabetes Day: 14th November

• World Diabetes Day 2023 is observed on the 14th of November 2023.
• The theme for World Diabetes Day 2023 is “Access to diabetes care”.
• Diabetes is a disease but till now there is no permanent cure for it.
• World Diabetes Day became an official UN day in 2006.
• World Diabetes Day was established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation with support from WHO for the growing concerns about the health and economic threat posed by diabetes.
• Diabetes occurs due to insufficient secretion of Insulin by the Pancreas.
• In order to meet Insulin secretion for the body research took place and finally Insulin booster Injection was discovered by Sir Frederick G Banting (pictured), Charles H Best, and JJR Macleod at the University of Toronto in 1921 and James B Collip later purified it.
• It is one of the greatest discoveries.
• Till now Insulin injections have been given as a medicine for patients who have high glucose levels in the blood.

Daily CA One- Liner: November 12, 13 & 14

• Jocata, a financial advisory and technology company, collaborates with the principal financial institution for MSME development, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to introduce the MSME Economic Activity Index called “Sumpoorn.”
• The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a proposal to make a 50% increase in the quota allocated to members in proportion to their current quotas.
• State Bank of India (SBI) achieved a significant milestone by inaugurating its highest-altitude non-motorable branch at Shri Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand Foundation Day (09.11.2023).
• InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent company of IndiGo, has announced its intention to introduce an all-electric air taxi service in India by 2026.
• The Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) are released on 12th of every month with a six weeks lag and compiled with data received from source agencies, which in turn receive the data from the producing factories/ establishments.
• To boost liquidity and capacity of bidders, National Highways Authority of India(NHAI) has accepted Insurance Surety Bond for the monetization program of the upcoming bid of Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) Bundle 14.
• The Centre for Advanced Financial Research and Learning (CAFRAL), an independent body established by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), releases the first edition of the India Finance Report (IFR) focusing on the non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) sector.
• Norway commits to providing financial support for India’s ‘Hunger Project’ aimed at strengthening women leaders, environmental protection, and promoting food security in Uttarakhand.
• The Bihar Legislative Council unanimously passed the amendment bill related to increasing reservation quotas in state government jobs.
• The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the world’s inaugural vaccine targeting chikungunya, a virus transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
• India achieves a successful test-firing of its surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) named ‘Pralay’ from the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.
• Moody’s Investor Services retained India’s economic growth at 6.7% for 2023, citing the country’s remarkable resilience amid a global slowdown buoyed by solid domestic demand.
• The public screening of the 69th National Film Award-winning films of 2021 will take place in Delhi from the 14th to the 25th of November.
• InCred Holdings, the parent of InCred Financial Services, has turned a unicorn (valued at over $1 billion) after it raised Rs 500 crore from a clutch of investors including a global PE fund, corporate treasuries, family offices, and ultra-high net-worth individuals
• The International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) and the Government of Assam have joined hands to collaborate on climate-resilient and nutritionally enhanced food systems through the Assam Millet Mission.
• Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been suspended by the ICC with immediate effect because of extensive government interference in the board’s administration
• Australia captain Meg Lanning has announced her retirement from international cricket.
• World Pneumonia Day 2023 is observed on the 12th of November 2023.
• World Kindness Day 2023 is observed on the 13th of November 2023
• Children’s Day in India is observed on the 14th of November 2023.
• World Diabetes Day 2023 is observed on the 14th of November 2023