As part of the efforts to revamp the ports & create world-class Inland Water Transport the name of Ministry of Shipping is being changed to Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. PM made the announcement but an official announcement is yet to happen.
Minister of Shipping: Mansukh L. Mandaviya.
In a first of its kind policy consultation, Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan interacted with the highly-skilled Indian diaspora to facilitate channels for them to contribute to India’s Science Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) 2020.
It aims to accelerate growth in technology and innovation.
International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) created the Cybercrime Knowledge Exchange Workspace and the Cybercrime Collaborative Platform Techniques to share information and knowledge across the world & develop an intelligence-based response.
Interpol HQ: Lyon, France.
President: Kim Jong Yang.
President-elect Joe Biden, as promised will announce a 12-member coronavirus task force to mount an effective response to the pandemic. The task force to be co-chaired by former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, former Food & Drug Administration Commissioner.
Murthy served as the 19th Surgeon General of the USA.
Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, inaugurated India’s first solar-based Integrated Multi-Village Water Supply Project (IMVWSP) in Arunachal Pradesh. This lift water supply project for 39 villages was commissioned at a cost of Rs 28.50 cr.
Arunachal Jal Sankalp to aid Jal Jeevan Mission also launched.
Nagaland govt decides to celebrate Hornbill Festival virtually. It is held every year from December 1 to 10 & showcases the culture, heritage, food and customs of Naga tribes. 16 tribes come together to celebrate their traditions with dance performances.
It is also called the Festival of Festivals.
To provide flexibility to mutual funds, Flexi-Cap fund was introduced. The fund will have to invest minimum 65% of total assets in equity & equity-related instruments but there will be no restriction in allocating funds across large, mid & small-cap stocks
It is based on recommendations of Mutual Fund Advisory Committee
German bank KfW extended 2 loans totalling over 545 mn Euros to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for infrastructure projects. The 34 kilometres long Metro Line 4 will bring north-south connectivity, linking Mumbai to Thane.
KfW Bank - German state-owned development bank.
HQ: Frankfurt.
To develop technological solutions NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission & Sirius, Russia, launched ‘AIM-Sirius Innovation Programme for Indian and Russian school children. Under this, 48 students and 16 educators and mentors will create 8 virtual products.
It is a 2-week programme that will take place between 7& 21 Nov
Actor Anupam Kher’s latest book is titled Your Best Day Is Today! Through this, he will recount experiences during the lockdown, several ups & downs. His previous books are his biography Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly & The Best Thing About You is You.
Kher is a recipient of two National Film Awards.
S Hareesh for his novel Moustache won the JCB Prize for Literature 2020. It has been translated into English by Jayasree Kalathil & published by HarperCollins India. He will receive ₹ 25 Lakh cash prize & the translator will receive an additional ₹10 Lakh.
JCB Prize is one of the richest literary prizes in India.
Karkhanisanchi Waari (Ashes on a Road Trip), the 149-minute film tells the story of the Karkhanis, the last joint family of Pune. The movie will have its world premiere at 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival. It is the only Indian entry at the festival.
The movie was directed by Mangesh Joshi.
Daniil Medvedev won the Paris Masters for first time by beating Alexander Zverev for his eighth career title and third at a Masters event. It was Medvedev’s first final and title of the year, while Alexander Zverev was playing in his third straight final.
Medvedev from Russia has ATP single ranking – 4.
Indian Oil Corp (IOC) director-pipelines Akshay Kumar Singh will be the new managing director and chief executive of the country’s biggest gas importer, Petronet LNG Ltd. Petronet is a joint venture of IOC, GAIL, Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) and BPCL.
A K Singh replaces Prabhat Singh who completed his 5-year term.