GK Snapshots on 17 November 2021

National Newborn Week 2021 – November 15 – 21

National Newborn Week is annually observed across India from 15th to 21st November to highlight the importance of newborn health as a vital area of the health sector and about the importance of the newborn case for child survival and development

The theme of National Newborn Week 2021 is “Safety, Quality and nurturing Case-Birth Right of every newborn”.

• The theme aims to ensure that every newborn is supported with quality health care at all service delivery platforms such as facility, community outreach and homes.

Significance:

The reduction of newborn mortality rate and the week-long observance dedicated to creating awareness about newborn health was conceptualised by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

UN observed International Day for Tolerance on November 16

The ‘International Day of Tolerance’ is annually observed by the United Nations (UN) on the 16th of November. The day marks the signing of the ‘Declaration of Principles of Tolerance‘ by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), on 16th November 1995.

• 1995 also marked the 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth paving the way for the proclamation of November 16, as the International Day for Tolerance by the UN.
• Marking Mahatma Gandhi’s 125th Birth anniversary, the UN also observed 1995 as the ‘International Year of Tolerance’.

Objective:

To create public awareness on the dangers of intolerance and to instil in educational institutions and the general public the belief that tolerance is an important aspect of society.

National Press Day 2021 – November 16

The National Press Day is annually observed across India on November 16th to mark the presence of an independent and responsible press in India. The day also aims to highlight the importance of the independent press, the 4th pillar of democracy.

• The National Press Day marks the day on which the Press Council of India(PCI) came into effect in 1966.

World Press Freedom Index 2021:

i.According to the World Press Freedom Index 2021, with a score of 46.56, India has ranked 142 among 180 countries.

ii.Norway topped the index followed by Finland and Sweden.

iii.According to Reporters without borders, in India 4 journalists were killed during 2021.

iv.India has been categorised as “Bad” for journalism and among dangerous countries for journalists. India shares the bad classification with Brazil, Mexico and Russia.

World Neuroendocrine Tumors (NET) Cancer Day 2021 – November 10

World Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) Cancer Day is annually observed across the globe on November 10th to create awareness about Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET), a very rare form of cancer that erupts in the pancreas, abdomen, bowel, lungs, or reproductive organs. World NET Cancer Day is coordinated by the International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance (INCA). The campaign of World NET Cancer Day 2021 focuses on educating the general public & healthcare professionals to “Know the Symptoms. Push for Diagnosis”. Symbol:

The zebra print ribbon is the emblem for neuroendocrine tumors including carcinoid cancer, Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, and awareness of other rare diseases.

• Zebra is the mascot of the NET Cancer community.

First Audit Diwas – 16th November 2021

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India observed the first ever Audit Diwas on 16th November 2021 at the CAG office premises, Delhi. The Audit Diwas is observed to mark the historic origin of the institution of CAG in 1860. The day also highlights the contribution of CAG towards governance, transparency and accountability.

History of CAG of India:
i.The origin of the CAG of India dates back to 1860, The Indian Audit and Accounts Department (IA & AD) is one of the oldest departments in the Government of India.

ii.It was formed on 16th November 1860 with Edmund Drummond as the first Auditor General of India.
iii.In 1950, when the constitution of India came into force, the Auditor General was re-designated as Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
 

‘Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank’ gets ASSOCHAM award for Best Digital Financial Services

The Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) got the award for the best ‘Digital Financial Services’, in line with India’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, under the ‘Regional Rural Banks’ (RRBs) category by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

Key points:
i.The award was handed over by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regional director R. Gurumurthy to KVGB Bank Chairman P. Gopi Krishna in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
ii.Around 40 villages in Karnataka are converted into 100% digital villages by the KVGB bank. These efforts are encouraging villagers to use digital mode for transactions.

UN Secretary General appoints Shombi Sharp as UN Resident Coordinator in India

The United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Antonio Guterres appointed Shombi Sharp of the United States (US), a sustainable development expert, as the UN Resident Coordinator in India.

He will lead the UN team in India, and work towards India’s Covid-19 response plans to recover better for the Sustainable Development Goals.

• Prior to this he served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Armenia.

About Shombi Sharp:

i.He began his career working in the non- profit organization CARE International foundation in Zimbabwe. He is a postgraduate in HIV/AIDS management from the National Medical University of South Africa and Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

ii.Shombi Sharp has the experience of more than 25 years in sustainable development and growth projects.

India launches 41st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica

India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences launched the 41st Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (41st ISEA) in November 2021. The first batch of 23 scientists and support staff has reached the Indian Antarctic station Maitri.

• The expedition has 48 members leaving for over winter at Antarctica and on return the vessel brings back the members of 40th expedition.

• Four more batches will be landing in Antarctica by air using DROMLAN facility and onboard chartered ice-class vessel MV Vasiliy Golovnin by mid-January 2022.

Key points:

i.The 41st Expedition is made up of 2 Programmes:

• Geological exploration of the Amery ice-shelf at Bharati Station.

• Reconnaissance surveys and preparatory work for drilling 500 metres of ice near Maitri.

ii.The ice core drilling will be done in collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey and the Norwegian Polar Institute.

iii.The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences manages the Indian Antarctic programme.

“Shuttler’s Flick: Making Every Match Count” – Autobiography of Pullela Gopichand

A Book titled ‘’Shuttler’s Flick: Making Every Match Count’’ co-authored by Pullela Gopichand & Priya Kumar and published by Simon & Schuster was released on November 12, 2021.

• This is the autobiography of the former badminton player and Chief National Coach for Indian Badminton team, Pullela Gopichand.

• The book consists of life experience, challenge and success of the life of Pullela Gopichand.

About Pullela Gopichand:
i.Pullela Gopichand was born on November 6, 1973. He won the All England Open Badminton Championship in 2001 becoming the second Indian to achieve this victory after Prakash Padukone.
ii.In 2008, he founded the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy where he has trained world-class badminton champions.
iii.He has served as the official Indian Olympic Badminton Team Coach at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

RBI Introduced Internal Ombudsman Mechanism for NBFCs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced an Internal Ombudsman (IO) mechanism for certain categories of Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) that have a higher customer interface.

• In October 2021, RBI had mentioned its decision to introduce the IOS for NBFCs in the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies as part of the Monetary Policy Statement.

Paytm Money launches AI-powered ‘Voice Trading’

Paytm Money, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Paytm launched AI (Artificial Intelligence) powered ‘Voice Trading’ which will enable users to do trade or get information about stocks via single voice command.

• This voice command feature uses neural networks and natural language processing (NLP) to allow instant processing.

• This launch is on the lines of Paytm Money efforts to offer next-gen and AI-driven technology to enhance user experience.

Key Points:

i.This newly launched feature will surpass the usual five to six-step process of trading.

ii.The Paytm Money platform is rolling out the voice trading feature in beta to select users. It will be available to all users over the coming weeks.

iii.It should be noted that Paytm Money, a group company of Paytm, recently concluded its initial public offering (IPO).