Google News
logo
November - 2023 Current Affairs
A)
$553 Million
B)
$592 Million
C)
$635 Million
D)
$687q Million

Correct Answer :   $553 Million


The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has revealed a substantial investment of $553 million in Adani Ports’ container terminal project located in the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka. This significant financial commitment aims to boost private-sector investments that support economic development and strategic partnerships in the region.


US Financial Involvement :

* The DFC, led by Chief Executive Officer Scott Nathan, shared its intention to contribute $553 million to the project. This move demonstrates the United States’ commitment to enhancing economic growth and development in the region, positioning Sri Lanka strategically along major shipping routes to serve the growing economies.


The Colombo West International Terminal :

* Adani Ports initiated this project in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and John Keells Holdings. The consortium, named Colombo West International Terminal Pvt. Ltd., has adopted a Build-Operate-Transfer model with a 35-year duration, where Adani Ports holds a majority stake of 51%.


Background and Political Shifts :

* The decision to invest in the Colombo West International Terminal comes following political shifts and project adjustments. Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration ousted the governments of India and Japan from the East Container Terminal project, citing the West terminal as a compromise solution. Adani Ports was brought in as New Delhi’s representative in this project.


Addressing Corruption Allegations :

* Adani Group has faced allegations of corruption in 2023, with reports from Hindenburg in January and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project in August. However, DFC CEO Scott Nathan downplayed these allegations, stating that Adani Ports’ subsidiary was not implicated in any of the accusations. He emphasized the commitment of the United States and DFC to maintain high standards of transparency and due diligence when selecting partners.


Geostrategic Implications :

* The involvement of the DFC in this Indian conglomerate-led port project in Sri Lanka holds significance, especially in the context of China’s expanding presence in the region. China Merchants Group has recently announced plans to construct a logistics complex at the Colombo Port, with an estimated cost of $392 million. * This development occurs amidst ongoing concerns raised by both India and the United States about Chinese research vessels visiting Sri Lanka’s ports.

Published On : November 9, 2023
A)
Arun Kumar Jain
B)
Santosh Kumar Jha
C)
Naresh Lalwani
D)
Jaya Verma Sinha

Correct Answer :   Santosh Kumar Jha


Santosh Kumar Jha is set to be next Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), a PSU under the Ministry of Railways. He has been recommended for the post by the Public Enterprises Selection Panel (PESB) panel on Thursday (2nd Nov 2023). Presently, he is serving as Director (Operations & Commercial) in the same organisation.

Jha has been recommended for the post of CMD of Konkan Railways from a list of five candidates, who were interviewed by the PESB selection panel in its selection meeting held on November 2, 2023.

The candidates who were on the list were each one from Bridge & Roof Company (India) Ltd., IRCON International Ltd, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL) and Indian Railways Service of Electrical Engineering.


Jha is an Indian Railway Traffic Services (IRTS) officer of 1992-batch. He holds M. Sc. (Geology) from Lucknow University and an MBA (Marketing) from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai. He has rich experience over 28 years of experience in operations, infrastructure planning and business development. He has hands on experience as head of operations on major divisions of Indian Railways.

As CMD of Konkan Railways, Jha will be the Chief Executive of the corporation and will be accountable to its Board of Directors and the Government. He will be responsible for the efficient functioning of the corporation for achieving its corporate objectives and performance parameters..

Source : PSU Watch

Published On : November 9, 2023
A)
Narendra Modi
B)
Amit Shah
C)
Droupadi Murmu
D)
Nirmala Sitharaman

Correct Answer :   Droupadi Murmu


On November 9, Uttarakhand observes its 23rd Foundation Day, and President Draupadi Murmu will participate, marking the first instance in 23 years that a President has been part of Uttarakhand’s Foundation Day program.


President Droupadi Murmu’s Significant Visit to Uttarakhand

* India’s President, Smt Droupadi Murmu, is on a visit to Uttarakhand from November 7 to 9, 2023.
* This three-day visit carries immense importance for both the state and the President, aligning with the celebration of Uttarakhand Foundation Day.
* This day commemorates the state’s establishment and honors its distinct cultural identity.


First Day: Convocation and Interaction – November 7, 2023

* I.Emphasizing Education and Agricultural Technology in Pantnagar

* President Droupadi Murmu participated at the 35th convocation of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology in Pantnagar.

* This event highlighted the significance of education and agricultural technology in the region, emphasizing the crucial role of agriculture in Uttarakhand’s economy.

* II.A Commitment to Welfare and Development

* Later on that day, the President interacted with members of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Uttarakhand.

* This engagement aimed to underscore the government’s dedication to the welfare and development of tribal communities, recognizing their distinct cultural heritage and requirements.


Second Day: Recognizing Academic Excellence – November 8, 2023

* On the second day of her visit, President Murmu served as the guest of honor at the 11th convocation of Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University in Srinagar (Garhwal).
* This occasion commemorated the academic accomplishments of the university’s graduates and highlighted the significance of higher education in Uttarakhand.


Third Day: Celebrating Uttarakhand Foundation Day – November 9, 2023

* The highlight of President Murmu’s visit to Uttarakhand is her involvement in the central program organized at the Police Lines in Dehradun to mark the occasion of Uttarakhand State Foundation Day.


Commemorating Uttarakhand Foundation Day :

* Uttarakhand Foundation Day, also known as Uttarakhand Divas, is celebrated on November 9 every year.
* It commemorates the day when Uttarakhand, formerly known as Uttaranchal, was officially formed as the 27th state of the Republic of India on November 9, 2000.
* Uttarakhand’s hilly terrain had specific developmental needs overlooked by the larger state administration. The creation of Uttarakhand aimed to address these issues and promote regional development.


Celebrating Culture and Identity :

* Uttarakhand is characterized by its hill culture, diverse traditions, languages like Kumaoni and Garhwali, and its unique folk music and dances.
* The day reflects the triumph of the tireless spirit of its people and their rich history, highlighting the essence of Uttarakhand’s distinct cultural heritage.


Progress and Ongoing Goals :

* This day is also a reminder of the state’s development goals and the progress it has made since its formation.
* Uttarakhand has overcome several challenges in areas like ecological conservation, sustainable tourism, and creating economic opportunities for the hill communities.
* The celebration of Uttarakhand Foundation Day serves as a platform to discuss these achievements and challenges, fostering a sense of unity and responsibility among the people..

Published On : November 9, 2023
A)
November 6
B)
November 7
C)
November 8
D)
November 9

Correct Answer :   November 8


World Radiography Day is observed each year on November 8 to commemorate the discovery of x-radiation by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895.


History of World Radiography Day :


* On November 8, 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen made a groundbreaking discovery. The precursor to this event, known as the European Day of Radiology, took place on February 10, 2011, to commemorate the anniversary of Wilhelm Rontgen's passing on February 10, 1923. This initiative was organised by the European Society of Radiology (ESR).

* World Radiography Day was established as an annual event on November 8, coinciding with the anniversary of Roentgen's discovery of X-rays. This new observance replaced the European Day of Radiology, which had previously been held on February 10.


Theme of World Radiography Day 2023 :

* The theme chosen for World Radiography Day 2023 is “Celebrating Patient Safety."

* This theme underscores the vital responsibility of healthcare professionals in upholding the efficiency of healthcare systems and safeguarding the health and safety of patients..


Source : Mint

Published On : November 8, 2023
A)
Brussels
B)
Paris
C)
Berlin
D)
London

Correct Answer :   Brussels


NATO on Tuesday (7th Nov 2023) announced the formal suspension of a key Cold War-era security treaty in response to Russia’s pullout from the deal.

The alliance said its members who signed the treaty are now freezing their participation in the pact.

Most of NATO’s 31 allies have signed the Treaty of Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, which was aimed at preventing Cold War rivals from massing forces at or near mutual borders. It was signed in November 1990.

NATO was established on 4 April 1949. Its headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium.

NATO said that “a situation whereby Allied State Parties abide by the Treaty, while Russia does not, would be unsustainable”.

Russia’s foreign ministry announced earlier Tuesday that Moscow had finalised its withdrawal.

In response, NATO said, allies who had signed “intend to suspend the operation of the CFE Treaty for as long as necessary, in accordance with their rights under international law. This is a decision fully supported by all NATO Allies”.

NATO underlined that its members remain committed “to reduce military risk, and prevent misperceptions and conflicts”..


Source : Indian Express

Published On : November 8, 2023
A)
TCS
B)
Tech Mahindra
C)
NITI Aayog
D)
Wadhwani Institute

Correct Answer :   Wadhwani Institute


Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), in collaboration with Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Wadhwani AI), has developed Krishi 24/7, which, according to the release from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, is India’s first AI-powered solution for automated agricultural news monitoring and analysis

Krishi 24/7 has been developed with support from Google.org and will aid DA&FW to identify relevant news, generate timely alerts, and take prompt action to protect farmers' interests and promote sustainable agricultural growth through improved decision-making.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare said in its release that the introduction of Krishi 24/7 addresses the need for an efficient mechanism to identify and manage agricultural news articles of interest to aid timely decision-making.

“The tool scans news articles in multiple languages and translates them into English. It extracts essential information from news articles, such as headline, crop name, event type, date, location, severity, summary, and source link, ensuring that the ministry receives timely updates on relevant events published on the web,” the release from the Ministry said..

Source : India Times

Published On : November 8, 2023
A)
Bihar
B)
Tamil Nadu
C)
Maharashtra
D)
Madhya Pradesh

Correct Answer :   Tamil Nadu


Tamil Nadu government is set to implement 'Project Dolphin' in order to conserve the highly endangered mammal at the cost of Rs 812.6 lakhs during 2023-2024.

Making the announcement on social media, IAS Supriya Sahu said that the government aims to undertake several activities including Dolphin number estimation, protection, surveillance and awareness enhancement through the project.

Taking to X, IAS Supriya Sahu, TN Addl Chief Secretary Environment Climate Change & Forests said, "Tamil Nadu to implement Project Dolphin to conserve the highly endangered marine mammal under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat programme of @moefcc.


More than four types of dolphin species are found in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve. The Project will be implemented at a cost of Rs 812.6 lakhs during the year 2023-2024."

Several activities including Dolphin number estimation, protection, surveillance and awareness enhancement will be undertaken. A government order has been issued in this regard, she said..


Source : ABP Live

Published On : November 8, 2023
A)
RK Sinha
B)
Rajnath Singh
C)
Anurag Thakur
D)
Amit Shah

Correct Answer :   Amit Shah


Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday (8th Nov 2023) launched the 'Bharat Organics' brand of the newly created National Cooperative Organics Ltd (NCOL) and asserted that it will emerge as the most "trusted" brand in India and abroad.

Shah also launched the NCOL's logo, website and brochure. He gave away NCOL membership certificates to five cooperative societies.

Addressing the national symposium on promotion of organic products through cooperatives here, Shah said, "NCOL is a platform for organic growers. Today(8th Nov 2023), we are launching six products under the 'Bharat Organics' brand and 20 products by December."

The six organic products -- tur dal, chana dal, sugar, rajma, basmati rice, and Sonamasoori rice -- will be sold through Mother Dairy's Safal outlets and online platforms, he said and added a network of retail outlets is being created across the country.

Initially, NCOL will sell the organic products in India and later will market in other countries, he added.

Shah further said, about 50 per cent of profits from sale of organic products through NCOL will be transferred directly to member farmers.

The Minister of State for Cooperation B L Verma, Cooperation Secretary Gnanesh Kumar, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, NDDB chairman and NCOL chief Minesh C Shah, and FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Roa were present at the event.

Gujarat-headquartered NCOL, with National Dairy Development Board being the chief promoter, has been established under the Multi State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.

The Minister said NCOL aims to cover the entire supply chain of organic products through cooperative networks by undertaking various activities like aggregation, certification, production, testing, procurement, storage, processing, branding, packaging, labeling, marketing, etc for the ultimate benefit of farmer members.

Organic agriculture is practiced in 190 countries on 749 lakh hectares of land and India ranks 4th globally in organic agricultural land and first in number of producers as per 2020 data.

India has 27 lakh hectares of land under certified organic certification, including cultivable and wild harvest areas. The country produced 29 lakh tonnes of certified organic products in 2022-23, as per the official data..

Source : Business Standard

Published On : November 8, 2023
A)
Chennai Port
B)
Ennore Port
C)
Mundra Port
D)
Kamarajar Port

Correct Answer :   Mundra Port


Mundra Port, the flagship of APSEZ, has set another record by handling 16.1 MMT of cargo in October, the highest-ever volume by any port in India. It is the largest port in the country with 102 MMT of cargo handled on year to date (YTD) basis, a good 9% Y-o-Y growth. The port crossed the 100 MMT mark in 210 days, surpassing the record of 231 days last year (2022).

Mundra witnessed double-digit growth on a Y-o-Y basis for containers (+10%) and liquids and gas (+14%). It achieved another milestone of handling 4.2 million TEUs of containers in just 203 days, a feat achieved in 225 days in the previous financial year. It added new cargo types such as Hydrolysis Pi Gas (HPG) to its portfolio. On YTD basis, it docked over 2,480 ships and serviced over 11,500 rakes.

Due to its strategic location, Mundra offers some of the best facilities. Given its capability to maintain deep draft, it is well-equipped to handle large vessels. In July’23, it berthed one of the largest ships ever – MV MSC Hamburg, 399 m long and 54 m wide, with a carrying capacity of 15,908 TEUs and a current reported draught of 12 m. In 2021, it berthed the 13,892 TEU APL Raffles, the largest container vessel to call at any Indian port. The Singapore-registered vessel is 397.88 m long and 51 m broad.


Mudra Port enjoys a strong connectivity with the hinterland, particularly to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC). All the major rail lines and ICDs connecting Mundra port are now capable of handling double stack container trains. Over the past years, the port has experienced a material improvement in the double stack co-efficient. During the period under consideration, Mundra received the first train from Garhi Harsaru ICD on the newly electrified route as also double-stack services from ICD Dadri through WDFC. These ICDs are in addition to the already existing ICD Patli.

Given the cargo volume growth rate, Mundra Port is targeting 200 MMT in FY25. With 90% of India’s trade by volume conducted via the maritime route, its improved infrastructure means better logistics performance and higher seaborne trade and economic growth, which is key to India becoming a $5 trillion economy..

Source : Adani Ports

Published On : November 8, 2023
A)
Dr Jitendra Singh
B)
Amit Shah
C)
Rajnath Singh
D)
Anurag Thakur

Correct Answer :   Dr Jitendra Singh


Union Minister of State for Science & Technology "Dr Jitendra Singh" inaugurated the 'Children Science Festival' organized by CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) in Jammu on Monday (6th Nov 2023).

Speaking on occasion, Dr Singh narrated how the Jigyasa programme is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a new India and the social responsibility of scientific community and institutions. Jigyasa is a student-scientist connect programme implemented by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).

The minister applauded the efforts of CSIR-IIIM for organizing such outreach activities for students from schools and colleges. He said that such activities help increase scientific aptitude and inculcates the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in young minds. He also distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions organized during the Children Science Festival.


Dr Singh said India’s first virtual science lab for children under CSIR Jigyasa programme was launched, which built a strong connect between students and scientists with scientists across the country.

Further, the main objective of establishing the virtual lab was to provide quality research exposure and innovative pedagogy for school students based on an online interactive medium. He said the new facility will immensely benefit students from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and government schools of various states boards and will help in catching them young..

Source : India Times

Published On : November 8, 2023