Correct Answer :   Goa

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Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur while inaugurating the Film Bazar the largest South Asian film market at Marriott Resort, Goa on 20th Nov 2023, said that the film bazaar, much like a bustling marketplace of ideas, is a haven for filmmakers, producers, and storytellers from all corners of the globe.

It's a confluence of creativity and commerce, ideas and inspirations that form the building blocks of this thriving cinematic marketplace, he added.

On the occasion, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur said that Indian media & entertainment industry, with an annual growth rate of 20%, is hailed as the fifth-largest and most globalized industry in the world.

In its 17th year, the Film Bazaar has become an indispensable cornerstone of the IFFI, transcending borders and evolving into one of Asia’s biggest film markets, the minister added.

Union Minister informed that this year, the selection of films for the Film Bazaar reflects a diverse mix of fiction, docu-shorts, documentaries, horror films, and even an animated film that deals with universal themes relating to the diaspora, patriarchy, urban angst, extreme poverty, climate crisis, nationalism, sports and fitness.

Speaking of the co-production market, the Minister said “We proudly present twelve documentaries from 7 countries in the Coproduction Market, exploring life in 17 different languages. It's a journey into the heart of reality through the lens of filmmakers.”

He also said that the video library platform, the Viewing Room, shows 190 submissions, a few submissions from which will be selected for the Film Bazaar Recommends (FBR). “The Work-in-Progress Lab is where filmmakers show the raw beauty of their work. Doubling the project count from last year, we have 10 projects ready to unveil this year,” the Minister said.

Shri Thakur also announced that as a nod to innovation and in line with the Prime Minister's call for ease of doing business, an exciting new component, "Book to Box Office," has been added which will showcase 59 submissions seamlessly making the jump from books to screens. In the sidelines of the event, the Minister also inaugurated Google Arts and Culture Hindi exhibit which is an online hub having images and short videos from Hindi films.  

The 10 recommended films from a variety of genres to be showcased in Film Bazaar at IFFI 54TH including documentary, horror, climate crisis, fiction etc. The films are in English, Hindi, Bengali, Marwari, Kannada, and Maori (New Zealand language).  This year, the Film Bazaar has a newly curated “VFX & Tech Pavilion” which intends to make the filmmakers aware of the latest innovations, to explore the possibilities of storytelling by not just the traditional way of “taking the shot”, but also “creating the shot”.

The Film Bazaar showcases the official selection of the feature-length projects of the Co-Production Market from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, USA, UK, Singapore, Germany, France, Poland, Luxembourg and Israel. The selected filmmakers will be pitching their projects to International and Indian producers, distributors, festival programmers, financiers, and sales agents at the open Pitch.

Initiated by National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Film Bazaar has evolved into South Asia’s largest film market, connecting local film makers to the global producers and distributors..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   November 21st

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World Fisheries Day is celebrated annually on November 21st to highlight the importance of sustainable fisheries management and to draw attention to the crucial role of small-scale fishers in ensuring food security and livelihoods for millions around the world.


World Fisheries Day 2023 Theme :

* The theme for World Fisheries Day 2023 is “Build enabling policy environments for small-scale artisanal fisheries.”

* This theme emphasizes the crucial role of small-scale fishers in sustainable fisheries management. Small-scale fishers, who often employ traditional and low-impact fishing methods, contribute significantly to local food security and livelihoods. They also possess valuable knowledge and expertise in managing marine resources sustainably.

* By supporting small-scale fishers and enabling their participation in policymaking processes, we can promote more equitable and sustainable fisheries management practices.

History of World Fisheries Day :

* The history of World Fisheries Day can be traced back to 1997 when the World Forum on Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers (WFF) met in New Delhi. This gathering of representatives from 18 countries resulted in the establishment of the World Fisheries Forum and the signing of a declaration advocating for a global mandate of sustainable fishing practices and policies.

* In recognition of the growing importance of addressing fisheries issues, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the WFF jointly proposed the establishment of an international day dedicated to fisheries. This proposal was subsequently adopted by the FAO General Assembly in 2003, officially designating November 21st as World Fisheries Day.

* Since its inception, this day has played a pivotal role in raising global awareness about the critical role of fisheries in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. It has also served as a platform for promoting responsible fisheries management practices, addressing challenges such as overfishing, illegal fishing, and climate change impacts.

Significance of World Fisheries Day :

* Fisheries play a vital role in global food security and nutrition, providing over 20% of the animal protein intake for nearly 3 billion people worldwide. However, overfishing, climate change and pollution have posed significant threats to the sustainability of fisheries, endangering marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of fishers.

* World Fisheries Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about these challenges and promote responsible fisheries management practices that balance conservation with the needs of fishing communities..

Correct Answer :   7th

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The stage is set for the 7th edition of the two-day Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) that kicks off 21st Nov 2023 with business leaders from more than 25 countries, a host of prominent figures of corporate India as well as political dignitaries expected to attend the event.

* The participating countries include the US, UK, Japan, Poland, France, Australia, Germany, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Fiji to name a few.

* Reliance Industries Chairman  and MD Mukesh Ambani, MD of Hiranandani Group Niranjan Hiranandani, and other top industrialists such as Sanjiv Goenka, Sanjeev Puri, Purnendu Chattopadhyay, Harshvardhan Neotia and Sajjan Jindal are expected to be present, according to the State Government sources.

* Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, is leading a 55-strong delegation of senior figures from a wide range of businesses institutions which will be the biggest ever UK delegation in the summit.

* Agri and allied industries including Blue Economy, Transport, Power, Urban Infrastructure and Planning, Creative Economy, Higher Education, School Education,Technical Education, Tourism, Health, IT & ITeS, International Trade and Logistics, Manufacturing and Industries that includes MSME and Textiles and Engineering, Plastics, & Chemicals are the focus sectors of this edition’s BGBS..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   21st November 2023

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S.S. Badrinath (83) founder of Sankara Nethralaya, and eminent vitreoretinal surgeon, passed away on 21st November 2023. He had been ill for some time.

“Our visionary Founder, a legend and compassionate leader Dr. S.S. Badrinath passed away early this morning. The last rites will be held after 9.30 A.M. 21st November 2023 at the Beasant Nagar crematorium.  SN is deeply saddened by the demise of our Founder,” an early note from the institution, said.

Born on February 24, 1940 in Chennai (then Madras), Sengamedu Srinivasa Badrinath had his schooling in the city. “As a child, Dr. S. S. Badrinath observed blindness up close when one of his relatives who was blind in both eyes came to stay with his family. The helplessness of a person without eyesight became deep‑rooted in the young child’s memory,” to quote an article on the ophthalmologist.

According to Dr. Badrinath, this childhood memory of blindness lingered in his subconscious mind and led to his decision of becoming an ophthalmologist. He graduated from the Madras Medical College in 1962, and pursued his graduate studies in ophthalmology in the United States at Grasslands Hospital, New York University Postgraduate Medical School, and Brooklyn Eye and Ear Infirmary until 1968. He worked as a fellow in the vitreoretinal services of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, till 1970. On return to India in 1970, he worked for six years at the Voluntary Health Services (VHS), Adyar, as a consultant.

He set up his private practice in ophthalmology and vitreoretinal surgery at the H. M. Hospital (1970–1972) and Vijaya Hospital, Chennai (1973–1978). His spiritual and professional journey actually began in 1974 when Kanchi Mutt acharya Jayendra Saraswathi met a group of young doctors and spoke to them about the need to establish hospitals in India that provide world‑class care for our citizens at affordable costs, according to the article, quoted above, authored by A.P. Irungovel, medical sociologist at Sankara Nethralaya.

These hospitals should be run with a missionary spirit, with the objective of providing quality care equally to the haves and have‑nots. Dr. Badrinath’s association with the Sankara Math started when he performed a cataract surgery on his spiritual guru Chandrasekerendra Saraswathi Swamigal.

As a consequence of guidance from his spiritual mentors, in 1978, Dr. Badrinath founded Sankara Nethralaya as a unit of the Medical Research Foundation. The institution went on to become iconic, a symbol of the progress of modern medicine, hosting both medical education and cutting edge research along with patient care. People from far and wide came to Sankara Nethralaya for its treatment facilities.

His wife Vasanthi is a paediatrician and haematologist..


Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Vinay M Tonse

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The central government on Monday (20th Nov 2023) appointed Vinay M Tonse as the Managing Director of the State Bank of India till November 30, 2025.

Before the appointment, Tonse was serving as the Deputy Managing Director at the PSU bank. The Deputy Manager of the state-owned bank was recommended by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) for the senior post at SBI in September.

FSIB is responsible for recommending directors of state-owned banks and financial institutions. The post fell vacant after Swaminathan Janakiraman was appointed as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. The State Bank of India is operated by four managing directors and one chairman.

About Vinay Tonse :

He joined the State Bank of India as a Probationary Officer in 1988. Throughout his tenure, Tonse has worked at different locations in India, as well as abroad. In his career spanning more than 30 years, Tonse has led major assignments and projects of the State Bank of India. His career involves experience in different facets of commercial banking like corporate credit, treasury, retail, and international banking.

Prior to his appointment, FSIB had interviewed 13 candidates in August for SBI's top post.

“Keeping in view their performance in the interface, their overall experience, and the extant parameters, the Bureau recommends Vinay M Tonse for the position of MD in SBI," said FSIB.

The appointment was confirmed after receiving approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. FSIB is headed by  Bhanu Pratap Sharma, former secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

Other members of the headhunter are Animesh Chauhan, former chairman and MD of erstwhile Oriental Bank of Commerce, RBI's ex-executive director Deepak Singhal, and Shailendra Bhandari, former MD of erstwhile ING Vysya Bank..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Ahmedabad

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The first ever Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 kicked off (21st Nov 2023) at Science City in Ahmedabad in the presence of Union Minister of Fisheries Parshottam Rupala, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Parshottam Rupala said the Fisheries sector is one of the sun rise sectors in the country. 21st Nov 2023 India is third largest Fish producing country in the world.

The minister said under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the inland fishing sector has grown by three times in the country and ample growth prospects have emerged in North India in the field of Inland fishing. The minister expressed confidence that the two day conference will not only address the challenges lying ahead the fisheries sector but also show a way forward to all the stakeholders to ensure sustainable future to fisheries sector.

Minister of State Fisheries, Dr. L Murugan and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan along with High-level delegations from about 10 countries, delegates from International Organizations, Fisheries Associations were present at the inaugural session.

Addressing the gathering, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said Gujarat which has the highest coastline in the country is one of the leading state in fish production. He said the state holds 17 percent share in the fisheries exports of the country. Mr Patel said the coastal sector will play a pivotal role in achieving the PM's vision of Self reliant India during Amrit kal.

The World Fisheries Awards were also distributed on the occasion. During the programme, the Inland Reservoir Leasing portal was launched at the hands of CM Bhupendra Patel. Also the Dhol fish was declared as State fish of Gujarat.

Earlier, the Union Minister Parshottam Rupala inaugurated the exhibition showcasing cutting-edge fisheries and aquaculture technologies at Science City on 21st Nov 2023.

Later, in the day, Union Minister Parshottam Rupala will also participate in various international Round tables with the foreign missions of France, Norway, Australia, Russia, and International organizations namely the Food and Agriculture Organisation among others. Ministers of various states and UTs including Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Goa and Andhra Pradesh were also present at the inaugural session 21st Nov 2023..


Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Luc Frieden

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Luc Frieden has officially been sworn in as "Luxembourg" Prime minister (PM), along with members of his new CSV-DP government.

The PM and ministers took their oaths of office during a ceremony officiated by Grand Duke Henri on Friday (17th Nov 2023) morning.

Outgoing PM (and now deputy PM and foreign minister) Xavier BettelXavier Bettel (DP) then handed over the ceremonial keys to power to Frieden (CSV) at about 11:45am at the Hôtel Saint-Augustin, the PM’s office.

The rest of the cabinet took charge of their respective ministries over the course of the afternoon.

Frieden’s CSV party won 21 seats and Bettel’s DP took 14 seats in the Chamber of Deputies (out of 60 MPs) during the national elections in October 2023..

Source : Delano

Correct Answer :   November 20

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World Children’s Day is observed on November 20 every year and is dedicated to the little ones who make our life beautiful.

Childhood is one of the most cherished chapters in anyone's life. Each day is about a fresh adventure and filled with joy, newness, and endless possibilities. Children hold in them infinite possibilities and must be shaped carefully by parents and guardians with loads of love, creativity and responsibility.

As the name suggests, World Children’s Day, observed on November 20 every year, is dedicated to these little ones who make our life beautiful every day with their innocence and zest for life. However, children's life is far from perfect and in many parts of the world, their rights are under attack. The day is to raise awareness around children rights and improving their welfare.

World Children's Day History :

World Children's Day is celebrated on November 20 annually to commemorate the Declaration of the Rights of the Child by the UN General Assembly on the same day on 1959. It was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day. Since 1990, World Children's Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children's rights.

World Children's Day Theme 2023 : The theme for this year's World Children's Day is For every child, every right..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Third Sunday of November

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The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is held every year on the Third Sunday of November.

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic observed this year(2023) on 19th November 2023 to spread to a growing number of countries on every continent.

The Day has become an important tool in global efforts to reduce road casualties.

Theme 2023 : This year's theme is 'Accelerating Change'

The objectives of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims are to provide a platform for road traffic victims and their families..

Source : UN

Correct Answer :   Goa

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The 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began on 20th Nov 2023 in Goa. The opening ceremony was held at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Bambolim this evening.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the 9-day event. The opening movie of this year’s IFFI was British film ‘Catching Dust’. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Thakur said that Indian media & entertainment industry, with an annual growth rate of 20 percent, is hailed as the fifth-largest and most globalized industry in the world.

Mr Thakur said, this year’s IFFI has received 2926 entries from 105 countries, which is three times more international submissions than last year. He said, 13 World Premieres, 18 International Premieres, 62 Asia Premiers and 89 India Premieres will be screened during the festival.

Mr Thakur said, IFFI has started OTT Awards from this year, to recognise excellence in OTT series and films. He said, a total of 32 entries have been received in 10 languages from 15 OTT platforms for Best Web Series (OTT) Award.

Minister of State for Information of Broadcasting L Murugan and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant were among a host of dignitaries who attended the opening ceremony. Mr Thakur also inaugurated the Film Bazaar organised alongside IFFI every year. Veteran actor Madhuri Dixit was given Special Recognition to Bhartiya Cinema award for her contributions to Indian film industry.

Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to legendary Hollywood actor and producer Michael Douglas at the closing ceremony of IFFI on 28th of this month. Film stars Madhuri Dixit, Shahid Kapoor, Shriya Sharan, Nushratt Bharucha, Pankaj Tripathi, Shantanu Moitra, Shreya Ghosal and Sukhwinder Singh mesmerised the audience with their scintillating performances at the star-studded opening ceremony..

Source : AIR