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

Correct Answer :   Argentina

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Argentina elected right-wing libertarian Javier Milei as its new president on Sunday (19th Nov 2023), rolling the dice on an outsider with radical views to fix an economy battered by triple-digit inflation, a looming recession and rising poverty.

Official results showed Milei with near 56% versus just over 44% for his rival, Peronist Economy Minister Sergio Massa, who conceded in a speech. The result once again caught pollsters off guard who had predicted a closer race.

In downtown Buenos Aires hundreds of Milei supporters honked horns and chanted his popular refrain against the political elite - "out with all of them" - as rock music played from speakers. Some people set off fireworks as excitement spread.

"We came to celebrate this historic triumph," said Efrain Viveros, a 21-year-old student from the province of Salta. "I'm honestly ecstatic. Milei represents change, for the better. With Massa we'd have had no future, our future has returned."

Massa in a speech said he had congratulated Milei and said the libertarian now needed to show his readiness to rule. "From tomorrow the responsibility of providing certainty belongs to Milei," he said.

Milei is pledging economic shock therapy. His plans include shutting the central bank, ditching the peso, and slashing spending, potentially painful reforms that resonated with voters angry at the economic malaise.

"Milei is the new thing, he's a bit of an unknown and it is a little scary, but it's time to turn over a new page," said 31-year-old restaurant worker Cristian as he voted on Sunday (19th Nov 2023).

Milei's challenges are enormous. He will have to deal with the empty coffers of the government and central bank, a creaking $44 billion debt program with the International Monetary Fund, inflation nearing 150% and a dizzying array of capital controls.

Some Argentines had characterized the vote as a choice of the "lesser evil": fear of Milei's painful economic medicine versus anger at Massa and his Peronist party for an economic crisis that has left Argentina deeply in debt and unable to tap global credit markets.

Milei has been particularly popular among the young, who have grown up seeing their country lurch from one crisis to another.

"Perhaps not everything Milei says I agree with or can identify with but he is our future," said Irene Sosa, a 20-year-old student celebrating outside his election bunker. "Milei represents a future for young people like me, Massa was everything that is wrong with our country."

Milei's win shakes up Argentina's political landscape and economic roadmap, and could impact trade in grains, lithium and hydrocarbons. Milei has criticized China and Brazil, saying he won't deal with "communists," and favors stronger U.S. ties..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   18th Nov 2023

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S Venkitaramanan, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), passed away on 18th Nov 2023 due to a brief illness. He was 92 years old.

He is survived by his two daughters, Girija and Sudha, along with their respective families.

S Venkitaramanan was the 18th Governor of the RBI, serving for two years from 1990 to 1992. Prior to this, he was Finance Secretary in the Ministry of Finance from 1985 to 1989.

Former RBI Governor, S. Venkitaramanan's tenure between 1990 to 1992 came during a challenging time for India's external sector, yet his deft management steered the nation through, claims RBI.

His term was marked by a significant balance of payments crisis, a situation which he navigated with skill and shrewdness. Further, under his leadership, India adopted the IMF's stabilisation programme necessitating a rupee devaluation and kickstarting a wave of economic reforms.

"His adroit management saw the country tide over the balance of payments crisis. His term also saw India adopt the IMF’s stabilisation programme where the Rupee underwent a devaluation and the launch of the programme of economic reforms," the RBI website reads.

Born on December 21, 1931, in Travancore, Venkitaramanan held multiple positions of influence prior to his RBI Governorship, including Finance Secretary of India, and adviser to the Government of Karnataka. His dedication to public service and economic governance did not culminate with his term end as RBI Governor.

Venkitaramanan continued to contribute to public service and occupied roles in many capacities after his stint as RBI Governor ended. His career demonstrates his dedication to economic governance and financial stability in India..

Source : Business Today