23rd November 2018 Current Affairs
Government makes jute packaging mandatory
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval to expand the scope of mandatory packaging norms under the Jute Packaging Material Act, 1987.
- The CCEA approved that 100% food grains and 20% sugar shall be mandatorily packed in diversified jute bags.
- The decision will give an impetus to the diversification of the jute industry.
Cabinet approved ‘ACROSS’ scheme
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved continuation of ‘Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services’ (ACROSS) during 2017-2020.
- ACROSS scheme consists of 9 sub-programmes
- It will be implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- The objective of the ACROSS scheme is to provide a reliable weather and climate forecast for the betterment of society.
Joyce to head the UN Environment Programme
- On 22 November 2018, Tanzanian microbiologist Joyce Msuya has been appointed as acting head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) following the resignation of Erik Solheim.
- Erik Solheim was the Executive Director of UNEP.
- Prior to joining UN, served as Adviser to the World Bank Vice President.
- She also served in the Republic of Korea, as the inaugural World Bank Special Representative.
Prof SP Ganguly Awarded Mexican Order of Aztec Eagle
- JNU’s Hispanic Studies professor Shyama Prasad Ganguly has won Mexico’s highest civilian honor “Orden Mexicana del Águila Azteca” (Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle) accorded to foreign nationals.
- He was awarded for disseminating Spanish language and Mexican culture to strengthen Mexico-India cultural relations.
- He is the first Indian Academician to get this award.
Azim Premji Conferred Forbes India Leadership Awards 2018
- Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro, has won Forbes India Leadership Awards 2018, Lifetime Achievement.
- Wipro is India’s fourth-biggest software services company by revenue and Ajim Premji is the second richest Indian.
- The Forbes India Leadership Awards, India’s most prestigious honour for the top executives, was held in Mumbai.
- Forbes India honoured entrepreneurs and company bosses across nine categories, with an emphasis on excellence, innovation, and transformational leadership.
Vimal Chandra won the Young Scientist award
- IIT Roorkee Professor Vimal Chandra Srivastava has won the ‘NASI-Scopus Young Scientist Award 2018’ in ‘Environmentally Sound Sustainable Development’ category.
- He has been given the award for his work on Industrial Wastewater Treatment, Clean Liquid Fuels, and Multi-component Adsorption.
- The Award was instituted by Elsevier in the year 2006.
UNICEF appoints ‘Youth Advocate’ for Northeast
- On 23 November 2018,singer Nahid Afrin of Assam has been appointed as the first ‘Youth Advocate’ of the Northeastern region by the UNICEF to fight for child rights.
- The UNICEF engages ‘Youth Advocates’ to act as agents of change in society.
- She made her playback debut in the 2016 Bollywood film ‘Akira’.
- She received the best female playback singer award at the Assam state Film Award 2018.
Alia Bhatt appointed as brand ambassador
- Uber Eats has appointed actor Alia Bhatt as its brand ambassador in India on 22 November 2018.
- India is the first country for Uber Eats globally where the company has appointed a brand ambassador.
- Uber Eats is the food delivery arm of Uber and was launched in India in May 2017.
- The food delivery service is available across 37 cities in India.
44 new coal blocks found in 4 Eastern states
- The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has found 44 new coal blocks in four states of Eastern India.
- The location of these coal blocks are spread across West Bengal’s Purulia and Birbhum districts, coal city of Talcher in Odisha, Bihar’s Bhagalpur and Jharkhand’s East Bokaro and south Karanpura.
- The estimated coal resource of these 44 new blocks is close to 25,000 million tonnes.
2 fast patrol vessels for CG launched
- Two fast patrol vessels manufactured by ‘Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers’ (GRSE) for Indian Coast Guard were launched on 22 November 2018.
- The vessels have been named ICGS Amrit Kaur and ICGS Kamla Devi.
- The vessels are fitted with state-of-the-art main engines with advanced control systems with modular accommodation for 35 personnel.
Paytm Partners With LIC For Insurance Premium Payments
- Paytm (One 97 Communications Limited) has partnered with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to offer online insurance premium payments on its platform.
- Softbank-backed Paytm will provide premium payment solutions from over 30 insurance companies including LIC, ICICI Prudential Life, Reliance Life, and Max Life Insurance among others.
Try out the quiz ?
Q.1 Under which act government has given its approval to expand the scope of mandatory packaging norms?
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval to expand the scope of mandatory packaging norms under the Jute Packaging Material Act, 1987.
Q.2 How many sub programes included in ACROSS scheme which has approved by Cabinet committee?
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved continuation of ‘Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services’ (ACROSS) during 2017-2020. ACROSS scheme consists of 9 sub-programmes
Q.3 Who has been appointed as acting head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)?
On 22 November 2018, Tanzanian microbiologist Joyce Msuya has been appointed as acting head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) following the resignation of Erik Solheim.
Q.4 Who has won the award of Mexico’s highest civilian honor “Orden Mexicana del Águila Azteca” (Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle) accorded to foreign nationals?
JNU’s Hispanic Studies professor Shyama Prasad Ganguly has won Mexico’s highest civilian honor “Orden Mexicana del Águila Azteca” (Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle) accorded to foreign nationals.
Q.5 Who has won Forbes India Leadership Awards 2018, Lifetime Achievement?
Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro, has won Forbes India Leadership Awards 2018, Lifetime Achievement.
Q.6 Who has won Young scientist award ?
Vimal Chandra won the Young Scientist award
Q.7 Who has been appointed as the first ‘Youth Advocate’ of the Northeastern region by the UNICEF to fight for child rights?
On 23 November 2018,singer Nahid Afrin of Assam has been appointed as the first ‘Youth Advocate’ of the Northeastern region by the UNICEF to fight for child rights.
Q.8 Who is appointed as brand ambassador of Uber Eats?
Uber Eats has appointed actor Alia Bhatt as its brand ambassador in India on 22 November 2018.
Q.9 How many new coal blocks has found in 4 Eastern India ?
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has found 44 new coal blocks in four states of Eastern India.
Q.10 What are the name of two fast patrol vessels manufactured by ‘Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers’ (GRSE) for Indian Coast Guard?
Two fast patrol vessels manufactured by ‘Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers’ (GRSE) for Indian Coast Guard were launched on 22 November 2018. The vessels have been named ICGS Amrit Kaur and ICGS Kamla Devi.
Q.11 Which of the following has partnered with Paytm to offer online insurance premium payments on its platform?
Paytm (One 97 Communications Limited) has partnered with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to offer online insurance premium payments on its platform.
