Centre grants GI Tag to Bihar’s Mithila Makhana
The Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) under the Central Ministry of Commerce has accepted the petition to rename Bihar Makhana as Mithila Makhana and has also suggested further changes to the brand logo to better reflect its origins. It also suggested amendments in the brand logo to highlight its origins and protect the product’s Geographical Indications (GI) rights.
The Sabour based Bihar Agriculture University (BAU) initiated an application on behalf of the Mithilanchal Makhana Utpadak Sangh (MMUS) to name their produce as Mithila Makhana for the welfare of fox nut growers in the Mithila region.
Some GI tags of Bihar:
- Madhubani Paintings
- Katarni Rice
- Magahi Paan
- Silao Khaja
- Shahi Litchi
- Bhagalpuri Zardalu
Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana : Maharashtra topped the list
Maharashtra has topped the list of states with the maximum number of beneficiaries under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), followed by Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. As many as 6,49,560 beneficiaries were recorded in Maharashtra, followed by Tamil Nadu (5,35,615), Gujarat (4,44,741) and Karnataka (3,07,164). In Maharashtra, the beneficiaries have been provided with a total of Rs 409.72 crore under the scheme to new employees of 17,524 establishments.
What is Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana?
The government had launched ABRY to incentivize employment generation in Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) registered establishments during COVID-19 for a period from October 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022. This scheme, being implemented through the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), reduces the financial burden of the employers of various sectors/industries and encourages them to hire more workers.
Delhi Police launched e-learning platform “Unnati”
Police Commissioner of Delhi, Rakesh Asthana has launched an e-learning platform ‘Unnati’, under the Delhi Police’s flagship scheme ‘YUVA’ at the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Auditorium, New Delhi. Every year, over 1.5 lakh people are arrested by the Delhi Police for various crimes. More than 85 per cent of them are first-timers and only 10-15 per cent are repeat offenders.
About the Unnati:
- Unnati is an e-learning and certification initiative by the Delhi Police-South West District to help educate youths and impart skill training to school dropouts from the weaker sections of society.
- The courses offered under ‘Unnati’ include digital literacy courses comprising basic computer courses and typing training, preparatory courses for competitive exams and sports courses, among others. The e-learning platform, ‘Unnati’, was launched under the Delhi Police’s flagship scheme ‘YUVA’.
- ‘YUVA’ is aimed at helping the youth, especially those from the weaker sections of society, and school dropouts get an education and acquire skills to realise their dreams of a secure future.
Dubai 1st in World to go 100% Paperless
Dubai became the world’s first government to turn 100% paperless, the announcement was made by the United Arab Emirate (UAE) Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It will save around 3 billion Dirham (USD 350 million) and 14-million-man hours. The digitization will provide all the govt. services to customers & reduce paper consumption by more than 336 million papers. All the exceptional digital services can be accessed by the Citizens through the “Dubai Now application’’.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- UAE Capital: Abu Dhabi;
- UAE Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham;
- UAE President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance starts ‘#Care4Hockey’ Campaign
A leading private general insurer in India, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has started its ‘#Care4Hockey’ Campaign to elevate field Hockey’s recognition in India. The company has partnered with Padma Shri (2020) Rani Rampal, Indian Women’s Hockey Team Captain, who will be the face of the campaign. ‘#Care4Hockey’ is a one of its kind campaign which aims to support the development of Hockey in India from the grass-root level.
About the ‘#Care4Hockey’ campaign:
‘#Care4Hockey’ is a one of its kind campaign from the Company with a goal to support the development of Hockey in India from the grass-root level. As a part of this association, the Company will contribute towards supporting underprivileged children pursuing hockey in terms of coaching, nutrition, and equipment. With this campaign, the company hopes to support in the development of hockey at the grassroots level, thus providing an opportunity for many, in making their mark in the world and become future role models of tomorrow.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Founded: 2001;
- Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Headquarters: Pune, Maharashtra;
- Bajaj Allianz General Insurance CEO & MD: Tapan Singhel.
DBS Bank India clinches two awards at ET BFSI Excellence Awards 2021
DBS Bank India’s persistent efforts to drive digital transformation for its customers have been awarded at the ET BFSI Excellence Awards 2021. An initiative of The Economic Times, ET BFSI Excellence Awards honours the best innovations & practices implemented by the BFSI industry in a dynamic and competitive environment.
The bank has won two awards:
- ‘DBS Rapid (Real-time API)’ solution in the ‘Innovative API/Open Banking model’ category
- ‘Intelligent Banking’ in the ‘Best Digital Customer Experience initiative’ category.
About the award:
- DBS Bank India was awarded in the ‘Innovative API/Open Banking model’ category for DBS RAPID. The bank has designed a real-time, digital payments solution for Transport Corporation of India Limited (TCI) – one of India’s largest transportation and logistics players.
- This unique solution leverages the UPI, allowing TCI to make real-time advance payments to the transport owners enabling them to withdraw cash from any ATMs. The solution has resulted in an annual savings of 4.5 million hours for TCI and helped transport owners make timely deliveries.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- DBS Bank India Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
- DBS Bank India MD & CEO: Surojit Shome.
TIME Magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’ for 2021: Elon Musk
The prestigious TIME magazine has named Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, as the “2021 Person of the Year. In 2021, US-based electric-vehicle startup Tesla became $1 trillion company as Musk became the world’s richest person with an estimated net worth of around US $255 billion. Musk is also the founder and CEO of rocket company SpaceX, and leads brain-chip start-up Neuralink and infrastructure firm The Boring Company.
In 2020:
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were named as the Person of the Year for 2020 by Time magazine.
IAF-DRDO flight-tested Helicopter-launched SANT Missile
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully flight-tested the indigenously designed and developed Helicopter launched (air-launched) Stand-off Anti-tank (SANT) Missile from the Pokhran range in Rajasthan. For the first time that this was launched from a Russian origin Mi-35 helicopter gunship.
About the missile:
- It is equipped with a state-of-the-art Millimetre Wave Seeker which provides high precision strike capability from a safe distance.
- It can neutralise targets in a range up to 10 km. SANT missile has been designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad.
BPCL tie-up with BARC for Green Hydrogen production
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has tied up with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to scale-up Alkaline Electrolyze technology for Green Hydrogen production. This is a first of its kind initiative to support India’s commitment to achieve renewable energy targets and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Electrolyser plants are presently imported and the collaboration is to “scale-up Alkaline Electrolyser technology for Green Hydrogen production”.
India has set a target to reach net zero emissions by 2070 and towards that objective it is looking to raise the share of renewables in its energy mix to 50 per cent by 2030 from 38 per cent currently. This is a first of its kind initiative to support the country’s commitment to achieve renewable energy targets and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- BPCL Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
- BPCL Chairman & Managing Director: Arun Kumar Singh.
Coonoor helicopter crash’s survivor Group Captain Varun Singh passes away
Group Captain Varun Singh, who was rescued after the helicopter crash that killed Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 12 others, has passed away. He was being treated for severe burns at a Bengaluru military hospital after he was moved from Wellington in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor. His condition in the last few days continued to be “critical but stable”.
In August this year, Group Captain Varun Singh was conferred the Shaurya Chakra for averting a possible mid-air accident after his Tejas light combat aircraft developed a major technical snag last year. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria, Singh’s father KP Singh retired from the Indian Army as colonel whereas his brother Lieutenant Commander Tanuj Singh is an officer in the Indian Navy.
China launches “Shijian-6 05” satellites for Space Exploration
China successfully launched a new group of satellites Shijian-6 05 into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China for space exploration and new technology tests. The satellites were launched by a Long March-4B rocket which marked the 400th mission of Long March series carrier rockets. The information about the number of satellites has not been specified. As the message reads, they will be used for space exploration and new technology tests.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- China Capital: Beijing;
- China Currency: Renminbi;
- China President: Xi Jinping.
AIBA rebrands itself as IBA, to secure boxing’s Olympic future
The International Boxing Association has changed its acronym from AIBA to IBA, promising to adopt a set of governance reforms so as to keep the sport’s inclusion at the 2028 Olympics. Boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon were all left off the initial list of sports for the 2028 Los Angeles Games and were asked to make changes by the International Olympic Committee.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- International Boxing Association Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland;
- International Boxing Association President: Umar Kremlyov;
- International Boxing Association Founded: 1946.
David Warner & Hayley Matthews Bags ICC Player Of The Month For November
Australia opener David Warner and West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews have been voted the ICC Players of the Month for November. Warner, nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award alongside Pakistan’s Abid Ali and New Zealand’s Tim Southee, emerged victorious with the most votes, following his crucial role in Australia’s triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.
Why David Warner?
Australian opener David Warner has bagged the ICC Player Of The Month for November. The southpaw has been in scintillating form in recent times. He was the Player of the Tournament as Australia won their maiden T20 World Cup title. He then started the Ashes series with a bang by scoring 94 in the first Test at The Gabba.
Why Hayley Matthews?
West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews secured the Women’s Player of the Month award. David Warner scored 289 runs in seven matches in the tournament at a strike rate of 146.70, out of which 209 runs came from four games in November. He scored 89 against West Indies in a Super 12 game against the West Indies which was his highest score of the tournament.
The first award was given in January 2021. Given below is the list of winners:
| Months | Men’s Player of the Month | Women’s Player of the Month |
| January | Rishabh Pant (India) | Shabnim Ismail (South Africa) |
| February | Ravichandran Ashwin (India) | Tammy Beaumont (England) |
| March | Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India) | Lizelle Lee (South Africa) |
| April | Babar Azam (Pakistan) | Alyssa Healy (Australia) |
| May | Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) | Kathryn Bryce (Scotland) |
| June | Devon Conway (New Zealand) | Sophie Ecclestone (England) |
| July | Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) | Stafanie Taylor (West Indies) |
| August | Joe Root (England) | Eimear Richardson (Ireland) |
| September | Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal) | Heather Knight (England) |
| October | Asif Ali (Pakistan) | Laura Delany (Ireland) |
| November | David Warner (Australia) | Hayley Matthews (West Indies) |
BCCI forms committee for differently abled cricketers
The Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI) has formed a committee for the differently-abled cricketers of the country. Disability cricketers have welcomed the decision of the BCCI to form a Differently Abled Committee for the differently-abled cricketers. On the basis of the recommendation of the Justice Lodha committee, a board of three former disabled cricketers was being awaited for the last several years. The Proposal was approved by BCCI headed by president Sourav Ganguly & secretary Jay Shah.
Bank of Baroda launches bob World Wave
Bank of Baroda (BoB) has launched a solution for digital banking payments, named bob World Wave. Wearable technology is witnessing the rise of tremendous interest across the world and lenders are using this opportunity to adopt the more convenient and cashless digital payments systems. This is an innovative solution, intended to perfectly deliver preventive health actions as well as easier payment transactions.
Bank’s on the go wearable payment solution, bob World Wave is designed to ensure convenient and seamless digital payments by our customers. It is anticipated that 10% of the small ticket payments will be made via wearable devices in the next two years.”
bob World Wave: Core features
- The bob World Wave wearable device will allow customers to monitor their Sp02, body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure.
- With bob World Wave, the Bank is providing an exclusive 3-months free wellness package along with a personal health coach, doctor teleconsultation and interactive video coaching.
- The device will provide contactless payments of up to Rs 5000 in all NFC enabled PoS devices. Customers can do contactless payments above Rs. 5000 using a PIN.
- The Bank will also provide a dummy plastic card (with the same card number printed as that of the wearable device along with expiry date and CVV) to enable customers to do e-commerce transactions at ease.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Bank Of Baroda Headquarters: Vadodara, Gujarat, India;
- Bank Of Baroda Chairman: Hasmukh Adhia;
- Bank Of Baroda MD & CEO: Sanjiv Chadha.
LIC launches Dhan Rekha plan savings life insurance plan
The Life Insurance Corporation of India has launched a new non-linked, non-participating, individual savings life insurance plan called Dhan Rekha, it offers special premium rates for female lives. The plan is also allowed for the third gender adding that all benefits under the plan are fully guaranteed. There are special premium rates for female lives. The plan is allowed to Third Gender. All Benefits under the plan are fully guaranteed.
The product has various benefits and unique features:
- Under this plan, the minimum sum assured is Rs 2 lakh, with no upper restriction on the maximum sum assured.
- Depending on the policy term, the minimum age to enter ranges from 90 days to 8 years.
- Depending on the policy term, the maximum age at the entrance can range from 35 to 55 years old.
- The plan can be purchased both offline and online through agents/intermediaries such as POSPLI/Common Public Service Centres (CPSC-SPV) and the website www.licindia.in.
- This plan also includes a loan facility to meet liquidity requirements. Optional riders are available under this plan for an extra price, however, there will be some restrictions, stated LIC.
India successfully tests long-range Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo
India has successfully test-fired a long-range Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo (SMART) off the Balasore coast in Odisha. The weapon system is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Navy. The system has been designed to enhance anti-submarine warfare capability far beyond the conventional range of the torpedo.
About the system:
The system is a next-generation missile-based standoff torpedo delivery system. During the test, the full range capability of the missile was successfully demonstrated. The system has been designed to enhance anti-submarine warfare capability far beyond the conventional range of the torpedo. This was a textbook launch, where the entire trajectory was monitored by the electro-optic telemetry system, various range radars including the downrange instrumentation and downrange ships. The missile carried a torpedo, parachute delivery system and release mechanisms.
