NATIONAL:
1. Nadaprabhu Kempegowda
Why in news - PM Modi on Nov 11 unveiled a 108-feet tall bronze statue of Kempegowda in Bengaluru.
Key Points –
• It is termed the “Statue of Prosperity”.
• As per the World Book of Records, it is the “first and tallest bronze statue of a founder of a city”.
• Also, PM Modi flagged off south India's first Vande Bharat Express between Mysuru and Chennai via Bengaluru and Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan train.
About Kempegowda –
• He was the 16th century chieftain of the Vijayanagara empire.
• He is the founder of Bengaluru and developed around 1,000 lakes in the city.
• He was from the dominant agricultural Vokkaliga community.
2. Rajiv Gandhi Assassination
Why in news - The Supreme Court set free six convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case after 31 years.
Key Points –
• SC has exercised its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution.
• Article 142 –
• SC may issue any verdict or order necessary to provide “complete justice” in just about any case before it.
• It empowers the Supreme Court's verdicts and rulings to be enforced.
• Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991.
3. Sword of Shivaji
Why in news - Maharashtra to bring back the “Jagdamba” sword of Chhatrapati Shivaji from London to India by 2024.
Key Points –
• 2024 would mark the completion of 350 years of the coronation of Shivaji. (Crowned on June 6, 1674 at Raigad fort).
• Sword was given to Edward, the Prince of Wales by Shivaji IV in 1875-76.
• Edward became King Edward VII and Emperor of India and reigned until 1910.
ECONOMY:
1. Sovereign Green Bonds
Why in news - FM Nirmala Sitharaman approved India's first sovereign green bond framework.
Key Points –
• It has been rated ‘Medium Green’, with a “Good” governance score by CICERO.
• It is issued by companies and countries to exclusively fund projects that have positive environmental or climate benefits.
• It is as per India’s commitments under “Panchamrit” elucidated at COP 26 at Glasgow in November 2021.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. NMFT Ministerial Conference
Why in news - The third No Money For Terror (NMFT) conference would be held on Nov 18-19 in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• It would be hosted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• First NMFT conference was held in Paris in 2018 and the 2nd in Melbourne in 2019.
2. 2nd BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministers
Why in news - India hosted the 2nd meeting in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Narendra Singh Tomar.
Key Points –
• It adopted the Action Plan for Strengthening BIMSTEC Agricultural Cooperation (2023-2027).
• Agriculture ministers of Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand participated.
• BIMSTEC was established in the year 1997.
• BIMSTEC countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Bihari Puraskar
Why in news - Madhu Kankariya and Dr. Madhav Hada were awarded the 31st and 32nd Bihari Puraskar, respectively.
Key Points –
• Kankariya was awarded the Puraskar for her 2018 novel ‘Hum Yahan The’.
• Hada was awarded for his 2015 literary criticism book ‘Pachrang Chola Pahar Sakhi Ri’.
• It is a literary award instituted by KK Birla Foundation in 1991.
REPORT & INDICES:
1. QS Asia Universities Ranking 2023
Why in news - Recently Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2023 has been released.
Key Points –
• Top 3 - China’s Peking University (1st), National University of Singapore (2nd), Tsinghua University, Beijing (3rd),
• Top 3 (in India) - IIT Bombay (40th), IIT Delhi (46th), IISc Bangalore (52nd).
• A total of 760 Asian universities were ranked.
STATES/UTs:
1. Domicile Status
Why in news - Jharkhand cleared bill making land records with 1932 as the cut-off year to determine domicile status.
Key Points –
• It also increased reservations in state government posts and services to 77%.
• It would come into force only after the Centre include these amendments in the 9th Schedule.
• I R Coelho vs State of Tamil Nadu (2007) - SC unanimously ruled that laws cannot escape the “basic structure” test if inserted into the Ninth Schedule after 1973.
2. Task Force on Climate
Why in news - Jharkhand has formed a task force to study the impact on the state of commitments made by India.
Key Points –
• The commitments were made by India at COP26 Glasgow (2021).
• India’s COP26 Glasgow target - Net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 and to generate 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy.
BIHAR:
1. National Education Day
Why in news – Hon’ CM Nitish Kumar addressing the program on National Education Day on Nov 11, 2022.
Key Points –
• He has released “Bihar Easy School Tracking System Plus” (BEST+) app.
• He has also released the book “The Basic of Animal Behavior”.
• BEST+ app – To get instant information about school opening time, attendance of teachers and children, mid-day meal and class operations etc.
• He also announced “No Bag Day” every Saturday in all the schools of Bihar.
• Bihar’s expenditure on education - 21% of its budget. (Target - 25%).
• Fertility rate in Bihar (2005) - 4.3. (NFHS 5 - 2.9).
• In Bihar, the fertility rate for women who passed the Class 12 is 1.6%.
2. Shrilal Shukla IFFCO Literary Award
Why in news – Bihar's Jayanandan has been honoured with the award.
Key Points –
• He hails from the Nawada district of Bihar.
• His books - 'Shram Ev Jayate', 'Aisi Nagariya Mein Kehi Vidhi Rahna', 'Sultanate ko Suno Gaonwaalo', 'Rahmat Ki Baarish' etc.
POINTERS:
• Which state has recently unveiled the Mukhyamantri Dev Darshan Yatra Yojana – Goa.
• Which three players have been recently inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame by the ICC - Abdul Qadir, Charlotte Edwards and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
• Who has made U.S. history in Massachusetts by becoming America's first elected openly lesbian governor - Maura Healey (Democrat).
• Who has been honored with the India Agribusiness Awards 2022 - Dr. Suvarna Chandrappagari.
• Who has been appointed as the CEO of the company Adidas - Björn Gulden.
• Who has been appointed as the President of 'All India Rubber Industries Association - Ramesh Kejriwal.
• Which state government will reimburse the technical license cost to startups – Kerala.
• Which country will implement 'interest-free' banking system by 2027 - Pakistan.
• Sir David Butler, the father of modern election science, has passed away at what age – 98 years.
• Which city has issued 'Municipal Bonds' for the first time - Varanasi.