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Current Affairs Today November 27 2017

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Maneka Gandhi launches training program for Elected Women Representatives of Panchayats
On November 26, 2017, Union Minister of Women and Child Development (WCD), Maneka Gandhi launched an intensive training program for Capacity Building of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) of Panchayati Raj Institutions in New Delhi.
More Information about Capacity building of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) Programme:
i. This program is being organized by National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) under Ministry of WCD.
ii. Under this programme, approximately twenty thousand EWRs covering nearly 50 EWRs from each district will be trained by March, 2018.
iii. The training programme will focus on women’s issues and will provide information on education and financial matters.
iv. Objective of this training programme is not only to create model villages but also to prepare women as political leaders of the future.

Two-day Korea Tourism Festival 2017 opens in Haryana
On November 26, 2017, a two-day ‘Korea Culture and Tourism Festival’ showcasing Korea’s rich art, culture and heritage was inaugurated in Gurugram, Haryana by Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) Executive Vice President, Min Hong Min along with Suman Billa, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry Of Tourism.Two-day Korea Tourism Festival 2017 opens in HaryanaHighlights of Korea Tourism Festival 2017:
i. Representatives from the regional tourism boards and tourism related organisations of South Korea were present at the inauguration event.
ii. The festival showcased famous tourist destinations, delicacies, art, culture and heritage of South Korea.
iii. Director of Korea Tourism Organisation India (KTO),  Jong Sool Kwon, stated that with increased number of Indian tourists to South Korea, travel and tourism service providers in Korea will get more adaptable to Indian tourists’ requirements.
iv. As per a report published by Integreon (a leading global provider of outsourced legal, document, business and research support), India is among the fastest growing outbound travel markets. By 2025, India is expected to be among top five countries in terms of international tourism expenditures.

Odisha launches Fish Pond Yojana to increase fish production
On November 27, 2017, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the ‘Fish Pond Yojana’ while inaugurating a workshop on ‘Doubling of Farmer Income through Dairy and Allied Farming Practices’ in Bhubaneswar.
Salient Features of ‘Fish Pond Yojana’:
i. Aim of this scheme is to boost fish production in Odisha.
ii. The scheme has been launched with a budgetary provision of Rs 96 crore.
iii. Under the scheme, additional 2200 hectare of fresh water aquaculture farming will be created, for which farmers will be given 50 per cent financial assistance from state government.
iv. While launching the scheme, Mr. Patnaik stated that annual fish production in Odisha has increased to more than 6 lakh tonne from 2.60 lakh tonne in the last 17 years.
Quick Facts about Odisha:
♦ Capital – Bhubaneswar
♦ Current Chief Minister – Naveen Patnaik
♦ Current Governor – S C Jamir
♦ Important National Park – Bhitarkanika National Park

President of India inaugurates the International Ambedkar Conclave in New Delhi
On 27th November 2017, President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the International Ambedkar Conclave, organised by the Forum of SC and ST Legislators and Parliamentarians, in New Delhi.International Ambedkar Conclave:
i. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that, Dr B.R. Ambedkar had attained senior public positions and acclaim on the basis of his extraordinary educational achievements, despite facing conditions of deprivation and inequality.
ii. He also said that, Dr Ambedkar who is considered the Chief Architect of Indian Constitution, had said that, the basis of the success of any constitution is not just its text.
Independence Days of few countries:
♦ Afghanistan – August 19
♦ Burma – January 4
♦ Finland – December 6
♦ Kyrgyzstan – August 31

Delhi to host International Geological Congress (IGC) in 2020
The 36th International Geological Congress (IGC) is to be held in Delhi in the year 2020.
36th International Geological Congress (IGC):
i. The International Geological Congress is held under the control of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).
ii .A high level delegation of the IUGS consisting its President Prof Qiuming ChengSecretary General Prof S C Finney, and Treasurer Prof H Kitazatovisited India during 20-24 November 2017 to discuss the preparatory aspects of the 36th International Geological Congress.
iii .The event is being jointly funded by the Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Earth Sciences with the active support of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), and the Science Academies of the other neighbouring co-host countries, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
About International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS):
♦ Non-governmental organization devoted to international cooperation in the field of geology
♦ Motto – Earth Science for the Global Community
♦ President – Qiuming Cheng

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

IMMSAREX-17 begins in Cox’s Bazar 
Indian Ocean Naval Symposium Multilateral Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise-2017 (IMMSAREX-17) started in Bay of Bengal on November 27, 2017.IMMSAREX-17 begins in Cox's Bazar More Information about IMMSAREX-17:
i. The exercise was inaugurated by Bangladesh President Md Abdul Hamid near Inani Beach at Cox’s Bazar.
ii. Ships, naval chiefs and maritime experts from 32 countries, including 23 member countries and nine observers from the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) are taking part in this exercise.
iii. During the course of this exercise,  participating naval warships will conduct drills related to fire fighting, deep sea searches for missing ships, sea accidents and rescue, searches for missing aircraft and emergency rescue operations.
iv. Objective for conducting this exercise is to increase regional cooperation between IONS member states.
v. IMMSAREX-17 will conclude on November 29, 2017.
vi. First edition of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) was held in 2008 in New Delhi.

WHO for first time releases guidelines on child sex abuse
World Health Organisation (WHO) has released clinical guidelines on responding to children and adolescents who have been sexually abused.
i. These guidelines are specifically for general practitioners, gynaecologists, paediatricians, nurses and other frontline health care providers who may directly receive a victim of sexual abuse or may identify signs of sexual abuse while diagnosing or treating a patient.
ii. The guidelines focus on the recommendations and good practice suggestions in terms of conducting physical examinations and forensic investigations, disclosure made by the child, documenting findings, obtaining medical history, offering preventive treatment for HIV post exposure and other sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy prevention and psychological and mental health interventions.
iii. Guidelines have been formed by taking into consideration the fact that consequences of the abuse include the risk of pregnancy, gynaecological disorders and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
iv. It has been highlighted in the guidelines that child sexual abuse has a short-term as well as long-term mental health impact.
Quick Facts about World Health Organisation (WHO):
♦ Formed in – 1946
♦ Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
♦ Current Director General – Tedros Adhanom

BANKING & FINANCE

BillDesk launches cryptocurrency exchange Coinome in India
Indian online payments firm BillDesk-owned Hatio Innovations has launched cryptocurrency exchange ‘Coinome’ in India offering trading of Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash.BillDesk launches cryptocurrency exchange Coinome in IndiaMore information about ‘Coinome’:
i. To start trading on this exchange, the user has to follow an e-KYC process, under which, he/she is required to register his/her Aadhaar number. After registering Aadhaar number, one time password (OTP) will be sent for the verification and activation of the account.
ii. Unlike many other cryptocurrency exchanges, Coinome is an open order book cryptocurrency exchange which enables direct deals between buyers and sellers just like conventional stocks and commodities exchanges. Coinome doesn’t buy or sell cryptocurrencies directly.
iii. Currently, users can trade Bitcoin on ‘Coinome’ for value as low as $1.546 (INR 100).
iv. Headquarters of ‘Coinome’ is located in Mumbai. Management of ‘Coinome’ has laid out plan to introduce trading of leading 20 cryptocurrencies by 2018.

Bank of Baroda launches digital Supply Chain Finance solution
On November 27, 2017, Bank of Baroda (BoB) launched digital Supply Chain Finance solution which provides working capital loan opportunities for the small and medium enterprises and large corporate clients.
More Information about BoB’s digital Supply Chain Finance solution:
i. This new product provides a range of supply chain finance products such as pre- and post-shipment finance.
ii. BoB’s digital Supply Chain Finance solution has been designed to ensure faster approvals, smoother transaction processing and availability of finance to the Small and Medium Enterprises.
iii. Management of Bank of Baroda is hopeful that this product will give the bank  a competitive positioning in the market and will highlight its intent as a leader in the field of Supply Chain Finance.
Quick Facts about Bank of Baroda:
♦ Founded in – 1908
♦ Headquarters – Vadodara, Gujarat
♦ Current MD & CEO – P S Jayakumar
♦ Tagline – ‘India’s International Bank’

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Health Ministry wins Bronze Medal at the India International Trade Fair 2017
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has won Bronze Medal for its creative and informative display at the 37th India International Trade Fair 2017.
i. 37th India International Trade Fair 2017 was held from 14th – 27th November, 2017 in New Delhi.
ii. Health Ministry pavilion highlighted various programmes and initiatives of the Health Ministry such as Pradhan Mantri Matritva Suraksha Yojana (PMSMA), Mission Indradhnaush for expanding full immunization coverage, Mother’s Absolute Affection (MAA) for encouraging breastfeeding, introduction of new vaccines and Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) for strengthening the tertiary health sector.
iii. Health Ministry had also organised three Swasthya Chetna camps for providing free of cost health check-up. Nearly 62000 people visited these camps.
iv. Bronze medal was presented by C R Chaudhary, Minister of State (Commerce and Industry) to Smt. Vandana Gurnani who received the award on behalf of the Health Ministry.

Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters is crowned Miss Universe 2017
On 26th November 2017, Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters was crowned Miss Universe 2017 at the AXIS theater at Planet Hollywood casino-resort on the Las Vegas Strip.Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters is crowned Miss Universe 2017Miss Universe 2017 – Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters:
i. Nel-Peters is 22 years old. She was born in Sedgefield, South Africa. She recently earned her degree in business management. She wants to use her reign to create awareness about HIV/AIDS and self-defense causes.
ii. Along with the title, Nel-Peters earned a yearlong salary, a luxury apartment in New York City for the duration of her reign and more prizes.
iii. The runner-up was Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez, and the second runner-up was Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett. Ninety-two women from around the world participated in the Miss Universe competition.
About Miss Universe:
♦ Annual international beauty pageant that is run by the Miss Universe Organization
♦ Motto – Confidently Beautiful
♦ Formation – June 28, 1952
♦ President – Paula Shugart

Ishaan Khatter wins Best Actor award at Turkish Film Festival
Actor Ishaan Khattar has won the Best Actor award for his debut film ‘Beyond The Clouds’ at the International Bosphorus Film Festival in Turkey. 
i. ‘Beyond The Clouds’ has been directed by Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi.
ii. It is a tale of a brother and sister, and how they find happiness in separation and turbulent time.
iii. Music for this film has been composed by A. R. Rahman.
iv. In India, ‘Beyond The Clouds’ is scheduled to release in early 2018. It was the opening movie of the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on November 20, 2017.

Ruskin Bond gets Lifetime Achievement Award
On 26th November 2017, the Chandigarh Literary Society awarded children’s author Ruskin Bond its first Lifetime Achievement Award, at the Chandigarh Lit Fest ‘Literati-2017’ at the Lake Club, in Chandigarh.Ruskin Bond gets Lifetime Achievement AwardLifetime Achievement Award – Ruskin Bond:
i. The Lifetime Achievement Award given to Ruskin Bond consisted of a citation and Rs 2 lakh cash. Children from various schools were gathered at the occasion.
ii. Ruskin Bond was born and brought up in India. He was sent to London in the 50s after his schooling, where he worked as well as wrote his first novel – “Room on the Roof” at 17 years.
iii. Sumita Misra, Chairperson of Chandigarh Literary Society, said Literati had gone international with Canada joining as the partner countryChristopher GibbinsConsul General of Canada, was present at the occasion.
About Ruskin Bond:
♦ Occupation – Writer
♦ Notable works – Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra, A Flight of Pigeons, The Blue Umbrella
♦ Awards – John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, Sahitya Akademi Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Justice Ved Prakash Vaish takes oath as Allahabad High Court judge
On 27th November 2017, Justice Ved Prakash Vaish took oath as judge of the Allahabad High Court, taking total strength of the court to 109 against the sanctioned 160.
Justice Ved Prakash Vaish – Allahabad High Court judge:
i. The swearing ceremony was held at the Chief Justice Court Room in Allahabad High Court. Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale administered the oath.
ii. Justice Ved Prakash Vaish was earlier appointed as Additional Judge of Delhi High Court on April 17, 2013. He later took charge as judge of Meghalaya High Court on May 23, 2016.
About Allahabad High Court:
♦ Principal Seat – Allahabad
♦ Circuit Bench – Lucknow
♦ Chief Justice – Justice Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale

Nirmala Sitharaman elected IDSA President
On November 23, 2017, Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was elected as President of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA).nirmala-sitharamani. IDSA follows a convention to have the incumbent Union Defence Minister as its President.
ii. Ms. Sitharaman succeeds previous Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar who had re signed from the post of IDSA President after shifting to Goa as Chief Minister.
iii. Ms. Sitharama will now be the chair of IDSA’s Executive Council which governs the Institute.
iv. IDSA Executive Council includes Prof Charan Dass Wadhwa, G.K. Pillai, Air Marshal M. Matheswaran, Lt. Gen. Prakash Menon, Gulshan Luthra, Swashpawan Singh and Vice Admiral Anup Singh.
Facts about Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA):
♦ IDSA is an autonomous think tank, set up by the Union Ministry of Defence in 1965.
♦ Faculty of IDSA conducts research in military, foreign and strategic affairs.
♦ Indian Government seeks IDSA’s views before taking major policy initiatives. IDSA also executes specific assignments from Union Ministry of External Affairs.

Aegon Life Insurance appoints Vineet Arora as MD & CEO
Aegon Life Insurance has appointed Vineet Arora as the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, effective from January 2018.
Vineet Arora – MD & CEO of Aegon Life Insurance:
i. Vineet Arora will replace K S Gopalakrishnan who had left the company on November 17, 2017. Chief People Officer of Aegon Life Insurance, Saba Adil, will serve as the interim In-charge and Principal Officer.
ii. Vineet Arora has had a long association with the ICICI Group. He has worked with ICICI Prudential Life and later helped build a profitable multi-channel distribution business as the Senior General Manager and Head of Product, Distribution, Marketing and Wealth Management at ICICI Securities.
About Aegon Life Insurance Company:
♦ Headquarters – Mumbai
♦ Founded – 2008
♦ Formerly known as – Aegon Religare Life Insurance Company

ENVIRONMENT

Surge in oxygen levels led to explosion of life: study
A study has found that, a boost in levels of oxygen may have caused a three-fold increase in biodiversity during between 445 and 485 million years ago.
Explosion of life due to surge in oxygen levels:
i. The explosion of diversity, recognised as the Great Ordovician Bio-diversification Event, brought the rise of various marine life, starting at the bottom of the ocean floors.
ii. Using geochemical proxies, high-resolution data and chemical signatures preserved in carbonate rocks formed from seawater, researchers were able to identify an oxygen increase during the Middle and Late Ordovician periods.
iii. Cole Edwards, assistant professor at Washington University in the U.S, said that, in this research, we show that, the oxygenation of the atmosphere and shallow ocean took millions of years, and only when shallow seas became progressively oxygenated the major pulses of diversification were able to take place.
About Washington University:
♦ Established – 1853
♦ Location – St. Louis, USA
♦ Chancellor – Mark S. Wrighton

SPORTS

Valtteri Bottas beats Lewis Hamilton to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
On November 26, 2017, Formula 1 motorist, Valtteri Bottas won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.Valtteri Bottas beats Lewis Hamilton to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prixi. Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes team defeated his fellow teammate, Lewis Hamilton who finished at second spot.
ii. This was Valtteri Bottas’s third win of 2017.
iii. Third spot in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was occupied by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.
iv. This race took place at Yas Marina Cicuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

India wins 10 medals in Para-Badminton World Championships
Indian contingent to BWF Para-Badminton World Championships in Ulsan, South Korea has clinched 10 medals, including two golds.
i. India’s Parul Parmar defeated Thailand’s Wannaphatdee Kamtam in the finals of the women’s singles Standing Lower (SL3).
ii. Other gold was also won by Parul Parmar, who paired with Japan’s Akiko Sugino in women’s doubles (SL 3-4) final. Parul Parmar- Akiko Sugino pair beat Chinese pair of Cheng Hefang and MA Huihui in the finals.
iii. Tarun Dhillon and Manoj Sarkar won the silver in the men’s singles (SL 4) and (SL 3) respectively.
iv. Raj Kumar/Rakesh Pandey, Raja Magotra/Ruhi Satish Shingade, Umesh Vikram Kumar (with Thailand’s Chawarat K), Raja Magotra/ Mark Joseph Dharmai, Manasi Joshi and Pramod Bhagat won Bronze medal in different events at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships.

India claim 5 gold medals in AIBA World Women’s Youth Boxing Championships
On 26th November 2017, India won 5 gold medals at the AIBA World Women’s Youth Boxing Championships, in Guwahati.India claim 5 gold medals in AIBA World Women’s Youth Boxing Championships5 gold medals for India in Women’s World Youth Boxing Championships:
i. Nitu (48kg), Jyoti Gulia (51kg), Sakshi choudhury (54kg), Shashi Chopra (57kg) and Ankushita Boro (64kg) won gold medals for India in the finals. Jyoti Gulia also qualified for next year’s Youth Olympic Games in Argentina.
ii. Also, two bronze medals were secured by Neha Yadav (+81kg) and Anupama (81kg). Ankushita was named the boxer of the tournament.
iii. Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh announced a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh each for all the gold-medallists. The championship was held in India for the first time.
About Indian Professional Boxing Association:
♦ Purpose – Boxing sanctioning organization
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi
♦ President – Shahe Ali

7th international military games to be held at Wuhan in China
The 7th international military games will be held in Wuhan city in the central China‘s Hubei Province.
7th international military games:
i. The International Military Sports Council (CISM)’s  Military World Games is a top sport event for military personnel.
ii. It comprises 329 competitions in 27 categories and is expected to attract around 8,000 participants from more than 100 countries and regions.
iii. The event’s emblem, mascot, slogan and website has been unveiled.
♦ Emblem:consists of a dove, a star, ribbons and other elements
♦ Mascot:Bing Bing. Its design is based on the Chinese sturgeon, a critically endangered fish known as the “panda in water”.
♦ Slogan: Military glory, world peace
iv. The international military games were inaugurated in Rome in 1995. It is a multi-sport event organised every four years by the CISM.
About International Military Sports Council (CISM):
♦ Founded – 1948
♦ Headquarters – Brussels, Belgium
♦ President – Colonel Abdul Hakeem Al Shino

Mairaj Khan crowned skeet champion at 61st National Shooting Championship for Shotgun events
On 25th November 2017, India’s top skeet shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan was crowned national champion at the 61st National Shooting Championship Competitions (61st NSCC) for Shotgun events, at Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi.
Miraj Khan – skeet champion:
i. In a battle between India’s present and future of men’s skeet shooting, Mairaj Khan, representing Uttar Pradesh and Angad Vir Singh Bajwa of Punjab, both recorded 57 out of 60 hits in the final.
ii. Then they went through a marathon shoot-off before Mairaj Khan came through 26-25 to win Gold. Man Singh of Haryana won the Bronze with a score of 46 in the finals.
iii. Punjab’s Gurnihal Singh Garcha won the Junior Team Gold with his Punjab teammates Abinash Pratap Singh Sidhu and Indereshwar Singh Sekhon recording a combined total of 336.
About 61st National Shooting Championship in Shotgun Events:
♦ Dates – 14-25 November 2017
♦ Venue – Dr. Karni Shooting Ranges, New Delhi

Indian men’s and women’s teams win 2017 Asian Kabaddi Championship
On 26th November 2017, the Indian men’s and women’s kabaddi teams were both crowned the champions of Asia at the 2017 Asian Kabaddi Championship, in Gorgan, Iran.Indian men's and women's teams win 2017 Asian Kabaddi ChampionshipIndian men’s and women’s teams win 2017 Asian Kabaddi Championship:
i. In the men’s finals, star raider Ajay Thakur led from the front, and India beat Pakistan36-22. India led 25-10 at half-time.
ii. India won the match by a 14-point margin. India had beaten Pakistan 44-18 in the group stages of the tournament, along with recording wins over Iraq (61-21), Japan (82-16) and Afghanistan (103-25).
iii. The Indian women’s team beat South Korea 42-20 in their final. At half-time, India had a seven-point lead at 19-12 before breaking away in the second. India eventually won by a 22-point margin.
About 2017 Asian Kabaddi Championship:
♦ Location – Gorgan, Iran
♦ Administrated by – Pakistan Kabaddi Federation

OBITUARY

Jazz singer Jon Hendricks passes away
On 22nd November 2017, Jon Hendricks, the pioneering jazz singer and lyricist died at a New York City hospital.
Death of Jon Hendricks:
i. Jon Hendricks was 96 years old. He was born in New York. He found fame in the 1950s and ’60s teaming with Dave Lambert and Annie Ross. Their interracial trio became one of the most celebrated jazz vocal groups ever.
ii. The trio’s first album, “Sing a Song of Basie,” won acclaim for its use of vocalese. In the 1980s, Jon Hendricks collaborated with Manhattan Transfer on an album called “Vocalese” that won three Grammys, one for Hendricks himself. He won awards worldwide.
About Jon Hendricks:
♦ Occupation – Singer, lyricist
♦ Genres – Jazz
♦ Awards – NEA Jazz Master award, Grammy Award, Emmy Award, Peabody Award, Legion of Honour