GK Current Affairs Quiz 01-11-2019 (Daily) for Banking, UPSC, Railways, RRB NTPC, SSC and All Competitive Exams

GK Current Affairs Quiz 01st November 2019 with Questions and Answers: General Knowledge section of Versionweekly aims to help every competitive exam aspirant to revise the day at ease. Instantly obtain Latest Daily Current Affairs with all essential info, Be the first to know all the Today Current affairs 01 November 2019 top news, Major Issues, Current News, Important events in National Current News as well as International level with clear explanation.

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Todays GK Current Affairs Quiz 01-11-2019 (Daily) for Banking, UPSC, Railways, RRB NTPC, SSC and All Competitive Exams

Q. Which of the following awards has been constituted as India’s first international award that honours exemplary work and achievements of the heads of state and governments and other distinguished persons/organizations around the world?
(a) VD Savarkar Award
(b) Mahatma Gandhi Honorary Award
(c) Gandhi Mandela Award
(d) Gandhi Peace Award
(e) Mahatma Gandhi Award

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (c) Gandhi Mandela Award
Explanation:
• New Delhi based Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), the Gandhi Mandela Foundation has constituted India’s first International Award, the Gandhi Mandela Award in 2019.
• The award was announced on 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, 2019 and will be organized in India in December 2019.
• The award will honour exemplary work and achievements of the Heads of State and Government and other distinguished persons/organizations around the world.
• These awards will be given to personalities who have made significant contribution in the fields of Peace, Social Welfare, Culture, Environment, Education, Healthcare, Sports and Innovation.


Q. BCCI ethics officer DK Jain has summoned which former cricketer for the second time for clarifications on the conflict of interest allegations levelled against him?
(a) Saurav Ganguly
(b) Rahul Dravid
(c) Kapil Dev
(d) Sachin Tendulkar

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (b) Rahul Dravid
Explanation: The BCCI Ethics Officer D K Jain has asked National Cricket Academy head Rahul Dravid to appear in person for the second time, on November 12 for further clarifications on the conflict of interest allegations leveled against him.


Q. Who was recently appointed as the Indian Ambassador to UAE?
(a) Pavan Kapoor
(b) Navdeep Singh Suri
(c) Aman Singh
(d) Pradeep Bhaskar

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (a) Pavan Kapoor
Explanation: Pavan Kapoor recently took charge as the Indian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Kapoor succeeds Navdeep Singh Suri, who retired in September 2019. Kapoor is a 1990 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer.


Q. Which is the third gulf country to witness the launch of the RuPAY card?
(a) Qatar
(b) Jordan
(c) Oman
(d) Saudi Arabia

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (d) Saudi Arabia
Explanation: Saudi Arabia is the third Gulf state to witness the launch of the RuPay card, during the visit of PM Narendra Modi.


Q. Name the CEO, who topped among the Indian origin CEO & ranked 6th globally in the ‘The Best-Performing CEOs in the World, 2019’ list prepared by Harvard Business Review (HBR)?
(a) Sundar Pichai
(b) Indra Nooyi
(c) Satya Narayana Nadella
(d) Shantanu Narayen
(e) Ajaypal Singh Banga

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (d) Shantanu Narayen
Explanation:
• The “Best-Performing CEOs in the World, 2019” list was released on October 29, 2019. The list was compiled by the Harvard Business Review.
• Three Indian-origin CEOs (chief executive officer), Shantanu Narayen (CEO of Adobe Inc), Ajaypal Singh Banga (CEO of Mastercard) and Satya Narayana Nadella (CEO of Microsoft) are among the world’s top 10 best-performing CEOs.
• Shantanu Narayen is on the 6th spot, Jaypal Singh Banga ranked at 7th while Microsoft chief Satya Nadella in on the 9th spot.


Q. Name the insurance firm which has received the in-principle approval from insurance regulator IRDAI to act as a direct insurance broker?
(a) Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
(b) Religare Health Insurance Company Limited
(c) Acko General Insuranc(e) (d) Edelweiss General Insuranc(e)
(e) BSE-Ebix Insurance Broking Pvt Ltd

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (e) BSE-Ebix Insurance Broking Pvt Ltd
Explanation:
• The BSE-Ebix Broking Insurance Broking Private Limited, the joint venture between Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and Ebix has received in-principle approval from the insurance regulator for insurance distribution.
• The venture will enable distribution outlets, wealth management advisors, Points of Sale (POS) to sell life and non-life insurance product”.
• The joint venture will make use of the reach of both BSE and EbixCash, which spans over 300,000 outlets across the country. It will cover the entire insurance lifecycle, from customer relationship management, agency management, multi-quoting, underwriting, policy creation, claims to file to the insurance company and coordinate with the insurance company for settlement of the claim and back-end insurance policy administration.


Q. Which city is hosting the 35th ASEAN Summit?
(a) New Delhi
(b) Shanghai
(c) Bangkok
(d) Kathmandu

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (c) Bangkok
Explanation: The 35th ASEAN Summit began in Bangkok on October 31, 2019 and will continue till November 4, 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the summit on November 3-4, 2019.


Q. Which of the following organizations recently revealed that 1.3 million Indian payment cards are up for sale on the Dark Web?
(a) ZDNet
(b) Microsoft
(c) United Nations
(d) Moody’s

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (a) ZDNet
Explanation: As per the ZDNet report, around 1.3 million debit and credit cards are up for sale on the on Joker’s Stash, one of the card shops on the dark web. The dump was founded by the researchers of the Singapore-based Group-IB on October 28, 2019.


Q. The first day-night Test match will be played between India and Bangladesh on which ground?
(a) Arun Jaitley Stadium
(b) Eden Gardens Stadium
(c) Wankhede Stadium
(d) Nehru Stadium

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (b) Eden Gardens Stadium
Explanation: The first day-night Test between India and Bangladesh will be played at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata from 22 November. Another feature of this match is that it will be played with a pink colored ball.


Q. Which country recently cancelled hosting of COP25 and APEC Summits?
(a) Argentina
(b) Peru
(c) Chil(e) (d) Greec(e)

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (c) Chil(e) Explanation: The government of Chile has canceled hosting of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit due to anti-government protests in the country.


Q. Former Parliamentarian, Gurudas Dasgupta passed away at the age of 83 on October 31. He had served as the Deputy General Secretary for which political party?
(a) CPI
(b) INC
(c) TMC
(d) BJP

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (a) CPI
Explanation: Gurudas Dasgupta, veteran CPI leader passed away in Kolkata on October 31, 2019. He was 83. The parliamentarian was suffering from heart and kidney-related ailments.


Q. Who among the following has been appointed as the 47th Chief Justice of India (CJI) of India?
(a) Sharad Arvind Bobd
(b) N. V. Ramana
(c) Arun Kumar Mishra
(d) Rohinton Fali Nariman
(e) R. Banumathi

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (a) Sharad Arvind Bobd
Explanation:
• The senior most judge in the Supreme Court, Justice Sharad Arvind Bodbe has been appointed as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI).
• His Warrant of Appointment was signed by President Ram Nath Kovind under Article 124 of the Constitution of India.
• He will be the 47th CJI and will take oath on November 18, 2019. He will hold office till April 23, 2021.
• Being a senior most judge in Supreme Court his name was recommended by incumbent Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi for appointment as the next CJI.


Q. Name the person who will preside over the Committee of Secretaries (CoS) formed by the union government to suggest measures to mitigate financial stress in the telecom sector?
(a) Pradeep Kumar Sinha
(b) Rajiv Mehrishi
(c) Rajiv Gauba
(d) Rajiv Kumar
(e) Nripendra Misra

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (c) Rajiv Gauba
Explanation:
The union government has set up a committee of secretaries (CoS) to suggest measures to mitigate financial stress in the telecom sector.
• The committee will be headed by Cabinet Secretary, Rajiv Gauba and secretaries from finance, law, telecom ministries will be its members.
• The committee will consider issues such as deferment of spectrum auction for two years and reduction in spectrum usage charges, and take a relook at the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) charges.
• For spectrum auction charges, telcos will have to fork out Rs 49,040 crore in the next two years.


Q. Which of the following institutions has topped among the Indian University & ranked 17th globally in the ‘Financial Times Masters in Management Rankings 2019’ released on October 28, 2019?
(a) Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (IIML)
(b) Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIMB)
(c) Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIMC)
(d) Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA)
(e) Indian Institute of Management, Udaipur (IIMU)

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (c) Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIMC)
Explanation:
• Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) has secured the 17th rank globally in the ‘Financial Times Masters in Management Rankings 2019’ released on October 28, 2019.
• IIMC has improved by 6 ranks from last year when it had secured the 23rd spot.
• The institute has also taken over IIM Ahmedabad for the top spot in the country.
• IIM Ahmedabad is placed at 21st rank this year.
• IIM Bangalore, the ‘B’ of the IIM ABC trio, is at 44th place.
• IIM Udaipur at 76th rank and IIM Indore at 81st rank are the new entrants in the list.


Q. Every year on which date the World Internet Day is celebrated all across the world?
(a) 27th October
(b) 28th October
(c) 29th October
(d) 30th October
(e) 31st October

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (c) 29th October
Explanation:
• Every year on October 29, World Internet Day is celebrated all across the world.
• It was on this day, the first electronic mail (email) was sent from one computer to another in 1969.
• This was the year 1969 when Charley Kline, a student programmer at the UCLA transmitted the first-ever message on the 29th of October in 1969.
• The Internet is a worldwide, publicly accessible series of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching, using standard IP (Internet Protocol).
• Now the Internet has become one of the most important parts of our life.


Q. Which of the following institutions has topped in ‘Financial Times Masters in Management Rankings 2019’ released on October 28, 2019?
(a) London Business School
(b) University of St. Gallen
(c) HEC Paris
(d) Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(e) MIT Sloan School of Management

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (b) University of St. Gallen
Explanation:
• Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) has secured the 17th rank globally in the ‘Financial Times Masters in Management Rankings 2019’ released on October 28, 2019.
• The list was topped by the University of St.Gallen in Switzerland followed by HEC Paris, France, and London Business School, UK.
• The IIMC got the ranking for its 2-Year Masters in Business Administration (formerly Post Graduate Programme in Management).
• IIMC has improved by 6 ranks from last year when it had secured the 23rd spot.
• The institute has also taken over IIM Ahmedabad for the top spot in the country.


Q. Who among the following has been appointed as the first female Prime Minister of Belgium in the country’s 189-year history?
(a) Anne-Marie Lizin
(b) Alice Melin
(c) Olga Zrihen
(d) Sophie Wilmes
(e) None of thes(e)

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (d) Sophie Wilmes
Explanation:
• Former Belgian Budget Minister, Sophie Wilmes has taken office as the first female Prime Minister in the country’s 189-year history.
• She was named as the head of the country’s next caretaker government. She was sworn in by King Philippe.
• She succeeded in the liberal leader Charles Michel.
• She will become the president of the European Council on 1 December.
• Sophie Wilmes was named by the King as the caretaker prime minister. She is an ally of Michel.


Q. Who presented the 1st edition of National Corporate Social Responsibility Awards (NCSRA) for 2019 in New Delhi?
(a) Nirmala Sitharaman
(b) Ram Nath Kovind
(c) Praksah Javadekar
(d) Venkaiah Naidu
(e) Rajnath Singh

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (b) Ram Nath Kovind
Explanation:
• On October 29, 2019, The President of India, Mr. Ram Nath Kovind conferred the 1st Edition of National Corporate Social Responsibility Awards (NCSRA) for 2019 in New Delhi.
• The jury recommended 19 winners and 19 honourable mentions across the 3 award categories, out of the 528 entries received for NCSRA.


Q. Which former Prime Minister’s death anniversary is observed on October 31?
(a) HD Deve Gowda
(b) I K Gujaral
(c) Jawahar Lal Nehru
(d) Indira Gandhi

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (d) Indira Gandhi
Explanation: The 35th death anniversary of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was observed on October 31, 2019. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own bodyguards on October 31, 1984 for launching Operation Blue Star.


Q. Which social media platform has decided to ban political advertising?
(a) Facebook
(b) Instagram
(c) Twitter
(d) Whatsapp

Answer/ Explanation

Answer: (c) Twitter
Explanation: Twitter has decided to ban all political advertising from its platform. This was announced by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey who tweeted saying that political message reach should be earned, not bought.


Todays GK Current Affairs One-Liner 01-11-2019 (Daily) for Banking, UPSC, Railways, RRB NTPC, SSC and All Competitive Exams

International
US House likely to vote on President Donald Trump impeachment inquiry

  • The full US House of Representatives is likely to vote today (31 October, 2019) on the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, addressing the White House argument that the probe has been illegitimate.
  • Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has scheduled a vote today, saying in a letter to fellow representatives that she wants to eliminate any doubt about the process.
  • Trump and his Republican supporters have called the impeachment probe illegitimate because it is being held behind closed doors and the full House never voted for it.

Syrian government & Opposition delegates meet to draft new constitution
  • Syrian government and Opposition delegates have begun meeting in Geneva to draft a new constitution as a prelude to U.N.-supervised elections for their war-torn country.
  • A total of 150 delegates representing the government, opposition and civil society yesterday met at the United Nations office in GenevaSwitzerland. After nearly nine years of war, U.N. mediator Geir Pedersen calls the meeting of Syria’s arch-enemies an historic moment.
  • Reforming the Constitution is the first step towards the beginning for a political process that will lead to UN-supervised elections under UN resolution 2254.
  • Delegation is prepared to consider possible amendments to Syria’s existing constitution. Opposition co-chair Hadi Albahra said Syrians seek a nation that respects all people, without discrimination.

Chile pulls out of hosting APEC and COP 25 due to protests
  • Chile has pulled out of hosting two major international summits, including a UN climate change conference, as anti-government protests continue.
  • The decision had caused him pain but his government needed to prioritise re-establishing public order.
  • The decision to call off the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) planned for November and U.N. global climate gatherings (COP25) have dealt a blow to Chile’s image as a regional oasis of stability and economic development.
  • The demonstrations were originally triggered by a now-suspended rise in the price of metro fares in the capital Santiago.
  • However, protesters are now marching to express their discontent over a wide variety of problems ranging from inequality to the high cost of healthcare.
  • Opposition and pro-government parties in Chile generally welcomed the president’s decision, they say holding the summits was unrealistic given the circumstances.

Sheikh Sultan inaugurates Sharjah International Book Fair 2019
  • The 38th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2019 was inaugurated on 30 October, 2019 by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
  • Nearly 1800 exhibitors from 77 countries are participating in the Fair. The fair will showcase 987 activities presenting scientific, knowledge and literary themes.
  • This year’s book fair will be carrying the theme of the Sharjah World Book Capital (SWBC)‘Open Books Open Minds’, to promote books and reading across age groups and communities.
  • Republic of Mexico has been declared as the Guest of Honour at the 38th edition of SIBF.
  • The Fair will bring together a host of Arab and international guests and celebrities including Orhan Pamuk, the first Turkish novelist to win the 2006 Nobel Prize for Literature; famous host Steve Harvey and the leadership guru, Robin Sharma.
  • America’s most-loved host, Steve Harvey, has been announced Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2019)’s ‘Principal Guest of Honour’.
  • He is slated to speak at the fair’s 38th edition, on October 31, during the Sharjah Expo Centre event scheduled to take place from 30th Oct -9th Nov 2019.
  • Sharjah International Book Fair is an annual event and runs for 11 days.

Fire breaks out in Tezgam express train in Pakistan, several killed
  • massive fire broke out in Tezgam express train on October 31 in Pakistan. The train runs between Karachi and Rawalpindi. The incident took place in Liaqatpur near Rahim Yar Khan.
  • The railways minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, said most of the deaths were passengers throwing themselves from the moving train to escape the fire.
  • The minister said the incident was caused by the explosion of a gas canister while passengers were cooking breakfast on a stove on the train on Thursday morning. It is illegal to bring gas canisters on to trains but the rules are frequently flouted.
  • Two stoves blew up when people were cooking breakfast, the presence of kerosene with the passengers in the moving train further spread the fire,” Ahmed said.
  • Mansoor Ahmed, the assistant commissioner of the nearby city of Multan, confirmed the death toll stood at 70 so far, with more than 40 injured, many critically.

35th ASEAN Summit begins in Bangkok
  • The 35th ASEAN Summit began today (31 October, 2019) in Bangkok. The summit will continue till November 4Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan -o-Cha inaugurated this summit at IMPACT convention complex. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a group of ten member countries that encourages political, economic and social co-operation in the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend this summit on November 3rd and 4th. AIR Correspondent reports that Advancing Partnership for sustainability is the theme of the summit.
  • During five days summit East Asia summit (EAS) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Summit (RCEP) will also be held. Apart from leaders of 10 Asean countries head of eight dialogue partner countries including India, USA China, Japan, republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand are also participating in the summit. The summit would discuss comprehensive and sustainable ASEAN economic development and s on negotiations related to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) including market opening. The RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the ten members state of ASEAN and its parter countries. The summit is likely to discuss security and cyber crime.

National

National Unity Day being observed across the country today (31 October)
  • National Unity Day – Rashtriya Ekta Diwas – is being observed across the country today, on the occasion of the 144th birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
  • Since 2014October 31st is observed as the National Unity Day and people from all walks of life participate in the ‘Run For Unity’.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tribute to Sardar Patel at the ‘Statue of Unity’ at Kevadiya in Gujarat.
  • Later, he administered a pledge on national unity to a large gathering. The Prime Minister also witnessed the ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Parade’ by personnel of Gujarat Police and central armed forces.
  • A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said Mr Modi will visit a technology demonstration site and interact with civil service probationers at Kevadiya.
  • The Nation is ever grateful to his invaluable and monumental contributions in the building of modern India. He said, the best way to pay tribute to Sardar Patel’s memory would be by striving to protect the unity and integrity of the country.
  • In Uttar Pradesh, a series of programmes to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel are continuing since.
  • In Punjab and Haryana, Run for Unity were organised at various places today, with a large number of people from all walks of take participating.
  • They also took oath to work for national integration and harmony. A walkathon is also being organised for officers and employees of Doordarshan and Aakashvani at Chandigarh.
  • Several programmes have also been organized in Tamil Nadu in view of the Rashtriya Ekta Divas.

Run For Unity from New Delhi’s Major Dhyanchand National Stadium
  • Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off Run For Unity from New Delhi’s Major Dhyanchand National Stadium on 31st October, 2019. Mr Shah also administered a Unity Pledge to the participants.
  • Sardar Patel always worked for the Unity of India.
  • He worked tirelessly until over 550 princely states were united with the Indian Union.
  • on 5th August, the Narendra Modi Government removed Article 370 and 35A and realized the unfulfilled dream of Sardar Patel.
  • The run started from the main gate of the Major Dhayanchand National stadium and ended at Amar Jawan Jyoti. Around 15,000 people participated in the event.
  • Union Ministers, Sportspersons attended the event among others. To facilitate people taking part in the Run for Unity Metro services began at 4 in the morning from terminal stations of all lines.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan releases 14th National Health Profile, 2019
  • Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan released the 14th National Health Profile (NHP), 2019 and its e-book in New Delhi on 30 October, 2019.
  • Data is an important source of understanding the needs and issues of the population. It helps understand the goals, our strengths and weaknesses.
  • It is also an important means to strategize area-specific interventions.
  • The e-book of NHP-2019 is a step towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India, as digital documents give us an opportunity for wider dissemination of information.
  • The NHP is prepared by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence and covers comprehensive information on demographic, socio-economic health status, health finance indicators, health infrastructure and health of human resources in the country.

OCI can now apply for National Pension System
  • Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) will now be eligible to apply for the National Pension System at par with Non Resident Indians (NRIs).
  • Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has permitted Overseas Citizen of India to enrol in NPS.
  • OCI may subscribe to NPS provided such person is eligible to invest as per the provisions of the PFRDA Act and the accumulated saving will be repatriable, subject to Foreign Exchange Management Act guidelines.
  • PFRDA in its endeavour to promote and develop NPS has taken several initiatives towards increasing the pension coverage in the country. Now, any Indian citizen, resident or non-resident and OCIs are eligible to join NPS till the age of 65 years.
  • Till 26th October, 2019, the total number of subscribers under NPS and Atal Pension Yojana has crossed 3.18 crores and the Asset under Management has grown to over 3.79 lakh crore rupees.
  • More than 66 lakh government employees have been enrolled under NPS and 19.2 lakhs subscribers have subscribed to NPS in the private sector with 6,812 entities registered as corporates.

Israeli spyware Peagasus used to target Indian journalists, human rights activists, says WhatsApp
  • Facebook-owned WhatsApp on 31 October, 2019 said Indian journalists and human rights activists were among those globally spied upon by unnamed entities using an Israeli sypware Peagasus.
  • WhatsApp said it was suing NSO Group, an Israeli surveillance firm that is reportedly behind the technology that helped unnamed entities’ spies hack into phones of roughly 1,400 users.
  • These users span across four continents and included diplomats, political dissidents, journalists and senior government officials.
  • WhatsApp said it had in May stopped a highly sophisticated cyber attack that exploited its video calling system to send malware to its users.
  • The mobile messaging giant said it had sent a special WhatsApp message to approximately 1,400 users.
  • WhatsApp has over 1.5 billion users globally, of which India accounts for about 400 million.
  • NSO has denied the allegations made by WhatsApp. Stating that it will contend the allegations, it said: “the sole purpose of NSO is to provide technology to licensed government intelligence and law enforcement agencies to help them fight terrorism and serious crime”.
  • cybersecurity research lab at the University of Toronto, Citizen Lab, had helped WhatsApp investigate the hacking incident.

Bilateral

Angela Merkel to visit India
  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel will pay a day-long visit to India on 01 November, 2019. The Chancellor will be accompanied by several Ministers and State Secretaries of the Federal Government, as well as a high-powered business delegation.
  • During the visit, Prime Minister Modi and the German chancellor will co-chair the fifth Biennial Inter-Governmental Consultations.
  • India and Germany have established a Strategic Partnership that is characterized by a high degree of trust and mutual understanding.
  • The two Leaders have regularly interacted on the sidelines of multilateral meetings. Germany is a leading trade and investment partner of India.

French minister Brune Poirson to visit India
  • French Deputy Minister for Ecological and Inclusive Transition Brune Poirson is visiting India.
  • He will co-preside over the second Assembly of the International Solar Alliance on 31 Oct 2019.
  • The International Solar Alliance brings together 80 States and offers concrete solutions that help reduce the cost of solar installations, particularly in developing countries.

PM Narendra Modi congratulates Alberto Fernandez for victory in Argentina’s presidential elections
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Alberto Fernandez, the winner of Argentina’s presidential elections.
  • Mr Modi is looking forward to working with him to further expand and deepen the strategic partnership between India and Argentina
  • Fernandez and his running mate, former president Cristina Kirchner, defeated President Mauricio Macri in Sunday’s polls.

Awards

28th Vyas Samman conferred on Leeladhar Jagoori
  • The 28th Vyas Samman for the year 2018 was conferred on well known Hindi writer Leeladhar Jagoori at a function in New Delhi.
  • Mr Jagoori has been chosen for the prestigious award for his poetry collection- Jitne Log Utne Prem.
  • Renowned Author and Scholar Govind Mishra gave away the award to him. The Vyas Samman, started in 1991, is given by K K Birla Foundation for an outstanding literary work in Hindi authored by an Indian citizen published during the last 10 years.
  • It carries an award money of four lakh rupees along with a citation and plaque.

Sports

Ravinder settles for silver at U-23 World Wrestling Championship
  • At the Under-23 World Wrestling Championship in Budapest on 30 October, 2019, Indian grappler Ravinder settled for a silver medal after going down to Kyrgyzstan’s Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov in the final.
  • He suffered a 3-5 loss to Ulukbek in 61-kg category. Ulukbek is the current Asian U23 champion.
  • Ravinder led till the end of the first period but a strong comeback from Ulukbek ensured that the latter won the bout 5-3 by superiority of play.
  • Despite the loss, it was a creditable performance from Ravinder who who had won gold at the South Asian Games in 2016 and also a bronze at the Cadet Asian Championships in 2014.
  • This was India’s first medal at the 2019 edition and overall fifth silver at the Championships.
  • Among other Indians, Jyoti stormed into the semi-finals, with a 12-1 win over Moldova’s Maria Leorda in the women’s 50-kg bout.

Shiva Thapa, Pooja Rani Clinch gold in Olympic Test event for Boxing
  • Indian pugilists Shiva Thapa and Pooja Rani today (31 October, 2019) clinched gold medals, while Ashish settled for a silver, ending India’s brilliant campaign at the Olympic Test Event for Boxing in TokyoJapan.
  • Four-time Asian medallist Thapa outpunched Kazakhstan’s national champion and Asian bronze-winner Sanatali Toltayev 5-0 to claim the top honours in 63 kilogram category.

Obituary

Veteran CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta dies at 83
  • Former Parliamentarian and veteran CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta died in Kolkata today (31 October, 2019) after prolonged illness. He was 83. According to family sources Dasgupta was suffering from Heart and Kidney related ailments.
  • He was former Deputy General Secretary of CPI and well known trade unionist. Dasgupta was elected General Secretary of All India Trade Union Congress – AITUC, in 2001. He was member of Rajya Sabha and also elected in Lok Sabha from Midnapore district of West Bengal.

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