Daily GK Update: 16th November 2023

Honours & Awards

World-renowned author Salman Rushdie has been awarded the first-ever 'Lifetime Disturbing the Peace Award' by the Vaclav Havel Center The 'Disturbing the Peace Award to a Courageous Writer at Risk' was conferred upon Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah.
He also received another accolade, reflecting on the irony of being awarded for "disturbing the peace.
He pondered which side of "the fence" this placed him on.

Sports

With the seven wickets, Mohammed Shami successfully became the fastest Indian bowler to clinch 50 wickets in the history of ICC World Cup as the pacer achieved the milestone during his 17th innings. Earlier, Mitchell Starc was holding this record in 19 innings.
Mohammed Shami is again bowling a magical spell for India and is very close to getting another fifer for Team India.

Important Dates

National Press Day is observed on November 16, every year, in India to celebrate the importance of a free and responsible press in a democratic society.
The theme for 2023 is Media in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.
Aim: To commemorate the establishment of the Press Council of India, which acts as a regulatory body for the news media in the country.
The day is a reminder of the importance of a free and independent press in a vibrant democracy like India.

National Affairs

Indian Railways, in collaboration with IRCTC, is set to launch the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train to promote Dekho Apna Desh and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiatives,
Aim: To showcase India's rich cultural and religious heritage to both domestic and international tourists.
It informed that halts for boarding and deboarding include major stations like Thane, Pune, Solapur, Kanyakumari, and more.

Sports

Virat Kohli, the former Indian cricket captain, achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first batter in the world to score 50 One Day International (ODI) centuries.
He has not just scored his 50th ODI century but has also exemplified the spirit of excellence and perseverance that defines the best of sportsmanship.
Kohli surpassed Tendulkar’s 673-run mark set during the 2003 World Cup, showcasing his consistency and dominance on the world stage.

Defense

Indian Air Force will organize an air show on November 23-24 at Air Force Station in Ambala Cantonment.
During the air show, Surya Kiran and Akashganga teams will showcase their skills in the sky alongside the aircrafts of the Indian Air Force.
All necessary arrangements for the air show have been made by Indian Air Force.
Regarding security, orders have already been issued under Section 144 to prohibit drones flying near the Air Force Station.

Agreement

India and US have signed an MoU with the objective of connecting both the countries' dynamic startup ecosystems, particularly in critical and emerging technologies (CET).
The understanding named 'Enhancing Innovation Ecosystems through an Innovation Handshake' was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal from the Indian side, who is on a 4-day US visit.
Aim: To poised to positively impact economic activity, attract investment, and generate employment.

International Affairs

The second edition of the Global Media Congress commences at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Organised by the Emirates News Agency (WAM)
The opening ceremony was AI infused , with virtual anchors and avatars guiding the proceedings, adding a futuristic touch to the inauguration.
Five new features include an innovation and startups platform, a dedicated training and education platform, and sessions discussing challenges and opportunities in the media sector.

National Affairs

The Ministry of Railways is participating in the 42nd India International Trade Fair (IITF) – 2023 with the theme of IITF 2023- “VasudhaivaKutumbakam - United by Trade” being organized from 14th to 27th November 2023 in New Delhi.
Also, Railways’ commitment toward Net Zero Carbon emission is depicted in the pavilion.
Many facets of Indian Railways have been highlighted like technological & structural advances through photos, translites, models.

Banking & Finance

IndusInd Bank announced that it has gone live as a ‘Financial Information Provider’ (FIP) under the new ‘Account Aggregator Framework’ of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), making it the first bank in the country to do so.
The initiative is a path breaking step taken by the RBI which will enable individuals as well as small and mid–sized businesses to avail services that will help them fulfil their financial requirements in a seamless way.