CSIR-IMTECH signs MOU with IIT Bombay for collaborative research

NATIONAL NEWS

CSIR-IMTECH signs MOU with IIT Bombay for collaborative research

• CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay to promote collaborative research.
• The MoU will facilitate exchange of ideas, development of new knowledge and enhance high quality research acumen between the researchers and faculty of both the institutes.
• The objective of this collaboration is to carry out state of the art research in areas of healthcare especially in projects and mission where both the institutes can significantly complement each other.

Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates Khadi Pavilion at I.I.T.F.

• Union Minister of MSME and Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Khadi Pavilion at the India International Trade Fair - IITF in New Delhi.
• He was accompanied by Chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission - KVIC Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena and Secretary MSME Dr. Arun Kumar Panda.
• The Pavilion entrance has been themed upon Sabarmati Ashram, with melodious Shehnai celebrating the ‘spirit of Indianness’.

50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Theme song unveiled

• Preparations for the 50th IFFI gather pace in Goa. Theme song unveiled apart from several other measures that are underway to make it a grand event. 200 quality films from 76 countries will be screened during the festival.
• The Information and Broadcasting ministry launched the official anthem and radio jingle for the golden jubilee edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI), scheduled to take place in Goa from November 20 to 28.
• The anthem, inspired by the nine 'rasas' (emotions) of the Natya Shashtra and an amalgamation of scenes from prominent movies and dance 'mudras', has been developed by noted dancer Geeta Chandran and Grammy Award-winning composer Ricky Cage.
• The audio-visuals of the anthem have been directed and produced by National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) under the guidance of I&B Ministry and the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF).

BANKING

CCI nod for merger of BNP Paribas Mutual Fund and Bank of Baroda Mutual Fund

• State-owned lender Bank of Baroda (BoB), that it has signed a binding agreement with BNP Paribas Asset Management Asia Ltd for a potential merger of their mutual fund business, in an all-stock deal.
• According to the filing, Baroda Asset Management India Ltd. will merge with BNP Paribas Asset Management India Pvt. Ltd., while BNP Paribas Trustee India Pvt. Ltd.’s merger with Baroda Trustee India Pvt. Ltd. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.

AWARDS

Indian wins BRICS-Young Innovator Prize

• Ravi Prakash, an Indian scholar has won the 25,000 US Dollar BRICS-Young Innovator Prize for inventing an affordable indigenous milk chilling unit for smaller and marginal rural dairy farmers.
• Prakash, PhD scholar of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Bengaluru, was a part of 21-member delegation sent to Brazil by the Department of Science and Technology for the 4th BRICS-Young Scientist Forum (YSF), 2019.

Nita Ambani Becomes 1st Indian Trustee to be Elected to Board of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art

• Educationist, philanthropist and businesswoman Nita Ambani has been named an honorary trustee of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• The announcement was made by Daniel Brodsky, the museum's chairman. Nita Ambani’s election took place at a meeting of the Board on November 12. She is the first Indian to be so honoured.

FESTIVAL

Odisha- 'Bali Yatra' festival begins in Cuttack

• The festival 'Bali Yatra' which is organised every year in memory of the rich maritime history of the state, was inaugurated in Cuttack.
• The festival is organised at the bank of Mahanadi River every year to mark the day when ancient mariners from the state would set sail to the distant land of Bali, Sumatra, Java (Jawa) in Indonesia, Borneo and Sri Lanka, for the expansion of trade and Culture.

FACTS

Odisha Chief Minister-Naveen Patnaik

Governor-Ganeshi Lal

Thermal Power Plant- Talcher, Hirakud, Jharsuguda

Dance- Ghumura Dance, chhau Dance, Baagh Naach(Tiger Dance)   

OBITUARY

Mathematician Vashishtha Narayan Singh Passes Away

• Renowned mathematician Vashishtha Narayan Singh passed away.
• He was born in 1942 in Basantpur village of the Bhojpur district in Bihar, Narayan Singh was said to have challenged Einstein’s theory of relativity.
• He completed his PhD on cycle vector space theory in 1969 and served as a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK) and the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata.
• He was also a visiting professor at Bhupendra Narayan Mandal University, Madhepura, Bihar.

SPORTS

FIFA names Arsene Wenger as global football development chief

• Arsenal Veteran coach Arsene Wenger has been named FIFA's Chief of global football development.
• The former Arsenal and Monaco coach would be responsible for the growth of the game for both men and women around the world and would also be the leading authority on technical matters, including potential changes to the sport's laws.
• Wenger, 70, would also be tasked with coach education and aiding a programme designed to help former players enter management.
• The new role brings Wenger back to the game for the first time since 2018, when he left Arsenal after 22 years in charge.
• Wenger made the Gunners one of the strongest sides in Europe, winning three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups and taking his team to the 2006 Champions League final.