Current Affairs One - Liner : 9th November 2024

• National:
• Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL Technologies, topped the Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024 with a donation of ₹2,153 crore. His contributions mainly support education, arts, and culture. This is his third time in five years as India's most generous philanthropist.

• Meluri was officially declared the 17th district of Nagaland on November 2, 2024. This decision, approved on October 31, 2024, aims to improve governance and development in the region. Meluri was previously a sub-division of Phek district.
• The foundation stone for the PV Sindhu Centre for Badminton and Sports Excellence was laid in Visakhapatnam on November 7, 2024. The center, located in Chinna Gadili village, aims to nurture and empower athletes across various sports, supported by the Andhra Pradesh government and Greenko.
• The Supreme Court of India overruled its 1967 decision on November 8, 2024, which had denied Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) its minority status. A three-judge bench will reassess AMU's minority status based on new criteria.
• The world's first CO₂-to-methanol conversion plant was inaugurated by NTPC at its Vindhyachal facility on November 8, 2024. This significant milestone aligns with NTPC's 50th Raising Day celebration and marks a major advancement in carbon management and sustainable fuel production.
• Bengaluru's first digital population clock was inaugurated at the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) on November 8, 2024. The clock provides real-time population estimates for Karnataka and India, raising awareness about demographic changes and supporting research.
• Gujarat became India's first state to implement a dedicated semiconductor policy on November 8, 2024. This policy, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, aims to establish Gujarat as a leader in semiconductor manufacturing.
• The Kartarpur Corridor was inaugurated on November 9, 2019. It connects the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. This corridor allows Sikh pilgrims visa-free access to one of their holiest sites, commemorating the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
• International:
• Australia was chosen as the "Country of Focus" for the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The festival will be held in Goa from November 20 to November 28, 2024. This special focus highlights Australia's rich film tradition and vibrant cinema culture.
• Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th President of the United States. He secured the presidency by winning key battleground states and surpassing 270 electoral votes. This victory follows a highly competitive election against Kamala Harris.
• Banking:
• The Indian government has advanced the GDP data release time by 90 minutes to 4 PM, starting November 8, 2024. This change aims to align the release time with global standards and improve stakeholder accessibility.
• On November 8, 2024, the Supreme Court restored the powers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers under the Customs Act. This decision overturns the 2021 ruling, allowing DRI officers to issue show-cause notices and recover unpaid duties.
• The Cabinet approved an equity investment of ₹10,700 crore in the Food Corporation of India (FCI) on November 6, 2024. This decision aims to strengthen the FCI and ensure the welfare of farmers nationwide.
• Science & Technology:
• Israeli researchers announced the development of a software package called PyPIM on November 1, 2024. This software enables computers to process data directly in memory, bypassing the CPU, which speeds up processing and reduces energy usage.
• Sports:
• Afghanistan's all-rounder Mohammad Nabi announced his retirement from ODI cricket after Pakistan's ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Nabi, who has been vital to Afghanistan's cricket success, will continue playing in T20Is.
• Important Days:
• National Legal Services Day is observed annually on November 9 in India. This day aims to promote legal awareness, ensure access to justice for all, and provide free legal aid. The theme for 2024 is "Access to Justice for All."
• Uttarakhand Foundation Day is celebrated on November 9 to mark the state's formation in 2000. The day honors the cultural heritage and pride of Uttarakhand's people. Originally known as Uttaranchal, it was renamed Uttarakhand in 2007.
• Appointments:
• Harsha Vardhan Agarwal will take over as FICCI President on November 21, 2024, succeeding Anish Shah. The announcement was made on November 8, 2024. Harsha Vardhan Agarwal is currently the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Emami Limited.

Questions:

1 Which state became the first in India to implement a dedicated semiconductor policy in November 2024?

• A) Maharashtra
• B) Karnataka
• C) Gujarat
• D) Tamil Nadu

Answer: C) Gujarat became India's first state to implement a dedicated semiconductor policy on November 8, 2024.

2 Who has been elected as the new President of FICCI?

• A) Anish Shah
• B) Harsha Vardhan Agarwal
• C) Rakesh Jhunjhunwala
• D) N Chandrasekaran

Answer: B) Harsha Vardhan Agarwal will take over as FICCI President on November 21, 2024, succeeding Anish Shah. The announcement was made on November 8, 2024.