This is the current affairs of 21 & 22 November 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Name the winner of Miss Universe 2023?
a. Divita Rai
b. R. Bonnie Gabriel
c. Lana Neppi
d. Sheynnis Palacios
Answer: d. Sheynnis Palacios (Nicaragua)
Here is the translation of the provided text from Hindi to English:
– He is from Nicaragua. It is the first win for his country in an international beauty pageant.
– His full name is Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo. He was born on May 30, 2000.
– When and where the award was received: November 18, 2023, in Santa Elena, El Salvador at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena.
– It is the 72nd edition of the Miss Universe competition.
Winner and runners-up?
– Winner: Sheynnis Palacios (Nicaragua)
– First runner-up: Anntonia Porsild (Thailand)
– Second runner-up: Moriah Wilson (Australia)
– Winner of Miss Universe 2022: Rabiya Mateo (USA)
India’s Shweta Sharda placed in the Top 20.
– Shweta Sharda represented India in the Miss Universe 2023 competition from Chandigarh.
– Shweta Sharda has secured a place in the Top 20 finalists.
– Note: Pakistan also made its debut in Miss Universe for the year 2023 (Erika Robin in the Top 20).
About the Miss Universe title:
– The competition is organized by the Miss Universe Organization of the United States. Its headquarters are in New York.
– It was inaugurated on June 28, 1952.
– The first winner was Armi Kuusela of Finland in 1952.
India in Miss Universe:
1994 – Sushmita Sen – India’s first Miss Universe
2000 – Lara Dutta – India’s second Miss Universe
2021 – Harnaaz Sandhu – India’s third Miss Universe
India in Miss World:
1966 – Reita Faria – India’s first Miss World
1994 – Aishwarya Rai – India’s second Miss World
1997 – Diana Hayden – India’s third Miss World
1999 – Yukta Mookhey – India’s fourth Miss World
2000 – Priyanka Chopra – India’s fifth Miss World
2017 – Manushi Chhillar – India’s sixth Miss World
Nicaragua
– This is a Central American country.
– Capital – Managua
– Currency – Cordoba
– Population – 63.59 lakh
– President – Daniel Ortega
– Neighboring countries – Honduras and Costa Rica
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2. Reserves of rare metal tantalum discovered in the sands of which river in Punjab?
a. Vyasa
b. Jhelum
c. Chenab
d. Sutlej
Answer: d. Sutlej
– Researchers at IIT Ropar have discovered the presence of a rare metal, tantalum, in the sand of the Sutlej River in Punjab.
– Tantalum is used in the construction of electronic components and semiconductors.
– The team behind this discovery was led by Assistant Professor Dr. Reshmi Sebastian from the Civil Engineering Department of the research institute.
What did the Punjab government say?
– Abhijit Kaplish, Director of the Mining and Geology Department of Punjab, said, “The discovery of tantalum in the Sutlej River is not only important for Punjab but also for India because of its significance in electronics and semiconductor usage. We are eager to understand the quantity of the metal in the river. Further studies might shed more light on it.”
Where does tantalum come from in the Sutlej River?
– The source of tantalum in the Sutlej River isn’t clear yet. Dr. Sebastian mentioned that it might be due to the movement of tectonic plates in the Himalayan region, potentially resulting in the presence of rare metals.
– “Tantalum might be forming in the rivers due to the movement towards the Indian Plate’s Eurasian Plate. This movement causes seismic activity in the Himalayan region.”
– Dr. Sebastian suggested that it might be coming from China since 80% of the Sutlej’s catchment area lies in Tibet, China. However, without proper examination, commenting on its source is not possible.
About tantalum:
– Tantalum is a rare metal with the atomic number 73.
– The Ministry of Mines recognized it as one of the “12 important and strategic minerals” in its annual report for 2020-21.
– It is both heavy and highly refractory. It is one of the most corrosion-resistant metals used today.
– It has high resistance to corrosion as it forms an oxide layer upon exposure to air, which is challenging to remove.
– When pure, tantalum is ductile, meaning it can be drawn, stretched, or pulled into thin wires without breaking.
– Notably, tantalum has an extremely high melting point of 3,020 degrees Celsius.
What are the uses of tantalum?
– Tantalum finds its most significant use in the electronic industry.
– Capacitors made from tantalum can store more electricity in a smaller size without excessive leakage compared to other types of capacitors.
– This characteristic makes it ideal for use in portable devices like smartphones, laptops, cameras, among others.
– Due to its high melting point, it is sometimes used as an alternative to platinum. However, it is very expensive.
– Besides, this rare metal is also used in making components for chemical plants, atomic power plants, aircraft, and missiles.
– According to the US Department of Energy, tantalum does not react with bodily fluids and is used for creating artificial joints and surgical implants.
– It is used on the edges of high-speed cutting tools.
How was tantalum named?
– Tantalum was first discovered in 1802 by Swedish chemist Anders Gustaf Ekeberg.
– The name of this rare metal was derived from the Greek mythological character – Tantalus, a wealthy but wicked king of a city atop Mount Sipylus in Anatolia.
– Tantalus is known for facing a dreadful punishment from Zeus (King of the Gods) when he attempted to serve his own son to the gods during a feast.
– The king was banished to the underworld, where he stood forever in a pool of water with branches of fresh fruits hanging above his head. Whenever he tried to drink the water, it receded, and whenever he tried to grab the fruits, the branches moved away.
– “This name was chosen due to tantalum’s inertness in acid; hence, when placed between acids, it is incapable of being consumed by any of them.”
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3. According to media reports, America foiled the Indian plot to kill which Khalistani separatist and warned the Indian government?
a. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
b. Hardeep Singh Nijjar
c. Ranjit Singh Neeta
d. None of these
Answer: a. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
– The UK-based Financial Times has reported, citing multiple sources, that the United States thwarted a conspiracy to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. The report stated that the U.S. government has alerted the Indian government about concerns regarding involvement in the conspiracy. This report was published in November 2023.
– Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian agents’ involvement in the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. At that time, the Indian government dismissed Canada’s allegations as “baseless” and “motivated.”
– However, this time, India has stated that it takes the American input on security “seriously,” and an investigation is being conducted regarding the “issues” in this context.
Who is Pannun?
– In reality, Pannun, holding dual American and Canadian citizenship, is the General Counsel for Sikhs For Justice.
– In November 2023, he had threatened to fly Air India’s flights.
– Subsequently, the NIA (National Investigation Agency) in India filed a case against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
What did the Indian Ministry of External Affairs say?
– The spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated, “During recent discussions on India-US security cooperation, the American side shared inputs on organized criminals, gun-runners, terrorists, and others. These inputs are a cause of concern for both countries. From our side, India takes such inputs seriously as they impact our national security interests. Investigations into the issues related to American inputs are already underway by relevant departments.”
Assassination attempts failed due to Five Eyes’ concern, America worried:
– In fact, the United States, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are part of the intelligence-sharing network “Five Eyes.”
– According to the Financial Times report, the conspiracy to assassinate Nijjar and Pannun has raised concerns among “Five Eyes” countries about a possible pattern of behaviour related to India’s conduct.
– The Financial Times report mentioned that the American warning was issued after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Washington visit in 2023. It stated, “It’s not clear whether the plotters abandoned their plans due to India’s objection or if the FBI intervened and thwarted the ongoing plan.”
What legal actions is America taking?
– Apart from political warnings, American federal prosecutors have filed at least one sealed indictment against an alleged perpetrator in the New York district court for their involvement in the conspiracy.
– “The US Justice Department is debating whether to unseal the indictment and make the allegations public or wait until the investigation into Nijjar’s assassination by Canada is complete. Making the case more complex, the indicted individual is believed to have left the United States.”
What did Pannun say?
– It is said in reference to Pannun’s statement, “A threat to an American citizen on American soil is a challenge to America’s sovereignty, and I believe the Biden administration is capable of handling any such challenge.”
Will India and America’s relations be affected?
– An important distinction between American and Canadian allegations is that the American administration has not publicly broadcast these allegations so far.
– Following public disagreements over the Russia-Ukraine war, the strength of political relations between India and America will once again be tested.
– In Pannun’s case, America appears to be taking a firm stance.
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4. Which Indian was elected as the Deputy Chairman of the United Nations Panel of External Auditors?
a. Shaktikanta Das
b. Girish Chandra Murmu
c. Rakesh Verma
d. Ruchira Kamboj
Answer: b. Girish Chandra Murmu
– They are the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
– They were elected as the Vice-Chair during the 63rd session of the United Nations’ International Auditors Panel on 20-21 November 2023.
– Their term will be until the year 2024.
– This panel of the United Nations is formed from the world’s 12 supreme audit institutions (SAI). It is an independent body that audits the financial, performance, and compliance aspects of all United Nations entities.
Secretary-General of the United Nations – António Guterres
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5. When is World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims observed?
a. First Sunday of November
b. Second Sunday of November
c. Third Sunday of November
d. Fourth Sunday of November
Answer: c. Third Sunday of November (November 19th in 2023)
Theme 2023:
– Justice
– The purpose of this day is to remember those who were killed and injured on the roads, along with their families, friends, and other affected individuals.
– The United Nations recognized this day in 2005.
Road Accident (Statistics by the United Nations):– Every year, around 1.35 million people die in road traffic accidents worldwide. This means one death occurs every 24 seconds on the road.
– Road traffic injuries are the eighth leading cause of death globally.
– Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children aged 5 to 14 and young people aged 15 to 29 worldwide.
Report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Road Accidents in India 2022):
Year, Accidents, Injured, Fatalities
2022: 4.61 lakh, 4.43 lakh, 1.68 lakh
2021: 4.12 lakh, 3.84 lakh, 1.53 lakh
2020: 3.72 lakh, 3.46 lakh, —
2019: 4.56 lakh, 4.49 lakh, —
– In 2022, there were 67,000 hit-and-run cases, resulting in the deaths of more than 30,000 people.
– In 2022, there were the highest incidents of 98,000 cases of hit-and-run accidents. Among these, 32,907 people lost their lives due to these incidents.
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6. When is World Television Day celebrated?
a. 20 November
b. 21 November
c. 22 November
d. 23 November
Answer: b. 21 November
– On this day, the first World Television Forum was organized.
Consequently, the United Nations General – Assembly proclaimed this day to be celebrated as World Television Day in December 1996.
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7. When is World Fisheries Day celebrated?
a. 20 November
b. 21 November
c. 22 November
d. 23 November
Answer: b. 21 November
– The first World Fisheries Day was celebrated on November 21, 2015.
– On this day, the inauguration of the International Fishermen Organization took place in New Delhi.
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8. When is World Heritage Week celebrated?
a. 05-10 November
b. 11-15 November
c. 15-18 November
d. 19-25 November
Answer: d. 19-25 November
– World Heritage Week is celebrated annually from November 19th to November 15th.
– This week is observed to promote the conservation of culture and heritage.
– As a signatory of World Heritage Week, India undertakes various initiatives each year on World Heritage Day (April 18) and World Heritage Week (November 19-25).
– Member states of UNESCO adopted the World Heritage Convention in 1972.
– 191 countries, including India, have ratified this World Heritage Convention.
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9. Who has been declared as the new brand ambassador by the West Bengal government?
a. Sachin Tendulkar
b. Surya Kumar Yadav
c. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
d. Sourav Ganguly
Answer: d. Sourav Ganguly
– He is a former president of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and a former captain of the Indian cricket team.
– On November 21, 2023, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appointed him as the state’s brand ambassador.
– During the Bengal Global Business Summit, CM Banerjee handed over the documents for this appointment to Ganguly.
– Ganguly replaced actor Shah Rukh Khan.
West Bengal
CM – Mamata Banerjee
Governor – Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar
Capital – Kolkata
Neighboring Country – Bangladesh
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10. Dr. SS Badrinath passed away on 21 November 2023. He was the founder of which famous institute?
a. Fortis Hospital, Delhi
b. Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai
c. AIIMS, Madurai
d. Apollo Hospital, Chennai
Answer: b. Shankar Netralaya, Chennai
– Renowned vitreoretinal surgeon and founder of the Sankara Nethralaya, Dr. S.S. Badrinath (83), passed away on November 21.
– He was 83 years old at the time of his demise.
– Dr. Badrinath was born on February 24, 1940, in Chennai (formerly known as Madras).
– In 1978, Dr. Badrinath established Sankara Nethralaya as a unit of the Medical Research Foundation. The institution became prestigious, symbolizing progress in modern medicine, hosting both patient care and advanced medical education and research.
