AWARDS

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar received the Highest Civilian Award of Fiji.

• Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been honored with Fiji's highest civilian award, making it the sixth country to do so.

• He received the award for his significant efforts in promoting peace and uplifting the human spirit.

• The title of ‘Honorary Officer of the Order of Fiji’ was presented to him by President Ratu Wiliame M. Katonivere.

• Sri Sri Ravi Shankar founded The Art of Living Foundation in 1981.

• The foundation focuses on spreading happiness and harmony through various service initiatives.

• Key areas of impact include mental health, education, environment, and empowerment of women and youth.• His work has fostered connections among diverse communities globally.

• His work has fostered connections among diverse communities globally.

Rodri has won the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or.

• Rodri has been awarded the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or for his outstanding performance.

• The Manchester City midfielder played a key role in securing the club’s fourth consecutive English Premier League title.

• Known as Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, Rodri was named “Player of the Tournament,” finishing the season with 14 assists and 10 goals.

• He is the first Premier League player to win the Ballon d’Or since Cristiano Ronaldo's victory in 2008.

• Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona Femeni won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the second consecutive year.

• Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid received the Johan Cruyff Trophy as men’s coach of the year.

• Emma Hayes was recognized as the women’s coach of the year.

• Barcelona’s Yamine Lamal won the Kopa Trophy for the best male player under 21, while Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez claimed the Lev Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper for the second time.

STATE NEWS

Rajya Vishisht Yojana has been implemented by the Haryana government

• The Haryana government has launched the Rajya Vishisht Yojana to address stubble burning.

• This scheme provides financial support to farmers for effective crop residue management.

• Panchayats will set zero-burning targets to encourage compliance.

• Red zone panchayats can earn 1 lakh rupees, while yellow zone panchayats can receive 50,000 rupees for meeting these targets.

• As of October 28, 83,070 farmers have registered to manage stubble over 711,000 acres of paddy.

• Farmers will receive 1,000 rupees per acre for managing paddy crop residue.

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has reported 713 stubble burning incidents in Haryana so far.

India's 1st 'Writer's village' has been inaugurated in Dehradun.

• India’s first ‘Writer’s Village’ has been inaugurated in Dehradun.

• The inauguration was attended by former President Ram Nath Kovind, Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh (retd), and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

• Located in Thano village, the site is approximately 24 km from Dehradun.

• The initiative was conceived by former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, a notable writer.

• During the 'Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav-2024', the first book from the village, titled 'Ram in the Himalayas', was launched.

• The village features amenities such as Lekhan Kutir, Nakshatra and Navgrah Vatika, an auditorium, a yoga-meditation center, and a discussion center.

• It aims to provide writers with a serene and inspiring environment for their creative endeavors.

Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS) 2024 has been launched to attract investment in the state.

• The Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS) 2024 has been launched to boost investment in the state.

• RIPS 2024 aims to encourage private investment by increasing financial incentives across various sectors.

• Financial support will be available for both the establishment and operation of industries in Rajasthan.

• The scheme was introduced in advance of the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024.

• New sectors added to the sunrise list include aerospace, defense, drones, semiconductors, agri-tech, and waste recycling.

• These sunrise sectors will receive an additional 10% incentive on top of the asset creation incentive.

• The first three units in these sectors are categorized as mega or ultra-mega projects.

• Mega or ultra-mega projects can access a 25% additional subsidy above the capital subsidy, turnover-linked incentive, or investment subsidy.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

PM Modi launched the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card.

• Prime Minister Modi has launched the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card as part of the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

• This initiative under the AB PM-JAY offers health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh annually for citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income.

• The card alleviates the financial anxiety associated with high healthcare costs for the elderly.

• It demonstrates the government’s commitment to universal health coverage for senior citizens.

• Each eligible family can access an annual health cover of ₹5 lakh through the card.

• The scheme aims to benefit nearly 6 crore individuals from 4.5 crore families.

• The Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card is specifically designed to meet the healthcare needs of the growing senior citizen demographic.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Brazil became the second BRICS country to not join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

• Brazil has become the second BRICS nation to decline participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

• Following India, Brazil has opted out of the BRI to explore alternative collaborations with Chinese investors.

• The Brazilian government aims to align its infrastructure projects with investment funds linked to the BRI framework.

• This decision may complicate Brazil's relations with the United States.

• India was the first country to publicly oppose the Belt and Road Initiative.

• The BRI, launched by China in 2013, is a global strategy for infrastructure development.

• Brazil’s choice reflects a cautious approach to foreign investment and geopolitical relationships.

• The focus will be on creating synergies between Brazilian projects and Chinese investment without full BRI involvement.

Lebanese group Hezbollah has announced Naim Qassem its new chief.

• Hezbollah has named Naim Qassem as its new chief, following the death of Hassan Nasrallah.

• Qassem is a founding member of Hezbollah and has served as Deputy Secretary General since 1991.

• Hassan Nasrallah died over a month ago due to an Israeli bombing.

• Hashem Safieddine, considered a potential successor to Nasrallah, was killed in Beirut, a fact confirmed by Israel on October 22.

• The U.S. State Department designated Hezbollah as a foreign terrorist organization in October 1997.

• Over 60 countries and organizations, including the EU, Arab League, and Gulf Cooperation Council, have also classified Hezbollah as a terrorist group.

RANKING AND INDEX

India secured 79th place in the Rule of Law Index 2024.

• India has ranked 79th in the Rule of Law Index 2024, published by the World Justice Project (WJP).

• The top five countries in the index are Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Germany.

• The Rule of Law Index assesses countries based on eight key indicators.

• India holds the 60th position among 142 countries regarding constraints on government powers.

• In the open government category, India is ranked 44 out of 142 countries.

• The country performs poorly in several areas, including protection of fundamental rights (102/142), order and security (98/142), and efficiency of criminal justice (82/142).

• India ranks 97th in the absence of corruption, 78th in regulatory enforcement, and 107th in civil justice delivery.

• Among South Asian nations, India is third, following Nepal (69) and Sri Lanka (75).

• Venezuela is at the bottom of the Rule of Law Index 2024, receiving the lowest rank.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

4th Spain-India Forum has been inaugurated by Spain President Pedro Sánchez in Mumbai

• The 4th Spain-India Forum was inaugurated by Spain’s President Pedro Sánchez in Mumbai.

• The forum’s theme was “Spain-India Partnership amid Geopolitical and Technological Challenges: New Horizons, New Possibilities.”

• The event was jointly organized by the Observer Research Foundation and the Spain India Council Foundation.

• President Sánchez emphasized the desire for increased business, investment, cooperation, and exchanges between India and Spain.

• He highlighted the strong mutual understanding and collaboration between the two nations.

• The President also noted the robust economic and trade relations that exist between India and Spain.