Daily Current Affairs Updates: 10 November 2014

1) PM Modi launched 'Jeevan Pramaan', a digital life certificate for pensioners: In a huge relief for senior citizens who have to produce Life Certificates each year to continue receiving pension, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday launched "Jeevan Pramaan" – an "Aadhar-based Digital Life Certificate" for pensioners. It is a move that could eventually benefit over a crore pensioners. Launching the certificate, Modi said after the push towards self-certification, this digital life certificate was another enabling mechanism which would benefit the common man. The proposed digital certification will do away with the requirement of a pensioner having to submit a physical Life Certificate in November each year, in order to ensure continuity of pension being credited into his account. 

2) Jnanpith award conferred on Hindi poet Kedarnath Singh: President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday conferred 49th Jnanpith award 2013 on eminent Hindi poet Kedarnath Singh for his outstanding contribution towards Indian literature. "Kedarnath Singh, through his poetry, has offered us a rare assimilation of rhymes and lyrical prose, exploring both the realms of reality and fantasy with equal felicity. His poetry presents a collage of meaning, colours and acceptance" Mukherjee said. The Jnanpith award, was institutionalised by philanthropist couple Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain and Late Rama Jain, to recognise and award Indian authors for their contribution to Indian literature.

3) Govt unveiled draft aviation policy: Terming UPA's aviation policy as opaque, govt on Monday brought in a fresh draft recommending listing of state-run Airports Authority of India and chopper firm Pawan Hans on stock exchanges and steps to beef up Air India operations, hinting at its stake sale too. Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Monday unveiled the draft civil aviation policy which also proposes to enhance regional air connectivity, develop six major metro airports as international hubs, create more airports through PPP mode, rationalise jet fuel cost, promote air cargo, MRO and helicopter operations and improve passenger facilitation. The rule, which allows an Indian airline to fly abroad only after they have flown domestic for five years and have a 20-aircraft fleet, would also be reviewed, he said.

4) GS Sandhu appointed as Chairman of National Chemical Weapon Convention: The Union Government on 3 November 2014 appointed  GS Sandhu as Chairman of National Chemical Weapon Convention. His appointment was confirmed by the Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for the post of Chairman, National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention. Sandhu is a 1980 Rajasthan cadre IAS officer.  Prior to this, he was serving as the financial services secretary in the Union Finance Ministry.

5) Shiv Sena to sit in opposition in Maharashtra, wants leader of opposition post: Ending days of uncertainty, Shiv Sena on Monday decided to sit in opposition in the Maharashtra assembly and not be part of the BJP-led government in the state.

6) RBI tightened norms for NBFCs: Tightening norms for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), the Reserve Bank of India on Monday raised the capital adequacy requirement and the net owned fund limit, among others, with an objective to mitigate risks in the sector. With a view to streamlining the regulations for the sector, the RBI also revoked temporary suspension on issuance of Certificate of Registration (CoR) to companies that want to conduct business of non-banking financial institution (NBFI).

7) World Science Day for Peace and Development observed on 10 November: The World Science Day for Peace and Development was observed on 10 November 2014 across the world to raise awareness on the role of science in the development of sustainable societies. The theme for the 2014 World Science day for Peace and Development is promoting Quality Science Education: ensuring a sustainable future for all.

8) Hockey India announced annual awards: In a first for Indian hockey, the national federation on Monday decided to have the ‘Hockey India Annual Awards’ wherein the top players in the men’s and women’s categories will walk away with a prize money of Rs. 25 lakh each. Hockey India will be identifying and rewarding the most promising and potent players from the current as well as upcoming teams.

9) India, Israel joint venture LR SAM missile successfully tested: India and Israel today successfully test fired a long range surface to air missile jointly developed by them, marking a milestone in bilateral cooperation in developing advanced weapon systems. "The Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) is successfully flight tested against a flying target in a range in Israel, today," an official statement said. The LRSAM system is jointly developed by DRDO and IAI Israel.