Current Affairs daily Updates: 26 November 2014

1) 18th Saarc Summit began in Kathmandu: With all eyes on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's take on the future of South Asia, the 18th Saarc Summit commenced in Kathmandu on 26 November 2014 morning. Apart from host Nepal, all seven heads of state and government are in Kathmandu to attend the summit. As chair of Saarc, Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul opened the summit and handed over the responsibility of the chair of the regional bloc to Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. This is the third time Nepal is organising the summit -- first in 1987 and then again in 2002. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay are attending the summit.

2) Nation remembered 26/11 : Nation remembered and paid tribute to victims and martyrs of horrible 26/11 terror attacks on its sixth anniversary. Modi, who was in Katmandu for the SAARC summit, stressed the need to combat “terrorism and trans-national crimes.” “Today, as we remember the horror of the terror attack in Mumbai in 2008, we feel the endless pain of lost lives,” the prime minister said at the opening of the two-day summit.

3) Constitution Day observed: Constitution Day was observed on 26 November 2014. On this day in 1949 the Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly. 

4) National Milk Day celebrated: Indian dairy sector majors decided to celebrate 26 November as National Milk Day to mark the 93rd birth anniversary of Father of White Revolution, Dr. Verghese Kurien. Indian diary sector majors that have joined hands are National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Indian Dairy Association (IDA) along with around 22 state level milk federation's including Gujarat's own - Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) that markets brand Amul.

5) World's 2nd Tallest Power Transmission Towers in West Bengal:  The world's second tallest power transmission towers, built by Haldia Energy Limited (HEL), has come up in West Bengal. The 236-metre-long twin towers, located at HEL's 600-MW capacity plant at Haldia and Raichak across the river Hooghly, are the tallest in the country. Covering a span of 1.5 km, the twin towers weigh 1,800 tonnes. The world's highest transmission tower (370 metres) is located at Mount Damaoshan in China.

6) Bill to amend law on CBI chief’s appointment passed in Lok Sabha: Ahead of the appointment of a new CBI Director early next month, the Lok Sabha, setting aside objections raised by the opposition to some of its provisions, passed The Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2014. The Bill was passed though voice vote. The Bill seeks to include the leader of the single largest opposition party in the three-member committee that selects the CBI Director since there is no recognised Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

7) Haryana government reduced retirement age of government employees from 60 to 58: The Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government in Haryana decided to roll back the erstwhile Congress regime's decision to enhance the retirement age of state employees by two years, evoking sharp reaction from the opposition. Government notification will come in effect from 30 November 2014. While, the upper age limit for fresh recruitment would remain 42 years.

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SBI Associate PO Exam 29 November 2014 Questions- Morning Shift

Friends.. Here are some questions from SBI Associate PO Exam held today 29 November 2014- Morning Shift. Questions will be useful for those having exams in coming days. We would like to thank our friend Soorya Suri and Sujith Krishnan for sharing these questions with us based on their memory. If anybody remembers more questions kindly share with us in our mail id: currentaffairs4examz@gmail.com. Thank you. 

General Awareness Questions

1. IFSC Full form? - Indian Financial System Code

2. Correct country-capital pair? - Indonesia - Jakarta

3. Shinzo Abe is the prime minister of which country? - Japan

4. Banking ombudsmen comes under which regulation? - Banking Regulation Act, 1949

5. SABLA scheme is related to? - Empowerment of Adolescent Girls

6. Headquarters of HDFC Bank? - Mumbai, India

7. Who recently broke Telmo Zarra's all-time La Liga goal-scoring record of 251 goals? - Lionel Messi

8. PMJDY aims to aims to achieve how many new accounts by Jan 2015? - 7.5 crore

9. Which bank has recently introduced Nanhi Kali — a deposit scheme exclusively for the girl child? - Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB)

10. FMC Full form? - Forward Markets Commission

11. Inflation control committee of RBI is headed by? - Urjit R. Patel

Marketing Questions

1. Brand equity is related to? -

Computer Questions

1.  MAC Full form? - Media Access Control

2. File format of spreadsheet file? - .xls or .xlsx

3. Full form of GIF? - Graphics Interchange Format

4. MS Word is a? - Application software

5. HTML full form? - Hyper Text Markup Language

Descriptive Questions

1. Essay on the need of recycling of waste.

2. Essay on advantages of public banks over private banks.

3. Letter to bank manager on RTGS payment debited from your a/c but not credited in beneficiary a/c.

4. Precise writing on social security.

Check evening shift questions: Click here

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Current Affairs Quiz for exams: 26 November 2014

1) Who among the following was on 25 November 2014 appointed as the UN Goodwill Ambassador for the South Asian region by UN Women at an event held to mark the International Day to End Violence against Women?

(A) Saina Nehwal

(B) M C Mary Kom

(C) P V Sindhu

(D) Sania Mirza

2) Which bank got the RBI approval on 25 November 2014 to form a subsidiary to enter the General Insurance business?

(A) Kotak Mahindra Bank

(B) IDBI Bank

(C) Punjab National Bank

(D) South Indian Bank 

3) Which Australian cricket player was admitted to hospital in critical condition after being knocked out by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and NSW at the SCG on 25 November 2014?

(A) Michael Clarke

(B) David Warner

(C) Phil Hughes

(D) Cameroon White

4) 'Namsai' on 25 November 2014 became the 18th district of which state?

(A) Kerala

(B) Arunachal Pradesh

(C) Uttar Pradesh

(D) Mizoram

5)  Renowned dancer Sitara Devi, who passed away at the age of 94 in Mumbai on 25 November 2014, was an exponent of which classical dance form?

(A) Kathakali

(B) Mohiniyattom

(C) Kuchipudi

(D) Kathak

6) International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was observed every year on?

(A) November 25

(B) November 27

(C) November 23

(D) November 30

7) Name the Union Health Minister who on 25 November 2014 announced in Rajya Sabha that, Union Health Ministry has accepted a proposal to prohibit the sale of loose cigarettes (as single sticks) and raise the minimum legal age for sale of tobacco products?

(A) Dr Harsha Vardhan

(B) Dr Jithendra Singh

(C) J.P. Nadda

(D) Suresh Prabhu

8) Union government on 25 November 2014 rolled out 'Swachh Bharat Kosh' mission. The fund that will be raised through this mission will finance activities such as construction of?

(A) Public Wells

(B) Public Libraries

(C) Public toilets

(D) None of these

9) Om Pizza & Eats Pvt Ltd, the Indian franchisee of Papa John’s International on 25 November 2014 acquired its local rival?

(A) Pizza Hut

(B) Pizza Corner

(C) KFC

(D) Chicking

10) Violence erupted in Ferguson on 24 November 2014 after the grand jury found there was no probable cause to charge the white officer for shooting an 18-year old black youth. Ferguson is a small town in which country?

(A) UK

(B) France

(C) Canada

(D) USA

Answers

1) Ans. (D) Sania Mirza

2) Ans. (A) Kotak Mahindra Bank

3) Ans. (C) Phil Hughes

4) Ans. (B) Arunachal Pradesh

5) Ans. (D) Kathak

6) Ans. (A) November 25

7) Ans. (C) J.P. Nadda

8) Ans. (C) Public toilets

9) Ans. (B) Pizza Corner

10) Ans. (D) USA

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Daily Current Affairs Updates: 25 November 2014

1) Hughes in critical condition after being hit by bouncer: Australia Test batsman Phil Hughes has been rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital in critical condition after being knocked out by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and NSW at the SCG on 25 November 2014. The 25-year-old collapsed after being struck on the side of the head by a Sean Abbott delivery and was stretchered from the ground. He is currently undergoing surgery and according to Ambulance officials he was in a critical condition. A statement issued by South Australia Cricket Association said: “On behalf of the SACA Board and administration, our thoughts and prayers are with Phil Hughes and his family at this time. 

2) Sania named UN Women's Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia: Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was on 25 Nov 2014 appointed the UN Goodwill Ambassador for the South Asian region by UN Women at an event held to mark the International Day To End Violence Against Women. Sania, India's most successful women's tennis player and the first Indian to break into the World Tennis Association's top 50 rankings, is the first South Asian woman to be appointed the goodwill ambassador in the organisation's history.

3) Papa John’s acquires Pizza Corner: Om Pizza & Eats Pvt Ltd, the Indian franchisee of Papa John’s International, on 25 Nov 2014 acquired local rival Pizza Corner for an undisclosed sum. Atulya Mittal, a nephew of steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, is the promoter of Om Pizza & Eats Pvt Ltd. “Papa John’s today announced that they have entered into an agreement for the merger of Pizza Corner stores in South India. Papa John’s will convert the existing Pizza Corner stores to Papa John’s branded restaurants through Q1 2015,” the company said in a statement. Pizza Corner brand will cease to exist and all its stores will be re-branded as Papa John’s.

4) Impressive turnout in J&K and Jharkhand: The first phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand on Tuesday witnessed a high turnout. Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi said that the 71.28 per cent polling recorded in J&K was probably the highest. Jharkhand saw 61.92 per cent voting in the 13 Assembly constituencies. Only minor incidents of violence were reported in the naxal-hit areas of western Jharkhand. In Chhatarpur seat of Palamu district, miscreants destroyed control units of voting machines in two booths.

5) Govt rolls out Swachh Bharat Kosh for donations on sanitation: Keen to encourage public participation in his Swachh Bharat Mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will personally acknowledge all donations over Rs 20 crore by companies and Rs 1 crore by individual citizens to the Swachh Bharat Kosh. The government on Tuesday formally launched the Swachh Bharat Kosh (fund) “to facilitate channelisation of philanthropic contributions and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds” towards this cause. Using the donations, the fund will finance activities such as construction of new toilets as well as repair and renovation of dysfunctional toilets in rural areas, urban areas, elementary, secondary and senior secondary government schools, aanganwaadis.

6) Rajya Sabha passed Bill to amend labour laws: Though all political parties except the BJP spoke against it, Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed a Bill to amend the Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by certain Establishments) Act, 1988, powered by the Congress’s inability to vote against a Bill that it had itself mooted.

7) Sale of loose cigarettes faces ban: The Union Health Ministry has accepted a proposal to prohibit the sale of loose cigarettes (as single sticks) and raise the minimum legal age for sale of tobacco products, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda told the Rajya Sabha on 25 November 2014.

8) International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women observed: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women observed across the world on 25 November 2014. The day was observed to raise awareness about violence against women and discuss solutions that would work for women community.

9) Kathak legend Sitara Devi passed away: Kathak queen Sitara Devi died at a hospital in Mumbai on Tuesday. She was 94. Born in 1920 in Kolkata, Sitara Devi drew from the themes, poetry and choreography collected by her father in her choreographies. She also got inspired from the environment around her — whether it is a town or a village.

10) Arunachal Pradesh gets Namsai as its 18th district: Namsai on Tuesday officially became the 18th district of Arunachal Pradesh, as Chief Minister Nabam Tuki made the declaration, amidst jubilation at an inauguration function.

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Current Affairs Questions with Answers: 25 November 2014

1) The mascots for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics have been revealed on 24 November 2014. 2016 Olympics games will be held at?

(A) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

(B) Tokyo, Japan

(C) Pyeongchang, South Korea

(D) Sochi, Russia

2) Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Murli Deora passed away in Mumbai on 24 November 2014. He had held which portfolio during UPA-1 regime?

(A) Minister of Science & Technology

(B) Minister of Parliamentary Affairs

(C) Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas

(D) Minister of Railways 

3) Norway's Magnus Carlsen won the World Chess Championship 2014 defeating Indian challenger Viswanathan Anand in the 11th round of the game on 24 November. The championship was held at?

(A) Chennai

(B) Brussels

(C) Oslo

(D) Sochi

4) Who was appointed as the special representative of India to conduct boundary negotiations and strategic consultations with China on 24 November 2014?

(A) Sujatha Singh

(B) Ajit Doval

(C) H S Sandhu

(D) Ranjan Mathai

5) Who was appointed as the new chairman of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on 23 November 2014?

(A) Rajni Razdan

(B) Amar Pratap Singh

(C) Manbir Singh

(D) Deepak Gupta

6) Supreme Court judge CK Prasad is set to be appointed as the head of the Press Council of India. He will replace?

(A) Justice Markanday Katju

(B) Justice Mukul Mudgal

(C) Justice K G Balakrishnan

(D) Justice H L Dattu

7) Indian boxers Sarjubala and Saweety settle for silver at World boxing Champioships 2014 being held at?

(A) Japan

(B) South Korea

(C) Indonesia

(D) Nepal

8) Housing finance company DHFL recently appointed which bollywood actor as its brand ambassador?

(A) Aamir Khan

(B) Salman Khan

(C) Shah Rukh Khan

(D) Amitabh Bachchan

9) Switzerland won its first Davis Cup Tennis title after defeating which country in finals on 23 November 2014?

(A) Spain

(B) India

(C) USA

(D) France

10) All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that the 2015 I-League will commence on January 17. Which channel has bagged the broadcasting rights of the tournament?

(A) Sony SIX

(B) Ten Sports

(C) Star Sports

(D) Neo Sports

Answers

1) Ans. (A) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2) Ans. (C) Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas

3) Ans. (D) Sochi

4) Ans. (B) Ajit Doval

5) Ans. (D) Deepak Gupta

6) Ans. (A) Justice Markanday Katju

7) Ans. (B) South Korea

8) Ans. (C) Shah Rukh Khan

9) Ans. (D) France

10) Ans. (B) Ten Sports

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Daily Current Affairs: 24 November 2014

1) Former Union Minister, senior Congress leader Murli Deora died: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Murli Deora passed away in Mumbai on 24 Nov 2014 morning after prolonged illness. He was 77 and is survived by his wife and two sons, including former MP Milind Deora. He held the portfolio of Petroleum and Natural Gas during the UPA—1 regime. The Congress veteran had also served as the Mumbai Congress President for 22 years.

2) Winter Session of Parliament began: The winter session of parliament began on 24 November 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the new ministers who were inducted. The session, the first after the expansion of the council of ministers this month, will have 22 sittings and will end Dec 23.

3) Carlsen retains title at World Chess Championship: World chess champion, Norway's Magnus Carlsen retained his title, defeating Indian challenger Viswanathan Anand in the 11th round of their title match at Russia Sunday. The reigning world champion called off the exchange/sacrifice blunder or bluff of Anand on move 24 and wrapped up the 12 game in 45 moves. Interestingly Anand went for the misadventure of exchange/sacrifice - giving up his rook for Carlsen's bishop when he was enjoying a slight positional advantage. Carlsen scored 6.5 points first to retain the title that he wrested from Anand last year.

4) 2015 I-League to begin on Jan. 17: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that the 2015 I-League will commence on January 17. TEN Sports will broadcast 75 of the 110 matches on its channel and website. The league will kick off in Bengaluru, the home of the defending champion Bengaluru FC.

5) Ajit Doval appointed special representative by PMO on Indo-China border issue: National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval has been appointed as the special representative by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to resolve the India-China border issue. "Ajit Doval, NSA, appointed as the special representative of India to conduct boundary negotiations and strategic consultations with China," the Prime Minister's Office said in the statement. "This arrangement will be part of NSA's overall assignment," the statement added. 

6) 2016 Olympic and Paralympic mascots launched: The mascots for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics have been revealed and are inspired by the animals and plants of hosts Brazil. The yellow Olympics mascot represents the animals of Brazil, while the blue Paralympics mascot "is a fusion of plants found in Brazilian forests". A poll will decide their names with the results to be announced on 14 December. The shortlisted pairings to chose from are Oba and Eba, Tiba Tuque and Esquindim or Vinicius and Tom.

7) Sarjubala, Saweety settle for silver at World boxing C'Ships: Indian pugilists S Sarjubala (48kg) and Saweety (81kg) faltered at the final hurdle to settle for silver medals, rounding off a decent campaign for the country in the 8th World Women's Boxing Championships being held at South Korea. Sarjubala lost to world No 3 Nazym Kyzaibay of Kazakhstan, who also happened to be a bronze-medallist from the previous World Championships. Saweety, on the other hand, lost to Yang Xiaoli of China.

8) Former SC judge Prasad to succeed Katju as PCI chief: Former Supreme Court judge CK Prasad is set to be appointed as the head of the Press Council of India. Information and broadcasting ministry sources said Prasad has been selected by a committee headed by Vice President Hamid Ansari and a communication has been received in this regard. Prasad will succeed justice Markanday Katju as the chairman of the PCI.

9) Federer hands Switzerland first Davis Cup title:  Roger Federer produced a vintage performance to crush Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 and seal Switzerland's maiden Davis Cup title with a 3-1 win over hosts France on Sunday. The 17-time Grand Slam champion shook off back problems during the weekend and recovered from Friday's defeat by Gael Monfils to hand France a third defeat in their last three finals.

10) Chuck Hagel quits as US defense secretary: US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel resigned amid reports of differences with President Barack Obama who apparently wants to install a new leadership at the Pentagon as he enters the last two years of his presidency facing new global challenges like the rise of IS.

11) Ex-IAS officer Deepak Gupta named new UPSC chief: The government has appointed former IAS officer Deepak Gupta as new chairman of UPSC, breaking away from the tradition of appointing the chief from the serving members of the Commission. Gupta, a retired IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre, had on Saturday taken over as the chief of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), official sources said. He is the younger brother of former Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta.

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24th November 2014 Current Affairs Quiz

1) Who won the Formula One world championship 2014 with a win in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 23 November 2014?

(A) Sebastian Vettel

(B) Nico Rosberg

(C) Lewis Hamilton

(D) Fernando Alonso

2) Keshari Nath Tripathi will hold the additional charge of Governor of Bihar from November 26. He is presently the Governor of?

(A) West Bengal

(B) Assam

(C) Madhya Pradesh

(D) Jharkhand

3) India clinched their third South Asian women's football championship on 21 November 2014 defeating which team?

(A) Afghanistan

(B) Maldives

(C) Nepal

(D) Bangaldesh

4) Renaud Lavillenie and Olympic shot put champion Valerie Adams were named World Athletes of the Year 2014 at an IAAF gala in Monaco on 22 November 2014. Renaud Lavillenie is related to which sport?

(A) Shot Put

(B) Triple Jump

(C) Marathon Running

(D) Pole Vault

5) Which country created tennis history by winning their maiden Davis Cup title on 23 November 2014?

(A) Serbia

(B) Switzerland

(C) Spain

(D) Honduras 

6) Name the county’s first aircraft carrier, which has finally faded away into history as dismantling of the majestic vessel began on 21 November 2014 at Mumbai?

(A) INS Arihant

(B) INS Vikrant

(C) INS Sindhurakshak

(D) INS Kamorta

7) Father Kuriakose Chavara and Sister Euphrasia were the two Indians who were declared Saints by the Vatican on 23 November 2014. Both were from which state?

(A) West Bengal

(B) Andhra Pradesh

(C) Tamil Nadu

(D) Kerala

8) Which football player on 22 November 2014 became the all-time highest scorer in the history of La Liga – the Spanish Football League?

(A) Lionel Messi

(B) Luiz Suarez

(C) Christiano Ronaldo

(D) Neymar

9) Name the Union Water Resources Minister who on 23 November 2014 announced that the Centre will launch the Jal Gram (Water Village) Scheme in 2015?

(A) Sis Ram Ola

(B) Prakash Javedkar

(C) Uma Bharati

(D) Smriti Irani

10) Which state has bagged India's Best Project-2014 award for implementation of skill development and employment generation in the state for the benefit of youth on 23 November 2014?

(A) Kerala

(B) Rajasthan

(C) Arunachal Pradesh

(D) Sikkim

Answers

1) Ans. (C) Lewis Hamilton

2) Ans. (A) West Bengal

3) Ans. (C) Nepal

4) Ans. (D) Pole Vault

5) Ans. (B) Switzerland

6) Ans. (B) INS Vikrant

7) Ans. (D) Kerala

8) Ans. (A) Lionel Messi

9) Ans. (C) Uma Bharati

10) (C) Arunachal Pradesh

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Download SBI Clerks 2014 Interview Call Letter

Friends.. State Bank of India has activated the link to download the interview call letter for candidates who have cleared the SBI clerk exam 2014. You can download the same from the below link by entering Registration Number or Roll Number and Password or Date of Birth.

Download your interview call letter: Click Here

Download Bio-data Form: Click Here

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Current Affairs daily Updates: 23 November 2014

1) Hamilton takes second F1 title with win in Abu Dhabi: Lewis Hamilton clinched his second drivers' world championship and became the first British multiple champion for 46 years when he won Sunday's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 29-year-old Englishman, who took his first title in 2008 with McLaren, won not only the 55-laps race, but also his private duel with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who suffered prolonged problems with his car after making a poor start from pole position.

2) INS Vikrant fades into history: Despite last ditch attempts by activists and former navy servicemen to save it, INS Vikrant — the county’s first aircraft carrier — has finally faded away into history. The BJP, whose leaders had promised to keep the vessel alive before elections, shifted the blame on to the previous Congress–NCP government and said had it acted sooner, Vikrant could have been saved. The dismantling of the majestic vessel began in Mumbai opposite the Darukhana ship breaking yard. The Bombay High Court had given the go-ahead for Vikrant to be auctioned in January, after it rejected a public interest litigation petition to save the vessel and convert it into a maritime museum. The Centre said it was difficult to maintain the vessel. In March, the Indian Navy sold Vikrant to a Mumbai-based ship breaking company for Rs. 63 crore.

3) Parrikar inaugurated Information Management and Analysis Centre at Gurgaon: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today inaugurated the Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC), a joint operations facility of the Indian Navy and  the Coast Guard, set up near Gurgaon to provide coastal security and to avert incidents like the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai.

4) Centre to launch 'Jal Gram' scheme in 2015: Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati on Saturday said that the Centre will launch the Jal Gram (Water Village) Scheme in 2015. "There will be one Gram (village) in every district, which will be taken as a pilot project and the village with poorest indicators of water availability will be chosen," Bharati told reporters on the concluding day of the three day Jal Manthan conference in New Delhi.

5) Arunachal Pradesh bagged Skill Development award: Arunachal Pradesh has bagged India's Best Project-2014 award for implementation of skill development and employment generation in the state for the benefit of youth, mostly less-educated and school drop-outs. The award, instituted by Gurgaon-based Skoch Group dealing with socio-economic issues, was given in a ceremony at the national capital last evening, Director of Department of Skill Development and Employment Generation Subu Tabin said.

6) Indians, Chavara and Euphrasia, conferred sainthood by Pope Francis: Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia from India were on Sunday conferred sainthood by Pope Francis in Vatican City at a special canonisation mass, in a moment of elation and spiritual fervour for the Christians in India. Reformist Catholic priest Chavara and reclusive nun Euphrasia from Kerala along with four other beatified Italians were declared Saints by the Pope during the mass at St Peter's Square at Vatican, attended by a large number of devotees, two Cardinals, bishops, clergy and nuns from the state.

7) West Bengal governor to hold additional charge of Bihar: West Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi will hold the additional charge of Bihar, the President's secretariat on Sunday said. Bihar governor Dr DY Patil completes his tenure on November 26. "The President of India has been pleased to appoint Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi, governor of West Bengal, to discharge the functions of the governor of Bihar, in addition to his own duties," a communique from the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

8) SAARC panel decided to dissolve 3 regional centres: The SAARC committee on 23 Nov 2014 decided to dissolve three regional centres, including one in India, and merge four others to end the duplication of work and reduce its budget. The 49th meeting of the programming committee comprises of joint secretaries of the SAARC countries. The centres that would be dissolved include the Information Centre in Kathmandu, Human Resource Development Centre in Islamabad and the New Delhi-based Documentation Centre, according to officials at the Foreign Ministry. The move aims to end the duplication of work carried out by the regional centres and to economise the budget of the centres, the officials said.

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