China to extend China-Myanmar Economic Corridor to Sri Lanka

• China is actively seeking to extend the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) to Sri Lanka.
• This advancement indicates China's intention to strengthen its influence in South Asia through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

China-Myanmar Economic Corridor:

• The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) encompasses several infrastructure projects aimed at fostering connectivity between China and Myanmar.
• As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, this economic corridor focuses on constructing road and rail transportation links from Yunnan Province in China, traversing through Muse and Mandalay, and extending to Kyaukpyu in Rakhine State.
• Notably, Rakhine State has been in the spotlight due to the Rohingya crisis.

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International Tourism Mart at Shillong

• The Ministry of Tourism is organising an International Tourism Mart, a three day event in Shillong, Meghalaya, starting from 21^st November 2023.
• The inauguration, scheduled to be carried out by Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy.
• It aims to raise awareness about the tourism potential of the North East Region.
• It will also serve as a platform for stakeholders from the North East to engage with counterparts from both domestic and international markets.
• The International Tourism Mart is an annual occurrence organized by the Ministry, rotating among the northeastern states.
• This event has also been planned as a Green Event by adopting low-carbon options along the lines of the action points formulated by Environment Ministry for the implementation of Mission LiFE.
• There will be no use of Single Use Plastic, and a digital and paperless route will be followed as well as a tree plantation drive will be undertaken.  

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Madhuri Dixit Receives Award At 54th IFFI

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• Madhuri Dixit has received the 'Special Recognition for Contribution to Bharatiya Cinema' award at the 54^th International Film Festival of India (IFFI)
• The event was held at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Panaji, Goa.

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Vinay M Tonse Appointed as SBI MD

• The central government appointed Vinay M Tonse as the Managing Director of the State Bank of India till November 30, 2025.
• Before the appointment, Tonse was serving as the Deputy Managing Director at the PSU bank.

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LAUNCH of LSAM 10 (YARD 78)

• On November 20, 2023, the successful launch of LSAM 10 (Yard 78), the fourth vessel in the 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge project, took place in Guttenadeevi, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh.
• The origins of this achievement can be traced back to the agreement signed on February 19, 2021, between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam.
• This agreement laid the groundwork for the fabrication of eight strategically designed Missile Cum Ammunition Barges, intended to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy.