IMPORTANT DAYS

World Immunization Day 2024 is observed on November 10.

• World Immunization Day is observed annually on 10th November.

• It aims to promote the importance of immunization and advocate for universal access to vaccines.

• The observance was introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2012 under the Global Vaccine Safety Initiative.

• The day highlights the role of vaccines in preventing deadly infectious diseases.

• Vaccination helps protect children and reduces global health inequalities.

• Vaccines have contributed to the eradication of smallpox and significant reduction in diseases like polio.

• Immunization prevents millions of deaths annually from diseases such as measles, tetanus, and hepatitis B.

• World Immunization Day emphasizes the life-saving benefits of vaccines and the need for broader global coverage.

National Education Day 2024 celebrated on November 11

• National Education Day is celebrated annually on November 11 in India, marking the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

• Since 2008, this day honors the legacy of Maulana Azad, India's first Education Minister after independence.

• Azad served as Education Minister from August 15, 1947, to February 2, 1958, shaping India's education system.

• He played a key role in establishing IIT Kharagpur, the first Indian Institute of Technology.

• In 1992, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna for his contributions to education.

• The 86th Amendment of the Indian Constitution (2002) introduced free elementary education under Article 21-A.

• Article 21-A guarantees free and compulsory education for children between the ages of six and fourteen.

• The Right to Education (RTE) Act, which came into force in 2010, ensures quality education for every child.

• For FY 2024-25, a record Rs 73,498 crore was allocated to improve the education system and enhance learning opportunities.

APPOINTMENTS

Justice Sanjiv Khanna sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India.

• Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India on November 11, 2024.

• The swearing-in ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, presided over by President Draupadi Murmu.

• Justice Khanna succeeded Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, who retired on November 10 after his tenure.

• His appointment was officially confirmed by a notification from the Government of India.

• Justice Khanna's term as CJI will be for six months.

• He began his legal career in 1983 as an advocate with the Delhi Bar Council.

• In 2005, Justice Khanna was appointed as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court and became a permanent judge in 2006.

• He was elevated to the Supreme Court in January 2019.

• Justice Khanna's appointment marks a significant milestone in his distinguished judicial career.

• H. J. Kania was the first Chief Justice of India, serving from 1950 to 1951.

Harsh Vardhan Aggarwal will take over as the new President of FICCI.

• Harsh Vardhan Aggarwal has been elected as the new President of FICCI for 2024-25.

• Aggarwal is the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Emami Limited.

• He is currently serving as the Senior Vice President of FICCI.

• Aggarwal will succeed Anish Shah, CEO of Mahindra & Mahindra, after FICCI’s 97th Annual General Meeting on November 21.

• Aggarwal is part of the second generation of leadership at Emami, a US$3.1 billion diversified conglomerate.

• The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) is India’s oldest and largest non-governmental business association.

• FICCI Foundation: Established in 1927, FICCI has played a pivotal role in India’s business landscape.

• FICCI Headquarters: The association is headquartered in New Delhi.

SPORTS

Women’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024 has begun in Rajgir, Bihar.

• The Women’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024 has officially started in Rajgir, Bihar.

• Bihar's Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, inaugurated the 10-day tournament on November 11.

• Six teams are competing: China, Japan, Malaysia, Korea, Thailand, and India.

• India’s hockey team is captained by Salima and vice-captained by Navneet Kaur.

• India will kick off their campaign against Malaysia on November 11.

• The tournament will run from November 11 to 20.

• Ravindran Sankaran, DG of Bihar Sports Authority, highlighted the state's vision to become a sports hub in Eastern India.

World's highest enduro mountain biking race "Monduro 4.0" started in Tawang.

• The world’s highest enduro mountain biking event, Monduro 4.0, has kicked off in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.

• The race was flagged off on 9th November by Tawang MLA Namgay Tsering and Brigade Commander Brigadier VS Rajput.

• The Tawang Cycling Association, in partnership with the Arunachal Pradesh Department of Tourism, is organizing the event.

• Starting at 14,400 feet, the race descends to 8,000 feet, making it one of the most challenging in the world.

• Riders from across India and eight foreign countries are competing in the 2024 edition.

• To help participants adjust to the high altitude, practice races were held on 10th and 11th November.

• The final races are scheduled for 13th and 14th November.

• Monduro 4.0 is part of the prestigious Asia Enduro Series (AES).

DEFENCE

The first-ever space exercise ‘Antariksha Abhyas-2024’ inaugurated in New Delhi

• The first-ever space exercise, Antariksha Abhyas-2024, was launched in New Delhi on 11 November 2024.

• The three-day exercise (11-13 November) is being conducted by the Defense Space Agency under the Integrated Defense Staff.

• The exercise aims to address growing threats to space-based assets and services.

• It will help align space capabilities with India’s broader military and strategic objectives.

• The exercise seeks to integrate space operations with military actions and operations.

• A key objective is to enhance understanding of space-based assets, services, and their interdependencies.

• The event will focus on identifying procedural challenges in case of disruption to space services.

• Personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defense Space Agency will take part in the exercise.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

Annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) began in Baku, Azerbaijan.

• The annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) began in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 11, 2024.

• The two-week event, dubbed the 'Finance COP', aims to secure a new climate finance target for vulnerable countries.

• India has been instrumental in shaping the global climate finance framework, advocating for funding for both mitigation and adaptation.

• Access to finance, technology, and energy resources is crucial for India and the Global South to meet climate goals.

• Collective Quantified Target (NCQG): India will push for a new, higher climate finance target beyond the $100 billion annual goal set in 2009.

• Countries most vulnerable to climate change impacts need immediate funding to build resilience and adapt.

• According to India’s Economic Survey 2023-24, the country requires approximately $2.5 trillion by 2030 to fulfill its Paris Agreement commitments.

• COP29 serves as a platform for reinforcing global cooperation to meet climate finance needs and accelerate climate action.