IMPORTANT DAYS
Children’s Day 2024 celebrated on 14th November
• Children’s Day is celebrated on 14th November each year.
• The day marks the birth anniversary of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Nehru, also known as “Chacha Nehru,” was deeply fond of children.
• The celebration of Children’s Day began in 1964, following Nehru's passing.
• World Children’s Day is observed globally on 20th November.
• The 2024 theme for World Children’s Day is “For every child, every right.”
• World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day.
• The aim of the day is to promote global unity, awareness, and children’s welfare.
World Diabetes Day 2024 observed on 14th November
• World Diabetes Day is observed annually on 14th November to raise awareness about diabetes as a global health issue.
• The theme for World Diabetes Day 2024 is “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps.”
• The day also commemorates the birth anniversary of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin with Charles Herbert Best in 1922.
• World Diabetes Day was first celebrated in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and WHO.
• In 2006, the United Nations officially recognized World Diabetes Day.
• According to the ICMR INDIAB study (2023), 10.1 crore people in India are affected by diabetes.
• The Indian Government has launched several initiatives under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) to fight diabetes.
• Diabetes is a chronic condition where the pancreas either produces insufficient insulin or the body fails to use it effectively, leading to high blood glucose levels.
NATIONAL NEWS
Environment Ministry has notified new rules under new Water Act.
• The Environment Ministry has introduced new rules under the Water Act.
• The new rules, titled Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) Rules, 2024, focus on inquiry procedures and penalties.
• These rules aim to address violations of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.
• The new rules follow amendments made to the Water Act earlier in 2024.
• The amendments empower the Centre to appoint officers to adjudicate offences and impose penalties.
• In July 2024, the Ministry also exempted 'white' category industries (non-polluting) from requiring prior approvals to operate under the Water Act.
• The Central Pollution Control Board, State Pollution Control Boards, and Pollution Control Committees can now file complaints against violations.
• These authorities can approach the adjudicating officers to address contraventions of the Water Act.
The 43rd Edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF) started on 14 November.
• The 43rd India International Trade Fair (IITF) kicked off on 14 November 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• This year’s IITF theme is Viksit Bharat in 2047, focusing on India’s development goals.
• Jharkhand is the focus state for the 2024 IITF.
• Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are the partner states for this edition of the fair.
• The 43rd IITF will run until 27 November 2024.
• A total of 11 countries are participating, including China, Egypt, Iran, South Korea, and Sweden.
• Other participating countries include Thailand, Türkiye, Tunisia, Lebanon, Kyrgyzstan, and the UAE.
AWARDS
PM Modi Chosen for Dominican Republic’s Highest Award
• The Dominican Republic will award Prime Minister Narendra Modi its highest honor, the Dominica Award of Honour.
• The award recognizes Modi's efforts in providing COVID-19 vaccines to the country and strengthening bilateral ties.
• Modi's government launched the Vaccine Maitri initiative in February 2021.
• Vaccine Maitri aimed to deliver Indian-made COVID-19 vaccines to developing nations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• The initiative was part of India's humanitarian efforts to support global vaccination.
• Modi's leadership in the vaccine distribution helped enhance India's international standing.
• In July 2024, Modi received the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Russia's highest award.
• The award was conferred on Modi by Russian President Vladimir Putin in recognition of his contributions to strengthening Indo-Russian relations.
Samantha Harvey won the Booker Prize for her novel ‘Orbital’.
• Samantha Harvey won the 2024 Booker Prize for her novel Orbital.
• Orbital takes readers on a captivating journey to the International Space Station.
• Harvey's win is notable not only for its content but also for breaking records, outselling the last three Booker winners combined.
• She wrote the novel during the pandemic, inspired by footage of Earth from low orbit.
• At just 136 pages, Orbital is the second-shortest novel to ever win the Booker Prize.
• Harvey becomes the first woman to win the Booker Prize since 2019.
• The Booker Prize winner was announced by chair of judges, Edmund de Waal, at a ceremony in London.
• Harvey receives £50,000 and a trophy, presented to her by Paul Lynch.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE
First US-India Ocean Dialogue is being held on 14 November.
• The first US-India Ocean Dialogue will take place on November 14 to discuss Indo-Pacific security and prosperity.
• U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer will join the event virtually.
• The Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) Intersessional will also be held to enhance technological cooperation.
• iCET aims to strengthen collaboration on innovation and production between the U.S. and India.
• National Security Advisers Ajit Doval (India) and Jake Sullivan (U.S.) co-lead the iCET initiative.
• The Quad has launched the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative for the Indian Ocean Region.
• The Quad consists of India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S.
• These efforts reflect growing collaboration on regional security and technological advancement in the Indo-Pacific.
DEFENSE
4th coastal defense exercise ‘Sea-VIGIL-24’ will be conducted by the Indian Navy from 21 to 22 November.
• The 4th edition of the coastal defense exercise Sea-VIGIL-24 will be held by the Indian Navy from 21 to 22 November 2024.
• This two-day exercise will cover a vast geographical area and involve a broad range of participants.
• Six ministries and 21 organizations and agencies will take part in the exercise.
• The focus will be on enhancing the security of critical coastal infrastructure, including ports, oil rigs, and cable landing points.
• Coastal population safety and protection of key assets such as single-point moorings will also be prioritized.
• For the first time, the Indian Army and Air Force will also participate in Sea-VIGIL-24.
• The exercise was first launched in 2018 to assess and improve measures for coastal security.
• Sea-VIGIL aims to strengthen India's preparedness against potential coastal threats.
SPORTS
Aravindh clinched the Chennai Grand Masters 2024 Masters title.
• GM Aravindh Chithambaram won the 2024 Chennai Grand Masters title by defeating GM Levon Aronian.
• GM V Pranav remained unbeaten and claimed the Challengers title.
• The Chennai Grand Masters 2024 featured two categories: Masters and Challengers.
• GM Levon Aronian settled for a quick draw with GM Amin Tabatabaei in the tournament.
• The Masters category ended in a three-way tie for the top position.
• Pranav finished with four wins and three draws, securing direct entry into next year's Masters category.
• The Challengers title earned Pranav a spot in the prestigious Masters event in 2025.
Pankaj Advani bagged the 28th World Billiards title.
• Pankaj Advani secured his 28th World Billiards title by defeating Robert Hall 4-2 at the IBSF World Billiards Championship in Doha.
• This victory marks Advani’s seventh consecutive world title, a streak that began in 2016.
• In the fifth frame, Advani delivered a stunning break of 154 points to solidify his lead.
• He regained control of the match after reaching 150 points first in the second frame.
• Advani's historic win further cements his dominance in the sport of billiards.
• The victory adds another major achievement to Advani's illustrious career.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Navin Ramgoolam became the new Prime Minister of Mauritius.
• Navin Ramgoolam was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Mauritius for a fourth term.
• His Alliance du Changement (ADC) coalition won a decisive victory, securing 60 out of 62 national assembly seats with 62.6% of the vote.
• Ramgoolam took the oath of office in a brief ceremony at State House.
• In 2006, Ramgoolam launched a program to reduce bureaucracy and simplify taxes, aiming to diversify Mauritius' $10 billion economy.
• The previous Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, saw his popularity decline due to the cost of living crisis and corruption allegations.
• Pravind Jugnauth succeeded his father, Aneerood Jugnauth, becoming Prime Minister in 2017 and again in 2019.
• Ramgoolam's return to power marks a shift in leadership after Jugnauth's tenure.
