IMPORTANT DAYS

World Television Day 2025

• World Television Day is marked every year on 21 November, a practice followed since 1996.

• The day recognises television’s crucial role in global communication and information sharing.

• The UN notes that TV remains the largest medium for video consumption worldwide.

• The UN General Assembly officially proclaimed 21 November as World Television Day in 1996, following the first World Television Forum.

• John Logie Baird, a Scottish engineer, invented the first television in 1924.

• Television arrived in India on 15 September 1959, with support from UNESCO, eventually expanding through colour broadcasting and satellite technology by 1982.

• India today has a vast TV footprint, reaching 900 million viewers, with 918 private satellite channels and 65 million DD Free Dish households.

• India’s Media & Entertainment sector contributed ₹2.5 trillion in 2024, and is projected to cross ₹3 trillion by 2027.

World Fisheries Day 2025

• World Fisheries Day is observed annually on 21 November to promote healthy oceans and sustainable fishing practices.

• The observance began in 2015, marking a decade of global awareness on fisheries sustainability.

• India’s Department of Fisheries celebrated the 2025 event in New Delhi, hosting it at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan.

• The 2025 theme focused on “India’s Blue Transformation: Enhancing Value Addition in Seafood Exports.”

• Delegates from 27 countries joined the celebration, reflecting global support for India’s fisheries initiatives.

• A National Digital Traceability Framework for fisheries and aquaculture was unveiled to boost transparency and monitoring.

• India reaffirmed its global standing—2nd in fish and aquaculture production, 1st in shrimp output, and 4th in seafood exports, with inland fisheries showing 142% growth since 2013–14.

LEGAL NEWS

Implementation of Four New Labour Codes

• The Centre announced the rollout of the four consolidated labour codes on 21 November 2025, replacing decades-old, fragmented labour laws.

• These new codes merge 29 earlier labour legislations into a streamlined framework focused on wages, industrial relations, social security, and workplace safety.

• With this move, the government aims to improve employee welfare, wage protection, workplace safety and strengthen social-security benefits across sectors.

• The Labour Ministry noted a major jump in social-security coverage—from 19% in 2015 to over 64% in 2025, expecting further expansion under the new regime.

• The four codes ensure timely minimum wages, appointment letters, equal pay for women, and gratuity eligibility after one year for fixed-term workers.

• Additional provisions include free annual health check-ups for workers over 40, double wages for overtime, and expanded protection for hazardous-sector employees.

• The new labour framework aligns India’s worker rights with global standards, reinforcing social justice and broader welfare for nearly 40 crore workers.

NATIONAL NEWS

Bharatiya Kalamahotsav 2025

• President Droupadi Murmu will formally open the second edition of the Bharatiya Kalamahotsav on 21 November at Rashtrapathi Nilayam in Bollaram.

• The 10-day cultural festival will highlight Western India’s rich traditions, with Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu taking part.

• Visitor numbers are expected to rise to nearly 1.5 lakh this year, compared to over 1 lakh attendees at the first edition.

• The event will serve as a unified platform showcasing regional art, crafts, literature, cuisine, handloom and handicraft products.

• Major attractions include Gujarat’s Kutch Bandhani, Rajasthan’s Kota Doria and Pattu cotton, Maharashtra’s Paithani and Kolhapuri chappals, and Goa’s Kumbi sarees.

• A dedicated regional food court with 13 speciality stalls will offer diverse culinary experiences.

• Public entry will be open from 22 November till the end of the month, with the festival organised by Rashtrapati Bhavan and supported by the Culture, Tourism and Textiles ministries.

National One Health Mission Assembly 2025

• The two-day National One Health Mission Assembly wrapped up in New Delhi on 21 November, stressing stronger community-driven preparedness.

• The event revolved around the theme “Translating Knowledge to Practice – One Earth, One Health, One Future.”

• Day two featured a technical session focused on building a unified and resilient One Health framework across the country.

• Discussions centred on tackling health risks emerging at the intersection of humans, animals and the environment through coordinated national action.

• NITI Aayog’s Dr. V. K. Paul noted that India’s One Health journey demands a whole-of-government strategy for a healthier, safer future.

• Speakers emphasised that community participation is vital for early detection, surveillance and rapid health-emergency responses.

• The platform brought together multi-sector experts, helping strengthen India’s preparedness system for managing present and future public-health threats.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES

India Calls for Reform of the United Nations

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stressed that today’s global crises demand a reformed UN and a renewed international order.

• He shared this view while speaking at the International Conference of Chief Justices of the World in Lucknow on 21 November.

• Singh noted that the UN’s response has been weak in conflicts like Israel–Hamas, Ukraine–Russia and Sudan’s humanitarian emergency.

• He attributed these gaps not to lack of intention, but to global power politics and slow institutional processes.

• Concerns over the UN’s authority were said to arise from these decision-making hurdles.

• He emphasised that fair and balanced representation is crucial for the UN to stay aligned with its founding values.

• Singh urged the organisation to refocus on peace, justice and equality to restore its effectiveness.

• He added that India consistently respects international law, supports multilateralism and provides timely help during global crises.

PM Modi’s Three-Day Visit to South Africa for G20 Summit

• PM Modi arrived in South Africa for a three-day tour to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.

• This marks his fourth official trip to South Africa, following visits in 2016, 2018 (BRICS), and 2023 (BRICS).

• Johannesburg is hosting the fourth consecutive G20 Summit in the Global South, reflecting growing southern leadership.

• Modi said the 20th G20 Summit is an opportunity to discuss critical global issues and share India’s perspective rooted in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.

• It is the first time the G20 Summit is being held on African soil.

• The African Union, added as a permanent G20 member during India’s 2023 presidency, is participating at this summit.

• This year’s theme — ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’ — guides the deliberations; the 6th IBSA Summit (India-Brazil-South Africa) is also planned on the sidelines.

National Wellbeing Conclave 2025

• IIT Bombay, along with the Department of Higher Education, organised the National Wellbeing Conclave 2025, held over two days starting 21 November.

• Delegates from 82 higher education institutions — including major IITs, IIITs and IIMs — participated in the event.

• The conclave saw the presence of 141 faculty members and 130 students from institutions across India.

• Two symposia and three detailed panel discussions formed the core of the programme.

• Experts discussed emerging wellbeing challenges in universities and methods to detect psychosocial issues at an early stage.

• The discussions also focused on building collective frameworks for holistic student and faculty wellbeing.

• The conclave aims to boost cross-institutional collaboration and guide campuses in adopting integrated models for nurturing supportive and resilient learning environments.