NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Centre launches World Bank’s ‘Jobs at your doorstep’ report: Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Minister of Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya launched a report titled Jobs at Your Doorstep: A Jobs Diagnostics for Young People in the Six States, at an event in New Delhi.World Bank assists the Ministry of Education with its program called Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) covering six states namely Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan (collectively the STARS states) STARS Scheme has a national component under which key reforms are shared and disseminated for implementation.This report underscores the significant benefits of embedding skill-based education from grades 9-12 to prepare students for diverse career paths relying on a bottom-up approach, going deep in districts of the six states.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Iraq conducts first national census in nearly 40 years: Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, a step aimed at modernizing data collection and planning in a country long impacted by conflict and political divisions.The act of counting the population is also contentious. The census is expected to have profound implications for Iraq’s resource distribution, budget allocations, and development planning.The last nationwide census in Iraq was held in 1987. Another one held in 1997 excluded the Kurdish region.The new census “charts a developmental map for the future and sends a message of stability,” Planning Minister Mohammed Tamim said in a televised address.
2. 21 November- World Hello Day: World Hello Day is observed every year on 21 November.World Hello Day is an opportunity to promote awareness that conflicts should be resolved through communication rather than the use of force.Theme 2024 – Greeting for PeaceWorld Hello Day was founded by Michael McCormack, a Harvard University graduate, and Brian McCormack, an Arizona State University Ph.D. graduate, in 1973 in response to the Yom Kippur War between Egypt and Israel.To encourage participation in the first World Hello Day, the McCormack brothers wrote 1,360 letters in seven different languages to world leaders across the globe, urging them to resolve disputes through communication rather than force.Since that time, 180 nations have celebrated World Hello Day around the world. This day provides an opportunity for individuals to express their concern for world peace.
3. India and Maldives Enhance Currency Cooperation: The agreement was signed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and MMA Governor Ahmed Munawar. It allows businesses to conduct trade in their currencies. This initiative aims to simplify cross-border transactions.Utilizing local currencies will reduce transaction costs, which will also speed up payment settlements. Businesses can avoid foreign exchange risks associated with third currencies, which will enhance financial efficiency in trade.Last year, the RBI signed a similar agreement with the Central Bank of the UAE. This indicates a trend towards promoting local currencies in international trade. Such agreements aim to strengthen economic ties with multiple nations.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi Conferred with the Nepali Army’s General rank: The Indian Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, was conferred with the honourary rank of the General of the Nepali Army.General Upendra Dwivedi is on an official visit to Nepal from 20 to 24 November 2024 at the invitation of his Nepali counterpart, General Ashok Raj Sigdel.General Upendra Dwivedi was conferred the rank of honourary General of the Nepali Army by the President of Nepal, Ramchandra Paudel, at a special ceremony at the President’s House in Kathmandu.India and Nepal have a long tradition of honouring each other’s country’s chief of the army with this rank. This tradition was continued after India’s independence in 1947. A tripartite agreement was signed between India, the British government, and the Nepali government in 1947.
2. Indian Army Chief Receives Nepali Honour: General Upendra Dwivedi, the Indian Army Chief, was recently awarded the title of Honorary General of the Nepali Army and was bestowed during his official visit to Kathmandu. The moment in the longstanding relationship between India and Nepal. The tradition of honorary generalships dates back to the 1950s, which signifies a unique bond between the two armies. Every three years, the Indian Army Chief receives this honor. Similarly, the Chief of the Nepali Army is also honored in India. This practice showcases mutual respect and friendship.
SPORTS
1. India hosted Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce & Bowling Competition in New Delhi: For the first time, India hosted the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce & Bowling Competition at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex in New Delhi.The event is open to athletes from the Asia-Pacific with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This is the first time a competitive bowling event has been held in India.Eighty-one athletes from 12 countries of the Asia-Pacific region participated in the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce & Bowling CompetitionThe Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce & Bowling Competition was inaugurated by the Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar.
2. Bihar to host Khelo India Youth Games and Para Games in April 2025: Bihar will host the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) and Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) in 2025.KIYG is a national-level, multi-disciplinary sports competition for school and college students in India. It aims to promote sports culture and identify sporting talent at the grassroots level.The games are held annually in January or February and are part of the government’s Khelo India initiative.For the first time and in the lines of the Summer Olympics, the Khelo India Para Games will also be held in Bihar.The first edition of the Para Games was held in Delhi last year. Previously the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 were held in Tamil Nadu in January this year.
3. Bihar to Host Khelo India Youth Games 2025: Bihar has proven its ability to host major sporting events. The Women’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey championship was held in Rajgir. India defeated China, the silver medalists from the Paris Olympics, to retain the title.The Khelo India Youth Games 2023 took place in Tamil Nadu. These games set a precedent for future events, showcasing athletic talent across the nation.Dr. Mandaviya brought into light Bihar’s rich cultural heritage. He believes that celebrating a state’s culture strengthens national unity. This cultural aspect will attract participants and enhance the overall experience.Bihar is integral to the Ministry’s sports infrastructure development. The state has 38 Khelo India Centres. These centres support athletes at various levels. Additionally, Bihar features a Khelo India State Centre of Excellence.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. ISRO, Australian space agency sign cooperation pact for human space flight: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed an Implementation Agreement (IA) with the Australian Space Agency (ASA) for further strengthening of cooperation in space activities between the two countries.The IA enables cooperation between both space agencies on crew and crew module recovery for Gaganyaan missions, the country’s first crewed spaceflight program.India and Australia are enduring strategic partners and both space agencies are working closely and are committed to explore current and future collaboration activities.The IA enables the Australian authorities to work with Indian authorities to ensure support for search and rescue of crew and recovery of crew module as part of a contingency plan for ascent phase that aborts near Australian waters.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI, Maldives Monetary Authority sign pact to promote use of local currencies: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) signed a MoU for establishing a framework to promote the use of local currencies viz., the Indian Rupee (INR) and the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) for cross-border transactions.The MoU was signed by the Governor, Reserve Bank of India, Shaktikanta Das and the Governor, Maldives Monetary Authority, Mr. Ahmed Munawar.
The MoU encourages the use of INR and MVR in current account transactions, permissible capital account transactions and any other economic and financial transactions as agreed upon by both countries.This framework would enable exporters and importers to invoice and settle in their respective domestic currencies, which in turn would enable the development of trading in INR-MVR pair in foreign exchange market. Use of local currencies would optimise costs and settlement time for transactions.
2. RBI nod for Central Bank of India’s insurance foray in JV with Future Generali: The Central Bank of India has received Reserve Bank of India approval for its proposed foray into life and non-life insurance business through a joint venture with the Generali group.The RBI approved the bank’s entry in the insurance business, through a joint venture with the Generali group under Future Generali India Insurance Company and Future Generali India Life Insurance Company, subject to continuous compliance of conditions stipulated by it and approval of sectoral regulator IRDAI.This follows the Committee of Creditors for sale of Category 1 assets of Future Enterprises stake in FGILICL, and FGIICL declaring the State-owned lender successful bidder in August. In October, the Competition Commission of India had approved the proposed combination.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2024
: The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar will be awarded to young artists, and take place on November 22, 2024, which will be held at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will present the awards. The event starts at 11 A.M. Dr Sandhya Purecha will lead the ceremony. She is the Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi. This event marks the importance of cultural heritage, which showcases the talents of young artists in India. It also reinforces the role of the Sangeet Natak Akademi in promoting arts. The festival serves as a platform for emerging talent.
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