1) World Television Day: 21 November
•World Television Day is observed on 21 November every year. The day is observed to acknowledge the role of broadcast media. On this day, the journalists, writers, bloggers, and others who are associated with the medium promote the role of television in communication and globalization.
2) World Philosophy Day
•The World Philosophy Day is observed globally on the third Thursday of November every year. This year it was observed on 21st November. On this day, UNESCO highlighted the value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and individual. The 2019 edition aims to highlight the importance of philosophy in different regional contexts. The goal is to obtain regional contributions to global debates on contemporary challenges that support social transformations. World Philosophy Day was introduced in 2002 by UNESCO.
3) Cabinet approves establishment of the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR)
•The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the establishment of the National Institute for Sowa-Rigpa in Leh, Ladakh. The Institute will be an autonomous National Institute under Ministry of AYUSH with the mandate to undertake interdisciplinary education and research programmes in Sowa-Rigpa in collaboration with premier national and international Institutes and facilitate the integration of different systems of medicine.
•The objective is to establish the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) as an apex Institute for Sowa-Rigpa with aim of bringing a valid and useful synergy between Traditional Wisdom of Sowa-Rigpa and modern science, tools and technology. It will help to promote interdisciplinary research & education of Sowa-Rigpa.
4) Parliament passes Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill 2019
•Parliament has passed the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The Bill seeks to amend the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 1951. It has a provision to remove the President of the Congress party as a trustee and clarifies that when there is no Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the leader of the single largest Opposition party will be the trustee. The Bill also allows the Central government to terminate the term of a nominated trustee before the expiry of the period of his term, without assigning any reason.
5) Census 2021 to be conducted in 16 languages
•Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed that Census 2021 will be conducted in 16 languages. During Census 2021, a mix mode approach is being adopted for data collection. Census will be conducted in two phases – House-listing and Housing Census from April to September 2020 and Population Enumeration during February 09-28, 2021. The Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) has recommended an amount of Rs. 8754.23 crore for conducting Census 2021 in 16 languages.
6) Kolkata becomes first city to install ‘Third Umpire’ RT-PCR Machines
•The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has installed first of its kind high-end reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machines in India for quick detection of diseases like dengue, tuberculosis and swine flu. These machines are to serve as a ‘third umpire’ in situations when medical reports and blood tests reveal contradictory results. The purpose is to give an accurate DNA report on blood tests in order to ascertain the exact cause of illness.
7) Smriti Irani addresses South Asia Safety Summit
•The Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani was addressing the 2nd edition of South Asia Safety Summit in New Delhi. She has stressed the need to ensure the safety of women and children within their homes, and create safe neighbourhoods to protect them against violence and abuse. The summit was joined by over 100 organisations from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and India. The South Asia Safety Summit is Facebook’s annual event to host critical conversations on digital safety and security.
8) Naturalist Sir David Attenborough will receive Indira Gandhi peace prize 2019
•The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2019 will be conferred on renowned naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough for his tireless work to preserve and protect biodiversity. His name was selected for the prize by an international jury chaired by former president Pranab Mukherjee, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
•This prestigious award, named after former prime minister (PM) Indira Gandhi, has been accorded annually by Indira Gandhi Trust since 1986. It is awarded to individuals or organizations in recognition of their creative efforts towards promoting international peace, development. The award consists of a monetary award of 25 lakhs and a citation. The 2017 Prize had gone to former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh.
9) Health ministry signs pact with Gates Foundation for support in innovation
•The Union ministry of health and family welfare signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). Under the MoC, Gates Foundation will provide technical, management and program design support through its grantees and other partners, with a special focus on innovation, best practices and enhancing performance management, while working closely with the government.
•The Foundation will support the ministry’s work towards strengthening the primary health aspects such as reducing maternal and child mortality, improving nutrition services and increasing the immunization reach.
10) GRSE delivers ICGS ‘Amrit Kaur to Indian Coast Guard
•Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) delivered to the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Amrit Kaur’, the third in a series of five ‘Fast Patrol Vessels’ (FPV). ICGS ‘Amrit Kaur’ is a 50-metre-long and 7.5-metre- wide medium-range surface vessel, with a displacement of around 308 tonnes. It is capable of performing a rescue, patrolling, anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations in the maritime zones of the country.
•The vessel can attain a maximum speed of 34 knots with an endurance of over 1,500 nautical miles. The ship is equipped with three main engines and has advanced control systems, water jet units and an ‘Integrated Bridge System’ constituting all communication and navigation systems.
11) Virat Kohli named PETA India’s Person of the Year
•India captain Virat Kohli was named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India’s ‘Person of the Year for 2019’ for his animal advocacy efforts. Kohli’s efforts to improve conditions for animals include sending a letter on PETA India’s behalf to officials calling for the release of Malti, an elephant used for rides at Amer Fort, who was reportedly violently beaten by eight men. The PETA awards are given to people or organisations that take initiative in the welfare of animals and violence against animals.
12) IRCTC & KSTDC signs MoU to operate Golden chariot train
•The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corp (KSTDC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to market and operate the Golden Chariot train. The luxurious Golden Chariot train will start plying from March 2020.
•The Golden Chariot is South India’s only luxury train. The Golden Chariot, which started plying in 2008, began as a joint initiative of the Karnataka government and the Indian Railways. It is an 18-coach-long train with 44 guest rooms. At least, 84 passengers can enjoy the train ride at one time.
