NATIONAL NEWS

International Ancient Arts Festival and Symposium

The 8th International Ancient Arts Festival and Symposium was held in New Delhi at the Indira Gandhi National Centers for Arts (IGNCA) from November 8 to 10, 2024.

The International Ancient Arts Festival and Symposium is country’s only multi-arts event of its kind, which tries to educate the people in the ancient Indian art form along with entertaining them with performances.

The event consists of lectures by esteemed scholars on the latest research on the healing potential of ancient art forms, along with artistic performances.

At the inaugural session of the 8th International Ancient Arts Festival and Symposium Dr. Reela Hota and her troupe presented ‘Antar Yatra’.

The 8th International Ancient Arts Festival and Symposium was organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centers for Arts (IGNCA) in collaboration with the Rays of Wisdom Society.

It is also being supported by the Union Ministry of Culture.

The IGNCA works to preserve and be a major resource centre for the written, oral and visual arts.

Rays of Wisdom Society is a Delhi-based non-profit organisation (NGO) that preserves and propagates classical, ancient Indian dance forms.

India's Progress and Challenges in Achieving TB Elimination by 2025

In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed to “eliminating” TB in India by 2025, five years ahead of the UN SDG target of 2030.

SDG targets by 2030 include 90% reduction in TB deaths and 80% reduction in TB incidence compared to 2015.

WHO’s End TB Strategy milestones for 2025 is 75% reduction in TB deaths and 50% reduction in TB incidence from 2015 levels.

India has achieved a 17.7% decline in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023, surpassing the global average decline of 8.3%.

However, as per the WHO Global TB Report 2024, India is unlikely to meet the 2025 WHO milestones.

Union Finance Minister Launched National MSME Cluster Outreach Programme

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman launched the National MSME Cluster Outreach Programme, organised jointly by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

The programme was organized jointly by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

The initiative aims to promote the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across India by ensuring access to financial services.

The programme connects 150 MSME clusters virtually, bringing together MSMEs and senior banking officials to discuss financial solutions and growth strategies.

Madhya Pradesh Increases Women’s Reservation to 35% in All Government Jobs

Madhya Pradesh increases women’s reservation to 35% in all government jobs

The reservation applies to SC, ST, OBC, and General categories, with 35% of reserved posts allocated to women candidates within each category.

This increase aims to empower women by providing greater access to government jobs across all social categories.

It reflects Madhya Pradesh’s commitment to gender inclusivity and equal opportunities in public employment.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Justice Sanjiv Khanna was Sworn in as 51st CJI

The senior most Supreme Court Judge, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India by President Droupadi Mumru in a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on 11 November 2024.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna succeeded Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, who demitted office on 10 November 2024.

The Constitution of India doesn't mention the term of the Chief Justice of India or the other judges of the Supreme Court. Article 124(2) of the constitution says that they will hold office until they attain the age of 65.

Thus, Justice Sanjiv Khanna will retire on 13 May 2025, when he will be 65 years old.

Article 124(2) mentions the procedure for appointing Supreme Court judges.

President of FICCI

Harsha Vardhan Agarwal has been announced as the President-Elect of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) at the FICCI National Executive Committee Meeting held in New Delhi.

Agarwal will succeed Anish Shah as President following the 97th Annual General Meeting on November 21.

Agarwal is presently the Senior Vice President of FICCI and has been actively involved in shaping policy initiatives and representing industry interests.

Agarwal serves as Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Emami Limited, primarily focusing on the FMCG sector.

He is part of the company’s strategic think-tank, where he plays a significant role in the growth and development of the Emami Group.

 

SPORTS

2024 WTA Finals

World No. 3 Coco Gauff of the United States won her first WTA (Women Tennis Association) Finals by beating world number 7 Zheng Qinwen of China 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) in a 3-hour and 4-minute final.

The doubles title was won by the pair of - Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe, defeating the Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend duo to lift the WTA Doubles title.

Saudi Arabia's Capital city of Riyadh hosted the 2024 WTA Finals from 2-9 November 2024.

The 2023 US Open Singles winner Coco Gauff won her first Billie Jeans King Trophy by defeating the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medal winner Zheng Qinwen. The winner of the WTA Finals is given the Billie Jean King Trophy.

The pair of Gabriela Dabrowaski (Canada) and Erin Routfliffe (New Zealand) defeated the duo of Katerina Siniakova (Czech Republic) and Taylor Townsend (United States) in the finals 7-5, 6-3 to win the doubles crown of the 2024 WTA Finals.

PSA Challenger Title

The Indian Squash sensation Anahat Singh won her seventh PSA (Professional Squash Association) Challenger Title by winning the singles title of the 2024 NSW Open Squash Tournament.

In the final of the 2024 NSW Open Squash tournament, she defeated Helen Tang of Hong Kong China 3-1 (8-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-4).

The 2024 NSW Open Squash Tournament was held in Sydney, Australia, from 6-10 November 2024.

Neeraj Chopra Appoints Jan Zelezny as Coach

Tokyo Olympic gold medalist and the 2024 Paris Olympic silver medalist, Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, has appointed the legendary Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic as his coach.

Jan Zelezny considered the greatest javelin thrower of the modern era, won gold medals at the 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta, and 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics.

Jan Zelezny will join Neeraj Chopra in South Africa where he is attending a training camp.

IBSF World Billiards Championship

Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani claimed his 28th world title and seventh consecutive IBSF World Billiards Championship crown by defeating England’s Robert Hall 4-2 in Doha.

Hall took an early lead in the opening frame, but Advani quickly responded with a 147 break in the second frame.

The third frame was a close contest, showcasing both players' strategic brilliance.

Though Hall rallied with a 151 break in the fourth frame and a 154 break in the fifth to equalize, Advani held his nerve to clinch victory with a decisive century break in the final frame.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Freedom Day

World Freedom Day is celebrated on November 9 every year to honour the freedom fighters worldwide, democracy, and those who have fought for liberty, freedom, and basic human rights.

Along with this, it also marks the day of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

This day is celebrated to recognise the struggles and sacrifices of the ones who fought and are fighting for independence and human rights.

The purpose of celebrating this day includes creating awareness about those still struggling for freedom in the various regions of the world and shedding light on the importance of an independent society.

National Education Day

National Education Day 2024 is observed on the 11th of November 2024.

National Education Day was first observed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development on November 11, 2008.

It is observed every year after the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad who was the first Educational Minister of Independent India. He served Educational Minister for over a period of Ten Years.

The Day is celebrated to honor the First Educational Minister of India and his uncomparable contribution to the Education system of India.

The First National Education Day was celebrated on 11th November 2008 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, and was first inaugurated by then President Pratibha Patil.

World Science Day for Peace and Development

World Science Day for Peace and Development 2024 is observed on the 10th of November 2024.

The first World Conference on Science was held in 1999 and was coordinated by UNESCO and the International Council for Science.

In order to advance scientific literacy, conference attendees created an action plan. The Science Agenda - Framework for Action was the name of this strategy.

The Executive Body of UNESCO endorsed Science Day for Peace and Development a year later.

It is to establish a strong relationship between science and society, actions were initiated in 2001.

People were regularly informed of the most recent advances in science and technology.