National News

Revolutionizing Rail Safety:

• The Indian government has approved the deployment of the Kavach, an automatic train collision avoidance system, on the Indian Railways.
• Siemens AG from Germany and Kyosan Electric Manufacturing Co from Japan have received this approval, marking a significant expansion from the previous efforts by Indian companies.
• Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced in New Delhi that the Kavach system's deployment is set to increase to an impressive 5,000 km per annum by 2025-26, enhancing the country’s capability to implement this indigenously developed open-source technology.

Empowering Divyang Children:

• The Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, recently launched the Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children.
• The national outreach program, held at Vigyan Bhawan on November 28, 2023, aimed to strengthen the overall well-being of Divyang children.
• Smriti Zubin Irani highlighted the ongoing efforts, emphasizing the support provided to millions of children for meals, ECCE, take-home rations, home visits, and growth and health referrals.

for Winter Session:

• The upcoming Winter Session of the Parliament is set to witness significant legislative activity, with the Narendra Modi government planning to introduce seven new Bills.
• These cover diverse topics, including establishing a Central Tribal University in Telangana and providing women’s quota in Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry Assemblies.
• The session will also address 11 pending bills, showcasing a commitment to legislative progress.

International News

Nepal Leading the Way:

• Nepal has become the first South Asian nation to formally register a case of same-sex marriage.
• The Constitution of Nepal, adopted in 2015, played a crucial role in prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.
• The Supreme Court's interim order in June 2023 temporarily legalized same-sex marriage, marking a groundbreaking development in the country.

State News

Luxury Cruise Boost in Kerala:

• Nitin Gadkari virtually inaugurated the ‘Classic Imperial,’ a luxury cruise vessel, in Kochi on November 29.
• This milestone in promoting cruise tourism in Kerala reflects efforts to provide a secure and enjoyable cruising experience.
• The vessel, constructed to stringent safety standards, can accommodate 150 people at a time, showcasing a commitment to passenger safety.

Business News

Adani Power’s Green Initiative:

• Adani Power Ltd (APL) is pioneering a green ammonia combustion pilot project at the Mundra power plant in Gujarat.
• This initiative aligns with APL’s commitment to sustainability by co-firing green ammonia, produced from green hydrogen, along with conventional coal.
• The innovative approach aims to blend up to 20% green ammonia with the total fuel requirement for the boiler, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint.

Important Days News

Honoring Victims of Chemical Warfare:

• Every year on November 30, the world observes the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare.
• Designated by the United Nations, this day serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating toll of chemical warfare.
• It honors lives lost and underscores ongoing efforts to eliminate the use of chemical weapons, raising global awareness about the ban on these Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs).

Summits & Conferences News

QUAD’s Climate Initiatives at COP28:

• India, holding the QUAD presidency for 2023, is taking center stage on climate initiatives at COP28 in the UAE.
• The QUAD nations—US, Japan, Australia, and India—are set to collaborate on climate adaptation, resilience initiatives, and sustainable lifestyle promotion.
• The India Pavilion at COP28 will host significant events under the QUAD umbrella, showcasing the alliance’s commitment to addressing climate challenges collectively.

Schemes News

Empowering Women in Agriculture with Drones:

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's leadership has paved the way for a groundbreaking Central Sector Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet.
• With an allocation of Rs. 1261 Crore for 2024-25 to 2025-26, the scheme aims to provide drones to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs).
• The objective is to transform the lives of women engaged in agriculture, fostering sectoral growth.
• Approximately 15,000 Women SHGs in identified clusters across various states will receive drones, enabling them to offer rental services to farmers for agricultural purposes.
• The scheme provides Central Financial Assistance at 80% of the drone's cost, up to a maximum of Rs. Eight Lakh, along with related accessories/ancillary charges.

Holistic Approach to Tribal Development:

• The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has recently approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).
• This comprehensive initiative addresses the challenges faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) through 11 critical interventions across nine ministries.
• The Ministry of Ayush's role in establishing Ayush Wellness Centres aligns with existing norms, providing traditional Ayush healthcare facilities to PVTG habitations.
• This holistic approach ensures a collaborative effort to address various facets of the challenges faced by PVTGs.

Awards News

Championing Education for Displaced Children:

• Abdullahi Mire, a Somali refugee, has been honored with the 2023 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award for his outstanding work championing the right to education for displaced children.
• Growing up in the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya, Mire has distributed over 100,000 books to displaced children and youth in the country.
• The award, consisting of a commemorative medal and a monetary prize of USD 100,000, will be presented at a ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 13, 2023.
• Mire's commitment to reinvest the prize in humanitarian initiatives adds a commendable dimension to his global laureate recognition.

Appointments News

Historic Appointment in India’s Armed Forces:

• Mizoram Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati has appointed Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi, a distinguished officer from the Indian Air Force, as India’s first Woman Aide-De-Camp (ADC) from the Indian Armed Forces.
• With a distinguished career in the Indian Air Force, Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi brings a wealth of experience to her new role, reflecting not only her dedication to her profession but also her ability to excel in diverse and challenging environments.
• This historic appointment marks a significant stride towards inclusivity and gender diversity in India’s defense forces.

Rural Marketing Association’s New Leadership:

• The Rural Marketing Association of India (RMAI) announced key leadership changes during its 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• Puneet Vidyarthi, with a wealth of experience, has been appointed as the President for the term 2023-2025, succeeding Biswabaran Chakrabarti.
• Vidyarthi's strategic and innovative perspective, drawn from his previous position as Associate Vice President and Head of Marketing and Digital Innovations at JCB India Ltd, brings a fresh approach to rural marketing leadership.

Sports News

Hockey Punjab Secures Victory:

• In a thrilling final match at the 13th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2023, Hockey Punjab secured victory over Hockey Haryana, clinching the gold medal.
• Led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, Hockey Punjab emerged triumphant with a close margin of 9-8 after a tied 2-2 regulation time.
• This victory marked Hockey Punjab’s fourth title in the tournament's 13 editions. The Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu secured the bronze medal, securing a commendable third position in the tournament.

Science & Technology News

Railway Safety Upgrade with LTE Technology:

• Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced plans to upgrade the indigenous anti-collision system, Kavach, to 4G/5G (LTE-based) technology.
• With over 1,465 route kilometres already covered and ongoing work for an additional 3,000 rkm, this upgrade aims to enhance railway safety and efficiency.
• Tenders for the next-generation Kavach are set to be released between May and June next year, demonstrating the Ministry of Railways' commitment to adopting advanced technologies for a safer railway network.