1 International Emmy Awards 2023: Netflix’s ‘Veer Das Landing’ wins the award
The famous International Emmy Awards ceremony was held in New York where stars from all over the world from the art and entertainment industry were nominated for 14 different categories. Veer Das has created history by winning the Best Comedy trophy at the International Emmy 2023 . ‘ Veer Das: Landing ‘ is streaming on Netflix . She has shared this award with ‘ Derry Girls – Season 3 ‘. Netflix’s Vir Das talks about the intersection of Indian and American cultures through the lens of politics. Among the numerous nominations, famous producer and filmmaker Ekta Kapoor was honored for her significant contribution to the world of art and entertainment . She is the first Indian woman to be honored with this prestigious honour. At the 51st International Emmy Awards, he was given this award for his significant contribution to the world of arts and entertainment.
2023 Emmy Awards winners in major categories :
Best Drama Series: “The Empress”
Best Actress: Carla Souza in “La Cada” (Dive)
Best Actor: Martin Freeman in “The Responder”
Best TV Movie/Mini-Series: “La Cada” (Dive)
Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: “A Ponte – The Bridge Brazil”
2 Ayurveda Gyan Nipunya Initiative – Agni Abhiyan launched in New Delhi
Central Council for Research in Ayurveda under the Ministry of AYUSH launched Ayurveda Gyan Nipunya Initiative – Agni Abhiyaan in New Delhi for the doctors working in the field of Ayurveda. The objective of this initiative is to make Ayurveda a mainstream medical system based on scientific authenticity and evidence-based analysis . The AYUSH Ministry said in a statement that interested Ayurveda doctors can express their interest at ccrasagni[at]gmail[dot]com till December 15.
3 National Vision Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Dehradun signs MoU with National Book Trust
National Vision Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) has taken important steps towards inclusivity through two important Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed on November 20, 2023. NIEPVD and National Book Trust, New Delhi, under the guidance of Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, have formalized their commitment to promote collaboration. This MoU paves the way for the establishment of a Universal Design Center for Reading in Dehradun, Uttarakhand . The center will showcase the National Book Trust’s extensive collection of publications and learning materials in various accessible formats, including physical books, Braille books, e-books and audio books. The aim of the collaboration is to make reading materials more accessible to people with visual disabilities, thereby ensuring equal opportunities for learning and education.
4 Thailand’s cabinet approves marriage equality bill
Thailand ‘s Cabinet recently approved amendments to the Civil and Commercial Code , paving the way for same-sex marriage rights in the country . The changes in language within the code, replacing “ men and women ” with “ individuals ” and “ husband and wife ” with “ marriage partners ” are intended to provide equal rights to same-sex couples . This would guarantee the right to enter into a relationship between same-sex couples, with the next step being to amend the Pension Fund Law to recognize same-sex couples as well.
5 ICMR rejects link between Covid-19 vaccines and sudden deaths
A recent study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has made it clear that COVID-19 vaccines and sudden deaths are unrelated. The study also clarified that vaccination reduces the risk of sudden deaths, especially when the recovered person is discharged within 24 hours. The leading cause of most sudden deaths are cardiovascular health conditions , including irregular heartbeats, impaired blood flow, and decreased efficiency of the heart muscle. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and overexercise, and heredity are recognized as other risk factors for sudden deaths. The study highlights potential mechanisms through which COVID-19 may affect cardiovascular health, including damage to the heart muscle and blood vessels. Severe cases of COVID-19 that require hospitalization have an increased risk of sudden death, with the risk of sudden death being four times higher in people with serious illness.
6. Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir was given GI tag for saffron cultivation.
Saffron is cultivated in the hilly areas of Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir . It has been given the name of GI tag to Kishtwar district by the Geographical Indications Registration Office . Saffron is cultivated in Kishtwar region of Jammu and some parts of Kashmir. Saffron, commonly known as Kumkum, is the most expensive crop of Kishtwar and earns a huge amount of money. Saffron cultivation is a cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir which is famous for its freshness and purity. Locally, Kishtwar saffron production area is known as Mandal.
7 Tantalum, a rare metal with remarkable properties, found in the sand of the Sutlej River in Punjab
A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar has discovered Tantalum- Ta, a rare metal with remarkable properties in the sand of the Sutlej River in Punjab . Tantalum is a rare metal with atomic number 73 . It was first discovered by Swedish chemist Anders Gustaf Ekenberg in the year 1802 . It is heavy brown in color and is highly corrosion resistant in nature which forms an oxide layer when exposed to air. Pure tantalum is flexible, allowing it to be drawn into thin wires without breaking. Highly resistant to chemical attack at temperatures below 150 °C, this metal is affected only by hydrofluoric acid, acidic solutions with fluoride ions and free sulfur trioxide. Tantalum also has a very high melting point.
8 Karmayogi, the online orientation program under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, completes one year since its launch
Karmayogi Prarambh , the online orientation program under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, has completed one year. The objective of this program is to provide all the necessary details related to government policies for newly appointed people recruited through employment fairs. It consists of a set of eight courses designed to help all job fair recruiters. Addressing the ceremony in New Delhi, Abhishek Singh, CEO, Karmayogi Bharat , congratulated the newly appointed people who have become government officials through the Karmayogi Induction Programme. This program was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 22, 2022 .
9 UAE inaugurates world’s largest solar power plant at a single location
The United Arab Emirates has inaugurated the world’s largest solar power plant at a single location . This launch has been made ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP 28 . The two giga watt capacity Al Dhafra solar photovoltaic power project is 35 kilometers from Abu Dhabi and will generate electricity for approximately two lakh homes . Sheikh Hazza bin Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, inaugurated it in the presence of Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. Sheikh Haja said that his country is busy preparing for the Climate Change Conference and this power project is a reflection of the country’s commitment to increasing the share of clean energy.
10 Indian Armed Forces contingent leave for joint military exercise “Austrahind-23”
An 81-person Indian Armed Forces contingent left for Australia to participate in the second edition of joint military exercise Austrahind-23 . The exercise will be conducted from 22 November to 06 December 2023 in Perth , Australia . The Indian Army team includes 60 soldiers from a battalion of Gorkha Rifles . The Australian Army contingent of 60 personnel will be from the 13th Brigade. From the Indian side, an officer of the Indian Navy and 20 personnel of the Indian Air Force will also participate in it. The Australian contingent will include 20 personnel each from the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. Exercise AustraHind was launched in 2022 and the first edition was held in Mahajan, Rajasthan. It is planned to make it an annual training program to be conducted alternately in India and Australia.
11 An MoU signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India and Amazon in New Delhi
An MoU was signed between Inland Waterways Authority of India-IWAI and Amazon Seller Services Private Limited-Amazon in New Delhi. The objective of this MoU is to promote transportation of cargo, customer shipments and products through inland waterways using Ganga River National Waterway 1 . The first ship carrying e-commerce cargo will soon be dispatched from Patna to Kolkata. The ministry said that the launch of this service will provide an opportunity to artisans, entrepreneurs and traders from remote areas of India to sell their products nationally and internationally easily at affordable prices. Amazon will be able to use all possible modes of transportation in the country to ensure faster, cost-effective, sustainable and more reliable delivery of customer packages and provide broader access to its millions of sellers.
12 National Highway Authority of India – NHAI to conduct safety audit of all 29 under-construction tunnels across the country
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said that the National Highways Authority of India – NHAI will conduct safety audit of all 29 under-construction tunnels across the country . This initiative has been taken to ensure adherence to best quality standards and safety during construction. The ministry said that a team of NHAI officials and experts from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) along with tunnel experts will inspect the tunnels under construction and submit their report within seven days. An agreement has also been signed between NHAI and Konkan Railway Corporation Limited regarding the design and safety aspects of the tunnels. Under this agreement, KRCL will provide services for design, drawing and review of safety aspects related to tunnel construction and slope stabilization for NHAI projects. Earlier in September 2023, NHAI had signed a similar agreement with DMRC to provide services for review of planning, design, construction and maintenance of tunnels, bridges and other structures on national highways across the country.
13 Sourav Ganguly becomes ‘Brand Ambassador of Bengal’
Unveiling a set of ambitious policies to reshape the state’s economic outlook at The Bengal Global Business Summit in Kolkata , Mamata Banerjee hailed former cricketer and former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly as the ‘ Brand of Bengal ‘. Appointed ‘Ambassador ‘. Several initiatives were unveiled by Mamata Banerjee at the summit, including measures to promote biofuels and setting up a new sub-sea cable landing station in Digha. A distinguished group of business leaders came together at the inaugural Bengal Global Business Summit 2023 . Mukesh Ambani , chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries , Sanjiv Goenka from the energy sector and Rishad Premji of Wipro were among the prominent personalities present. In his address, Mukesh Ambani announced additional investment of Rs 20,000 crore in West Bengal over the next three years.
14 Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das stressed on increasing connectivity between banks and non-banking financial companies.
Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das has emphasized on increasing connectivity between banks and non-banking financial companies . He asked banks to continuously evaluate their relationships with NBFCs. FICCI and Indian Banks’ Association I.B. A. Addressing the FIBAC-2023 Annual Conference jointly organized by FIBAC-2023 in Mumbai , he said that NBFCs should focus on broadening sources of funds and reducing dependence on banks. He said that in view of increasing credit, banks should ensure that it remains sustainable.
15 India resumes e-Visa services for Canadian citizens
India has resumed e-Visa services for Canadian citizens . New Delhi had suspended visa services in September amid a diplomatic dispute with Canada. India had last month restored visa services in some categories, including entry visa, business visa, medical visa and conference visa.
16 ASEAN-India Sri Anna Mahotsav in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta
The Indian Mission to ASEAN and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare are organizing the ASEAN-India Srianna Mahotsav from 22 to 26 November in Jakarta , the capital of Indonesia . This event is part of the International Year of Food 2023 . In this festival, Vyanjan Utsav started in which cooking art was demonstrated by preparing dishes made from coarse grains. Grain based food producers and start-ups participated in the festival. Inaugurating the festival, India’s Ambassador to ASEAN Jayant Khobragade noted the importance of the ASEAN-India Shri Anna Mahotsav in strengthening the relations between India and ASEAN.
17 Karnataka Bank partners with HDFC Life
Karnataka Bank has announced a strategic partnership with HDFC Life, one of India’s leading life insurance providers . The collaboration aims to provide customers with a comprehensive suite of innovative and customer-centric financial solutions. This strategic alliance between Karnataka Bank and HDFC Life is an important step towards providing value-added financial solutions to customers. By combining their strengths, both companies are committed to helping customers achieve their financial goals and secure a brighter future.
18 EIT Madras unveils information platform for incubators
Center for Research on Startups and Risk Financing (CREST) , the Institute of Eminence Research Center of IIT Madras , announced the development of an exclusive information platform for incubators and accelerators . There are currently around 1,000 active incubators in India. Historically, information about these incubators was scattered and not easily available in a centralized location. The information platform was developed in collaboration with YNOS, a startup founded at IIT Madras.
19 Gyanodaya Express will bring revolution in education in Jammu and Kashmir: LG Manoj Sinha
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir , Manoj Sinha flagged off the Gyanodaya Express from Katra Railway Station in Reasi district . This unique project, also known as “ College on Wheels ”, aims to empower around 700 girl students from universities across the Union Territory . The initiative looks set to revolutionize education by providing immersive and collaborative learning experiences beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom. Gyanodaya Express takes inspiration from the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who embarked on an amazing train journey across the country and interacted with people from different backgrounds. This initiative is in line with Gandhiji’s principles of truth and non-violence, aimed at awakening the society with universal and eternal values.
20 Eko partners with R Madhavan as ‘Voice of the customer’
Eko , the insurtech company that makes insurance convenient, transparent and accessible for Indians, has partnered with renowned actor R Madhavan as its ‘ Voice of the Customer ‘. The collaboration aims to address common misconceptions about insurance and empower consumers to make informed decisions. This strategic partnership between Eko and R Madhavan is an important step towards bridging the trust gap in the Indian insurance industry.
21 President launches ‘New Education for New India’, an education campaign of Brahma Kumaris of Sambalpur
President Smt. Draupadi Murmu launched ‘ New Education for New India ‘ , an education campaign of Brahma Kumaris of Sambalpur in Sambalpur , Odisha . This campaign has been envisioned with the aim of inculcating values and raising the consciousness of students for a better society. The President said that education has always played an important and transformative role in building society. He highlighted the fact that moral and humanitarian values like service, equality and compassion are the foundation of our culture and the youth should be familiar with these noble ideals.