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INDIAN AFFAIRS
Project Saksham – Railways to start 9-month ‘upskilling’ exercise for employees
Indian Railways will start ‘Project Saksham’, India’s largest time-bound ‘upskilling’ exercise, to upgrade the skill sets of its 13 lakh employees. ‘Sakham’ is a Hindi word which translates as ‘capable’ in English.
i. ‘Project Saksham’ will begin in January 2018 and will continue till September 2018.This project comprises training courses and specially designed skill-upgrade modules.
ii. Every employee of Indian Railways, from the rank of a peon to the Railway Board Members, will have to undergo training under ‘Project Saksham’………………………………Click here to Read more
NCERT conducts largest ever survey to assess learning levels
National Achievement Survey (NAS), the largest ever assessment survey on national level was conducted by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) across India on November 13, 2017 to ascertain learning level of students. This survey has been amongst the largest national level surveys in the world.
i. NAS was conducted for the Classes 3, 5 and 8 in government and government aided schools.
ii. Survey Tools: Multiple test booklets with 45 questions in Classes III and V related to language, mathematics and 60 questions in Class VIII in Mathematics, Language, Sciences and Social Sciences. Questionnaires pertaining to students, teachers and schools were also used………………………………………………………..Click here to Read more
Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT) Conference held in New Delhi
On 12 – 15th November 2017, the Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT) Conference is held in New Delhi.
APCERT conference in New Delhi:
i. The APCERT conference is organized by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under the control of Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.
ii. This is the 15th Conference of APCERT and first ever conference in India and South Asia. It is attended by 21 economies.
iii. The conference theme is “Building Trust in the Digital Economy”. The open session including industry, academia, civil society and Government stakeholders will be held on 15 November 2017.
iv. The open session will be inaugurated by Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Electronics & Information Technology. It is expected to be attended by over 300 cyber security professionals from Asia Pacific region, USA, Europe, Industry, Academia, Government and Media.
About Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In):
♦ Director General – Sanjay Bahl
♦ Motto – Handling Cyber Security Incidents
President inaugurates 37th International Trade Fair (ITTF) in New Delhi
On 14th November 2017, President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the 37th India International Trade Fair (IITF) – 2017, at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi.
37th ITTF inaugurated in New Delhi:
i. The India International Trade Fair (IITF) -2017 is a 14-day event. It is organized by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).
ii. The theme for ITTF 2017 is “Startup India: Stand Up India”. Jharkhand is the partner state for the fair and Vietnam is the partner country.
iii. The President said that, 3,000 exhibitors, including 222 companies from abroad, are participating at IITF 2017. Thirty-two of India’s states and Union territories are represented.
iv. Institutions that are present include self-help groups to big business houses, and from small and medium manufacturing enterprises to digital start-ups.
About India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO):
♦ Purpose – promoting India’s external trade
♦ Chairman – LC Goyal
♦ Functions under – Ministry of Commerce and Industry
International Lavi Fair begins in Himachal Pradesh
Traditional International ‘Lavi fair’ was held from 11th -14th November, 2017 in Rampur, Himachal Pradesh.
More Details about International ‘Lavi Fair’ in Himachal Pradesh:
i. The fair was inaugurated by Himachal Pradesh Governor, Acharya Dev Vrat. The governor also inaugurated the ‘Kinnauri market’ and exhibition put up by various Government departments.
ii. Lavi Fair has been an important point of trade between India and Tibet for centuries.
iii. The fair is visited by tourist and traders from distant places. It provides a good opportunity for promotion and sale of woollens, dry fruits and other traditional crafts and products.
iv. Currently, it also provides a platform for social and cultural events.
Quick Facts about Himachal Pradesh
♦ Capitals – Shimla, Dharamshala (second capital, in winter)
♦ Current Chief Minister – Virbhadra Singh
♦ Current Governor – Acharya Dev Vrat
♦ Important National Park – Great Himalayan National Park
4th India-Canada Annual Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi
4th India-Canada Annual Ministerial Dialogue (AMD) begun in New Delhi on November 14, 2017.
Highlights of 4th India-Canada Annual Ministerial Dialogue (AMD):
i. Canadian delegation was led by the Canadian International Trade Minister, François-Philippe Champagne, whereas Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Suresh Prabhu led the Indian side.
ii.Discussions at the Dialogue focused on some of the key commercial drivers to enhance th e India-Canada partnership.
iii. Considering the high potential for bilateral trade between India and Canada, efforts were made to work towards the expeditious conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA).
iv. Besides, both the sides also explored options to address India’s concerns for Temporary Foreign Workers Programme (TWFP) of Canada, which is affecting the movement of Indian professionals seeking short term visas to Canada.
Quick Facts about Canada:
♦ Capital – Ottawa
♦ Largest City – Toronto
♦ Currency – Canadian dollar
♦ Current Prime Minister – Justin Trudeau
IORA to set up Centre of Excellence in Kochi
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is to set up a Centre of Excellence in Kochi, Kerala.
i. This centre will facilitate the exchange of research findings and studies in the field of fisheries and ocean studies among IORA member countries.
ii. With the establishment of a dedicated centre for research, there will be no duplication of research by different member countries.
iii. IORA Centre of Excellence in Kochi will be digitally connected to IORA’s member countries, and researchers in member countries would be provided access to data and information stored in the centre.
iv. Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) is being considered as a partner to set up the centre in Kochi.
Quick Facts about Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA):
♦ Founded in – 1995
♦ Type – Intergovernmental association of 21 countries for promoting co-operation and closer interaction among Indian Ocean-bordering countries
♦ Headquarters – Ebene, Mauritius
♦ Current Secretary General – K V Bhagirath
Delhi Cabinet okays setting up Delhi Village Development Board for civic works
On November 13, 2017, Delhi Cabinet approved to set up Delhi Village Development Board (DVDB) for civic works in rural and urban villages of Delhi.
More information about Delhi Village Development Board:
i. All 300 villages in the national capital will come under the purview of the board and it will subsume the Delhi Rural Development Board (DRDB) that so far, carried out development works only in rural villages.
ii. DVDB will look after construction of approach roads, link roads, village roads, development of cremation grounds, ponds, water bodies, cremation grounds, parks and other facilities.
iii. Delhi’s Development Minister will be the chairperson of DVDB. Besides, two MLAs nominated by Delhi Government will be vice-chairpersons of the board.
iv. Village Development Committees (VDCs) will be set up to assist in carrying out survey of the villages for assessing the current state of facilities and identifying priority areas for development works.
NGT restricts number of pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine to 50,000 a day
On 13th November 2017, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed that, only 50,000 pilgrims will be allowed to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu to avoid any unwanted incidents.
Pilgrims to Vaishno Devi shrine restricted to 50,000:
i. NGT has made clear that, if the number of pilgrims exceeds the prescribed 50,000 count, they will be stopped at Ardhkuwari or Katra town, and will not be allowed to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine.
ii. It also said that, a new path to the shrine exclusively for pedestrians and battery-operated cars will be opened from 24 November 2017. No horses or mules shall be allowed on the new route to the shrine and these anmimals shall be removed slowly from the old path also.
iii. It also directed the authorities to impose a fine of Rs. 2,000 on anyone found littering the roads and the bus stop at the nearby Katra town.
About National Green Tribunal (NGT):
♦ Purpose – a special tribunal to handle the speed and efficient disposal of cases related to environmental issues
♦ Chairperson – Justice Swatanter Kumar
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Founding Ceremony of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) held at Bonn
A Curtain Raiser Event for the Founding Ceremony of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was held at Bonn, Germany on November 13, 2017.
i. The event was addressed by Anand Kumar, Secretary, Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and C.K. Mishra, Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
ii. Interim Director General of the ISA, Upendra Tripathy, informed that ISA will become a treaty-based international intergovernmental organisation on December 6 2017.
iii.Three programmes of ISA that are currently underway include, Facilitating affordable finance for solar energy, Scaling up solar applications for agriculture and Promoting solar mini-grids in Member Nations.
iv. During the event, discussions were also held on ISA’s Common Risk Mitigation Mechanism (CRMM) project, aimed at de-risking investments into solar energy projects.
About International Solar Alliance (ISA):
♦ The International Solar Alliance is an alliance of more than 121 countries which are located completely or partly between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
♦ It was jointly launched by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the then President of France Francois Hollande in November 2015 in Paris, on the side lines of COP21.
10th South Asia Economic Summit held in Nepal
10th South Asia Economic Summit (SAES) begun in Kathmandu, Nepal on November 14, 2017.
Highlights of 10th South Asia Economic Summit, Nepal:
i. Theme of this summit: “Deepening Economic Integration for Inclusive and Sustainable Development in South Asia”.
ii. It has been organised by National Planning Commission and Ministry of Commerce of Nepal and South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment, Nepal.
iii. 200 participants including ministers, government officials, researchers, eminent experts and thinkers will attend this three-day long summit.
About South Asia Economic Summit (SAES):
♦ South Asia Economic Summit (SAES) was started in 2008.
♦ It is a regional platform for discussing and analyzing economic and development issues and challenges faced by South Asian countries.
♦ Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh; Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), India; South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE), Nepal; Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Pakistan and Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), Sri Lanka are the five think tanks that are actively involved in this platform.
BANKING & FINANCE
India to overtake Japan as third largest economy by 2028: BofAML
As per a recent report by Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofA-ML), by 2028, India is likely to overtake Japan as world’s third largest economy, in terms of nominal gross domestic product (GDP).
i. This projection is based on the assumption that Indian economy will grow at 10% rate in US dollar terms over the next 10 years, ahead of Japan’s 1.6% growth rate.
ii. Besides, the report has forecasted that India will become a world’s fifth largest economy (ahead of France and United Kingdom) by 2019.
iii. The report has outlined three strong growth drivers for Indian economy which will significantly increase the size of Indian economy. First one being falling dependency ratio (unproductive population in the 0-14 and over-65 age group), which should raise saving and investment rates.
iv. Second driver is financial maturity, due to financial liberalisation and inclusion which should continue to lower lending rates for new enterprises and expansion of current businesses.
v. Third dirver is increasing incomes and affordability which will prove as a feeder for emergence of mass markets.
Quick Facts about Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofA-ML):
♦ Founded in – 2009
♦ Business Area – Corporate and investment banking division of Bank of America
♦ Headquarters – New York, US
♦ Current CEO – Patricia Wyatt
BUSINESS
Crisil, Sidbi tie up to launch MSME sentiment index – CriSidEx
Ratings firm CRISIL(Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited) and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch CriSidEx, a sentiment Index for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
i. This index will provide insights into employment, business environment and foreign trade trends in the MSME sector.
ii. It is to be noted that currently, relevant and actionable data on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in India comes with a significant lag, which cannot be used effectively to assess the ground situation in MSME ecosystem………………………..Click here to Read more
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
West Bengal gets GI Tag for ‘Rosogolla’
On 14th November 2017, the Geographical Indications (GI) Registry announced that, West Bengal has been awarded the Geographical Indications (GI) status for ‘Rosogolla’.
‘Rosogolla’ originated in West Bengal:
i. The Geographical Indications (GI) Registry has said that, the ‘Rosogolla’ originated in West Bengal and not Odisha. West Bengal and Odisha have been fighting a legal battle over the origin of the sweet meat ‘Rosogolla’ since June 2015.
ii. The GI announcement has come months after the Odisha government formed a panel to formally lay claims on ‘Rosogolla’.
iii. West Bengal government too had set up a committee and decided to fight the Odisha government’s claims legally. West Bengal had argued that, Rosogolla was created by Nabin Chandra Das, a famous sweetmeat-maker in 1868.
Some of the Geographical Indications (GI) in India:
♦ Palakkadan Matta Rice – Kerala
♦ Salem Fabric – Tamil Nadu
♦ Karvath Kati Sarees & Fabrics – Maharashtra
♦ Mysore silk – Karnataka
♦ Kota Doria – Rajasthan
Mithali Raj named Sportswoman of the Year (Team Sports) at the Indian Sports Honours 2017
On 11th November 2017, Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj bagged the Indian Sportswoman of the Year (Team Sports) award at the Indian Sports Honours (ISH) 2017 event held in Mumbai.
Mithali Raj – Indian Sportswoman of the Year (Team Sports):
i. Also, Mithali-led Indian woman’s cricket team, which ended as runners-up in the ICC world Cup 2017, won the Team of the Year award.
ii. The Indian Sports Honours was launched jointly by Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and business person Sanjeev Goenka, with the idea of honouring persons who brought glory to the nation.
iii. The jury deciding the winners were Pullela Gopichand, Mahesh Bhupathi, PT Usha, Anjali Bhagwat, Arjun Halappa, along with Sanjiv Goenka. The awards were announced by Virat Kohli and Sanjiv Goenka.
About Mithali Raj:
♦ Cricketer and the captain of the Indian Women’s cricket team in Tests and ODI
♦ Batting – Right-handed
♦ Bowling – Right-arm leg break
♦ Awards – Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, Youth Sports Icon of Excellence Award etc
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Vijay Prasad Dimri appointed as president of 36th International Geological Congress
On 13th November 2017, scientist Vijay Prasad Dimri was appointed as the president of the 36th International Geological Congress (IGC), a global platform for advancement of earth science, to be held in New Delhi in 2020.
Vijay Prasad Dimri – President of 36th International Geological Congress:
i. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved Vijay Prasad Dimri’s appointment in place of Shailesh Nayak. This was stated in the order issued by Department of Personnel and Training, without citing any reasons.
ii. Shailesh Nayak had been the secretary of ministry of earth sciences and also the chairman of earth commission in India.
iii. India, along with its co-host neighbouring countries – Bangladesh, Nepal, Srilanka and Pakistan won the bid to host the 36th IGC in New Delhi from March 2 – 8, 2020.
About International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS):
♦ International non-governmental organization devoted to international cooperation in the field of geology
♦ President – Qiuming Cheng
♦ Secretary General – Stanley Finney
Slovenia’s President Borut Pahor Wins Second Term in Runoff Election
On 12th November 2017, Slovenian President Borut Pahor was re-elected for a second term in a runoff vote.
Slovenia’s President Borut Pahor – re-elected:
i. According to the Slovenian Election Commission, Borut Pahor had won about 53 % of the vote and opponent Marjan Sarec had 47 % with 99.9 % of the votes counted.
ii. Borut Pahor was forced into a second-round run-off after falling short of securing a majority in the first round in October 2017.
iii. In the first round three weeks ago, Pahor won about 47 % of the vote among nine candidates, with Sarec coming in second with almost 25 %.
iv. Pahor was a long-serving leader of the center-left Social Democrats but ran for president both times as an independent candidate. He was Slovenianprime minister from 2008 to 2012.
About Slovenia:
♦ Located in the southern Central Europe
♦ President – Borut Pahor
♦ Prime Minister – Miro Cerar
Ganga Kumari becomes first transgender to be appointed in Rajasthan Police
On 14th November 2017, Ganga Kumari became the first transgender to be inducted into Rajasthan Police.
Ganga Kumari – first transgender in Rajasthan Police:
i. The Rajasthan High Court has directed the police department to appoint Ganga Kumari as a constable, after officials denied her a post due to her gender and reported lack of clarity of rules in 2015.
ii. Justice Dinesh Mehta has asked the Rajasthan police force to appoint Ganga Kumari within six weeks from the date of the order along with the notional benefits from year 2015.
iii. Ganga Kumari is a resident of Raniwara in Jalore district of Rajasthan. She was selected in the police recruitment examination for constables in 2013.However, her appointment was held up following the medical examination, which brought to the recruiters’ notice that she was a transgender.
About Rajasthan High Court:
♦ Chief Justice – Justice Pradeep Nandrajog
♦ Principal Seat – Jodhpur
♦ Circuit Bench – Jaipur
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NIOT to build India’s first offshore desalination plant near Chennai coast
Director of National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) Satheesh C Shenoi said that, scientists from NIOT will build India’s first offshore desalination plant about 40km from the Chennai coast.
India’s first offshore desalination plant near Chennai coast:
i. This desalination plant is estimated to cost Rs. 2,000 crore. It will be designed and built by NIOT scientists off the shores of Ennore. The capacity of the plant will be 10 million litres of water per day.
ii. The plant will operate on Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD), a low cost and environment friendly technology to get potable water. The technology is based on the temperature difference in seawater at different depths.
iii. At the beginning, the plant will be diesel powered. Eventually, scientists are hoping to operate the plant with electricity generated through Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Technology (OTEC).
About National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT):
♦ Headquarters – Chennai
♦ Director – Satheesh C Shenoi
♦ Functions under – Ministry of Earth Sciences
India’s first wave-powered navigational buoy launched in Chennai
On 13th November 2017, India’s first wave-powered navigational buoy, developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), to guide ships in and out of ports was launched in Chennai.
India’s first wave-powered navigation buoy:
i. The wave-powered navigation buoy has been deployed at Ennore Kamarajar Port, in Chennai. It would help ships, moving in and out of the harbour, navigate through a designated channel.
ii. The wave-powered navigational buoy would record data on wind speed and direction, which would be relayed to port authorities. It gets energy from waves to power its beacon. Whereas, conventional buoys are solar-powered.
iii. The buoy was launched by Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences M Rajeevan at the 33rd executive committee meeting of International Energy Agency-Ocean Energy Systems Collaboration Programme (IEA-OES) and as part of a workshop ‘Harnessing Energy from the Oceans — A global Scenario’.
About International Energy Agency:
♦ Focuses on – effectual energy policy: energy security, economic development, and environmental protection
♦ Executive Director – Fatih Birol
Virtual nation Asgardia launched its first satellite ‘Asgardia-1’ into space
On 12th November 2017, the Space Kingdom of Asgardia (virtual nation) launched its first satellite ‘Asgardia-1’ into space from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
Asgardia – launched ‘Asgardia-1’ into space:
i. The Asgardia – so-called ‘virtual nation’ is the project of Russian scientist and billionaire Igor Ashurbeyli. In 2016, he proposed a new nation which would be based in space in order to be outside of the control of nations on Earth.
ii. The Asgardia-1 satellite, which is about the size of a loaf of bread, contains half a terabyte of data. It holds the foundations of the project – the nation’s constitution, its national symbols, and data from its 115,000 citizens.
iii. It was launched aboard a Cygnus spacecraft on an Orbital ATK Antares rocket. The Cygnus craft docked with the International Space Station on 14 November 2017. After a month, it will release Asgardia’s satellite into orbit.
About NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility:
♦ Purpose – rocket launch site to support science and exploration missions for NASA and other Federal agencies
♦ Operated by – Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland
♦ Director – William Wrobel
China launches world’s first fully electric cargo ship
China has launched the world’s first all-electric ship, which can travel up to 80 km with 2000-tonnes cargo after a two-hour charge.
i. The ship is 70.5-metre-long and weighs about 600 tonnes.
ii. It was launched in Guangzhou in South China’s Guangdong Province.
iii. The ship has been manufactured by the Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Ltd.
iv. It is powered by a 26-tonne lithium battery and can cruise at the top speed of 12.8 km per hour.
SPORTS
Sebastian Vettel wins Brazilian Grand Prix
On 12th November 2017, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel won the Brazilian Grand Prix, a Formula One championship race, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Sebastian Vettel wins Brazilian Grand Prix:
i. Valtteri Bottas started the race at the pole position. Vettel controlled the race after taking the lead from Valtteri Bottas.
ii. The Formula One world championship title had already been decided at the Mexican Grand Prix, two weeks earlier.
iii. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, already having won his fourth Formula One championship in Mexico two weeks ago, finished fourth in the race. Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas finished second in the race. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen came third in the race.
About Sebastian Vettel:
♦ Nationality – German
♦ Current team – Scuderia Ferrari
♦ Highlight – Four-time Formula One World Champion in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013
Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal retires from all forms of cricket
On 13th November 2017, Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
Saeed Ajmal retires from all forms of cricket:
i. Saeed Ajmal has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket two years after his bowling action was remarked as illegal for the second time.
ii. During a successful but controversial career, Saeed Ajmal was once celebrated as the world’s number one bowler in one-day internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 cricket, and was almost as successful in Tests.
iii. His last match was at Galle in Sri Lanka in 2014, where his bowling action was reported for a second time. It was first reported during an ODI series against Australia in the UAE in 2009.
Some of the stadiums in Pakistan:
♦ Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar
♦ Asghar Ali Shah Cricket Stadium, Karachi
♦ Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
♦ Jinnah Sports Stadium, Islamabad
Italy fail to qualify for Football World Cup 2018 for first time since 1958
On 13th November 2017, Italy failed to qualify for the Football World Cup 2018 for the first time since 1958 at San Siro, Italy.
Italy – disqualified for Football World Cup 2018:
i. Italy was disqualified for Football World Cup 2018, as they were held to a 0-0 draw in the second leg of their play-off by Sweden, who qualified with a 1-0 aggregate victory.
ii. Italy is the 2006 Football World Cup winner. It is the third time that the Italians will not compete at the Football World Cup, after not going to the first edition in 1930 and not qualifying for the 1958 finals in Sweden. Italy has won the Football World Cup title four times in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006.
About Italy national football team:
♦ Head coach – Gian Piero Ventura
♦ Controlled by – Italian Football Federation (FIGC)
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Diabetes Day – November 14
On 14th November 2017, World Diabetes Day was observed all over the world.
World Diabetes Day:
i. The theme of World Diabetes Day 2017 is ‘Women and diabetes – our right to a healthy future’. World Diabetes Day was launched in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the rapid rise of diabetes around the world.
ii. World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign focusing on diabetes mellitus held on November 14 each year.
iii. It is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). This day marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best and John James Rickard Macleod, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.
About International Diabetes Federation (IDF):
♦ Purpose – raising global awareness of diabetes, promoting appropriate diabetes care and prevention
♦ Headquarters – Brussels, Belgium
♦ Members – 230 national diabetes associations in more than 160 countries
Children’s Day – November 14
On 14th November 2017, Children’s Day was celebrated all over India.
Children’s Day:
i. Children’s Day is celebrated across India to increase awareness of the rights, care and education of children. It is celebrated on 14 November every year on the birth anniversary of the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru also called ‘Chacha Nehru’.
ii. On this day, chocolates and gifts are distributed among children and schools organize different events such as debates, music and dance performances.
iii. Prior to 1964, India celebrated Children’s Day on 20 November, which was observed as the universal Children’s Day by the United Nations. But after Jawaharlal Nehru’s death in 1964, it was decided to celebrate his birthday as Children’s Day.
About Jawaharlal Nehru:
♦ First Prime Minister of India
♦ Political party – Indian National Congress
♦ Occupation – Barrister, writer, politician
♦ Award – Bharat Ratna
