Current Affairs Today

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 23 November 2024, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2024 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

Our Current Affairs November 2024 events will help you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, CLAT and all State Government Exams. Also, try our Latest Current Affairs Quiz and Monthly Current Affairs 2024 PDF which will be a pedestrian to crack your exams.

Read Current Affairs in CareersCloud APP, Course Name – Learn Current Affairs – Free Course – Click Here to Download the APP

We are Hiring – Subject Matter Expert – Quants,Reasoning & English | CA Video Creator | Content Developers(Pondicherry)

Click here for Current Affairs 22 November 2024

Click here for Affairscloud Hindu Free Vocabs telegram channel

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

PM Narendra Modi addresses Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2024 in New DelhiOn November 16 2024, Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister (PM) of India, addressed the 22nd Hindustan Times Leadership Summit (HTLS 2024) in New Delhi, Delhi. The summit was held from November 14 to 16, 2024.

• During the event, PM Modi released a commemorative postage stamp of denomination Rs 5 to celebrate 100 years of Hindustan Times(HT) which was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1924.
• The PM articulated a roadmap focusing on “Development with Dignity,” aiming to ensure that progress benefits all citizens.
• He outlined his vision for transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.

Key Points:
i.The HTLS was launched in 2003 to enhance the level of discourse on critical issues, encourage interaction among leaders in important areas.
ii.The HTLS serves as a platform for leaders across various sectors to engage in meaningful discussions. It was launched in 2003.
About commemorative postage stamp :
i.The postage stamp was designed by renowned artist Sankha Samanta, encapsulates HT’s centenary journey.
ii.It depicts HT’s journey from 1924 to 2024 and it’s design prominently incorporates HT’s tagline, “First Voice, Last Word,” symbolizing its steadfast commitment to truth and simplicity.

DoP releases a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Sickle Cell Eradication – 2047On November 15, 2024, the Department of Posts(DoP), Ministry of Communications (MoC) launched a Special commemorative Postage Stamp of denomination Rs 5 on “Sickle Cell Eradication – 2047” initiative. It was unveiled by Madhya Pradesh (MP) Governor Mangubhai Patel and MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

• The stamp honors MP’s initiative to combat the high prevalence of sickle cell anemia, particularly in tribal regions, with the goal of eradicating the disease by 2047.

Features of the Commemorative Stamp:
i.The stamp features artwork symbolizing awareness and eradication of sickle cell anemia, emphasizing its impact on tribal communities.
ii.It displays the slogan “Sickle Cell Eradication – 2047”, aligning with the mission’s goal to eliminate this hereditary disease by the centenary year of India’s independence.
What is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)?
SCD is a genetic disorder. It affects the hemoglobin within your red blood cells.

•  This mutation has abnormal hemoglobin called hemoglobin S, which causes red blood cells to become stiff and sticky, leading to various health complications

About the Sickle Cell Eradication Mission:
i.Launched in 2023 by Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi in MP, the Sickle Cell Eradication Mission aims to tackle the widespread prevalence of sickle cell disease in tribal areas.
ii.It is part of the National Health Mission (NHM), aims to eliminate sickle cell genetic transmission by the year 2047.

• It is supported by the National Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission (NSCAEM).

iii.Initially it was launched in selected districts of MP, the mission has since expanded to 17 states across India, focusing on improving health outcomes for affected tribal communities.
iv.The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has ranked sickle cell disease among the top 10 health challenges in India’s tribal areas, with Madhya Pradesh (MP) being the most affected.

• In MP, around 9,61,492 people are carriers, while 67,861 suffer from sickle cell anemia.

v.The MoHFW also launched a National Sickle Cell portal, where details of screening can be accessed.

Ayushman Bharat: Vay Vandana Card Achieves Over 10 Lakh Enrollments Milestone within 3 Weeks of its LaunchAccording to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) official data, as on 17th November 2024, over 10 lakh senior citizens aged 70 and above have enrolled for the newly launched Ayushman Bharat: Vaya Vandana Card (AB-VVC), which enables them to avail free healthcare benefits under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

• This achievement comes within 3 weeks of the AB-VVC’s rollout by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and Ayurveda Day (29th October 2024) at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi, Delhi.

i.AB-VCC is an expansion of AB PM-JAY, one of the key components of Ayushman Bharat (AB), a flagship scheme of Government of India (GoI), which aims to strengthen the idea of making healthcare accessible to all.

• Aim: To extend free healthcare benefits to nearly 6 crore senior citizens across 4.5 crore families.

ii.Around 4 lakh women aged 70 and above have enrolled under the AB-VCC.
About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW):
Union Minister- Jagat Prakash Nadda (Rajya Sabha – Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS)- Anupriya Patel(Constituency- Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, UP); Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao (Constituency- Buldhana, Maharashtra)
>> ReadFull News

Indian Army Conducts ‘Sanyukt Vimochan 2024′ Exercise in GujaratThe Indian Army (IA) successfully conducted the Multilateral Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise, ‘Sanyukt Vimochan 2024’ from 18th to 19th November 2024 at Ahmedabad and Porbandar, Gujarat.
Joint Military Exercise: ‘Poorvi Prahar’
IA, Indian Navy (IN) and Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a 9-day joint military exercise, ‘Poorvi Prahar’ at Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh (AR) from 10th to 18th November 2024, showcasing their advanced combat readiness.
>> ReadFull News

DoP released Special Cover to mark 121st Anniversary of MVC
In November 2024, the Department of Posts(DoP) under the Ministry of Communications (MoC), Chennai City North Division commemorated the 121st anniversary of Madras Veterinary College (MVC) by releasing a special cover on India Posts at the MVC Vepery campus in Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN).

• The special cover released signifies the rich heritage and the achievements made by MVC and also the image feature of the iconic building together with the cancellations done based on the logo of the institution.

i.The MVC was founded on October 1, 1903 and was the 3rd veterinary college in India and also recognized as the Southern Regional Postgraduate Institute.
ii.It became the first veterinary college in India to affiliate with a university, Madras University in 1935. It became a constituent unit of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Sciences University (TANUVAS),the first standalone veterinary university in India and Southeast Asia in 1989.
iii.The university ranked 12th among all the institutions in the category of agriculture and allied sectors and ranked 1st among all state veterinary universities of the country in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2023.

BANKING & FINANCE

Deutsche Bank Invests Rs 5,113 Crore into India Operations for Expansion
Germany-based Investment Bank and Financial Service Company, Deutsche Bank announced the investment of an additional Rs 5,113 crores into its India operations to support its expansion efforts.

• The new capital investment represents a 33% increase in the capital buffer compared to 2023, raising the regulatory capital of Deutsche Bank’s India branches to nearly Rs 30,000 crores.

i.The largest capital investment in India aims at expanding various business sectors such as corporate banking, investment banking, and private banking.
ii.The bank confirmed its commitment to support India’s growth with a focus on sectors like digital transformation, sustainable finance, technology, and infrastructure development.
iii.The Bank invested Rs. 2,700 crores into its India operations in 2020 and Rs. 3,800 crores in 2019.

SBI launches Innovation Hub in partnership with APIX at Singapore Fintech Festival
Mumbai(Maharashtra) based State Bank of India (SBI) launched the ‘SBI Innovation Hub’ in partnership with APIX, a platform connecting financial institutions and fintechs, during the Singapore Fintech Festival(SFF 2024) which was held from 6th to 8th November 2024 in Singapore.

• SBI Innovation Hub will offer a platform for fintechs, startups, and innovators across the globe to design next-generation financial solutions to meet the digital needs of SBI’s customers.

i.This aims to drive financial innovation, digital transformation and advance financial inclusion.
ii.The Hub allows participants to leverage SBI’s 250+ financial service Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to develop and customize solutions within a secure Sandbox environment.
iii.This platform will enable fintechs and startups to gain recognition, compete for official partnerships, and reach millions of users across India through structured challenges, hackathons, and partnership opportunities.

RBI adds 10 year Sovereign Green Bonds to Non-Resident FAR Investment
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has added 10-year Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs) to the list of specified securities for non-resident investors under the Fully Accessible Route (FAR). It will help to raise capital to fund sustainable initiatives for public sector projects.

• This move follows the inclusion of Indian Government Securities (G-Secs) in JPMorgan Chase’s Emerging Markets Bond Index Global Diversified (GBI-EM GD), Bloomberg’s EM Local Currency Government indices and FTSE Russell’s Emerging Markets Government Bond Index (EMGBI).

i.SGrBs will be issued by the Government of India(GoI) in the 2nd half of Financial Year 2024-25(FY25). It will be classified as ‘specified securities’ under FAR.

• The GoI plans to issue Rs.20,000 crore in green bonds in four tranches. These will consist of two 10-year bonds and two 30-year bonds, each valued at  Rs 5,000 crore.

ii.The FAR introduced in 2020 allows Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and other eligible investors to buy specified government securities without investment limits.
Note: The RBI has issued a total of Rs.36,000 crore in green bonds since 2022-23.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Victoria Kjaer Theilvig from Denmark Crowned Miss Universe 2024Maria Victoria Kjær Theilvig (21) from Denmark has been crowned Miss Universe 2024 at the 73rd edition of Miss Universe 2024 pagent held at the Arena in Mexico City, Mexico. This marks Denmark’s first-ever victory in the global beauty pageant. The edition witnessed the participation of 125 contestants.

• She was crowned by Nicaragua’s Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe 2023.
• Miss Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, secured the 2nd spot as 1st Runner-up, while Miss Mexico, Maria Fernanda Beltran, finished in 3rd place as 2nd Runner-up.
• India was represented by Rhea Singha from Gujarat, who made it to the top 30 finalists.

Point to Note: Theilvig’s win makes her the first blonde woman to win Miss Universe since Jennifer Hawkins of Australia in 2004.
About Victoria Kjaer Theilvig:
i.Victoria Kjaer Theilvig was born on 13th November 2003 in Herlev, a suburb of Copenhagen, Denmark.
ii.She has worked as a professional dancer and dance teacher but now operates in the diamond-selling industry. At the age of 16, she founded her own eyelash extension business. She is a passionate animal protection advocate.
iii.Victoria Kjær Theilvig has previously finished as 2nd runner-up at Miss Denmark 2021, went on to win Miss Denmark 2024 in September 2024, and also competed in the Miss Grand International 2022 pageant, finishing in the top 20. she was also crowned Miss Grand Denmark 2022.
Event Highlights:
i.The event was hosted by Mario Lopez, Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo, Zuri Hall, and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
ii.The pageant was opened with an energetic performance by mariachi musicians and Black Eyed Peas singer, Taboo, who performed “Mexicana,” a special song created for the event by Emilio Estefan (Cuban-American musician).
iii.The gala was hosted for the 3rd time in Mexico, with countries like Belarus, Eritrea, Guinea, Macau, Maldives, Moldova, and Uzbekistan sending their first-ever representatives to the competition.
iv.Miss Malta Beatrice Njoya, at 40, became the oldest contestant in the pageant’s history, and Miss Egypt Logina Salah made history as the first contestant with vitiligo.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Harini Amarasuriya appointed as 17th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka In November 2024, Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appointed Harini Amarasuriya as 17th Prime Minister (PM) of Sri Lanka following the victory of the National People’s Power (NPP) coalition in the general election.

• The NPP secured 159 seats in Sri Lanka’s 225-member parliament, granting the legislative power.
• The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka.

Note: She was the 3rd woman PM after Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Chandrika Kumaratunga.
About Harini Amarasuriya:
i.Harini Amarasuriya is a prominent Sri Lankan politician, academic, and social activist.
ii.She became the Member of Parliament (MP) for the 1st time in 2020, when she was nominated by the NPP, an alliance led by JVP.
iii.She was first appointed as the PM in September 2024 to serve in the interim government after Anura Kumara Dissanayake won the 2024 presidential election.
iv.In 2016, She served as a member of the Public Representations Committee on Constitutional Reforms in Sri Lanka (PRC).
v.She also served for several years on the Boards of Nest, Centre for Women’s Research(CENWOR) and Law and Society Trust,
Other Appointments:
The new 22-member Sri Lankan Cabinet of the Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) coalition and as a part of 4-member Cabinet, Harini Amarasuriya will also serve as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education.
i.Veteran legislator Vijitha Herath has been appointed the Foreign minister.
ii.Ananda Wijepala was appointed as the Public security and parliamentary affairs minister
iii.Bimal Rathnayake has been appointed  as transport, highways, ports and civil aviation minister.
About Sri Lanka:
President- Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Prime Minister (PM)-Harini Amarasuriya
Capital- Colombo
Currency- Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

K Sanjay Murthy appointed as the 15th Comptroller Auditor General of IndiaOn November 19 2024, K Sanjay Murthy, a 1989-batch Himachal Pradesh(HP) cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was sworn in as the 15th Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India by President Droupadi Murmu at a function in the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi(Delhi).

• He succeeded Girish Chandra Murmu (1st Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, J&K), who retired on November 20 2024. The tenure of Sanjay Murthy till 2029.
• Prior to the appointment, Sanjay Murthy served as the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education(DHE), Ministry of Education (MoE).

About Sanjay Murthy:
i.K Sanjay Murthy had a distinguished career of over three decades in the IAS. He has also held several important administrative positions in the State Government of HP.
ii.He has also served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA), and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation(NICDC), and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting(MIB).
iii.He has also worked in important positions in the central government, where he gained exposure to national-level governance, public administration, and policy implementation.
About Comptroller Auditor General (CAG):
Article 148 of the Constitution of India states that the CAG is appointed by the President of India. Articles 148, 149, 150 and 151 of the Indian Constitution describe the functions and powers of CAG.

• The CAG holds office for a term of 6 years or until the age of 65.

Comptroller Auditor General (CAG)- K Sanjay Murthy
Headquarters- New Delhi
Establishment- 1858

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

SpaceX Launches India’s GSAT-20 Satellite into SpaceOn 19th November 2024, SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket launched India’s Geosynchronous Satellite(GSAT)-N2 (or GSAT 20) from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, The United States of America (USA).

• The satellite was developed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• This is the 1st collaboration between NSIL and SpaceX for satellite launch.
• This satellite launch costs between USD 60-70 million, of this NSIL have paid nearly Rs 500 crore for this launch.

About GSAT-20
i.GSAT-N2 or GSAT-20 is a 4,700 kilograms (kg) satellite that is heavier than any other indigenous rockets of India.
ii.The satellite has a mission-life of 14 years and will provide necessary internet and communication services across India and even in remote regions.
iii.The satellite incorporates a Ka-Band high-throughput communication payload with a capacity of 48 Gbps (Gigabit per second) which will enhance data transmission capabilities.

• It will also enhance broadband as well as in-flight connectivity throughout the Indian region.

iv.The satellite is built with 32 user beams of which 8 narrow spot beams cover the Northeast region and 24 wide spot beams for the rest of India.
Why SpaceX?
i.The primary reason for ISRO choosing SpaceX to deliver the satellite is the weight of it.
ii.As the GSAT-20 weighs 4,700 kgs, it could not be delivered through India’s indigenous rockets.

• ISRO’s heaviest launch vehicle, the Launch Vehicle Mark (LVM)-3, is also capable of launching only 4000 kg.

iii.The French commercial launch service provider Arianespace lacked operational rockets, and due to geopolitical tensions from Russia and China, SpaceX seemed to be the best option.
About Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO):
Chairman – Sreedhara Panicker Somanath
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Founded– 15 August 1969
About Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Elon Musk
Headquarters – California, United States of America (USA)
Founded – 2002

DRDO carries out successful flight-trial of India’s 1st Long-Range Hypersonic Missile The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India successfully conducted the flight-trial of India’s first long-range hypersonic missile off the coast of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.

• This missile can carry various payloads over 1,500 km, enhancing India’s military range.
• It is also developed by DRDO.

What is a hypersonic missile?
A hypersonic missile travels at speeds above Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound), roughly a mile per second. Unlike ballistic missiles, they are highly maneuverable, making them difficult to detect and intercept. There are two main types: Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs), launched by rockets and gliding to the target, and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs), powered by air-breathing scramjet engines.
Key Points:
i.It is developed through extensive research at DRDO’s various laboratories, particularly the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, Telangana.
ii.While countries like Russia and China are leading in hypersonic missile development, the U.S. is also pursuing similar advancements. Other nations such as France, Germany, Japan, and Israel are also involved in hypersonic weapon development.

Indian Army Introduces 550 Asmi Machine Pistol into Northern Command
Indian Army (IA) has introduced 550 units of the indigenously developed “Asmi” machine pistol in the Northern Command. This is a part of the efforts toward fulfilling the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat‘ (self-reliance).

• The 100% Made-in-India weapon was developed by Colonel Prasad Bansod of the IA in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It was manufactured by Lokesh Machines in Hyderabad, Telangana.

i.The ‘Asmi’ (itself means ‘pride and self-respect) is a robust, compact, and reliable weapon designed for close-quarter battles and specialized operations. Its unique semi-bullpup design enables single-handed operation, functioning both as a pistol and a submachine gun.
ii.The design of the ‘Asmi’ incorporates advanced materials and technologies, featuring an aircraft-grade aluminum upper receiver, a carbon fiber lower receiver, and 3D-printed components.

• Its lightweight design, 8-inch barrel, and high-capacity magazine enhance its modern capabilities for mission-specific needs.

iii.With an estimated production cost of under Rs 50,000 per unit, the ‘Asmi’ is set to strengthen domestic security forces and has the potential to enter international markets..

Pixxel unveils hyperspectral satellite constellation ‘Fireflies’
Bengaluru(Karnataka) based space start-up Pixxel, which specialises in hyperspectral imaging and Earth observation, has introduced “Fireflies”,  a constellation of six next-gen hyperspectral satellites. The Fireflies are set to be launched in 2025.

• The Fireflies will offer unmatched precision with their native 5-meter resolution, more than 150 spectral bands, and a 40-kilometre (km) wide swath that enables the constellation to access any part of the globe on a daily basis.

i.This will deliver critical data like early detection of crop diseases, pinpointing water stress, real-time deforestation monitoring and tracking ocean pollution.
ii.Fireflies is built to capture the world and provide clarity and detail needed to make impactful decisions for a better future.
iii.Pixxel has also planned to expand the constellation to 24 satellites.

SPORTS

Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024: Magnus Carlsen won the both Rapid & Blitz title
Five-time world champion Grandmaster (GM) Magnus Carlsen (Norway) won both the rapid and blitz titles at the 6th edition of the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid and Blitz 2024 tournament, held from 13th to 17th November 2024, at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal.

• Carlsen won the blitz title by defeating Vidit Gujrathi(India) in the final round to record three straight wins and end with 13 points.
• He won the Rapid title by defeating Daniil Dubov(Russia) in the Open Category with 7.5 points.

Women’s Category:
i.Russian GM Aleksandra Goryachkina secured the Rapid Title by securing a total of 7.5 points.
ii.Russian Kateryna Lagno won the blitz title by securing 11.5 points.
>> ReadFull News

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Toilet Day 2024 – November 19The United Nations (UN’s) World Toilet Day(WTD) is annually observed across the globe on 19 November to draw attention to the public health, environmental, and dignity challenges posed by inadequate sanitation. The day also highlights the need to provide safe and secure toilets for all.

• The theme of  WTD 2024 is “Toilets – A Place for Peace”.

Background: 
i.In 2001, the World Toilet Organisation(WTO), a global non profit organisation which was established to improve toilet and sanitation conditions across the globe, declared 19th November as the World Toilet Day(WTD).
ii.On 24 July 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), adopted the resolution (A/RES/67/291) and declared the 19th November of every year as “World Toilet Day”.
iii.The first ever UN recognised WTD was observed on 19th November 2013.
>> ReadFull News

National Integration Day 2024 – November 19National Integration Day (or) Quami Ekta Diwas is observed annually across India on November 19 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi, India’s First Female Prime Minister (PM).

• The day aims to promote unity, peace, and love across India’s diverse communities.
• November 19 2024 marks the 107th birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi.
• The day marks the beginning of National Integration Week (Qaumi Ekta Week), which is observed annually from November 19 to 25.

>> ReadFull News

International Men’s Day 2024 – November 19The International Men’s Day (IMD) is annually observed across the globe on November 19 to honour and celebrate the vital role of men in society, family, and communities.

• 19th November 2024 marks the 26th IMD.
• The theme for IMD 2024 is “Positive Male Role Models”.

Background:
i.The IMD project was launched by Thomas Oaster on 7th February 1992 in the Republic of Malta, after being conceived on 8 February 1991.
ii.The project was revived in 1999 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, a history lecturer at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago.

• The citizens of Trinidad and Tobago were the first to celebrate IMD on 19th November.

iii.The first ever IMD was observed on 19th November 1999.
>> ReadFull News

STATE NEWS

Meghalaya is Set to Celebrate “Year of Legends” as Shillong Cherry Blossom FestivalMeghalaya celebrated the “Year of Legends” as Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 which was conducted from 15th to 16th November 2024, at the RDSA Sports Complex in Bhoirymbong, Shillong, Meghalaya.

• With the “Year of Legends” theme, the Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 hosted Akon.

About the Festival:
i.The festival is a blend of culture, music and nature.
ii.2024 festival will showcase the beauty of cherry blossoms and the remarkable performances of both international stars and local talents.
iii.The Government of Meghalaya contributed approximately Rs. 2 crores for celebrating the festival.
iv.The two-day festival recorded the all-time highest number of visitors with more than 50,000 visitors.
Points to note:
i.The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 is special as Japanhas been announced as the partner

• This collaboration was due to the resemblance of Cherry Blossoms in Meghalaya and Japan and was noted by the Japanese Ambassador during his visit to the Meghalaya in 2023.
• The visitors had the chance to explore Japan’s culture and heritage through a dedicated stall at the venue.

ii.The first day of the festival included the performances from BONEY M, Jasleen Royal and international sensation Lucas.
iii. The second day featured performances from Akon, DJ R3HAB and Kanika Kapoor. Local artists such as Rito Riba, Queen Sensation, Khasi Bloodz, and performers from the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP) also showed the rich musical diversity of the region.
iv.In addition to musical events, the festival also comprised of fashion shows, cosplay competitions, art installations, and a variety of food and wine stalls.
Note:
i.Japan has the tradition of celebrating ‘Hanami,’ (Cherry Blossom) from over a thousand years.
ii. Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival was first launched in 2016 and is the first autumn Cherry Blossom Festival in the world.
About Meghalaya:
Chief minister – Conrad Sangma
Governor – Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar
Capital – Shillong

*******

Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)

Aspirant: Does Affairscloud covers all the Current affairs topics related to examinations?
Affairscloud: We Guaranteed All the Important topics related to examination are covered in Our Daily CA content and Daily CA Quizzes.
Aspirant: Why is there a delayal in news?
Affairscloud: As some of the major news sites doesn’t provide the required data on the exact day, we take extra time for important data to be presented to the aspirants on the examination basis to ensure nothing is missed.
Example:  In ‘Important Days’ topics the International Organisations publish their reports and Rankings in the evenings, to make sure every data is covered, we delay the topics to the next day.