Important Days
National Education Day: 11 November
In India, the National Education Day is celebrated on 11 November every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first education minister of independent India.
The day was announced by the Ministry of Human Resource Development on 11 September 2008. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad served as education minister from 15 August 1947 to 2 February 1958.
On 11 September 2008, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has announced to commemorate the birthday of the great person by recalling the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in the field of education by celebrating 11 November as National Education Day. Since 2008, every year in India, National Education Day is celebrated without declaring it a holiday.
National
Cabinet approves to observe November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the declaration of November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. 15 November has been chosen as this date marks the birth anniversary of Sri Birsa Munda who is revered as Bhagwan (God) by tribal communities across the country.
The Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is dedicated to the brave tribal freedom fighters and their sacrifice for the country. The day will be celebrated every year from now on to recognize the efforts of the tribals for the preservation of cultural heritage and promotion of Indian values of valor, hospitality, and national pride.
International
USA becomes 101st member country of ISA
The United States of America (USA) has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a member country. U.S is now the 101st country to sign the framework agreement of the ISA.
The framework agreement was formally signed by John Kerry, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.
It demonstrates that nations across the world are recognizing the economic and climate mitigating value of solar, as well as this energy source’s potential as a catalyst for the global energy transition.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- ISA Headquarters: Gurugram;
- ISA Founded: 30 November 2015;
- ISA Founded: Paris, France;
- ISA Director-General: Ajay Mathur.
Appointments
IPS officer Sheel Vardhan Singh to head CISF
The government has announced the appointment of chiefs of two key Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). These are the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau Sheel Vardhan Singh has been appointed as the new CISF DG, while National Police Academy Director Atul Karwal has been appointed as the NDRF DG.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for appointments.
Amitabh Bachchan roped in as brand ambassador of Amway India
Amway India, a Direct Selling FMCG company announced the appointment of Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan as its brand ambassador.
It is a time at the moment as the two brands have come together to proliferate messages on the significance of holistic health & wellness, women empowerment, and inspiring youth towards entrepreneurship for a progressive India. As a part of the momentous association, he will endorse the brand Amway and all the Nutrilite products by Amway.
Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar named as next Chief of the Naval Staff
Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar has been named as the next Chief of the Naval Staff by the Government of India. He is presently posted as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command.
He will take on the new role with effect from November 30, 2021. He will replace the incumbent Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh, who will complete his tenure on November 30, 2021.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Indian Navy Founded: 26 January 1950;
- Commander-in-Chief of Indian Navy: President Ram Nath Kovind.
Ranks and Reports
Climate Change Performance Index: India ranked 10th
India has been placed at 10th spot in the global Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2022 released by Germanwatch on the side-lines of the COP26. In 2020 also India was in 10th position.
India has retained its position as the top 10 best-performing countries with higher climate performance for the third year in a row.
Meanwhile, the top three places in the overall ranking are once again empty as none of the countries performed well enough to achieve an overall very high rating in CCPI.
Moving ahead, Denmark occupied fourth place as the highest-ranked country in CCPI 2022, followed by Sweden (5th), and Norway (6th) respectively.
Other countries in the top 10 are the United Kingdom (7th), Morocco (8th), and Chile (9th).
Schemes and Committees
Delhi govt launched ‘Shramik Mitra’ Scheme for Construction Workers
The Government of Delhi launched the ‘Shramik Mitra‘ scheme for construction workers. Under the scheme, 800 ‘Shramik Mitras’ will reach out to construction workers, and spread awareness on the government schemes.
Delhi Govt has also increased the Dearness allowance for Unskilled, Semi-skilled workers, to increase their salary by around 1%.
Shramik Mitras will inform construction workers registered by the Construction Board at the ward level about assistance schemes of the government.
Books and Authors
A new book ‘Finding A Straight Line Between Twists and Turns’ by Aseem Chawla
Aseem Chawla, one of India’s leading tax lawyers and well-known international tax and policy expert released his new book “Finding A Straight Line Between Twists and Turns – An Imperfect, Yet Honest Reflections on the Indian Tax Landscape” published by Matrix Publishers.
The book provides an in-depth analysis of both national and international the Indian tax landscape over a decade.
“Nehru: The Debates that Defined India” by Tripurdaman Singh and Adeel Hussain
A book titled “Nehru: The Debates that Defined India” is co-authored by Tripurdaman Singh and Adeel Hussain.
A new book serves as a revisionist exploration of India’s first and longest-serving prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and investigates the overlooked role of his contemporaries and opponents in shaping his political vision.
A new book “Sunrise over Ayodhya – Nationhood in our Times” by Salman Khurshid
Former union minister and Congress leader Salman Khurshid, who recently launched his book on the Ayodhya verdict named “Sunrise over Ayodhya – Nationhood in our Times”.
Khurshid said, “People used to think that it will take 100 years for the verdict to come. After the verdict, people started giving opinions perhaps without reading it or understanding that what, why or how did Supreme Court give the judgment.”
Sports
Dwayne Bravo announced retirement from international cricket
Trinidadian cricketer Dwayne Bravo, the former captain of the West Indies cricket team has confirmed his retirement from international cricket.
He has played in all seven T20 World Cups and he has been a part of the West Indies team that won the T20 Title in 2012 and 2016. He has scored 1245 runs at an average of 22.23 and a strike rate of 115.38 and he has picked up 78 wickets.
Novak Djokovic won the 37th Masters Title at Paris 2021
Novak Djokovic (Serbia) has defeated Danill Medvedev (Russia) in the finals to win his 6th Paris Title & the record 37th Masters Title at Paris, France. In the finals, Djokovic, with an impressive 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 defeating Daniil Medvedev.
With this win, Djokovic will remain at the ATP World Number 1 rank, for the record 7th consecutive year.
Here is the list of winners:
| Category | Winner | Runner-up |
| Singles | Novak Djokovic | Daniil Medvedev |
| Doubles | Tim Pütz Michael Venus | Pierre-Hugues Herbert Nicolas Mahut |
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- International Tennis Federation President: David Haggerty;
- International Tennis Federation Headquarters: London, United Kingdom;
- International Tennis Federation Founded: 1 March 1913.
India bags 5 medals at inaugural ISSF President’s Cup
India finished the inaugural ISSF President’s Cup with five medals, including two Gold, two Silver and one Bronze. The invitation-only tournament was held at the Wroclaw in Poland, featuring the top-12 shooters in each of the shotgun, pistol and rifle categories. India’s Manu Bhaker bagged two gold medals.
Medal Winners include:
Gold
- 25m Rapid Fire pistol Mixed Team competition: Manu Bhaker
- 10m air pistol mixed team competition: Manu Bhaker
Silver
- Women’s 25m pistol silver individual competition: Rahi Sarnobat
- Men’s 10m Air Pistol individual competition: Saurabh Chaudhary
Bronze
- Men’s 10m Air Pistol individual competition: Abhishek Verma
Obituary
Philosopher Koneru Ramakrishna Rao passes away
Well-known educationist, teacher, and philosopher, Koneru Ramakrishna Rao passed away. He was an internationally recognized psychologist and served as president of the US-based Parapsychological Association and the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology.
He was awarded Padma Shri in 2011. Ramakrishna Rao was instrumental in bringing in numerous curricular reforms to link classrooms with the community during his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University and Chairman of the APSCHE.