NATIONAL:
1. Suicide Prevention Policy
Why in news - The M/o Health and Family Welfare announced a National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Key Points –
• It is the first of its kind in the country.
• It aims to achieve a reduction in suicide mortality by 10% 2030.
• SDG 3.4 aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one-third.
Other Initiatives –
• Manodarpan Initiative - To provide psycho-social support to students for their mental health and well-being.
• Kiran Helpline - to provide early screening, first-aid, psychological support, distress management, mental well-being, and psychological crisis management.
2. CoE for Green Port & Shipping
Why in news - Sarbananda Sonowal announced India’s first National Centre of Excellence for Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS).
Key Points –
• Aim - Alternate technology adoption for green shipping to foster carbon neutrality and circular economy (CE) in the shipping sector in India.
• India intends to increase the share of renewable energy to 60% of the total power demand of each of its major ports. (Present - less than 10%).
• India has been selected as the first country under the IMO Green Voyage 2050 project to conduct a pilot project related to Green Shipping.
• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is the knowledge and implementation partner for this project.
3. Fertilizers Import to India
Why in news - Russia became the biggest fertilizer supplier to India in the first half of the 2022-23 fiscal year (1/5th market share).
Key Points –
• India's fertilizer imports from Russia surged 371% to a record 2.15 million tonnes.
• Russia surpassed China as the biggest supplier to India.
• Other top exporting countries – China, Jordan, Egypt and UAE.
4. Tawang War Memorial
Why in news - AR CM Pema Khandu dedicated the extended and renovated war memorial at Tawang.
Key Points –
• It commemorated the martyred soldiers of the 1962 war.
• CM also inaugurated the newly constructed 'Veer-Aangan' or courtyard of bravehearts alongside the War Memorial.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Hwasong-17
Why in news - North Korea test-fired its massive new Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Key Points –
• It is nuclear-armed North Korea’s biggest missile yet.
• It is the largest road-mobile, liquid-fuelled ICBM in the world.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. Shaheedi Divas of Guru Tegh Bahadur
Why in news - Nov 24 is commemorated as the Shaheedi Divas of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Key Points –
• He was the 9th guru of the Sikhs and was executed on the orders of Aurangzeb in 1675.
• At the site of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s execution stands Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib (1783) in Delhi’s chandni chowk.
• His childhood name - Tyag Mal.
• Gur Bilas Patshahi Dasmi - A biography of Guru Gobind Singh.
2. Lachit Borphukan
Why in news - Assam celebrated the 400th birth anniversary of Borphukan which culminated in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• He was a 17th century Ahom general.
• Battle of Saraighat (1671) - Borphukan inflicted a crushing defeat on the Mughals.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Jumbo Trails
Why in news - The Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) has launched ‘jumbo trails’ at Coimbatore, TN.
Key Points –
• Aim - to educate visitors to the tiger reserve about elephants, the flora and fauna of ATR.
• The first jumbo trail will happen on November 26.
• The program is organised by the Advanced Wildlife Management Training Centre (Attakatti) and implemented by Keelpoonachi Eco Development Committee.
REPORTS & INDICES:
1. World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) Report
Why in news – It was released by World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) recently.
Key Points –
• Global intellectual property filings of patents, trademarks, and designs-reached record levels in 2021.
• Growth - India (+5.5%), China (+5.5%) and the Republic of Korea (+2.5%).
• Decline - U.S. (-1.2%), Japan (-1.7%) and Germany (-3.9%).
• WIPO (Hq - Geneva, Switzerland) is one of the 15 specialized agencies of the United Nations (UN).
2. Handbook of Statistics on Indian States, 2021-22
Why in news - The 7th edition of the report was released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Key Points –
• Two new sections have been included in the recent edition – health and environment.
• Maximum factories (Top 5) - Tamil Nadu (15.7%), Gujarat (11.5%), Maharashtra (10.3%), Andhra Pradesh (6.8%), and Uttar Pradesh (6.5%).
• Least factories – Ladakh, A&N islands, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya.
SECURITY:
1. Exercise 'Shatru Nash'
Why in news - Indian Army conducted integrated firepower exercise 'Shatru Nash' in Thar Desert in Sriganganagar, RJ.
Key Points –
• The tanks equipped with radars also participated in the military drill in the border state.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Vineet Kumar
Why in news - Vineet Kumar has taken over as CEO of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
APPS & PORTALS:
1. “GHAR - Go Home and Re-Unite” Portal
Why in news - National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has launched a web portal “GHAR” on Nov 20.
Key Points –
• Aim - Digital tracking and monitoring of children from every district to smoothen the process of their repatriation.
• NCPCR is a statutory body constituted under Section 3 of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005.
• NCPCR is mandated to monitor the proper and effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015, POCSO Act, 2012 and RTE Act, 2009.
PERSON IN NEWS:
1. Babu Mani
Why in news - Babu Mani passed away after a prolonged battle with liver-related issues.
Key Points –
• He was an integral part of the Indian football team in the 1980s.
• He was a part of the first Indian team that qualified for the AFC Asian Cup in 1984.
POINTERS:
• Who has defeated Norway's Casper Ruud to collect a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title in Turin, Italy - Novak Djokovic.
• Who became the first Indian paddler to win a medal in the ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup - Manika Batra.
• Who has been re-elected as the President of Kazakhstan on Nov 20, 2022 - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
• Which Bollywood megastar has been honored by Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Film Festival with a career award - Shah Rukh Khan.
• Which minister has launched '53-Hour Challenge' for the '75 Creative Minds Tomorrow' - Anurag Singh Thakur.
• Which state has introduced an award to promote good governance and reward innovative human resources who make extraordinary efforts at workplace – Haryana.
• Buddhavanam, the first-of-its-kind Buddhist Heritage Theme Park project is located in which state – Telangana.
• Which Indian-origin pediatrician has won 2023 Victorian Australian of the Year Award - Dr Angraj Khillan.
• In the 15th Asian Airgun Championships in South Korea, India won how many gold medals – 25.
• Canada’s which city got first turbaned Sikh Harkirat Singh as deputy mayor – Brampton.