Delhi govt's free pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens to begin on December 3rd
Delhi government's free pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens, 'Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana', will start on December 3, 2021 with the first train leaving for Ayodhya on the day. The senior citizens have the option of visiting 12 places under the scheme. They have been allowed to take one attendant with themself. The scheme has benefitted around 36,000 people till now.
Germany announces development commitments worth EUR 1.2 billion to aid India
Germany has recently announced new development commitments worth over EUR 1.2 billion to aid India's fight against climate change and for cooperation on clean energy. The announcement was made during the visit of a delegation from the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development.
UAE hopes to resume regular flight services with India
UAE Ambassador to India Ahmed Albanna expressed hope on November 24, 2021 for the resumption of pre-Covid flight services with India. He said during a press conference that the only thing we are facing a little bit of challenge is on in the flights, is that they are restricted to carrying a certain number of passengers under the bubble arrangement. He stated that their main carriers are carrying only 30 percent of their total capacity and this affects the traffic and the airfare.
Sweden's first female Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson resigns on day 1 after coalition collapses
The first female Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson resigned on November 24, 2021, after less than 12 hours as the PM. Andersson's resignation came after the Green Party quit her coalition, sending the nordic country into political uncertainty.
However, leader of the Social Democrats Magdalena Andersson said that she had informed the speaker of the Parliament that she hoped to be appointed Prime Minister of Sweden again as the head of a single-party government.
Sweden’s Parliament on November 24, 2021, had elected Magdalena Andersson, Social Democratic Party leader and Finance Minister, as the first female Prime Minister of Sweden. The decision came after Andersson clinched a last-minute deal securing the key support.
The fertility rate of India drops below replacement level, sex ratio improves
India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has further declined from 2.2 to 2 at the national level. The Total Fertility Rate is the average number of children per woman. As per a survey by the Health Ministry, the total fertility rate in India has ranged from 1.4 in Chandigarh to 2.4 in Uttar Pradesh.
The factsheets of key indicators on nutrition, population, family welfare, reproductive and child health, and others for India and 14 states and UTs were clubbed under Phase 2 of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) (2019-21). They were released by the NITI Aayog’s Member, Health, Dr Vinod Kumar Paul and Family Welfare Secretary Rajesh Bhushan.
NASA launches first of its kind DART Mission
NASA launched the first of its kind DART Mission (also known as Double Asteroid Redirection Test) on November 24, 2021, aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 1.21 am EST from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. NASA’s DART Mission is the world’s first mission to test asteroid-deflecting technology. The DART Mission is expected to crash into the moonlet Dimorphos at 15,000 mph (24,100 km/h) during the fall of 2022 between September 26 and October 1 to deflect the asteroid by a fraction. The DART payload was released from the booster minutes after the launch to embark on its 10-month long journey into deep space at about 6.8 million miles (11 million kms) away from Earth.
Only CNG. electric vehicles allowed to enter Delhi from November 27
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on November 24, 2021 that only CNG and electric vehicles will be allowed to enter into Delhi from November 27th. The Minister informed this while addressing the media after a high-level meeting with officials over the air pollution situation in Delhi.
Cabinet approves continuation of O-SMART scheme
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 24, 2021, approved for continuing the umbrella scheme ‘Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)’ of the Ministry of Earth Sciences during 2021-26 at a cost of Rs 2,177 crores. The O-SMART scheme comprises seven sub-schemes which are being implemented by autonomous institutes of the Earth Sciences Ministry. A fleet of oceanographic and coast research vessels have been provided by the Earth Sciences Ministry to aid research under the O-SMART scheme.
India, ADB sign $300 million loan to improve primary healthcare in the country
The Indian Government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $300 million loan to improve primary healthcare in the urban areas of 13 states. It will benefit over 256 billion urban dwellers including the 51 million from the slum areas.
As per the release by the Finance Ministry, Additional secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, Rajat Kumar Mishra signed for the Govt of India the agreement for ‘Strengthening Comprehensive Primary Health Care and Pandemic Preparedness’ in Urban Areas program. For ADB, Takeo Konishi, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission signed the agreement.
Delhi free pilgrimage scheme: First train to depart for Ayodhya on December 3rd
The first train carrying senior citizens from Delhi to Ayodhya under Delhi Government's free pilgrimage scheme will depart on December 3, 2021. This was informed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Delhi Government's 'Mukhya Mantri Teerth Yatra Yojana, which was halted due to COVID will be resumed, announced Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on October 27, 2021.
PM Narendra Modi lays foundation stone of Noida International Airport
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Noida International Airport in Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh on November 25, 2021. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia were also present on the occasion.
As per Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Jewar airport will help in the development of the nation. It will be Asia's biggest airport. It will also create employment opportunities for more than one lakh people."
Cabinet approves continuation of ACROSS scheme
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 24, 2021, approved for continuing the umbrella scheme ‘Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS)’ of the Ministry of Earth Sciences during 2021-26 at a cost of Rs 2,135 crores. The ACROSS scheme comprises eight sub-schemes which are being implemented by the units of the Earth Sciences Ministry namely the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).
IAF receives two Mirage 2000 fighters from France
The Indian Air Force (IAF) received two Mirage 2000 trainer version aircraft from France as a major boost to the fighter jet fleet of IAF amid border tensions with China and Pakistan. The two second-hand Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft would now be upgraded to the latest standard as part of the ongoing Mirage upgrade deal at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The two Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft have been acquired by the IAF to take up the number of aircraft in the Mirage fighter jet fleet to 50.
On August 31, the Indian Air Force signed another contract with the French Air Force to acquire 16 phased-out French Mirage aircraft in different batches to ensure enough spare parts for the Mirage jet fleet. India’s fleet of 50 Mirage aircraft form three squadrons based at the Gwalior Air Force station.
CBI Special Director Praveen Sinha elected to top committee of INTERPOL
CBI Special Director Praveen Sinha on November 24, 2021, was elected as a delegate from Asia to the executive committee of the INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organisation). A candidate from India won in the election that saw the contestants from Singapore, China, Jordan, and the Republic of Korea vying for two posts in the elite panel.
The elections for a delegate to the executive committee took place in Istanbul, Turkey during the ongoing 89th INTERPOL General Assembly.
As per the official, the victory at the INTERPOL elections was the result of an intense and well-coordinated election campaign across the world. The significant support of the friendly countries was also sought at the bilateral engagements at the different levels.
The Indian embassies and high commissions were regularly following it up with their host governments. Reportedly, the high commissioners and ambassadors in Delhi were similarly reached out.
SWOT Satellite launch: Satellite for tracking global surface water to launch in 2022
SWOT Mission-The Surface Water and Ocean Topography- will be launched in November 2022. The final set of tests on the spacecraft have also started, as per the statement by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
SWOT Mission is a collaboration between NASA and the Space Agency of France National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), with contributions from the UK Space Agency and the Space Agency of Canada.
India to celebrate Constitution Day on November 26
India will celebrate Constitution Day on November 26, 2021, to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly in 1949. The Constitution Day on November 26 will be held in the Central Hall of the Parliament from 11 am onwards.
5th Phase of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana extends till March 2022
The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi on November 24, 2021, approved the extension of the 5th Phase of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana for another four months from December 2021 to March 2022.
Union Govt approves continuation of National Apprenticeship Training Scheme till 2026
The Union Cabinet led by PM Narendra Modi on November 24, 2021, approved the continuation of the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme for the period from 2021 to 2026. About 9 lakh apprentices will be trained by commercial organizations and industry.
Pakistan allows transportation of 50,000 MT of wheat, medicines to Afghanistan
Pakistan's government has decided to allow the transportation of 50,000 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat and lifesaving medicines from India to Afghanistan through the Wagah Border for humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.
India has provided 50,000 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat and lifesaving medicines as humanitarian assistance. The shipment will need to go through Pakistan.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban): Centre approves construction of 3.61 lakh houses in 17 states and UTs
The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) chaired by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra on November 23, 2021, approved the construction of 3.6 lakh houses in 17 States and Union Territories under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban).
ITC starts clinical trials of COVID-19 Preventive Nasal Spray
ITC on November 25, 2021, confirmed that the company has started clinical trials for its COVID-19 Preventive Nasal Spray which has been developed by scientists at ITC Life Sciences and Technology Centre (LSTC), Bengaluru.
