National
2nd Kaushal Dikshnat Samaroh 2023
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the 2nd Kaushal Dikshnat Samaroh 2023 via video message on 12 October 2023.
- The Prime Minister addressed students live at the second ‘Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh’ – Annual Skill Convocation Ceremony organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Key Points:
- With an aim to promote skill-based education in line with the aspirations of 21st-century learners, Skill India organized a grand ‘Kaushal Convocation’ to recognize and honour the candidates who have completed their training under the various schemes and programmes of Skill India.
- The event witnessed participation of students from prestigious skill development institutes including Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK), Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), DGT, PMKVY, SANKALP, apprentices, IIE, NIPUN, Skill India International Centre, NIESBUD, and Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS).
Vision:
- The vision under the Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh is to harness the blend of school-based and work-based learning, to nurture talent and enable students to showcase their skills to the world.
- The ceremony underscores a multidisciplinary approach and emphasizes the establishment of industry-relevant standards, robust curricula, and international benchmarked skilling opportunities for the youth to celebrate the unique talent of India across various skill institutions.
International
NTPC becomes the only Indian PSU to feature in Forbes “World’s Best Employers 2023” List
⇒ India’s largest integrated energy conglomerate, NTPC Limited, has been recognized as one of the “World’s Best Employers 2023” in the Forbes World’s Best Employers list 2023 released on 10th October 2023.
- It ranked 261st out of top 700 companies in the World ranking and is the only Indian PSU to figure in the list. This is a testimony that the people practices at NTPC are at par with the top companies in the world.
This recognises NTPC’s progressive and “People before PLF” approach, excellence in development and management of its Human Resources through continuous process improvement, creating a caring, learning and engaging workplace, employee well-being and care and creating a meaningful, collaborative employee experience by putting the needs of employees first and adopting people practices aligned strategically to business needs.
About Forbes World’s Best Employers list:
- Every year Forbes publishes the World’s Best Employers List through independent market research to identify top 700 companies which offer exciting working and a positive environment, opportunities for training and career advancement, employee benefits, employee centric and workplace diversity.
- Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to create the seventh annual list of the World’s Best Employers this year.
Important Day
World Habitat Day, Urban October and World Cities Day- 2023
⇒ World Habitat Day 2023 was observed on 02 October 2023.
» Each year, World Habitat Day is held on the first Monday of October and launches Urban October globally.
Theme:
The theme of World Habitat Day 2023 was “Resilient urban economies. Cities as drivers of growth and recovery”.
- Cities as drivers of growth and recovery, was held in Baku, Azerbaijan on 2 October 2023.
» On 7 October 2024, the Global Observance of World Habitat Day, will be under the theme “Engaging youth to create a better urban future.”
History:
- In 1985 the United Nations designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day.
- The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. The Day is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.
- World Habitat Day was first celebrated in 1986 in Nairobi, Kenya, with the theme ‘Shelter is my right’.
Urban October: World Habitat Day & World Cities Day
» The “Urban October” is an “opportunity for everyone to be part of the conversation about the challenges and opportunities created by the fast rate of change in our cities and towns”.
- It means “31 days to promote a better urban future”: “Urban October begins with World Habitat Day at the start of the month and ends with World Cities Day on 31 October”.
» Urban October was launched by UN-Habitat in 2014 to emphasize the world’s urban challenges and engage the international community towards the New Urban Agenda.
World Cities Day 2023
» World Cities Day is celebrated every year on 31 October.
- World Cities Day aims “to identify concrete tools and services available for cities to unlock investments for financing sustainable urban development”.
- The Day is expected to greatly promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization, push forward cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities addressing challenges of urbanization and contributing to sustainable urban development around the world.
Theme:
The theme of World Cities Day 2023 was “Financing sustainable urban future for all”.
» On 31 October 2024, the Global Observance of World Cities Day, will be under the theme Youth leading climate and local action for cities.
History:
- The United Nations General Assembly designated 31 October as World Cities Day, by its resolution 68/239.
- The first World Cities Day was celebrated in 2014.
92nd Indian Air Force Day
⇒ Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated its 91st anniversary on 08 October 2023.
- This momentous occasion marks nearly a century of unwavering dedication and unparalleled service of the IAF to the nation.
- As we celebrate this milestone, we also pay homage to the bravehearts who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. Their courage, valour and dedication continue to inspire generations of Indians.
» On this historic day, the Chief of Air Staff unveiled the new IAF ensign.
New lAF ensign:
A new lAF ensign has now been created to better reflect the values of the Indian Air Force. This reaffirmation will now be reflected by the inclusion of the Air Force Crest in the top right corner of the Ensign, towards the fly side.
Key Points:
- The IAF Crest has the national symbol, the Ashoka lion on the top with the words “सत्यमेव जयते” in Devanagari below it.
- Below the Ashoka lion is a Himalayan eagle with its wings spread, denoting the fighting qualities of the IAF.
- A ring in light blue colour encircles the Himalayan eagle with the words “भारतीय वायु सेना” The motto of the IAF “नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्” is inscribed below Himalayan eagle in golden Devanagari.
- The IAF motto has been taken from verse 24, Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita and means “Radiant Thou Touchest Heaven” or in other words “Touching the sky with Glory”.
History:
- Going back in history, the RIAF Ensign comprised of the Union Jack in the upper left canton and the RIAF roundel (Red, White & Blue) on the fly side.
- Post-Independence, the Indian Air Force ensign was created by replacing the Union Jack with the Indian tri colour and the RAF roundels with the IAF tri colour roundel in the lower right canton.