National
Kashi Utsav
⇒ Kashi Utsav, a three-day festival was organised in Varanasi to celebrate the classic heritage and culture of Kashi.
Varanasi or Kashi was chosen for this festival because of its rich cultural heritage and splendid history and resplendent beauty.
- The programme was organized from 16 to 18 November 2021 at Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre, Varanasi.
Host:
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) hosted the programme on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, with the support of the Uttar Pradesh State Government and Varanasi Administration under the aegis of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
Theme:
A theme was dedicated to each day of the festival.
Themes were- ‘Kashi ke Hastakshar’; ‘Kabir, Raidas ki Bani aur Nirgun Kashi’ and ‘Kavita aur Kahani – Kashi ki Zubani’
The first day focused on eminent literary figures, Bhartendu Harishchandra and Shri Jaishankar Prasad. The second day highlighted prominent poets, Sant Raidas and Sant Kabirdas and the final day had Goswami Tulsidas and Munshi Premchand as focal points.
» Other programs like play, film, book exhibition etc. were also displayed.
Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses Renamed
⇒ Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh unveiled a plaque at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi on November 15, 2021 to rename the institute after former Defence Minister late Manohar Parrikar.
- It has been renamed as Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA).
- The Raksha Mantri is also the President of the Institute.
- The renaming coincided with the 57th Foundation Day of the Institute that is celebrated on 11th November every year.
International
Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference
⇒ Shri Hardeep S Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs, led an official and business delegation to UAE from 15-17 November 2021 to attend the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference.
Shri Puri attended in the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC) on the invitation of H. E. Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of UAE.
Shri Puri inaugurated the India Pavilion, set up jointly by Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI), Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
During the visit, the Minister took part in a Ministerial Round Table titled “Charting the Climate Action Path from COP 26 to COP 27”.
The Minister also delivered a keynote address during the Road Show on “Investment Opportunities in the Exploration and Production Sector in India”. DGH conducted this on the sidelines of ADIPEC to attract foreign investment by global oil and gas majors.
Host:
Hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), ADIPEC is one of the world’s largest and an influential oil and gas event, which will provide Indian companies a world-class environment for showcasing their success stories across the industry’s value chain.
Loan Agreement between Government of India and Asian Development Bank
⇒ The Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $61 million loan to improve livability, harness technology, and promote new developments to accommodate the expanding population in Agartala city while building capacity of state agencies for improved service delivery.
The Agartala City Urban Development Project is aligned to the vision of the Government of India’s Smart City Mission to upgrade urban infrastructure services and will improve livability in Agartala with provision of better road connectivity, flood resilient measures and making tourist places more attractive.
Important Day
World Diabetes Day
⇒ World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14.
The day is celebrated to mark the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who discovered the insulin hormone along with Charles Herbert Best in 1922.
Theme:
The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-23 is ‘access to diabetes care’.
Significance:
World Diabetes Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of diabetes as a global public health issue and what needs to be done, collectively and individually, for better prevention, diagnosis and management of the condition.
Background:
- Established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation with support from WHO in response to growing concerns about the health and economic threat posed by diabetes, World Diabetes Day became an official UN day in 2006.
- In 2007 General Assembly adopted resolution 61/225 designating 14 November as World Diabetes Day.
Jharkhand Foundation Day
- Jharkhand celebrated its Foundation Day on 15th November.
Death
Noted writer, historian and theatre personality, Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare
⇒ Noted writer, historian and theatre personality, Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare passed away on 15 November 2021 in Pune. He was 99.
Purandare, a celebrated author and theatre personality, was known for his work on the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Purandare wrote several books, including a two-volume biography of the king “Raje Shivchhatrapati”.
His other prominent publications include- “Maharaj”, “Shelar Khind”, “Gadkot Kille”, “Agra”, “Lal Mahal”, “Purandar”, “Rajgad”, “Panhalgad”, “Sinhagad”, “Pratapgad”, “Fulwanti”, “Purandaryanchi Daulat”, “Mujaryache Mankari”, “Savitri” and “Kalawantinicha Sajja”.
In 2015, the state government had awarded the Maharashtra Bhushan award to Purandare. In 2019, he also received the Padma Vibhushan award.