Published on: November 21, 2024
Snippets : 21 NOVEMBER 2024
Snippets : 21 NOVEMBER 2024
- Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology, explored Uber Shuttle at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, a service that enables users to book travel in larger vehicles on fixed routes with pre-booked seats. Uber Shuttle, already launched in Delhi and Kolkata, aims to reduce traffic congestion and promote efficient transportation in cities like Bengaluru. The service may soon expand to Bengaluru, potentially operating from Hebbal and the Outer Ring Road tech hub, pending regulatory approval.
- Go Ru Channabasappa, a renowned writer and folk scholar, has been unanimously elected as the president of the 87th All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, scheduled to take place in Mandya from December 20 to 22. At 94 years old, Channabasappa’s contributions to Kannada literature and his seniority secured a unanimous approval from the central executive committee. He was chosen over other notable figures like Prof T V Venkatachala Shastri, Hampa Nagarajaiah, and Dr Sudha Murthy, solely based on his seniority, as stated by Nadoja Dr Mahesh Joshi, president of Kannada Sahitya Parishath. Channabasappa began his career as a school teacher in 1948 and has been actively involved in various movements and organizations. Interestingly, this isn’t his first presidency; he previously served as president of KSP from 1992 to 1995, during which the 1994 Kannada Sahitya Sammelana was held in Mandya. He is celebrated as the ‘Bhishma of folklore’ for his lasting contribution to Kannada literature, authoring over 50 works, including Mahadevi, Cheluvaambike, and Karnataka Pragatipatha.
- The Tamil Nadu government is set to restore 15 acres of degraded seagrass in the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve. This move aims to rehabilitate vital ecosystems and provide habitats for marine organisms, including dugongs and green turtles. The project will cover five acres each in Thoothukudi, Keelakarai, and Mandapam regions. Seagrass restoration will enhance carbon storage capacity and improve habitats for marine life. The Gulf of Mannar, stretching from Rameswaram to Kanyakumari, includes 21 islands and coral reefs off the Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi coasts. Restoration will help protect vulnerable ecosystems and species, providing safe feeding and breeding habitats.
- The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an international exhibition of contemporary art held in the city of Kochi in Kerala, India. It is the largest art exhibition in the country and the biggest contemporary art festival in Asia. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an initiative of the Kochi Biennale Foundation with support from the Government of Kerala. The sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), which was expected to begin in December 2024, will now be held from December 12, 2025 to March 31, 2026. Artist Nikhil Chopra and his team HH Art Spaces will be the curators of the upcoming edition.
- Justice D. Krishnakumar has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court, effective immediately, following the retirement of Justice Siddharth Mridul today, November 21. Krishnakumar was recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, on November 18. He is a senior-most puisne judge from the Madras High Court, with expertise in constitutional law, and is set to retire on May 21, 2025.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed seven key pillars to strengthen ties between India and CARICOM at the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana. The pillars focus on areas such as trade, technology, tourism, talent, and tradition, aiming to promote economic cooperation, agriculture, health, and science innovations. Modi also announced a $1 million grant for small and medium enterprises and highlighted India’s commitment to supporting CARICOM countries, particularly in renewable energy and climate change.
- India and Australia sealed an ambitious renewable energy partnership and set their eyes on a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese vowed to significantly ramp up overall bilateral ties. A raft of issues including ways to boost ties in areas of defence and security ties, mobility, science and technology and education figured prominently at the second India-Australia annual conclave held on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The Renewable Energy Partnership (REP) would provide the framework for practical cooperation in priority areas such as solar energy, green hydrogen, energy storage, investments in related projects and allied areas.
- The Indian women’s hockey team successfully defended their Asian Champions Trophy title, defeating China 1-0 in the final at the Rajgir Sports Complex. Deepika, named player-of-the-tournament with 11 goals, scored the lone goal in the 31st minute with a controlled reverse hit that left the Chinese defense and goalkeeper helpless. After a cautious start, India shifted gears in the third quarter, taking control of the game. Despite China’s initial onslaught and two penalty corners, India’s constant push yielded five penalty corners, ultimately leading to Deepika’s decisive goal. The team’s impressive attack, featuring standout performances from Sangita Kumari, Captain Salima Tete, Vaishnavi Phalke, and Sunelita Toppo, secured India’s victory, overcoming a disappointing semifinal display.
- India is hosting a 4-day Global Learning and Development Framework (GLDF) Results Management Training in collaboration with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in New Delhi. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) aims to promote and coordinate the fight against doping in sport internationally. WADA was established on November 10, 1999, in Lausanne, Switzerland, as an independent international agency to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport. WADA’s key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring the World Anti-Doping Code. WADA has a 42-member Foundation Board and a 16-member Executive Committee, representing the Olympic Movement and governments from all five continents. The GLDF training aims to standardize anti-doping procedures globally, encouraging collaboration among participating countries to ensure fairness in sports.
- Curtin University’s Binar Space Program recently lost three tiny Australian satellites, Binar-2, 3, and 4, which burned up in Earth’s atmosphere due to increased solar activity. The program, aiming to advance understanding of the Solar System and lower space operation barriers, launched its first satellite, Binar-1, in September 2021 during low solar activity, and it survived 364 days in orbit. However, the follow-up CubeSats, expected to last six months, succumbed to intensified solar activity, including sunspots, solar flares, and solar wind, which exceeded predictions for solar cycle 25 by over 1.5 times. Solar activity, driven by the Sun’s changing magnetic field, peaks every 11 years, and current levels are unusually high, impacting satellite longevity. This unexpected solar surge highlights the challenges of space exploration and the importance of monitoring solar activity for space mission planning.
- The Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise (Bharat NCX 2024) is a groundbreaking initiative designed to bolster India’s cybersecurity resilience, conducted by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in partnership with Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU). This flagship event unites over 300 participants from government agencies, public organizations, and the private sector, aiming to safeguard critical information infrastructure through immersive training sessions, live-fire exercises, and strategic simulations. Key features include cyber defense and incident response training, live-fire simulations of cyberattacks on IT and OT systems, and collaborative platforms for stakeholders. The exercise also encompasses a Strategic Decision-Making Exercise, where senior management from various sectors will simulate decision-making in national-level cyber crises, enhancing their strategic response capabilities. Additionally, the CISO’s Conclave will facilitate knowledge sharing among Chief Information Security Officers from government, public, and private sectors, exploring the latest cybersecurity trends and government initiatives.
- Karnataka has introduced its Space Policy 2024-29, aiming to capture 50% of India’s space market and achieve a 5% share in the $44-billion global industry within the next decade. The policy, developed by the Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology, and Science and Technology, emphasizes commercial space operations, defence applications, electronics, and astronomical research. Key missions include skill development to train 5,000 individuals (1,500 women), attracting $3 billion in investments, fostering 500 startups and MSMEs, and establishing space manufacturing clusters and testing centers through PPPs. Developmental initiatives aim to support the launch of 50 satellites, create statewide testing facilities, and leverage digital infrastructure for applications in agriculture, urban development, and more. The policy also focuses on partnerships, such as an MoU with DRDO, to boost the defence ecosystem. Bengaluru, already a hub for ISRO, NAL, and leading space-tech firms, is set for infrastructure expansion with 250 acres earmarked for development and a focus on downstream applications for industries like mining, safety, and cybersecurity.
- Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2025: The CCPI 2025, released at the UN Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, assessed 63 countries and the EU, covering 90% of global emissions. The top three ranks remained vacant, with Denmark ranked fourth, followed by the Netherlands. India dropped two places to 10th but remains a high performer due to low per capita emissions (2.9 tCO2e, well below the global average of 6.6 tCO2e) and rapid renewable energy growth, including solar energy expansion and ambitious targets like net-zero by 2070 and 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. Strengths include large-scale solar projects, EV deployment, and new energy efficiency standards, although coal dependency and policy continuity pose challenges. Globally, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the UK lead in performance, while countries like China (55th), the US (57th), and Argentina (59th) rank poorly. The report highlights the UK’s success with coal phase-out policies and underscores global shortcomings, leaving the top three ranks vacant for lack of “very high” performance.
