GK Snapshots on 3 November 2021

World Vegan Day 2021 – November 1

World Vegan Day is annually observed by vegans across the globe on November 1st to encourage people to follow a vegan lifestyle which is beneficial to one’s health as well as good for the environment.

• The day is celebrated to create awareness about the benefits of consuming a plant-based diet.

• November 1st also marks the formation of the Vegan Society in the United Kingdom(UK).

What is Veganism?

i.Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, especially in the diet.

ii.Veganism is defined as a way of living that attempts to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, be it from food, clothing, or any other purpose.

Ayurveda Day 2021 – November 2

Ayurveda Day is observed annually across the globe on Dhanwantri Jayanthi or Dhanteras, the festival of Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of Ayurveda to create awareness about the significance of Ayurveda and to promote Ayurvedic principles of healing in society.

The day aims to promote and preserve the health science of Ayurveda in line with the United Nations(UN)’s Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) 3: to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.

• The Ayurveda Day 2021 which falls on 2nd November 2021, marks the observance 6th Ayurveda Day in India.

• The 5th Ayurveda Day was celebrated on 13th November 2020.

• The theme of Ayurveda Day 2021 is “Ayurveda for Poshan”.

About Dhanteras:

• Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the Hindu God of Ayurveda, Dhanvantari, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.Lord Dhanvantari is revered as a healer of all diseases.

• The word “Dhanteras” is made up of 2 words “Dhan” which refers to wealth and “Teras” which means “thirteen”.

• It is observed on the 13th day of Krishna Paksha on the month of Ashwin as per the Hindu calendar.

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists 2021 – November 2

United Nations(UN)’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists(IDEI) is annually observed across the globe on 2nd November.The day aims to create awareness and to formulate ways to counter the threats of violence and crimes against journalists to protect the freedom of expression for all.

Significance of 2021 observance:

• The 2021 observance of the day highlights the role of prosecutorial services, in investigating and prosecuting the killing and threats of violence against journalists.

• The 2021 commemoration will pave the way for the 10 year anniversary of the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity which will be marked in 2022.

GoI constituted 20-member EGoS to Monitor Implementation of PM Gati Shakti NMP

In October 2021, the Prime Minister (PM) of India, Narendra Damodardas Modi launched ‘PM GatiShakti – National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity’ during an event at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Click Here to Read. As a part of this, it was announced that there will be an Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) to look after its implementation.

Now following this, Government of India (GoI) has constituted a 20-member EGoS which will monitor mechanisms for the development of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP). The Cabinet Secretary (Currently Rajiv Gauba) will be its Chairperson.

Members of EGoS:

Members include Chairman, Railway Board; Secretaries of Ministry/Department of Road, Transport & Highways; Ports, Shipping & Waterways; Civil Aviation; Petroleum & Natural Gas; Power; Telecommunications; Coal; Mines; Chemicals & Petro-Chemicals; Fertilizers; Steel; Expenditure; DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade); Food and Public Distribution; Agriculture & Farmers Welfare; Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; and Tourism.

• Head of Logistics Division will be the Member, Convenor.

Education Ministry launches ‘Bhasha Sangam’ initiative for Schools, Mobile App & EBSB Quiz App

The Union Minister of Education and Skill Development, Dharmendra Pradhan launched the ‘Bhasha Sangam Initiative’ for school, ‘Bhasha Sangam Mobile App’ and ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) Quiz App’.

Objective – To make Students to acquire basic conversational proficiency in Indian Languages, other than their Mother tongue, as per the agenda of National Education Policy 2020

It was launched on the occasion of ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ which is celebrated on October 31 every year to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, first Deputy Prime Minister of India.

Bhasha Sangam:

i.It is the initiative of the Ministry of Education, launched under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
ii.It teaches the usage of basics of language and improves basic conversational skills in 22 Indian languages.

DAC Approved Military Purchases Worth Rs 7,965 crore

On November 02, 2021, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved proposals worth Rs 7,965 crore for modernisation and operational needs of the Armed Forces.

• All the proposals are under the initiative of ‘Make in India’ with a focus on the design, development and manufacturing of weapons and equipment in India.

Approved Procurements:

i.Procurement of 12 Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) from HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).
ii.Lynx U2 Fire Control System from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to enhance detection tracking and engagement capabilities of Naval warships.
iii.Mid Life Upgradation of Dornier Aircraft from HAL to increase Naval capacity of coastal surveillance. iv.Global procurement case of Naval guns foreclosed with these guns’ quantity added to upgraded Short Range Gun Mountbeing (SRGM) manufactured by BHEL.

Indian Paddlers G Sathiyan & Harmeet Desai Won Men’s Doubles Title at WTT Contender Tunis

Indian Table Tennis players Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Harmeet Desai have won the Men’s doubles title of the World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender Tunis tournament 2021, against Emmanuel Lebesson and Alexander Cassin of France.

• WTT Contender Tunis 2021 was held in Tunisia from 24th to 30th October 2021 at Salle Omnisport de Rades, Tunis, Tunisia.
• WTT Contender Series is a part of the revamped International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).
• This is the first-ever WTT Series held in Tunisia and the first-ever WTT series held in entire Africa

Winners of WTT Contender Tunis 2021:

A book titled “The Story of the First Civilizations: From Mesopotamia to the Aztecs” by Subhadra Sen Gupta

A book titled “The Story of the First Civilizations: From Mesopotamia to the Aztecs” written by Subhadra Sen Gupta. This is the last book authored by Subhadra Sen Gupta and published posthumously by Talking Cub, an imprint of Speaking Tiger.

• The book is an informative book for Children, on the ancient civilizations around the world like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus valley, Greece, Rome etc