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By admin: Nov. 6, 2024

NITI Aayog will be launching ‘Jal Utsav'

Tags: Environment

JAL UTSAV-2024

Why in news?

• NITI Aayog will be launching a 15 day ‘Jal Utsav’ starting 6th November,2024 to create awareness and sensitivity towards water management, conservation and sustainability. 

Objectives of the JAL UTSAV:

• Jal Utsav is being implemented in 20 Aspirational Districts/Blocksbetween November 6-20, 2024 in partnership with National Jal Jeevan Mission, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. 
• The Festival being launched across 20 states, envisages community participation in preservation and protection of water resources. 
•  The campaign follows the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi who mooted the idea of ‘Jal Utsav’ on the lines of ‘Nadi Utsav’during the 3rd Chief Secretaries Conference held in December, 2023.
• It seeks to instill a sense of responsibility towards efficient water use among households and water management among utilities and agencies. 

Key features:

• In this initiative, school students are being enrolled in water management activities, empowering them to act as catalysts for change within their families and communities.
• The fortnight long festival will be launched with ‘Jal Bandhan’– the symbolic tying of sacred thread on water assets by eminent personalities and local leaders.and sustainable use. 

Through this pledge, communities are being encouraged to abide by the 5Rs: Respect, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recharge while using water.

• The subsequent days of the Jal Utsav fortnight will include cleaning of Jal Sampada assets; celebrating Jal Sanchay Diwas; encouraging teachers to lead through creating water management awareness through stories, experiments and visits to water bodies and also by training the students on water quality testing using field test kits (FTKs). 
• Students will be given exposure visits to water supply and treatment plants for greater awareness about water management; organizing Jal Utsav Run or marathon; planting of trees under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naamat Jal Sampada premises are also the activities planned for the fortnight.
•  People for skill development under Nal Jal Mitra initiative of Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation will also be enrolled during the Jal Utsav. 
• Self-help Groups and ASHA workers are also being included in this festival for sensitization and capacity building.
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55th International Film Festival of India: Cinema Without Borders

Tags: Festivals

55th International Film Festival of India: Cinema Without Borders

Why in news?

• The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is will be organized  in Panaji, Goa, from November 20th to 28th, 2024, in Panaji, Goa.

About International Film Festival of India (IFFI):

• The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is a yearly film festival that showcases global cinema, and is considered one of Asia's most important film festivals.
• Founded in 1952, IFFI is one of the oldest film festivals in Asia.
•  It has been held annually in Goa since 2004. 
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Objective of IFFI:

• IFFI aims to celebrate films, their stories, and the people behind them.
• It also aims to promote a love of film, and to build understanding and camaraderie among people.
• Since its inception in 1952, IFFI has evolved into a premier platform for promoting films that celebrate the diversity of storytelling, culture, and creativity from around the world. 
• The 2024 edition promises a compelling lineup, industry workshops, and a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity. 

Shri Piyush Goyal unveils brochure and film for global mobility event, "Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025"

Tags: Economics/Business

“Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025"

Why in news?

• Shri Piyush Goyal unveils brochure and film for global mobility event, "Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025"

About Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 :

• The Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 is an industry led and government supported initiative, and is being coordinated by Engineering Export Promotion Council India (EEPC India) with the joint support of various industry bodies and partner organizations.
• Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the world’s second largest mobility show. 
• The Expo's theme, ‘Beyond Boundaries: Co-Creating the Future of the Automotive Value Chain,’ aligns seamlessly with the nation’s vision for a connected and integrated world.

Venues of the Events:

• The event is scheduled to be held from 17-22 January, 2025 acrossthree separate venuesviz. Bharat Mandapam (ITPO), Delhi; Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Center), Dwarka, Delhi and India Expo Center & Mart, Greater Noida. 

Importance of  Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 :

• India story is a compulsive investment story of leveraging skill, vision and ambition. Bharat Mobility Expo helps showcase India’s story in attracting investments and expand trade and exports.
• Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 promises to be a landmark event, aiming to unite the entire mobility value chain under one umbrella. 
• This time, there is a special emphasis being placed on the global significance of the expo, seeing sizable participation from across the globe as exhibitors and visitors. 
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Prime Minister condoles the demise of renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha

Tags: Person in news

Sharda Sinha

Why in news?

• Prime Minister condoles the demise of renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha on 6th November,2024.

Who was Sharda Sinha?

• Sharda Sinha is one of themost prominent musicians from Bihar.She has sung extensively inMaithili, Bhojpuri, and Magahi languages. 
• Her songs for theChhath festivalare all-time favourites, and until recently, the singer would perform repeatedly at Chhath events.
• She is also known for her songs in Hindi films like Maine Pyar Kiya, and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. In Anurag Kashyap's cult film, Gangs of Wasseypur, she sang 'Taar Bijli', a track which became immensely popular. 

Awards:

• She is a recipient of Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour in 2018. 
• In 1991, she was also awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour and the Sangeet Natak Akad

Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park is set to achieve India's first Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Certification.

Tags: Environment

Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park

Why in news?

• Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park is set to achieveIndia's first Indian Green Building Council  (IGBC) Certification.

About Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park:

• Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park is located in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh,housing more than 73 species, including Asiatic lions, crocodiles, gharials, and indigenous birds.
• It will be the first zoo in Indiato receive certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). 
•  Indian Green Building  Council certification will recognize the zoo’s commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly infrastructure, setting a precedent for conservation efforts in the country.

About IGBC:

• IGBC is India's Premier certification body, headquartered in Hyderabad. IGBC is the founding member of the World Green Building Council discussing global issues at COP and similar global platforms. 
• IGBC was formed in 2001as part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

North Korea recently conducted a test by launching its Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) the Hwasong-19

Tags: International News

Hwasong-19 Ballistic missile

Why in the news?

•  North Korea recently conducted a test by launching its Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)  the Hwasong-19.North Korea claims that it will be  “ world’s strongest strategic ballistic missile.”

What is Hwasong-19?

• Hwasong-19 is a long range intercontinental ballistic missile that aims to strengthen North Korea's deterring capability.
• Its range is more than7500 km.

 Advantages:

• It uses solid fuel, enhancing mobility and readiness by eliminating the need for on-site fueling.

Concerns:

• Large size and transport vehicles make it easier to detect, raising concerns about its survival in actual combat.

Comparison with other nations:

•  India: Agni-V: An intercontinental, surface-to-surface, nuclear-capable ballistic missile. It has a range of more than 5000 km.
• U.S.A.: Minuteman II:This ICBM had a range of 12,500 km.  
• China: DF-41:Solid-fueled ICBM, capable of reaching targets over 12,000 km away, with MIRV capability.
• Russia: RS-24 Yars: Solid-fueled, highly mobile and with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) for enhanced strike potential.
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