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By admin: Nov. 15, 2024

555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Tags: Person in news

555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Why in news?

• Recently Berwick Springs Lake, located in Narre Warren, Australia has been renamed Guru Nanak Lake, in honour of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of the Sikh faith.

Guru Nanak Jayanti:

• Guru Nanak Jayanti, or Gurpurab as it is also known, is the birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
•  In 2024, it will be celebrated onNovember 15 to commemorate the 555th birthday of Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 C.E. in what is now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan.

Importance of the Guru Nanak Jayanti:

•  This day is of extreme importance for Sikhs and is celebrated through several rituals and collective activities that reflect the core of Guru Nanak's teachings.
• This day highlights his teachings of equality, selfless service, devotion to God, and universal love.
• Celebrations include processions, prayers, and community meals (Langar), emphasizing his values of justice and compassion.
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Scientists discovered the world’s largest coral discovered in the southwest Pacific Ocean, near solomon islands.

Tags: International News

Solomon Islands

Why in news?

• Scientists discovered theworld’s largest coral discovered in the southwest Pacific Ocean, near solomon islands.

Important points:

• It’s more than 100 feet long, at least 300 years old and visible from space. 
• It’s three times larger than the previous record-breaker in American Samoa, according to Pristine Seas, and longer than a blue whale, the planet’s biggest animal.
• The mega coral was spotted during a scientific expedition launched by the National Geographic Pristine Seas program in October to study ocean health in the Solomon Islands.

Coral reefs:

• Coral reefs are complex ecosystems that are home to a wide variety of marine life and offer many benefits to humans and the environment.
• Coral reefs are often called the "rainforests of the sea" because of their incredible biodiversity. 
• They provide food and shelter for many animals, including fish, mollusks, sea urchins, and sponges. 

About Solomon Islands:

• The Solomon Islands, a nation of hundreds of islands in the South Pacific, has many WWII-era sites. 
• Guadalcanal, a province and one of the archipelago’s largest islands, honors fallen Allied soldiers at its U.S. War Memorial.
• Guadalcanal is also home to the nation’s capital, Honiara,whose bustling Central Market showcases the islands’ produce and traditional handicrafts.
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Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) bags 3 prestigious ‘Gold awards’ at the International Convention on Quality Control Circles

Tags: Awards

International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC-2024)

Why in news?

Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) bags 3 prestigious ‘Gold awards’ at the International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC-2024) held at Colombo, Sri Lanka from 11th to 14th  Nov '24.

Key Points:

• 3 LQC (lean quality circle) teams from RINL, the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant i.e. ‘ARMOR’ from SBM (Special Bar Mill), ‘TARANGINI’ from QA&TD(Quality Assurance & Technology Development) and ‘SADHANA’ from SMS-1(Steel Melt Shop-1).
• All the above three teams from RINL have bagged the prestigious “GOLD Awards” at ICQCC-2024.

 What is  International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC) 2024 ?

• The International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC)  is a global forum for quality control experts to share and learn about quality management. 

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA),1958

Tags: National News

• Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA),1958

Why in news?

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday (November 14, 2024) reimposed the  Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA),declaring six police station limits in five districts of Manipur as “disturbed areas”,in the wake of the ongoing ethnic violence in the State. 
• The Act was withdrawn from these areas in 2022; instead of Manipur government, the Ministry of Home Affairs issues notification this time.

What is Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA)?

• Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 is an act of the Parliament of India that grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces to maintain public order in "disturbed areas".

History of the act:

• The Armed Forces Special Powers Ordinance of 1942 was promulgated by the British colonial government on 15 August 1942 to suppress the Quit India Movement .

Power given to the armed forces under the act:

• The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) of 1958 gives the armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces several powers, including:
• Arrest without a warrant.
• Search premises without a warrant.
• Shoot to kill.
• Legal immunity.
• Stop and search vehicles.

The AFSPA is invoked when the territorial integrity of India is at risk due to militancy or insurgency. 

First trilateral power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh

Tags: International Relations

First trilateral power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh 

Why in news?

• Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, jointly inaugurated the power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh, alongwith Md. Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Government of Bangladesh and Mr. Dipak Khadka, Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Government of Nepal through a virtual event

Key points:

•  The Government of India had announced its decision to facilitate thefirst trilateral power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh, through Indian grid with an export of upto 40 MW of powerduring the visit of the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to India from 31 May to 3 June 2023.
• Subsequently, a tripartite power sales agreement betweenNTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Nepal Electricity Authority and Bangladesh Power Development Boardwas signed on 3 October 2024 in Kathmandu.

Significance:

•  This historic occasion marks the first trilateral power transactionwhich has been carried out through the Indian grid.
• The start of this power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh through India is expected to boost sub-regional connectivity in the power sector.
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150th Birth Anniversary Year celebration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda

Tags: Festivals

Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

Why in news?

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi marked the commencement of 150th Birth Anniversary Year celebration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on november 15,2024 in Jamui, Bihar.

Key points of the event:

•  PM Modi unveils a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
• The stamp, designed by Shri Sankha Samanta, features a powerful portrayal of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, set against a backdrop depicting him addressing his followers. His resolute expression symbolizes his unwavering vision for tribal unity, empowerment, and self-governance.
• To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda, Birsa Munda Tribal Gaurav Upvans will be built in tribal dominated districts of the country.
•  There was a Grih Pravesh of 11,000 Awas built for the tribals on the auspicious occasion of Dev Deepavali. 

What is Janjatiya Gaurav Divas?

•  First celebrated in 2021, november 15, was instituted to recognize the sacrifices of tribal freedom fighters as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, celebrating 75 years of India's independence.
•  His contributions, celebrated on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, continue to symbolize the struggle for indigenous justice and identity.

Who was Birsa Munda?

• Born on 15th November 1875 in Ulihatu, Bihar (present-day Jharkhand), Birsa Munda led the historic Ulgulan (Great Rebellion) from 1899 to 1900, rallying thousands in the fight to reclaim tribal lands and resist colonial oppression.
•  His advocacy for “Munda Raj” symbolized his dream of a just and self-governed society free from exploitation.
•  Though he tragically passed at just 25, his message of courage and resilience continues to inspire communities throughout India.
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Other events on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas:

• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah unveils a grand statue ofBhagwan Birsa Munda in New Delhi on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary.
• On this occasion, the Modi government also decided to change the name of Sarai Kale Khan Chowk to 'Bhagwan Birsa Munda Chowk.
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