DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Nov. 28, 2024

'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat' Campaign

Tags: Government Schemes

'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat' Campaign

Why in news?

• In a significant step towards eradicating child marriage and empowering young girls across the nation, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, launched the national campaign “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” today in New Delhi. 

Important points:

• As part of the campaign, the Minister also inaugurated the Child Marriage Free Bharat Portal, an innovative online platform that enables citizens to report child marriage incidents, file complaints, and access information about Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) nationwide. 
• The portal is a significant step in empowering citizens and enforcing the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.

Significance:

• This campaign aims to empower our daughters by ensuring they receive the education, health, and protection they deserve. 
• In line with the National Education Policy 2020, which prioritizes gender equality, our government continues to implement initiatives that support girls' education and social empowerment. 
• The launch of this campaign is not just an event; it is a mission to eradicate child marriage and empower every daughter in our nation. 
• This will  ensure that every girl is educated, safe, and free to pursue her dreams.

The International Gita Mahotsav 2024

Tags: National News

The International Gita Mahotsav 2024

Why in news?

• The International Gita Mahotsav 2024 will be held inKurukshetra, Haryana, India from November 28 to December 15, 2024. Tanzania is the partner country for the 2024 festival. 

About Gita Mahotsav:

• Gita Mahotsav, also referred to as Bhagavad Gita Jayanti Samaroh, is a global festival that commemorates the birth of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
• The Bhagavad Gita is adialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, a prince, that takes place before the start of the Kurukshetra War.
•  The Gita discusses the paths of jnana (knowledge), karma (action), and bhakti (devotion), and how they lead to moksha (ultimate liberation).

INDIAN ARMY LAUNCHES ‘EKLAVYA’ ONLINE DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR OFFICERS’ TRAINING

Tags: Defence

INDIAN ARMY LAUNCHES ‘EKLAVYA’ ONLINE DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR OFFICERS’ TRAINING

Why in news?

• General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), launched an online learning platform for the Indian Army nicknamed as“Eklavya”.

Key points:

• This initiative aligns with the Indian Army propelling itselfinto the “Decade of Transformation” asenvisioned by the COAS and alsowith Indian Army’s theme for 2024 as the “Year of Technology Absorption.”
• The Eklavya software platform has been developed under the aegis of Headquarters Army Training Command with Army War College as the sponsor agency.
• The platform has been developed at zero cost through “Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics” (BISAG-N), Gandhinagar, along with support from Directorate General of Information Systems.

Significance:

• This platform has been hosted on the Army Data Network and features a scalable architecture. This enables Headquarters Army Training Command to seamlessly integrate any number of training establishments of the Indian Army, each capable of hosting an extensive range of courses. 
• Student officers are permitted to register for multiple courses simultaneously. A total of 96 courses by 17 Category ‘A’ Training Establishments of the Indian Army have already been hosted on the platform.
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Swedish filmmaker Levan Akin’s ‘CROSSING’ wins the prestigious ICFT - UNESCO Gandhi Medal

Tags: Awards

Swedish filmmaker Levan Akin’s ‘CROSSING’ wins the prestigious ICFT - UNESCO Gandhi Medal 

Why in news?

• Swedish filmmaker Levan Akin’s CROSSING wins the prestigious ICFT - UNESCO Gandhi Medal at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa.

Important points:

• The award recognizes a film that reflects the values of peace, non-violence, and the promotion of human rights, and CROSSING was chosen for its powerful exploration of these themes.
• The winner receivesthe UNESCO Gandhi Medal and a certificate.
• The Jury commended Crossing for its stunning cinematic qualities and its thought-provoking exploration of gender equality and social understanding. “A stunning piece of cinema about love and understanding,” the Jury mentioned in the citation.
• Instituted in collaboration with the International Council for Film, Television, and Audiovisual Communication (ICFT) and UNESCO, this award honours films that reflect ideals of tolerance, intercultural dialogue, and culture of peace.
• Crossing tells the story of an elderly woman who embarks on a journey with a young man from Georgia to Istanbul to find her niece, who disappeared many years ago. 
• In fulfilling a promise, the woman, played by the exceptionally talented Mzia Arabuli, uncovers unexpected links to gender issues and equality. 
• The film beautifully weaves a narrative about love, understanding, and the connections that transcend generations, offering a poignant commentary on social and cultural themes.

About ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal:

• Launched during the 46th IFFI, the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal honours films that not only hold high artistic and cinematic standards but also encourage ethical reflection on society's most pressing issues.
• The award was created to foster a deeper understanding of humanity’s shared values through the transformative power of cinema.
• The ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal is more than just an award;it is a celebration of the power of film to inspire, educate, and unite.
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India’s Vision for Traditional Medicine Takes Center Stage at INTRACOM 2024

Tags: International News

India’s Vision for Traditional Medicine Takes Center Stage at INTRACOM 2024

Why in news?

• A high-level delegation led by Secretary, Ministry of Ayush from India showcased India’s groundbreaking contributions to the global advancement of Traditional Medicine (TM) at the 10th International Conference on Traditional and Complementary Medicine (INTRACOM) 2024 held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Setial Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

Important points:

• The conferencefocused on the transformative role of digital technologies in modernising healthcare practices in Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM).
• India played a pivotal role in its development, leveraging its rich traditional medicine systems—Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani—which have well-established practices and regulations.
• The 10th INTRACOM 2024 explored the integration of digital health technologies in TM, aligning with India’s pioneering efforts in this domain.
• India’s active role in INTRACOM 2024 underscores its global health and wellbeing leadership. By leveraging digital technologies and fostering international collaboration, the Ministry of Ayush ensures that Traditional Medicine continues to contribute meaningfully to global healthcare challenges.

Significance:

• This will help measure outcomes, cost-effectiveness, safety, and comparisons with mainstream medicine, driving innovation and enhancing healthcare worldwide.
• The conference also provided a platform for deliberations on transliteration, translation, and future maintenance of TM2 entities, along with mapping these with national standards like the NAMASTE Portal.
• The 10th INTRACOM 2024 reinforced India’s vision of modernising TM through digital innovation, positioning it as a global health and wellbeing cornerstone.
• This convergence of efforts will pave the way for integrated global healthcare solutions.

11th edition of National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-24)

Tags: Defence

11th edition of National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-24)

Why in news?

• Indian Coast Guard (ICG) organised the 22nd National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board meeting on November 28, 2024 in Kochi, Kerala. The event also marked the commencement of the 11th edition of National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-24), off the Kochi Coast on November 29, 2024. 

Key points:

• Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh inaugurated the event and interacted with foreign delegates in attendance.
•  He lauded the role played by ICG in providing SAR services in the Indian Search & Rescue Region and helping the fishing community at sea. He also assured all assistance from the government towards strengthening ICG. 

About National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) :

• Established in 2002, the NMSAR Board convenes annually to discuss policy matters, formulate guidelines and procedures, and review the National Search and Rescue Plan. 

Significance:

• The 22nd NMSAR Board meeting focused on enhancing collaboration and coordination among stakeholders to further improve maritime safety. 
• The meeting reaffirmed the critical importance of effective maritime search and rescue operations. 
• It highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance India's maritime safety framework, underscoring the dedication of all participating agencies to ensuring safer and more secure maritime operations in Indian waters.