Current Affairs - November 13, 2023 Current Affairs

Uttarakhand is set to make history by becoming the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). This move by the state government aims to establish legal uniformity, promote gender equality, and modernize existing legal frameworks.

Patent applications by residents of India increased by 31.6% in 2022, to 77,068, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This was the highest growth rate of any country among the top 10 patent filers. India is now the third-largest patent filer in Asia, after China and Japan. It is also the 12th-largest patent filer in the world.

The 62nd Foundation Day Parade Ceremony of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand on November 10, 2023. The ceremony was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who praised the ITBP for its role in guarding the India-China border.

India is hosting the 33rd Conference of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific in New Delhi from November 13th to 16th. This event reflects India's commitment to advancing animal health and husbandry in the region.

World Kindness Day is observed annually on November 13. The theme for World Kindness Day 2023 is "Be Kind Wherever Possible," emphasizing the universal importance of kindness in all aspects of life.

The Supreme Court has directed the formation of Special Benches to monitor and expedite the criminal trials of MPs and MLAs, expressing concern about the delay in disposal eroding public confidence in the justice system.

The 14th International Conference of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) under the Paris Principles was organized by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) in Copenhagen, Denmark from 6-8 November 2023. The conference was held on the theme “Torture and Other Abuses: Role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs)”. It brought together over 85 NHRIs from around the world to discuss the role of NHRIs in preventing and combating torture and other ill-treatment.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccine for chikungunya on November 10, 2023. The vaccine, called VLA1553, was developed by Valneva Austria, a subsidiary of the French company Valneva. The vaccine is intended for adults 18 years of age and older who are at increased risk of exposure to chikungunya. This includes people who live in or travel to areas where the virus is common, as well as people who work with chikungunya-infected animals.

The Fifth Annual India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue took place in New Delhi on November 10, attracting noteworthy attention, especially from Bangladesh.

Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar recently took charge of the Eastern Fleet, succeeding Rear Admiral Gurcharan Singh, in a ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. Rear Admiral Dhankhar, with a specialization in Navigation and direction, brings a wealth of qualifications and experiences to this prestigious position.