Current Affairs - November 9, 2024 Current Affairs

World Adoption Day is observed annually on November 9, aiming to raise awareness about the transformative impact of adoption on children's lives. This day highlights the importance of providing a loving family environment to orphaned, abandoned, or neglected children. Founded in 2014 by Hank Fortner and Adopt Together, World Adoption Day encourages societies to recognize the value of adoption in giving children a second chance at a stable and nurturing life. By observing this day, individuals and organizations promote awareness, support, and action to help children find forever families and fulfil their potential.

Jan Zelezny, a legendary Czech javelin thrower, has been chosen to coach Neeraj Chopra, India's double Olympic medallist. Zelezny's impressive credentials include three Olympic gold medals and five of the top ten best javelin throws in history. He holds the world record with a throw of 98.48m, achieved in Germany in 1996. As one of the greatest javelin throwers of all time, Zelezny's expertise and guidance are expected to help Chopra improve his technique and achieve even greater success in international competitions. This partnership aims to elevate Chopra's performance and bring more glory to Indian athletics.

Bengaluru has taken a significant step in promoting awareness about population growth with the launch of India's first digital population clock. Inaugurated at the Institute for Social and Economic Change, this innovative display provides real-time updates on Karnataka's population every 1 minute 10 seconds and India's population every 2 seconds. Utilizing satellite connectivity for precise timekeeping, this initiative aims to educate the public on population growth and support research through the Census Data Research Workstation, facilitating in-depth demographic studies and informed decision-making.

The 3rd edition of the India-Australia joint military exercise, AUSTRAHIND, commenced on November 8, 2024. This exercise is being held at the Foreign Training Node in Pune, Maharashtra, involving 140 personnel from India, including members of the DOGRA Regiment and the Indian Air Force, alongside 120 Australian personnel from the 13th Light Horse Regiment. Pune, a prominent training location, was chosen to enhance cooperation and coordination between the Indian and Australian forces in joint military operations.

Uttarakhand, known as the "Land of the Gods" (Devbhumi), celebrates its Foundation Day on November 9 to commemorate its formation as a separate state in India. Established in 2000, initially as Uttaranchal and later renamed Uttarakhand in 2007, the state's foundation day honours its cultural and historical significance. The day marks the culmination of a long struggle for statehood, recognizing the region's distinct cultural, geographical, and administrative identity. Uttarakhand's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty make it a unique and significant part of India's diverse landscape. The celebration symbolizes the resilience and pride of the people of Uttarakhand.

PV Sindhu, the renowned Indian badminton player and Olympic medallist, laid the foundation stone for the PV Sindhu Centre for Badminton and Sports Excellence on November 7 in Chinna Gadili, near Visakhapatnam. This three-acre facility, backed by the Andhra Pradesh government, aims to provide state-of-the-art training resources for aspiring badminton players. With support from stakeholders like Greenko and guidance from her coach Pullela Gopichand, the centre is envisioned to enhance Indian badminton talent and bring training infrastructure in line with global standards.

World Science Day for Peace and Development is observed annually on November 10, as proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001. This international day highlights the crucial role science plays in promoting peace, sustainable development, and improving people's lives. Originating from the 1999 World Conference on Science in Budapest, World Science Day aims to bridge the gap between science and society, encouraging public engagement, scientific literacy, and informed decision-making. By celebrating this day, the global community reaffirms its commitment to harnessing science for the betterment of humanity and addressing pressing global challenges.

NTPC, India's largest power generator, has made a groundbreaking achievement in reducing carbon emissions. Its Vindhyachal unit has successfully produced methanol from carbon dioxide, a significant step towards achieving India's net-zero emission target by 2070. This innovative project captures 10 tons per day of CO₂ from coal combustion and converts it into green methanol using carbon dioxide and green hydrogen. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, contributing to India's climate change mitigation efforts and transition to cleaner energy.

Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Emami Limited, is set to become the new FICCI President, succeeding Anish Shah. As the current Senior Vice President of FICCI, Agarwal will assume his new role on November 21, 2024, at the 97th Annual General Meeting. He is one of the youngest and most promising second-generation leaders of the Emami Group, known for his strategic thinking and leadership skills. Agarwal has been instrumental in several key acquisitions and initiatives, including the acquisition of Zandu Pharmaceutical Works Ltd and Kesh King.

India's smartphone market has achieved significant growth, emerging as the second-largest globally by unit volume in Q3 2024. With a 15.5% share of global smartphone shipments, India trails only China's 22% market share. The country's smartphone market value also rose to 12.3%, driven by early festive sales, a 3% increase in shipments, and a 12% growth in market value. The average selling price of smartphones in India reached $294, indicating a shift toward premium devices, with brands like Samsung and Apple dominating the premium segment. India's large user base and growing demand for high-end devices position the country for continued growth in the smartphone market.