Current Context : Recently, C.V Raman Birth anniversary was celebrated on 7^th November.

About C.V Raman

• Birth:November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu.
• Nobel Prize:Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
• Discovery:Known for discovering the Raman Effect, which explained how light changes wavelength when scattered by molecules in a material.
• Significance:The Raman Effect led to new research fields in optics and molecular science, influencing spectroscopy and medical diagnostics.
• Legacy:V. Raman’s work has had a lasting impact on physics and continues to inspire global scientific research.

Celebrated every year on November 8^th.

• Aim : to honor the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895.
• The day raises awareness about the importance of radiographers and the critical role they play in diagnosing and treating medical conditions through imaging technologies such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds.

Current Context : The 5th Edition of Vietnam Indian Bilateral Army Exercise “VINBAX 2024” commenced at Ambala.

• Held from 4 to 23 November 2024 in Ambala and Chandimandir, India.
• Significance:The first VINBAX exercise to include joint participation from both countries’ Army and Air Force personnel.
• Objective:Enhance joint military capabilities, focusing on engineering and medical tasks for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

Participants:

• India:47 personnel from the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers, with support from other branches.
• Vietnam: A similar contingent from the Vietnam People’s Army.

Current Context : Recently, at least 10 people died after Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in eastern Indonesia erupted and forced authorities to evacuate several nearby villages.

About Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki

• Location:Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia.
• Volcano Type:Part of a twin-volcano system with Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki (“male”) and Lewotobi Perempuan (“female”), both classified as stratovolcanoes.
• Formation:Stratovolcanoes, formed by layered lava flows over time, are common worldwide.
• Ring of Fire:Indonesia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area with high seismic activity due to tectonic plate movement, leading to frequent eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

Current Context : Recently, Ningol Chakkouba festival was held with religious fervour and gaiety across the State of Manipur.

About Ningol Chakkouba Festival

• Celebration:Held annually on the second day of Hiyangei in the Meitei lunar calendar.
• Main Tradition:Married women (Ningols) are invited to their parents’ home for a grand feast (Chakouba), symbolizing family reunion.
• Custom:Sons invite their married sisters a week in advance.
• Significance:Promotes peace, harmony, and family unity, with gifts exchanged during the gathering.
• Growing Popularity:While mainly celebrated by Meiteis, other communities now participate in the festival.

Meitei Community

• Location:Primarily in Manipur’s Imphal Valley, with diaspora in Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Bangladesh.
• Language:Meitei (Manipuri), an official language of Manipur.
• Culture:Organized into clans with no intermarriage between them.
• Economy:Mainly rice cultivation in irrigated fields.

Current Context : Refugees perform a traditional cultural dance during the Tumaini Festival at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa, central Malawi.

About Tumaini Festival:

• Established :2014, by Congolese poet Menes La Plume.
• Location :Held annually at Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi.
• Purpose:Created to promote peace and unity between refugees and local communities. It uses art, music, and crafts to foster hope and mutual understanding.
• Unique Feature :It’s the only major international festival held within a refugee camp, organized largely by refugees.
• Recognition : Received the Cultures of Resistance Award in 2024​

About Malawi :

• Geography :Landlocked in Southeast Africa; shares borders with Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia.
• Capital :
• Language :English and Chichewa (official languages).
• Economy :Primarily agricultural, with over 80% of the population involved in farming. Malawi is among the world’s poorest countries.
• Natural Highlights :Known for Lake Malawi, one of the world’s deepest lakes, covering a significant part of the country’s area.

Current Context : The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced the launch of the Digital India Common Service Centre (DICSC) project, with initial implementation set to begin in Pilibhit and Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Aim : to bridge the digital divide in rural India by providing citizens with accessible e-governance, financial, and commercial services.

About DICSC

Launch: Initiated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Objective: Narrow the digital divide in rural India by offering essential e-governance, financial, and commercial services.

Services Offered:

• Aadhaar registration, banking services, tele-law, telemedicine, financial planning, and e-commerce.
• Additional support for educational services and job creation through Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).

Implementation & Monitoring : Managed by CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, ensuring efficient and transparent service delivery.

Current Context : Two million applications have been successfully registered under the PM Vishwakarma scheme.

About PM Vishwakarma scheme:

Objective : to support traditional artisans and craftspeople in both rural and urban areas.

Ministry: Operated by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Type : Central sector scheme.

Objectives:

• Recognize artisans as “Vishwakarmas” with formal IDs and certifications.
• Provide skill upgradation and toolkits for improved craftsmanship.
• Promote brand recognition and market access through digital platforms and exhibitions​

Eligibility : Self-employed artisans aged 18+, from various traditional trades (e.g., potters, blacksmiths), with one person per family eligible.

Current Context : Ganga Utsav 2024 organized recently by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) witnessed  participation from several river cities under the River City Alliance.

About River Cities Alliance

• It was launched in 2021 as a joint initiative of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• It currently includes 145 Indian cities and is open to any river city in India.
• Objective: to enhance sustainable urban river management and promote “river-sensitive” urban planning.
• This contributes to creating water-secure, environmentally healthy cities and integrates rivers as central aspects of urban development​

Observed annually on November 7 in India

• Aim : to raise awareness about cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment options, encouraging people to prioritize their health.
• Marks the birth anniversary of Marie Curie, whose pioneering work in radioactivity contributed to cancer treatment advancements, especially radiotherapy.​