Daily Current Affairs and GK | 22 November 2024

Topic: State News/ Haryana

1. ‘Haryana Good Governance Awards Scheme 2024’ notified by the Haryana Government to promote excellence in governance.

• The objective of the scheme is to promote excellence in governance by rewarding those employees who contribute to better governance in the State through innovative work and extraordinary efforts.
• The awards are classified into flagship scheme awards and state-level awards. ‘District level awards’ will also be given under the scheme.
• The flagship awards will recognise teams involved in key projects whose work has led to significant improvements in governance.
• An amount of Rs 51,000 will be given under each flagship award.
• State level awards will be given to teams doing outstanding work in various governance initiatives.
• In the state level award, an amount of Rs 51,000 will be given for the first prize, Rs 31,000 for the second prize and Rs 21,000 for the third prize.
• The awards will also include a trophy and a certificate of appreciation and the cash prizes will be distributed equally among the members of the winning team.
• ‘District Level Awards’ will also be given under this scheme.
• The Deputy Commissioner of each district will give 'District Level Award'.
• The first place winner in the district will be given a cash prize of Rs. 31,000, second place winner will be given Rs. 21,000 and third place winner will be given Rs. 11,000.
• Each award-winning team will also be given a trophy and a certificate of appreciation signed by the Divisional Commissioner of the respective district.

Topic: National News

2. India's first AI data bank launched to boost national security.

• On November 20, India's first Artificial Intelligence (AI) data bank launched by the Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh at the 7th Edition of the ASSOCHAM AI Leadership Meet 2024..
• It aims to promote innovation and boost the country's national security.
• This initiative will provide researchers, startups, and developers access to high-quality, diverse datasets needed to build scalable and inclusive AI solutions.
• The theme of the event was "AI for India: Driving India's AI development - Innovation, Ethics and Governance".
• It showcased India's strategic roadmap to harness the transformational potential of AI.
• The AI ​​data bank will "enhance national security through real-time analysis of satellite, drone, and IoT data."
• It is also in line with the country’s goal of using AI for predictive analytics in disaster management and cybersecurity.

Topic: Personality in News

3. President paid tribute to Dr. Harekrishna Mahtab in New Delhi.

• On November 21, President Draupadi Murmu paid tribute to "Utkal Kesari" Dr Harekrushna Mahtab on his 125th birth anniversary celebrations in New Delhi.
• President Murmu released a special commemorative stamp and coin in honour of Dr Mahtab.
• President Murmu elaborated on how Dr Harekrushna Mahtab took active part in the freedom struggle and spread Gandhian thoughts and philosophy to the villages of Odisha.
• Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab:

• Also known as "Utkal Kesari", Mahtab was born on 21 November 1899 in Agarpara, Odisha. He died on 2 January 1987.
• He served as the first Chief Minister of Odisha from 1946 to 1950 and later served as CM from 1956 to 1961.
• He was a versatile leader of Indian history, known as freedom fighter, politician, historian, writer, social reformer and journalist.
• His political career started during college when he actively participated in freedom movement events such as Non-cooperation Movement, Salt Satyagraha, etc.
• Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab was also a literary figure of significance who wrote widely in both Odia and English and received acclaim for his work, including the historical account ' History of Orissa.'
• He won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983 for 'Gaon Majlis'.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Important Days

4. World Philosophy Day 2024: 21 November

• World Philosophy Day is observed every year on the third Thursday of November.
• This year, World Philosophy Day was celebrated on 21 November.
• It is an international day proclaimed by UNESCO. It was first celebrated on 21 November 2002.
• The main objective of the day is to raise awareness about the importance of philosophical analysis, research, and the study of major contemporary issues.
• Philosophy is an inspiring discipline as well as an everyday practice that can transform society.
• On this occasion, UNESCO’s partners encouraged to organize various types of activities- philosophical dialogues, debates, conferences, workshops, cultural events and presentations.
• Philosophy is the study of the nature of existence, knowledge, truth, and ethics.