Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a three-nation visit from November 16-21 during which he will also travel to Brazil to attend the G20 summit.
India is part of the G20 troika along with Brazil and South Africa, and has been actively contributing to the ongoing G20 summit discussions.
The 2024 G20 in Brazil is the nineteenth meeting of Group of Twenty (G20), scheduled to take place at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on November 18–19, 2024.
India Secures Position in Top 10 Countries in Patents, Trademarks, and Industrial Designs
India made remarkable progress in intellectual property (IP) filings, securing 6th place globally for the first time in 2023, according to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Global Patent Filing Report. This achievement reflects a robust growth of 15.7% in patent filings, marking the fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth in India. With more than 64,480 patents filed in 2023, India's contributions are now among the top 10 nations globally across major IP rights, including patents, trademarks, and industrial designs.
India recorded 64,480 patent filings in 2023, reflecting a 15.7% year-over-year increase. This was the largest growth rate among the top 20 patent-filing countries.
Globally, over 35 lakh patents were filed, with China leading at 1.64 million, followed by the USA, Japan, South Korea, and Germany. India stands sixth, ahead of Germany, with a consistent rise in patent activity.
For the first time, India is included in the top 10 countries for patent, industrial design, and trademark applications. These areas saw dramatic increases, with patent and design filings more than doubling since 2018 and trademark applications up by 60%. Asia continues to dominate the global patent landscape, accounting for nearly 69% of global filings. The major contributors—China, Japan, South Korea, and India—led the global growth surge in 2023.
Navin Ramgoolam New Prime Minister of Mauritius
Mauritius' opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam was appointed Prime Minister, returning to the post a decade on after his coalition won a near clean sweep of seats in parliament in a general election.
Ramgoolam's Alliance du Changement (ADC) coalition won a landslide 60 of the 62 national assembly seats.
New Fire-Resilient, Dual-Blooming Plant Species Discovered in Western Ghats
Scientists discovered a new fire-resilient species of Dicliptera in the Northern Western Ghats of India, one of India's most biodiverse regions, named Dicliptera polymorpha. This new species is notable for its ability to thrive in harsh, fire-prone grasslands and its rare dual-blooming behaviour, making it a significant addition to the biodiversity of the region.
The discovery was made by a team from the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune.
DBS Bank Nominates Rajat Verma as Next India Unit CEO
DBS's India unit nominated its head of institutional banking, Rajat Verma, to be the bank's new Chief Executive Officer.
He is slated to replace Surojit Shome, who plans to retire after leading DBS Bank India since 2015. Verma's nomination has been submitted to the Reserve Bank of India.
Verma was appointed DBS managing director and head of institutional banking for India last year (2023).
SpaceX Launches Koreasat-6A Successfully
The Koreasat 6A communications satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Commissioned by KT SAT Corporation Ltd., South Korea's national satellite operator, the satellite was developed by Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales and Leonardo.
Thales Alenia Space, as the prime contractor, managed the satellite's design, construction, and launch preparation. Positioned at 116° East in geostationary orbit, Koreasat 6A replaces the previous Koreasat 6, providing essential fixed and broadcast services across South Korea.
Delhi Capitals Announce Munaf Patel as Bowling Coach
Delhi Capitals announced former India international Munaf Patel as their bowling coach for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Munaf played for India in all three formats and was a part of the 2011 ODI World Cup winning squad where he was the third highest wicket-taker for the Men in Blue. In the IPL, he has represented the likes of Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Lions, picking 74 wickets in 63 matches.
Uma Mahesh Wins Gold Medal at FISU World University Championship
Uma Mahesh clinched a gold medal at the prestigious FISU World University Championship held at Karni Singh Stadium in New Delhi. Competing in the 10m Air Rifle men's team event, Uma and his teammates outperformed their opponents and secured the top spot.
Mahesh who trains at Olympic medallist Gagan Narang's Gun for Glory Academy, added yet another title to his collection. His achievements already include two ISSF World Cup gold medals and an Asian Championship gold, among others.
The International University Sports Federation launched the FISU World University Championships in 1963.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) held their 7th Annual High-Level Meeting in Colombo. The meeting was attended by a four-member ICG delegation, led by Director General S. Paramesh, and a SLCG delegation headed by Director General Rear Admiral Y. R. Serasinghe.
The meeting emphasised cooperation between the two coast guards to address regional maritime challenges.
The meeting focused on issues such as, Drug trafficking in the maritime domain, Marine pollution and measures for cleaner oceans, Safety of mariners and maritime rescue operations, Adoption of best practices for effective maritime governance, Capacity-building programs to enhance skills and knowledge sharing and Development of other collaborative arrangements for better coordination.
This meeting follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Indian Coast Guard and Sri Lanka Coast Guard in May 2018, which formalised the annual meeting structure.
India Ships First Akash Air Defence Missile System Battery to Armenia
India marked another milestone in its defence export as it shipped the first Akash weapon system battery to Armenia.
The Akash system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) which can hit targets like fighter jets, missiles (cruise, air-to-surface), drones and other aerial assets to a range of 25 km.
Manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), each battery of Akash weapon system is accompanied by a single Rajendra 3D passive electronically scanned array radar and four launchers with three missiles each, all of which are interlinked.
Sonu Sood Appointed as Brand Ambassador and Honourary Tourism Advisor for Thailand
Sonu Sood, the celebrated actor, humanitarian, and philanthropist, took on an exciting new role as the Brand Ambassador and Honorary Tourism Advisor for Thailand. Widely recognised for his philanthropy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, this appointment adds another feather to his cap, expanding his global reach and impact. This collaboration between Sonu Sood and Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports marks an important step in promoting Thailand as a tourism destination in India.
The music world has lost a legendary artist and scholar in Mridangam, Varadarao Kamalakara Rao, who passed away at the age of 88. Renowned for his expertise and innovative approach to Mridangam, Rao dedicated his life to Indian classical music and inspired generations with his unique rhythm and technique. His contributions to Carnatic music, collaborations with celebrated musicians, and the numerous honours he received throughout his life underscore his impact on Indian music.
In recognition of his talents and contributions to Indian classical music, Kamalakara Rao received several prestigious awards, including the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, one of India's highest honours in performing arts. During his college years, he was awarded the President's Medal by none other than Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the then President of India. This honour cemented his place as a revered figure in the world of Carnatic music.
World Kindness Day, observed on November 13 each year, is a global observance dedicated to promoting and celebrating acts of kindness. This day serves as a reminder of the positive impact that kindness can have on individuals, communities, and the world at large. It encourages people to perform intentional acts of kindness and foster a culture of compassion and generosity.
World Kindness Day was introduced by the World Kindness Movement, a global coalition of kindness organisations, in 1998. It was established to encourage individuals and communities to prioritise kindness and goodwill as fundamental values.
Veteran Filmmaker Phillip Noyce Honoured with Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award
Veteran Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce, renowned for his acclaimed works such as Clear and Present Danger, Salt, and Rabbit-Proof Fence, will be honoured with the prestigious Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The festival, which will be held in Goa from November 20-28, 2024, has Australia as its Country of Focus this year.
Philip Noyce's work has had a lasting impact on both mainstream and critical cinema, shaping suspense and action genres while contributing to cultural conversations through his films.
World's Longest Detained Journalist Wins Rights Prize
A journalist detained in Eritrean prison without trial for 23 years won a Swedish human rights prize for his commitment to freedom of expression.
Dawit Isaak, who holds dual Eritrean-Swedish citizenship, was given the Edelstam Prize for his exceptional courage.
Dawit is one of the founders of Setit, Eritrea's first independent newspaper.
He was detained in 2001 after his paper published letters demanding democratic reforms.
He will be presented on November 19, in Stockholm.
Dawit's daughter, Betlehem Isaak will accept the Edelstam Prize, awarded for exceptional courage in defending human rights, on his behalf as he remains imprisoned in Eritrea.
UGC Launches PhD Excellence Citation to Honour Top Researchers in Academia
The University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced the 'PhD Excellence Citation' to honour exceptional research achievements annually across multiple academic fields. This annual award aims to recognise outstanding PhD researchers from disciplines such as science, engineering, social sciences, and Indian languages.
Each year, ten citations will be awarded to highlight research that excels in originality, contribution to knowledge, methodology, clarity, impact, and presentation quality.
Through this initiative, the UGC hopes to boost research quality in Indian universities and bring national recognition to talented researchers across a broad range of fields.
The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) collaborated with Emeritus, to launch the 'Chief Product Officer (CPO)' course. This new IIM Kozhikode course will begin on December 29.
This programme is designed for senior leaders with over eight years of experience, including aspiring and current CPOs/product leaders, as well as entrepreneurs and executives. It provides the skills needed to develop strategic thinking, customer empathy, effective communication and leadership abilities.
Participants will complete two online certificate courses from Kellogg Executive Education: 'AI Applications for Growth' and 'Data Strategy for AI Platforms'.
Uttarakhand, a state rich in culture and tradition, observed a unique festival known as Igas Bagwal. This festival, also called Budhi Diwali or Harbodhni Ekadashi, is celebrated in the mountainous regions with reverence and joy, precisely 11 days after Diwali. Rooted in local customs, Igas Bagwal represents the essence of Uttarakhand's folk heritage, uniting communities through shared festivities and traditional practices.
One of the unique customs of Igas Bagwal is the Bhailo, or torch play. Villagers create large torches by binding pinewood sticks with rope. These torches are lit and swung overhead in circles, an act believed to invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and happiness. Known locally as Andhaya, the torch ritual is symbolic of banishing darkness and inviting light, joy, and positivity.
Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal Launched Book Titled 'Maa-Mother'
Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal launched a book titled 'Maa-Mother' in New Delhi, accompanied by prominent dignitaries, including Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and West Bengal Governor C.V. Anand Bose. The event not only marked the release of the book but also highlighted the profound theme of motherhood, explored through the artistic medium of poetry.
The book 'Maa-Mother' is penned by Davendra Kumar Dhodawat, the Additional Secretary to the Governor of Kerala. This literary work delves into the deep emotional and spiritual connection that defines the relationship between a mother and her child. It takes readers on a journey through the untold stories of love, sacrifice, and nurturing that mothers often embody.
Supreme Court, High Court Judges, AG Launch Aseem Chawla's Book on Tax Laws
A book authored by Advocate Aseem Chawla titled 'Play In The Joints: Tax Insights & The Play Continues' was launched at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
The book, which encapsulates major themes in tax law and reflects on the author's experience representing the revenue authorities before courts, touches upon the shifting global tax landscape, domestic litigation trends, and the integration of technology in tax administration.
The Chief Guest for the event, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan of the Supreme Court, delivered an address on the theme Taxpayers' Expectations vis-a-vis Revenue: Judicial Intervention - Balancing the Scales.
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