In a major achievement, Oman was elected as a member of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Council for the term 2025–2029. The election took place during the 43rd UNESCO General Conference, which concluded on November 13, 2025, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This marks a significant recognition of Oman's efforts in promoting sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and harmony between humans and nature.
This event marked the first time the conference was held outside of Paris in over 40 years.
The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, launched by UNESCO in 1971, is an international scientific initiative that works to improve the relationship between humans and their environment.
India, Botswana Announce Cheetah Translocation Pact
Botswana formally announced the translocation of eight cheetahs to India amid President Droupadi Murmu's state visit.
In the capital, Gaborone, the President spoke with counterpart Duma Gideon Boko about expanding the India-Africa partnership. As the southern African nation announced the symbolic handover of the big cats for India's Project Cheetah.
The two heads of state presided over an event where eight captured Cheetahs will be released into a quarantine facility at the Mokolodi nature reserve, marking the symbolic handing over of the hunting cats to India by Botswana as part of Project Cheetah and under a mutual initiative for wildlife conservation.
India's First MWh-Scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB)
Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs inaugurated India's first megawatt-hour (MWh) scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) in Greater Noida.
The 3 MWh Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) is developed by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)'s NETRA (National Energy Technology Research Alliance)
It aims to demonstrate Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) technology for large-scale renewable energy integration and grid stability.
Birla Estates Named Principal Sponsor of Gujarat Titans for IPL 2026
Birla Estates, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Real Estate Limited (ABREL), has announced its partnership with the Gujarat Titans as the team's Principal Sponsor for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. This collaboration underscores Birla Estates' commitment to innovation, excellence, and creating meaningful connections with communities, values shared by both the Titans and the real estate brand.
India Shines with Two Gold at Asian Archery Championships
India secured two gold medals and one silver at the Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka in compound archery, with the women's team and mixed team clinching victories while the men's team finished second.
The women's team comprising Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Deepshikha, and Prithika Pradeep claimed gold by defeating Korea 236-234.
In the mixed team event, Abhishek Verma and Deepshikha earned India's second gold by overcoming Bangladesh 153-151.
The men's team of Abhishek Verma, Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, and Prathamesh Bhalchandra Fuge narrowly missed gold, losing to Kazakhstan 229-230.
New Emblem, New Vision: Maharashtra Unveils Agriculture Logo and Motto
In a symbolic and strategic move, the Maharashtra Agriculture Department unveiled a new logo and slogan, redefining its identity after nearly four decades. The event, held in Mumbai, was led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, marking a renewed commitment to modern and sustainable agriculture practices.
This slogan was selected through a state-wide public competition that received over 1,700 entries, showcasing public engagement in shaping the state's agricultural future.
New Logo
While the exact design elements weren't detailed, the logo is said to represent,
Innovation in agriculture
Farmer empowerment
Sustainability and prosperity
Himalayan Conclave 2025
Bringing some of the country's leading scientists, academicians and policymakers together, the Himalayan Conclave 2025 began at the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBPNIHE), Kosi-Katarmal, Almora in Uttarakhand.
The three-day event (November 13–15) aims to chart a sustainable path for the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) under the theme 'Indian Himalayan Region—2047: Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Socio-Economic Growth'.
Organised under the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC), the conclave focuses on developing scientific frameworks to achieve Viksit Himalaya–Viksit Bharat 2047, emphasising that the ecological health of the Himalayas is directly linked to India's long-term development goals.
The event was inaugurated by Indra Dutt Bhatt, director- in-charge, GBPNIHE.
A commemorative postal stamp honouring the legendary bravery of the 13th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment was unveiled in New Delhi, highlighting the enduring legacy of the Battle of Rezang La.
The stamp, based on the Rezang La War Memorial in Ladakh, was unveiled in the capital by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh ahead of the battle's 63rd anniversary on November 18.
World Diabetes Day, observed every year on November 14, is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about diabetes.
World Diabetes Day was launched in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). It was officially recognized as a United Nations Day in 2006.
The theme for 2025—"Diabetes across Life Stages"—highlights how this chronic condition impacts individuals at every point in life, from early childhood to old age.
Children's Day
Children's Day in India is celebrated every year on November 14 to honour the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. He was deeply fond of children and believed that they are the real strength and future of a nation. To remember his love and vision for children, here are some inspiring quotes by Nehru that continue to motivate young minds.
The 2025 theme, 'For Every Child, Every Right', renews India's pledge to protect children's welfare, education, and health.
Punjab Becomes First State to Implement Amended Bharat Net Scheme State-wide
Punjab became the first state in India to successfully implement the amended Bharat Net Scheme across its entire territory. This landmark achievement enables live monitoring of the border state from any location in the country and marks a significant milestone in bridging the digital divide in rural India. The scheme aims to provide broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats, households, and institutions while supporting e-governance and e-health services across rural areas.
India Reports 21% Drop in TB Incidence, Nearly Double the Global Decline: WHO Global TB Report 2025
India recorded a significant 21% reduction in tuberculosis (TB) incidence, from 237 cases per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024 — nearly double the global decline rate of 12%, as highlighted in the World Health Organization's Global TB Report 2025. This marks one of the steepest declines globally and places India ahead of several other high-burden countries in TB control and elimination efforts.
The report also noted that India achieved a higher reduction in TB mortality compared to the global average, with deaths among HIV-negative individuals falling from 28 per lakh in 2015 to 21 per lakh in 2024. This progress reflects sustained political commitment, rapid technological adoption, and large-scale community engagement to strengthen TB care and prevention systems across the country.
The Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2025 opened at the Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre to an 11-day (November 13 to 23) celebration of books.
Jointly organised by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the National Book Trust of India, the event, inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saw a massive turnout from schools and book lovers across the city.
Described as Gujarat's largest open classroom without boundaries, the festival features multiple learning zones. The Children's Corner (NCCL Pavilion) hosts morning sessions for school groups with storytelling, puppet theatre, and creative workshops.
The Gyan Ganga zone holds writing and design studios, workshops on poetry, drama, and film scripts, along with hands-on activities like zine-making, painting, and terracotta crafting. Another pavilion hosts daily inter-school contests celebrating the centenary of school boards.
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