The 13th edition of Joint Military Exercise AGNI WARRIOR (XAW-2024), a bilateral exercise between the Indian Army and Singapore Armed Forces, concluded at Field Firing Ranges, Devlali (Maharashtra) on 30th November 2024.
The three-day exercise conducted from 28th to 30th November 2024, witnessed participation by the Singapore Armed Forces contingent comprising 182 personnel from the Singapore Artillery and the Indian Army contingent comprising 114 personnel from the Regiment of Artillery.
The aim of XAW-2024 was to maximise mutual understanding of drills and procedures to achieve jointness as a multinational force under the United Nations Charter. The exercise showcased joint firepower planning, execution and use of New Generation Equipment by the Artillery of both Armies.
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with M/s Cochin Shipyard Limited on 30th Nov 2024 for Short Refit and Dry Docking (SRDD) of INS Vikramaditya at an overall cost of Rs. 1207.5 Cr.
INS Vikramaditya is an Indian Aircraft Carrier commissioned in the Indian Navy in November 2013.
After completion of the Refit, INS Vikramaditya will join the active fleet of the Indian Navy with upgraded combat capability.
This project is an important step towards development of Cochin Shipyard Limited as Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Hub for supporting the industrial ecosystem of India.
The project envisages the involvement of nearly 50 MSMEs and would lead to employment generation for more than 3500 personnel.
The Project will provide a major boost to Government of India's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiative.
Based on information received from the Sri Lankan Navy regarding probable narcotics smuggling by Sri Lankan flagged fishing vessels in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy responded swiftly through a coordinated operation to localise and intercept the boats.
Extensive surveillance was undertaken by Indian Naval Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft,
based on inputs from the Information Fusion Centre (Indian Ocean Region), Gurugram, and an Indian Naval ship were deployed to augment efforts.
Two boats were identified based on continuous inputs from the Sri Lankan Navy and aerial surveillance by IN aircraft. Subsequently, in a closely coordinated operation between the ship and the aerial assets,
both boats were boarded by the ship’s boarding team on 24 and 25 Nov 24, leading to the seizure of approximately 500 kg of narcotics (Crystal Meth). One additional IN ship was also tasked to augment the force level for conduct of anti-narcotics operations.
The Department of Justice is implementing a pan-India, year-long nationwide campaign titled ‘Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman’ to celebrate the 75th year of India as a Republic and the adoption of India’s Constitution. The campaign was launched on January 24, 2024, by the Hon’ble Vice-President of India.
Following this, three regional events have also been organized in Bikaner, Rajasthan, on March 9, 2024, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on July 16, 2024, and in Guwahati, Assam on November, 19, 2024 respectively to ensure decentralized outreach of the campaign.
The campaign aims to reaffirm our collective commitment to the principles enshrined in the Constitution of India and to celebrate the shared values that bind our nation.
The ‘Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman Portal’ which was launched during the 2nd regional event at Prayagraj on 16th July, 2024,
serves as a knowledge repository to enhance public awareness about the Constitution and their legal rights. Additionally, the campaign has generated significant public engagement through online competitions conducted in collaboration with MyGov, inspiring citizens to deepen their understanding of constitutional rights and duties.
The portal is designed to actively engage citizens by providing interactive features such as quizzes, crossword, and opportunities to participate in reading of Preamble and Panch Pran. As on date 1.29 lakh citizens have participated in the Panch Pran activity under ‘Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman’ campaign nationwide.
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $98 million loan to improve horticulture crop farmers’ access to certified disease-free planting materials, which will boost their crops’ yield, quality, and resilience to climate impacts.
The plant health management promoted through the project will also help farmers adapt to climate change, as rising temperatures not only cause extreme weather events but also affect pest and disease behaviour.
This will be achieved through establishing clean plant centres dedicated to maintaining disease-free foundation materials.
These centres will feature laboratories equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic testing methods and will be staffed with experts who are trained in clean plant centre operating procedures and diagnostic testing protocols.
The project will roll out a clean plant certification scheme, accrediting private nurseries, and testing and certifying their planting materials.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the 11th edition of National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2024) off the Kochi coast on November 29, 2024. The two-day exercise was inaugurated by Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh on November 28, 2024, and reviewed by Director General ICG Paramesh Sivamani. SAREX-2024,
with the theme ‘Enhancing Search and Rescue Capabilities Through Regional Collaboration’, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in strengthening maritime safety.
A coordinated Mass Rescue Operation (MRO) was swiftly initiated, demonstrating the seamless deployment of resources,
including ships and aircraft from the ICG, Indian Air Force (IAF), tugs from Cochin Port Authority, three water metros, one Garuda rescue & emergency craft from Kochi Water Metro and a water ambulance provided by the Kerala State Administration. Key operations included:
Life raft drops by IAF aircraft and ICG ships.
Passenger evacuation using Advanced Light Helicopters.
Crew rescue operations utilising Jason Cradle technology.
The innovative deployment of drones to deliver lifebuoys.
The successful execution of these operations underscored the high level of coordination and preparedness among participating agencies.
The exercise aimed to validate standard operating procedures and best practices for conducting MROs.
India and the UK have sealed a framework agreement to co-design and co-produce electric propulsion systems to be used in futuristic warships in sync with their aim to broad-base cooperation in the strategic domain.
A Statement of Intent (SoI) was inked for the proposed plan by the defence ministries of the two countries in Portsmouth,
The SoI would serve as a broader framework intended for cooperation in the co-design, co-creation and co-production of electric propulsion capability for future naval ships.
The signing was part of the third joint working group meeting of electric propulsion capability partnership, symbolising the commitment to promote indigenous development of niche technologies.
From the Indian side, SoI was signed by Joint Secretary (naval systems) Rajeev Prakash.
The 30th edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), slated to kick off on December 4, announced its lineup of 175 films from 29 countries, and revealed France as the focus country of this year’s film festival.
The lineup includes 42 feature-length films, and 30 shorts and documentaries in competitive categories, and 103 films in non-competitive categories.
Screenings will take place in 20 venues in different parts of the city between December 5 and 11.
Chairperson of the 30th KIFF Goutam Ghose highlighted that the festival this year will also screen certain films with projections from their original celluloid, like Chokh and Debsishu by reputed director from the 1980s, Utpalendu Chakraborty.
Like other years, the 30th edition of the KIFF has unveiled ‘Unheard India’, a non-competitive category that boasts of screenings of multiple films made in Indian languages like Garhwali, Konkani and Tulu.
Gujarati “Gharcholas” traditionally worn on weddings within Hindu and Jain communities has received a Geographical Indication or GI tag from the Government of India.
The coveted GI tag for Gharchola handicrafts was presented to Gujarat at the “GI and Beyond – Virasat Se Vikas Tak” program in New Delhi,
hosted by the Handlooms Development Commissioner of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. This is the 27th GI tag that Gujarat has received. The GI recognition for Gharchola demonstrates Gujarat’s commitment to guarding its rich artistic heritage.
These Gharchola sarees are traditionally crafted in auspicious colours such as red, maroon, green, and yellow, which hold special significance in Hindu customs. Along with the Gharchola saree, several other remarkable handicrafts have also earned GI tags under the Hastakala Setu Yojana.
These include Surat’s vanishing ‘Saadeli’ art, Banaskantha’s intricate ‘Soof’ embroidery, Bharuch’s ‘Sujni’ craft, Ahmedabad’s distinctive ‘Saudagiri Print,’ and the vibrant ‘Maata Ni Pacchedi’ handicrafts, all of which were honoured last year.
Former Indian international Siddarth Kaul has announced his retirement from professional cricket at the age of 34, following an unsold bid in the IPL Auction 2025. The right-arm fast bowler's journey in Indian cricket spans nearly two decades, commencing in 2007 with a first-class debut for Punjab against Odisha in Mohali.
Kaul played a pivotal role in the Indian U19 team that clinched the World Cup in 2008, led by none other than Virat Kohli. His international career took flight in 2018, featuring in three ODIs and as many T20Is.
Despite a challenging start in breaking into the national squad post his U19 success, Kaul quickly established himself as a mainstay in Punjab's bowling lineup.
His List A debut came in 2009, followed by his entry into T20 cricket in 2012.
Over his career, he has donned the whites in 88 first-class matches, securing a remarkable 297 wickets, which includes 17 instances of five-wicket hauls. His white-ball record boasts 199 wickets in 111 List A matches and 182 wickets across 145 T20 encounters.
India was re-elected to the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for the 2025-2026 term, continuing its active role in global peace efforts.
The Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries and adds capacity to the international community's broader peace agenda.
India has been a member of the Peacebuilding Commission since its inception in December 2005. The commission, established in 2005, was tasked with advising the UN General Assembly and the Security Council on issues of peacebuilding and sustaining peace.
To ensure collaboration among humanitarian, development, and peace actors, the Commission regularly invites briefers from the field, including representatives from peacekeeping operations, special political missions, United Nations Country Teams, and other UN political presences to participate in its country- and region-specific meetings.
In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (resolution 32/40 B). On that day, in 1947, the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine (resolution 181 (II)).
In resolution 60/37 of 1 December 2005, the Assembly requested the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights, as part of the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November,
to continue to organize an annual exhibit on Palestinian rights or a cultural event in cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the UN.
The Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, at its 20th Session, decided that a memorial Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare would be observed on 30 November each year or, when appropriate, on the first day of the regular session of the Conference.
The history of the serious efforts to achieve chemical disarmament that culminated in the conclusion of the Chemical Weapons Convention began more than a century ago. Chemical weapons were used on a massive scale during World War I, resulting in more than 100,000 fatalities and a million casualties.
