19 November 2017 Current Affairs
Former PM Manmohan Singh to get Indira Gandhi Peace Prize
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh will receive the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development this year for his leadership of the country between 2004 and 2014 and for enhancing India’s stature globally. The award, comprising a cash prize of Rs.25 lakh and a citation, was instituted by the Indira Gandhi Memorial trust in 1986 and previous recipients include the former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel, and organisations such as the United Nation’s Human High Commissioner for Refugees and ISRO.
42nd International Congress of Military Medicine begins in New Delhi
The 42nd World Congress of the International Committee of Military Medicine (ICMM) organised by the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) began in New Delhi. The ICMM is an international inter-governmental organisation created in 1921 with its secretariat at Brussels in Belgium and currently has 112 nations as members. The theme of this 42nd World Congress is “Military Medicine in Transition: Looking Ahead.”
19th November: World Toilet Day
In a bid to help break taboos around toilets and make sanitation for all a global development priority, the United Nations General Assembly designated 19 November as World Toilet Day. World Toilet Day has previously been marked by international and civil society organizations all over the world. However, it was not formally recognized as an official UN day until 2013.
Britain appoints the first female Black Rod in 650 years
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth has approved the appointment of Sarah Clarke as the country’s first female Black Rod, in over 650-year history of the office. She will formally take on the duties as Lady Usher of the Black Rod next year. The Black Rod is responsible for controlling access to and maintaining order within the UK’s House of Lords.
Qaumi Ekta Week being observed across country
The Qaumi Ekta Week is being observed across the country from 19th to 25th November, 2017 to foster and reinforce the spirit of communal harmony and national Integration. The observation of the week will help to highlight the inherent strength and resilience of the nation to withstand actual and potential threats to the eclectic and secular fabric of the country. The occasion also provides an opportunity to reaffirm age old traditions and faith in the values of tolerance, co-existence and brotherhood in a multi-cultural and multi-religious society.
Toyota and Suzuki partners together to bring electric vehicles to India by 2020
India’s leading car companies Toyota and Suzuki have joined their hands to make an electric car for our country. Both the companies have signed a memorandum of understanding which will see both companies working together for introducing electric vehicles (EVs) in the Indian market by around 2020. Suzuki is to produce Electronic Vehicle (EVs) for the Indian market and will supply some to Toyota, while Toyota is to provide technical support.
Ethiopians Birhanu Legese, Almaz Ayana win Delhi Half Marathon
Ethiopians Birhanu Legese and Almaz Ayana won the Delhi Half Marathon, 2017. In the Men’s section, Legese clocked 59 minutes 46 seconds to claim the first spot, while his countryman Andahmlak Belihu finished second and Kenyan-American Leonard Korir came third. India’s Nitendra Rawat finished 10th. In the Women’s section, it was a clean sweep for Ethiopia, with world recorded holder Almaz Ayana finishing at the top of the podium. She clocked one hour, seven minutes and 11 seconds. Ababel Yeshaneh claimed the second spot, with Netsamet Gudeta coming third.
Indira Gandhi’s 100th Birth Anniversary
19th November, 2017 is Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s 100th birth anniversary. A commemorative programme to mark the anniversary of Gandhi held at Shakti Sthal, New Delhi. Indira Gandhi was the only female Prime Minister of the country. She served as Prime Minister from 1966 to 1977 and from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.
Wrestler Sandeep banned for failing dope test
Wrestler Sandeep Tulsi has been handed a four-year ban by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of the NADA. He is from Sonepat. He has tested positive for methandienone, an anabolic steroid. Sandeep Yadav’s sparring partner and roommate Narsingh Yadav was also ousted from the Olympics in 2016 and given a four-year ban for failing a dope test after Court of Arbitration for Sports.
Assam launches its first air ambulance for the public
The government of Assam inaugurated its first air ambulance of the state. It will operate from Guwahati airport. The air ambulance is equipped with all emergency medical equipment and medical team to take care of patients onboard. Unveiling the service, Patowary hoped that the air ambulance service would usher in a new era of healthcare for the patients of Assam and Northeast. Delhi-based Flaps Aviation Private Limited will operate its air ambulance service from Guwahati with “Book Air Ambulance” as its brand. The aim is to expand this facility to the capitals of all states.
62nd National Wrestling championship
2-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar won a gold medal in men’s 74 kg freestyle competition in 62nd National Wrestling championship. Geeta Phogat won a gold medal in the 59 kg category of women’s wrestling & her husband Pawan Kumar also finished on top in 86 kg category. India’s only woman Olympic medal winner Sakshi Malik won gold medal in the 62 kg category. For the first time Indore has hosted National Wrestling Championship.
Delhi to form ‘Mahila Suraksha Dals’
According to Deputy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia, the Delhi would form “Mahila Suraksha Dals” to curb crimes against women in the national capital. The government would constitute these teams in coordination with the Delhi Commission for Women. These MSDs will comprise representatives of the local community, both men and women, besides civil defence volunteers & will work at the grassroot-level.
President’s visit to 3 NE States
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, will visit three Northeastern States – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur – from November 19 to 22, 2017. This is his first visit to these states as the President of India. On November 19, 2017, the President will grace the valedictory function of the completion of 40 years of the Vivekananda Kendra in Itanagar.
Punjab to compensate acid attack victims
Punjab State Cabinet approved ‘Punjab Victim or Their Dependents Compensation Scheme’. It will provide minimum compensation of Rs three lakh to an acid attack victim. Every year, Punjab State Government’s department of home affairs and justice, will allocate a separate budget to the department of legal and legislative affairs to provide compensation under this scheme.