KERALA

Realising the shortcomings of basic amenities in Sabarimala, the government on Monday sanctioned 1,000 additional bio-toilets for being installed at Nilackal and Pamba.

The government had consulted the Travancore Devaswom Board about the toilet requirements in Sabarimala after the devastation caused by floods. It was on the basis of the TDB report that the government had sanctioned 500 toilets initially.

The state government also said that the Centre had sanctioned only Rs 19.5 crores till date under Swadeshi Darshan scheme, unlike the claims of Union minister Alphons Kannathanam that Centre had granted Rs 100 crore.

INTERNATIONAL

The joint military exercise between Indian and Russia EXERCISE INDRA 2018 on combating insurgency under the aegis of United Nations (UN) is being conducted at Babina Field Firing Ranges, Babina Military Station from 18 November 2018.

The aim of the exercise is to practice joint planning and conduct to enhance interoperability of the two Armies in the peace keeping/ enforcement environment under the aegis of the UN.

· World Antibiotic Awareness Week is observed from Nov 12 to Nov 18

The main aimis to increase global awareness of antibiotic resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public.
For 2018, the World Health Organization developed a range of materials for WAAW in all UN languages to help countries reflect their unique priorities.
It would consist of a multi-day messaging campaign focusing on 5 “focus” days of tailored social media messaging around each of the Objectives.
According to this, Ministries of Health will participate in WAAW 2018by marking all or just some of these “focus” days by speaking up on social media.

World Diabetes Day is observed on 14 November. The day is observed by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization on November 14 in response to the escalating health threat posed by diabetes.

Over 425 million people in the world are currently living with diabetes. Most of these cases are type 2 diabetes.

NATIONAL

Satya Pal Singh, Minister of State, Ministry of Human Resource Development, launched two new initiatives; Leadership for Academicians Programme (LEAP) and Annual Refresher Programme In Teaching (ARPIT).

Leadership for Academicians Programme (LEAP)is a three weeks Flagship leadership development training programme (2 weeks domestic and one week foreign training) for second level academic functionaries in public funded higher education institutions.

LEAP will fulfill this critical need which will make higher education institutions perform their roles of developing better students who will be future torch bearers

Annual Refresher Programme in Teaching (ARPIT),a major and unique initiative of online professional development of 15 lakh higher education faculty using the MOOCs platform SWAYAM.

· India celebrates the 130th birth anniversary of Pt Nehru

The nation celebrates the 130th birth anniversary of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the leader and remembered his contribution in India’s freedom struggle.
Pt Nehru was born on November 14, 1889. He was known for his love for children and was fondly called Chacha Nehru. Before 1964, Children’s day was celebrated in India on November 20. It was observed as the Universal Children’s Day by the United Nations. But after Nehru’s death in 1964, the nation decided to celebrate his birthday asBal Diwas (Children’s Day) to honor his memory.

Nearly five years after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the state has finalised its new emblem for official use.
The state emblem consists of the Dhamma Chakkaor The Wheel of Law embellished with a ring of Triratnas alternating with pinnate leaves and precious stones.
“Puna Ghataka” or “The vase of Plenty” is at the hub of the Dhamma Chakka.
Further, the national emblem is placed at the bottom of the Andhra emblem.