Important Days and Events Current Affairs MCQs

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The Indian Army hosted the second Chanakya Defence Dialogue on October 24-25, 2024, in New Delhi. The theme is “Drivers in Nation Building: Fuelling Growth Through Comprehensive Security,” focusing on integrating security into national and international policymaking. Key participants include policymakers, defence personnel, scientists, and speakers from the US, Russia, Israel, and Sri Lanka. The event will explore India’s strategic goals for “Viksit Bharat @2047.”

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Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal attended the 8th Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh. India and Saudi Arabia share strong economic, cultural, and strategic ties reinforced by high-level visits and the 2019 Strategic Partnership Council.
The council oversees cooperation, structured in Political-Security-Socio-Cultural and Economic-Investment pillars.
Saudi Arabia is India’s fifth-largest trade partner, with bilateral trade at USD 43 billion in 2023-24, mainly oil imports and Indian exports in goods. Both nations are exploring renewable energy, with shared interests in solar, wind, and hydrogen. Saudi’s Vision 2030 aligns with India’s development goals, fostering collaborations in food security, pharma, ICT, and defense.

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The Ministry of Tourism, India, participated in the World Travel Market (WTM) in London from November 5–7, 2024. The UK is India’s second-largest source of inbound tourists, with a strong Indian diaspora of 1.9 million. The India Pavilion at WTM showcases India’s diverse tourism offerings, including MICE, Mahakhumbh, and Wedding Tourism, with a special Indian wedding-themed setup. The event features 50+ stakeholders, including state tourism boards, tour operators, and airlines. The Chalo India initiative encourages the diaspora to promote India, offering incentives like gratis e-tourist visas. Recently, the Incredible India Content Hub and Digital Portal was launched to enhance visitor experience. India focuses on sustainable tourism growth aligned with the G20 Goa Roadmap.

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The 2nd Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF) inaugurated in New Delhi on November 8, 2024. It gathers global and Indian think tanks, corporations, public and private sectors, non-profits, and academics focused on national security, foreign policy, and military heritage. Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan and the three Service Chiefs inaugurated the festival. The inauguration includes the launch of Project ‘Shaurya Gatha,’ led by the Department of Military Affairs and USI of India. Project ‘Shaurya Gatha’ aims to conserve and promote India’s military heritage through education and tourism.

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The 83rd annual session of the Indian Roads Congress is in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the four-day event, ending on November 11. Gadkari released three new guidelines and a manual on road construction and safety. Over 2,000 experts, scientists, and engineers are attending. Eighteen documents on road construction and safety are under discussion. The Congress sets standards and guidelines for road and bridge infrastructure development. A Highway Research Board meeting will focus on using lab research, advanced technologies, and sustainable practices. Participants include central and state officials, researchers, IITs, and private sector representatives.

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Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the 73rd All India Police Athletics Cluster Championship 2024-25 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. He praised the efforts of police personnel nationwide, especially those excelling in sports. Over 1,100 police athletics teams from 39 States and Union Territories are participating in the event. The championship highlights the achievements of police officers and promotes fitness and teamwork across the country.

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Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh visited Vientiane, Lao PDR, from November 20-22, 2024, for the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus). ADMM-Plus involves ASEAN nations and eight dialogue partners, including India, US, China, and Russia, to strengthen security cooperation. India became ASEAN’s dialogue partner in 1992, and ADMM-Plus began in 2010. Lao PDR chairs and hosts the 11th ADMM-Plus.

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World Toilet Day is observed annually on 19 November. The day aims to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis, affecting 3.5 billion people without safe sanitation. Founded by the World Toilet Organization in 2001, it became a UN observance in 2013. It aligns with SDG 6: Water and sanitation for all by 2030. The 2024 theme, “Toilets – A Place for Peace,” focuses on the importance of sanitation and sustainable solutions. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is hosting a two-day workshop on advancing safely managed sanitation in urban areas, with experts in sanitation and water management.

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World Fisheries Day is celebrated annually on November 21 to promote sustainable fisheries and recognize the role of small-scale fishers in food security and livelihoods. It originated in 1997 during the World Forum on Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers (WFF) in New Delhi, which led to the creation of the World Fisheries Forum. The FAO and WFF proposed the day, which was adopted by the FAO General Assembly in 2003. Fisheries provide over 20% of animal protein for 3 billion people globally but face threats like overfishing, climate change, and pollution. The day promotes responsible fisheries management and conservation.

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World Heritage Week is celebrated globally to raise awareness about traditions and cultures. UNESCO recognizes the heritage sites highlighted during this observance. In 2024, India celebrates World Heritage Week from November 19 to November 25 under the theme “Discover and Experience Diversity.” The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has announced free entry to heritage sites, including the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, on November 19. ASI protects over 3,650 ancient monuments and sites across India. Events like exhibitions, workshops, and guided tours will educate visitors on the importance of these sites.