Established by the United Nations General Assembly, World Cities Day has been celebrated annually on October 31st since its inception in 2014. It serves as a platform to foster international interest in global urbanization, stimulate international cooperation in addressing urbanization challenges, and advance sustainable urban development worldwide. The theme for the 2023 celebrations is “Financing sustainable urban future for all.” As part of the UN-Habitat programme, it aligns with the sustainable development goal 11 and aims to promote sustainable city development.
Karnataka Rajyotsava Awards: Recognizing Exceptional Individual Contributions
Every year on November 1st, the Karnataka government celebrates the state’s formation by awarding the prestigious Rajyotsava Award, the second-highest civilian honor of the state. This award recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions in various fields. November 1st was chosen as it marks the birth of the state in 1956 when Kannada-speaking regions of South India were united. Originally known as ‘Mysuru,’ the state changed its name to ‘Karnataka’ on November 1, 1973, marking an annual celebration of the state’s formation.
Ballon d’Or 2023: A Glance at Football History
In a historic moment in 2023, Lionel Messi secured his eighth Ballon d’Or, making him a record holder in football history. Additionally, Aitana Bonmati claimed the Ballon d’Or Féminin Award for her significant contributions to Spain’s Women’s World Cup win and Barcelona’s success. The Ballon d’Or, which has been presented by French news magazine France Football since 1956, hinges on a player’s individual performance in the previous season, a shift from its older criterion of performance evaluation during the calendar year.
Indian Core Industries Show Strong Growth
The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) for September 2023 indicates a robust growth of 8.1% compared to the same month in 2022. This index gauges the combined and individual performances of eight core industries, namely Cement, Coal, Crude Oil, Electricity, Fertilizers, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, and Steel. With coal production soaring by 16.1%, and steel and electricity generation increasing by 9.6% and 9.3% respectively, India’s economic landscape appears promising. However, crude oil production saw a slight decline of 0.4%.
Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat): Bridging Youth with Opportunities
In a recent development, the Indian Prime Minister launched the ‘Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)’ initiative. This is a Phygital platform that aims to connect young Indians with various programs, mentors, and their local communities. The platform primarily benefits the youth aged between 15 and 29, as per the National Youth Policy. This innovative approach empowers youth to contribute solutions to local issues they understand deeply.
India’s Historic Achievement at Para Asian Games 2023
Indian para-athletes made history at the Para Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, securing an all-time high of 111 medals, including an impressive 29 gold medals. As a result, India secured the 5th position in the overall medal tally, coming in behind China, Iran, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Of the total medals won, female para-athletes significantly contributed 40 medals, accounting for 36% of India’s total haul.