Census 2021 to be conducted in 16 languages-Home Ministry

NATIONAL NEWS

Census 2021 to be conducted in 16 languages-Home Ministry

• The Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) expects Census 2021, which will be conducted in 16 languages, to cost around ₹8,754 crore.
• Certain changes have been made in the questionnaire on the suggestions of Technical Advisory Committee.
• In September, the mammoth nationwide exercise will be carried out in 16 languages.
• The reference date for the census will be 1 March, 2021, but for snow-bound Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand it will be 1 October 2020.
• A mix-mode approach is being adopted for data collection. Census will be conducted in two phases, viz., house listing and housing census during April to September 2020 and Population Enumeration during 9-28 February 2021.

Smriti Irani addresses South Asia Safety Summit

• Union Minister Smriti Irani has stressed the need to ensure the safety of women and children within their homes, and create safe neighbourhoods to protect them against violence and abuse.
• The Women and Child Development Minister was addressing the 2nd edition of South Asia Safety Summit in New Delhi.
• Citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau, she revealed that three lakh crimes registered against women are committed by husbands and relatives.
• Ms Irani highlighted the steps taken by the Ministry, like one-stop centres to service the needs of women in their locality. She informed that 10 one-stop centres open every month across the country.
• By the end of this year, every district will have an operational one-stop centre.

Cabinet approves establishment of National Institute for Sowa-Rigpa in Leh

• The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Institute for Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) in Leh as an autonomous organization under the Ministry of AYUSH at an estimated cost of Rs. 47.25 crore.
• It also approved creation of the post of director in Level-14 to oversee implementation of the project from the construction stage itself.
• Consequent to the formation of Ladakh as Union Territory and for the promotion of native culture of Ladakh, it has been decided by the Government of India to promote Sowa-Rigpa system of medicine by establishing a National Institute for Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) at Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh. 
• The setting up of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) would provide an impetus for the revival of Sowa-Rigpa in the Indian Sub-continent. The Institute will also provide opportunities for students of Sowa-Rigpa not only in India but also from other countries.

IFFI 2019: India's mega film festival begins in Goa

• The Golden Jubilee edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began in Panaji, Goa in the presence of a galaxy of stars from the Indian and world film industry.
• Speaking after inaugurating the mega event, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said that India has been able to assert its soft power in the world through films.
• Indian films are being liked world over and there has been an increase in the audience as well.
• The Minister urged the Indian film industry to make films for the Divyangs (visually-impaired).
• Renowned French film actor Isabelle Huppert was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award on the occasion. A postal stamp commemorating 50th edition of IFFI was also released on the occasion by Mr. Javadekar.

APPOINTMENT

Sri Lanka: Mahinda Rajapaksa sworn in as new PM

• In Sri lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa has been sworn in as the new Prime minister. He was sworn in by President Gotabaya Rajapksa, his younger brother after Ranil Wickremsinghe resigned from his post today.
• A 15-member cabinet is also expected to be sworn in by tomorrow. The changes followed victory of Gotabaya Rajapksa in elections.
• Mahinda Rajapaksa served as two-term President during 2005 to 2015 and was barred from contesting Presidential elections because of two-term limit.

AWARDS

Naturalist and Broadcaster Sir David Attenborough to Get Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for 2019

• The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2019 will be conferred on renowned naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough.
• His name was selected for the prize by an international jury chaired by former president Pranab Mukherjee, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
• Attenborough had tirelessly worked to “awaken humankind to the need, to preserve and protect the biodiversity on our planet, to live in a sustainable and harmonious way with all life, and to stop being what he has called: ‘a plague on earth’.

Virat Kohli named PETA India’s Person of the Year

• India captain Virat Kohli was named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India’s ‘Person of the Year for 2019’ for his animal advocacy efforts.
• The 31-year-old also reportedly visited an animal shelter in Bengaluru to check on injured and formerly neglected dogs there, sending a message to his fans to adopt animals rather than buying them.

SPORTS

World Cup Final- Manu Bhaker bags gold, breaks junior world record in 10m Air Pistol

• Young shooting sensation, Manu Bhaker scripted history at 2019 ISSF World Cup as she bagged India's first gold medal at the tournament this year in Women's 10m Air Pistol.
• On course to her triumph, Manu Bhaker broke the junior world record with her total of 244.7.
• Meanwhile, Manu Bhaker also became only the second Indian shooter after Heena Sidhu to win a gold medal Women's 10m Air Pistol at the ISS World Cup.
• Yashaswini Deswal was also competing in the same event and finished 6th in the final round.

IMPORTANT DAY

World Children's Day -20 November

• Thirty years ago, world leaders made an historic commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child – an international agreement on childhood.
• It’s become the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history and has helped transform children’s lives around the world.
• But still not every child gets to enjoy a full childhood; too many childhoods are cut short.
• It is up to our generation to demand that leaders from government, business and communities fulfil their commitments and take action for child rights now, once and for all. They must commit to making sure every child, has every right.