It is unfortunate to note that new forms of slavery have emerged with the abolishment of ancient ones. Hence, the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed every year globally on 2 December, to spread awareness about the people who are forced into modern slavery, in the form of child labour, human trafficking, forced marriage, etc.
Every year, the International Day for Persons with Disabilities is observed on 3 December, to champion the well-being and fundamental rights of people with disabilities and spread awareness about the issues faced by them. This year, the theme is ‘Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world’.
45 students across disciplines, from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, introduced their invention, RFR 23, a first-of-its-kind electric formula race car on 28 November, 2022. The students, under the name ‘Team Raftar’, expect to see significant improvements in the speed and lap times of race cars, compared to the previous internal combustion engine model.
Did you know that Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose was the first Asian to be awarded a US patent? His 163rd birth anniversary is being commemorated on 30 November, 2022. Born in 1858 in Mymensingh (now in Bangladesh), the Indian physicist, biologist and botanist, is also recognized as the father of radio and wireless communication by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
The Digital Rupee is coming soon. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), announced that the first pilot for retail digital Rupee or e-rupee will be launched on December 1, 2022. Digital Rupee (e₹-R), is a form of digital token that represents legal tender. Currently, RBI has partnered with four banks – State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, and IDFC First Bank in four cities, Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Bhubaneswar.
World AIDS Day is observed annually across the globe, on 1 December. The day was established as the first International Health Day in 1988. The day is observed to show support to people living with HIV and to pay tribute to those who have died from AIDS and related illnesses. The theme of this year is ‘Equalize’.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed every year globally on 25 November. The day is observed to spread awareness about gender-based violence against women. This year the theme is, ‘UNITE! Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls.’ This year’s campaign is a 16-day initiative starting on 25 November and concluding on 10 December.
Did you know that it took two years, eleven months and eighteen days to prepare the Indian Constitution? Constitution Day, also known as ‘Samvidhan Divas’, is celebrated every year in India on 26 November. This is the day when the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the present constitution in 1949, and it came into effect on 26 January, 1950.
With an investment of $ 297 million, Asia’s largest US Consulate office is set to be opened in Hyderabad’s Financial District in January 2023. The new US Consulate office, developed on a site of 12.2 acres , will have 54 visa interview windows, to make visa processing easier and faster. The first US consulate office was established in Hyderabad in 2009.
The United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, appreciated Indian gender activist and social entrepreneur, Elsa Marie D’Silva, on 22 November, 2022, for her efforts towards combating gender-based violence. The UN Secretary praised the activist in his opening remarks at the 9th Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilisations in Morocco. D’Silva is the President of Red Dot Foundation Global (Safecity), a platform which documents sexual harassment and abuse in public spaces.
