The 16th GRIHA Summit, the annual flagship event organized by GRIHA Council, commenced today in New Delhi, with a focus on the theme "Accelerating Climate Action in the Built Environment". The Summit brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts to explore innovative approaches for sustainable urban development and climate resilience in the construction and infrastructure sectors, addressing the challenges of climate change.

This year's theme underscores the critical role of transitioning the built environment towards sustainability as a cornerstone of effective climate action. As the 2030 deadline for global climate commitments nears and the 2050 target for decarbonizing the building and construction sector looms large, the summit provides a platform to explore opportunities for climate-resilient development, breaking the cycle of rising heat, energy demand, and carbon emissions.

The GRIHA Summit also aligns with India's aspirational vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, a comprehensive roadmap that integrates sustainable urban development with the nation's goals of economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently said that UNESCO has declared the state as a top destination for heritage tourism. She further asserted on how the sector generated employment for a large section of youth.

"UNESCO has declared Bengal as a top destination for heritage tourism. We have taken great initiatives in developing heritage spots. We are also giving emphasis on religious tourism by developing some of the iconic places of worship like the Dakshineshwar temple and the Kalighat temple,” she said.

Further, the CM added, "The tourism sector has generated jobs for lakhs of youths. We have mountains, forests and the Sunderbans. We are highlighting the unique characteristic of each place. Thousands of hotels have also come up in the tourist spots."

The Assam Cabinet on Wednesday approved a series of key decisions aimed at improving infrastructure and education in the state.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the government has decided to ban serving and consumption of beef in any restaurant, hotel and public places across the state.

The CM said the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, passed in 2021, has been quite successful in ensuring the slaughter of cattle, and "now we have decided to stop the consumption of beef in public places."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the 30th edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) at the Dhana Dhanye Auditorium in Alipore on Wednesday.

The event saw an impressive gathering of stars, cultural performances, and a celebration of cinema from around the world.

While addressing the event, the West Bengal CM spoke about the strong connection between different film industries and extended an invitation to international filmmakers.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr Jitendra Singh, while inaugurating the 14th Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users' Conference, hailed "Mission Mausam" as a transformative initiative set to be a game-changer for India's weather forecast capabilities India's approach to climate and weather forecasting, said a press release Ministry of Earth Sciences on Wednesday.

Singh highlighted the significance of Mission Mausam, calling it the first comprehensive scientific initiative by the Government of India dedicated exclusively to addressing climate-related challenges. "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary leadership, this mission is a reflection of India's aspiration to play a pivotal role in tackling global climate issues," he remarked, adding that the initiative has captured international attention for its innovative approach and potential impact, stated the release.

India are all set to make their debut in the FIFAe World Cup 2024 featuring eFootball, which will be held between December 9 and December 12 at the SEF Arena, Boulevard Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.

The World Cup, which will be held as part of the FIFAe Finals 2024 in Riyadh, will feature competitions on both console and mobile platforms. Chinmay Sahoo, Ibrahim Gulrez, and Saksham Rattan will represent India in FIFAe World Cup (Console), while Danial Shakeel Patel will be the eTigers' sole representative in FIFAe World Cup (Mobile).

The domestic qualifiers for the FIFAe World Cup were held in October, with participants from across the country fighting it out across three rounds of in-game events. The top eligible athletes from the FIFAe Ranking list based on the online qualifier results were invited for online trials, based on which the squad was selected.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al Yahya signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday to establish a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) at the level of foreign ministers.

According to a press statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, the agreement outlines the formation of new Joint Working Groups in sectors including trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security, and culture, and these groups will operate under the JCC to review and monitor bilateral relations between the two nations.

Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh on Tuesday launched 'Nano Bubble Technology' for cleaning and purifying water of the National Zoological Park in Delhi, and to promote the health of aquatic animals.

According to an official release, this technology can effectively clean dirty pond water by eliminating algae and similar growths. It is being tested in the zoo for the first time as a 15-day trial. If successful, it will be used in the zoo.

Kirti Vardhan Singh explained that the primary goal of this technology is to keep water clean, ensuring the health and well-being of aquatic creatures. "Clean water helps prevent foul smells, algae buildup, and discolouration often caused by dirty pond water. This new technology will improve water quality and benefit the animals," he said.

World Soil Day is celebrated annually on December 5 to highlight the importance of healthy soil. The day serves as a reminder of the critical role soils play in our ecosystem and the need to protect and conserve this invaluable resource for future generations. It also aims to raise awareness about soil degradation. This natural resource is made up of a mixture of minerals, organic matter, gases, liquids, and organisms.

World Soil Day is celebrated globally, with various events and activities to raise awareness about soil conservation and its sustainable management.

Every year, on December 5th, the world comes together to celebrate the selfless efforts of individuals who dedicate their time and energy to helping others. International Volunteer Day (IVD) is a global observance that shines a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of volunteers across the globe.

IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTERRING
Volunteer work often goes unnoticed, yet it plays an essential role in shaping societies and improving the lives of individuals.

Whether it’s helping in disaster relief efforts, supporting local educational programs, or contributing to environmental conservation, volunteers are the unsung heroes who step up to meet the needs of others without expecting anything in return.