In a major move towards sustainable development, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sanctioned a senior secured loan of $6.5 million to Greenway Grameen Infra Private Limited for the production and dissemination of 1 million improved cookstoves across the rural expanses of Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.

This initiative is further strengthened by a $3.25 million first-loss liquidity reserve provided by the Climate Innovation and Development Fund (CIDF), which is managed by ADB.

The drive to replace conventional mud chulhas will see a significant drop in fuel needs and smoke emissions by 65% and 70% respectively, thereby reducing the environmental burden of black carbon and carbon monoxide.

Afghanistan’s Embassy in India on Friday announced its permanent closure, citing persistent challenges from the Indian government.

This comes after the Afghanistan Embassy had announced on September 30 that it is ceasing its operations from October 1. The mission had back then cited a lack of support from the host government, failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistan’s interests and reduction in personnel and resources.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Embassy said it regrets announcing the permanent closure of its diplomatic mission in New Delhi, effective from November 23, owing to persistent challenges from the Indian government.

The National Legal Services Authority of India (NALSA) with support from the Central government and in collaboration with the International Legal Foundation (ILF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) will host the First Regional Conference on Access to Legal Aid here in the national capital on November 27 and 28.

The conference will bring together Chief Justices, Ministers of Justice, legal aid officers, policymakers, and civil society experts from 70 Africa-Asia-Pacific countries of the Global South to discuss the challenges and opportunities in ensuring access to quality legal aid services for the poor and vulnerable.

The Inter Command Ocean Sailing Race’s second edition is underway and it aims to showcase the seamanship and navigational prowess of seasoned sailors, according to a statement.

The race, which was flagged off from Kochi on Wednesday, will end at Goa.

Boats are expected to leverage winds and proceed to Goa without the use of engines, covering a distance of 360 nm. Prior to the race, an Ocean Sailing Clinic was organised for the participating teams at Kochi, the statement issued by the Indian Navy said.

Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Kalanidhi Division held a book launch and discussion of the book ‘Mapping of the Archives in India’ in the Samvet auditorium today.  On this occasion Descriptive e- Catalogue of ‘Aagam- Tantra- Mantr- Yantra, Khand- 3, Bhag – 1-5’ was also launched. The book is authored by Prof. Ramesh Chandra Gaur and Vismay Basu and is published by IGNCA and UNESCO. The book launch session was chaired by Shri Ram Bahadur Rai , President, IGNCA Trust. The Guest of Honour of the event were Shri Satyananda Mishra, Chief Information Commissioner of India and Mr. Hezekiel Dlamini, Advisor Communication and Information for South Asia UNESCO, New Delhi Office. The distinguished speakers of the event were Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA, Prof. Dr. Ramesh Chandra Gaur, Director(L&I) & Kalanidhi Division, IGNCA and Dr. Sanjay Garg, Deputy Director, National Archives of India.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal visited the site of the proposed International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP), at Galathea Bay, Great Nicobar Island today and reviewed its progress with the senior officials. As envisaged in the Maritime India vision 2030 as well as one of the key projects in the Amrit kaal Vision 2047, the proposed International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP) project has reached significant milestones, solidifying its position as a transformative initiative with a total estimated cost of about ₹44,000 Crores. The project is strategically important for the country and crucial for the economic and infrastructural development of the entire region, has garnered key approvals and support from government bodies.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) granted environmental clearance on November 11, 2022. Additionally, stage 1 forest clearance has been obtained. Also, the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has granted "In-Principle" approval for the holistic development of the Great Nicobar Island and the DPR of the ICTP project is under finalization. It is planned to invited the tenders for the construction of the first phase of the project in early next year, after due approvals and concurrences.

In a significant stride towards combating drug abuse, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in New Delhi between the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan on Thursday. The initiative aims to synergize efforts in curbing drug usage, especially among the youth which aligns with Prime Minister Modi's vision of a substance-free India. More on this from our correspondent:

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was launched on 15th August 2020 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It is presently being implemented in 372 identified most vulnerable districts. The aim of the Abhiyaan is to create awareness about the ill effects of substance abuse among the youth, with a special focus on higher education institutes, university campuses and schools.

In Ladakh, the Kargil Sentinel Brigade, in collaboration with the District Administration of Kargil, organized the Yom-e-Fateh Platinum Jubilee celebration at Khree Sultan Choo Sports Stadium in Kargil, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Kargil by the Indian Army.

The event commenced with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Kargil War Memorial, located at Helipad Kargil. The Chief Guest, CEC LAHDC Kargil Dr. Jaffar Akhone, GOC 8 Mountain Division Maj. Gen. Sachin Malik, DC Kargil Shrikant Suse, EC LAHDC Kargil Er Punchok Tashi & Syed Mujtaba, Brigade 121 Infantry Brigade, and other officers paid tribute by laying wreaths at the memorial.

The Chief Guest presided over an impressive March Past featuring contingents from Ladakh, the Police, NCC, and school children.

Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar will inaugurate the Global Professional Accountants Convention at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar today. More than 4000 delegates from over 25 countries will take part in the three-day event and discuss various aspects to shape the future of the accountancy profession at the global level. Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal and ICAI President, Aniket Sunil Talati will also be present at the inaugural session.

The three-day event will have more than 30 insightful sessions which will be addressed by eminent speakers including the Gujarat State Minister of Education Praful Pansheriya, Chairman Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India Debashis Panda, among others.

The martyrdom Day of Guru Teg Bahadur is being observed today. The ninth Guru of the Sikhs stood up against the Mughals, and was executed on the orders of Aurangzeb in 1675. He taught his followers to protect the weak, even at the cost of their own lives. He taught that to overcome greed, one must set on the path of spirituality.

President Droupadi Murmu paid homage to Guru Teg Bahadur on his martyrdom day. In a message, the President said, Guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed his life for the protection of human values and rights. She said that his teachings inspire us to serve humanity and promote the unity of all. The President expressed hope that his teachings will instill the spirit of nationalism in all of us.