1) United Nations (UN) World Population Prospects 2022: The world population touched eight billion and India was the largest contributor having added 177 million people of the last billion people.
- However, the global population is growing at its slowest rate since 1950, having fallen under 1 per cent in 2020. The world’s population could grow to around 5 billion in 2030.
- India is projected to overtake China as the world’s most populous country in 2023.
- UNFPA has noted that India has its largest ever adolescent and youth population. According to UNFPA projections, India will continue to have one of the youngest populations in the world till 2030 and is currently experiencing a demographic window of opportunity, a “youth bulge” that will last till 2025.
2) United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA): formerly known as United Nations Fund for Population Activities works as a sexual and reproductive health agency of UN. It is the leading organisation for implementation of 1994 Programme of Action of International conference on population and development.
- The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) establishes its mandate. It was established as a trust fund in 1967 under UNDP. Report: State of World Population Report.
- Mission: deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
- UNFPA is not supported by the UN budget, instead, it is entirely supported by voluntary contributions of donor governments, organizations, the private sector, individuals etc.
3) Artemis 1: launched by NASA, Artemis I is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration to the Moon and Mars. It is an uncrewed mission.
- It will test the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion crew capsule.
- It is a lunar Orbiter mission with a return-to-Earth target
- The CubeSats it will carry are equipped with instruments meant for specific investigations and experiments, including searching for water in all forms and for hydrogen that can be utilised as a source of energy.
- Biology experiments will be carried out, and the impact of deep space atmosphere on humans will be investigated through the effect on dummy ‘passengers’ on board Orion.
4) Yudh Abhyas: Exercise Yudh Abhyas is conducted annually between India and US with the aim of exchanging best practices, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures between the Armies of the two nations. The joint exercise will also focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. It is being held in Uttarakhand.
5) Birsa Munda: On the occasion of tribal leader Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, the Centre held the second Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on November 15 to celebrate the contributions of tribal communities to Indian culture.
- 1886 to 1890: Birsa Munda was majorly in Chaibasa (Jharkhand), which was close to the centre of the Sardari agitation, influencing his anti-missionary and anti-government programmes. He encouraged the tribals to refuse following colonial laws and drive out foreigners using weapons and guerrilla warfare (Ulgulan movement)
- He also aided societal reform by confronting religious superstition, earning him the titles ‘Bhagwan’ (God) and ‘Dharati Aba’ (Father of the Earth) from his followers.
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