- World AIDS Day: It is observed every year on December 1 to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS. The day is an opportunity to end stigmas associated with this disease, and this day also honours people who lost their precious lives and engage in lives that support HIV/AIDS research and advanced treatment. It was first observed in 1988, when the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised the day. The theme of World AIDS Day 2023 is– “Let Communities Lead”
-  HIV/AIDS: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).HIV attacks the body’s immune system, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS. It is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).It can also be spread by contact with infected blood, from illicit injection drug use, or by sharing needles. It can also be spread from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
Treatment: There is currently no effective cure. Once people get HIV, they have it for life.
However, with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. People with HIV who get effective HIV treatment (called antiretroviral therapy, or ART) can live long, healthy lives and protect their partners.
- INS Kadmatt: It is an indigenous stealth anti-submarine warfare corvette. It is the second of four anti-submarine warfare corvettes built for the Indian Navy by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers of Kolkata under Project 28.It was commissioned into the Indian Navy in January 2016.The ship was inducted into the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy. It has been named after the Kadmat Island of India’s Lakshadweep Islands. The primary role of the INS Kadmatt is in anti-submarine warfare—to protect ships in convoys and ports from enemy submarine attacks. The ship is fitted with state-of-the-art weapons, sensors, and machinery and is also designed to embark on the Sea king anti-submarine helicopter. The ship also has on-board early warning, navigation, and fire control radars, besides underwater sensors and integrated communication and electronic warfare systems. It produces low levels of radiated underwater noise, which reduces its chances of detection. It is equipped with anti-aircraft guns, torpedoes, and rocket launchers.
- Exercise Milan: It is a biennial multilateral naval exercise that began in 1995.It has since significantly expanded in scope and scale to become the largest exercise held by India. It was started with the participation of only four countries, viz., Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand, in the 1995 edition, the exercise has since transitioned leaps and bounds in terms of the number of participants and complexity of exercises. Originally conceived in consonance with India’s ‘Look East Policy, MILAN expanded in ensuing years with the Government of India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative to include participation from other Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs). The mid-planning conference of Milan-24 was held in October this year. The last edition of Milan, which is held off the coast of Visakhapatnam, saw participation from over 40 countries
