Youngest ICC Chairman in History: Jay Shah’s Visionary Leadership
On December 1, 2024, Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), officially began his tenure as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), making history as the youngest person to ever hold this prestigious position at the age of 36. With a wealth of experience in cricket administration, having served as President of the Asian Cricket Council and Chair of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee, Shah aims to make cricket more accessible on a global scale, preserve the importance of Test cricket, and significantly advance the growth of women’s cricket. He also envisions preparing for the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, reflecting his forward-thinking and dynamic approach to the sport’s global governance.
Expanding Healthcare for Seniors: 1.4 Million Ayushman Cards Issued
As of November 25, 2024, the government has issued approximately 1.4 million Ayushman cards to senior citizens aged 70 and above under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). This expansion aims to ensure comprehensive health coverage for around 4.5 crore families, including 6 crore senior citizens, irrespective of their income. The scheme provides a health cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary-care hospitalization. The newly designed cards for senior citizens are intended to ensure that they have seamless access to essential healthcare services without the financial burden.
Strengthening Defense Ties: India-Singapore AgniWarrior 2024 Concludes Successfully
The India-Singapore military exercise, AgniWarrior 2024, was held from November 28 to November 30, 2024, at the Devlali Field Firing Ranges in Maharashtra. This exercise aimed to enhance military cooperation between the artillery units of both nations. It featured joint firepower planning and execution, the use of new-generation artillery equipment, and various tactical drills. The event not only showcased the professional expertise and readiness of the participating troops but also facilitated cultural exchanges to strengthen the bond between the two countries. High-ranking officials from both armies attended the exercise and lauded the troops’ performance and commitment.
India’s Re-Election to UN Peacebuilding Commission for 2025-2026 Term
On November 29, 2024, India was re-elected to the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for the term 2025-2026. This reaffirms India’s steadfast commitment to global peace and stability. As a founding member and a major contributor to UN Peacekeeping, India will continue its active engagement with the PBC to support peace efforts in conflict-affected countries. The PBC is an intergovernmental advisory body that facilitates comprehensive peacebuilding strategies and promotes sustainable peace within the UN system.
Wildfire Pollution Crisis: Airborne Toxins Claiming 1.5 Million Lives Annually
A recent study conducted by Australian researchers and published in The Lancet has revealed startling statistics about the health impacts of air pollution from wildfires. The research highlights that more than 1.5 million deaths occur each year due to pollution from landscape fires, which include forest fires, agricultural burning, and grassland fires. The majority of these deaths—over 90%—take place in low and middle-income countries, with regions like sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Asia being the hardest hit. This study underscores the urgent need for global action to mitigate the health risks associated with wildfire pollution, especially in the most vulnerable areas.
Revitalizing Indian Cities: AMRUT 2.0’s Vision for Urban Transformation
Launched on October 1, 2021, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 seeks to enhance the self-sufficiency and water security of Indian cities. This initiative emphasizes key areas such as sewerage management, water body restoration, and increasing green spaces. With a total indicative outlay of Rs 2,99,000 crore over five years, AMRUT 2.0 aims to modernize urban infrastructure and promote sustainable development. The scheme has already approved 8,998 projects worth Rs 1,89,458.55 crore, with a central share of Rs 76,760 crore. Additionally, the mission promotes the development of City Water Balance Plans (CWBP) to encourage the circular economy of water through recycling and reuse of treated sewage.
Leadership Appointment: Dr. Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi Takes Helm at BrahMos Aerospace
On November 29, 2024, Dr. Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi was appointed as the new Chief of BrahMos Aerospace, the organization renowned for developing the world’s most advanced supersonic cruise missile system. Dr. Joshi, an eminent missile scientist with over 30 years of experience, will assume his new role on December 1, 2024. He succeeds Atul Dinkar Rane, whose term is concluding this November.
With a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from Osmania University and a PhD from NIT Warangal, Dr. Joshi has significantly contributed to India’s missile programs, including the Prithvi and Agni systems. As Deputy Project Director for the Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) program, he played a key role in advancing critical missile technologies. Additionally, Dr. Joshi is an expert in non-destructive testing (NDT) and has trained over 600 professionals in various NDT techniques.