

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to extend his Diwali wishes to all Indians, praying for their prosperity and happiness. He also expressed his gratitude towards Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for launching the Amazing Thailand Diwali Festival 2024. This initiative will not only bring India and Thailand closer culturally, but also showcase India's rich spiritual diversity to visitors from all walks of life.
India's Diwali: A Time for Celebration and Cultural Exchange
Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in India. It marks the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. This year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his Diwali wishes to all Indians, praying for their prosperity and happiness.
Thailand-India Cultural Exchange: Amazing Thailand Diwali Festival
In a significant gesture of cultural exchange, Prime Minister Modi also expressed his gratitude towards Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for launching the Amazing Thailand Diwali Festival 2024. This initiative aims to bring India and Thailand closer culturally and showcase India's rich spiritual diversity to visitors from all walks of life.
The Amazing Thailand Diwali Festival will feature a range of cultural events and activities, including traditional Indian dance performances, music concerts, and food stalls. It will be held in major cities across Thailand, including Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
Top 5 FAQs Related to Diwali and India-Thailand Cultural Exchange
1. What is the significance of Diwali?
Diwali is a festival that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi, who brings wealth and prosperity.
2. What are the traditional Diwali celebrations?
Diwali celebrations typically involve lighting diyas (oil lamps), setting off fireworks, and exchanging gifts with family and friends.
3. What is the purpose of the Amazing Thailand Diwali Festival?
The Amazing Thailand Diwali Festival aims to promote cultural exchange between India and Thailand and showcase India's rich spiritual diversity to Thai and international visitors.
4. What are the key events of the Amazing Thailand Diwali Festival?
The festival will feature traditional Indian dance performances, music concerts, food stalls, and other cultural activities.
5. How can I attend the Amazing Thailand Diwali Festival?
The Amazing Thailand Diwali Festival will be held in major cities across Thailand in 2024. Check with your local tourism office or travel agent for details on specific events and ticketing information.

Elon Musk's xAI has launched Grokipedia, an AI-powered online encyclopedia to rival Wikipedia. Musk aims for the platform to be a "massive improvement" and free from any political bias. While Grokipedia currently sources content from Wikipedia, Musk plans to have all original content by the end of the year. This development adds to Bihar's political landscape, where leaders like Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar have dominated with their OBC politics, while Nitish's developmental narrative has transformed the state's political landscape.

BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule sparked controversy with his statement that party workers' phones and WhatsApp groups are being monitored ahead of local body elections. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut demanded his arrest, alleging that the phones of several Opposition leaders were also tapped. Bawankule clarified his statement, but the Sena leader questioned the involvement of BJP offices and technology networks, calling it a potentially anti-national act.

The Election Commission (EC) has announced the schedule for Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories (UTs) for the year 2025, excluding Assam due to the ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) process. While the BJP has welcomed the announcement, the Congress has raised concerns and questioned the decision. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has stated that Assam has a separate provision in citizenship laws and the NRC process must be taken into consideration, causing potential delays in the SIR preparations. Despite the physical closure of banks in Ranchi and Patna, financial services will remain available through digital and self-service platforms, so customers are advised to use online banking and plan any in-branch visits accordingly.

In a step towards promoting ethical governance and preventing corruption, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo administered the Integrity Pledge to officers and officials at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar. This marked the beginning of the National Vigilance Awareness Week, a nationwide campaign held annually by the Central Vigilance Commission. The theme for this year is "Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility", emphasizing the role of collective efforts in upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability in public administration. Throughout the week, various activities will be conducted to sensitize employees and citizens on the importance of honesty and integrity in governance.

In a bid to promote integrity and fight against corruption, the Central Vigilance Commission has declared the observation of 'Vigilance Awareness Week' with the theme 'Our Shared Responsibility'. Health Minister JP Nadda, during the launch, stressed the need for institutionalizing ethical practices and building a culture of vigilance in every level of governance. He also urged for creating a checklist of do's and don'ts in simple terms to prevent unintentional wrongdoings.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa chaired a meeting to discuss ways to control dust pollution from construction activities in the city. He revealed that an extensive campaign has been launched to monitor and penalize illegal and unregistered construction projects. The Minister also directed officials to expedite field actions and simplify the registration process to ensure timely intervention against polluters.

In a press conference held in New Delhi, the Election Commission has announced phase two of special intensive revision of electoral rolls in 12 states. This comes after political parties raised concerns about the quality of the rolls. While Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin arrived at DMK headquarters to discuss the issue, Assam's electoral roll revision will be announced separately due to the ongoing process of the National Register of Citizens. The EC has assured that there will be no obstacles in implementing the roll clean-up exercise in West Bengal.

President Droupadi Murmu addressed probationers of the Indian Police Service 77 RR (2024 batch) and emphasized the significant role that effective policing and future-ready technology play in promoting growth and attracting investment in any state. She highlighted the transformational impact of technology in the realm of policing and urged young officers to remain ahead in adopting new technologies, including AI, to combat threats to citizens. The President also encouraged ethical decision-making and accountability among young officers occupying positions of power and authority.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar has announced the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories, covering 51 crore voters. He also addressed concerns over the state of West Bengal, clarifying that there is no confrontation between the Election Commission and the state government. Additionally, he reminded that Aadhaar card is not proof of citizenship, but can be used as identity proof in the SIR process.

After Chief Justice Gavai's formal recommendation, Union Government is set to appoint Justice Surya Kant as the next Chief Justice of India. With a distinguished legal career and key institutional roles, Justice Kant is highly regarded for his commitment to electoral transparency and landmark verdicts on various issues including abrogation of Article 370 and free speech. His term is expected to begin on November 24, 2025, and last for approximately 15 months.