India and US Signed an MoU to Enhance Startup Ecosystems 

• India and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the India-US Commercial Dialogue. 
• The aim of this partnership is to amplify innovation ecosystems and tackle regulatory hurdles in the startup sector. 

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PM Modi Launches Rs 24,000-cr Scheme for Vulnerable Tribal Groups' Welfare 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Rs 24,000-crore project dedicated to vulnerable tribal groups on the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda in Jharkhand’s Khunti district.  
• This initiative is named as PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan.  
• It aims to guarantee the effective delivery of welfare schemes and provide protection for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). 
• PM Modi also introduced the Visksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, a nationwide program designed to extend outreach to all villages and include eligible beneficiaries in various central schemes. 

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 International Tolerance Day 2023 

• The International Day for Tolerance is observed on November 16^th every year. 
• This day reiterates the principles of human rights and equality, emphasizing the importance of fostering open-mindedness, empathy, and compassion.  
• The theme of the day 2023 is “Tolerance: A Path to Peace and Reconciliation”. 

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Shital Mahajan Becomes the First Woman to Skydive 21,500 Feet 

• Shital Mahajan, an Indian skydiver becomes the first woman in the world to perform a helicopter jump from the height of 21,500 ft in the vicinity of Mt Everest. 
• She landed at Kalapathar peak at an altitude of 17,444ft. 
• She is a recipient of the fourth highest Indian civilian award Padma Shri and a holder of several skydiving records.  

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CII and IGBC Launches ‘IGBC Nest’ 

• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) have collaborated to introduce IGBC-Nest to the individual housing sector.  
• It aims to manage and reduce carbon emissions as part of the country's broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.  
• 'IGBC Nest' represents a pioneering, eco-friendly framework and certification system developed for individual homeowners.  
• Its primary objective is to raise awareness and encourage individual property owners to construct sustainable homes without or with minimal additional costs.  

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Former Indian Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar Joins USISPF as Advisor 

• Ajay Kumar, the former Defence Secretary of India, has joined the Board of Advisors for the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF).  
• He has served as India's Defence Secretary from August 2019 to October 2022.