Top 5 Current Affairs: 20 November 2017

India’s Manushi Chhillar crowned Miss World 2017

India's Manushi Chhillar was crowned Miss World 2017 at the prestigious pageant’s 67th edition that was held in Sanya, China on 18 November 2017.

The 20-year-old was crowned Miss World 2017 by outgoing titleholder Stephanie Del Val le, Miss World from Puerto Rico. Chhillar’s win has brought home the coveted title after a 17-year-long wait. The last Indian contestant to win Miss World was Priyanka Chopra in the year 2000.

Girish Karnad conferred with 2017 Tata Literature Live Lifetime Achievement Award

Actor-playwright Girish Karnad was on 19 November 2017 conferred with Tata Literature Live! Lifetime Achievement Award 2017 for his outstanding contribution in the field of theatre.

Famously known for writing plays, Karnad has had his works translated into various Indian languages. Some of his critically acclaimed plays in the era of 1960s were Yayati (1961), Tughlaq (1964), Hayavadana (1971), Naga-mandala (1988) and Taledanda (1990).

Karnad has previously received several prestigious awards including Jnanpith, Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri.

Universal Children's Day 2017 observed across the world

The Universal Children's Day was observed across the world on 20 November 2017 with the theme '2017: It’s a #KidsTakeOver'.

This year, UNICEF celebrated the day by inviting children from around the world to voice their support for millions of their friends and kin who are unschooled, unprotected and uprooted. The day aims to advocate, promote and celebrate children's rights to build a better world for Children.

NASA launches advanced satellite to improve weather forecast

NASA on 18 November 2017 successfully launched a highly advanced polar-orbiting satellite to improve weather forecasts for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

This is the first in a series of four such satellites in a collaborative programme between NOAA and NASA. It is expected to improve weather forecasting such as predicting a hurricane's track and will help agencies involved with post-storm recovery by visualizing storm damage and the geographic extent of power outages.

NCPCR celebrates ‘Baal Utsav’ as part of Hausla-2017

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) celebrated Baal Utsav on 18 November 2017 as a part of Hausla-2017, a week-long festival organised by Women and Child Development Ministry for children living in Child Care Institutions (CCIs) across the country.

The programme saw participation from over 1000 children. The main objective behind conducting the programme was to promote child participation and showcase their talents in other creative activities.