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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan Launched Various Schemes and Laid the Foundation Stone of 500 Km Long Newly Paved Roads in MP
On 8th October 2024, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), participated in the Rural Self Employment Programme organized by the MoRD at Bhairunda, Madhya Pradesh(MP). He has launched various schemes under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), aimed at enhancing rural infrastructure, employment, and housing across India.
i.He also laid the foundation stone of 500 kilometer (km) long newly paved roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and also launched the Gram Sadak Survey and Planning tool.
ii.During the event, he announced that the Government of India (GoI) has approved the setting up of 5 new Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) training centers in Madhya Pradesh (MP).
iii.He launched the Awas Sakhi mobile application (app) for the beneficiaries of PMAY and has also launched Community Managed Training Centres (CMTCs)about 100 of which are being rolled out across 18 states in the country.
About Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD):
Union Minister- Shivraj Singh Chauhan (Constituency- Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Minister of State (MoS)- Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani (Constituency- Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, AP) and Kamlesh Paswan (Constituency- Bansgaon, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>> Read Full News
MoL&E Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Chairs 194th Meeting of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E), chaired the 194th meeting of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) at its headquarters in New Delhi, Delhi.
i.The meeting focused on improving medical care services, administration, financial matters, and reviewing ongoing construction projects.
ii.Union Minister announced several key decisions of ESIC to strengthen the infrastructure and medical facilities of ESIC.
- To enhance medical education, the ESI Corporation approved the establishment of 10 new medical colleges across various states viz. Andheri (Maharashtra), Basaidarapur (Delhi), Guwahati-Beltola (Assam), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Ludhiana (Punjab), Naroda-Bapunagar (Gujarat), Noida & Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), and Ranchi (Jharkhand).
About Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC):
Director General (DG)– Ashok Kumar Singh
Parent Ministry– Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E)
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Establishment– 1952
>> Read Full News
DAE Inaugurates MACE Observatory: Asia’s Largest and Highest Imaging Telescope in Ladakh
On 4th October 2024, Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission(AEC), inaugurated the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory at Hanle, Ladakh. The project aims to foster collaborations with other countries, strengthening India’s role in global space research.
- The event was part of the DAE’s 75th anniversary celebrations, where Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty unveiled special plaques to mark the occasion.
- The event also featured a pictorial compilation documenting the MACE project’s journey and a screening of a film showcasing the telescope’s scientific and technological milestones.
Key Dignitaries:
A.R. Sule, Additional Secretary of DAE ; Hussain Mufti, Chief Conservator of Forests, Union Territory(UT) of Ladakh; AnnapurniSubramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and S. M. Yusuf, Director of the Physics Group at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) was also present at an event.
About Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE):
i.MACE is the biggest Cherenkov telescope in Asia and is located at around 4,300 meters(m) above sea level, making it the highest in the world.
ii.It is indigenously built by Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), with help from Hyderabad Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and other Indian partners.
iii.The launch of the MACE telescope is a major milestone for Indian astrophysics and cosmic-ray research. MACE will detect high-energy gamma rays, helping scientists study powerful cosmic events like supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts.
iv.MACE is set to inspire the next generation of Indian scientists to explore new frontiers in astrophysics.
About Department of Atomic Energy (DAE):
It comes under the control of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi holds the portfolio of DAE.
Minister of State (MoS)– Dr Jitendra Singh
Secretary- Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty
Headquarter- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Formation- 1954
2 Women Navy Officers are Set To Sail Around The World For 8 Months
Lieutenant Commander (Lt. Cdr) Dilna K. and Lt. Cdr Roopa A., the two women officers of the Indian Navy (IN) have embarked on a voyage to circumnavigate the globe in a sailboat, named ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’ on the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini.
- The 2nd edition of Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition was flagged off at the Ocean Sailing Node, INS Mandovi near Panaji, Goa by Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi on 2nd October 2024.
i.Navika Sagar Parikrama is a maritime expedition by the Indian Navy(IN) that involves circumnavigating the globe in a sailboat crewed by women officers.
ii.The voyage covering around 23,000 nautical miles will take around 240 days, across 4 continents through 3 oceans and 3 challenging Capes.
iii.The first edition of the expedition was conducted in 2017.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Nagaland Partners with Wales for 25th Hornbill Festival
The Government of Nagaland has signed Wales, a country which is a part of the United Kingdom(UK), as one of the Country Partners for the 25th Hornbill Festival.
- Nagaland Chief Minister(CM) Neiphiu Rio, who is on an official visit to Wales, signed an agreement with the Welsh Government, the British Council, and Wales Arts International representatives in Cardiff, Wales.
- This partnership marks the grand conclusion of the year-long Wales in India 2024 celebration.
- This partnership will strengthen bilateral ties, enhance people-to-people contact and open opportunities for the youth.
Note: The Hornbill Festival is an annual festival celebrated from 1st to 10th December 2024 in Nagaland. It is a celebration of the Naga heritage and culture, and is also known as the “Festival of Festivals”.
BANKING & FINANCE
World Bank Approves Rs 15,000 Crore Loan for Amaravati Development
The World Bank (WB), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has approved an in-principle loan of Rs 15,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh (AP) for developing Amaravati as its capital city.
- A letter confirming the loan has been sent to India’s Ministry of Finance(MoF), with final discussions scheduled for November 8, 2024 and the agreement expected to be signed by 15th November 2024.
Key Points:
i.The total project cost is estimated at Rs 49,000 crore, with Rs 15,000 crore being a soft loan from the WB.
ii.The loan features a 15-year moratorium on repayment, shared by the Central and state governments in a 90:10 ratio.
iii.Following the agreement, the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) will receive an initial tranche of Rs 3,750 crore in November 2024.
iv.The funds will be used for infrastructure development, including residential and commercial layouts for land pooled from farmers, and construction of key government buildings, such as the state assembly and high court.
Other Projects in Andhra Pradesh:
i.The Central Government will release Rs 12,500 crore for the Polavaram Irrigation Project.
ii.Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) plans to invest Rs 85,000 crore in a new refinery in the state.
iii.The “Swarna Andhra Pradesh 2047” vision document aims to transform the state into a USD 2.5 trillion economy with a per capita income of USD 40,000.
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
President– Masatsugu Asakawa
Headquarters– Mandaluyong, Philippines
Establishment– 1966
Members– 69 (49 from region)
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Daron Acemoglu; Simon Johnson; & James A. Robinson won the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences 2024 
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has honoured Turkish-American economist, Daron Acemoglu; British American economist, Simon Johnson; and British economist and political scientist, James A. Robinson with the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2024 on 14th October 2024.
- They were awarded “for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity”.
Prize amount: 11 million Swedish kronor, to be shared equally between the laureates.
>> Read Full News
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
RBI approves the appointment of Partha Pratim Sengupta as Next MD & CEO of Bandhan Bank
On October 8, 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Partha Pratim Sengupta, as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bandhan Bank Limited for 3 years from the date of taking charge and that should not be later than 10th November 2024.
- Partha Pratim Sengupta will replace Ratan Kesh, who was appointed as the interim MD and CEO after Chandra Sekhar Ghosh stepped down on July 9, 2024.
About Partha Pratim Sengupta:
i.Partha Sengupta began his career at State Bank of India (SBI). He served as Chief General Manager of the SBI Kolkata Circle from 2016 to 2018, where he oversaw operations in West Bengal, Sikkim, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
ii.He eventually rose to the position of Deputy Managing Director and Chief Credit Officer of SBI in 2018.
- As Deputy Managing Director and Chief Credit Officer at SBI, he chaired the Corporate Centre Credit Committee, which was pivotal in shaping the bank’s credit policies.
iii.He took charge as the MD & CEO of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) in July 2020 until December 2022.
iv.He has worked in different geographies, across both retail and corporate banking.
About Bandhan Bank Limited:
Headquarters– Kolkata, West Bengal(WB)
Tagline– Aapka Bhala Sabki Bhalai
Established – 2015
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
GRSE Delivered INS Nirdeshak, Second of Four Survey Vessels to the Indian Navy
On 8th October 2024, Kolkata (West Bengal, WB)-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited delivered Indian Naval Ship (INS) Nirdeshak (Yard 3026), the second of four Survey Vessel Large (SVL) ships, to the Indian Navy (IN).
- It is steered by Warship Design Bureau of IN and being constructed at GRSE headquarters in Kolkata, WB.
- The SVL ships are designed and built according to the classification rules of Indian Register of Shipping by M/s GRSE, Kolkata.
Note: In December 2023, GRSE Limited had delivered (INS) Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the 1st of four SVL ships, to the IN.
Key Features:
i.It has an overall length of 110 meters (m), with displacement of about 3400 tons. It has an indigenous content of over 80% by cost.
- It was built using “Integrated Construction” technology.
ii.It is equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment such as data acquisition and processing system, autonomous underwater vehicle, remotely operated vehicle, DGPS long range positioning systems, digital side sonar, among others.
iii.The ship is powered two marine diesel engines and can achieve speeds in excess of 18 knots.
Applications:
i.The SVL ships are capable of full scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic survey of port approaches and determination of navigational channels.
ii.These ships will also collect oceanographic and geophysical data for defence and civil applications.
iii.These ships can each carry helicopter and participate in low-intensity combat and function as hospital ships, and can also be used for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
Points to Note:
i.In 2018, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and GRSE Limited signed a contract for building 4 SVL ships at the cost of Rs 2435 crores.
ii.In February 2024, the IN commissioned INS Sandhayak, the 1st of 4 SVL ships, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
iii.Other two SVL ships are: Ikshak (Yard 3027), and Sanshodhak (Yard 3028).
About Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE):
GRSE is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence.
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)– Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.)
Headquarter- Kolkata, West Bengal (WB)
Established- 1884
USA approves 53 MK-54 torpedoes to India for Enhanced Navy Capabilities
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Government of the United States of America (USA), has approved the sale of 53 MK-54 lightweight torpedoes All-Up Rounds (AURs) to India. These torpedoes are valued at approximately USD 175 million (Rs 14.7 billion).
- This include recoverable exercise torpedoes, air-launch accessories, spare parts, torpedo containers, and a range of technical support services.
- The torpedoes are intended for use with India’s MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to enhance naval capabilities.
- The sale aligns with the US’ foreign policy goals to strengthen the strategic partnership with India in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia.
About MK 54:
The MK 54 torpedo is an advanced lightweight weapon developed by Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in collaboration with the US Navy. It can be launched from various platforms, including surface ships, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters.
- It has replacing the older Mark 46 torpedo.
- Its capability to operate effectively in both littoral and deep-water environments allows it for various missions/targets, regardless of water depth.
Key Points:
i.The sale will involve the temporary assignment of up to 12 US personnel and one contractor to India annually for training and technical support.
ii.This acquisition will enhance India’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities by increasing the inventory of weapons for the MH-60R helicopters.
iii.India’s first squadron of six MH-60R Seahawk helicopters was commissioned in March at INS (Indian Naval Ship) Garuda, Kochi (Tamil Nadu/TN) for ASW and anti-surface warfare (ASUW).
iv.These helicopters are equipped with Hellfire missiles, MK-54 torpedoes, and precision-kill rockets, with plans to acquire a total of 24 by next year.
v.The deal is part of a broader USD 2.13 billion contract signed with the US in February 2020, representing a significant upgrade in India’s maritime defense capabilities, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
About United States of America(USA):
President– Joe Biden
Capital– Washington, DC
Currency– US Dollar
SPORTS
ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships 2024 held in Kazakhstan: India Finished 7th with 3 Bronze 
Indian Table Tennis contingents won 3 bronze medals and finished 7th on the Medal tally of the 27th edition of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Asian Table Tennis Championships (2024).
The 2024 championship was held from 7th to 13th October 2024 at the Beeline Arena in Astana, Kazakhstan.
- Japan topped the Medal tally with 8 medals (3 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze) followed by China with 5 medals (2 Gold; 2 Silver and 1 Bronze) and North Korea with 3 medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze).
About International Table Tennis Federation(ITTF):
President– Petra Sörling
Headquarters– Lausanne, Switzerland
Founded– 1926
>> Read Full News
India is set to host the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in 2025
The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), in association with the International Kho Kho Federation, announced that India is set to host the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in 2025 and will feature 16 men’s and women’s teams from 24 countries and six continents.
i.The aim of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 is to elevate this indigenous Indian sport to an international stage and to unite nations, promote cultural exchange, and showcase the beauty and intensity of Kho Kho to the world.
ii.The tournament will feature a week-long series of matches, with top-tier athletes from across the globe demonstrating their skills, agility, and teamwork.
iii.The KKFI aspires to secure Kho Kho’s place in the 2032 Olympic Games.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Space Week 2024 – 4th to 10th October
The United Nations (UN)’s World Space Week (WSW) is annually observed across the globe from 4th to 10th of October to motivate and unite people worldwide, emphasizing the strong collaboration between space technology and climatic science.
The theme of World Space Week 2024 is “Space and Climatic Change”.
Background:
i.In December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/54/68 and proclaimed 4th to 10th October of every year as the as the World Space Week.
ii.The first-ever WSW was observed from 4th to 10th October 2000.
About the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA):
Director – Aarti Holla-Maini
Headquarters – Vienna, Austria
Established – 1958
>> Read Full News
STATE NEWS
Bihar gets green light for second tiger reserve in Kaimur
The central government (CG) has approved the establishment of Bihar’s second tiger reserve in the Kaimur district. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and a technical committee granted their approval during its 12th meeting.
- This approval is significant for wildlife conservation efforts, particularly in managing the rising tiger population that has exceeded the capacity of the existing Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in the West Champaran District, Bihar.
Key Points:
i The plan includes converting the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) into a tiger reserve, with potential relocation of some tigers from VTR to help maintain ecological balance and reduce overcrowding in the existing reserve.
- The VTR currently houses 54 tigers, surpassing the ideal limit of 45.
ii.The Kaimur Tiger Reserve will include a buffer zone that surrounds Shergarh Fort, a popular tourist attraction, along with 58 nearby villages.
- These areas will not be part of the core tiger habitat due to concerns raised by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) regarding earlier proposals
iii. The forest department has been working to convert the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) into a tiger reserve for several years.
Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS):
i.The Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, covering about 1,134 square kilometers(km2), is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Bihar, with the highest green cover in the state at 34%.
ii.It was established in 1979 and is home to various wildlife, including tigers. The sanctuary has seen signs of tiger activity, which led experts to propose its designation as a tiger reserve.
About Bihar:
Chief Minister (CM)- Nitish Kumar
Governor- Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar
Airports- Gaya International Airport, Lok Nayak Jayprakash Airport
Chhattisgarh Govt Renames 2 Urban Schemes After Deendayal Upadhyay
The Chhattisgarh government has named the 2 urban administration schemes after Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, the ideologue of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the forerunner of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The schemes were previously named after former Prime Minister (PM) Rajiv Gandhi.
- The Rajiv Gandhi Swavalamban Yojana will now be known as the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swavalamban Yojana and the Rajiv Gandhi Aajeevika Kendra Yojana has been renamed as the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Aajeevika Kendra Yojana.
i.The Urban Administration Department of Chhattisgarh passed the order in this regard on 18th September 2024.
ii.These schemes are managed by the Chhattisgarh Urban Infrastructure Development Fund.
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