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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM Gati Shakti NMP Completed 3 Years of Transforming India’s Infrastructure Landscape
On 13th October 2024, PM Gati Shakti-National Master Plan (NMP) for multi-modal connectivity has successfully completed 3 years of implementation and have achieved significant milestones in transforming the country’s infrastructure landscape.
- It was launched on 13th October, 2021 by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi(Delhi).
- It is being implemented by Logistics division of Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I).
i.It is a “Whole-of- Government ” approach aimed to facilitate integrated planning of multimodal infrastructure through collaboration among the concerned ministries. It was launched with the budget outlay of Rs 100 lakh crore.
ii.At present, The PM Gati Shakti NMP has onboarded 44 Central Ministries and 36 States/Union Territories (UTs), and a total of 1,614 data layers have also been integrated.
AboutMinistry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI):
Union Minister- Piyush Goyal (Constituency- Mumbai North, Maharashtra)
Minister of State (MoS)- Jitin Prasada (Constituency- Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>> Read Full News
MNRE notifies Scheme Guidelines for Rs 500cr ‘Innovative Projects’ component under PM-Surya Ghar : Muft Bijli Yojana
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) notified Scheme Guidelines to implement the Rs 500 crore ‘Innovative Projects’ component under the Prime Minister (PM)–Surya Ghar : Muft Bijli Yojana.
- This initiative aims to boost solar energy adoption, particularly ensuring affordable access to low-income or marginalized households in India.
- The Scheme Implementation Agency (SIA) for this component is Gurugram(Haryana) based National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous institute under the MNRE.
Key Points:
i.The scheme will support innovative solar energy projects that demonstrate new technologies or business models for residential use. The project will have a maximum duration of 18 months.
ii.Financial assistance for innovative projects will be limited to 60% of the total project cost or Rs 30 crore, whichever is lower.
iii.To promote innovation in Rooftop Solar, annual awards will be given, including a citation and cash prizes of Rs 1 crore, Rs 50 lakh, Rs 30 lakh, and 10 consolation prizes of Rs 5 lakh each.
iv.It will support startups, Research Institutions(RIs), and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) focused on scalable and replicable projects.
v.This will enhance efficiency in solar energy generation and distribution, leading to lower electricity costs for consumers.
About PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana:
Launched on February 29, 2024, the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana aims to boost solar rooftop capacity and allow households to generate their own electricity. The scheme has a budget of Rs 75,021 crore and will run until Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27).
- It offers up to 60% subsidy for systems up to 2 kW (Kilo Watt) and 40% for systems between 2 to 3 kW. This means Rs 30,000 subsidy for 1kW system, Rs 60,000 for 2kW systems and Rs 78,000 for 3kW systems or higher.
- The households can sell surplus electricity back to the grid, creating additional income streams.
- It is implemented by a National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) at the National level and by the State Implementation Agencies (SIAs) at the state level.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates India’s 1st Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers in Pune
On 13th October 2024, Union Minister of State (Independent charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology(MoST), virtually inaugurated India’s 1st Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers at Jejuri, Pune, Maharashtra.
- The facility was developed by Pune-based Praj Industries Limited, an Indian multinational process and project engineering company.
Significance of the Facility:
i.This state-of-the-art centre is designed to produce Polylactic Acid (PLA) bioplastic using advanced, indigenously developed technology.
ii.This initiative emphasises India’s commitment to sustainable practices and supports Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s goal of reaching a ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy.
iii.This facility represents a crucial shift from fossil-based plastics to biodegradable alternatives, reinforcing India’s proactive stance in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis.
Note: PLA is a natural polymer designed to substitute widely used petroleum-based plastics like polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Facts:
i.India ranks 12th globally and 3rd in the Asia-Pacific region in biotechnology. It is the largest vaccine producer and has the third-largest startup ecosystem.
ii.The number of biotech startups has surged from about 50 in 2014 to over 8,500 in 2023, highlighting their importance for future economic growth
iii.India’s bioeconomy surpassed USD 150 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 300 billion by 2030.
Maharashtra Launches India’s First State-Level Cyber Command Center to Combat Cybercrime
The Maharashtra State Cyber Department in partnership with Vadodara(Gujarat) based Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Technology Services Limited (LTTS) launched India’s first state-level Cyber Command and Control Center (CCC) at Mahape in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- This initiative was inaugurated by Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) of Maharashtra, focuses on strengthening cybersecurity capabilities within the state.
Background:
The project was approved in 2016 by the then Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. In 2022, the project was revived and approved by the state cabinet in 2023 at the cost of Rs 837 crore.
About the Cyber Command and Control Center(CCC) :
i.The CCC aims to enhance the speed and efficiency of investigating cyber incidents, thereby fast-tracking cybercrime investigations.
- Additionally, it focuses on strengthening legal processes to improve conviction rates in cybercrime cases, ensuring more successful outcomes in the pursuit of justice.
ii.LTTS, a global leader in engineering and R&D services, collaborated with Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) Assurance and Consulting Services Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) to built this centre.
Key Features:
i.Advanced Technology Integration: The CCC integrates state-of-the-art technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain, alongside over 50 global forensic and cybersecurity tools, including 17 threat intelligence tools. These technologies enable the center to monitor and mitigate cyber threats in real-time.
ii.Comprehensive Infrastructure: Includes the Cyber Crime Command & Control Center, Technology Assisted Investigation (TAI) center, CERT-MH (Computer Emergency Response Team – Maharashtra), and a Security Operations Center.
- CERT-MH will handle cyber incidents related to critical infrastructure and national security, working with other agencies.
- This centre was supported by a team of more than 150 cybercrime forensics and technology experts.
iii.Grievance Management: Provides multiple channels like helpline (14407), web portal, and mobile application(app) for complaints. These platforms are designed to streamline citizen and enterprise complaints, ensuring efficient and effective responses.
iv.Collaboration with Police Stations: The center supports 50 district cyber police stations across the state, coordinating efforts and sharing resources to address cyber incidents comprehensively.
v.Capacity Building and Awareness: The center houses a Cyber Center of Excellence (CCE) that trains law enforcement personnel, providing advanced skills to enhance their investigative capabilities. It also runs awareness programs aimed at educating citizens about cyber threats and digital safety.
About Maharashtra:
Chief Minister (CM)– Eknath Shinde
Governor– C.P. Radhakrishnan
Wildlife Sanctuary-Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Melghat Wildlife Sanctuary
About L&T Technology Services Limited (LTTS):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Amit Chadha
Headquarter: Vadodara, Gujarat
Founded– 2012
India’s first Memorial for Unsung Heroes of Military Intelligence ‘Satark Park’ Unveiled in Pune
The Indian Army (IA) inaugurated its first memorial, “Satark Park” in Pune(Maharashtra), dedicated to honouring Military Intelligence (MI) personnel who lost their lives in service. The memorial is inspired by MI’s motto “Sada Satark” (always alert).
- The park was inaugurated by Lieutenant General(Lt Gen) Pradeep Kumar Chahal, Colonel Commandant of the Intelligence Corps and Commandant of the Military Intelligence Training School and Depot (MINTSD)
i.The memorial has been constructed, maintained and operated by the (MINTSD) with support from Pune based Roadway Solutions India Infra Limited (RSIIL).
ii.The park displays busts of 40 MI personnel, including 11 officers, who have lost their lives in various operations, mainly in Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) and along the North Eastern borders since 1962, along with short descriptions of their contributions.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Highlights of PM Modi’s visit to Vientiane, Lao PDR from 10-11 October 2024
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, visited Vientiane, the capital of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR or Laos), from 10th to 11th October 2024 at the invitation of Sonexay Siphandone, PM of Lao, to strengthen the bilateral relations between India and Laos.
Highlights of PM Modi’s 2 day visit to Laos:
i.During his visit to Laos, PM Modi attended the 21st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, hosted by Laos, the current Chair of ASEAN.
ii.PM Modi met with Thongloun Sisoulith, President of Lao PDR in Vientiane on 11th October 2024.
iii.He also held bilateral talks with PM Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane.
About Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)
Prime Minister – Sonexay Siphandone
Capital – Vientiane
Currency – Laotian Kip
>> Read Full News
UNGA Elects 18 new members to Human Rights Council for 2025-2027 Term
On 9th October 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elected 18 new members to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the term 2025-2027.
- The newly elected 18 members are Benin; Bolivia; Colombia; Cyprus; Czechia; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Ethiopia; Gambia; Iceland; Kenya; Marshall Islands; Mexico; North Macedonia; Qatar; Republic of Korea; Spain; Switzerland; and Thailand.
- The elected members will serve 3-year terms beginning on 1st January 2025.
About the UNHRC Composition:
i.The UNHRC consists of 47 member states elected directly by the UNGA through a secret ballot, ensuring a democratic process for selection.
ii.The UNHRC’s structure is designed to ensure that its membership reflects a fair geographical distribution, with seats allocated as follows:
- African States: 13 members
- Asia-Pacific States: 13 members
- Eastern European States: 6 members
- Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 members
- Western European and other States: 7 members
iii.This distribution aims to balance representation from different regions, promoting inclusivity in addressing global human rights issues.
Terms of Membership:
Each member serves a three-year term and cannot be re-elected for two consecutive terms.
- This rule is designed to encourage a rotation of member states and to introduce new perspectives into the Council.
- The UNHRC membership cycle starts annually on January 1.
About the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC):
UNHRC is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system which is responsible for human rights.
President– Omar Zniber
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Founded– 2006
BANKING & FINANCE
Indian Navy & Bajaj Allianz Life Signed MoU for the Welfare of Naval Civilian Personnel
The Indian Navy (IN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pune(Maharashtra) based Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited (BALIC), a private life insurance company, marking a significant initiative to enhance the welfare of its civilian personnel.
- This initiative aligns with the IN’s declaration of the 2024 as ‘Year of Naval Civilians,’ aimed at enhancing the work environment and welfare measures for civilian staff
- This collaboration aims to provide tailored life insurance solutions specifically designed for the unique needs of naval civilians.
Key Highlights of the MoU:
i.Comprehensive Insurance Offerings: BALIC will offer a diverse range of life insurance products under this partnership, including term insurance and other plans tailored to meet the varied life goals of naval civilians.
- The primary objective is to provide these individuals with essential coverage at affordable premiums, ensuring that financial protection is within reach.
- The voluntary nature of the insurance allows naval civilians to select plans that best suit their individual circumstances and requirements.
ii.Financial Relief for Families: A key aspect of the insurance offerings is the provision of immediate financial support for the families of civilian employees in the event of unexpected circumstances, such as untimely death.
iii.Educational Initiatives: To maximize the benefits of this partnership, BALIC plans to conduct educational seminars and sessions for naval civilians.
- These initiatives will focus on raising awareness about the importance of term insurance and adequate life insurance coverage.
iv.Customized Processes for Naval Civilians: Recognizing the unique needs of naval personnel, BALIC will implement specialized processes to cater specifically to this group.
- These tailored procedures aim to provide a smoother and more efficient experience when enrolling in and managing insurance plans.
About Indian Navy(IN):
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)– Dinesh K Tripathi
Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS)– Krishna Swaminathan
Founded– 1950
About Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited (BALIC):
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD &CEO)– Tarun Chugh
Headquarters– Pune, Maharashtra
Founded – 2001
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Ashokan Charuvil From Kerala Wins The 2024 Vayalar Award For ‘Kattoorkadavu’
The Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust has conferred the 48th Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Literary Award(2024)to Ashokan Charuvil, an Indian short writer in Malayalam-language, for his novel ‘Kattoorkadavu’.
- ‘Kattoorkadavu’ explores themes of life, revival and the national movement set against the backdrop of a village devastated by the Great Flood.
i.The Vayalar Award has recognized outstanding literary works since its inception in 1977
ii.The award includes a cash prize of 1 lakh rupees and a bronze sculpture ,which was designed by renowned artist Kanai Kunhiraman. The award will be presented on October 27 2024, the death anniversary of the eminent Indian poet and lyricist in Malayalam, Vayalar Ramavarma.
iii.Ashokan Charuvil was born in 1957 in Kattoor, Trichur district of Kerala. He is a recipient of several awards including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award and the Muttathu Varkey Award.
Note: In 2023, the poet, lyricist and director Sreekumaran Thampi received the 2023 Vayalar award for the autobiography ‘Jeevitham Oru Pendulum’.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Nayab Singh Saini took Oath as Haryana CM for Second Term
On 17th October 2024, Nayab Singh Saini took oath as the Chief Minister (CM) of Haryana at the swearing-in ceremony in Panchkula, Haryana. This marks his 2nd tenure as CM of Haryana.
- Previously served as the CM of Haryana from March 2024 to October 2024 after Manohar Lal Khattar resigned ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
- Along with the CM, 13 legislators, including two women, were also inducted in the state cabinet.
- Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya administered the oath of office and secrecy to all of them.
Key People: Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi along with leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) were present during the ceremony.
Highlights:
i.Haryana Assembly elections was held on 5th October 2024 where BJP won 48 out of 90 seats. This is BJP’s 3rd straight win in Haryana State Assembly elections.
ii.Nayab Singh Saini secured his seat from the Ladwa constituency (Kurukshetra district), defeating Congress candidate Mewa Singh Singroha by a margin of 16,054 votes.
About Nayab Singh Saini:
i.Nayab Singh Saini hailing from Ambala, Haryana, served as the general secretary of the BJP’s youth wing in Ambala and district president (Ambala).
ii.He has also served as the president of the Haryana state unit BJP.
iii.He served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from 1014 to 2019. He also served Minister of State, Labour & Employment and Mines, Government of Haryana from 2014 to 2019.
iv.He was elected to the 17th Lok Sabha as Member of Parliament (MP)from Kurukshetra, (Haryana) from 2019 to 2024.
Details of Haryana’s Cabinet Ministers:
i.Haryana can have a maximum of 14 ministers, including the CM. The 13 cabinet ministers of Haryana are,
- Anil Vij, Arvind Kumar Sharma, Shyam Singh Rana, Ranbir Singh Gangwa, Krishan Bedi, Krishan Lal Panwar, Rao Narbir Singh, Mahipal Dhanda, Vipul Goel, Shruti Choudhry, and Arti Singh Rao. Rajesh Nagar and Gaurav Gautam.
ii.Shruti Choudhry, daughter of Kiran Choudhry, a Member of Parliament (MP – Rajya Sabha), and Arti Rao, daughter of Minister of State (MoS) Rao Inderjit Singh, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) are first-time legislators.
About Haryana:
Governor– Bandaru Dattatreya
Chief Minister (CM)– Nayab Singh Saini
Wildlife Sanctuaries– Abubshahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
LIC Increases Stake in BoM from 4.05% to 7.10% through QIP
Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) increased its shareholding in the Pune(Maharashtra) based Bank of Maharashtra (BOM) from 4.05% to 7.10%, after being allotted 25.96 crore shares as part of the bank’s Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) Process. LIC has acquired additional 3.376% at an average price of Rs. 57.36 per share.
i.Among the top investors in the QIP process, LIC received 42.56% of the total issue size, followed by ICICI Prudential Life Insurance with 8.51%, and Aditya Birla Sun Life with 5.67%.
ii.The allotment was made under the guidelines of Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations,which was issued in July 2023.
Note: Qualified Institutional Placement(QIP) is a way for listed companies to raise capital by issuing equity shares to institutional investors.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Standards Day 2024 – October 14
World Standards Day (WSD) also known as International Standards Day is annually observed across the globe on October 14th to highlight the importance of standards-related efforts and honour the collaborative contributions of individuals and organizations committed to developing voluntary standards.
- The theme of WSD 2024 is “Shared Vision for a Better World: Standards for the Changing Climate”.
Background:
i.On October 14, 1946, delegates from 25 countries met in London (United Kingdom) to create a new international organization to promote standardisation.
ii.The first ever World Standards Day was officially launched on October 14, 1970, by Faruk Sunter, who was the president of the (ISO) at the time.
About the International Organization for Standardization (ISO):
President – Sung Hwan Cho
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Established in – 1947
>> Read Full News
International Day of the Girl Child 2024- October 11
The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) is annually observed globally on October 11 to address the challenges faced by girls and to promote their empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
- The 2024 International Day of the Girl theme is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’.
- The first International Day of the Girl Child was observed on 11 October 2012.
i.On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution A/RES/66/170 and declared October 11 of every year as the International Day of the Girl Child(IDGC).
ii.The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released its first global and regional estimates on sexual violence against children, published before the International Day of the Girl, highlight the scale of the violation worldwide, especially for adolescent girls, often with lifelong consequences.
- As per the above published report, more than 370 million girls and women – or 1 in 8 -experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18.
About United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Purpose – To provide humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.
Executive Director – Catherine Russell
Headquarters – New York, the United States of America (USA)
Founded – 1946
>> Read Full News
World Arthritis Day 2024 – October 12
World Arthritis Day (WAD) is annually observed across the globe on 12th October to raise awareness about Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs), their prevention and the importance of accessing effective treatments for arthritis.
- 12th October 2024 marks the observance of the 29th WAD.
- The theme of WAD 2024 is “Informed Choices, Better Outcomes”.
Background:
i.World Arthritis Day was first established in 1996 by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI).
ii.The first WAD was celebrated on 12th October 1996 and the event has been observed every year since.
About the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR):
President- Prof. Daniel Aletaha (Austria)
Headquarters – Zürich, Switzerland
Established – 1947
>> Read Full News
STATE NEWS
UP CM Yogi Adityanath Unveiled Multi-Coloured Logo & App for Mahakumbh 2025
Uttar Pradesh(UP) Chief Minister(CM) Yogi Adityanath unveiled the new multi-coloured logo for Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj (earlier Allahabad),UP. During the event, the CM launched the website and application(app) for Kumbh Mela 2025.
- The Kumbh Mela 2025 is one such festival admired by the Hindus and scheduled to take place in Prayagraj from January 13th to February 26th, 2025. Mahakumbh is a Persian name that is derived from Sanskrit.
Symbolism of the Mahakumbh Logo :-
i.The design of the logo features a temple, a seer, an urn, the Akshayvat tree and an image of Lord Hanuman, representing the confluence of nature and humanity in the Sanatana civilization.
ii.The logo prominently features the city’s most sacred site, the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
iii.The logo symbolizes both religious and economic prosperity, featuring the Amrit Kalash, represents the sacred vessel that symbolizes the nectar(Amrit) of immortality in Hindu mythology.
Facts About Kumbh Mela
- Kumbh Mela is a Hindu religious festival celebrated four times over 12 years, rotating among four sacred pilgrimage sites along major rivers. The festival takes place at Haridwar (Uttarakhand) on the Ganges River, Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) on the Shipra, Nashik (Maharashtra) on the Godavari, and Prayag (modern Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh) at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati.
- This festival is recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,’ is considered the world’s largest peaceful gathering of pilgrims.
- With the motto “Sarvasiddhipradah Kumbhah” (Kumbh bestows all types of spiritual powers), the Maha Kumbh serves as a profound symbol of spiritual significance.
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