Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC - 10th October 2023

 

National News

1. Union Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala will inaugurate the 16th Agricultural Science Congress in Kochi 

• Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying will inaugurate the 16th Agricultural Science Congress (ASC) on 10 October 2023 at Hotel Le Meridien, Kochi, Kerala. 
• Over 1500 renowned agricultural economists, scientists, policy makers, academicians, farmers and entrepreneurs from India and abroad are scheduled to converge in Kochi for four days to participate in the Agricultural Science Congress. 
• Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will deliver the presidential address. Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad; MP Hibi Eden; Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chairman of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Protection Authority and KV Shaji, Chairman of NABARD will be the guests of honour. 
• The primary objective of ASC is to generate a scientific discussion about transforming India's agri- food systems into sustainable enterprises to facilitate its benefits for future generations. 
• Organized by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), the Agronomy Congress is being held in Kerala for the first time, hosted by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). 16th Agricultural Science Congress 
• The Congress will discuss 10 thematic areas, covering all issues related to agriculture and allied sectors and sustainability on land and water, agricultural production systems, products, agricultural machinery, climate action, economics, renewable or alternative energy, precision farming, alternative farming systems. Issues included. 
• With a wide-ranging agenda, the 16th Agricultural Science Congress (ASC) will feature five plenary lectures from leading figures in agriculture and allied sectors. The Congress will cover a wide range of topics including coastal agriculture and livelihoods, mainstreaming millets and youth empowerment and gender equality 

2. What Is The Digital India Act 2023? 

• The recent introduction of the Digital India Act 2023 (DIA) led by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), demonstrates a proactive stance in governing and molding India’s digital future.
• The Digital India Act 2023 aims to harmonize and consolidate digital laws in India, working alongside other key legislation like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, National Data Governance Policy and Indian Penal Code amendments for cybercrime. Together, these laws create a framework to govern India’s digital realm. 
• The Digital India Act 2023 is a forward-looking legal framework designed to cater to India’s burgeoning digital economy. The act provides an easily accessible adjudicatory mechanism for addressing online civil and criminal offenses, delivering timely remedies and enforcing the rule of law on the internet. 

3. PM Modi launched Rs 5000 cr projects in Rajasthan 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched multiple projects worth ₹5,000 crore in Rajasthan and asserted that they will lead to further development of the state. 
• Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects in sectors like road, rail, aviation, health and higher education. 
• The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of various projects, including a 350-bedded trauma centre and critical care hospital block at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, and seven critical care blocks under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) to be developed across the state. 
• The centre at the AIIMS will be developed at a cost of more than ₹350 crore 
• The facility will bring a holistic approach in the management of trauma and emergency cases by providing multidisciplinary and comprehensive care to patients while critical care blocks across Rajasthan will augment district-level critical care infrastructure. 
• Modi also laid the foundation stone for the development of a state-of-the-art new terminal building at the Jodhpur airport costing Rs 480 crore and inaugurated the IIT Jodhpur campus as well. 
• The new terminal building will be developed in an area of about 24,000 sqm and will be equipped to provide services to 2,500 passengers during peak hours. It will cater to 35 lakh passengers annually, improving connectivity and boosting tourism in the region. 
• Among other projects, he laid the foundation stone of multiple road development projects to be built at a cumulative cost of about ₹1,475 crore and also flagged off two new train services in the state. 

4. Prime Minister to inaugurate 9th ‘G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit, P-20 in New Delhi on 13th October.
• The two-day P-20 Summit will be held at the newly constructed India International Convention and Expo Center, Yashobhoomi, in Dwarka. 
• Within the G20, Parliament 20 (P20) is an engagement group headed by the Parliamentary speakers of G20 countries and it aims at bringing a parliamentary dimension to global governance. 
• The main theme of the P20 this year is Parliament for One Earth, One Family, One Future. 

PM Modi in News 

• PM Modi inaugurated the country’s first high-tech sports training center in Gwalior, MP
• PM Modi launched 27 thousand crore rupee development projects in Chhatisgarh 
• PM Modi has launched a week-long program called “Sankalp Saptah” for aspirational blocks in New Delhi. 
• PM inaugurated ‘International Lawyers’ Conference 2023’ in New Delhi 
• PM Modi laid foundation stone for Lord Shiva-themed Stadium in Varanasi, UP
• PM Modi laid foundation of Sant Ravidas temple in Madhya Pradesh 

5. Judge selection delay not advisable, says SC 

• The Supreme Court on Monday said it may not be "advisable" to hold up the entire judicial appoint- ment process and insist that the government first clear names earlier recommended or reiterated by the Supreme Court. 
• Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said there is, at times, a lot of back and forth between the Collegium and the government during the appointment process. This may include additional inputs from the government, who may continue to have reservations about names recommended or even reiterated by the Collegium. 
• "In this process of back and forth, it may not be advisable that all appointment processes are kept at bay for the time being... Sometimes, we make mistakes, we recall [names]. We are not infallible," Justice Kaul said. 
• The court was responding to concerns raised by senior advocate Arvind Datar and advocate Prashant Bhushan about how certain names recommended or reiterated by the Collegium remain in limbo, while some names forwarded later on by the Collegium are cleared without delay. 

International News

6. World Health Organization launches “SPECS 2030” initiative for quality eye care 

• The World Health Organization has launched the “SPECS 2030” initiative to ensure quality eye care. The initiative aims to help member countries address the issue of spectacles while ensuring quality eye care. 
• Its long-term vision is to create a world in which every person suffering from refractive error has access to quality, affordable and people-centric services for its diagnosis. 
• The mission aims to assist Member States in achieving the 2030 target endorsed by the 74th World Health Assembly on refractive error coverage. 
• Refractive error is a vision problem in which the shape of the eye interferes with the normal focus of light on the retina (a light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye), resulting in blurry or distorted vision. 
• According to WHO, more than 2.2 billion people globally suffer from vision problems. Nearly 1 billion of these cases could have been prevented with proper eye care. 
• 90% of persons with visual impairment or blindness live in low- and middle-income countries. 

7. Israel launches operation ‘Iron Swords’ after Hamas’ surprise attack 

• The Israel Defence Forces has launched Operation ‘Iron Swords’ in response to Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel. 
• IDF is striking Hamas targets in Gaza. “In response to the barrages of rockets launched by Hamas from Gaza at Israel, the IDF is currently striking Hamas targets in Gaza. 
• The Israeli military is fighting Hamas terrorists in different locations in Southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip, including the towns of Kfar Aza, Sderot, Sufa, Nahal Oz, Magen, Be’eri and the Re’im military base.
• Operation Iron Swords is Israel’s retaliation for a surprise attack by Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist militant organization on Israel. 

About Israel

• Capital – Jerusalem 
• Currency – Sheqel
• President – Isaac Herzog
• Prime Minister – Benjamin Netanyahu

8. India & Switzerland Celebrated 75 Yrs Of Friendship

• India and Switzerland recently celebrated 75 years of their enduring friendship and fruitful collaboration in a beautiful Kumaon village nestled in the Uttarakhand region of India. 
• The three-day event, aptly named ‘Swiss Himalayan Bounty,’ unfolded last week at a charming homestay in Satoli village, positioned at an altitude of 6,000 feet near Mukteshwar in the Nainital district.
• Robert Graf, the head of SHA (Swiss Himalayan Amity), outlined the organization’s holistic approach to uplift the hill communities of Uttarakhand. He emphasized their efforts to promote the use of smokeless ‘chulhas’ (stoves) in the region, addressing both health and environmental concerns. 

9. Israel Imposes Total Siege On Gaza 

• Hamas launched a surprise offensive, leading to Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Dozens of Palestinians killed and wounded, with over 570 casualties reported. More than 123,000 people displaced in Gaza due to the conflict.
• Israel imposed a total siege on the Gaza Strip and cut off water supply following a surprise offensive by Hamas. The conflict has escalated, causing civilian casualties and displacement. 
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a strong response, threatening to turn Hamas sites to rubble. Israel imposed a complete siege on Gaza, impacting 2.3 million people: no electricity, food, water, or gas. 

10. What did Hamas achieve from the attack on Israel? 

• The European Union (RD) announced that it would stop funding to the Palestinian territories with mine diate effect, following Ha mas's weekend attack on Israel, which killed over 700 people in Israel and over 500 in retaliatory attacks in Gaza. 
• The EU is the largest donor of aid to the Palestinian territories. Monday's announcement involves a total of 691 million, comprising the full KU development portfolio, which was placed under review, according to RU Commuls stoner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi Turning point 
• The scale of terror and brutality against Israel and its people is a turning point," Mr. Varhelyl wrote on X ``There can be no business as usual," he said. 
• All projects currently underway were put under review and all payments for Palestine were immediately suspended accordIng to Mr. Varhelyi, 
• The EU had planned a total of €1.8 billion in funding for Palestinian territories (the West Bank and Gaza) between 2021 and 2024, Austria and Germany also announced, on Monday, the temporary C suspension of bilateral aid to Palestinian territories. 
• The EU in no way Raunds Hamas activities, the to bloe's Chief Spokesperson Erie Mamer said. 
• KU foreign ministers are expected to meet informally on Tuesday to discuss the funding freeze. 

11. CWC voices support for Palestinians, calls for urgent ceasefire 

• Calling for an immediate ceasefire to the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Monday reiterated its long-standing support for "the rights of the Palestinian people to land, self- government and to live with dignity". 
• In a resolution, the Congress' top decision-making body expressed its "dismay and anguish on the war that has broken out in the Middle East where over a thousand people have been killed in the last two days". 
• Long-standing support for the rights of the Palestinian people to land, self-government and to live with dignity and respect," the resolution said, while calling for negotiations on all outstanding matters. 
• While there is no mention of Israel in the CWC resolution, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a post on Sunday on X, held that legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine must be fulfilled through dialogue while ensuring the national security interests of the Israelis. 
• "The Indian National Congress condemns the brutal attacks on the people of Israel," he had said. 

State News

12. Cashew nuts of Goa, sweet 'Rasabali' of Odisha and Khamti rice and Tangsa textile of Arunachal got GI tag. 

• Goa cashew has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, ensuring identity and protection of local cashew farmers. The GI tag will allow buyers to differentiate between authentic Goa cashews and cashews sourced from other regions. 
• Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, "Goa's cashew nuts have a long and cherished heritage and this GI status helps preserve our heritage." Goa's cashew industry will get a boost, ensuring its continued growth and prosperity.
• Odisha's sweet 'Rasabali' 
• The famous sweet 'Rasabali' of Kendrapara district of Odisha has received Geographical Indication (GI). Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry granted the GI tag to the plant, popularly known as 'Kendrapada Rasabali'.
• 'Kendrapara Rasabali' originates from the 262 year old Shri Baladevjev temple here. Rasabali is offered to the presiding deity of the temple in the form of 'Bhog'. 
• Arunachal Khamti Rice and Tangsa Textiles 
• Khamti rice (Khaw Tai) of Arunachal is a chewy sticky rice variety from the Namsai region, cultivated by traditional Khampati tribal farmers.
• When it is steamed and rolled into a roll and wrapped in a leaf, it is called khutum. A variant of this is the ball-shaped khoutek, which is roasted sticky khou tai mixed with jaggery. 
• The textile products of the Tangsa tribe of Changlang district are famous for their attractive designs and colours. 

13. 'Marog Tunnel' inaugurated on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway NH-44 

• Nitin Gadkari said in a post that the construction of 250 meter viaduct (2-lane) along with 395 meter (2- lane) Marog tunnel has been successfully completed in Jammu and Kashmir at an estimated cost of Rs 82 crore. 
• The two-lane Marog tunnel and a bridge along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway-NH-44 and bypasses a major landslide-prone area in Ramban district. It is located on the Ramban to Banihal section of the infrastructure. 
• This 645 meter stretch, as part of the larger project, will not only reduce the travel distance by 200 metres, reduce steep slopes, but also provide an alternative route bypassing the famous Sita Ram Pasi slide area. 
• Work on the four-lane project of the 270-km-long highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, was started by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in 2011. 
• The construction of the highway, which will include several small and large tunnels, bridges and flyovers, is likely to be completed by next year, after missing several deadlines over the past decade. Earlier in March, NHAI had dedicated the 880 meter long T-5 tunnel to the public. 

14. Uttar Pradesh government declares Ganga dolphin as state aquatic animal 

• Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has declared the Ganga dolphin as the state aquatic animal. The Ganges dolphin already has the status of national aquatic animal, but its numbers are declining to critical levels in the last few years due to river pollution, reduced water flow in rivers and low water levels. 
• Dolphins are found in rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Ghaghra, Rapti and Gerua. There is a need to maintain the purity of water in ponds and rivers. The estimated population of Ganga dolphins in the state is around 2,000. 
• State aquatic animal status would provide some additional protection to the dolphin, which is considered an indicator species. Its presence shows that the health of the river is good. The Ganges dolphin is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and is one of four freshwater dolphins in the world. 
• The latest census of Ganges dolphins at Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary in India showed that there are now 50 dolphins in the Ganges River, up from 41 in the previous census in 2020. This calculation has been done under the “Yah Meri Ganga Meri Dolphin 2023 campaign.” 

15. Rajasthan govt orders to conduct caste survey 

• Close on the heels of Bihar releasing the caste data, the Congress government in Rajasthan ordered a similar caste-based survey to find out the socio-economic status of different sections of society and formulate targeted welfare schemes for them. 
• The survey will be conducted with the State government’s own resources. 
• As the Social Justice and Empowerment Department issued a notification for the exercise after the State Cabinet’s nod, the survey will continue even after the enforcement of the model code of conduct for the upcoming Assembly election. 
• The Census could only be conducted by the Centre, the State government was within its rights to take up the survey of families in which their economic condition would also be revealed. 
• Getting information about the population of each caste will be crucial for policy formulation and implementation by the State government. 

About Rajasthan

• Capital – Jaipur
• Chief Minister – Ashok Gehlot
• Governor – Kalraj Mishra 

16. NLC India Ltd Secures 810 MW Solar PV Project In Rajasthan

• NLC India Ltd. (NLCIL), a Navaratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Coal, has recently achieved a remarkable feat in the renewable energy sector by securing an 810 MW solar photovoltaic power project. This project is awarded by Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL).
• The 810 MW solar photovoltaic power project in Bikaner marks the largest renewable energy project undertaken by NLCIL. With this addition, the total power project capacity in Rajasthan will surge to 1.36 GW, out of which 1.1 GW is green power.
• One of the key advantages of this project is its location in Rajasthan, which receives abundant solar radiation throughout the year. This positioning is set to enhance the project’s Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) significantly. Over its lifetime, the project is expected to generate more than 50 billion units of power. Moreover, it will offset over 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to a cleaner and greener Rajasthan. 

17. Develop Narela sub-city into education hub, L-G tells DDA 

• Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to develop the Nare la sub-city into an educational hub while asking the authority to expedite the Infrastructure projects in the area, according to a statement issued by Raj Niwas on Monday. 
• The L-G has personally taken charge of improving connectivity and civic infrastructure in the sub-city, read the statement. 
• The DDA has an inventory of nearly 50,000 flats in Narela, most of which have been lying unsold for years. 
• To attract homebuyers, the agency has been working on improving the connectivity of the sub-city with the rest of the Capital through DTC buses and a proposed extension of the Delhi Metro line. It has also taken steps to boost the education and healthcare facilities in the area. 
• In his recent meeting with the DDA officials, Mr. Saxena pointed out that the area lacks big commercial centres, including corporate parks and shopping malls. 
• He directed officials to provide land parcels to universities and other academic institutions looking to set up campuses in the area. 
• Mr. Saxena has directed the authority to allot the land parcels in a cluster, close to its housing projects to ensure that the institutions have access to residential and hostel facilities. 
•  The DDA has already started to work on this plan, the statement read. 
• The Institutions which land has already been allotted include the National Institute of Technology (20.8 hectares), In sis, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (20 hectares), and National Institute of Homeopathy yo (4.04 hectares). 
• The statement by Raj NIwas said Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) will be allotted 8.08 hectares and Delhi Teachers University 4.04 hectares. 
• Narela sub-city is spread over about 9,866 hectares. Around 2,501 hectares is defined as the green belt in the area, according to the Raj Niwas statement. 

18. Teachers protest over late pay, other issues; MCD assures action 

• Several teachers of primary schools under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) held a protest outside the Civic Centre on Monday, demanding a resolution to their problems and seeking a meeting with Education Minister Atishi. 
• Among the demands raised were timely payment of salaries and pending pensions; adequate stationery for schools; recruitment of cleaning staff, security guards and data entry operators; reservation for disabled teachers; and the implementation of the teachers' charter in all MCD zones, among others. 
• The teachers, who were part of the union Shikshak Nyay Manch Nagar Nigam (SNMNN), called off the protest a few hours after Deputy Mayor Aaley Mohammad Iqbal and the Leader of the Opposition in the MCD Raja Iqbal Singh met them. They have been promised a meeting with Ms. Atishi to discuss their demands and find solutions for the same within the week. 
• Kuldeep Singh Khatri, a senior SNMNN member, said, "Many of us were harassed by the civic body for taking part in the protest. Many were even reprimanded today." 
• Mr. Singh, who joined the protesters for some time, said the ruling AAP is responsible for the decline in the quality of education in MCD schools. 

19. He start live-streaming cases from tomorrow 

• The Delhi High Court will start the live-streaming of Its proceedings from Wednesday. For now, the live streaming will be limited to the Chief Justice's court and on a "case-to-case basis, as per the direction of the High Court", a statement said. 
• The initiative comes five years after the Supreme Court in a landmark judgement underscored the significance of live-streaming over of court proceedings as an extension of the principle Delhi of "open justice" and 'open ersity courts". Nine out of 25 High Courts across the country have adopted the practice so far. Spread crates.  
• The Delhi High Court said the live-streaming of the proceedings will start in other courts soon. 

20. TN Assembly adopts P resolution seeking release of Cauvery water from Karnataka 

• The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution urging the Union government to direct Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu as mandated in the final judgement of the Supreme Court. All political parties, except the BJP, welcomed the resolution moved by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. 
• Moving the resolution, Mr. Stalin contended that Karnataka was creating an "artificial crisis" by not releasing the share of water due to Tamil Nadu, despite the steps being taken by his government. Tamil Nadu would continue to insist on its share of water at the next meeting of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee on Wednesday.
• "The Cauvery water is vital for the people of Tamil Nadu... We would not give it up under any circumstances. The Union government should act appropriately and get the Cauvery water for the people of Tamil Nadu," Mr. Stalin said. 
• Resolution welcomed Leader of the Opposition and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami welcomed the resolution, but said the government should exert political pressure to get the water. He also asked the government about the steps being taken to supply drinking water to 20 districts until the Cauvery water was received from Karnataka or the State received rain. 
• Vanathi Srinivasan of the BJP wanted the text of the resolution modified and demanded that the State government support national me isation of rivers and a national legislation on dam safety. She said the BJP supported the cause of the Tamil Nadu farmers, but questioned the stand adopted by the State government on different situations. She said the situation was better when the BJP ruled Karnataka. With no response from the government to her demand for modifying the text of the resolution, she staged a walkout with her party members. 
• Addressing the media later, she said her party was not satisfied with the resolution as it did not move towards a permanent solution to safeguard Tamil Nadu's rights. Ms. Srinivasan blamed the DMK for its alleged inability to leverage its alliance with the Congress, the ruling party in Karnataka, to ensure that the State's share of water was released. 
• She pointed out that the DMK opposed the Dam Safety Bill passed by the Union government in Parliament, which, according to her, would have ensured a permanent solution for the Cauvery issue. 
• K. Selvaperunthagai of the Congress; G.K. Mani of the PMK; M. Sinthanai Selvan of the VCK; K. Mari-muthu of the CPI; V.P. Na-gaimaali of the CPI(M); M. Jagan Moorthy; T. Velmuru-gan; E.R. Eswaran; M.H. Ja-wahirullah; and T. Sadhan Thirumalaikumar spoke in support of the resolution. The Speaker later declared the resolution adopted "unanimously". 

21. Delhi Police questions 25 journalists for second time 

• Delhi Police's Special Cell has questioned about 35 ford of the NewsClick for a second time in connection with a PAPA case registered against the paline news portal for allegedly peddling "anti-national" agenda in the country, sources said on Monday. 
• An officer said that the Investigation into the case is still on and no one has been given the clean chit so far. 
• About 46 people, including nine women journalists, were questioned on October 3, the day the Special Cell raided several locations connected to the website in Delhi and NCR. 
• "Since the arrest took place, everyone was called for the second round of questioning. About 25 of them have appeared so far," said the officer.
• On October 3, the police arrested portal's editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty and seized more than 300 electronic gadgets from the office of New sClick and residences of its journalists. An official said these gadgets were sent to the forensic science lab for examination. 

Defence News

22. Indian Navy begins 'Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief' Exercise 'Chakrawat' in Goa 

• The annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise ‘Chakrawat’-2023 is being conducted by the Indian Navy at Goa from 09 to 11 October 2023. 
• It involves the participation of the three services, paramilitary forces as well as several disaster response organisations, NGOs, academic institutions and international organisations. Along with this, eight countries of the Indian Ocean region will also be included. 
• Its objective is to develop collective and coordinated effective response mechanisms to deal with humanitarian crises and natural disasters. This is under India's policy for oceans – SAGAR, or Security and Growth for All in the Region. 
• The exercise saw the participation of various national agencies, namely National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Coast Guard, Indian Army. 
• Apart from this, Metrological Department (IMD), National Remote Sensing Agencies (NRSA), State Disaster Management Agency (SDMA) and State Fire Service, Goa, District Disaster Management Agency (DDMA) of North and South, Goa, Indian National Ocean Information Service Center (INCOIS), 
• Central Water Commission (CWC), Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and representatives of friendly foreign countries will also attend. (HADR) 
• The Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) is a result of the directive of the Hon'ble Prime Minister promulgated during the Joint Commanders' Conference-2015. Since its first edition in 2015, the annual joint HADR exercise has transformed into a multi-agency effort.
• The exercise has been conducted by the Indian Army, Indian Navy (IN) and Indian Air Force (IAF) on rotation basis since 2016. The last edition of the exercise was conducted by the IAF in Agra. 

23. Country’s Oldest Think Tank USI To Hold First Ever Indian Military Heritage Festival 

• The United Service Institution of India (USI), the nation’s oldest think tank, is set to host the first-ever Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF), scheduled for October 21 and 22. 
• This groundbreaking event aims to fill a void in the national discourse and cultural calendar by shedding light on India’s rich military history, contemporary security concerns, and the pursuit of self-reliance in military capabilities through the Atmanirbhar Bharat programs. 
• The IMHF seeks to deepen our understanding of India’s extensive military heritage and traditions. It will explore various aspects, including indigenous historical knowledge systems, India’s role in the world wars, post-Independence challenges, and perspectives on war and conflict. Through insightful discussions, the festival aims to enlighten attendees from all walks of life about the multifaceted dimensions of India’s military history. 

24. Annual Joint HADR Exercise 2023 (AJHE-23) – CHAKRAVAT 2023

• AJHE, known as CHAKRAVAT, is a significant initiative that has evolved since its inception in 2015 into a multi-agency endeavor that includes the active participation of India’s armed forces, paramilitary forces, disaster response organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic institutions, and international organizations. 
• The Annual Joint HADR Exercise is conducted on a rotational basis by India’s three armed services: the Indian Army, Indian Navy (IN), and Indian Air Force (IAF). The previous edition of the exercise was hosted by the IAF in Agra. In 2023, the Indian Navy is set to host AJHE-23 in Goa from October 9th to 11th. 
• This exercise involves a scenario-based simulation to assess and refine disaster response strategies and coordination among participating agencies. On October 11, 2023, a Multi-Agency Capability Demonstration will take place. This segment will showcase rescue and relief drills, emphasizing the nuances and important lessons learned in disaster response. 

25. Smart fence along Myanmar border in the pipeline: govt. 

• An advanced smart fencing system of 100 km along the Myanmar border is in the pipeline to strengthen the existing surveillance system, the 2022-23 annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) published last week said. 
• Unfenced border and unregulated migration from Myanmar have been attributed as some of the factors responsible for the ethnic Manipur. violence in 
• The report stated that in 2022, out of the 201 insurgency-related incidents registered in all the northeast States, as many as 137 incidents were registered in Manipur. 
• "Manipur is affected by the activities of Meitei, Naga, Kuki, Zomi, Hmar insurgent groups. A total of 23 UG [underground] out- fits under two conglomer- ates [United Peoples' Front [UPF] -8 and Kuki National Organisation [KNO] -15] are under Suspension of Operation [SoO] pact with the Government of India since August 2008," the report said. 
• The MHA said that a Free Movement Regime (FMR) exists between India and Myanmar. "Under the FMR, every member of the hill tribes, who is either a citizen of India or a citizen of Myanmar and who is resident of any area within 16 km on either side of the Indo-Myanmar border can cross the border on production of a border pass (one year validity) issued by the competent authority and can stay up to two weeks per visit," the report said. The Manipur government has suspended the FMR since 2020, post COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said on September 23 that he had urged the MHA to cancel the FMR along the Myanmar border and complete its fencing. 
• India shares a 1,643 km border with Myanmar. 
• "Out of 1,643 km, a demarcation of 1,472 km has been completed," the report said. 

Business News

26. Irdai To Deploy Bima Vahak In Every Gram Panchayat Before End Of 2024 

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has announced its ambitious plan to deploy ‘Bima Vahaks’ in every Gram Panchayat across the country by December 31, 2024. 
• IRDAI has introduced the ‘Bima Vahaks (BV)’ initiative to expand insurance coverage and accessibility. The objective of this initiative remains women-centric, with the aim of creating a dedicated distribution channel that ensures the availability of insurance services in every corner of India. 
• Bima Vahaks, both corporate and individual, are authorized to undertake various activities, including the collection of proposal information and Know Your Customer (KYC) documents. They will also coordinate services related to insurance claims. 

27. Business Continuity Plan For Israel’s Haifa Port Ready: ALSEZ 

• The stock price of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), an entity under the Gautam Adani-led group, experienced a significant decline of over 5 percent on NSE (National Stock Exchange) amid certain events affecting the region. 
• APSEZ stated that it is actively monitoring the situation, particularly in South Israel, where the events are concentrated. The company is ensuring the safety of its employees and confirmed that all staff members are secure. 
• APSEZ emphasized its preparedness, stating that it has a robust business continuity plan in place. This plan is designed to enable the company to respond effectively to any unforeseen events and challenges that may arise. 

Economy News

28. Urban Unemployment Rate Drops To 6.6% In Q1 

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released its quarterly bulletin of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), shedding light on the urban unemployment situation in India during the first quarter of the fiscal year. 
• In the April-June quarter of this fiscal year, the urban unemployment rate in India dropped to 6.6%. This was the lowest level recorded since the PLFS bulletin was launched in 2018. Several states and union territories (UTs) reported higher urban unemployment rates than the national average. 
• Notable ones include Himachal Pradesh (13.8%), Rajasthan (11.7%), Chhattisgarh (11.2%), Jammu and Kashmir (10.9%), and Kerala (10%). States/UTs with lower-than-national average unemployment rates included Delhi (2.7%), Gujarat (2.8%), West Bengal (4.4%), Bihar (6.1%), Maharashtra, and Haryana (6.5%). 

29. India’s Fiscal Deficit Rose To Rs 6.42 Trillion, Which Is 36% Of The FY24 Target 

• According to the data, released by the Controller General of Accounts, the fiscal deficit for the April-August period in FY24 stood at Rs 6.42 trillion. This accounts for 36 per cent of the full-year target of Rs 17.87 trillion. 
• The primary deficit, which represents the fiscal deficit without considering interest payments, stood at Rs 2.75 trillion. This amounts to 38.9 per cent of the full-year target of Rs 7.06 trillion. The primary deficit is a crucial metric as it reflects the government’s ability to meet its expenditure commitments without relying on borrowing for interest payments. 
• The total government expenditure during the April-August period in FY24 amounted to Rs 16.72 trillion. This represented 37.1 per cent of the annual goal, which is notably higher than the Rs 13.90 trillion spent during the same period in the previous fiscal year. 

30. Piyush Goyal Unveils ‘Status Holder’ Certificates Under Foreign Trade Policy 2023 

• In a meeting with the Export Promotion Councils, the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles Shri Piyush Goyal unveiled a significant initiative to issue system-based automatic ‘Status Holder’ certificates under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023. 
• Now, exporters will no longer need to submit applications for Status Certificates. Instead, the certification will be granted every year in August, based on annual export figures available with the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), along with other risk parameters.
• This flexibility empowers exporters to adapt to changing market conditions and export patterns. This initiative aligns perfectly with the Digital India ethos, reflecting the Indian government’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance governance and streamline processes. 

31. Stroke deaths likely to surge to 9.7 million by 2050, says report 

• Stroke, a highly preventable and treatable condition, could lead to nearly 10 million deaths annually by 2050, primarily affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), warns a report published in the Lancet Neurology journal on Monday. 
• The projection comes from the collaborative effort of the World Stroke Organization and the Lancet Neurology Commission under which four studies have been published. The report underscores that stroke deaths are expected to surge from 6.6 million in 2020 to a daunting 9.7 million by 2050. By 2050, it is estimated that the contribution of stroke deaths in LMICS will see an increase from 86% to 91%. 
• The report has emphasised the critical role of evidence-based, pragmatic solutions in combating this looming crisis and notes that implementing and rigorously monitoring the commission's recofen dations, which are firmly Takin grounded in evidence, legend could lead to a significant reduction in the global stroke burden, effectively countering this ominous order projection. 
• The commission authors have presented their findings into 12 evidence based recommendations. The recommendations include establishing cost effective surveillance systems for precise epidemiological stroke data to guide ha prevention and treatment, elevating public awareness and fostering healthier lifestyles through the wides pread utilisation of mobile and digital technologies, including training and awareness and prioritising in meticulous planning of acute stroke care services, b capacity building, training, 20 provisioning of equipment, treatment, affordable medicines, and allocating adequate resources. 

Schemes And committees News

32. GST Amnesty Scheme 2023 

• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, in its 52nd meeting has announced an amnesty plan to streamline the process of appealing against demand orders issued by tax inspectors. Under the existing GST rules, a individual has a three-month window from the date of issuance of an assessment order to file an appeal against it. This period can be extended by one additional month. 
• To avail of this extended appeal period, taxpayers will be required to make an increased pre-deposit. Previously set at 10 percent of the tax demand, the pre-deposit has now been raised to 12.5 percent. This change ensures that taxpayers have a vested interest in their appeals while providing some financial flexibility.
• The GST Council’s decision to extend the appeal deadline and increase the pre-deposit threshold is expected to benefit a significant number of taxpayers who were unable to file appeals within the previous time constraints. This move reflects the Council’s commitment to making the GST system more taxpayer-friendly. 

Appointment News

33. Tenure of SBI Chairman Dinesh Khara extended till August 2024 

• The Government of India extended the tenure of SBI Chairman Dinesh Khara till August 2024. 
• The Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended the tenure of State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman Dinesh Khara for a further period beyond October 2023 until he attains the age of 63 years. 
• Dinesh Kahra will now retire on 28 August 2024. 
• In 1984, Khara started his career in SBI as a probationary officer. He is a postgraduate in commerce and holds an MBA degree in Finance from Delhi University’s Faculty of Management Studies. 
• He was also the MD & CEO of SBI Mutual Fund between November 2013 and August 2016. Khara was made MD of SBI in August 2016. 
• Khara is also a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB). 
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet also extended the tenure of SBI MD Ashwini Tiwari for two years. 

About State Bank of India (SBI) 

• Founded – 1 July 1955
• Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra 
• Chairman – Dinesh Kumar Khara
• Managing Director – (4) Alok Kumar Choudhary, Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, and Ashwini Kumar Tewari 
• Imperial Bank of India was previous name of SBI. 
• The presidency Banks of Bengal, Bombay and Madras with merged in 1921 to Imperial Bank of India. Tagline – (1) Pure Banking Nothing Else (2) With you all the way (3) A bank of the common man (4) The banker to every Indian (5) The Nation banks on us 
• Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector 
• Global CEO of PayU – Anirban Mukherjee (replace Laurent Le Moal) 
• Executive Director of RBI – Muneesh Kapur 
• CMD of General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) – Ramaswamy N 
• MD & CEO of South Indian Bank – PR Seshadri 
• Part-time chairman of Dhanalakshmi Bank – KN Madhusudanan 

Banking and Financial 

34. SBI Foundation and Villgro Join Forces to Support Entrepreneurship 

• SBI Foundation, under its flagship program, SBIF LEAP (Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program) has announced the Innovators for Bharat initiative to provide support to high-impact incubators. 
• This initiative will offer support to startups working to address pressing development challenges in the country. 
• Under this initiative, the SBI Foundation has recently partnered with Villgro, a social enterprise incubator, for a new program, ‘Innovators For Bharat: Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods’. 
• The program, designed to provide incubation support to 15 high-potential startups, aims to create a significant impact on agricultural livelihoods, reduce agriculture’s climate footprint and enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change. 

35. Yes Bank becomes first lender to offer ‘ONDC Network Gift Card’ 

• Yes Bank has taken a significant leap forward in the digital commerce space by introducing the ONDC Network Gift Card. This move makes YES Bank the first bank in the country to issue such a card. 
• In partnership with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), this initiative aims to transform the shopping experience for Indian consumers. 
• The ONDC Network Gift Card is open for sponsorship and utilization by corporate and individual customers, enabling them to extend thoughtful gestures to their customers, employees, or for their loved ones. This card leverages the Rupay network and offers the flexibility to load up to Rs 10,000. 
• The ONDC Network Gift Card is at the forefront of democratizing digital commerce. Unlike traditional gift cards that restrict usage to a specific brand or store, this concept empowers customers to utilize the gift card for purchasing products from any brand and any seller across a wide array of segments. 
• This includes food, fashion, handicrafts, electronics, home essentials, health, and wellbeing. This groundbreaking approach eliminates the limitations that have traditionally been associated with gift cards and offers consumers unparalleled freedom of choice. 
• Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector 
• SBI launches ‘Mobile Handheld Device’ to improve accessibility and convenience. 
• PhonePe launched its own app store platform Indus Appstore 
• Utkarsh Small Finance Bank launched of Interoperable Cardless Cash Withdrawal (ICCW) Using UPI on ATMs 
• Axis Bank Launched ‘NEO For Business’ Ban Platform for MSMEs 
• Ujjivan SFB launched Maxima Savings Account & Business Maxima Current Account 

Important Day

36. 10 October – World Mental Health Day 

• World Mental Health Day (WMHD) is observed every year on 10 October. 
• The day is dedicated to creating awareness about mental health issues and their preventive measures. 
• The theme of World Mental Health Day 2023 is “Mental health is a universal human right.” 
• According to WHO, “The purpose of this theme is to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right. 
• The idea of celebrating a day for mental health awareness was first proposed in 1992 during the World Federation for Mental Health Congress in Cape Town, South Africa. After this proposal got approved, the first ever mental health day was celebrated on 10 October 1992. 

Award News 

37. Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine 2023 

• Katalin Kariko, Drew Weissman 
• Purpose – For developing effective mRNA vaccines against COVID 

38. Nobel Prize in Physics 2023 

• Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz & Anne L’Huillier 
• Purpose – for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electro dynamics in matter 

Science and Technology News

39. Solar And Lunar Eclipse In October 2023 

• October 2023 is set to be a remarkable month for astronomy enthusiasts and stargazers around the world. It will mark a rare celestial event when both Solar and Lunar eclipses will grace the night skies. 
• On October 14, 2023, stargazers can witness an annular solar eclipse, where the sun forms a mesmerizing “ring of fire” around the moon. The spectacle will grace the night sky, commencing at 11:29 PM and concluding at 11:34 PM (New Delhi Time). 
• On 28th October 2023, the moon will gracefully traverse through Earth’s shadow, creating a partial lunar eclipse. This captivating lunar spectacle will unfold between 01:06 and 02:23 IST. Stargazers in various regions, including Asia, America, Europe and Africa, will be treated to this celestial spectacle. In New Delhi, the lunar eclipse will commence at 11:31 PM and conclude at 03:36 AM. 

40. Hyderabad’s new solar-covered cycle track illuminates the city 

• Hyderabad has inaugurated a 23-km long cycle track with a solar roof, much on the lines of the Daejeon and Sejong bike highways in South Korea, making it India’s first solar-covered cycle track. 
• Named Healthway, it has two lines. The pink line stretches from 
• Nanakramguda to Telangana State Police Academy (TSPA) spanning 8.5 km while the blue line stretches from Narsinghi hub to Kollur spanning 14.5 km. 
• The panels have the potential to generate 16MW of electricity, equivalent to powering 32,000 streetlights or illuminating 800 kilometers of city streets.
• 16 MW solar power generating track is the second in the world after South Korea’s solar rooftop-covered track. 
• Similar ones are now under construction in Dubai and Switzerland. 

Indian Polity 

41. Election Commission announces assembly elections in Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telanga 

• According to the Election Commission of India, assembly elections in Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana will be held between 7th and 30th of next month, while the counting of votes in the five states will take place on 3rd December. 
• Voting will be held in Mizoram in a single phase on 7th November notification for this will be issued on 13th of this month. 
• In Chhattisgarh, the first phase of voting will be held on November 7 and the second phase on November 17. Notification for the first phase will be released on 13th of this month and for the second phase on 21st. 
• Whereas in Madhya Pradesh, the notification for voting to be held on 17th November will be issued on 21st October, while in Rajasthan, the notification for voting to be held on 23rd November will be issued on 30th October. 
• Voting will be held in Telangana in a single phase on November 30. Election notification in the state will be issued on November 3. 

Key facts

• There are a total of 679 assembly seats in the five states and 16 crore voters. In these elections, more than 60 lakh voters will exercise their franchise for the first time. 1.7 lakh polling stations will be set up in these states. The work of 621 polling stations will be looked after by physically handicapped people. 
• Through the C-Vigil app, any citizen can report any election related irregularities to the Election Commission. Each complaint will be processed within 100 minutes. Model Code of Conduct (MCC) 
• This is in accordance with Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, which provides for a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to regulate political parties and their candidates before elections and to ensure free and fair elections. 
• The Model Code of Conduct comes into force from the date the election is announced by the Election Commission and remains in force till the date the election results are declared. 
• It was first started in the year 1960 during the Kerala Assembly elections. 

42. AAP, BJP spar on stubble burning, blame each other's govts. in Punjab, Haryana 

• The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday demanded Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal's resignation over the "threefold rise" in the number of stubble burning cases in the State over the last year. AAP said the Haryana government had no solution for the problem. 
• Hitting back, the Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party accuses AAP of lying to cover up the rising instances of stubble burning under its own government in Punjab. 
• Stubble burning has been a contentious issue between the AAP and the BJP governments for many years now. Meteorological factors and pollution due to the burning of agricultural waste cause air quality levels to plummet in Delhi and neighbouring States during winter. 
• Addressing a press conference, AAP's Haryana vice-president Anurag Dhanda said stubble burning cases have been on the rise in the State, with 62 reported in 2021, 80 in 2022 and 277 in 2023 so far. 
• AAP chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said many areas falling in BJP-ruled States, including Meerut, Hapur, Sonipat, Surat, Gandhinagar, and Gorakh-pur, are on the list of the 100 most polluted cities in the world.
• Meanwhile, Delhi BJP secretary Harish Khurana said as per a recent study on instances of burning crop residue, a total of 1,565 cases were recorded from September 15 to October 8 in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh 
• "Of these, 969 cases, or 62% of the total residual burning events, have been reported from Punjab alone," he said. 

43. Police use water cannons to halt protesting Punjab Cong. Workers

• Congress workers, march- ing towards Punjab Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal issue, were met with water cannons on Monday. Members of the Kirti Kisan Union staged demonstrations in parts of Punjab, opposing any fresh survey surrounding the SYL canal construction. 
• The Congress members, led by the party's State unit chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa, said they wanted to meet Governor Banwarilal Purohit and give him a re- presentation over the issue. As they marched towards the Raj Bhavan, they were stopped at the barricades by the police armed with water cannons. 

44. HC, ACB court dismiss Naidu's bail pleas in skill development case 

• Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu's quest for relief in the skill development scam case has ended in despair once again as the ACB Special Court here dismissed his bail petition on Monday. 
• However, the judge, B.S.V. Himabindu, also turned down the CID's plea to allow it to take him into custody for an additional five days to extract more information on his role in the scam. Mr. Naidu is in the Rajamahendravaram central jail on judicial remand till October 19. 
• He can seek remedy against the ACB Court's dismissal of his bail plea in the High Court. 
• Mr. Naidu's woes in the Amaravati Inner Ring Road alignment and FiberNet scam cases in the HC continued as his anticipatory bail petitions in both cases were dismissed by Justice K. Suresh Reddy. He also rejected the former CM's bail plea in the case related to the violence that took place at Angallu village in Annamayya district during his tour of irrigation projects in August 2023. 
• For relief in these cases, Mr. Naidu has to knock on the doors of the Supreme Court. 

45. SC Bench to hear Sharad camp's plea on October 13

• The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to list on October 13 a petition filed by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar's loyalist, Jayant Patil, to intervene with Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar to hear disqualification proceedings against party legislators who have changed fealty to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
• A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud said the case would be listed on October 13 along with Uddhav Thackeray camp's plea that Mr. Narwekar was sitting on disqualification proceedings against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his breakaway loyalists. On September 18, the top court had given the Speaker a week's time to prepare a time schedule to open the pending disqualification proceedings. 

46. BJP's fourth list for M.P. is out, Chouhan to defend his bastion 

• The BJP on Monday released its fourth list of candidates for 57 seats in Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will contest from Budhni, his traditional seat. With this, the party has announced candidates for 136 out of 230 seats in the State. 
• The party has also given tickets to 24 sitting Ministers in the State government, including Home Minister Narottam Mishra from Datia and PWD Minister Gopal Bhargava from Rehli. 
• All the 57 leaders figuring in the second list are sitting MLAs. However, a BJP leader said that the seats of some of the MLAs had been interchanged. The party has given tickets to at least six leaders who are close to Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, including Pradyumn Singh Tomar from Gwalior and Govind Singh Rajput from Surkhi. 
• Reacting to the BJP's list, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath said that the public was "bored with these tired faces" and wanted to "get rid of them". 
• Mr. Chouhan said that the names on the list were in accordance with the recommendations that had been sent by the State leadership and claimed that there was infighting in the Congress. 

47. Trinamool calls off MGNREGS sit-in after Governor's assurance 

• After five days of protests outside the Raj Bhavan in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress leadership on Monday met Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, who assured them that he would take up the matter of pending wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural (MGNREGS) with the Centre. The party later called off the sit-in. 
• A delegation of 30 members of the Trinamool Congress led by its general secretary Abhishek Banerjee met the Governor and sub- mitted a memorandum on the pending wages of about 20 lakh people from the State. 
• In the memorandum, signed by Mr. Banerjee, the party said that "over the last two years, our sustained efforts to reach out to all levels of the Union government to recover the funds owed by it have been met with zero action". 
• Raj Bhavan, in a press statement, said, "The Governor gave a patient hearing and said the matter will be brought to the notice of the Government of India and whatever is required for the welfare of the people of Bengal will be done." 
• Speaking outside Raj Bhavan after meeting the Governor, the Trinamool general secretary said that he asked the Governor to write to the Union government in two weeks on why funds had not been released to beneficiaries in the State. 
• Calling off the protest, Mr. Banerjee said that the party would wait till October 31 for a positive response from the Centre, barring which it will resume protests from November 1. 

48. Former CM Raman Singh named in BJP's Chhattisgarh second listofficers, 

• The father of a youth who was killed in a recent communal clash, and two members of the Jashpur royal family known for its anti-religious conversion campaign. 
• The BJP has so far declared candidates for 85 seats in the 90-member House. 
• Former Chief Minister Raman Singh will be contesting from Rajnandgaon, while State BJP president and sitting Bilaspur MP,
• Arun Sao, has been nominated from the Lormi Assembly seat. The two other sitting MPs are Surguja MP Renuka Singh from Bharat-pur-Sonhat and Raigarh Lok Sabha member Gomti Sai from Pathalgaon. Leader of the Opposition Narayan Prasad Chandel has been nominated from Janjir-Champa, while popular Chhattisgarhi filmstar Anuj Sharma has been fielded from Dharsiwa. 

Agreement News

49. India & Saudi Arabia tie up for electrical interconnections, green hydrogen 

• India and Saudi Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on securing a green hydrogen supply chain and cooperation on power grid interconnection. 
• The MoU was signed in Riyadh by union minister for power and new & renewable energy RK Singh and the Saudi minister of energy Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud on the sidelines of the MENA Climate Week 2023.
• This MoU aims to establish a general framework for cooperation between the two countries in the field of electrical interconnection; exchange of electricity during peak times and emergencies; co-development of projects; co-production of green/clean hydrogen and renewable energy; and also establishing secure, reliable and resilient supply chains of materials used in green/clean hydrogen and the renewable energy sector. 
• The MoU comes nearly a month after both countries signed an agreement for cooperation in energy, including in renewable energy, energy efficiency, grid interconnection, strategic petroleum reserves and energy security.

About Saudi Arabia 

• Capital- Riyadh
• Currency- Saudi riyal
• Prime minister- Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud 

Recently India signed MoUs with others countries

• India and Argentina signed a Social Security Agreement (SSA). 
• US & Vietnam sign deal on semiconductor supply chains
• India and Armenia sign MoU in the field of sharing successful Digital Solutions 
• India and Saudi Arabia sign Agreement on Cooperation in Energy Sector 
• India and New Zealand signs a MoU to boost cooperation in civil aviation 

50. ‘India, Tanzania To Sign 15 Agreements With Eye On USD 10 Billion Trade.

• India and Tanzania are set to boost their bilateral cooperation as Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan visits India after an eight-year gap. The visit aims to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership and enhance trade and investment ties.
• Tanzanian Foreign Minister January Yusuf Makamba anticipates the signing of 15 agreements spanning government-to-government and private sector collaborations., Potential announcement of an extension of an Indian-assisted water project in Tanzania and India’s substantial contribution of USD 1 billion for water projects in Tanzania. 
• Tanzanian President will address a business forum in New Delhi aiming to sign new deals and partnerships between Tanzanian and Indian companies. The Objective will be to enhance trade volumes and expand bilateral trade to USD 10 billion in the next three years. 

Summits and Conferences News

51. Sri Lanka To Take Over As Chair Of Indian Ocean Rim Association 

• Sri Lanka to take over as Chair of IORA for the next two years. Foreign Ministers of 16 countries will attend IORA meeting in Colombo including Foreign Ministers of India, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Iran, Malaysia, and South Africa. 
• The IORA Council of Ministers meeting is the highest decision-making body of the Association. It is held annually to discuss and decide on IORA priorities. 
• The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is an intergovernmental organisation of 23 member states and 11 dialogue partners from Africa, West Asia, South Asia, South-East Asia, and Oceania. It was established in 1997 to promote regional cooperation and development. 

Obituaries News

52. Celebrity Chef And Former Food Network Star, Michael Chiarello Passed Away 

• Chef Michael Chiarello, a culinary expert known for his extraordinary talent and passion for food, passed away at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, California. He succumbed to an acute allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock, as announced by his company Gruppo Chiarello in a statement. 
• Chiarello’s influence extended far beyond the walls of his restaurants. He graced television screens for a decade, hosting shows on PBS, Food Network, Fine Living, and the Cooking Channel. His Emmy-winning cooking show, “Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello,” ran for an impressive 10 seasons on Food Network, where he shared his culinary expertise and inspired viewers to explore the art of cooking. 
• Throughout his career, Chiarello received numerous accolades for his contributions to the culinary world. He was named Chef of the Year by Food & Wine magazine in 1985 and later received the prestigious CIA’s Chef of the Year award in 1995.