Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 4th September 2024

 

1. Government is planning to bring out a national policy on Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). 

• Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) represent issues related to farmers. 
• Many states like Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have policies and schemes related to their FPOs. 
• With the national policy, there will be a unified policy and vision for the FPO to take this movement forward. 
• The government has emphasised on farmers’ collectives in recent years. 
• TheCentrelaunched a programme with an outlay of `6,865 crore for setting up 10,000 new FPOs. 
• The Agriculture Ministry constituted an expert group under Kidwai to draft a national policy on the FPOs. 
• Thegovernment had set atarget to constitute 10,000 FPOs by March 2024 and had constituted more than 9,000. 

2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Brunei on 3 September 2024. 

• This is the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to Brunei, a Southeast Asian nation. 
• This visit is part of PM Modi’s two-nation tour. Singapore is the next stop. 
• Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah accorded PM Modi a formal welcome upon his arrival. 
• This year marks 40 years since Brunei and India established diplomatic relations. 
• Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong will all have discussions with PM Modi in Singapore. 
• Brunei and India established diplomatic relations in 1984. 
• Brunei is officially called Brunei Darussalam. It is located on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. 
• BandarSeri Begawan is its capital and largest city. Hassanal Bolkiah is its Prime Minister. 

3. Deepthi Jeevanji won the bronze medal in the women’s 400m T20 event at the Paris Paralympics.

• After world record holder Aysel Onder of Turkey (55.23 seconds) and Yuliia Shuliar of Ukraine (55.16 seconds), Deepthi finished in 55.82 seconds. 
• Deepthi finished first at the World Para-Athletics Championships in May in Japan. 
• Deepthi also set a new world record with a time of 55.07 seconds, making her a serious medal contender going into the Paris Paralympics. 
• In May, Onder hadfinished second in the 2024 World Para-Athletics Championships, behind Deepthi. 
• The T20 category is designed for athletes with intellectual impairment. 
• After Preethi Pal, Deepthi became the second Indian to win a medal in a track event at the Paralympics. 
• Deepthi's bronze, won in her debut Paralympics, was India's sixth medal from para-athletics. 

4. In order to provide disadvantaged workers with access to the benefits of the PMAY, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has taken steps. 

• All State Governments have received a letter from the Ministry requesting that migrant workers, construction workers, beedi workers, cine workers, non-coal mine workers, contract labourers, and other unorganised workers be included in PMAY. 
• Thismovecomesafter the Union Cabinet approved a five-year extension of the PMAY's implementation, from FY 2024–2025 to FY 2028–2029, with the aim of giving 2 crore more houses to eligible beneficiaries. 
• The Management Information System (MIS) portal is now fully operational, the Ministry further announced. 
• On August 21, 2024, the MIS portal for construction, building, and migrant workers was launched. 
• The portal's purpose is to make data collecting and analysis easier. It contains details on worker coverage under several state and central social security schemes and fund utilisation. 
• State and UT governments will be able to make better decisions and create more efficient welfare schemes that are suited to the needs of these underprivileged workers due to this centralised data management system. 
• The Government of India has been implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) since the year 2015-16. 

5. Super Dimona Aircraft Simulator handed over to NDA by SDI. 

• Super Dimona Aircraft Simulator has been designed and deployed for National Defence Academy by IAF Software Development Institute Bengaluru. 
• It will be used by the Air Force Training Team at NDA to familiarize the cadets with basic flying aspects along with necessary knowledge of the f lying environment. 
• To enhance the visual experience of the trainee cadets, the simulator has a state-of-the-art 135 degree Field of View (FoV) immersive display. 
• Local private industries were engaged in mechanical modifications, manufacturing of flight controls, display screens and other panels as available in the actual aircraft. 

6. President delegated powers to the Lieutenant Governor to constitute Boards and appoint members in Delhi. 

• The President Droupadi Murmu has entrusted powers to the Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to constitute any authority, board, commission, or statutory body applicable to the Government of Delhi under any law passed by Parliament. 
• In a notification issued on September 3, 2024, the Union Home Ministry said that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi can also appoint members to such authorities, boards, commissions or statutory bodies. 
• Inpursuance of clause (1) of article 239 of the Constitution, read with section 45D of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 (1 of 1992), the President hereby directs that the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi shall, subject to the control of the President and until further orders, exercise the powers of the President under clause (a) of section 45D of the said Act. 
• This includes the constitution of any authority, board, commission, or statutory body, or the appointment of any Government officer or ex officio member to such entities. 
• Earlier, the President approved the formation of the 23rd Law Commission of India, which will function from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027. 

7. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes over as AOC-In-C Central Air Command 

• Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took charge as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command. 
• Dixit was commissioned into the fighter stream of Indian Air Force (IAF) on December 6, 1986. The Air Officer is an Experimental Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor with more than 3300 hours of flying experience on a variety of aircraft in the IAF inventory. 
• An alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College (Bangladesh), and National Defence College, Dixit has actively participated in numerous operations and exercises such as Op-Safed Sagar and Op-Rakshak. 
• In recognition of his meritorious services, he has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal, by the Hon’ble President of India. 

Recent Appointment in Defence Sector 

• Deputy Chief of Air Staff– Air Marshal Tejinder Singh 
• DG of Project Seabird– Vice Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar (replace Tarun Sobti) 
• DG of National Security Guard (NSG)– B Srinivasan (replace Nalin Prabhat) 
• Additional DG of ITBP– Sanjeev Raina 
• Chief of Enforcement Directorate (ED)– Rahul Navin 

8. Y Haragopal appointed MD of NABCONS

• Y Haragopal has been appointed Managing Director of NABCONS (NABARD Consultancy Services), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. 
• Prior to this elevation, he worked as the Chief Operating Officer of the Delhi-based consultancy firm. It has four Zonal offices in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Guwahati. 
• Haragopal, who received his doctorate from the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi, joined NABARD in 1996 as a direct recruit officer and worked in different positions at the Head Office (Mumbai) for 14 years in the Refinance Department and at various regional offices in Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. 

9. The Wokha SAATHI WhatsApp Chatbot has been awarded the Gold Award at National Awards for e-Governance Scheme 2023-2024. 

• The Wokha SAATHI(SmartAI-based Assistant for Timely Help & Interface) WhatsApp Chatbot is an innovative initiative of the Wokha District Administration of Nagaland. 
• Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis presented the award at the 27th National Conference on e-Governance held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. 
• This is for the first time that an initiative from Nagaland has got a Gold Award for its contribution to e-Governance. 
• As part of the initiative, over 40 services have been brought under one stop chat bot of the Wokha District Administration.
• This AI-based chatbot offers timely assistance. It serves as a user-friendly interface for residents. 
• Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has got Gold Award under the category "Application of Emerging Technologies for Providing Citizen-Centric Services" in the National Awards for e-Governance.
• National Awards for e-Governance by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances recognise and promote excellence in implementation of e-Governance initiatives. 
• They encourage innovation in successful e-Governance solutions. 
• They areconferred each year during the National Conference on E-Governance, organised every year. 
• The Government of Maharashtra hosted the 27th Edition of the National Conference on E-Governance in Mumbai. 

10. India and Kenya held the 3rd Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting. 

• India and Kenya discussed various avenues for defence cooperation during the third edition of the Joint Defense Cooperation Committee meeting. 
• TheKenyandelegation met Indian defence industry representatives in New Delhi. 
• Both countries discussed issues related to defence cooperation in areas like military cooperation, training, defence industries, R&D, etc. 
• The MoU on Defense Cooperation was signed between India and Kenya in July 2016. 
• This MoU provided alegal framework to cooperate in various areas of defence for mutual benefit. 

11. On September 3, the anti-rape ‘Aparajita’ bill was passed in the West Bengal Assembly. 

• The proposed bill provides for the death penalty for persons convicted of rape if their acts result in the death or vegetative state of the victim. 
• Additionally, it provides for life imprisonment without parole for those convicted of rape and gang rape. 
• The title of this law is 'Aparajita Women and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Law and Amendment) Bill 2024'. 
• The law aims to strengthen protection for women and children by amending and introducing new provisions relating to rape and sexual offences. 
• Under the bill, an Aparajita Task Force will be formed, in which punishment will be given within 21 days of the preliminary report. 
• Routes on which nurses and female doctors travel will be covered. For this, the state's govt has sanctioned Rs 120 crores. 
• A two-day special session of the Assembly has been called on September 2, 2024, in the wake of the rape-murder of a woman doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in August. 
• The bill was introduced by state Law Minister Malay Ghatak. 

12. In the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024, Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar wonbronze medal in the archery mixed team event. 

• The pair of Shital Devi and Rakesh Kumar won the bronze medal in the compound open archery mixed team event. 
• The Indian team performed remarkably and defeated Italy's Eleonora Sarti and Matteo Bonacina with a score of 156-155. 
• Sheetal Devi, 17, from Jammu district is the first and only active female archer in the world to participate in archery without hands. 
• In another feat, Indian shuttler Suhas Yathiraj secured his second consecutive silver medal in the men's singles SL4 category at the ongoing Paris Paralympic Games. 
• Suhas lost to local favorite Lukas Mazur with a scoreline of 9-21, 13-21. 

13. World Bank increased India’s growth forecast for FY25 to 7%. 

• World Bank raised India’s growth forecast for Fiscal Year 2024-25 by 40 basis points to 7 per cent. Its earlier forecast was 6.6 per cent. 
• The debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to decline from 83.9 per cent in FY23/24 to 82 per cent by FY26/27. 
• The current account deficit is expected to remain at around 1-1.6 per cent of GDPuptoFY26/27. 
• In recent years, the global trade landscape has witnessed protectionism. 
• India’s robust growth prospects along with declining inflation will help in reducing extreme poverty. 
• India can boost its growth further by using its global trade potential. 
• India should adopt a three-pronged approach for achieving the $1 trillion merchandise export target by reducing trade costs further, lowering trade barriers, and deepening trade integration. 

14. SEBI to implement a single corporate filing system across exchanges. 

• SEBI will soon implement a single corporate filing system across stock exchanges. 
• This new systemwill simplify the process for companies and ensure that investors receive timely and consistent information across all exchanges. 
• It will reduce the burden on companies that have to file the same disclosure separately on multiple stock exchanges. 
• This change means that once a company submits a disclosure to one exchange, it will become automatically available on other. 

15. Philips appoints Bharat Sesha as new MD for India 

• Bharath Sesha has been appointed as Managing Director for the Philips Indian subcontinent.
• In this role, he will spearhead Philips’ growth strategy in India, with a strong focus on enhancing customer satisfaction and driving operational excellence
• He succeeds Daniel Mazon, who has moved to a global role at the Philips headquarters in the Netherlands. 
• Bharath Sesha brings over 20 years of global experience to his new role, with a deep understanding of the Indian market, particularly in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors.
• Before joining Philips, he was the MD at Heubach Colorants India. Bharath holds a master’s in international management from Thunderbird School of Global Management and an MBA from ITM. 

Recent Appointment 

• Chairman of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)– V Satish Kumar (replace SM Vaidya) 
• Interim CMD of HPCL– Rajneesh Narang (replace Pushp Kumar Joshi 
• Chairman and CEO of Railway Board– Satish Kumar (replace Jaya Varma Sinha) 
• Chairman of International Cricket Council (ICC)– Jay Shah (replace Greg Barclay) 
• Chairperson of NASSCOM– Sindhu Gangadharan 
• Chairman of Texas Economic Development Corporation– Arun Agarwal 
• CEO of Nestlé– Laurent Freixe (replace Mark Schneider) 

16. Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki honoured with 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Award 

• Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki has been honored with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2024 for his significant contributions to environmental protection and the promotion of peace through animation. 
• This honor, often referred to as “Asia’s Nobel Prize,” underscores Miyazaki’s profound impact on both the art of animation and global cultural discourse. 
• The announcement was made by Studio Ghibli, the renowned animation studio co-founded by Miyazaki. 
• The global announcement of the 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees was made by the Manila-based Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. 
• This year’s recipients include three individuals and one group, all recognized for their exceptional contributions to society. The official award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Manila this November, according to The Japan Times. 

Recent Award

• Best Airport at the India Travel Awards– Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad 
• Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2024– Shaktikanta Das (A+ grade); 2nd year Hilal-e-Imtiaz Award (Pakistan 2ndhighest civilian award)– Arshad Nadeem 
• Grand Collar of Order of Timor Leste (Highest Civilian Award of Timor Leste)– President Droupadi Murmu
• Companion of the Order of Fiji (highest honour of Fiji)– President Droupadi Murmu 

17. Olympic Order awarded to French President Emmanuel Macron 

• In recognition of his unstinting support for the success of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and his attachment to the Olympic ideal dear to Pierre de Coubertin, President Emmanuel Macron was presented with the Olympic Order in gold.
• This distinction pays tribute to his untiring engagement and vision for the Olympic Games, which made the edition in Paris an unforgettable event. 
• President Macron, in agreement with the Organising Committee and the French authorities, turned into spectacular reality, with a ceremony along the River Seine featuring iconic monuments like Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. 

18. Cabinet approves ₹26,000 cr deal with HAL for 240 aero-engines for SU-30 MKIs 

• PM Narendra Modi-headed Cabinet Committee on Security in its meeting approved a proposal for procurement of 240 aero-engines (AL-31FP) for Russian-origin SU-30 MKI fighter aircraft from defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at a cost of over ₹26,000 crore. 
• Earlier, the MoD had given nod to HAL for major upgrade of SU-30 MKI fleet of aircrafts of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to increase their operational lives which is worth ₹60,000 crore. 
• Through that, the aircraft will have new electronic warfare capabilities, weapon systems, radars and mission control systems. The comprehensive upgrades will add another two to three decades to the lives of aircraft whose body frame otherwise remains flying worthy for 50 years. 
• The Ministry of Defence said the proposal for upgrade of SU-30 MKI has been given nod under Buy (Indian) category and the delivery of these aero-engines would start after one year and complete over a period of eight years. 

19. 1st– 7th September– National Nutrition Week 

• National Nutrition Week is observed from 1st September to 7th September every year. 
• Objective– To raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and promote healthy eating habits.
• Theme 2024– Nutritious Diets for Everyone 
• This initiative focuses on educating the public, particularly women and children, about the benefits of a balanced diet, good nutrition, and an active lifestyle to improve overall health. 
• National Nutrition Week in India was first observed in 1982 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. 

20. 2nd September– World Coconut Day 

• World Coconut Day is celebrated annually on September 2nd. 
• Objective– To promote the importance of coconuts worldwide. This versatile fruit is crucial in agriculture, nutrition, and the economy in many tropical regions. 
• World Coconut Day was established in 2009 by the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC), an intergovernmental organization under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. 

21. 3rd September– World Skyscraper Day 

• World Skyscraper Day is celebrated every year on September 3.
• It is a tribute to the breathtaking structures that have transformed the cities. These structures are testaments to human creativity, engineering prowess and an unwavering drive to reach for the skies. 
• The World Skyscraper Day has its roots in the history of modern skyscrapers. 
• The date was decided to commemorate the birthday of Louis H. Sullivan, an American architect also known as the Father of Skyscrapers. His work includes stunning designs and layouts. He designed some of America’s most iconic structures, including the Wainwright Building, Union Trust Building and Prudential Building.