Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 22nd October 2024

1. Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar has been appointed as 9th Chairperson of NCW. 

• She served as Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (2016-2021).
• She led initiatives like “Sakshama” (support for acid attack survivors), “Prajwala” (linking self-help groups to central government schemes), and “Suhita” (24x7 helpline service for women). 
• She also launched a publication named “Saad” dedicated to women's issues. 
• She is the author of books, including ‘Vidhilikhit’ (on women’s legal issues) and ‘Aurangabad: Leading to Wide Roads’. 
• Dr. Archana Majumdar has been appointed as the Member of the National Commission for Women (NCW). 

National Commission for Women: 

• It is a statutory body which usually advises the government on all policy matters affecting women. 
• It was formed in 1992. Its headquarters is located in New Delhi. 

2. Delhi government will establish special courts for people with disabilities. 

• This initiative has been approved by Chief Minister Atishi. 
• This initiative aims to streamline the judicial process for people with disabilities. 
• The chief minister underlined that the difficulties disabled people encounter in obtaining legal services will be lessened by the new courts. 
• The goal of the action is to guarantee that their rights are upheld and to increase their faith in the legal system. 
• The special courts' primary goal will be to swiftly settle disputes involving people with disabilities in order to reduce needless delays and procedural complications. 
• Additionally, they will be made to meet the unique requirements of people with disabilities. 

3. India and China reached on an agreement on border patrolling along LAC. 

• After negotiations, India and China have agreed on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control. 
• This announcement has been made by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. 
• Indian and Chinese negotiators have been in contact over the past few weeks to resolve the remaining issues along the border. 
• This agreement can lead to disengagement and resolution of tension that began in 2020. 
• This announcement came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia for the 16th BRICS Summit. 
• The Indian and Chinese militaries have been on standoff since May 2020. 
• About 75 percent of the disengagement problems at the border with China had been resolved. 

4. India’s Deepika Kumari clinched the silver medal in the women’s recurve category. 

• In the Archery World Cup Final, India’s Deepika Kumari won the silver medal in the women’s recurve category in Tlaxcala, Mexico. 
• She was defeated by Li Jiaman of China, nil-6 in the Final. 
• Deepika entered the final by defeating Alejandra Valencia of Mexico. 
• This is the fifth time Deepika Kumari ended as a runner-up at the Archery World Cup. 

5. Quad countries took part in back-to-back naval war games.

• The Quad group of countries — India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S.—participated in back-to-back naval exercises. 
• Exercise Malabar was conducted in Visakhapatnam from October 8 to 18. 
• The Harbour Phase’ was held in Visakhapatnam, while the sea phase was held in the Bay of Bengal. 
• Malabar 2024 Sea Phase shows the collaboration and engagement in the maritime domain between Quad countries. 
• Exercise Kakadu, hosted by the Royal Australian Navy, was held from September 9 to 20. 
• Nearly 3,000 personnel from 30 nations, ships from 10 countries, and aircraft from five nations took part in this exercise. 
• Anti-submarine warfare and underwater domain awareness have emerged as major focus areas among the Quad partners. 

6. Army's Sudarshan Chakra Corps have conducted Swavlamban Shakti’s exercise.

• The Army's Sudarshan Chakra Corps of Southern Command conducted 'Exercise SWAVLAMBAN SHAKTI' at Babina Field Firing Ranges near Jhansi. 
• The exercise began on 17th October and end on October 22. 
• The XXI Corps or Sudarshan Chakra Corps is headquartered in Bhopal. 
• The main aim of the exercise is to enhance combat capabilities through the integration of niche and emerging technologies. 

7. Prabowo Subianto took over as President of Indonesia. 

• On October 20, Prabowo Subianto took charge as president of Indonesia, the third-largest democracy in the world. 
• Prabowo has officially become the eighth president of the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. 
• Prabowo, a 73-year-old former special forces commander, won nearly 60% of the vote in the February 14 election after sweeping the country with policies such as free meals for school children. 
• He nominated 48 ministers and 58 vice-ministers in his new cabinet. 
• It marks the end of the era of former leader Joko Widodo (known locally as Jokowi), who led more than a decade of economic growth and infrastructure development. 

Indonesia: 

• Indonesia is a country located in Southern Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific regions. It has more than 17,000 islands. 
• Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic state and the 14th largest country by area. 
• Its capital is Jakarta. Its currency is Indonesian rupiah. 

8. The 6 th India-Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue co-chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Singapore Defence Minister. 

• On 22 October, the 6th India-Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue co-chaired by Raksha Mantri, Rajnath Singh and the Defence Minister of Singapore Dr Ng Eng Hen in New Delhi. 
• The aim of this meeting was to further defence cooperation between the two countries and they also exchanged views on regional and global issues of common interest. 
• India and Singapore have a comprehensive strategic partnership. Bilateral defence relations are an important pillar of this cooperation. 
• Singapore is an important partner in the Indo-Pacific vision and a key pillar of India's Act East Policy. 
• The defence and security partnership between the two countries is an important factor of stability in the Indo-Pacific region. 

9. Switzerland joined the European air defence initiative Sky Shield. 

• Switzerland will join a German-led effort aimed at bolstering Europe's defences against air attacks. 
• Switzerland is a traditionally neutral country that has recalibrated its policy following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 
• A declaration to join the European Sky Shield initiative (ESSI) was signed by Armaments Chief Urs Loher. 
• The project will see countries jointly procuring air and missile defence systems and is designed to enhance cost efficiency and flexibility. 
• In 2022, ESSI was launched by Germany, aiming to make the continent less vulnerable to air attacks at a time of rising geopolitical tensions. 
• 21 countries, including Britain and Türkiye, have signed this agreement. 
• The Swiss government decided to be part of the effort in April and officially joined this week after other members agreed to join too. 

10. 50% stake in Karan Johar's Dharma Productions acquired by Adar Poonawalla. 

• Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla has announced an investment in Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and Dharmatic Entertainment through Serene Productions. 
• Under the deal worth Rs 1,000 crore, Poonawala's Serene Productions will acquire a 50% stake in the renowned production house while Johar will retain the remaining 50%. 
• Karan Johar, who has been heading Dharma Productions for years, will continue in his role as executive chairman. 
• Apoorva Mehta will also continue as chief executive officer, ensuring continuity in the company's leadership. 
• Under this collaboration, it is expected to transform the way content is created and delivered to audiences by integrating advanced technologies and innovative production methods. 

Dharma Productions Pvt. Ltd. 

• It is an Indian film production and distribution company that was founded by Yash Johar in 1979. 
• After his passing in 2004, his son, Karan Johar, took over the reins of the company. 
• Headquartered in Mumbai, Dharma Productions focuses primarily on producing and distributing Hindi-language films. 

11. Haryana government led by Saini implemented sub-classification of Scheduled Castes. 

• The Nayab Singh Saini-led Haryana Cabinet in its first meeting announced that the state government will implement the Supreme Court order on sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) with immediate effect. 
• The move, a first in the country, comes after a Supreme Court order to further strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Dalit outreach in the state. 
• It has earmarked 20% reservation for Scheduled Castes in government jobs and education. 
• Before the assembly elections, and a fortnight after the Supreme Court’s August 1 verdict on sub-categorisation of SCs, the Saini government had approved the report of the Haryana Scheduled Caste Commission. 
• The commission recommended a 10% sub-quota for 'deprived scheduled castes' in state government jobs. 
• In 2020, a bill was introduced by the Haryana government to increase the sub-quota for ‘deprived SCs’ in government educational institutions within the 20% quota to 50%. 
• It identified 36 scheduled castes as ‘deprived SCs’, excluding the dominant Jatavs. 
• The Bill said the share of “deprived SCs” in state government jobs is less than 6%, “even though their population is about 11% of the total population of the State.” 
• It cited the 2011 census, which found that 46.75% of the “deprived SCs” were illiterate, and said their social and educational backwardness makes them a distinct class of citizens unable to compete with the dominant Scheduled Castes. 

12. Police Commemoration Day 2024: 21 October 

• Police Commemoration Day is observed every year on 21st October to honor the loyalty and supreme sacrifice of police personnel for the nation. 
• Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah paid homage to the martyrs on Police Commemoration Day at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi on 21st October 2024. 
• On this day in 1959, 10 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were martyred during patrol duty at Indo- China border in an ambush laid by heavily armed Chinese troops. 
• The Director General of Police (DGP) / Inspector General of Police (IGP) Conference held in 1962 decided to observe October 21 every year as Police Commemoration Day in order to honour the memory of these ten valiant Policemen. 
• He said that in 2023, 216 policemen will sacrifice their lives for the country. 
• Since independence, 36,468 policemen have sacrificed their lives for the country. 
• PM Modi dedicated the National Police Memorial, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi to the nation on Police Commemoration Day 2018. 
• The Memorial comprises a Central Sculpture, the ‘Wall of Valour’ and a Museum. 
• The Central Sculpture is a 30 foot high granite monolith cenotaph. It stands for strength, resilience and selfless service of Police personnel. 
• The names of martyrs are engraved on the Wall of Valour. It stands as a steadfast acknowledgment of the bravery and sacrifice of Police personnel. 

13. COP16 biodiversity summit kicked off in Colombia. 

• The two-week COP16 biodiversity summit started in Colombia. 
• The main aim of the summit is to halt the rapid destruction of nature which has reached unprecedented extremes globally in 2024. 
• The summit aims to negotiate the next steps in implementing the landmark 2022 Kunming-Montreal accord. 
• Since 1970, Climate change, deforestation, pollution and habitat destruction have led to a 69% decline in global wildlife populations. 
• This summit will mark the 16th meeting of nations that signed the original 1992 Convention on Biodiversity. 
• 23000 delegates will participate in the COP16 biodiversity summit. 
• Delegates will be under pressure to prove their support for the goals laid out in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreement. 

14. 27 th All India Forest Sports Meet concluded in Chhattisgarh. 

• The 27th All India Forest Sports Meet ended in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
• Chhattisgarh claimed first position by securing a total of 174 medals. 
• Kerala claimed second place with 103 medals, while Madhya Pradesh finished third with 88 medals.
• Nearly three thousand athletes representing various states and Union Territories participated in this five-day event.
• Around 300 competitions across 26 disciplines were held during the sports meet. 

15. PM Modi inaugurates Saharanpur, Rewa and Ambikapur airports under RCS-UDAN 

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated three airports, developed under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. 
• These airports are Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, Ambikapur in Chhatisgarh, and Saharanpur in UP. 
• The RCS- UDAN, a government-backed initiative to improve infrastructure and connectivity in India, especially in remote and underserved regions, completes seven years. It is a vital component of India’s National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016, launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on October 21, 2016, with a 10-year vision. 
• The first RCS-UDAN flight was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on April 27, 2017, connecting Shimla to Delhi. The scheme focuses on improving unserved air routes in underserved regions of the country and fulfilling the aspirations of the common citizens. 
• So far, the RCS-UDAN has facilitated travel of more than 144 lakh passengers, demonstrating its success in enhancing air travel accessibility. 

16. 18.9 per cent overall prevalence of diabetes in Jammu: Study 

• The overall prevalence of diabetes in Jammu is 18.9 per cent, with an alarming 26.5 per cent in urban areas and 5 per cent in rural areas, a study had revealed. 
• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), has released critical data from the ICMR-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) national study, which includes data for Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 
• This first-of-its-kind study in the region also revealed that 10.8 per cent of the population in Jammu is affected by prediabetes, with 13.4 per cent and 9.3 per cent in the urban and rural areas respectively. 
• The Jammu phase surveyed 1,520 participants across urban and rural areas, providing critical insights into the region’s health landscape. As per the survey, the overall prevalence of hypertension, generalised obesity, and abdominal obesity in Jammu is 27.1 %, 41.7 %, and 62.7 % respectively. 

17. MP’s Datia district hospital and medical college installed ‘pink alarms’ for women’s safety 

• Madhya Pradesh’s Datia district hospital and medical college installed ‘pink alarms’ for women’s safety. 
• The initiative was introduced after the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. 
• The pink alarm system, created by district collector Sandeep Makin, alerts security within five minutes of activation. Alarms are installed in staff duty rooms across the Maternity Ward, Trauma Center, and New OPD Block. It is the first government hospital in the state to provide this facility for women’s security. 
• The pink alarm system is the brainchild of district collector Sandeep Makin. The pressing of an alarm will set off a siren and within five minutes the security personnel will reach the person in trouble. 

About Madhya Pradesh 

• Capital – Bhopal 
• Chief Minister – Dr Mohan Yadav (replace Shivraj Singh Chauhan) 
• Deputy CM – Jagdish Devda & Rajendra Shukla 
• Speaker of Madhya Pradesh Assembly – Narendra Singh Tomar 
• Governor – Mangubhai C. Patel 

18. First-ever coal gallery inaugurated at National Science Centre in New Delhi 

• Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey unveiled the first-ever coal gallery at the National Science Centre in New Delhi. 
• The exhibition – ‘Black Diamond – Unveiling the Depths’ – is based on the lifespan of coal and aims to provide information about the discovery of coal, the Coal extraction process, techniques used to extract coal. 

19. Vikram Dev Dutt assumes Charge as Coal Secretary 

• Vikram Dev Dutt assumed the charge as the Secretary of the Ministry of Coal. 
• A 1993-batch IAS officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre, Shri Dutt previously served as the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 
• He succeeds Shri VL Kantha Rao, who currently serves as the Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and holds additional charge of the Ministry of Coal. 
• Prior to Shri Rao, Shri Amrit Lal Meena served as the Secretary of the Ministry of Coal. 

Recent Appointment 

• Chairperson of National Commission for Women – Vijaya Rahatkar (9th; replace Rekha Shrama) 
• Member of the National Commission for Women – Dr Archana Majumdar 
• President of Indian Chamber of Commerce – Abhyuday Jindal (replace Ameya Prabhu) 
• Director of Cricket at JSW Sports – Saurav Ganguly 
• CM of Haryana – Nayab Singh Saini (2nd time) 
• CM of UTs of Jammu and Kashmir – Omar Abdullah 

20. New Zealand clinched Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup defeating South Africa 

• In the Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup, New Zealand scripted history as the Sophie Devine-led side clinched their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title after beating South Africa by 32 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. 
• Chasing a target of 159 runs set by New Zealand, South Africa made 126 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated twenty overs. 
• Amelia Kerr was declared Player of the Series and Player of the Match. 
• This was the Kiwis’ third-ever final of the showpiece event and after two successful attempts, they finally have their hand on the coveted trophy. 

21. Bala Devi becomes first Indian woman to score 50 international goals 

• Bala Devi, often referred to as the “goal machine” of Indian women’s football, etched her name in the history books by becoming the first Indian woman to score her 50th international goal during the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship in Nepal, in a match against Pakistan. 
• Bala Devi started her career in Manipur, where she showcased her talent from a young age, earning accolades at various youth tournaments. 
• Her professional journey began with New Radiant WSC in the Maldives in 2014, and she later made headlines by signing with Rangers in Scotland, where she became the first Indian woman to score in a European professional league. 
• After a stint in Spain with Málaga, she returned to India to join Odisha WFC. 

22. 21 October – World Iodine Deficiency Day 

• World Iodine Deficiency Day, also known as Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Day, is observed annually on 21st October. 
• The day aims to raise awareness about the essential role of iodine in maintaining good health and to emphasize the consequences of iodine deficiency. 
• Theme 2024 – Strengthening Public Health through Awareness and Action 
• Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which regulate metabolism and are crucial for fetal and infant development. 
• Found in foods and iodized salt, iodine exists in several forms, including sodium and potassium salts, inorganic iodine (I2), iodate, and iodide. 
• Iodide, the most common form, is quickly absorbed in the stomach and used by the thyroid for hormone production. Most excess iodide is excreted through urine. 

23. 22 October – International Stuttering Awareness Day 

• International Stuttering Awareness Day is celebrated on October 22 annually to spread public awareness about the issues which have been faced by a large number of people. 
• Theme 2024 – The Power of Listening – People Who Stutter Have The Unique Opportunity To Teach The World To Listen 

What is stuttering? 

• It is a disorder in speech patterns in a person’s speech involving loss of control of speech. Stuttering creates a hindrance to the capacity to speak fluently in a person with others. 

24. Veteran Actor Debraj Roy passes away 

• Veteran actor Debraj Roy passed away at the age of 69 in Kolkata. 
• He made significant contributions to Bengali cinema and Doordarshan and was also associated with Akashvani. 
• Debraj Roy made his cinematic debut in Satyajit Ray’s Pratidwandi in 1970, and the following year, he became a household name with his outstanding performance in Mrinal Sen’s Calcutta 71. 
• He collaborated with renowned directors such as Tarun Majumdar, Bibhuti Laha, and Tapan Sinha.