Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 29th October 2024

1. MoUs in rail transport, customs & investment have been signed between India and Spain. 

• India and Spain signed several MoUs in the field of rail transport, customs, finance mechanisms for investment, and cultural exchanges. 
• Both countries will celebrate the year 2026 as the Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI. 
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of the Government of Spain, Mr Pedro Sánchez agreed to strengthen cooperation in promoting sustainable energy and adapting to climate change. 
• They also agreed on early conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Renewable Energy. 
• Spain has invited India to join the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA). 
• It was launched in 2012 to reduce countries’ vulnerability toward drought through preparedness and adaptation measures.
• India has opened its first Consulate General in Spain at Barcelona and Spain decided to open the Consulate General in Bengaluru. 
• They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-EU Strategic Partnership. 
• Both leaders expressed their deepest concern over the war in Ukraine and reiterated the need for peace in line with international law. 

2. Afghanistan A won the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024. 

• Afghanistan A defeated Sri Lanka A by seven wickets at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in the finals. 
• Sri Lanka scored 133/7 in the finals with Sahan Arachchige scoring an unbeaten 64 runs from 47 balls. 
• Nimesh Vimukthi and Pawan Rathnayake also contributed to the score with 23 and 20 runs. 
• Afghanistan reached the target with three overs to spare. 
• Eshan Malinga, Dushan Hemantha, and Sahan Arachchige were the only bowlers to take wickets for Sri Lanka. 

3. Vipin Kumar became the new chairman of Airports Authority of India. 

• Vipin Kumar has assumed the role of Chairman at the Airports Authority of India (AAI). 
• Prior to this appointment, Vipin Kumar served as Additional Secretary in the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education. 
• His leadership will support the organization’s goals of expanding world-class airport infrastructure and enhancing air navigation services. 
• The Airports Authority of India was established by an Act of Parliament on April 1, 1995. 
• It was formed through the merger of the National Airports Authority and the International Airports Authority of India. 
• AAI currently operates 133 airports, including 28 civil enclaves and 8 airports under private control. 

4. Solex Energy has partnered with State Bank of India. 

• This partnership is to provide finance for commercial, industrial, and institutional customers. 
• Under the partnership, SBI will provide solar financing through loans up to Rs 10 crore for solar projects under its Surya Shakti Solar Finance Scheme. 
• The partnership aims to make solar energy accessible and affordable. 
• It also aims to make solar energy a driving force for India's renewable energy future. 
• Solex Energy will provide end-to-end support to customers. This support will include site evaluation and design to obtaining regulatory approvals. 
• SBI will offer a digital platform to ensure smooth loan application process for financing of solar projects. 
• Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd (TPSSL) signed an agreement with ICICI Bank in August. 
• This agreement was to provide financing for solar units to residential and corporate customers. 

5. Ayurveda Day 2024: 29 October 

• Ayurveda Day is celebrated on Dhanvantari Jayanti.
• Dhanvantari Jayanti is the 13th day of the dark fortnight in Ashwin. 
• This day often falls in October or November. 
• This year the 9th Ayurveda day falls on 29th October, 2024. 
• The theme for Ayurveda Day 2024 is "Ayurveda innovation for Global Health". 
• The theme for Ayurveda Day 2023 was "Ayurveda for One Health". 

6. Swachh Diwali Shubh Diwali campaign has been launched. 

• This campaign has been launched by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal on 28 October. 
• This campaign aims to clean public places during the Diwali festival. 
• This campaign will continue until 3rd November. 
• While launching the campaign, Union Minister said that people should also focus on their streets, and neighbourhoods in the festival season. 
• He emphasized on the collective effort of Swachhata Hi Seva. 
• He said this momentum must be sustained until all Cleanliness Target Units are thoroughly cleaned. 

7. PM Modi launched healthcare projects worth approximately Rs 13,000 crore on Dhanvantari Jayanti. 

• The event was held at All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi. 
• The event showcased key initiatives under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). 
• These initiatives include the extension of health coverage to all citizens aged 70 and above. 
• During the event, PM Modi inaugurated Phase II of the All India Institute of Ayurveda, three new medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh, located in Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Seoni. 
• PM Modi also laid the foundation stones for five nursing colleges in Madhya Pradesh. 
• He also laid the foundation stones for 21 Critical Care Blocks across five states as part of the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. 
• The names of five states are Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan. 
• PM also launched the U-WIN portal to streamline vaccination records for pregnant women and children. 
• He inaugurated a Central Drugs Testing Laboratory in Bhubaneswar. 
• He established two Central Research Institutes in Yoga and Naturopathy in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. 
• He also launched a nationwide campaign, “Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan”. 
• This is a campaign designed to raise health awareness among citizens. 

8. ‘Swavlamban 2024’ Exhibition has been launched by Navy Chief Dinesh Tripathi at Bharat Mandapam to promote indigenization. 

• The event aims to showcase innovations from the country’s young entrepreneurs. 
• It also aims to strengthen collaborations between the Indian Navy and various industry stakeholders. 
• Admiral Tripathi visited the expo and looked at a number of exhibits, including an advanced anti-drone gun made by an Indian company. 
• About 115 stalls from various agencies, such as the Indian Army, Indian Coast Guard, Indian Air Force, and Border Security Force (BSF), participated, he said. 
• In order to address operational demands and close capability gaps within the Navy, the Swavlamban initiative was started in 2022 with the goal of working with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the Indian industry. 
• On October 28 and 29, Delhi is hosting the "Swavlamban 2024" exhibition. 
• Products from specialised technologies like autonomous systems in the surface, aerial, and underwater domains, Al and quantum technologies, and air and surface surveillance will be on display at the exhibition. 

9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the AIIMS, New Delhi. 

• This Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the AIIMS, New Delhi, has been established on October 29 as part of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). 
• Its main aim is to provide accessible and quality healthcare to Indian citizens by providing affordable generic medicines.
• AIIMS Jan Aushadhi Kendra will have more than 2,047 essential generic medicines and 300 types of surgical devices. 
• This centre will offer medicines for cardiovascular health, cancer treatments, diabetes, infections, allergies, and gastrointestinal issues. 
• At present, more than 14,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are operating across India.
• Jan Aushadhi Kendra's number will be increased to 25,000 over the next two years. 
• The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched in 2008 to provide quality generic medicines available at affordable prices. 

10. Lahore became the most polluted city in the world.

• The air quality in Lahore has reached the 700 mark on the Air Quality Index (AQI). 
• The overall AQI has been recorded around 700, which placed Lahore at the top of the world's most polluted cities list. 
• Health authorities have issued warnings to citizens and advised citizens to take immediate precautions. 
• In winter, air becomes heavier than in summer. It causes poisonous particles in the atmosphere to move downwards. 
• A layer of polluted particles, consisting of large amounts of carbon and smoke, accumulates over the entire area. 
• The smoke produced by burning crop remnants, factories, and burning coal, garbage, oil, or tyres are the main reasons for the pollution in Lahore. 

11. RBI has given its approval to Ujjivan Small Finance Bank for foreign exchange services. 

• Ujjivan Small Finance Bank has received the 'Authorised Dealer Category 1 Licence', which will help it offer a range of forex products and services. 
• Under Section 10(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, the license has been granted and will allow the bank to engage in a wide range of foreign exchange services and transactions. 
• The Authorised Dealer Category 1 license enables USFBs to facilitate various foreign exchange operations such as remittance, international banking services and foreign exchange transactions for customers. 
• This move is expected to significantly strengthen the Bank's ability to meet the needs of its customers in the areas of international trade and remittances. 
• This license is subject to conditions imposed by RBI from time to time, but it is a big step towards expanding the services of the bank. 

12. 'Digital Memorial of Valour' launched by the Railway Protection Force in honour of the brave martyrs. 

• On October 25, the 'Digital Memorial of Valour' was launched by the Railway Protection Force, a paramilitary force under the Indian Railways, in New Delhi. 
• 'Digital Memorial of Valour' is a website to honour the sacrifice of our courageous personnel, where you can digitally decorate the photo of a martyr with a wreath and candle. 
• It is a unique digital platform where citizens can pay their tributes to the martyrs of the Indian Force. 
• The website provides a sacred space for reflection and remembrance, as it allows users to honor the fallen by digitally decorating their photos with wreaths and candles.
• The website carries the photographs, names and ranks of 14 martyrs of the force who died last year. 
• It also has a list of 1,011 martyrs of the Railway Protection Force and Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation. 
• Apart from paying homage, the website also invites users to subscribe to the digital copy of 'List of Martyrs of Railway Protection Force'. 
• This digital copy has been released from October 28, 2024. 

13. Government has approved an Rs 177-crore project to develop Muthalapozhi Harbour in Thiruvananthapuram. 

• The government has decided to develop Muthalapozhi Harbour in Thiruvananthapuram. 
• The redevelopment project includes both water and land facilities upgradation. 
• The Government will allocate Rs 106.2 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), while the state will contribute Rs 70.8 crore. 
• Rs 13 crore will be allocated for smart-green port initiatives and coastal protection. 
• Union government has commissioned the Pune-based Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS). 

14. U.S., France, and Armenia emerged as India's top three defence export destinations. 

• The U.S., France and Armenia are the top three destinations for the Indian military exports. 
• India is currently exporting military equipment to more than 100 countries. 
• The Defence Ministry has been pushing defence exports and manufacturing to improve domestic production of military equipment. 
• India exports parts of aircraft and helicopters manufactured by Indian firms for global defence majors like Lockheed Martin and Boeing to the US. 
• Software and electronic equipment are exported to France. 
• ATAGS artillery guns, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher systems, and Swathi weapon-locating radars were exported to Armenia. 
• The Defence Industrial Base has been expanding with the presence of 16 Defence public sector units, 430 firms with licenses along 16000 medium and small-scale enterprises.