National news
2024 AYUSH Medical Value Travel Summit Inaugurated
The Ayush Medical Value Travel Summit 2024 was inaugurated by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush, and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in Mumbai. The summit’s goal is to position India as a global hub for holistic healthcare by integrating Ayush systems (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) with modern healthcare.
Theme: “Global Synergy in Ayush: Transforming Health and Wellness through Medical Value Travel.”
The event is organized by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the Government of Maharashtra, and key partners.
Union Minister’s Remarks: Ayush is being used for evidence-based treatments for diseases like diabetes and liver issues, with a focus on accessibility and affordability. He advocated for free Ayush treatment for all employees and the establishment of affordable Ayush centers at block and tehsil levels.
Initiatives:
- The Women’s Health Check initiative will promote health awareness through Ayurveda.
- The summit will be followed by events in Bhubaneswar and Delhi, targeting one crore households with “Desh ka Prakrutik Parikshan – Ghar Ghar tak Ayurved” on Ayurveda Day.
Ayush-Based Tourism:
- A MoU was signed between the Ministry of Ayush and the Ministry of Tourism to promote Ayush and medical value travel.
- States are urged to collaborate with their tourism and health departments to enhance Ayurvedic wellness tourism and promote significant Ayurvedic sites.
Statistics:
- In rural India, Ayush awareness ranges from 87% to 99% in all states and UTs except Arunachal Pradesh (77%).
- In urban India, awareness exceeds 86%.
- The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) mandated that health insurance companies offer Ayush treatments on par with other treatments, with 49 life insurance companies providing 69 packages.
Ministry of health: Officeholder: J. P. Nadda (Minister)
Cruise Bharat Mission launched to promote Cruise Tourism
The Cruise Bharat Mission was launched by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, on 30 September 2024 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, with the goal of transforming India into a global hub for cruise tourism. The mission aims to promote India as a leading global cruise destination.
Implementation:
The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is the nodal ministry responsible for implementing the mission, with support from regulatory agencies like Customs, Immigration, CISF, State Tourism Departments, State Maritime Agencies, District Administrations, and local police. A special purpose vehicle (SPV) for cruise development will be established under the Indian Ports Association.
Phases of the Mission:
- Phase I (1 October 2024 – 30 September 2025): Focus on planning, forming cruise alliances with neighboring countries, and modernizing existing cruise terminals and marinas.
- Phase II (1 October 2025 – 31 March 2027): Focus on developing new cruise terminals, marinas, and destinations.
- Phase III (1 April 2027 – 31 March 2029): Integration of cruise circuits across the Indian Subcontinent, along with continued development of cruise infrastructure.
Performance Targets by Phase III (2029):
- Sea cruise passenger traffic: Increase from 5 lakh to 10 lakh.
- River cruise passenger traffic: Increase from 5 lakh to 15 lakh.
- International cruise terminals: Increase from 2 to 10.
- River cruise terminals: Increase from 50 to 100.
- Marinas: Increase from 1 to 5.
- Employment generation: Grow from 1 lakh to 4 lakh jobs.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal
PM Modi Dedicates Bidkin Industrial Area of DMIC to Nation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually dedicated the Bidkin Industrial Area in Maharashtra on 29 September 2024, as part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). The main event took place in Pune, attended by Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The project aligns with the central government’s “Make in India, Make for the World” initiative to promote industrial growth, economic development, and sustainability.
Promoter of the Bidkin Industrial Area:
- Developed by Maharashtra Industrial Township Limited (MITL), an SPV between the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT).
- MIDC holds a 51% stake and NICDIT 49%.
About the Bidkin Industrial Area:
- Covers 7,855 acres, developed in three phases at a cost of Rs 6,414 crore.
- Part of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor.
National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP):
- Launched by the Indian government to enhance industrial infrastructure and attract investment.
- Now part of the National Infrastructure Pipeline project, launched in 2019.
- Includes 11 Industrial Corridors with 44 nodes/industrial areas/smart cities, providing multimodal connectivity with “plug-and-play” infrastructure.
- The first industrial corridor, DMIC, was approved in 2007 and is developed with Japan’s assistance.
Industrial Corridors in India:
- Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)
- Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC)
- Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC)
- East Coast Industrial Corridor (ECIC)
- Bengaluru-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (BMIC)
- Extension of CBIC to Kochi
- Hyderabad-Nagpur Industrial Corridor (HNIC)
- Hyderabad-Warangal Industrial Corridor (HWIC)
- Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (HBIC)
- Odisha Economic Corridor (OEC)
- Delhi-Nagpur Industrial Corridor (DNIC)
International news
India Joins International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
India has formally joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) by signing and ratifying the Framework Agreement for its establishment. This marks a significant step in global efforts to secure the future of big cats and their habitats.
Key Details:
- Global Initiative: IBCA is a global platform founded by India aimed at the protection and conservation of big cats and their ecosystems.
- Membership: With India’s accession, the alliance now includes four member countries: India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, and Somalia.
- Approval: The proposal for India’s membership was approved by the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Key Personnel:
- The framework agreement was handed over to Dr. S.P. Yadav, Interim Director General (DG) of IBCA, by Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Inspector General (IG) of Forests, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), in New Delhi.
Background on IBCA:
- Launch: The IBCA was launched by Prime Minister Modi during the “Commemoration of 50 Years of India’s Project Tiger” event on April 9, 2023, at Mysuru University in Karnataka.
- Objective: The framework aims to address common challenges related to the conservation of seven major big cat species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Clouded Leopard.
Headquarters: India
Established: 2023
Interim Director General: Dr. S.P. Yadav
Banking news
SBI General Insurance Launches ‘SBIG Health Super Top-Up’ Plan
State Bank of India (SBI) General Insurance Company Limited has introduced the ‘SBIG Health Super Top-Up’ plan, designed as a health insurance add-on to enhance existing basic health coverage (corporate or personal) affordably. This initiative addresses the growing need for comprehensive support during medical emergencies not covered by standard health plans, especially in the context of rising lifestyle diseases and medical inflation, which is approximately 14% annually.
Key Features:
- Flexible Deductibles: Options for annual and long-term aggregated deductibles.
- Sum Insured Options: Coverage ranges from ₹5 lakhs to ₹4 crores, with deductibles between ₹2 lakhs to ₹2 crores.
- Cumulative Bonus Protection: No reduction at the time of claims.
- Long-Term Policies: Available for up to three years.
- Unlimited Restore Benefit: Applicable for related or unrelated illnesses/injuries.
- Affordable Premiums: Starting from ₹3,377 for individuals aged 18-35.
- Waiting Period Reduction: Facility to reduce waiting periods and offer global coverage.
- Welcome Discount: A 5% discount for policies purchased within five days of receiving a quote.
- Claims Process: Claims are payable when primary health insurance is exhausted or expenses exceed the deductible.
- Target Audience: Suitable for group and retail health customers, particularly urban and semi-urban populations with inadequate coverage and high-net-worth individuals seeking extensive insurance.
About SBI General Insurance Company Limited
- Managing Director & CEO: Naveen Chandra Jha
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Founded: 2009
Appointment news
A K Saxena Assumes Additional Charge as CMD in RINL
Shri A.K. Saxena has been appointed as the additional Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), while continuing his role as CMD of Manganese Ore India Limited (MOIL). This appointment comes as RINL’s current CMD, Atul Bhatt, is on leave and set to retire on November 30.
Key Details:
- Current Role: CMD of MOIL, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Steel.
- Additional Charge: Saxena will oversee RINL’s operations during the transition period to enhance the company’s growth and operational efficiency.
- Significance: This appointment aims to ensure stability and progress at RINL, which is crucial for the steel manufacturing sector.
About RINL
- Full Name: Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL).
- Industry: Steel manufacturing company.
- Location: Operates a major steel plant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, with a capacity of 7.5 million tonnes.
Agreement news
MoU Signed Between KVIC and NIFT for CoEK-2.0
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) as part of the ‘Centre of Excellence for Khadi-2.0’ (CoEK-2.0). This collaboration aims to enhance the marketability of “Brand Khadi” both domestically and internationally.
Key Details:
- Signatories: The MoU was signed by Vatsalya Saxena, CEO of KVIC, and Tanu Kashyap, Director General of NIFT, in the presence of notable officials, including Manoj Kumar (Chairman, KVIC), S.C.L. Das (Secretary, MoMSME), and Vipul Goel (Joint Secretary, MoMSME).
- Focus Areas: The collaboration will emphasize:
- Design Innovation: NIFT will provide support in designing Khadi garments.
- Capacity Building: Training will be offered to Khadi institutions.
- Renovation Projects: Upgrading Khadi Bhavans.
- Product Development: Creating new, high-quality Khadi products.
- Establishment of Khadi Hubs: Under CoEK, NIFT will set up a Khadi hub center in New Delhi and several spoke centers in cities including Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Kolkata, Guwahati, Panchkula, Hyderabad, and Bhubaneswar.
- Financial Commitment: KVIC will invest ₹25.17 crore over the next three years to strengthen the quality and brand power of Khadi.
Defence news
8th edition of India -Kazakhstan military EX KAZIND 2024 Start in Auli
The India-Kazakhstan joint military exercise KAZIND-2024 commenced on 30 September 2024 at the mountainous Surya Foreign Training Node in Auli, Uttarakhand, and will run until 13 October 2024. This is the 8th edition of the annual bilateral military exercise, with the last edition held in Otar, Kazakhstan, in 2023, marking the first participation of both nations’ Air Forces and Kazakhstan’s Airborne Assault Forces.
About KAZIND Military Exercise:
- First held in 2016, the KAZIND exercise is an annual battalion-level military exercise, conducted alternately in both countries.
- It includes personnel from both the Army and Air Force of India and Kazakhstan.
- In 2024, the Indian contingent includes 120 personnel from the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force personnel. The Kazakhstani contingent comprises Army personnel and Airborne Assault Troopers.
Focus of KAZIND-2024:
- The exercise focuses on counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations in mountainous and semi-urban areas under the UN mandate.
- Activities include Special Heliborne Operations, Cordon and Search operations, and the use of drones and counter-drone systems.
India-Kazakhstan Defence Ties:
- Diplomatic relations were established on 22 February 1992 after Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991.
- In 2015, both countries signed an agreement on Defence and Military Technical Cooperation, covering military-technical cooperation, education, training, and joint exercises.
- In 2018, Kazakh troops served under Indian command in the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
Squadron Leader Mohana Singh: First Woman Fighter Pilot in LCA Tejas Fleet
Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has made history by becoming the first woman fighter pilot to join the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) 18 Flying Bullets squadron, which operates the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. This squadron is stationed at Naliya Air Base in Gujarat, near the Pakistan border.
Background:
- Commissioning: Mohana Singh was one of the first three female fighter pilots commissioned into the IAF in 2016, alongside Squadron Leaders Bhawana Kanth and Avani Chaturvedi.
- Historic Flight: In 2019, she became the first woman in the IAF to fly a Hawk aircraft during daylight hours.
- Previous Role: Before joining the Flying Bullets, she was part of the No. 3 fighter squadron, operating MiG-21 Bison aircraft at NAL Air Force Station in Rajasthan.
Recognition:
In 2020, Mohana Singh, along with her peers, was honored with the Naari Shakti Award for her significant contributions and achievements in the IAF.
Sports news
India’s Great Virat Kohli Achieved The Fastest 27000 Runs Milestone
Virat Kohli has made history by becoming the fastest cricketer to reach 27,000 international runs, achieving this remarkable milestone during the second Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur. This achievement places him in an elite group alongside legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and Kumar Sangakkara.
Key Highlights:
- Record Achievement: Kohli reached 27,000 runs in just 594 innings, breaking Tendulkar’s record of 623 innings set in 2007.
- Runs Breakdown:
- Test Runs: 8,870
- ODI Runs: 13,906 in 295 matches
- T20I Runs: 4,188 in 125 matches (retired from T20Is after winning the T20 World Cup in June 2024).
- Previous Milestones: Earlier in 2023, Kohli became the fastest player to 25,000 runs in 549 innings, surpassing Tendulkar’s record by 28 innings.
India Wins Bronze at the Asia Pacific Padel Cup 2024
India secured the bronze medal at the inaugural Asia Pacific Padel Cup (APPC) 2024, held from September 19 to 22 at the Amare Padel Club Umalas in Bali, Indonesia. This tournament marked India’s first appearance in a padel competition, which was the first of its kind between nations in the Asia Pacific region.
Tournament Highlights: Gold and Silver Medals: Indonesia won the gold medal, while the Philippines claimed the silver.
Bronze Medal Match:
- Key Players:
- Aryan Goveas and Rahul Motwani: They started strong, winning their match against Malaysia with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
- Tulsi Mehta and Vaibhavi Deshmukh: They continued the momentum with a victory of 6-2, 7-6 (1).
- Jenai Billimoria and Johan Fernandes: The girls’ pairing clinched the bronze with a dominant win of 6-0, 6-1.
Coaching Staff:
The Indian team was led by Spanish head coach Victor Perez, supported by coach Imran Yusoof and manager Rithik Sinha
Important days
World Vegetarian Day 2024: Cultivating a Greener, Healthier Future
World Vegetarian Day, celebrated annually on October 1st, promotes the benefits of a meat-free lifestyle while advocating for interconnected causes such as animal rights, environmental sustainability, and human health. This observance serves as an opportunity to reflect on and champion plant-based diets amidst global ecological and health challenges.
Historical Roots: The Genesis of a Movement
- Foundation and Early Years:
World Vegetarian Day was established in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS), following a transformative convention in Oglethorpe, Georgia, in 1976. The participants envisioned a unified day for vegetarians globally, which gained international recognition when endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978. - Historical Significance:
The choice of October 1st coincides with the founding of the Vegetarian Society in England in 1847, linking the contemporary celebration with the rich history of vegetarianism and highlighting the enduring nature of plant-based lifestyles.
Contemporary Significance: Beyond Just Diet
- Global Impact and Awareness:
World Vegetarian Day represents a broader commitment to:
- Fostering compassion towards all living beings
- Promoting environmental sustainability
- Advancing human health and wellness
The day serves as a platform for:
- Educational initiatives about plant-based nutrition
- Advocacy for animal welfare
- Community building among vegetarians and those interested in plant-based living
- Environmental Implications:
The celebration emphasizes the environmental benefits of vegetarianism, including:
- A significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- Conservation of vital ecosystems, such as rainforests
- Preservation of limited resources like freshwater and fertile topsoil
World Maritime Day 2024
The United Nations (UN)’s World Maritime Day(WMD) is annually observed across the globe on the last Thursday of September to celebrate the importance of maritime activities and to recognise the contribution of the maritime industry towards global development.
World Maritime Day 2024 was observed on 26th September 2024.
Theme:
The theme for World Maritime Day 2024 is “Navigating the Future: Safety First!” This theme emphasizes the importance of safety in maritime activities and the industry’s role in ensuring secure and sustainable practices.
Background:
- First Celebration: World Maritime Day was first observed on March 17, 1978, coinciding with the entry into force of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Convention in 1958.
- Annual Celebration: Since its inception, WMD has been celebrated on the last Thursday of September each year.
About the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- Secretary-General: Arsenio Dominguez
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Established: 1958
