National news
Democracy in Action, Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir Voters Give Their Mandate
The recently concluded Assembly elections of Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir and the Election Commission announced the result on October, 2024. In Jammu and kashmir alliance led by INC-NC and in Haryana BJP party won the mandate from the people. The elected governments will assume the office for the next five years.
Jammu & Kashmir Elections
- Significance:
- Marks the return of an elected government after a 6-year gap following the collapse of the PDP-BJP coalition in 2018 and the abrogation of Article 370.
- First assembly elections since 2014, conducted in three phases (September 18, September 25, and October 1).
- Historic moment for democracy, with citizens voting after a long time.
Results of jammu and kashmir
- National Conference (NC): 42 seats
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 29 seats
- Indian National Congress (INC): 6 seats
Haryana Elections: Election Results:
- BJP: Won 48 seats, securing its third consecutive term in the state.
- Congress: Won 37 seats and was leading in 1 more seat.
- Others: INLD – 2, Independents – 3.
Food Corporation of India Launches ‘Anna Darpan’ for Supply Chain Modernization
The Food Corporation of India (FCI), under the Department of Food & Public Distribution, has initiated a comprehensive digital transformation effort to modernize its supply chain management system through the new integrated platform called ‘Anna Darpan.’
Overview of ‘Anna Darpan’:
- Purpose: The system aims to streamline and enhance supply chain operations across all levels, including Mandis, Mills, and Depots (both owned and hired) as well as divisional, regional, zonal, and headquarters operations.
- Development: The System Integrator for this initiative is M/s Coforge Limited, which signed the contract with FCI on June 14, 2024. Coforge is responsible for the system’s end-to-end design, development, implementation, and maintenance, alongside FCI’s IT Division.
Key Objectives:
The strategic vision of FCI for ‘Anna Darpan’ includes:
- Improved Efficiency and Productivity: Streamlining processes to optimize performance across the supply chain.
- Interactive and User-Friendly Interface: Designing an intuitive user interface to enhance user interaction.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data analytics to inform strategic and operational decisions.
About the Food Corporation of India (FCI)
- Chairman & Managing Director (MD): Ashok Kumar Meena
- Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
- Established: 1965
International news
WHO declares that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem in 2024
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that India has successfully eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem, becoming the third country in the South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone.
- Certification Event: The official certification was presented to Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the National Health Mission, by Ms. Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, during the WHO Regional Committee meeting in New Delhi.
About Trachoma:
- Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
- It is contagious and spreads through contact with the secretions of infected individuals.
- If left untreated, it can lead to irreversible blindness.
- WHO classifies Trachoma as a neglected tropical disease, affecting around 150 million people globally, with 6 million at risk of severe visual impairment.
Historical Context:
- In the 1950s and 1960s, Trachoma was a leading cause of blindness in India.
- The National Trachoma Control Program was launched in 1963, later integrated into the National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB).
- The prevalence of blindness due to Trachoma decreased from 5% in 1971 to less than 1% today.
Interventions:
- Implementation of the WHO SAFE strategy, which includes Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement.
- India was declared free from infective Trachoma in 2017; however, surveillance for Trachoma cases has continued since 2019.
WHO:
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Founded: 7 April 1948
- Director-General: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Banking news
Bank of Baroda Launches ‘BoB Masterstroke Savings Account’ and Appoints Sachin Tendulkar as Brand Ambassador
Bank of Baroda (BOB) introduced the BoB Masterstroke Savings Account, tailored for high-end customers seeking premium banking services. In conjunction with this launch, BOB appointed renowned cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as its global brand ambassador.
Features of BoB Masterstroke Savings Account:
- Higher Interest Rates: Offers attractive interest rates through the Flexi Fixed Deposit facility.
- Loan Benefits: Provides a 0.25% concession on retail loan interest rates.
- Premium Cards: Includes the bob World Opulence Visa Infinite Debit Card (Metal Edition) and a lifetime-free Eterna Credit Card (subject to eligibility).
- High Withdrawal Limits: Daily ATM withdrawal limit of ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh for Point of Sale (POS) transactions.
- Free Transactions: Unlimited free NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS transactions.
- Sweep Facility: Available for account balances over ₹20 lakh, enabling better fund management.
- Minimum Balance Requirement: A Quarterly Average Balance (QAB) of ₹10 lakh is required, with a penalty of ₹3,000 for non-compliance each quarter.
Role of Sachin Tendulkar:
- As the global brand ambassador, Tendulkar will enhance BOB’s visibility and promote initiatives related to financial literacy and fraud prevention. He will feature in various branding campaigns, starting with “Play The Masterstroke.”
Additional Information:
- Oman Operations Sale: BOB plans to sell its operations in Oman to Bank Dhofar as part of its strategy to rationalize foreign operations. This sale is pending approval from relevant regulatory authorities.
- The total business of BOB’s operations in Oman was 113.35 million Omani Rial, with a net worth of 25.54 million Omani Rial.
About Bank of Baroda (BOB):
- Managing Director (MD) & CEO: Debadatta Chand
- Headquarters: Vadodara, Gujarat
- Establishment: 1908
- Tagline: India’s International Bank
ICICI Bank Partners with PhonePe for Instant UPI Credit
ICICI Bank Limited has partnered with PhonePe, India’s largest digital payments platform, to offer instant credit to its pre-approved customers through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) within the PhonePe application. This initiative aims to enhance the purchasing power of customers ahead of the festive season, allowing them to buy high-ticket items like electronics, travel, hotel bookings, and bill payments.
Key Features:
- Credit Line Access: Eligible ICICI Bank customers can access up to ₹2 lakh in credit with a 45-day repayment period.
- Interoperability: The credit line facility is interoperable across different UPI payment applications, providing customers with greater flexibility and convenience.
Market Insights:
- PhonePe dominates the UPI transaction market, holding a 49% market share of total UPI transaction volumes in India, significantly ahead of competitors like Google Pay (38%).
- The PhonePe platform processes transactions worth nearly ₹200 crore per month.
About ICICI Bank Limited:
- Managing Director (MD) & CEO: Sandeep Bakshi
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Established: 1994
- Tagline: “Hum Hai Na, Khyal Apka”
About PhonePe:
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Sameer Nigam
- Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Established: 2015
Award news
Baker, Hassabis, Jumper Awarded Nobel 2024 in Chemistry for Pioneering Protein Research
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to David Baker for his innovative work in computational protein design and to Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper for their groundbreaking AI-based protein structure prediction. These discoveries, recognized by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, represent major advancements in understanding and designing proteins.
Awarded by: The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
Winners:
- David Baker (University of Washington, USA): Recognized for his pioneering work in computational protein design.
- Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper (Google DeepMind, UK): Honored for their groundbreaking AI-based protein structure prediction.
Significance:
- These advancements have revolutionized the understanding and design of proteins, contributing to progress in biotechnology and medicine
Defence news
Indian Navy Commissions New Deep-Water Survey Vessel
The Indian Navy has received its latest large Survey Vessel for deep water hydrographic mapping specially designed, Nirdeshak (Yard 3026), second of four Survey Vessel (Large) ships, steered by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and being built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata was delivered to the Indian Navy.
- Vessel: Nirdeshak (Yard 3026), the second of four large Survey Vessel (Large) ships.
- Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
- Design: Guided by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, adhering to Indian Register of Shipping standards for safety and performance.
Background:
- The contract for four Survey Vessels was signed on October 30, 2018.
- The first ship, INS Sandhayak, was commissioned on February 3, 2024.
Purpose:
- Conduct hydrographic surveys, focusing on coastal and deep-water mapping, port approach surveys, and navigational channel determination.
- Collect oceanographic and geophysical data for defense and civil applications like marine resource exploration and environmental monitoring.
Indian navy: Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy is Admiral R. Hari Kumar
History of Indian navy: The Indian Navy was officially formed on September 5, 1612, when the British East India Company established a naval force to protect its trade interests in the Indian Ocean. However, the modern Indian Navy, as we know it today, came into existence after India gained independence on August 15, 1947, and was officially commissioned as the Royal Indian Navy. Following the country’s transition to a republic, it was renamed the Indian Navy on January 26, 1950.
Multinational Malabar Naval Exercise 2024 Start in the Bay of Bengal
The 28th edition of the multi-national Malabar Naval exercise, hosted by the Indian Navy, commenced in the Bay of Bengal on 8 November 2024. The exercise will be held from 8 to 18 October 2024. The Opening ceremony of the Malabar Naval exercise was held onboard the Indian Naval Ship Satpura at Visakhapatnam on 9 October 2024.
Background:
- The Malabar exercise began as a bilateral initiative between the Indian and United States navies in 1992 and has evolved into a Quad Naval Exercise with the participation of India, Japan, Australia, and the United States.
- Japan joined in 2015, and Australia has been a participant since 2007.
- The 27th edition was hosted by the Royal Australian Navy near Sydney in August 2023.
Objectives:
- The exercise aims to enhance cooperation among the navies of the participating nations, focusing on advanced warfare tactics, collective planning, and regional security.
- The Quad’s primary goal is to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region, encompassing the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific Ocean.
Exercise Phases:
- The Malabar exercise is divided into two main phases:
- Sea Exercise: Focuses on combat operations.
- Harbour Exercise: Aims to foster camaraderie among naval personnel from participating countries.
Naval Participation:
- Approximately eight naval ships and 12 aircraft are involved in the exercise.
- Indian Navy:
- Guided-missile destroyer INS Delhi and four support ships.
- Long-range maritime patrol aircraft P-8I Poseidon.
- United States Navy: Guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey and P-8 Poseidon aircraft.
- Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force: Murasame-class destroyer JS Ariake.
- Royal Australian Navy: Anzac-class frigate HMAS Stuart and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
Scheme news
Launch of Humsafar Policy by Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari launched the Humsafar Policy in New Delhi on 7 October 2024. Nitin Gadkari launched the policy at a function in the presence of the Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Ajay Tamta, Chairman of National Highway Authority of India ( NHAI), Santosh Kumar Yadav and senior officers of the ministry and the NHAI.
Objectives of the Humsafar Policy
- Enhance Convenience: Aims to improve the travel experience on National Highways and Expressways.
- Development of Wayside Amenities: Focuses on creating world-class facilities for travelers.
- Service Provider Framework: Establishes standards for service providers, including eateries, fuel stations, and trauma centers along highways.
- Hygienic Facilities: Ensures standardized and well-maintained amenities for commuters.
- Instant Access to Information: Travelers can find details of nearby service providers through the NHAI’s Rajmarg Yatra app.
Key Differences Between Highways and Expressways
- Ownership:
- National Highways are managed by the central government.
- Expressways can be owned by either central or state governments.
- Design and Functionality:
- National Highways: Connect important cities and ports; prioritize connectivity over speed with frequent entry and exit points.
- Expressways: Designed for fast-moving vehicles with controlled access, fewer sharp curves, and higher speed limits.
The Humsafar Policy aims to significantly improve the infrastructure and services available on National Highways and Expressways, enhancing safety and convenience for all travelers.
Sports news
Uttarakhand to host next Summer and Winter National Games
The Indian Olympic Association has chosen Uttarakhand to host the 38th Summer National Games. The state will also hold the next Winter Games. The 37th National Games was held in Goa from 25 September -9 November 2023.
Event Overview:
- Host State: Uttarakhand
- Dates: January 28 – February 14, 2025
- Organizer: Indian Olympic Association (IOA)
Key Points:
- Uttarakhand has been selected to host the 38th Summer National Games.
- This event will also include the next Winter Games, marking a significant milestone as it will be the first time the Winter Games are held outside Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
- The 37th National Games were recently conducted in Goa from September 25 to November 9, 2023.
Future Planning:
- Details regarding the venues, events, and schedules will be finalized during the IOA’s General Assembly meeting scheduled for October 25, 2024.
About the National Games:
- The National Games are organized by the IOA and hosted by state governments, aiming to identify and promote athletic talent for representation at the Summer Olympics.
- They are held on the Olympic model, and although initially planned to occur every two years, the schedule has become irregular after the 24th edition.
- The first National Games took place in 1924 in Lahore (now in Pakistan) and were originally known as the All-India Olympic Games; the name was changed to National Games in 1940.
Important days
Celebrating World Post Day: Honoring Postal Services
World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October. The event was declared by the 1969 Universal Postal Congress in Tokyo as a means to mark the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) creation in 1874.
Date & Significance:
- Celebrated annually on October 9 to mark the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland.
- Aims to raise awareness of the role of postal services in communication and development.
History: Declared during the UPU Congress in Tokyo, Japan, in 1969.
2024 Theme:
- “150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nations”.
- Commemorates UPU’s 150 years of achievements and highlights its commitment to fostering communication for peace, prosperity, and global understanding.
World Mental Health Day 2024
World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10, was first initiated in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). This global observance aims to raise awareness about mental health issues and mobilize efforts in support of mental health care worldwide.
History: Initiated in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH).
Objective:
- To raise global awareness about mental health issues.
- Mobilize efforts to support mental health care.
Significance:
- Provides a platform for stakeholders in mental health to discuss their work.
- Encourages action to improve access to mental health care for all people worldwide.
Obituary news
Passing of Pappammal, Renowned Organic Farmer and Padma Shri Awardee
Pappammal, also known as Rangammal, was a celebrated Indian organic farmer who made significant contributions to sustainable agriculture in Tamil Nadu. She was honored with the Padma Shri award by the Government of India in 2021 for her exceptional work in promoting organic farming practices.
Contributions:
- Pappammal was closely associated with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), where she played a vital role in educating farmers about modern farming technologies and practices.
- She organized various discussion forums through TNAU’s extension department, impacting thousands of farmers in the region.
