National news
PM Modi Welcomes Newborn Calf ‘Deepjyoti’ at His Residence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced a newborn calf named Deepjyoti, born at his official residence in New Delhi.
- The calf has a distinctive light-like mark on its forehead, inspiring the name Deepjyoti, meaning “light of the lamp.
- ” In a video shared on X, PM Modi is seen affectionately petting, kissing, and walking with the calf, reflecting his deep connection with cows, which he has demonstrated in the past by feeding Punganur cows during Makar Sankranti.
- He also emphasized the spiritual significance of cows in Indian scriptures, calling them a source of happiness.
Government Removes Floor Price on Basmati Rice
The Indian government removed the $950 per tonne minimum export price (MEP) on basmati rice to boost exports and support farmers’ incomes. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) will now oversee basmati rice exports without a floor price, ensuring fair pricing and transparency.
- The MEP was initially set at $1,200 per metric ton (MT) in August 2023 to control domestic rice prices and prevent the misclassification of non-basmati rice.
- In October 2023, the MEP was reduced to $950 per MT due to concerns that high prices were hindering exports.
- Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the removal of the floor price aims to enhance exports and increase farmers’ earnings.
- APEDA is tasked with monitoring export contracts for realistic pricing and issuing Registration-cum-Allocation Certificates (RCAC).
- India’s basmati rice exports were $4.8 billion (45.6 lakh tonnes) in 2022-23 and rose to $5.9 billion in 2023-24.
Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurates ‘Samvidhan Mandir’ at Industrial Training Institutes in Maharashtra
Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, inaugurated the “Constitutional Temple – Samvidhan Mandir” at 433 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Maharashtra.
- Purpose: The Constitution Temples aim to educate students about the importance and sanctity of the Constitution of India and spread the ideas of Dr. Bhimrao R. Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution.
- Industrial Training Institutes (ITI): ITIs are government training organizations offering industry-related education to high school students, focusing on technical knowledge for students who have completed the 10th grade and prefer vocational training over higher education.
- Management: ITIs are managed by the Directorate-General for Employment and Training (DGET) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the Government of India to provide training in various trades.
Maharashtra:
- Capital: Mumbai
- Chief minister: Eknath Shinde
- Governor: C. P. Radhakrishnan
1st Foundation Day of Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
On September 2024, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) addressed the event organised to mark the 1st Foundation Day of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) as the Chief Guest at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Delhi. He also unveiled the new logo, vision and mission of I4C.
- Venue: Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
- Chief Guest: Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Cooperation (MoC)
- Occasion: 1st Foundation Day of I4C
Key Initiatives Launched by Amit Shah:
- Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) – Focuses on preventing and mitigating cyber fraud.
- Samanvay Platform – A unified platform aimed at enhancing coordination between agencies for combating cyber crime.
- Cyber Commandos Programme – Trains cyber commandos to deal with cyber threats and crimes.
- Suspect Registry – A registry to track and monitor suspected cyber criminals.
About Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C):
- Established: 10th January 2020
- Objective: To tackle cyber crime in India through a centralized framework.
- CEO: Rajesh Kumar
- Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
Union Minister Piyush Goyal Launches Trade Connect e-Platform to Boost International Trade for Indian MSMEs
Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) launched Trade Connect e-Platform to enhance international trade opportunities for Indian exporters, particularly Medium, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in New Delhi, Delhi. • It is developed by a collaboration of key partners including the Ministry of MSME, Export- Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank), Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance(MoF), and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Key Highlights:
- Objective: To enhance international trade opportunities for Indian exporters, particularly for Medium, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- Developed By: A collaboration involving the Ministry of MSME, Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank), Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance (MoF), and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Features of Trade Connect e-Platform:
- Market Guides and FTA Explorers: Provides information on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and global market opportunities.
- Global E-commerce Guide: Assists exporters in navigating international e-commerce.
- Trade Education and Product Promotion: Offers resources for improving trade knowledge and promoting products.
- Expert Advice: Connects users with trade experts for guidance.
Platform Benefits:
- Real-time Trade Information: Connects over 6 lakh Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) holders, 180 Indian Mission officials, 600 Export Promotion Council officials, and various trade experts.
- Upcoming Version: Trade Connect e-Platform 2.0 will be launched soon with enhanced features based on user feedback.
- Goals: Simplify trade processes, increase export volumes, and enhance global competitiveness, aligning with the Digital India vision by reducing trade costs and complexities.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI):
- Union Minister: Piyush Goyal (Constituency – Mumbai North, Maharashtra)
- Minister of State (MOS): Jitin Prasada (Constituency – Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh)
India’s First Silicon Carbide Manufacturing Unit Launched in Odisha
India’s 1st Silicon Carbide Manufacturing Unit To Be Set Up in Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi, the Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha has presided over the ground breaking ceremony of India’s first silicon carbide manufacturing facility to be built at the EMC Park in Infovalley in Bhubaneswar (Odisha) with an investment of Rs 620 crore.
Key Points:
- Developer: Mumbai-based RIR Power Electronics Limited (formerly Ruttonsha International Rectifier Limited).
- Employment: The facility is expected to create over 500 jobs in manufacturing, research, and development.
- Impact: The project aims to boost Odisha’s industrial growth and establish it as a significant player in the global power electronics sector.
- Exports and Uses: Products from the facility will be exported to North America, Europe, and Asia, and will be utilized in industries such as defense, transportation, aerospace, and sustainable energy.
Odisha:
- Chief minister: Mohan Charan Majhi
- Capital: Bhubaneswar
- Governor: Raghubar Das
Banking news
Max Life Partners with CSB Bank for Bancassurance to Offer Insurance Products
Max Life Enters Into Bancassurance Partnership with CSB Bank To Offer Insurance Products Gurugram (Haryana) based Max Life Insurance Company Limited has entered a bancassurance partnership with Thrissur (Kerala) based CSB Bank Limited (formerly The Catholic Syrian Bank Limited) to offer a wide range of life insurance products
Key Points:
- Objective: To offer a variety of insurance products, including savings, protection, retirement, and group life insurance, to over 2.5 million CSB Bank customers.
- Insurance Products: Max Life will provide comprehensive insurance solutions under this partnership.
Max life:
- CEO: Prashant Tripathy (1 Jan 2019–)
- Founder: Analjit Singh
- Founded: 11 July 2000
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India
International news
India sends US$ 1 million Humanitarian Relief to Vietnam as Operation Sadbhav
The Government of India initiated Operation Sadbhav to provide humanitarian assistance to countries affected by Typhoon Yagi, including Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos.
Aid to Vietnam: India dispatched 35 tons of relief supplies to Vietnam, consisting of essential items like water purification systems, containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, and solar lanterns, airlifted by a special aircraft.
India’s Act East Policy:
- The aid reinforces the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar conveyed solidarity to Vietnam’s leadership, underscoring the close ties between the nations.
Humanitarian Role: India’s quick response through Operation Sadbhav reflects its commitment to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) within the ASEAN region, in line with its Act East Policy.
Vietnam:
- Capital: Hanoi
- Currency: Vietnamese dong
- Official language: Vietnamese
- Prime minister: Pham Minh Chinh
Award news
Rajbhasha Kirti Award to Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances
On 14th September 2024, during Hindi Diwas celebrations, the Secretary of DARPG, Mr. V. Srinivas, received the Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar from Home Minister Shri Amit Shah for promoting Hindi as the Official Language.
- Recognition: DARPG was recognized for its exemplary performance in implementing the Official Language Policy under the Ministry of Home Affairs for 2023-24.
- Committees: DARPG established a Hindi Advisory Committee and Official Language Implementation Committee to monitor Hindi usage, with quarterly reviews and regular submission of Quarterly Progress Reports (QPRs).
- Hindi Promotions: During Hindi Fortnight (14th–28th September 2023), 88 personnel participated in various competitions. Workshops and incentive schemes encouraged Hindi proficiency, with 62 out of 66 officers demonstrating proficiency.
- Publications: All documents under Section 3(3) of the Official Languages Act, 1963, are issued bilingually, and major reports, including e-office communications and publications, are released in Hindi.
NTPC Talcher Kaniha Wins 2024 Energy Management Insight Award
Odisha based NTPC Talcher Kaniha or Talcher Super Thermal Power Station has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Energy Management Insight Award from the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM). NTPC Talcher Kaniha was qualified by submitting a comprehensive case study describing its experiences and the positive impact of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 50001 on its operations.
Key Details:
- Qualification: Submitted a comprehensive case study showcasing the benefits of ISO 50001.
- Purpose: The award is part of the CEM Energy Management Leadership Awards program, highlighting organizations that achieve significant energy, economic, and sustainability benefits through energy management systems.
- CEM Overview: CEM is a global forum with 29 Member Governments and 21 participant countries promoting clean energy policies and technologies.
- CEM Energy Management Leadership Awards: Recognize organizations using the ISO 50001 standard for improving energy performance.
About Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM):
- Head of Secretariat: Jean-François Gagné
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Established: 2010
NTPC:
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- CEO: Gurdeep Singh
- Founded: 7 November 1975
Important days
On 15th September National Engineer Day was celebrated
National Engineers Day: Celebrated on 15th September each year in India to honor the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, a pioneering engineer.
- History: National Engineers’ Day was first observed in 1968 to recognize Visvesvaraya’s contributions to engineering and national development.
- Sir M. Visvesvaraya: Born on 15th September 1861 in Karnataka, he was a renowned civil engineer known for projects like the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam and Khadakwasla Dam. He also founded Bangalore Engineering College, which was later renamed Visvesvaraya Technological University. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955.
- Theme of 2024: The theme for National Engineers Day 2024 is “Innovating for a Sustainable Future”, emphasizing the role of engineers in solving modern challenges and promoting sustainability
Sports news
Oscar Piastri Claims Maiden Victory at Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Oscar Piastri’s Victory: McLaren driver Oscar Piastri claimed his first Formula 1 win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held at the Baku City Circuit. The race ended under a virtual safety car due to a late crash, adding to the drama.
McLaren’s Resurgence:
- Piastri’s win and Lando Norris’ fourth-place finish helped McLaren secure a 20-point lead over Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, ending Red Bull’s 55-race streak at the top.
- McLaren last led the Constructors’ standings in 2014.
Neeraj Chopra finished 2nd by 0.01m in Diamond League Final
An olympic champion, Neeraj Chopra finished second in the Diamond League (DL) final by throwing the throw of 87.86m in Brussels. He just missed first place by just 0.01m to Andersen Peters. Neeraj Chopra finished the 2024 season with silver in the last competition.
- Result: Neeraj Chopra secured second place with a throw of 87.86 meters, narrowly missing first place by just 0.01 meters.
- Winner: Anderson Peters (Grenada) with a throw of 87.87 meters, achieved in his opening attempt.
- Third Place: Julian Weber (Germany) with a throw of 85.97 meters.
- Season Achievement: Neeraj Chopra finished the 2024 season with a silver medal in the final competition.
- Previous Achievement: Chopra won the Diamond League trophy in 2022.
India’s Historic Performance at the 2024 Summer Paralympics
India concluded the 2024 Summer Paralympics, also known as the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – the 17th edition of the Summer Paralympic Games, with a record 29 medals (7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze). India is ranked 18th among the 170 participating nations. This marks India’s most successful performance in Paralympic history surpassing the 19- medal haul at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics
India:
- Event: 2024 Summer Paralympics, Paris (17th edition)
- Dates: August 28, 2024 – September 8, 2024
- Medals Won: 29 (7 Gold, 9 Silver, 13 Bronze)
- Rank: 18th among 170 participating nations
- Significance: India’s most successful Paralympics performance, surpassing the 19 medals won at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Medal Tally:
- China: 220 medals (94 Gold, 76 Silver, 50 Bronze)
- Great Britain: 124 medals (49 Gold, 44 Silver, 31 Bronze)
- United States: 105 medals (36 Gold, 42 Silver, 27 Bronze)
Additional Information:
- Host City: Paris, France
- Historical Context: First time France hosted the Summer Paralympics, and only the second time the country hosted the Paralympics overall.
Yogasana to Feature as a Demonstration Sport at the 2026 Asian Games
OCA Includes Yogasana as Demonstration Sport in 2026 Asian Games The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) confirmed that Yogasana, the practice of traditional Indian yoga postures, will be featured as a Demonstration Sport at the upcoming 2026 Asian Games which will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
- Announcement: Yogasana, traditional Indian yoga postures, will be included as a Demonstration Sport.
- Decision: Passed unanimously at the 44th Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly in New Delhi.
- OCA President: Randhir Singh, elected for a 4-year term (2024-2028), confirmed the inclusion.
- Significance: This inclusion is a major step towards international recognition of yoga, with aspirations for it to become a medal event at the 2030 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.
