Current Affairs - October 10, 2024 Current Affairs

Rwanda is grappling with its first-ever Marburg virus outbreak, reporting 26 confirmed cases and 12 fatalities as of late September 2024. The highly infectious disease poses significant risks to healthcare workers and the country's fragile healthcare system. With over 80% of infections occurring among healthcare workers, the outbreak has raised concerns about transmission within healthcare facilities. The Marburg virus disease has a high case fatality rate, ranging from 24% to 88%, making prompt containment and public health measures crucial to mitigating the crisis.

The 38th National Games will be held in Uttarakhand from January 28 to February 14, 2025, as announced by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The event will bring together athletes from across the country to compete in various sports. The official schedule is awaiting approval from the IOA General Assembly, which will meet in October 2024. This will be a significant event in India's sports calendar, further enhancing Uttarakhand's role as a host for national sporting events.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Vientiane, Laos, to attend the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and 19th East Asia Summit, marking his 10th ASEAN-India Summit. Laos, as the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will host the event, strengthening India's diplomatic engagement in Southeast Asia. The summits aim to review and plan future ASEAN-India relations, with Modi set to meet with Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and other world leaders. This visit highlights India's commitment to its Act East policy, which has led to substantial benefits for the nation.

Nima Rinji Sherpa achieved this remarkable feat at the age of 18 by summiting Shisha Pangma (8,027 m) on October 9, 2024. This record-breaking accomplishment surpasses the previous record held by Mingma Gyabu 'David' Sherpa, who completed the same feat at age 30 in 2019. Nima Rinji Sherpa's mountaineering journey began when he was 16, with his first high-altitude climb being Mount Manaslu in 2022, demonstrating his exceptional climbing abilities and determination from a young age. This achievement solidifies his position as a record holder in the mountaineering world.

Himachal Pradesh has launched the 'Sankalp' initiative under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, which is aimed at addressing drug trafficking and addiction in the state. Announced on October 6, 2024, the initiative includes establishing a model de-addiction and rehabilitation centre in Kotla Barog, Sirmaur district. This centre will provide comprehensive services for recovery and support for affected families. Additionally, the state is pursuing environmental sustainability goals, aiming to become a Green Energy State by March 31, 2026, which includes a green hydrogen plant in Nalagarh.

RITES Limited, a leading transport infrastructure consultancy and engineering company, has entered into a strategic partnership with Etihad Rail to enhance cooperation in developing railway infrastructure and services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The MoU, signed by RITES CMD Rahul Mithal and Etihad Rail CEO Shadi Malak, encompasses various areas including supply and leasing of rolling stock, consultancy, project management, and operation. Additionally, it focuses on the capacity analysis of rail corridors to improve efficiency, demonstrating RITES' expertise in railway infrastructure development. This collaboration aims to support the growth of the UAE's rail network.

The Indian Navy and the Italian Navy conducted a historic joint exercise off the coast of Goa, marking their first-ever collaboration with Carrier Strike Groups (CSG). The exercise, held from October 1 to 6, 2024, involved prominent vessels including INS Vikramaditya and ITS Cavour, along with INS Visakhapatnam and ITS Alpino. This bilateral exercise aimed to enhance naval cooperation and interoperability between the two nations, demonstrating their commitment to maritime security and regional stability. The choice of Goa as the exercise location highlights its strategic importance in India's naval operations.

Ratan Tata, a renowned business leader and national icon, passed away at the age of 86. He played a pivotal role in leading Tata Group and Tata Sons as chairman from 1990 to 2012. During his tenure, he founded Tata Teleservices in 1996 and acquired iconic British car brands Jaguar and Land Rover in 2004. His contributions to Indian business earned him prestigious awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008. As a visionary leader, Ratan Tata left a lasting impact on India's corporate landscape, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11th, recognizing the rights, voices, and potential of girls worldwide. This global commemoration serves as a call to action, addressing the unique challenges girls face, including climate change impacts, disruption of education, child marriage, and limited access to resources. The 2024 theme, "Girls' Vision for the Future," emphasizes the urgent need for action and hope for a brighter future. By marking this day, the international community reaffirms its commitment to empowering girls and promoting gender equality.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the wallet limit for UPI Lite transactions from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. This enhancement allows users to store and transact larger amounts via UPI Lite, making it more convenient for everyday transactions. Along with this, the transaction limit through UPI Lite has also been raised from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, further facilitating seamless and secure digital payments. These changes are aimed at improving the user experience and reducing fraud risks in the digital payment ecosystem.

Manish Tiwary, former head of Amazon India, has been appointed as the Managing Director of Nestle India Limited, succeeding Suresh Narayanan who retires on July 31, 2025. With nearly three decades of experience in consumer goods and e-commerce, Tiwary brings expertise in driving digital transformation and supply chain modernization. His leadership is expected to guide Nestle India through its next phase of growth and innovation, blending traditional FMCG knowledge with modern digital strategies. Tiwary's appointment marks a significant transition for the company, and he is poised to leverage his experience for future success.

The National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) is being developed at Lothal, Gujarat, a historically significant site known for its ancient maritime trade links dating back 4,500 years. The project aims to highlight India's rich maritime history through museums, galleries, and parks. It is expected to create 22,000 jobs and will be developed in phases. The construction of a Light House Museum under Phase 1B will be funded by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL).

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected a GDP growth rate of 7.2% for the financial year 2024-25. This optimistic projection is attributed to strong domestic demand, low raw material costs, and robust growth in the manufacturing sector. While the first quarter recorded a growth rate of 6.7%, the RBI has forecasted steady increases for the remaining quarters, with GDP growth rates of 7%, 7.4%, and 7.4% for Q2, Q3, and Q4 respectively. The Monetary Policy Committee, in a 5:1 vote, decided to keep interest rates unchanged.

India has demonstrated its commitment to global health initiatives by pledging a substantial amount to the Centre of Excellence for Traditional Medicine. This contribution is part of India's larger pledge of over $300 million to the WHO's core programs from 2025 to 2028. As the sixth largest global contributor to the WHO, India plays a significant role in addressing the organization's funding gap of $7.1 billion. This investment highlights India's focus on promoting traditional medicine and supporting global health initiatives, aligning with the WHO's efforts to bridge funding gaps and achieve its health objectives.