Current Affairs - October 17, 2024 Current Affairs

Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts an impressive 446 butterfly species, securing its position as India's second-highest butterfly diversity hub. This remarkable finding was highlighted during the "Butterfly Conservation Meet-2024," which brought together experts and enthusiasts from across India. The park's unique landscape, comprising grasslands, wetlands, and forests, provides a haven for these delicate creatures. Only Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh surpasses Kaziranga in butterfly diversity, underscoring the importance of preserving these ecosystems for India's rich biodiversity.

The calibration of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) was successfully completed by Noida International Airport from October 10 to October 14, 2024. This task was conducted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) with the assistance of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Noida Airport plays a vital role in connecting Delhi and Western Uttar Pradesh, making it a significant infrastructure hub in the region.

Akash Tripathi, a 1998-batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has taken on significant leadership roles in digital governance as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Digital India Corporation (DIC) and President/Chief Executive Officer of the National e-Governance Division (NeGD). His dual appointment was approved by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). In these roles, he is responsible for implementing key projects under the Digital India initiative, promoting digital literacy, and managing the development of e-governance systems to enhance India's public administration and digital transformation. His tenure at DIC is for six months, while his role at NeGD continues until August 2024.

India has entered into a significant $3.5-billion defence agreement with the United States to purchase 31 MQ-9B drones, which include 16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian models. This deal is part of India’s efforts to strengthen its military capabilities, particularly in response to rising concerns related to China. The drones will be distributed across India's military branches, with 15 going to the Navy and the remaining eight being shared between the Army and Air Force. This acquisition is conducted through the foreign military sales framework, reflecting the growing defence cooperation between India and the US.

HDFC Bank has opened its first branch in Singapore, marking its expansion in international operations after receiving a wholesale banking license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The branch was inaugurated by Rakesh Singh, Group Head of International Banking. With this addition, HDFC Bank now operates five international branches, including those in Hong Kong, Bahrain, and Dubai, and an IFSC Banking Unit in Gujarat International Finance Tech City (GIFT City). The new branch will further strengthen the bank's global presence and enhance its international banking services.

Gujarat has taken a significant step in promoting entrepreneurship and mineral exploration by auctioning 25 major and 2,280 minor mineral blocks, and granting Letters of Intent to leaseholders. This initiative, part of the "Vikas Saptah" program and Entrepreneurship Day, aims to encourage competitive leasing through transparent auctions. Additionally, Gujarat has introduced an application-based system for minor mineral leases on private land under the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) initiative. This move is expected to boost the state's mineral sector and economy.

World Anaesthesia Day is observed annually on October 16 to acknowledge the crucial role of anaesthesia in modern medicine. This date marks the historic demonstration of diethyl ether anaesthesia by William Thomas Green Morton in 1846 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Morton's groundbreaking experiment revolutionized medical care by enabling painless surgeries, enhancing patient safety, and improving outcomes. The day honours the contributions of anesthesiologists worldwide and recognizes the significance of anaesthesia in transforming medical practices.

Colombia has become the 17th country to sign an audio-visual co-production agreement with India, aiming to pool creative, technical, and financial resources for filmmaking. This agreement enables filmmakers and producers from both countries to collaborate on various aspects of filmmaking, such as production, post-production, and marketing. The pact is expected to deepen engagement between the critical sectors of the film industries of both countries, unfolding a new chapter of collaboration. The agreement was signed by Union Minister L. Murugan and Colombia's Vice Minister Jorge Enrique Rojas Rodriguez.

China has surpassed other nations to become India's largest import source between April and September 2024, with imports valued at USD 56.29 billion, marking an 11.5% increase from the previous year. This significant trade development underscores China's substantial presence in India's import market. India's import landscape is diversified, with Russia and the UAE also featuring among key import sources. Conversely, the US remains India's top export destination, highlighting the complexities of India's international trade relationships.

The 7th International Solar Alliance Assembly is scheduled to occur at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from November 3 to 6, 2024. This significant event will bring together leaders from 120 member countries to discuss crucial topics such as solar energy adoption, mobilizing finance for deployment, and global climate action. The assembly will provide a platform for ministers, mission heads, senior officials, and key stakeholders to collaborate and accelerate solar deployment, particularly in regions with limited energy access.

Nayab Singh Saini was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Haryana for the second time, marking a significant achievement for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as they secured their third consecutive term in the state. The oath was administered by Governor Bandaru Dattatreya in a ceremony that included prominent BJP leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Saini, a Dalit leader from Kurukshetra, successfully led the BJP to victory in the recent Assembly elections, reinforcing his influential role within the party and his previous experience as Haryana BJP chief and an MP since 1996.

Akhil Sheoran claimed the bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3-positions event at the ISSF World Cup Final, outperforming Paris Olympics gold medallist Liu Yukun. This achievement contributed to India's tally of two medals in the year-ending ISSF World Cup. Earlier, Sonam Maskar secured a silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle event. Sheoran's victory demonstrates India's growing presence in international shooting competitions, and his performance, alongside other Indian shooters, showcases the country's potential for future success in the sport.

NITI Aayog is organizing the 2nd International Methanol Seminar in New Delhi, focusing on methanol's potential as a low-carbon fuel. The seminar aims to highlight methanol's role in green energy and showcase innovations in transportation, power, and shipping. India's Methanol Economy initiative, launched in 2016, has been collaborating with the Methanol Institute, USA, to promote methanol as a clean energy source. This event brings together experts to discuss the prospects of methanol in reducing India's carbon footprint and promoting sustainable energy solutions.

Praveen Vashista has been appointed as the Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Ministry of Home Affairs, succeeding Sivagami Sundari Nanda, who will retire on December 31, 2024. Vashista, a 1991-batch IPS officer from the Bihar cadre, will serve in this key role until July 31, 2026. Prior to this appointment, he held the position of Additional Secretary in the Home Affairs Ministry and served as Officer on Special Duty. His experience in internal security matters positions him well for this significant responsibility within the government.