Current Affairs - October 18, 2024 Current Affairs

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has become the first airport in India to have a self-powered indoor air quality monitoring facility, Pavana Chitra, inaugurated by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. This innovative facility is powered by indigenous indoor solar cells developed by CSIR-NIIST and crafted from locally available materials. Pavana Chitra tracks temperature, humidity, CO2, VOCs, and the air quality index, showcasing India's commitment to sustainable practices and traveller health.

North Korea has revised its constitution to officially label South Korea as a "hostile state," marking a significant shift in its diplomatic and military posture. This change reflects North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s efforts to discard any aspirations of peaceful reunification with the South. The new constitution signals a more aggressive stance, with plans to permanently close its border with South Korea and reinforce military defences. This development is expected to escalate tensions between the two nations and further isolate North Korea diplomatically.

The "Mera Hou Chongba" festival is celebrated annually in Manipur to promote unity and strengthen bonds among the state's indigenous communities, particularly during times of ethnic tension. This festival is a key cultural event in Manipur, observed on the 15th Lunar day of Mera Month, with celebrations held in important locations such as Sana Konung and Kangla Uttra in the capital city of Imphal. It aims to foster harmony between the hill and valley communities of the state.

The Supreme Court, in a 4:1 decision, upheld Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, which was introduced through the Assam Accord of 1985. This section deals with citizenship provisions for migrants entering Assam from Bangladesh between 1950 and 1971, aiming to address concerns over illegal migration while balancing humanitarian and economic aspects. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud led the majority in support of the section, but Justice J.B. Pardiwala dissented, expressing that Section 6A may have become unconstitutional with time.

The 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 13 to 17, 2024, at the IPU headquarters. This assembly brought together national parliaments from around the world to discuss pressing global issues, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressing the gathering and emphasizing the need for multilateralism and cooperation among parliaments. The event featured various committees, including the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young MPs, and highlighted Jamaica's rejoining as the 181st Member Parliament.

On Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared that all residential schools in the state would be renamed 'Maharshi Valmiki Residential Schools' in honour of the revered sage and author of the Ramayana. Additionally, Raichur University will be renamed Maharishi Valmiki University. These actions highlight Karnataka's efforts to honour Valmiki's cultural and historical significance. The move is intended to promote the values and contributions of the sage in education.

The Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board (UMEB) has proposed making Sanskrit a compulsory subject in 416 madrasas across the state, impacting over 70,000 students. This initiative aims to enhance the educational curriculum and support academic growth. The board plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state's Sanskrit department to facilitate collaboration and resources. Additionally, the introduction of the NCERT syllabus has shown impressive results, with over 95% student success this year. This move is expected to further enrich students' learning experiences and promote educational growth.

Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud has recommended Justice Sanjiv Khanna to succeed him as the 51st Chief Justice of India. Justice Khanna, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2019, has presided over significant cases, including those concerning the abrogation of Article 370 and granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal. He is expected to assume office after Justice Chandrachud's retirement on November 10, 2024, and will serve until his own retirement on May 13, 2025. His appointment is part of the tradition of succession in India's judiciary.

President Droupadi Murmu's historic visit to Mauritania, a North African country, aimed to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Mauritania. This visit was part of her three-nation African tour, which also included Algeria and Malawi. During her visit, four MoUs were signed to enhance collaboration in areas such as training of diplomats, cultural exchange, visa exemption, and foreign office consultations. This marks a significant boost to India-Mauritania ties, which have been growing stronger since the establishment of India's embassy in Nouakchott in June 2021.

The Indo-Turkiye Friendship Association (ITFA) was launched in Hyderabad on October 16, 2024, with the goal of enhancing bilateral cooperation between India and Turkiye in various sectors, including economic, cultural, tourism, educational, and technological exchanges. Turkish Consul General Orhan Yalman Okan noted a significant rise in Indian tourism to Turkiye, with 3.5 lakh visitors in 2023, projecting this number to increase to 4 lakh soon. This initiative aims to further strengthen the relationship between the two nations.

Meta, in collaboration with key Indian government ministries including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), launched the "Scam se Bacho" campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness about online scams and cyber frauds, promoting digital safety among citizens. The campaign is part of the government's broader efforts to combat the increasing threat of cybercrime in India, with Meta playing a key role in its development and promotion.

Aditi Anand, a 25-year-old artist from Karnal, Haryana, received the prestigious UK Illustration Award in the Emerging Illustrator category for her thought-provoking artwork "Marigolds." This piece addresses the critical issue of child labour in India. Selected from over 2,000 entries, Anand's work earned a GBP 3,000 prize and will be showcased at the renowned V&A Museum in London until September 2025. This recognition highlights Anand's talent and sheds light on social concerns through her art. Her achievement brings pride to India's artistic community.

The Andhra Pradesh cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has taken a major step toward economic development by approving six key industrial and investment policies. These policies aim to attract investments worth ₹30 lakh crore to the state. The policies focus on sectors such as industrial development, MSMEs, food processing, electronics, private parks, and clean energy, with each policy tailored to foster growth and development in its respective areas. This initiative is part of the state's broader strategy to boost its economy and attract significant investments.