Current Affairs - October 24, 2024 Current Affairs

Hong Kong's government has taken measures to enhance cybersecurity by prohibiting apps like WhatsApp, WeChat, and Google Drive from being installed on official computers. This decision aims to mitigate potential risks, acknowledging the territory's relatively low cybersecurity awareness. While civil servants may use these apps on personal devices, the ban on government computers demonstrates Hong Kong's commitment to protecting sensitive information. By implementing these guidelines, the government seeks to safeguard its digital infrastructure and maintain data integrity, setting a precedent for other regions to prioritize cybersecurity.

Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, has emerged as the top destination for Indian travellers in 2025, showcasing its growing appeal. This picturesque city's scenic charm, rich cultural heritage, and natural beauty have propelled it to the forefront of travel trends. Skyscanner's report highlights Indian travellers' increasing interest in exploring newer and offbeat destinations. Shillong's popularity underscores the region's potential for tourism growth, offering a unique blend of natural attractions, cultural experiences, and adventure activities that cater to diverse traveller preferences. Its ranking surpasses international destinations like Baku, Azerbaijan.

Andhra Pradesh, led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, aims to counter its declining fertility rate of 1.70, which is below the national average. The proposed law would incentivize having more children, with Naidu suggesting only candidates with two or more children be allowed to contest local body elections. This move addresses concerns about the state's ageing population and potential labour shortages. Southern states, including Andhra Pradesh, face significant demographic challenges due to low fertility rates.

Pranav Chawda, a seasoned banking professional with over 20 years of experience, has taken the reins as CEO of JP Morgan Chase India. His appointment, approved by the Reserve Bank of India, marks a significant leadership transition for the American multinational finance company in India. As the current head of commercial banking at JP Morgan, Chawda brings invaluable expertise to his new role. He succeeds Prabhdev Singh, paving the way for strategic growth and expansion of JP Morgan Chase's operations in India under his guidance. Chawda's chartered accountant background and extensive industry knowledge will likely shape the company's future direction.

Ravichandran Ashwin achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the highest wicket-taker in ICC World Test Championship history. He surpassed Nathan Lyon during the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, finishing with a total of 189 wickets in 39 matches, maintaining an impressive average of 20.71. This achievement also elevated Ashwin's position on the all-time Test wicket list, where he now has 531 wickets in 104 matches, further solidifying his status as one of the leading spinners in the history of the game.

Urmila Chaudhary, a Nepali activist, was honoured with the Global Anti-Racism Championship Award 2024 by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. This recognition acknowledges her tireless efforts to promote human rights and racial equity, particularly for marginalized castes and ethnic communities in Nepal. Chaudhary's personal experience as a former child servant and her work with the Freed Kamlari Development Forum, empowering ex-bonded labourers, demonstrate her unwavering dedication to social justice. Currently pursuing law, Chaudhary continues to advocate for those in need.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati's Centre for Career Development (CCD) organized the Leadership Summit 2024, a significant event aimed at nurturing future leaders. The summit brought together delegates from prominent companies like Google, NetApp, and Reliance-BP. Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, highlighted the institute's commitment to enhancing skill development, entrepreneurship, and research. This initiative demonstrates IIT Guwahati's dedication to shaping young minds and preparing them for the challenges of the professional world. The summit provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and networking.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has retained India’s GDP growth rate at 7% for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. This projection highlights India's robust economic performance amidst global uncertainties. While the growth rate for the following fiscal year (2025-26) is expected to moderate to 6.5%, the current year’s projection reflects strong economic activity. In contrast, global growth is set at 3.2% for 2024, and the U.S. economy's growth rate was revised upward to 2.8%.

The Indian Army is hosting the 2nd Chanakya Defence Dialogue in New Delhi on October 24-25, 2024. The event's theme, "Drivers in Nation Building: Fuelling Growth Through Comprehensive Security," underscores the role of security in national development. High-profile speakers, including Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and General Upendra Dwivedi, will lead discussions on topics like geopolitics, economic growth, social cohesion, sustainability, and technological advancement. This dialogue provides a platform for examining security’s multifaceted impact on India’s growth and resilience.

Infosys has introduced two innovative small language models: Infosys Topaz BankingSLM and Infosys Topaz ITOpsSLM, designed to facilitate the adoption and scaling of AI technologies in enterprise settings. Developed on the NVIDIA AI Stack, these models are part of the broader Infosys Topaz offerings. They aim to provide a solid foundation for businesses to create specialized AI models tailored to their needs, enhancing efficiency and integration within banking and IT operations. This launch signifies Infosys's commitment to advancing AI solutions in industry-specific applications.

Zydus Lifesciences has obtained in-principle approval from the World Health Organization (WHO) for its Typhoid Vi conjugate vaccine, ZyVac TCV. This approval allows the vaccine to be eligible for procurement by the United Nations, marking a significant achievement for the company. Manufactured at Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, ZyVac TCV is designed to provide protection against Salmonella typhi for individuals aged 6 months to 65 years. This development highlights Zydus Lifesciences' commitment to addressing public health challenges through innovative vaccine solutions.

Zimbabwe's cricket team achieved a historic milestone by posting a record-breaking total of 344/4 in a T20 International, surpassing Nepal's previous record of 314/3. Sikandar Raza's unbeaten 133 off 43 balls, featuring 15 sixes, propelled Zimbabwe to this landmark in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B match against Gambia. This achievement showcases Zimbabwe's dominance in the T20 format and solidifies Raza's position as a formidable batsman, with the joint second-fastest T20I century. Zimbabwe's exceptional form in T20Is has catapulted them into the top ranks of international cricket.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) celebrates its Raising Day on October 24 annually to commemorate its founding in 1962, following the Sino-Indian War. This elite paramilitary force safeguards India's sovereignty, securing the India-China border in the Himalayas. With over 88,000 personnel, ITBP has evolved into a multi-dimensional force, handling border security, disaster relief, internal security, and international sporting events.

The 2024 Pravasi Parichay event was inaugurated by Ambassador Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan in Riyadh, highlighting India's rich linguistic heritage through a unique play, quiz, and painting exhibition ¹. This cultural celebration, launched in partnership with Indian diaspora associations, aims to promote India's diversity abroad. Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, hosted this significant event, demonstrating the country's efforts to engage with the Indian diaspora and foster cultural exchange. The event showcased performances in all 11 classical languages recognized by India, including Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.

World Polio Day is observed annually on October 24 to raise awareness about poliomyelitis, or polio, and to underscore global efforts to eradicate the disease. This day commemorates the efforts of Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed the first successful polio vaccine and marks the formation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988. The observance emphasizes the importance of continuous vaccination, global cooperation, and surveillance in eradicating polio. Significant progress has been made, with a 99% drop in polio cases worldwide since the launch of GPEI.