Current Affairs - October 30, 2024 Current Affairs

The Civil Registration System (CRS) mobile app, launched by Home Minister Amit Shah, aims to simplify birth and death registration, providing access to local languages and digital certificates. Effective from October 1, 2023, these digital certificates facilitate access to essential services like education, employment, and marriage. Moreover, the centralized database will aid in updating vital records, including the National Population Register, ration cards, property registration, and electoral rolls, ensuring efficient and streamlined registration processes.

Nepal has introduced a program to offer free cancer treatment for children under 14, available at Kanti Children Hospital, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, and BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital. Initiated by Health Minister Pradip Paudel, this program seeks to alleviate the financial challenges faced by families of young cancer patients. Cancer accounts for 11% of deaths from non-communicable diseases in Nepal, with approximately 1,500 children diagnosed annually, highlighting the importance of accessible healthcare for vulnerable populations.

Lahore, located in Pakistan's Punjab province, was recently recorded as the most polluted city globally, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 708. Its PM2.5 levels reached 431 µg/m³, which is 86 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended annual limit. Factors contributing to this severe pollution include vehicle emissions, ageing industrial infrastructure, and insufficient environmental regulations. This alarming pollution level poses significant health risks to residents, emphasizing the urgent need for effective environmental policies and practices in the region.

The "Sanjeevani" heli ambulance service, launched by the Prime Minister and operated by AIIMS Rishikesh, is India’s first aerial ambulance aimed at enhancing emergency medical response. Inaugurated on Dhanvantari Jayanti, it enables rapid access to medical care for people in Uttarakhand's remote areas, significantly improving survival rates in critical situations like heart attacks and accidents. This initiative represents a vital step in extending lifesaving support to regions with limited ground-based healthcare facilities, reflecting the government’s focus on accessible healthcare innovations.

The Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative has had a profound impact on India's defence sector, leading to substantial growth and reforms. Defence production has seen a remarkable 174% increase from ₹46 thousand crore in 2014-15 to over ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24. Additionally, defence exports have skyrocketed from ₹686 crore in 2013-14 to over ₹21 thousand crore in 2023-24. The development of key platforms such as the Dhanush Gun System, ATAGS, Tank Arjun, Tejas, and submarines further underscores the sector's transformation. This growth demonstrates the initiative's success in boosting India's self-reliance in defence.

DBS Bank India has been named one of the Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI) 2024 for an impressive ninth consecutive year. This recognition, conferred by Avtar and Seramount, places DBS Bank in the esteemed "Best Companies - Hall of Fame." The bank's commitment to gender diversity and inclusion is evident in its goal to increase female representation in its workforce from 31% to 35% over the next three years. DBS Bank's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council and DEI Champions drive this initiative, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Renowned director Francis Ford Coppola, celebrated for his influential films like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, has been chosen as the recipient of the 2025 AFI Life Achievement Award. This honour recognizes his significant contributions to American cinema and his lasting impact on filmmaking. The award ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre, will support AFI's educational programs and will be broadcast on TNT and Turner Classic Movies, allowing fans and aspiring filmmakers to celebrate Coppola’s achievements and his influence on cinematic history.

Indian Railways has entered a partnership with Switzerland's Department of the Environment, Transport, and Communications (DETEC) to improve infrastructure modernization through technical cooperation. This MoU focuses on sharing technology, enhancing track maintenance, and upgrading overall infrastructure. The collaboration is set to increase operational efficiency, safety, and service quality within Indian Railways, reflecting a commitment to modernize and bring global standards to India’s railway network, benefiting both passengers and freight services.

Ashok Chandra has been selected by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) to succeed Atul Kumar Goel as the MD and CEO of Punjab National Bank upon his retirement on December 31, 2024. Chandra brings extensive experience, having started his banking career in 1991 as a probationary officer at Corporation Bank and currently serving as Executive Director at Canara Bank since November 2022. His appointment underscores his expertise and leadership in the banking sector.

Indian researchers from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) have made a significant discovery with the exoplanet TOI-6651b, which is Saturn-sized and has a mass 60 times that of Earth, with a radius five times larger. This exoplanet orbits a Sun-like star in a cycle of 5.06 days and is located at the edge of the "Neptunian desert," an area known for having few planets of similar mass. This discovery provides valuable insights into planetary formation processes and expands our understanding of the diversity of exoplanets in the universe.

World Stroke Day is observed annually on October 29 to raise awareness about stroke prevention, treatment, and its impact on individuals and communities. This global observance is crucial as stroke remains a leading cause of death and the third primary cause of disability worldwide, affecting approximately 1.8 million people each year. In India, the National Institutes and Composite Regional Centres under the DEPwD organize nationwide awareness programs on this day to educate the public about stroke risk factors, symptoms, and the importance of timely medical intervention.

India and Spain have recently reinforced their bilateral relations by signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) focusing on collaboration in infrastructure, railways, and customs. This partnership includes designating 2026 as the "India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI" and initiating a cultural exchange program for 2024-28. To further strengthen diplomatic ties, Spain announced plans to open a new consulate in Bengaluru. These initiatives are part of ongoing efforts to deepen India-Spain relations across multiple sectors, showcasing mutual interests in cultural and technological exchanges.