Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC - 9th October 2023

National News

1. India elected President of AIBD for the third consecutive time 

• India has been re-elected as the President of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) General Conference (GC) for the third consecutive term. This remarkable achievement, announced by Apoorva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is a historic moment in the history of AIBD. 
• The decision came to the fore at the 21st General Conference and Affiliated Meeting held in Port Louis, Mauritius from October 2 to 4 under the chairmanship of Prasar Bharti Chief Executive Officer Gaurav Dwivedi. Earlier, India had been the President for the years 2018-21 and 2021-23. 

AIBD 

• Established in 1977 under the auspices of UNESCO, the UNESCO is a unique regional inter- governmental organization headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There are currently 92 member organizations from 44 countries, including 26 government members (countries), represented by 48 broadcasting authorities and broadcasters, and 44 associates (organizations). 
• Of which 28 countries and territories from Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Africa, the Arab States and North America are represented. India is one of the founding members of AIBD and Prasar Bharati, the public service broadcaster of India is the representative body of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 

2. SC flags need for a dependable code of police investigation 

• The Supreme Court (SC), in a recent judgement, has highlighted the need for a "consistent and dependable code of investigation" to prevent lapses in police probes leading to the guilty getting acquitted on technical grounds. 
• "It is high time, perhaps, that a consistent and dependable code of investigation is devised with a mandatory and detailed procedure for the police to implement and abide by during the course of their investigation so that the guilty do not walk free on technicalities, as they do in most cases in our country," a three-judge Bench led by Justice B.R. Gaval observed in a judgement.
• The observations came in a judgment acquitting three persons accused in the kidnap and murder of a teenager in 2013 due to chinks found in the police investigation. Two of the men had been awarded the death penalty by the lower court, but the apex court set it aside. The three accused were instead given. 
• The observations came after the court acquitted 3 accused in a 2013 kidnap and murder case with the benefit of doubt. "The manner in which the police tailored their investigation, with complete indifference to the essential norms in proceeding against the accused and in gathering evidence; leaving important leads unchecked and glossing over other leads that did not suit the story that they had conceived; and, ultimately, in failing to present a cogent, conceivable and foolproof chain of events," the apex court noted. 
• The court took a page from the 2003 report by Justice V.S. Malimath Committee on Reforms of Criminal Justice System, which emphasised that the "successful prosecution of the guilty depends on a thorough and careful search for truth and collection of evidence which is both admissibility and probative". 

3. The 24th meeting of the Central Zonal Council was held under the chairmanship of Home Minister Amit Shah in Uttarakhand. 

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 24th Central Zonal Council meeting in Tehri, Uttarakhand on 7 October 2023. Sectoral matters including banking facilities in villages, formation of new agricultural credit societies, mining, Kisan Credit Card, Minimum Support Price and development of infrastructure in Naxal affected areas, connectivity, electricity and sharing of river water have been discussed in this council. 
• The Central Zonal Council is one of the five zonal forums established by the States Reorganization Act 1956 to promote cooperation among the states. Central Zonal Council includes Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 
• Chief Ministers of four states, state government officials and representatives of NITI Aayog attended the 24th meeting of the Council. The councils provide a forum to discuss social and economic development and to resolve disputes between the Center and the states and between states within a region. 
• Under the BJP-led central government, the number of meetings of Zonal councils has increased three times in the last eight years. Apart from this, the Union Home Minister has participated in the 49th All India Police Science Congress in Dehradun. 
• During this, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the time has come to uproot terrorism from the country. He said that to deal with terrorism, we will now have to work towards zero tolerance strategy and zero tolerance action. 

4. Students can choose to take Board exams once or twice a year

• Union Education Dharmendra Pradhan said on Sunday that students could choose to appear for the Class 10 and 12 Board examinations once or twice every year. Twin exams are being introduced as an option to reduce stress among students caused by the fear of having only opportunity, he said. 
• Under the New Curriculum Framework (NCF) announced by the Union Ministry of Education in August, Board examinations will be held at least twice a year to ensure that students have enough time and opportunity to perform well. They will get the option to retain the best score. 
• Asked how the move will make Board exams "low stakes" as proposed in the new National Education Policy (NEP), Mr. Pradhan said, "The students will have an option of appearing for the exams twice a year just as the engineering entrance exam JEE. They can choose the best score. But it will be completely optional, no compulsion." 
• "The students often get stressed thinking they would lose a year, their chance was gone or that they could have performed better. The stress caused by the fear of [only] single opportunity will be reduced," he said in an interview. If students feel their preparations are complete and are fully satisfied with the score in one set of exams, he or she can choose not to appear for the next exams, he said, adding that nothing will be made mandatory. Mr. Pradhan said the issue of "dummy schools" could not be ignored. NEET and JEE aspirants enrol themselves in schools in their home States and move to Kota for coaching. They do not attend school and directly appear for the exams. 

5. Prey base, habitat dictate Asiatic wild dog-tiger coexistence: study

• Overlapping prey availability or habitat suitability could dictate a positive association between dholes and tigers, facilitating coexistence or even cooperative behaviours between the two species of carnivores, a new study has found. 
• The dhole or Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus) is the only endangered wild pack-living canid in the tropical Indian forests and is considered at high risk of extinction. 
• The study through camera traps by Urjit Bhatt and Salvador Lyngdoh at Manas National Park in Assam also revealed that the diurnal activity of the dholes had the highest temporal overlap with leopards and the lowest with clouded leopards. 
• The two scientists are associated with the Department of Landscape Level Planning and Management at the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India. Their paper, titled "Do dholes segregate themselves from their sympatrids? Habitat use and carries. 
• The study revealed that the diurnal ad highest temporal overlap with leoparnivore co-existence in the tropical forest", was pu- blished in the latest issue of Mammalian Biology, a peer-reviewed international scientific journal edited by the German Society for Mammalian Biology. 
• Sympatric refers to animals, plant species, and populations within the same or overlapping geographical areas. 
• The scientists studied the dholes in three phases from April 2017 to May 2019 in the 500-sq.km Manas National Park. 
• Fragmented populations Operating in packs of five to 10 larger groups of more than 30 were observed in 2004 dholeswere once widespread across southern and eastern Asia. 
• Factors such as habitat loss, declining prey availability, persecution, disease, and interspecific competition have contributed to the ongoing fragmentation of its populations. 
• The global population of adult dholes, now classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, is estimated to be between 949 and 2,215. 
• "We aimed to assess the relative abundance index, habitat use and factors (space and time) influencing dhole coexistence with other sympatric carni-vores in Manas National Park," the study said. 
• The hypotheses included conflict with humans on the periphery of protected areas as the primary threat to dholes, higher habitat utilisation where small-medium prey species such as rodents, hares, and rhesus macaques are found, and a negative relationship between dhole habitat use the and other large carnivores. 
• "However, our study findings revealed a surprising positive relationship between dhole habitat use and tiger, rejecting the habitat exclusivity hypothesis. This unexpected result challenges the assumption of antagonistic interactions between these two species and suggests a more complex ecological dynamic," the study said. 
• "The positive associa- tion could be attributed to factors such as overlapping prey availability or habitat suitability, which may facil- itate coexistence or even cooperative behaviours between dholes and tigers," the study said, suggesting further research to unravel the mechanisms underlying this positive relationship. 

International News

6. Spanish private company launches Europe's first reusable rocket 'Miura 1' 

• In a milestone for Europe, Spanish startup company PLD Space successfully launched the European continent’s first private and reusable rocket ‘Miura 1’ on 7 October 2023. The rocket's flight lasted 306 seconds. 
• The Miura 1 rocket took off from the El Arenosillo military facility in Spain's southern province of Huelva and reached an altitude of 46 kilometers (28 mi). After reaching its peak, it turned back towards Earth and fell into the Atlantic Ocean. 
• The company said the successful test launch will pave the way for developing the Miura 5 orbital launch vehicle, which will fly in 2025. The Miura-1 rocket, named after the breed of fighting bull, has a capacity of 100 kg. 
• The first attempt to launch the Miura-1 rocket in May 2023 was abandoned due to high altitude winds. A second attempt in June failed. 
• Shortly after the launch, a triumphant Raul Torres, CEO of PLD Space, said all rocket systems were working "absolutely fine." Acting Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez said, "The launch of Miura 1, the first rocket with 100% Spanish technology, has been successful. 

7. UK launches world's most powerful laser 'Vulcan 20-20' project 

• Britain is working on the world's most powerful laser 'Vulcan 20-20' project. Recently £85 million of UKRI support has been provided to the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Central Laser Facility (CLF). 
• Currently, the most powerful laser in the CLF is the Vulcan laser, which has a wide range of uses, primarily in plasma physics. The upgraded Vulcan 20-20 laser will be 100 times more powerful than its predecessor. 
• The Vulcan 20-20 laser is so named because it will generate eight high energy beams with outputs of up to 20 kilojoules (kJ), as well as a main laser beam with an energy output of 20 petawatts (pW). This is a 20- fold increase in power, making it the most powerful laser in the world. 
• Vulcan 20-20 
• The program is expected to take six years to complete and will create a range of new jobs for scientists as well as designers, engineers and technicians at different stages of their careers. 
• The Vulcan 20-20 laser will help us better understand a variety of scientific fields, from astrophysical phenomena like supernovae and solar flares to the potential of laser fusion as a clean energy source. 3. Planned experiments include creating matter-antimatter pairs using strong electromagnetic fields, which are usually only found in space, and studying a new particle acceleration method for potential ion radiotherapy treatments to treat cancer.

8. World’s Second Largest Hindu Temple Outside India Inaugurated In US

• The Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey, was inaugurated on 8th October 2023, under the guidance of its spiritual head, Mahant Swami Maharaj. 
• Measuring an impressive 255ft x 345ft x 191ft, the New Jersey Akshardham temple is the second largest temple globally, only surpassed by Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.
• This temple represents the third Akshardham, meaning the ‘abode of the divine,’ constructed by the organization, following two others in New Delhi and Gujarat, where BAPS is headquartered. 

9. Biden Orders US Ships, Warplanes To Move Closer To Israel

• Amidst a recent attack by the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, President Joe Biden has promptly demonstrated solidarity with Israel. Given its role as a key arms provider to Israel, the United States is dispatching military reinforcements and aid to strengthen Israel’s defense capabilities. 
• The Pentagon’s move to send the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and accompanying warships to the eastern Mediterranean, strengthening fighter aircraft squadrons in the region to bolster Israel’s defense. 
• The rapid provision of additional equipment and resources, including munitions, to the Israel Defense Forces, reaffirms the United States’ unwavering support for Israel and its people. 

10. Israeli air strikes pound Gaza as death toll climbs 

• Israel battered Gaza on Sunday after suffering its bloodiest attack in decades, when Hamas fighters rampaged through Israeli towns killing 600 and abducting dozens more, as the spiralling violence threatened a major new war in West Asia. 
• Israeli air strikes hit housing blocks, tunnels, a mosque, and the homes of Hamas officials in Gaza, ust killing more than 370 people, including 20 children, The as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on "mighty vengeance for this black day". 
• In a sign the conflict could spread beyond blockaded Gaza, Israel exchanged artillery and rocket fire with the Lebanonbased Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. 
• In Alexandria, two Israeli tourists were shot dead along with their Egyptian guide. 
• In southern Israel, Ha- mas gunmen were still fighting Israeli security forces 24 hours after a surprise, multi-pronged assault of rocket barrages and bands of gunmen who attacked the Indian Embassy. overran Army bases and invaded border towns. 

11. Dozen, including infant, wounded in overnight attacks on south Ukraine 

• Russian shelling on residential areas of Kherson in south Ukraine overnight wounded almost a dozen people including a nine month-old baby, local authorities said on Sunday. 
• Ukraine took back the regional capital of Kherson in November 2022, but the southern city remains within reach of Russian fire.
• The aerial view of a destroyed cafe after a Russian rocket attack in the village of Hroza in Ukraine, on Sunday, another terrible night" as Russian forces "repeatedly shelled the city and settlements," regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. 
• "Eleven residents were injured. A 27-year-old wo man and her nine-month old daughter were hospitalised in moderate condition," he added. 
• Mr. Prokudin posted a video showing a residential building with windows and walls shattered over several floors. Among the wounded was a 33-year-old Red Cross medic who was hospitalised. 
• There were 59 attacks recorded over the Ukrainian-controlled part of the Kherson region, he said. 

State News

12. Bihar govt announces 10% reservation for EWS in judicial services

• Bihar government has announced 10 percent reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in the judicial services and state-run law colleges and universities. 
• The announcement came just a day after the government released the first set of data from state’s caste survey. 
• The cabinet approved amendments in the guidelines of the State Judicial Services, 1951, allowing 10 percent reservation for EWS category in judicial services and also in state-run law institutes and universities. 
• According to the data, Extremely Backward Communities (EBCs) account for 36.01% of the population, while Backward Classes comprise an additional 27.12%. 

About Bihar

• Capital – Patna
• Chief Minister – Nitish Kumar
• Governor – Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar 

13. Metro corridor launch takes a political turn 

• The inauguration of two metro stretches in Bengaluru, much awaited for some time now, has taken a political turn.
• The Karnataka government had written to the Union government seeking clearance to inaugurate the stretches on October 5. 
• In a surprise move, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) responded on Sunday, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the stretches to the nation formally in two weeks and directed officials to start passenger operations immediately. 
• This follows repeated demands by Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya to open these stretches for passengers. The much awaited Whitefield-Challaghatta metro corridor (Purple Line) is now set to open on Monday. 
• "We wish to inform the public regarding the opening of passenger services on the two sections between Krishnarajapuram to Baiyappanahalli, a distance of 2.10 km and the other beyond Kengeri to The Whitefield-Challaghatta metro corridor (Purple Line) is set to open on Monday. 
• Challaghatta a distance of 2.05 km with effect from 09 October," Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) said in a statement on Sunday.
• The ruling Congress had planned a big inaugural event, which will now be headlined by Mr. Modi. 
• In the run-up to the Lok Sabha election, both parties have been trying to take credit for infrastructure in the city. 
• "These two sections are vital from the perspective of commuters in Bengaluru... and should be opened for passenger service immediately on October 9, 2023, without any formal or informal official function, so that commuters can immediately benefit from the opening of these important sections," the letter from MOHUA stated. 

14. Kejriwal inaugurates debris recycling plant 

• Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejrwial on Sunday inaug- urated an upgraded con- struction and demolition waste recycling plant, which his government claimed is the largest such project in the country. 
• The plant at Jahangirpuri has the capacity to recycle 2,000 tonnes of debris every day.
• The CM said his government has plans to start another such plant in Okhla, and once it is operational, Delhi will be able to recycle and reuse all debris generated within the city. 
• Three plants are at Ranikhet era, Shastri Park and Bak karwala. These four plant collectively have the capacity to recycle 5,000 tonne of waste a day," Mr. Kejri wal said. "Delhi produces about 6,500 tonnes of debris daily. The construction and demolition waste recycling plant at Jahangirpuri is the fourth of its kind. The rest 
• "We have a plan to construct a new plant at Okhla with a recycling capacity of 1,000 tonnes," he added 

15. Video of tribal man's body being burnt surfaces in Manipur 

• In yet another horrific video emerging from Mani- pur, the body of a tribal man is seen being set on fire in a trench. A police official said the video appeared to be from early May and that they were investigating the case. 
• The seven-second video, marked as "Kuki", was shared on several WhatsApp groups on Sunday. It shows a man, in a black T- shirt and camouflage trousers, lying in a trench. The face looks bludgeoned and the body is on fire. It is not clear if the man was burnt alive. A representative of a Kuki-Zo outfit said they were trying to ascertain the identity of the person as during the violence, five or six people from the community were said to have been burnt alive. 
• The Manipur police said security forces came under fire from armed miscreants on Sunday, hours after they foiled an attack in the New Keithelmanbi area on Saturday night. 

16. Samyukt Kisan Morcha condemns charges against farmers' protests in NewsClick FIR 

• Condemning the first information report (FIR) registered by the Delhi Police against online news portal NewsClick and journalists associated with it, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Sunday said the charges in the FIR were the farmers! protests held to "dis- rupt supplies and services essential to the life of community in India" were false and mischievous. 
• The Morcha, in a state- ment, "categorically reject- ed" all allegations made in the FIR against the farmers' movement. It also announced nationwide prot- ests against the Union government for its renewed attack on the farmers' movement through the NewsClick FIR. 
• The FIR said that the 13 month-long farmers movement was to "abet damage and destruction of property, cause huge loss to the Indian economy and create internal law and order problems, through illegal foreign funding". 
• The Morcha said the protests against the "anti farmer and pro-corporate" laws and policies of the BJP government were peaceful. "No supply was disrupted by the farmers. No property was damaged by the farmers. No loss to the economy was caused by farmers. No law and order problem was created by the farmers. By violently stopping the farmers from exercising their democratic right of reaching the nation's capital, through barbed wire fencing, water cannons, lathi charge and digging up roads, it is the Union government that caused great inconvenience to the people of the nation and the farmers," the Morcha said. 
• It also cited the deaths of 735 farmers at various protest sites and the Lakhimpur Kheri incident where four farmers and 12% of the one journalist were murdered. 
• It alleged that it funds itself. A from China had been received by Prime Minister Sharm Narendra Modi in the PM need Cares Fund and Gautam Minis Adani in his business. "The Farmers' Movement succeeded, overcoming enormous hardship and with Mr. great sacrifice of the farmers. To belittle such sacrifice by alleging that the Vats movement was foreign min funded and acts of terrorism, betrays the arrogance, ignorance and antipeople mindset of the government," the Morcha said. 

Defence News

17. 91st Foundation Day celebrations of the Indian Air Force were organized in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. 

• The Indian Air Force has started its 91st anniversary celebrations on 8 October 2023 at Bamrauli Air Force Station in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The festival started with a parade and flypast. 
• The theme of this year's Air Force Day is - Indian Air Force - Global Airpower. Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhary took the salute of the parade. On this occasion, Army Chief General Anil Chauhan and General Officer in Command of Central Air Command Air Marshal R.G. Of. Kapoor was also present. 
• Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhary unveiled the new flag of the Air Force. For this, the old flag of the Air Force was taken down and respectfully handed over to the Air Force Chief. 
• Now this flag will be displayed in the Air Force Museum. The Air Force Chief also handed over citations to four units. These include 16 squadrons, 142 helicopter units, 901 signal units and 3 base repair depots.
• This year the Air Force participated in eight exercises with friendly countries. He said that the first batch of male and female Agniveers have been inducted into the Air Force.
• Later in the day, a mega air show has been organized at Triveni Sangam. The air show will feature a range of fighter aircraft including Sukhoi 30, MiG 29, Rafale, Jaguar and others. The Galaxy team also performs daring aerobatics. 91st foundation day 
• This year, the parade on Air Force Day was led, for the first time, by a woman officer i.e. Group Captain Shalija Dhami. For the first time, contingents of women military personnel including Agniveer Vayu women participated in the parade.
• The IAF was originally formed in 1932 as an auxiliary force to the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom, and its first operational squadron was established in 1933. The IAF has played a vital role in various major operations including Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus and Operation Poomalai. 

18. Army Concludes 70 Schemes Under EP-4 Worth 11000 Crore

• The Emergency Procurement Power (EP) was granted to India’s armed forces as an interim measure following the 2016 Uri attacks. This power allowed them to bypass the lengthy procurement process and quickly acquire essential equipment and technology.
• The EP was extended to all three branches of the military – the Army, Navy, and Air Force. In the case of the Army, it has been crucial in acquiring various equipment and technologies through approximately 140 schemes spread across four tranches (EP-I to IV). 
• EP was first introduced in 2016 after the Uri attack to expedite the procurement of necessary items, allowing services to sign contracts worth up to Rs 300 crore each independently. It was reintroduced in 2020 amid tensions along the India-China border, primarily to enhance security along the northern borders. 

19. 360 Degree Appraisal System Introduced In The Indian Navy 

• The Indian Navy, known for its commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, has embarked on a transformative initiative known as the ‘360 Degree Appraisal Mechanism.’ This initiative recognizes the invaluable contributions of both women and men in whites and aims to enhance their professional and personal development. 
• The ‘360 Degree Appraisal Mechanism’ involves a systematic survey process that includes input from a variety of sources, such as peers and subordinates, in addition to the traditional senior officer evaluations. 
• Incorporating the ‘360 Degree Appraisal Mechanism’ into its promotion process aligns with the Indian Navy’s broader mission of remaining a ‘Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive, and Future-Proof Force.’ 

20. Indian Air Force Unveils New Ensign On Its 91st Anniversary 

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated its 91st anniversary at the Bamrauli Air Force Station in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The occasion was marked by the unveiling of the new IAF ensign by Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari. 
• This significant event witnessed several historic firsts, including the inclusion of the Air Force crest and the first-ever woman officer to command the Air Force Day Parade. Group Captain Shaliza Dhami made history as the first woman officer to command the Air Force Day Parade. 
• One of the notable features of the celebration was the introduction of the new IAF ensign. The key change is the addition of the Air Force crest, which now graces the top right corner of the ensign, towards the fly side. This symbolic addition reinforces the IAF’s commitment to its identity and heritage. 

Economy News

21. GST Council Clears A Few Measures To Boost Foreign Trade 

• The 52nd GST Council meeting took place under the leadership of Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. The meeting covered various important decisions and recommendations related to changes in GST tax rates, trade facilitation measures, and compliance streamlining.
• The GST rates for food preparations made from millet flour have been adjusted. If sold loose, it will have a 0% GST rate, and if sold pre-packaged, it will have a 5% GST rate. Imitation zari threads made from metallized polyester or plastic film will be taxed at a 5% GST rate. 
• Foreign going vessels converting to coastal runs will be subject to 5% IGST. Conditional IGST exemption is recommended for these vessels, provided they reconvert to foreign going vessels within six months. The GST rate on molasses will be reduced from 28% to 5%. 

Schemes And committees News

22. Assam government started ‘Mukhyamantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana’ 

• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched ‘Mukhyamantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana’, an online medical bill reimbursement scheme for Assam government employees, pensioners and their dependents. 
• Under this initiative, medical bills will be reimbursed at rates at par with Central Government Health Schemes (CGHS) and will be credited directly into the accounts of claimant employees within the stipulated time frame. The scheme will gradually introduce cashless payment options. 
• Mukhyamantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana will be able to remove bureaucratic red tape to a great extent and will provide great relief to government employees. It will simplify the process of reimbursement of medical bills. 
• Chief Minister Sarma said, "One can get reimbursement of one's medical bills for treatment at any hospital of one's choice, this is a departure from the earlier norm whereby one had to go to only a government-empaneled hospital for successful payment of one's bills. 
• Paperwork is underway to make medical treatment benefits cashless in as many hospitals as possible under the scheme, he said, adding that the treatment for government employees Will be made cashless at medical colleges across the state and AIIMS in Changsari from April 1, 2024. 
• The Chief Minister said that the old system of medical reimbursement for employees wishing to be transferred to the Mukhyamantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana will continue. 

Banking and Financial

23. IDFC FIRST Bank and Outlook Group launched “Outlook Money 40After40” 

• Outlook Group has launched its highly anticipated retirement planning event “40After40″ in association with IDFC FIRST Bank. 
• The plan is to provide invaluable insights and expert guidance to individuals, helping them make informed decisions to secure a prosperous retirement. 
• It’s a one-stop shop for all conversations around timely retirement, panel discussions, chats, masterclasses, interactions with planners, product presentations, etc. 

About IDFC First Bank 

• Founded – October 2015
• Headquarters – Mumbai
• MD & CEO – V. Vaidyanathan 
• Executive Director – Madhivanan Balakrishnan 

24. YES Bank Becomes The First Lender To Offer ‘ONDC Network Gift Card’ 

• YES Bank, a prominent financial institution in India, has taken a significant leap forward in the digital commerce space by introducing the ONDC Network Gift Card. This move makes YES Bank the first bank in the country to issue such a card. In partnership with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), this initiative aims to transform the shopping experience for Indian consumers. 
• The ONDC Network Gift Card is at the forefront of democratizing digital commerce. Unlike traditional gift cards that restrict usage to a specific brand or store, this concept empowers customers to utilize the gift card for purchasing products from any brand and any seller across a wide array of segments. 
• The ONDC Network Gift Card leverages the Rupay network, which is a homegrown payment system in India. Customers can load amounts ranging up to Rs 10,000 onto the card. This adaptability makes it suitable for various shopping budgets, from small purchases to more substantial shopping sprees. 

25. RBI Doubles UCB Gold Loan Limit To ₹4 Lakh

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made an important announcement regarding gold loans offered by urban cooperative banks (UCBs). They have decided to double the lending limits for gold loans under a specific repayment scheme. 
• RBI has decided to increase the existing limit for gold loans under a scheme called “bullet repayment” from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh for urban cooperative banks. This change is applicable to UCBs that have met certain lending targets in the Priority Sector. 
• In a bullet repayment scheme, borrowers don’t need to worry about repaying the loan during its tenure. They only repay the interest and the principal amount at the end of the loan term. 

Important Days

26. 9 October – World Post Day 2023 

• World Post Day is celebrated every year on October 9. 
• The purpose of World Post Day is to bring awareness to the Post’s role in the everyday lives of people and businesses, as well as its contribution to global social and economic development. 
• Theme 2023 – Together for trust: Collaborating for a safe and connected future 
• The event was declared by the 1969 Universal Postal Congress in Tokyo as a means to mark the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) creation in 1874. 
• The Universal Postal Union (UPU) paved the way for efficient postal services and it became an agency of the United Nations in 1948. This day was first celebrated in Japan in 1969. 

27. India To Observe 10 Oct As Good Manufacturing Practice Day 

• The Indian government, in collaboration with the Indian Drugs Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA), is set to observe the first-ever National Current Good Manufacturing Practice Day (cGMP Day) on 10th October.
• This initiative aims to underscore the importance of adhering to cGMP guidelines in pharmaceutical manufacturing, with a focus on improving product quality and ensuring patient safety. 
• These guidelines serve as the backbone of pharmaceutical operations, providing essential standards to enhance product quality by regulating various aspects of the manufacturing process, including materials, methods, machinery, processes, personnel, facilities, and environmental conditions. 

28. Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Day 2023

• Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Day is an annual celebration held on October 9th. This special day honors the establishment of the Indian Foreign Service, a critical institution for India’s diplomatic, consular, and commercial representation worldwide. 
• The Day serves as a reminder of the invaluable contributions made by diplomats and foreign service officers in promoting India’s interests and fostering global cooperation. This day not only honors the past but also looks forward to a future where diplomacy continues to play a vital role in shaping India’s international relationships. 
• The roots of IFS Day trace back to a significant moment in Indian history. On October 9, 1946, the Indian government formally established the Indian Foreign Service. 

29. Indian Air Force Day 2023

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated its 91st Air Force day on 8 October 2023. This special day was displayed over the holy Sangam area of Prayagraj by the Indian Air Force flying its aircraft in the luv Kush, Sugreev and a Bharat formation along with others. 
• The celebration of Air Force day marks the participation of total number of 120 aircraft in the air display in Prayagraj. The celebration of Indian Air Force Day marks the establishment of the Indian Air Force was officially established on 8 October 1932 and the first AC flight came into being on 1 April 1933. 
• The Indian Air Force day 2023’s motto is “Nabham Sparsham Deeptham” which means touch the sky with glory. According to some data, the Indian Air Force employs over 1400 aircraft and 1,70,000 personnel. 

Award News

30. Nobel Prize 2023 In Economic Sciences Awarded To Claudia Goldin 

• The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2023 was awarded to Claudia Goldin “for having advanced our understanding of women’s labour market outcomes”. 
• This year’s Laureate in the Economic Sciences, Claudia Goldin, provided the first comprehensive account of women’s earnings and labour market participation through the centuries. Her research reveals the causes of change, as well as the main sources of the remaining gender gap.
• Claudia Goldin was born in 1946 in New York, NY, USA. She has done PhD from University of Chicago, IL, USA in 1972. She was Professor at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. 

Science and technology News

31. ISRO performs trajectory correction for Aditya-L1

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has sperformed 3 trajectory correction manoeuvres on the Aditya-L1 spacecraft which is headed to the Lagrangian-1 (LI) point between sun and earth. 
• The space organisation on Sunday said the manoeuvre was performed on October 6, and the spacecraft was in good condition. in good 
• "The spacecraft is healthy and on its way to Sun-Earth L1. A Trajectory Correction Manoeuvre (TCM), originally provisioned, was performed on October 6, 2023, for about 16 seconds," the ISRO said. 
• The space agency said the manoeuvre was performed to correct the trajectory evaluated after tracking the Trans-Lagrangian Point 1 Insertion (TLII) 
• Right path: On September 19, the ISRO carried out the Trans-Lagrangian Point 1 Insertion manoeuvre to send it to 11 manoeuvre performed on September 19, 
• "It was needed to correct the trajectory evaluated after tracking the TransLagrangian Point 1 Insertion (TLI) manoeuvre performed on September 19, 2023. TCM ensures that the spacecraft is on its intended path towards the Halo orbit insertion around L1," the space agency said.
• On September 19, the 15 RO carried out the TLII manoeuvre to send it towards LI. The TL manoeuvre marked the beginning of Aditya 12's 10-day yourse towards the point which lies between the suo-earth line 13 is about 15 million man from earth and the distance of La from earth is approximately 1% of the ben earth-sun distance 
• India's first solar doser victory mission, Aditya-1, was launched on September 2 by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota 
• The SRO said then as Aditya-Li continues to move ahead, the magnetometer payload will be turned on again within a few days. 
• The magnetometer payload is developed at the Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems, Bengaluru and is capable of measuring interplanetary magnes ic fields at the Li point. Aditya-Ll is expected to arrive at the L1 point by January. 

32. Tamil Nadu's Shore temple becomes India's first green energy archaeological site 

• Dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, the ShoreTemple in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu has achieved a significant milestone by becoming India's first green energy archaeological site. This 7th- century UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the oldest stone temples in South India.
• This impressive achievement has been made possible by the efforts of Renault Nissan Technology & Business Center India in collaboration with Hand in Hand India, which has successfully implemented the Green Heritage Project.
• As a result of the efforts of the Green Heritage Project, the Coast Temple in Tamil Nadu will now be illuminated using clean and sustainable solar energy. Three solar plants – each with a capacity of 10 kW – have been strategically placed to harness the abundant solar energy in the area.
• Another facility contributing to the project's mission is a solar-powered reverse osmosis plant, which provides clean drinking water to tourists. Additionally, keeping in mind the growth of electric vehicles (EVs), the project has taken steps to promote clean transportation. A dedicated parking shed with three charging units has been installed to facilitate recharging of EVs. 
• Furthermore, the Green Heritage Project aims to empower the local community by creating employment. Women from the local area have been employed to drive the electric buggies, which serve as a sustainable mode of transportation. 

Sports

33. Aman Sehrawat won bronze medal in men’s 57kg category 

• Aman Sehrawat secured a bronze medal for India in the men’s freestyle wrestling 57kg category at the Asian Games 2023.
• Sehrawat beat local favorite Liu Minghu by 11-0.
• Aman Sehrawat is the U-23 world champion. Aged 16, he became the first Indian wrestler to win a gold medal at the U-23 World Wrestling Championships in Pontevedra, Spain, last year. 
• He also won a silver medal at the U-20 World Wrestling Championships. 
• A year later, Aman has an Asian Games bronze medal to his name now. Aman started his Asian Games 2023 journey with a 6-1 win over Korean wrestler Kim Sung-gwon in the Round of 16. He then knocked out Iran’s Ebrahim Khari in the quarterfinals with a 19-8 victory. 

34. Prannoy wins bronze in men’s singles badminton 

• India’s H.S. Prannoy clinched bronze after going down against China’s Li Shifeng in the badminton men’s singles semifinal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
• After going into the first game break trailing 10-11, World No.1 Shifeng cruised through the contest as he won 21-16. 21-9 in just over 45 minutes.
• This is India’s third medal in the sport in the 19th edition of the Asiad. Syed Modi previously finished third in the 1982 edition of the Asian Games. 

35. India won Asian Games cricket gold without having to bat 

• India was crowned Asian Games men’s cricket champions without needing to bat in an anti-climactic finish. 
• India was declared winners of the final under an Asian Games-specific rule where the higher-ranked team takes the honours if the match cannot be finished, in this case due to rain. 
• Afghanistan made 112-5 under the floodlights in Hangzhou before the wet weather arrived after 18.2 overs.
• Despite the damp ending, it completed a golden double for India after they beat Sri Lanka by 19 runs to be crowned women’s champions last week.
• Twenty20 cricket has been played at the Asian Games twice before, at Guangzhou 2010 and Incheon 2014, with Bangladesh and then Sri Lanka crowned men’s winners. 
• Afghanistan was runners-up both times, but India did not take part.

36. Satwiksairaj-Chirag duo win India’s first-ever gold medal in badminton 

• The Indian men’s doubles badminton duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty made history by securing India’s first-ever gold medal in badminton at the Asian Games. 
• The dynamic pair emerged victorious after defeating the formidable Korean duo with a scoreline of 21-18, 21-16 in a breathtaking final match. 
• With this victory, the dazzling duo of Satwik and Chirag brought India’s first medal in men’s doubles in 41 years since Leroy D’sa and Pradeep Gandhe won a bronze in the 1982 edition. 
• The two became the first Indians to win the Asian Championships in 58 years in March this year, extended their sensational run with a 21-18, 21-16 win over Choi and Kim, ranked 15th, to achieve their crowning glory.
• India had won a silver and bronze in the 2018 edition at Jakarta, while bagging five bronze at the 1982 edition. 

37. David Warner Becomes Fastest To 1000 ODI World Cup Runs

• 
  Australia opener David Warner became the fastest batter to complete 1000 runs in the ODI World Cup during his match against India in Chennai. 
• Warner reached the milestone in 19 innings to break Sachin Tendulkar and AB de Villiers’ joint record of 20 innings. Warner completed the feat by averaging 62 with three half-centuries and four tons since first being a part of the tournament back in 2011. 
• Warner
  has struck three fifties and four hundred in World Cups so far. India captain Rohit Sharma is also in contention to get to the top of the list. Warner has won the Player of the Match award four times in the ODI World Cup, with the highest score of 178 against Afghanistan at home. 

38. Kenyan Kiptum Breaks Marathon World Record

• Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum left the running world in awe as he shattered the men’s world record, clocking a time of just two hours and 35 seconds, to claim victory at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday. He broke the previous record set by Eliud Kipchoge in the 2022 Berlin Marathon. 
• Kelvin Kiptum’s journey to the pinnacle of marathon running has been nothing short of extraordinary. The young Kenyan had previously secured victories in his first two marathon appearances, first triumphing in Valencia and then repeating his success in the London Marathon. However, Kiptum’s record-breaking performance in Chicago surpassed all expectations. 
• Kiptum’s victory marked the third time a men’s world record had been established on the streets of Chicago, but it was the first time since Morocco’s Khalid Khannouchi achieved the feat in 1999. The Kenyan runner’s triumph sent shockwaves throughout the running community, igniting excitement and anticipation for future races. 

39. Closing Ceremony Marks The End Of The 19th Asian Games In Hangzhou

• The 19th Asian Games 2023 concluded with a spectacular closing ceremony held at the Hangzhou Olympics Stadium in China. The event celebrated the love and unity between the participating countries, showcasing the cultural diversity and sporting excellence of the Asian nations.
• Renowned hockey player P. R. Sreejesh had the honor of being India’s flag bearer during the closing ceremony, representing his country with pride on the international stage.
• The official handover of the Asian Games flag, the current flag, and the torch marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Asian Games. Raja Randhir Singh, the interim president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), handed over these symbols to the Japanese delegation, signifying Nagoya, Japan, as the host city for the 20th Asian Games in 2026. 

40. In the 19th Asian Games, the Indian contingent won a total of 107 medals, including 28 gold. 

• Indian athletes won a total of 12 medals including 6 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals on the 14th day of the Games. The country got maximum 29 medals in athletics. After this, he won 22 medals in shooting and 9 medals in archery. 
• On the last day, in men's cricket, India won the gold medal for the first time by defeating Afghanistan. India won the gold medal by defeating Iran in the men's Kabaddi final. 
• India also won the gold medal in women's Kabaddi by defeating Chinese Taipei. In the final, India defeated Chinese Taipei by 26 points against 25 points in a thrilling match and won the 100th medal for the country. 
• In badminton men's doubles, the pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have won the gold medal.
• In archery, Jyoti Surekha Vennam created an Asian Games record and won the gold medal by defeating So Chaewon of South Korea by 149-145 in the women's compound final.
• In chess, India has won silver medals in women's and men's team competition. In women's hockey, India defeated Japan and won the bronze medal. 

19th Asian Games 

• A 655-member Indian contingent competed at the 19th Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China from September 23 to October 8. India ended its Asian Games 2023 campaign with a record haul of 107 medals – 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze. 
• The Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China has concluded today. Hockey team goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh is the flag bearer for India at the closing ceremony. 
• China won a total of 383 medals including 201 gold, Japan won a total of 189 medals including 52 gold and South Korea won a total of 190 including 42 gold. 

Major Gold Medal 

• Shooting Men's 10m Air Rifle Team 
• Team India Cricket Women's T20 Cricket 
• Equestrian Team Dressage, Shooting Men's Trap Team 
• Shooting Women's 25m Pistol Team 
• Sift Kaur Samra Shooting Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions
• Shooting Men's 10m Air Pistol Team 
• Shooting Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team 
• Palak Gulia Shooting Women's 10m Air Pistol
• Tennis Mixed Doubles, Squash Men's Team 
• Avinash Sable Athletics Men's 3000m Steeplechase 
• Tajinderpal Singh Toor Athletics Men's Shotput 
• Parul Chaudhary Athletics Women 5000m 
• Annu Rani Athletics in Women's Javelin Throw 
• Team India Archery Mixed Team Compound 
• Neeraj Chopra Athletics Men's Javelin Throw 
• Athletics men's 4x400 meters relay 
• Archery Women's Compound Team, Archery Men's Compound Team 
• Squash Mixed Doubles, Hockey Men's Team Gold 
• Jyoti Surekha Vennam Archery Women's Compound Individual
• Ojas Praveen Devtale Archery Men Compound Individual 
• Women's Kabaddi Team, 
• Men's Kabaddi Team 
• Badminton Men's Doubles, Cricket Men's Team 

Indian Polity

41. Muslim community is with us, says SP on Masood joining Cong 

• The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Sunday played down the return of Imran Masood, former MLA and influential Muslim face from Western Uttar Pradesh, to the Congress, adding the Muslim community was entirely with the SP and there was a wave in support of party president Akhilesh Yadav in the community. It said many leaders from other parties were joining the SP also as it is a natural process before polls. 
• "It is an internal matter of the Congress party, they are free to induct anyone. As far as the Muslim community is concerned, it is with the SP in huge numbers and likes the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav," said Rajeev Rai, the SP national spokesperson Asked if induction of new leaders complicates seat sharing in the India National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc of which both the SP and Congress are a part, the SP dismissed it. "It will have no impact on any seat-sharing negotiation," said Sunil Singh Yadav 'Sajan', a senior SP leader. 
• Mr. Masood, who won the 2007 Assembly polls from the Muzaffarabad seat as an Independent candidate but lost the last
• Imran Masood four elections, is still considered an influential face among the Muslim voters in west Uttar Pradesh's three Lok Sabha seats: Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar and Kairana. His rejoining the Congress is seen as an attempt by the party to make inroads into the community. 
• The BJP dubbed Mr. Masood a stockist of 'hate' in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's narrative of 'love' and harmony (Mohabbat Ki Dukaan), hinting at the alleged controversial statement made by the former MLA against the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, while contesting the 2014 Lok Sabha from Saharanpur. "We are seeing how jubilant the Congress is after Imran Masood's joining. He is a stockist of hate in the Mohabat Ki Dukaan of Congress and Rahul Gandhi," said Rakesh Tripathi, U.P. BJP spokesperson.

42. RLD demands HC Bench for western U.P. in Meerut 

• The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), a party with its base in western Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday took a stand on the issue of separate 'Statehood' for the region by demanding a High Court Bench in Meerut. The party said BJP leader and Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan's statement on Statehood was caused by frustration and anxiety as the ruling party is losing ground in the politically crucial region. 
• "Who stopped the BJP and its leader who is demanding legislation for a separate State in Parliament. We (RLD) demand a High Court Bench in Meerut as Prayagraj is more than 700 km away," said Trilok Tyagi, RLD national general secretary. 
• The RLD leader added that the party did not want to react to the 'Statehood' demand by Mr. Balyan. "Such statements are the result of frustration and anxiety as the BJP is losing ground in western U.P.,"he added. 
• Mr. Balyan recently at the International Jat Parliament in Meerut said that western U.P. should become a separate State and Meerut should become its capital, leading to an uproar with his own party disagreeing. 

43. BJP leaders voice support for Israel; Cong., Left call for peace 

• As the war-like situation in Palestine Israel war and Israel signed on Sunday, the ruling BJP and Opposition parties here took positions on the matter. While the BJP compared the situation in Israel to the terrorist attacks India had faced during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, the Congress and the Left par- ties urged both sides to stop violence and work for a solution to the Palestinian question.
• Several BJP leaders, through their social media handles, pledged support to Israel. The BJP, in an official video post on X, drew parallels between several attacks on India in the past. "What Israel is facing today, India suffered between 2004-14. Never forgive, never forget...," the party said. 
• Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City. Palestinian health officials reported scores of deaths from airstrikes. 
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that he was deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel.
• "Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel.
• "Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour," said Mr. Modi.
• The Congress said it condemns the "brutal attacks on the people of Israel. The party said it has always believed that the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a life of self-respect, equality, and dignity must be fulfilled only through a process of dialogue and negotiations while ensuring the legitimate national security interests of the Israeli people.
• "Violence of any type year. never provides a solution and must stop, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said.
• The Palestinians, withdrawal of all Israeli illegal set- tlements and occupation of Palestinian lands and Implement the Two Nation State' solution," said Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury. He added in another post on X that "Israeli aggression" unleashed by the most right wing Netanyahu government against the Palesti nians has claimed the lives of 248 people, including 40 children, so far this 
• The CPI expressed its serious concern on the escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict blowing into "a bloody war" resulting in hundreds of deaths on both sides. shocked by the news of tet terrorist attacks in Israel. 
• "Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity 
• The Left parties too condemned the attacks and counter-attacks. "The United Nations must enforce a stop to this. UN must ensure the legitimate rights of  "We urge both the sides to exercise restraint to avoid further loss of precious lives," said CPI general secretary D. Raja. 

44. CBI raids houses of Bengal Minister, TMC legislator in recruitment scam case

• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBD) on Sunday conducted searches at 12 locations, including at the residences of senior Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim and fellow party MLA Madan Mitra, in connection with the investigation into irregularities in the recruitment made by municipalities in the State. 
• Searches were conducted at the residence of Mr. Hakim in Kolkata's Chetla area; Mitra's residence in Bhawanipore and Kamarhati. Searches were also held in other municipalities around Kolkata such as Kanchrapara, Barrackpore, Halisahar, Dum- dum, North Dum Dum, Krishnanagar, and Taki. 
• The agency officials also questioned Mr. Hakim and Mr. Mitra about the recruitment scam that came to light during investigation into the school job scam when the Enforcement DIrectorate (ED) recovered documents relating to re- cruitment in municipalities from the premises of an accused, Ayan Sil.
• The Calcutta High Court in April 2023 had directed the CBI to probe the irregularities in the recruitment by municipalities. Both the ED and the CBI are looking at the irregularities in the recruitments made by the civic bodies. The State government had challenged the High Court order for a CBI probe but the Supreme Court in August 2023 dis- missed the petition.
• On October 5, the ED had searched multiple locations, including the residence of Food and Supplies Minister Rathin Ghosh, in connection with the recruitment case. 
• The raids come at a time when summons have been issued to Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in the school jobs scam. Mr. Banerjee has been summoned by the ED to appear before it on October 9. The TMC leader has over the past four days staging a sit-in outside the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata for the denial of MGNREGS wages to workers. 
• Speaking to reporters after the CBI officials left his resi- dence, Mr. Hakim said the raids were an attempt by HUA) resp the BJP government to tarnish his image. The Trinamool leader, who is also Mayor of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, said he has no role in recruitments in the civic bodies. Mr. Mimmedia tra said several people approach MLAS for jobs but demand he has not been involved in South M any irregularities. 
• The TMC said it was a desperate attempt to divert attention from its stir outside Raj Bhavan over demands for Central funds. "The BJP appears to be sensing a growing public discontent, and are using every means at its disposal to change the narrative. This is a clear example of vendetta politics," senior TMC MP Sougata Roy said. 

Agreements News

45. India And Saudi Arabia Tie Up For Green Hydrogen 

• India and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on securing a green hydrogensupply chain and collaborating on power grid interconnection.
• This significant agreement was formalized in Riyadh during the MENA Climate Week 2023, with Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, RK Singh, representing India and Saudi Minister of Energy, Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, representing Saudi Arabia .
• To fully realize the potential of energy sector cooperation, both countries have agreed to conduct Business-to-Business (B2B) Business Summits and regular interactions. These initiatives will help establish comprehensive supply and value chains in various areas of energy collaboration. 

46. Indian Navy & SBI Join Hands To Launch Nav-ECash’ Card 

• To support the Indian government’s Digital India initiative, the State Bank of India (SBI) introduced a new card called NAV-eCash on the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya. The launch took place on October 1, 2021, at Karwar. 
• The NAV-eCash card is a significant step toward digital payments. It utilizes dual chip card technology, allowing payments both offline and online. This means it works even without real-time internet connectivity. 
• In online mode, NAV-eCash functions like a regular debit or prepaid card, offering all standard features. It serves as an innovative solution for cashless transactions, particularly in areas lacking consistent internet access, such as warships at sea, offshore oil platforms, and remote regions 

Obituaries News 

47. British Filmmaker Terence Davies Dies At 77 

• British filmmaker Terence Davies, known for his thought-provoking and introspective films, has sadly passed away at the age of 77 at home after a short illness. He is recognized for his internationally acclaimed films, including ‘Distant Voices, Still Lives’ and ‘The Long Day Closes’. 
• Terence Davies was celebrated for his unique approach to cinema, which often delved into themes such as LGBT life, Catholicism, and other common aspects of human existence. His films were characterized by their sympathetic portrayals and philosophical depth, earning him a special place in the hearts of cinephiles worldwide. 
• Davies’ talent and unique storytelling style quickly gained recognition in the film industry. His first two films, ‘Distant Voices, Still Lives‘ (1998) and ‘The Long Day Closes‘ (1992), dealt with themes drawn from his personal life and received critical acclaim, earning spots on lists of the best British films.