US President Joe Biden has honoured two Indian-American scientists -- Ashok Gadgil and Subra Suresh -- with the country's highest scientific awards for their contribution to the field of science and technology.

• Biden presented the prestigious White House National Medal for Technology and Innovation to Gadgil, a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley, for providing life-sustaining resources to communities around the world.
•  Gadgil was one of 12 recipients of the White House National Medal for Technology and Innovation. Gadgil has developed low--cost solutions to some of the developing world's most intractable problems, including safe drinking water technologies, energy-efficient stoves, and ways to make efficient electric lighting affordable.
• Suresh, a professor at large at Brown University's School of Engineering, was awarded the National Medal of Science for pioneering research across engineering, physical sciences and life sciences, and particularly for advancing the study of material science and its application to other disciplines.
• The award, bestowed on leading US innovators, recognises those who have made lasting contributions to America's competitiveness and quality of life and helped strengthen the nation's technological workforce.
   

Heman Bekele, a 14-year-old ninth grader from Annandale, Virginia, has achieved an incredible feat by winning the esteemed “America’s Top Young Scientist” award. Presented by 3M and Discovery Education, this award is considered one of the nation’s premier middle school science competitions.

• Heman spent the past four months competing against nine other finalists to be named "America's Top Young Scientist." The competition was created to help student between the fifth and eighth grades create an innovative idea that to change their world.
• In addition to the prestigious title, young scientists who win the award get a $25,000 cash prize.
• Heman won this year's grand prize at 3M's headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Oct. 9 and 10, according to a news release announcing the award.

Chief Justice Of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud was felicitated with the "Award for Global Leadership" by the Harvard Law School.

• The Chief Justice was announced as the recipient of the award in January this year in an online ceremony.
• The CJI, who was present at the Harvard Law School with David Wilkins, Professor at Harvard Law School and Faculty Director, spoke about the initiatives taken by the Supreme Court during his first year of tenure, which included the use of technology in court processes, the launch of handbook on combating gender stereotypes and others.
• He also emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary studies, adding that issues of medical science or technology are connected to the workings of law.

The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare is all set to host the Anubhav Awards 2023 Ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on October 23, 2023.

• This annual event aims to recognize and celebrate the exceptional write-ups and contributions of retired government employees who have shared their valuable experiences and insights.
• The Anubhav Portal, launched in March 2015, was initiated at the behest of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to create an online platform for retiring and retired employees.
• It allows them to submit and showcase their commendable work, share their experiences of serving in the government, and provide valuable suggestions for the betterment of governance. 
• “Since its inception, the Anubhav Portal has witnessed enthusiastic participation, with 96 Ministries, Departments, and Organizations registering and more than 10,000 write-ups published. These write-ups are a treasure trove of knowledge, offering unique perspectives and insights from individuals who have spent their careers in public service”.

• Kotak Mahindra Bank, said that it partnered with National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL) to issue its first electronic Bank Guarantee (e-BG) on the latter’s platform.
• The tie-up enables the digitisation of Trade, thus helping eliminate paper-based issuance of Bank Guarantees.
• The digitisation includes issuance, amendment, closure, digital stamping and signing, significantly reducing the Guarantee turnaround time (TAT) to a few hours compared to 2-3 working days for the paper-based process. The e-BG also mitigates the authentication risks.        

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi visited Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot. He performed pooja and darshan at Kanch Mandir.

• He received the blessings of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya of the Tulsi Peeth and attended a public function, where he released three books - ‘Ashtadhyayi Bhashya’, ‘Ramanandacharya Charitam’ and ‘Bhagwan Shri Krishna ki Rashtraleela’.
• Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for performing puja and darshan of Shri Ram in multiple shrines and being blessed by saints, especially Jagadguru Rambhadracharya.
• He also mentioned releasing the three books namely ‘Ashtadhyayi Bhashya’, ‘Ramanandacharya Charitam’ and ‘Bhagwan Shri Krishna ki Rashtraleela’ and said that it will further strengthen the knowledge traditions of India. “I consider these books as a form of Jagadguru’s blessings”, he emphasized.

A veteran journalist Ashok Tandon's book 'The Reverse Swing Colonialism to Cooperation' was launched on Wednesday at Gandhi Smriti here, in presence of Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri.

• The book sheds light on New India's (Naya Bharat) march to glory leaving behind the unfortunate and painful memories of the foreign subjugation spanning several centuries.
• Speaking on the occasion, Hardeep Singh Puri said, "The book covers several centuries of India-UK relationship, India's colonial past, her confident resurgence and the current journey through the Amrit Kaal."
• The Union minister also got nostalgic while recalling his association with Tandon.

India and the European Union carried out their first joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guineathis week, reflecting growing maritime security cooperation between the two sides.

• The exercise took place, around three weeks after the EU-India Maritime Security Dialogue in Brussels deliberated on ways to expand cooperation in the maritime sphere. 
• The defence ministry said the exercise reflected the breadth and dynamism of EU-India cooperation on maritime security, and signalled the common determination to uphold the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• It said the drills were aimed reinforcing naval maritime security cooperation in support of the region.
• During the exercise, Indian Navy’s INS Sumedha, an offshore patrol vessel, was joined by ships from three EU member states.

The 6th Indian Coast Guard Subordinate Officers’ Conclave was held in New Delhi. Defence Ministry said, during the two day conclave various MoUs towards enhancing welfare measures for the personnel of Coast Guard were signed. 

• The deliberations during the conclave focused on the future inductions in Indian Coast Guard, based on the principles of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• The Ministry said, Indian Coast Guard has not only been working towards empowering and broadening the horizon of Subordinate Officers but has also been providing them a platform to express their innovative ideas.
• The theme of the conclave was Towards an Inclusive Approach. It comprised various brainstorming sessions and lectures on a variety of subjects including IT, health, HR, leadership and media sensitisation. 

A state-of-the-art wind tunnel, a first-of-its-kind in the Indian Army, that offers a controlled environment to enable military trainees to enhance their skills by simulating real-life free fall conditions, has been inaugurated at a training school in Himachal Pradesh.

• Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande virtually inaugurated "Indian Army's first Vertical Wind Tunnel (VWT)", the defence ministry said in a statement.
• The wind tunnel at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) at Bakloh is set to refine the Combat Free Fall (CFF) skills of armed forces personnel, officials said. 
• The VWT’s integration into the CFF training curriculum at SFTS brings forth numerous pay-offs. The system simulates varied free fall scenarios which is crucial in assessing individual reactions to numerous situations in an airborne operating environment, the ministry said.
• It reduces potential instability in the air and during parachute deployment thereby assisting trainees to get used to free-fall conditions. The VWT is not only beneficial for beginners but also an exceptional resource for delivering advanced training to seasoned free-fallers and CFF instructors, it said.

A joint bilateral training exercise of Indian and Malaysian Armies has commenced in Meghalya's Umroi Cantonment to enhance military capability for conduct of multi-domain operations in a sub-conventional scenario.

The 'Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023', began on 23 October 2023  and will continue till November 5 with the Malaysian contingent comprising troops from the 5th Royal Battalion of the Malaysian Army and the Indian contingent represented by a Battalion of the Rajput Regiment, a defence release said on Tuesday.

• The previous edition of the exercise was conducted in Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia in November 2022.
• The exercise will engage approximately 120 personnel from both sides with both contingents establishing a joint command post and an integrated surveillance grid along with a Joint Surveillance Centre.
• Both sides will rehearse the employment of joint forces in jungle, semi-urban, urban environments.
• In addition, intelligence collection, collation and dissemination drills will also be rehearsed.
• The exercise will also witness the employment of drones/UAVs and helicopters.

India has initiated a unique endeavor called ‘Project Udbhav,’ aimed at blending ancient strategic wisdom with contemporary military practices.

• The project, launched by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, seeks to create an indigenous strategic vocabulary rooted in India’s philosophy and culture to address modern security challenges effectively. Project Udbhav is a collaborative effort between the Indian Army and the United Service Institution of India (USI), a defense services think tank.
• Project Udbhav’s primary goal is to integrate ancient wisdom with modern military pedagogy through interdisciplinary research, workshops, and leadership seminars.
• It seeks to explore previously under-explored thoughts and theories related to strategic thinking, statecraft, and warfare. By doing so, it aims to enrich military training curricula and foster a deeper understanding of India’s strategic culture.

Understanding Ancient Military Systems and Strategic Culture

The project aims to educate junior military leaders, senior military commanders, and academia about the theories, concepts, and teachings available in classical texts, such as Chanakya’s Arthashastra, Nitisara by Kamandaki, and the Mahabharata. It seeks to delve into India’s 5,000-year-old civilizational legacy and its vast collection of intellectual texts, thinkers, and schools of thought.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the tallest national flag in the country, a 418-feet flag at Attari in Punjab's Amritsar district on October 19.

• Gadkari was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Amritsar MP Gurjit Singh Aujla and senior Border Security Force officials at the event.
• Gadkari revealed that a surveillance system had been installed atop the flag to aid BSF troops in monitoring border activities. 
• During his visit to Punjab to assess the progress of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway and the Amritsar bypass, Gadkari also made a stop at the Golden Temple to offer prayers. 
• In the evening, Gadkari joined Mann in watching the retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border. This ceremony involves the simultaneous lowering of the national flags of India and Pakistan just before sunset.

The Udhampur Military Station has earned a remarkable honor by being recognized as the ‘Best Green Military Station’. This prestigious recognition was conferred by the Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, during the Army Commanders’ Conference held in New Delhi.

• The recognition bestowed upon the Udhampur Military Station with the ‘Best Green Military Station’ Award is not only an acknowledgment of their environmental efforts but also shows the Indian Army’s commitment to strive for excellence.
• The awards ceremony also acknowledged the Dehradun Military Station, which secured the title of the “Second Best,” and the Bikaner Military Station, honored as the “Best Transformative Station.” 
• Moreover, General Manoj Pande presented the ‘COAS Flight Safety Trophy’ for the year 2022-23 to the ‘671 Army Aviation Squadron (R&O)’ in recognition of their indomitable commitment to maintaining the highest standards of flight safety and proficiency.
• This award highlights the paramount importance of safety and proficiency within the Army Aviation Corps.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a project that aims to promote indigenous discourse in the Army by integrating India’s ancient strategic acumen into contemporary military domain with a focus on making the force “future-ready”.

• Singh also inaugurated the first edition of the Indian Military Heritage Festival in Delhi that has been organised to celebrate India’s rich military culture and heritage, especially to showcase the “unmatched bravery” of the armed forces in the security of the nation. 
• About the project ‘Udbhav’, the defence ministry said it is designed to weave a strategic vocabulary and conceptual framework that is deeply embedded in India’s philosophical and cultural heritage.
• It said the present-day military concepts, prevalent globally, have been largely shaped by the research and doctrines of western armies and they do not wholly suffice the unique, localised requirements and the rich cultural-strategic legacy of the Indian Army.

Ministry of Education has taken up Special Campaign 3.0 with full determination and energy.

• Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L) and its Autonomous Bodies are taking the campaign to the next level with the help of institutions and schools across the nation through the involvement of about 8 lakh school students and more than 43,000 teachers.
• DoSE&L has set a target of 30,934 Cleanliness Campaigns to be conducted till 31.10.2023.
• During this campaign, special focus has been given to the disposal of public grievances, public grievance appeals, and review of 38,998 files for the purpose of recording and weeding and disposal of public grievances etc.

The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and the Skill Council for Persons with Disability (SCPwD) have joined forces to enhance corporate knowledge and skills in building and managing a diverse workforce.

• IICA and SCPwD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the ‘Job Coach for Inclusivity (JCI)’ programmes.
• The primary goal is to equip corporates with knowledge and competencies to foster diversity and inclusion within their workforce.
• The collaboration aims to build the capacity of corporate representatives and other stakeholders interested in diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• The initiative is timely, considering the need to strengthen diversity and inclusion efforts in India.

Months after receiving the final approval from market regulator Sebi for its asset management company, Zerodha announced the launch of its maiden passive mutual funds — Zerodha Nifty LargeMidcap 250 Index Fund and Zerodha ELSS Tax Saver Nifty LargeMidcap 250 Index Fund. 

This 29 October marks the UN’s first official International Day for Care and Support, which recognises the legacy of the first International Day for Care founded four years ago by trade unions to accelerate public investment in to the care economy.

• This International Day of Care and Support seeks to foreground care and support as a cornerstone of sustainable development and accelerator for gender equality.
• It will allow all stakeholders to make, renew or enhance their commitment and take action to promote the rights of caregivers, care workers and those receiving care and support. 
• The global care workforce, of which two-thirds are women, has faced the impact of these policies, trapping millions in jobs where they are overworked, under paid and stuck in precarious work.
• Furthermore, the unfair distribution of unpaid care work, of which 76 per cent is done by women, perpetuates the gender gap in labour force participation of 27 per cent and the gender pay gap that remains frozen at 20 per cent.

The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is observed on 27 of October every year to honour audio-visual preservation professionals and institutions that safeguard our heritage for future generations.  

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2023 Theme

The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2023 Theme is "Your Window to the World".

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2023 Significance

On World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2023, UNESCO receives public comments, support and other information relating to the nomination in the MOW International Register. World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2023 tells about People’s lives and Cultures from all over the world. Every year they organise different programmes to create awareness among the people about the digital world and the importance of recording our rich heritage, tradition and culture in digital format so that it can be preserved for a long time for future generations.

• On the occasion of the 77th Infantry Day, General Manoj Pande, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), along with all ranks of the Indian Army, extend their best wishes to all ranks, veterans, and the families of the Infantry.
• It is a significant occasion to honor the dedicated service and valor of the Infantry, which forms the backbone of the Indian Army.
• The day is significant because on October 27, 1947, the first troops of the Indian Army landed at Srinagar airport, forcing the invaders, backed by Pakistan, to retreat.

12th Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2023 will be celebrated from October 24 to 31, 2023. Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week, commemorated annually, is a major occasion for stakeholders to review and celebrate the progress achieved towards “MIL for All”.

• UNESCO and GAPMIL are calling partners all over the world to promote Global MIL Week. Together with its Feature Events (International MIL and Intercultural Dialogue Conference and Youth Agenda Forum), Global MIL Week calls for local events around the world to promote MIL connections across disciplines and professions.
• UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture.
• UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

ITBP Raising Day is celebrated on October 24 every year to commemorate the founding of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in 1962. The ITBP is a paramilitary force that guards the India-China border in the Himalayas. It is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) of India. 

• The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was raised on October 24, 1962, in the aftermath of the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
• The war exposed the weaknesses of India’s border security and the need for a specialized force to guard the India-China border in the Himalayas.
• The ITBP was initially raised with four battalions. However, its strength has gradually increased over the years, and today it has a strength of over 88,000 personnel. The ITBP is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), along with the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

The United Nations Disarmament Week (October 24–30), is an annual observance. It is a reminder of the international community’s commitment towards disarmament, and the critical need for non-proliferation and elimination of nuclear weapons.

• It is an annual event organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs to raise awareness of the importance of disarmament and promote the elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons.
• United Nations Disarmament Week was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1978.
• It was celebrated for the first time in the year 1979.
• It is a week to celebrate the progress made towards disarmament and to renew our commitment to a world without nuclear weapons.
• The United Nations Disarmament Commission was established in the year 1952.

The World Development Information Day was established in 1972 by the United Nations Assembly resolution 3038 (XXVII). to draw the attention of the world to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them.

The Assembly decided that the date for the Day should coincide with United Nations Day, 24 October, which was also the date of the adoption, in 1970, of the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade.

• The Objectives of this day are to improve the dissemination of information and the mobilization of public opinion, particularly among young people, to raise awareness of the problems of development and to Promote efforts in the sphere of international cooperation for development.
• The UNDP’s work, adapted to a range of country contexts, is framed through three broad development settings.
• These three development challenges often coexist within the same country, requiring tailored solutions that can adequately address specific deficits and barriers.
• Underpinning all three development challenges is a set of core development needs, including the need to strengthen gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and to ensure the protection of human rights.

United Nations Day, observed every year on 24th October, commemorates the official foundation of the United Nations in 1945.

In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly designated this date—the anniversary of the United Nations Charter—as a day dedicated to informing the global community about the goals and accomplishments of the United Nations and soliciting their support for its mission.

The United Nations General Assembly reinforced the significance of United Nations Day by adopting Resolution 2782 in 1971, proclaiming it as an international observance or holiday and recommending its observance as a public holiday by member states of the United Nations.

United Nations Day 2023 Theme

The united nations day 2023 theme is emphasizing  on commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), under the overarching theme of “Equality, Freedom, and Justice for All.”

World Polio Day is celebrated on October 24 yearly to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk who developed one of the effective vaccines against poliomyelitis.

• With the advent of the vaccination campaigns, polio has been eliminated in some regions of the world.
• Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the two countries with continued transmission of the Wild Polio Viruses while sub-Saharan Africa are mainly affected by the circulation of the vaccine derived polio viruses due to poor immunization coverage.
• The theme for World Polio Day 2023 is “A healthier future for mothers and children.”

International Stammering/Stuttering Awareness Day 2023 is a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about stammering (also known as stuttering) and promoting understanding and support for individuals who stammer. International Stammering/Stuttering Awareness Day is observed annually on October 22nd.

• It’s a day to shed light on the challenges faced by people who stammer and to encourage a more inclusive and empathetic society. International Stammering/Stuttering Awareness Day aims to destigmatize stammering, provide resources for those affected, and promote speech therapy and communication skills development. 
• In 2023, this day falls on a Sunday, providing an opportunity for individuals and organizations to engage in educational and supportive activities.
• It’s estimated about 1% of the world’s population stutters, where about 5% of children go through a period of stuttering. Approximately 80% of children who begin to stutter ultimately stop stuttering and children who continue to stutter into the school-age years are likely to continue stuttering throughout their lives. Males stutter more frequently than females. The male-to-female ratio is roughly 4 to 1 in adults but closer to 2 to 1 in children.

International Snow Leopard Day is an annualy celebrated on 23 October in different countries across the world. It is dedicated to saving one of the rarest wild cats on the planet.

• The snow leopard, also known as the ounce, is a large cat that inhabits alpine and subalpine zones in the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. As of 2016, the size of the total wild population was estimated at 4,000–8,000 individuals.
• However, this estimate has been disputed because snow leopards live in hard-to-reach places and lead a secretive way of life. The snow leopard is listed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
• International Snow Leopard Day was initiated by the countries that encompass the snow leopard’s range. They include Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. On October 23, 2013 they signed the Bishkek Declaration on the conservation of snow leopard at the First Global Snow Leopard Forum that took place in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
• The first International Snow Leopard Day took place on October 23, 2014. Its main goal is to raise awareness of the importance of snow leopard conservation, consolidate effort of environmental organization in the countries of the snow leopard range, and emphasize the importance of taking measures to prevent poaching.

According to the Asia Credit Outlook 2023 released by S&P Global Market Intelligence, the Indian economy will be 3rd largest economy by 2030.

• The Indian economy is growing and will give huge opportunities for medium to long term if the projected trajectory holds India will supersede Japan and Germany to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030.
• As per the S&P Outlook India’s GDP is poised to touch USD 7.3 trillion by 2030.
• Currently, India is the 5th largest economy in the world at USD 3.7 trillion worth of GDP in 2023-24. It replaced the U.K. as the 5th largest economy in 2022.
• As per S&P Global Market Intelligence report, the strength of India’s economy shone brightly as it continued to lead among major emerging economies, displaying exceptional growth momentum.

The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India in collaboration with IIT (BHU), launched Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023 here today.

• The deliverables of the Hackathon will be to design & prototype innovative app or software based solutions such as;  browser extensions,  plugins, add-ons, mobile applications etc. that can detect the use, type and scale of dark patterns for e-Commerce platforms.
• The launch event was attended by law Institutes, Higher Educational Institutes, experts from national and International Academia, students, various companies and e-commerce platforms in both physical and online mode.
• The Hackathon is divided into following four stages/rounds:

1. Round 1- Registration of participant Teams and Host Institutes
2. Round 2- Intra Institute DPBH 2023 to be organized
3. Round 3- Inter Institute DPBH 2023 to be organized and
4. Round 4- Distribution of awards and prizes on World Consumer Rights Day

• The winners will be rewarded with a Certificate of Achievement and the Prize money in the following order; 1st prize of INR 10 lacs, 2nd prize of INR 5 lacs, 3rd prize of INR 3 lacs, 4th prize of INR 2 lacs and 5th price of INR 1 lac respectively.

The objective of the initiative is to provide protection to consumers from all types of unfair trade practices.

The government has hired Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to help prepare the Vision 2047 document that will set India’s medium-term goals and priorities for becoming a developed economy in the next quarter of a century, two people aware of the development said.

• The vision document, expected to be unveiled by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will outline an economic strategy towards becoming a middle-income nation by leveraging India’s strengths in industry, services, agriculture, trade and human capital while improving the governance systems and access to public goods.

• Making economic progress inclusive will be a key element of the vision document.

• The NITI Aayog will be driving the efforts to collate all these suggestions.

Union Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday embarked on a two-day visit to Kyrgystan to attend the 22nd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG), to be held under the chairmanship of Kyrgyzstan, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

• The October 25-October 26 meeting in the Kyrgyz capital city of Bishkek will be attended by the heads of governments of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the Vice-President of Iran, and the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan. 
• "In Bishkek, the external affairs minister will also meet with his counterparts from other SCO member states and call on the country's top leaders .
• SCO observer States including Belarus and Mongolia as well as guest state Turkmenistan will also attend the meeting. 
• The CHG is the second-highest forum in SCO. It focuses primarily on the areas of economy, finance, commerce, and socio-economic cooperation. 
• India held the SCO Leaders Summit this year on July 4 in a virtual format.

Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it has become a member of the steering group of the International Competition Network (ICN).

• The ICN comprises 140 competition agencies from 130 countries.
• "CCI joins the prestigious Steering group of International Competition Network (ICN) as a member at the ICN Annual Conference 2023 at Barcelona, Spain after consistent efforts.
• "ICN consists of 140 competition agencies and is guided by its apex body -- Steering Group of 18 members," according to a post by CCI on social media platform X.
• An official said this is the first time that the CCI has become a member of the ICN's steering group and the membership is for two years.
• The ICN provides competition authorities with a specialised yet informal venue for maintaining regular contacts and addressing practical competition concerns, according to its website.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah will address the ‘National Symposium on Cooperative Exports’ organised by the National Cooperative for Exports Limited (NCEL) on Monday, October 23 in New Delhi.

• Shri Amit Shah will also launch the logo, website and brochure of NCEL and distribute the membership certificates to NCEL members.
• Awide range of issues including channelising cooperatives for linkages to export markets, potential of Indian agri-exports and opportunities for cooperatives among others will be discussed in the symposium.
• The National Cooperative for Exports Limited is the newly established umbrella organisation for cooperative sector exports registered under Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 on 25th January, 2023.
• It covers agriculture and allied activities as well as handloom and handicrafts items by enrolling a large number of co-operatives under its fold with a target to double its revenue by 2025 from the current level of about Rs 2,160 crore.
• All cooperative societies from the level of primary to apex, who are interested in exports, are eligible to become member of the NCEL which has an authorised share capital of Rs 2,000 crore.
• It aims to focus on exporting the surpluses available in the Indian cooperative sector by accessing wider markets beyond the geographical contours of the country.
• The symposium will commence with a presentation by officials of the Cooperation Ministry on the various initiatives undertaken to strengthen the cooperative sector.
• The second half of the symposium will comprise technical sessions on a host of topics including channelising cooperatives for linkages to export markets, potential of Indian agri exports and opportunities for cooperatives, making India the dairy hub of the world, and world’s largest grain storage plan in the cooperative sector.
• The National Symposium on Cooperative Export will be attended by more than 1000 participants including cooperative members of NCEL, representatives of different cooperative sectors including National Cooperative Federations, representatives of embassies of various countries and Central & State Government Officials.
• Four leading co-operatives- Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF - Amul), Indian Farmers’ Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO), Krishak Bharti Cooperative (KRIBHCO) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) have jointly promoted NCEL.

The Tata Group will soon make India’s first homegrown iPhone after Wistron Corp approved the sale of an assembly plant near Bengaluru.

• Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said manufacture would start within two and a half years.
• The airline-to-software conglomerate has been in talks with the Taiwanese iPhone maker for more than a year to take over the plant.
• A statement by the company confirmed board approval for the sale of Wistron InfoComm Manufacturing (India) Private Ltd. to Tata for $125 million. The companies will seek regulatory approvals after the deal is confirmed by both parties.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated IFFCO's Nano DAP (Liquid) Plant at Kalol in Gandhinagar, Gujarat . Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya and many other dignitaries were present on this occasion. 

Shri Amit Shah said that India is an agricultural country blessed with large and fertile cultivable land and climate suitable for three to four crops, a combination not to be found anywhere else in the world.

• He said that India is the only country where in the last 75 years we have developed such a system that farmers can do farming every month.
• Union Minister of Cooperation said that it is the responsibility of the cooperative institutions of India to bridge the gap between the requirement and production of food grains in the country.
• Shri Shah said that Nano Urea is sprayed not on the ground but on the plants and due to this, there is a zero possibility of destruction of natural elements or the earthworms present in the soil.
• If all the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) use Nano Urea and Nano DAP in partnership with IFFCO then very soon our land will move towards natural farming.

Union Minister of Textiles, Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution Shri Piyush Goyal lauded industry bodies of the textile sector for their initiative in organising Bharat Tex 2024- the world’s biggest ever textiles event in the world. He was presiding over the curtain raiser event for the show at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi.

• “Bharat Tex 2024” is scheduled to be held from 26-29 February 2024 at New Delhi.
• It is envisaged to be the biggest textile event at the global level, with exhibitors and buyers from over 40 countries.
• Bharat Tex 2024 would be a comprehensive showcase of the entire textile industry value chain, from India's rich cultural heritage and textile traditions to the latest technological innovations.
• With over 1,000 exhibitors and more than 30,000 visitors from 40 countries, this mega event would include knowledge sessions, seminars and conferences, CEO roundtables, B2B & G2G meetings, besides strategic investment announcements, product launches and collaborations that would redefine the textile industry on a global scale. 
• Designer as well as brand exhibitions, fashion shows, sustainability workshops and expert talks shall be the other highlights of the event.
• Bharat Tex 2024 is being planned as a consolidated and unique platform to position and showcase India’s entire textile value chain and also highlight strengths in fashion, traditional crafts and sustainability initiatives.

Indian minister Piyush Goyal recently launched the Kasturi Cotton Bharat website, a digital platform for necessary information and updates on this initiative.

• The website highlights the registration process for ginners to produce the Kasturi Cotton Bharat brand and its processes that make the branded Indian cotton unique.
• The Kasturi Cotton Bharat is a joint initiative by the ministry of textiles, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), and trade and industry bodies to work on the principle of self-regulation by owning complete responsibility of branding, traceability, and certification of Indian cotton to enhance its competitiveness in the global market and create a sustainable ecosystem for all stakeholders involved, the ministry of textiles said in a press release.
• On the eve of World Cotton Day on October 7, the ministry of textiles introduced the ‘Kasturi Cotton Bharat’ brand of cotton by which Indian cotton has been endowed with a brand and a logo that represents whiteness, softness, purity, lustre, and Indianness.
• Thereafter, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the CCI on behalf of the Indian government and Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL) on behalf of the textile industry on December 15, 2022, for a mission-mode approach in positioning of the Kasturi Cotton Bharat brand.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has fined a Godrej Properties subsidiary Rs. 5 lakh for not following environmental safety rules during construction in New Delhi.

• In a statement on Saturday, Godrej Properties said that its subsidiary, Godrej Vestamark LLP, was served this penalty on October 16 under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act 1957.
• The violation by the subsidiary pertains to not complying with the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) order from April 10, 2015, and the Ministry of Environment and Forests Guidelines from 2010 regarding safety measures during their New Delhi project's construction.
• Godrej Properties is a prominent real estate company with a significant presence in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Delhi-NCR, Pune, and Bengaluru.

Malaysia 's royal families have elected the powerful and wealthy ruler of southern Johor state as the country's new king under a unique rotating monarchy system, the palace said .

• Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, 64, will ascend to the throne on Jan. 31 for a five-year term.
• His election had been widely expected, as the ruler of Johor state bordering Singapore was next in line based on a rotation order established among the country’s nine state rulers.
• He succeeds incumbent Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah of central Pahang, who presided over a tumultuous period that included COVID-19 lockdowns and political instability that has seen four prime ministers since 2018 general elections.
• Nine ethnic Malay state rulers take turns serving as Malaysia’s king for five-year terms under the world’s only such system, which has been maintained since the country’s independence from Britain in 1957.

Italy is confronting a severe demographic challenge as the nation grapples with record-low birth rates, underscoring the deepening demographic crisis it has been facing for years.

• This concerning trend has significant implications for the country’s economy, social welfare, and the overall fabric of Italian society.
• The latest data reveals that Italy recorded only 404,104 births in 2021, marking the lowest number of births since the unification of the country in 1861.
• This represents a decline of nearly 15% in birth rates compared to the previous year. The reasons behind this dramatic decline are multifaceted and include economic factors, social changes, and cultural shifts.
• One of the contributing factors to Italy’s demographic crisis is the country’s economic challenges. Young couples are increasingly delaying starting families due to economic instability, high unemployment rates, and limited job opportunities. The cost of raising children in Italy, including education and healthcare expenses, has also deterred many from having larger families.

Republican Congressman from Louisiana Mike Johnson has been elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, bringing an end to three weeks of uncertainty in US politics.

• The position of Speaker of the House of Representatives is one of the most powerful political chairs in the country and is third in the line of succession after the US President.
• Johnson on Wednesday, October 25, was elected by 220 to 209 votes in a bitterly divided Congress, three weeks after his predecessor Kevin McCarthy was unceremoniously voted out of the seat for the first time in US history. In the 435-member House, the Republicans hold a slender majority with 221 seats against 212 of the Democrats.
• The 56th Speaker of the House of Representatives, Johnson, 51, a lawyer by profession, is a four-term Congressman from the Fourth Congressional District of Louisiana.

Euro zone business activity took a surprise turn for the worse this month as demand fell in a broad-based downturn across the region, a survey showed, suggesting the bloc may slip into recession.

• HCOB's flash euro zone Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global and seen as a good guide to overall economic health, fell to 46.5 in October from September's 47.2, its lowest since November 2020.
• Outside of the COVID-19 pandemic months it was the lowest reading since March 2013.
• It was well below the 50 mark separating growth from contraction and confounded expectations in a Reuters poll for an uptick to 47.4.

Euro zone business activity took a surprise turn for the worse this month as demand fell in a broad-based downturn across the region, a survey showed, suggesting the bloc may slip into recession.

• HCOB's flash euro zone Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global and seen as a good guide to overall economic health, fell to 46.5 in October from September's 47.2, its lowest since November 2020.
• Outside of the COVID-19 pandemic months it was the lowest reading since March 2013.
• It was well below the 50 mark separating growth from contraction and confounded expectations in a Reuters poll for an uptick to 47.4.

The Sri Lankan cabinet on Tuesday(24 October 2023) approved a proposal to grant free visas to travellers from seven countries for a period of five months.

• These countries are India, China, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and Indonesia. Sri Lanka Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry said that the free visa travel has begun with immediate effect as a pilot project till March 31, 2024.  
• The development comes almost a week after the Sri Lankan Ministry of Tourism said that it had presented a Cabinet paper during the previous Cabinet meeting.
• This paper proposed issuing free tourist visas to foreigners from five countries. 

South Korea, the United States and Japan carried out their first joint aerial drills on Sunday, Tokyo, Seoul and Washington have announced.

• The exercise, which involved a U.S. nuclear-weapons-capable B-52 bomber, comes as the three countries beef up their defense cooperation against growing missile and nuclear threats from North Korea.
• The U.S. bomber landed at a South Korean airbase on Oct. 17 after a flyover at the country's largest defense exhibition. B-52s, which fly at subsonic speeds, can travel more than 14,000 kilometers (8,800 miles) without refueling, at an altitude reaching 50,000 feet. 
• The trilateral exercise took place south of the Korean Peninsula, where Seoul and Tokyo's air defense identification zones overlap, according to the South Korean Air Force.

India has sent humanitarian aid to war-torn Palestine. An IAF C-17 flight carrying around 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine on Sunday departed for Ei-Arish airport in Egypt 

•  An IAF C-17 flight carrying nearly 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine departs for El-Arish airport in Egypt. 
• “The material includes essential life-saving medicines, surgical items, tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, sanitary utilities, water purification tablets among other necessary items," the official said.
• The war has continued to intensify between Israel and Hamas, killing thousands of civilians.

Despite declining exports and imports, the US emerged as India's biggest trading partner during the first half of the financial year 2023-24. Rising above global economic uncertainties, the US surpassed China in terms of trade with India during April-September period. 

• The government data shows decline in the number of exports and imports between India and the US. However, there was fall in trade between India and China during the same period.
• The final data shows, the US as the biggest trading partner of India during the period. 
• Exports to the US have come down to $38.28 billion during April-September 2023 from USD 41.49 billion a year ago. The two nations also witnessed a decline in imports to $ 21.39 billion during the first six months of the current fiscal compared to $25.79 billion in the same period last year.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400 million loan to support the Indian government in improving the quality of urban life through the creation of high-quality urban infrastructure, assured public services, and efficient governance systems.

• The loan under Subprogramme 2 will support investment planning and reform actions at the state and urban local body (ULB) levels, the ADB said.
• ADB will continue to provide knowledge and advisory support to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in program implementation, including monitoring and evaluation.
• ADB will focus on lower-income states, which require support in capacity building, institutional strengthening, and policy reforms, the statement added.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $ 175 million loan to build new roads and upgrade the existing ones to ensure road connectivity and make road infrastructure climate resilient in Madhya Pradesh.

• In fact, ADB has played a pivotal role in supporting the development of road networks in Madhya Pradesh since 2002 and this endeavour has led to the enhancement of over 9,000 km of state highways and major district roads, said ADB Transport Specialist Yang Lu. 
• The project’s key features involve upgrading about 500 km of state highways and major district roads to a standard two-lane design.
• The initiative will aid in formulating strategies and plans to utilize green technology in road construction and establish charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

China’s former premier, Li Keqiang, has died suddenly at the age of 68, according to Chinese state media. Li had a heart attack and died in Shanghai early on Friday, according to China’s Xinhua news agency.

• Comrade Li Keqiang, while resting in Shanghai in recent days, experienced a sudden heart attack on Oct 26 and after all-out efforts to revive him failed, died in Shanghai at ten minutes past midnight on Oct 27.
• Observers said Li would be remembered as an advocate for a freer market and China’s more impoverished citizens, but also as a symbol of the political alternative sidelined by the autocratic rise of Xi Jinping.
• Chinese premier Li Keqiangbows to delegates after delivering his work report during the opening session of the National People's Congress
• Li was premier – the second-highest position in China’s political system – for a decade from 2013 until he was replaced by Li Qiang in March

Slovakia’s president, Zuzana Caputová, has formally appointed Robert Fico, leader of the populist Smer party, as prime minister.

• He was previously prime minister in 2006-2010 and 2012-2018.
• The new government is a coalition consisting of Smer, Hlas and the Slovak National party.
• Fico is expected to attend a summit of EU leaders tomorrow in Brussels.

China has replaced Defence Minister Gen. Li Shangfu, who has been out of public view for almost two months with little explanation, state media reported on October 24. Mr. Li is the second senior Chinese official to disappear this year, following former Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was removed from office in July with no explanation offered.

• Mr. Li, who became Defence Minister during a Cabinet reshuffle in March, hasn't been seen since giving a speech on August 29. There is no indication that the disappearances of Mr. Qin and
• Mr. Li signal a change in China's foreign or defence policies, although they have raised questions about the resilience of president and ruling Communist Party leader Xi Jinping's circle of power.
• Mr. Xi has a reputation for valuing loyalty above all and has relentlessly attacked corruption in public and private, sometimes in what has been seen as a method of eliminating political rivals and shoring up his political position amid a deteriorating economy and rising tensions with US over trade, technology and Taiwan.

Actor Rajkummar Rao, whose portrayal of an official tasked with conducting polls in the Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh in the Hindi film “Newton” won accolades, will be inducted as a National Icon by the Election Commission (EC).

• The EC appoints prominent Indians as national icons to motivate voters to participate in elections.
• Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar will formally appoint Mr. Rao as a National Icon of the EC on October 26.
• Mr. Rao’s portrayal as a principled government clerk who is determined to conduct a free-and-fair election in the Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh, overcoming the cynicism and apathy of a security officer, won accolades.
• The movie won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and was also India’s nominee for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 90th Academy Awards, popularly known as Oscars.
• Earlier, the EC recognised actors Pankaj Tripathi, Aamir Khan, and sportspersons, such as Sachin Tendulkar, M. S. Dhoni and M. C. Mary Kom, as national icons.

PepsiCo India has roped in MS Dhoni as the brand ambassador for its potato chips brand Lay’s, riding on the cricketing fervour whipped up during the ongoing World Cup, which also coincides with the festival season.

• Saumya Rathor, Category Lead – Potato Chips, PepsiCo India, said, “The brand is excited to reunite with the beloved cricketer, MS Dhoni, as the face of Lay’s, solidifying the deep bond between the brand and our cricket-obsessed nation.
• Dhoni is an emotion for the country, and has given us countless moments of joy. Just as Lay’s has been a part of the onsumer’s joyful moments.”
• Dhoni has been associated with the brand in the past too.

In a landmark moment for the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Vice Marshal Sadhna S Nair was promoted to the esteemed rank of Air Marshal on 23rd October 2023. This elevation marks a significant milestone, as she becomes the second woman medical officer in the history of IAF to achieve this distinguished rank.

• Air Marshal Sadhna S Nair follows in the footsteps of Air Marshal Padma Bandopadhyay, who made history as the first woman to ascend to the rank of Air Marshal in the Indian Air Force.
• Adding another feather to her cap, Air Marshal Sadhna S Nair’s promotion also carries a unique distinction. She is married to Air Marshal KP Nair (Retd), making them the first Air Marshal couple in the annals of the IAF.
• Prior to her promotion, Air Marshal Sadhna S Nair exhibited an exemplary service record. She had served as the Principal Medical Officer (PMO) at HQ Training Command, IAF. Presently, she holds the crucial position of Director General Hospital Services, Armed Forces (DGHS, AF), where she continues to dedicate her service to the nation.

Kotak Mahindra Bank announced that the Reserve Bank of India gave its approval to the appointment of Ashok Vaswani as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank.

• The appointment which is subject to shareholders approval will be for a period of three years from the date of taking charge which shall not be later than January 1, 2024, the bank said. 
• Ashok Vaswani has wide experience as a banker and has previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Barclays Bank, UK, and subsequently CEO of their Global Consumer, Private, Corporate, and Payments businesses and Member of the Group Executive Committee.
• As per the release from Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ashok Vaswani was CEO at Citigroup Asia Pacific and a Member of the Citigroup Global Operating and Management Committees.
• He also built and ran various country and regional businesses across geographies.

Sanjay Kumar Jain, an officer belonging to the 1990 batch of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS), has assumed the crucial role of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of IRCTC.

• This appointment follows a vacancy in the position, which had persisted since the retirement of Mahendra Pratap Maal in January 2021.
• The recommendation for Jain’s appointment was diligently made by the Search-Cum-Selection Committee (SCSC) and subsequently received official approval.
• Sanjay Kumar Jain’s accession to the role of CMD at IRCTC ushers in a new era of leadership and vision for the organization. Given his extensive experience within the Indian Railways and his prior position as Joint Secretary in the Department of Public Enterprises, he is well-prepared to guide IRCTC in its mission to provide exceptional catering and tourism services to the public.
• His tenure as CMD will be closely monitored as he shoulders the responsibilities of this significant role.

Eminent Assamese academician, linguist, singer and lyricist Birendra Nath Datta breathed his last at the Dispur Hospital in Guwahati, Assam on October 23. He was 88 at the time of his death.

• Datta was suffering from a prolonged illness. However, the exact reason for his death has not yet been disclosed.
• Birendra Nath Datta was born on March 1, 1935 in Assam's Nagaon. A prolific writer, who wrote a number of scholarly books on folklore, culture and literature, he started his academic career as a lecturer at B Borooah College in 1957. He later served as the Principal of Pramathesh Barua College in Gauripur, Goalpara College and Pandu College. 
• He obtained his PhD in folklore from Gauhati University in 1974. 
• He retired from Gauhati University in 1995.
• However, upon request he joined Tezpur University as a professor in the Department of Traditional Culture and Art forms.
• In addition, he was awarded the 12th Jagaddhatri-Harmohan Das Literary Award for his work "Sankar Madhavar Manisha Aru Asomar Sanaskritic Uttaradhikar."
• Datta was a gifted vocalist and songwriter in addition to his academic skills. He also penned several popular Assamese songs.

Former Indian cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi has passed away, news agency PTI reported on Monday(23 October 2023)

• Born on September 25, 1946, Bedi played 67 Tests and 10 ODIs for India between 1967 and 1979. He was known as one of the best left-arm spin bowlers in the history of cricket.
• He was also a part of famous Indian spin troika along with Erapalli Prasanna, Chandrashekhar.
• Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur confirmed the unfortunate news and said, "Former India captain and spinner Bishan Singh Bedi has passed away. It is a very sad news. It's a huge loss for India. He started so many camps in Himachal. I and the whole cricketing family stand with his family."

Former England and Manchester United football player Bobby Charlton has died at the age of 86, his family and former soccer club said on Saturday.

• A gifted attacking midfielder with a formidable shot, Charlton was the leading scorer for both United and England for more than 40 years.
• A statement from Charlton's family, released by the club, said he died surrounded by his family.
• "Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world," said the club.
• "He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game."
• Charlton made 758 appearances for United between 1956 and 1973. He played alongside club legends George Best and Denis Law in the "Trinity" that led United to clinch the 1968 European Cup.
• Before that, he had already made football history by helping England win the World Cup on home soil against West Germany in 1966. 
• He is one of only nine players to have won the FIFA World Cup, the European Cup/ Champions League, and the Ballon d'Or.

In a recent release of the ‘International Migration Outlook 2023,’ it has come to light that India emerged as the leading source of migrants to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in both 2021 and 2022.

• This shift in migration patterns saw India replace China as the primary country of origin for newcomers to OECD nations, solidifying its position as a key contributor to global migration. 
• India’s ascent in the realm of global migration began in 2020 when it supplanted China as the main source of migrants to OECD countries. The trend continued in 2021, marking the second consecutive year that India stood at the forefront with 0.41 million new migrants. Early data suggests that India maintained this top position in 2022 as well, underscoring its significant influence in shaping global migration trends. 
• While India held the lead, China trailed in second place with 0.23 million new migrants, maintaining a considerable distance from the top spot. Romania secured the third position with approximately 200,000 new migrants. These figures highlight the diversity of countries contributing to migration flows to OECD nations.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on October 25 advised banks to ensure the presence of at least two Whole Time Directors, including the MD & CEO, on their Boards.

Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has empanelled 12 entities, including Ernst & Young LLP and KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP, to provide assistance to its search team for onsite data acquisition during search and seizure operations.

• The other empanelled entities are -- Baker Tilly Business Advisory Services, Cybermate Forensics & Data Security Solutions, Cyint Technologies, ECS Info Tech, Innefu Labs, Mahen Technologies, Nangia & Co LLP, Netrika Consulting India, Pelorus Technologies and Systools Software, according to a notice by Sebi last week.
• They have been empanelled for providing digital forensic services to the regulator following the completion of the empanelment process. The empanelment will be valid for a period of two years.
• In August, Sebi invited applications for empanelment of service providers experienced in the field of digital forensic services

The government approved the inclusion of the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project of Uttarakhand under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP), which will cost Rs.2,584 crore.

• The project envisages the construction of a dam near Jamrani village across river Gola, a tributary of river Ram Ganga, in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand.
• The dam will feed the existing Gola barrage through its 40.5 km length of canal system and 244 km long canal system completed in 1981.
• Giving details about the decision taken at the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the central support of Rs.1,557.18 crore will be provided to Uttarakhand for completion of the project at an estimated cost of Rs.2,584.10 crore, scheduled to be completed by March 2028.
• An official release said the project envisages additional irrigation of 57,065 hectares (9,458 hectares in Uttarakhand and 47,607 hectares in Uttar Pradesh) in Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts of Uttarakhand, and Rampur and Bareilly districts in Uttar Pradesh.
• Apart from the construction of two new feeder canals, 207 km of existing canals are to be renovated, and 278 km of pucca field channels are also to be taken up under the project.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 7th Edition of the India Mobile Congress 2023 on 27th October, 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

• During the programme, the Prime Minister awarded 100 ‘5G Use Case Labs’ to educational institutions across the country. These labs are being developed under the ‘100 5G labs initiative’.
• The ‘100 5G labs initiative’, is an endeavour to realise the opportunities associated with 5G technology by encouraging development of 5G applications which cater, both to India’s unique needs as well as the global demands.
• The unique initiative will foster innovation across various socioeconomic sectors like education, agriculture, health, power, transportation etc, and propel the country into the forefront of usage of 5G technology.
• The initiative is also a pivotal step for building a 6G-ready academic and start-up ecosystem in the country. More importantly, the initiative is a step towards development of indigenous telecom technology which is critical for national security.
• India Mobile Congress (IMC) is the largest telecom, media, and technology forum in Asia and will be held from 27th to 29th October, 2023. 
• With the theme 'Global Digital Innovation,' the IMC 2023 aims to strengthen India’s position as a developer, manufacturer, and exporter of key cutting-edge technologies. 
• The three day congress will highlight technologies such as 5G, 6G, Artificial intelligence (AI) and discuss issues pertaining to semiconductor industry, green technology, cybersecurity etc.

China launched the Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

• A Long March-2F carrier rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-17 spacecraft with three Chinese astronauts, known as taikonauts, on board, blasted off at 11:14 a.m. Beijing Time.
• Approximately 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its pre-determined orbit with the crew in good condition, marking the launch as a complete success, announced the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
• This is the 30th flight mission of China's manned space program, all of which are successful, and the 12th manned mission of the program.
• The Shenzhou-17 crew, with Tang Hongbo as the commander and Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin as the operators, is scheduled to stay in orbit for about six months.

The Curtain Raiser of Vimarsh – 2023, a National Hackathon on 5G technology use for police was conducted in New Delhi today. A teaser and the website https://vimarsh.tcoe.in of the Hackathon Vimarsh 2023 was also launched by the Director General, Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D), Shri Balaji Srivastava. 

• Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, building a Cyber Safe India is one of the top priorities of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The Government of India is fully committed to augment the technology prowess of our Law Enforcement Agencies and create a cyber- safe country as cyber security has become an essential aspect of security related affairs, internationally.
• The Hackathon will involve three stages of ideas screening - Stages I and II shall be done in virtual mode whereas Stage III will be held at nodal centres in physical mode where the 5G testbeds/Private Networks/Labs would be available.
• The jury for all three stages shall comprise of members from BPR&D, I4C, DOT and Industry.Post completion of Stage III, the final names of one winner for each problem statements with an award money of Rs 1.5 Lakhs will be announced during the Valedictory Session in February 2024.
• It would be pertinent  to mention that Rs 2.5 Lakhs has been earmarked for productization of winning ideas/Proof of Concepts (POCs) leading to further incubation/incentivisation & funding to obtain workable tools/solutions for the usage of LEAs.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has won a bid to acquire PTC India Ltd's wind power unit for Rs 925 crore as the state-owned firm continues to build a renewable energy portfolio to balance its fossil fuel business.

• In a stock exchange filing, India's top oil and gas producer said it has over the years diversified into the petrochemicals and power business besides growing its core business of finding hydrocarbons.
• ONGC said it has taken various initiatives for renewable energy power generation and already has 189 megawatt (MW) capacity, including wind and solar PV plants spread across various locations.
• The PTC board last week approved ONGC's bid for the acquisition of a 100 per cent equity stake in PEL at an equity value of Rs 925 crore, it said.
• The nod is subject to the approval of PTC shareholders.
• PEL, incorporated on August 1, 2008, has a renewable energy portfolio of 288.8 MW consisting of 50 MW wind power projects in Madhya Pradesh, 50 MW wind power projects in Karnataka and 188.8 MW wind power projects in Andhra Pradesh.

India and EU ships conducted joint activities in the Gulf of Guinea, in an effort to reinforce naval maritime security cooperation in support of the region.

On 24 Oct 23, the European Union (EU) and India conducted their first joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea. The exercise followed the third meeting of the EU-India Maritime Security Dialogue on 5 Oct 23 in Brussels.

• During the exercise, Indian Navy’s INS Sumedha, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, was joined by three EU Member States’ ships in the Gulf of Guinea: Italian Navy Ship ITS Foscari, French Navy Ship FS Ventôse, and Spanish Navy Ship Tornado.
• The four ships practiced a series of tactical manoeuvers in international waters off the coast of Ghana, including a boarding exercise, a flying exercise using the helicopters embarked on French Ship Ventôse and Indian Naval Ship Sumedha, and transfer of personnel between ships.
• This exercise was followed by a knowledge sharing session in Accra, Ghana which built on the joint experience at sea to improve operational know-how. The session also helped deepen ties between Ghanaian officials and representatives of the Indian, EU and EU Member States missions to Ghana.

Reiigning Paralympics champion Sumit Antil bettered his own javelin throw F64 world record with a stunning 73.29m effort on way to winning gold as he led India's whopping 30-medal haul on the third day of competitions at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.

• India's total medal count after three days stood at 64 (15 gold, 20 silver, 29 bronze) and they were placed at sixth spot, one down from Tuesday.
• China continued to consolidate at the top of the tally with 300 medals (118 gold, 96 silver, 86 bronze), followed by Iran (24, 30, 19), Japan (20, 21, 28), Thailand (20, 13, 30) and Uzbekistan (17, 17, 21).
• It was the most productive day for India, with 17 out of the 30 medals and all the six gold coming from athletics.

The 37th edition of the National Games will begin tomorrow in Goa. It will be formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 October 2023.

• The National Games are India’s homespun Olympic-style multi-sport event where athletes from the various states and Union Territories compete for medals.
• In the initial stage, national games of Badminton, Artistic Gymnastics, and Netball are carried out. Results from these games were also exciting.
• The gold medal in Mixed Doubles Badminton was won by Gouse Shaik and Pooja D of Andhra Pradesh, while the Gold Medal in Men's Singles was bagged by Tharun Manepalli of Telangana.
• The gold medal in Men's doubles was won by Karnataka’s players. Games of Artistic Gymnastics and Netball are ongoing in the National Games.

The fourth Asian Para Games kicked off on Sunday evening in Hangzhou, with Hong Kong fielding a squad of about 100 athletes. 
As China hosts the Asian Para Games for the second time, following the 2010 event in Guangzhou, almost 3,100 athletes from 44 countries and regions will participate in 22 sports and compete in 564 events.

• With the theme of "hearts meet, dreams shine", Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang declared the games open at the city's lotus-shaped Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.
• During the opening ceremony, Hong Kong badminton player Chu Man-kai and table tennis player Wong Ting-ting jointly carried the SAR flag, leading other Hong Kong athletes dressed in white blazers into the venue.
• China, as the host country, marched in last, with wheelchair basketball player Huang Xiaolian and wheelchair fencer Sun Gang serving as China's flagbearers. The mainland has sent a total of 439 athletes to compete in the week-long games.

In a battle between two upcoming Indian badminton players, Unnati Hooda beat Samiya Imad Farooqui in the final of the Abu Dhabi Masters 2023 women’s singles event in the United Arab Emirates.

• The 16-year-old Unnati Hooda took 40 minutes to defeat the 20-year-old Samiya Imad Farooqui 21-16, 22-20 on the badminton courts of the ADNEC Marina Hall in the UAE capital. Both players are currently outside the top 100 in the badminton rankings.
• This was Unnati Hooda’s second BWF Super 100 World Tour title. Last year, Unnati Hooda became the youngest Indian to win a BWF tournament at the Odisha Open, where she beat Samiya Imad Farooqui in the quarter-finals.
• In Abu Dhabi, Unnati Hooda went into the first mid-game interval with a four-point lead. Samiya Imad Farooqui reduced the deficit to one point at 16-15 but Hooda stepped up to take five of the next six points and take a 1-0 lead.

Amid India chasing 274 runs against New Zealand in the 21st match of the ongoing ICC Men's World Cup at Dharamsala on 22 October, Indian opener Shubman Gill set a new record by becoming the fastest batter to reach 2,000 runs in ODI cricket.

• Gill accomplished this feat in just 38 innings, which is two innings fewer than South Africa's Hashim Amla, who took 40 innings to achieve the same milestone.
• In his name, Gill has six centuries and 10 half-centuries in 37 ODI matches for India so far. However, he couldn't convert his strong start against New Zealand, as he was dismissed on 26 off 31 deliveries.

The Federation International de l'Automobile (FIA) and Formula E have formally confirmed the return of the Hyderabad EPrix for a second edition after a period of uncertainty. This much-anticipated event will take place on February 10, 2024.

Hyderabad Has Secured A Slot In Formula E's Tenth Season

Despite fears regarding the future of the Hyderabad EPrix, supporters and motorsport enthusiasts can now breathe a sigh of relief as the FIA and Formula E have included Hyderabad on the final calendar for the Formula E championship's tenth season. This season will have 16 rounds, offering a gripping competition for fans all over the world.

A New Indian Driver On The Grid

The debut of an Indian driver, Jehan Daruvala, is one of the most interesting parts of the 2024 Hyderabad EPrix. Daruvala will compete in the all-electric single-seater championship for Maserati MSG Racing as well as the Indian team Mahindra Racing. This is a watershed moment in Indian motorsport as a homegrown talent steps onto the global stage.

The First Edition's Success

The inaugural edition of the Hyderabad EPrix was not without challenges, as is typical of any inaugural event. However, the organizers effectively addressed the teething problems, and the event ran smoothly in the end. The track layout was praised by the drivers who competed, and it created a good platform for future races in Hyderabad.

Formula E's Promise To India

Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer of Formula E, stated, "We are honored to return to India thanks to the support of the Telangana Government and Minister K. T. Rama Rao." Formula E's commitment to promote electric racing in India and enhancing the link between motorsport and the Indian public is reaffirmed.

A Milestone In Indian Motorsport

The Hyderabad EPrix, which will return in 2024, is an important milestone for both the world of motorsport and India. The event promises to be an unforgettable experience for both participants and viewers, With the inclusion of a talented Indian driver, Jehan Daruvala, and Formula E's dedication to India.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday inaugurated the state-level Shri Anna Mahotsav, exhibition and workshop at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow.
After the inauguration of the programme, the UP CM said that Shri Anna has held significance since the Vedic era and stressed that in the future too, when the world faces a food crisis, the usefulness of Shri Anna will increase.

• Through this festival, the state government will not only honor the progressive farmers but will also inspire other farmers for millets products. Besides, it will also create awareness about the production, consumption, marketing, export etc. of millets crops.
• In this festival, farmers of different divisions will also be trained for the production of Shree Anna.
• 35 FPOs will be given certificates for seed money in the state level millets workshop.
• The Chief Minister will provide Rs 4 lakh per unit to each FPO.
• Besides, grant money will also be given to government institutions setting up millets-based processing plants.

Hornbill Festival is one of the most popular festivals of Nagaland, celebrated every year from 1st to 10th December. The Hornbill Festival is indeed the most renowned celebration of Nagas. There is a huge gathering for merrymaking in the form of drinking, eating, singing, and dancing.

• The Hornbill Festival is one of the largest celebrations of the indigenous warrior tribes of Nagaland.
• Naga people have a rich tradition of maintaining their unique heritage and customs. 
• The Hornbill Festival is held at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, located around 12 km from the capital of Nagaland, Kohima. It begins at 9 am every day. 

Kerala gets the distinction of the first State to have hallmarking centres in all districts. With the inauguration of a hallmarking centre in Idukki, Kerala became the first state in India to have hallmarking centres in all 14 districts.

• “The opening of hallmarking centres across the districts will make Kerala a hub of gold business and further strengthen its claim to being the most reliable market in the country to buy gold ornaments” said S Abdul Nassar, Treasurer, All Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants’ Association.
• S Abdul Nassar said that the gold business in Kerala is worth more than ?1 lakh crore with annual sales of around 250 tonnes. There are about 12,000 gold merchants in the State with majority holding BIS registration.
• Though BIS hallmarking was applicable only to pieces above 2 grams in weight, gold merchants gave hallmarking and hallmarking unique identification numbers even for pieces with weight below two grams, he said.

The air quality of Delhi-NCR has worsened in the past few days and as per the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, it may reach the “Very Poor" category in the next 3-4 days.

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was seen in action on Saturday(21 Oct 2023) as the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 248 and its sub-committee decided to invoke Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
• The decision of the CAQM comes as the air quality of Delhi has worsened over the past few days and is expected to dip further as winter sets in India prepares for various festivals.
• The AQI is close to the “Very Poor" category of (301-400) and is expected to touch these levels by Monday or Tuesday.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath is set to inaugurate the state’s first ‘Mission Shakti Café’ in Gonda district on October 22, as part of the ongoing fourth phase of Mission Shakti. 

Operated by self-help group members, the café aims to not only empower these women but also provide nutritious, wholesome meals to students, replacing unhealthy options.

A grand Kanya Puja ceremony of 11,000 girls, ‘Shakti Vandan’, is also being organised in Gonda on October 22.

This is the biggest Kanya Puja ceremony not only in the state but also in the country so far.

Cafe will be dedicated to women

• Gonda district magistrate Neha Sharma said that along with the Shakti Vandan ceremony, this Mission Shakti Café is being started from the government-aided Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri College. These cafes are being set up in schools and colleges and they will be operated by the women of self-help groups.
• This is the first Mission Shakti Café in the state, which will give the women of self-help groups an opportunity to stand on their feet and, at the same time, provide nutritious and clean food to the students.

A two-day Anthurium Festival has commenced with great enthusiasm and festivities in Reiek, Mamit District. The festival is being organized by the Department of Tourism in Mizoram. 

The Tourism Secretary stated that the Anthurium Festival is a joyful occasion and serves as a platform to exhibit the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Mizo people.

Anthurium Festival 

• The Anthurium Festival is the most popular festival celebrated in Mizoram, and it's a successful tourism promotion venture organized by the Tourism Department.
• This two-day festival takes place annually at the Tourist Resort Reiek, located in Reiek, a picturesque and quaint village situated about an hour's drive from the state capital, Aizawl. 
• It truly represents the beauty of the state and is celebrated as a festival amidst nature during the peak season of the exotic and beautiful anthurium blossom.

A recent report published by the United Nations University — Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) has raised a red flag regarding India’s dwindling groundwater levels.

The ‘Interconnected Disaster Risks Report 2023’ focuses on six environmental tipping points, including groundwater depletion, and reveals a dire situation worldwide.

• Accelerating extinctions: A chain reaction to ecosystem collapse
• Groundwater depletion: Draining water, risking food supply
• Mountain glaciers melting: Running on thin ice
• Space debris: Losing eyes in the sky
• Unbearable heat: Living in the unliveable
• Uninsurable future: With rising risks, insurance becomes unreachable

The 2023 Interconnected Disaster Risks report also proposes a new framework to classify and discuss the effectiveness of solutions that can help humanity address risk tipping points. The resulting framework has four categories: 

1. Avoid-Delay
2. Avoid-Transform
3. Adapt-Delay 
4. Adapt-Transform

Cyclone 'Hamoon' has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm, and currently lies close to Odisha, West Bengal and Bangladesh, the India Meterological Department (IMD) said in its latest update on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.

• The cyclonic storm currently lies about 290 km of Paradip in Odisha, 270 km of Digha in West Bengal, and 230 km south-southwest of Khepupara in Bangladesh. 
• The Met Department, however, said that 'Hamoon' is likely to weaken before making a landfall on the Bangladesh coast between Khepupara and Chittagong around Wednesday (October 25) evening.