WEEKLY OCTOBER CURRENT AFFAIRS(1 - 7) 

 

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North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to Establish Northern  Land Command in Eastern Finland

  • The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) will set up a new land command in  eastern Finland, near the Russian border, in 2025.
  • This command will oversee land force operations in northern Europe during military  conflicts.
  • The decision comes after Finland joined NATO in 2023 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
  • Finland is organizing NATO’s presence on its territory.
  • Unit Designation: The new unit will be known as the Multi Corps Land Component  Command and will operate under NATO’s Norfolk Joint Force Command based in the  United States.

About NATO :

Formation : 4 April 1949

Headquarters : Brussels, Belgium

Secretary General : Jens Stoltenberg

Membership : 32 State

 

Telangana Government Introduces 'Telangana  Darshini' Educational Tour Program for Students

  • The Telangana government has set in motion ‘Telangana Darshini’, a scheme  aimed at providing students with an immersive learning experience outside the  classroom.
  • The programme, under the Youth Advancement, Tourism, and Culture  (T&PMU) Department, is designed to take school and college students on  educational tours across the State.

Key Highlights :

Target Audience: The initiative caters to school and college students, from Class  2 to graduation level, ensuring the activities are suitable for different age  groups.

About Telangana :

Governor : Jishnu Dev Varma

Chief Minister : Anumula Revanth Reddy

Capital : Hyderabad

 

Top 10 Countries with the Largest Gold Reserves  (Q2 2024):

ŸThe United States holds the largest gold reserves, almost equal to the  combined total of Germany, Italy, and France.

  1. United States 8,133.46
  2. Germany 3,351.53
  3. Italy 2,451.84
  4. France 2,436.97
  5. Russian Federation 2,335.85
  6. China 2,264.32
  7. Japan 845.97
  8. India 840.76
  9. 9.Netherlands 612.45
  10. 10.Turkey 584.93

 

IIFA 2024 full list of winners: Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji bag best  actors, Animal wins big

  • The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) 2024 took place in Abu Dhabi, featuring prominent  stars from the Hindi film industry, including Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Hema Malini, Rekha,  Anil Kapoor, and more.
  • Shah Rukh Khan served as a host alongside Vicky Kaushal and Karan Johar, captivating the audience  with a lively performance of his hit song "Jhoome Jo Pathaan."

Major Winners Announced:

Best Film: Animal by Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan for Jawan

Best Actress: Rani Mukerji for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway

Best Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra for 12th Fail

Best Supporting Actor: Anil Kapoor for Animal

Best Supporting Actress: Shabana Azmi for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

Best Actor in a Negative Role: Bobby Deol for Animal

Best Music: Animal

Best Lyrics: Siddharth-Garima for Satranga from Animal

Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema: Jayantilal Gada and Hema Malini

Achievement for 25 Years in Cinema: Karan Johar

 

Justice Manmohan Sworn in as 32nd Chief Justice of Delhi  High Court

  • Justice Manmohan, 61 years old, took oath as the 32nd Chief Justice of the  Delhi High Court.
  • The oath was administered by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena at the Raj Niwas, the LG's secretariat.
  • He Succeeded Justice Satish Chandra Sharma.

 

Sunita Williams Assumes Command of the International  Space Station for the 2nd Time

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut Sunita  Williams has assumed command of the International Space Station  (ISS), marking her second stint as the station’s leader.
  • She previously served as commander during Expedition 33 in 2012.

Key Highlights:

  • Current Mission Details:Williams, along with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore,  has been aboard the ISS since June 5, 2024, after launching on Boeing's  Starliner spacecraft, which marked its first crewed flight.
  • Their mission was initially planned for eight days but has been extended to  February 2025 due to technical issues with the Starliner.
  • NASA's Future Plans:NASA is preparing a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft for an early 2025 mission to safely return Williams and Wilmore to Earth.

 

Indian Railways Triumphs Over IOC in 95th MCC-Murugappa  Gold Cup Final

  • Indian Railways emerged victorious with a 5-3 win over Indian Oil  Corporation (IOC) in the final of the 95th MCC-Murugappa Gold All-India  Hockey Tournament.
  • A large crowd applauded the defending champions, Railways, as they completed a lap of honour after the match.
  • Railways dominated the tournament, and in the final, they prevented IOC,  which included former Olympians and international players, from gaining  control.

 

International Day of Older Persons 2024: October 1

  • The International Day of Older Persons is observed every year on 1st  October
  • The theme for the 2024 United Nations International Day of Older Persons  (UNIDOP) is "Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and  Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide".
  • World Vegetarian Day 2024: October 1

World Vegetarian Day is observed on the 1st of October of every year.

  • In 1977, the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) founded World  Vegetarian Day.

International Coffee Day 2024: October 1

  • The International Coffee Day is observed on 1st October of every year.
  • The International Coffee Organisation first declared the International Coffee  Day.
  • The International Coffee Organisation was started in the year of 1963.

 

Prime Minister Modi to Celebrate 10 Years of Swachh Bharat Mission on October 2

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commemorate the completion of 10  years since the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission by participating in  the Swachh Bharat Diwas programme on October 2.
  • This event will take place at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
  • The programme will highlight India's decade-long achievements in sanitation  and cleanliness and showcase the outcomes of the recently concluded "Swachhata Hi Seva"

Theme of Swachhata Hi Seva 2024:

  • The theme, “Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata,” aims to unify the  nation in its dedication to cleanliness, public health, and environmental  sustainability.

 

8th Edition of India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise  KAZIND 2024 Begins in Auli  , Uttarakhand

  • The 8th edition of the India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2024  began on September 30, 2024, at the Surya Foreign Training Node in Auli, Uttarakhand.
  • The exercise is scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 13,  2024.
  • KAZIND has been conducted annually since 2016, promoting military  cooperation between India and Kazakhstan.
  • The last exercise was held in Otar, Kazakhstan, from October 30 to November11, 2023.

 

Ishpreet Singh Chadha Makes History in Pro  Snooker Circuit

  • Ishpreet Singh Chadha, hailing from Mumbai, recently achieved a remarkable  milestone by reaching the quarterfinals of the professional snooker circuit,  defeating the legendary Mark Selby, a four-time World Snooker champion.
  • This victory marks a significant achievement for Chadha, as he becomes the  first Indian in 10 years to advance to a pro semifinal at one of the four Home  Nations majors.

 

International Day of Non-Violence 2024: October 2

  • The International Day of Non-violence is observed on the 2nd October of  every year.
  • In 2004, Iranian Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi had a proposal of an International Day of Non-Violence.
  • This idea was gradually attracted by some leaders of India’s Congress Party.
  • In January 2007, they called upon the United Nations to adopt the idea.
  • On 5th June 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution and  established the International Day of Non-Violence.
  • The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2nd October in order  to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Non-violent freedom fighter  Mohandas Karmchand Gandhi.

 

Gandhi Jayanti 2024: October 2

  • Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated in India to commemorate the birth anniversary  of the freedom fighter Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as  Mahatma Gandhi.
  • This day is celebrated on 2nd October of every year as he was born on 2nd  October 1869.
  • This day is one of the national holidays in India.
  • Mahatma Gandhi is also called the “Father of The Nation.

 

Government launches PM E-DRIVE subsidy scheme for EVs with Rs 10,900 crores outlay

  • The government launched the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, aimed at promoting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India.
  • The initiative comes with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore, focusing on setting up  charging infrastructure and developing the EV manufacturing ecosystem in  the country.
  • The scheme will run until March 31, 2026.

 

India Among Top Global Performers in H1FY25

Market Performance

  • India emerged as the second-best performing major global market during  the first half of FY 2024-25 (H1FY25), closely following Hong Kong.
  • Despite a 5% surge in the Hang Seng index in September, India showed  consistent growth across the first half, cementing its position as a leading  global market.

Key Points:

Top Performing Global Markets:

Hong Kong led with a late rally in September.

India, Singapore, the US, and China ranked in the top five best-performing global markets.

 

Mithun Chakraborty to Receive Dadasaheb Phalke  Award

  • Veteran Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty, aged 74, has been announced  as the recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his  significant contributions to Indian cinema.
  • The announcement was made by Information & Broadcasting Minister  Ashwini Vaishnaw on social media platform X.
  • Mithun Chakraborty will receive the award at the 70th National Film  Awards ceremony, scheduled for October 8, 2024.

Recent Honors:

  • Earlier this year, Mithun was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan Award,  further recognizing his impact on the film industry.

 

Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin appointed as the first  female Director General of the Armed Forces Medical  Services

  • Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin has become the first woman officer to take  over as the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS).
  • The DGAFMS is responsible for overseeing medical policy matters related to  the Indian Armed Forces and operates under the Ministry of Defence.

 

Indian Space Research Organisation Plans to Launch Venus Mission in  March 2028 for a 112-Day Journey to the Planet

ŸIndia’s maiden mission to Venus, which is scheduled for launch in March 2028, will embark  on a 112-day journey to reach the planet.

  • The ₹1,236-crore Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) was recently approved by the Union Cabinet  and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on October 1, 2024 revealed the targeted  launch window for the mission.
  • According to the targeted launch window for VOM, the Earth departure date is scheduled on March 29, 2028, and the arrival date on Venus is July 19,  2028. VOM will be launched by the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3).

What is ISRO's Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM)?

  • The Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) is unofficially referred to as Shukrayaan.
  • Mission Focus:The primary aim of VOM is to explore Venus’s atmosphere and geology.
  • It will gather crucial scientific data on the thick atmosphere of Venus.

 

National Payments Corporation of India to create UPI-style  payment system for Trinidad and Tobago

  • The overseas arm of India's National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will build a digital payments system for Trinidad and Tobago, modelled  after India's United Payments Interface (UPI).
  • The NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) signed a deal with the  Ministry of Digital Transformation of Trinidad and Tobago to build a digital  payments system modelled after India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI)  for person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions.
  • Earlier in 2024, NIPL had agreed to develop digital payments systems for Peru  and Namibia, using UPI as a blueprint.

 

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launches India’s first supercapacitor manufacturing unit at Keltron in Kannur

  • Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated India’s first supercapacitor  manufacturing facility at Keltron Component Complex Limited (KCCL) in  Kallyassery, Kannur, on October 1, 2024.
  • The supercapacitor manufacturing plant was developed in collaboration with  the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

About Kerala:

  • Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
  • Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
  • Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
  • National Parks: Periyar National Park, Mathikettan National Park, Eravikulam

National Park, Silent Valley National Park, Indira Gandhi National Park

 

Inauguration of India's First Compressed Biogas Facility in  Ranchi

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first compressed biogas  facility in Ranchi, Jharkhand, developed by GAIL (India) Limited in  partnership with CEID Consultants and LSTK/EPC Contractor.
  • This facility represents a significant step towards sustainable waste  management and clean energy production.

 

Carlos Alcaraz Wins First China Open  Title in a Thrilling Final Against Jannik  Sinner

  • Carlos Alcaraz secured his first China Open title after a hard-fought victory over world No. 1  Jannik Sinner.

 

National Wildlife Week 2024: Octoberto 8

  • As National Wildlife Week approaches from October 2 to  8, 2024, India is gearing up to celebrate its diverse  ecosystems and emphasize the vital importance of wildlife  conservation.
  • This year's(2024) theme, “Wildlife Conservation Through  Coexistence,” aims to raise awareness about the pressing  challenges faced by wildlife and the urgent need for  collective action to preserve these invaluable resources.

 

Mann Ki Baat’s 10th Anniversary

  • Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio program celebrated its 10th anniversary with its 114th episode. Highlights include:

Massive Reach:

  • 230 million regular listeners and 410 million occasional listeners.
  • Connected with 96% of India, having been heard by over 1  billion people since its launch on October 3, 2014.
  • Platform for Positive Stories: The program features participation from  notable personalities, including Barack Obama and Lata Mangeshkar.

 

‘Waste to Wealth’ Mantra

During the celebration of the Swachh Bharat Mission's 10-year milestone, PM Modi  emphasized the growing popularity of the ‘Waste to Wealth’ mantra.

World Smile Day 2024: October 4

World Smile Day is celebrated on the first Friday of October every year.

This year World Smile Day was celebrated on 4th October.

The theme for World Smile Day 2024 is "Do an act of kindness. Help one person  smile".

World Animal Day 2024: October 4

World Animal Day is celebrated on the 4th October of every year.

This day is observed to raise awareness about the welfare standards of the animals.

The theme for World Animal Day 2024 is "The World Is Their Home Too!".

 

Launch of Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh  Abhiyan (DAJGUA)

  • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram  Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.
  • The scheme has a total outlay of ₹79,156 crores, with contributions of ₹56,333 crores from the Central government and ₹22,823 crores from the State government.
  • Vision of the Abhiyan: The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan aims  to fill critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood through 25 interventions implemented by 17 line ministries of the  Government of India. The initiative focuses on the holistic and sustainable  development of tribal areas and communities.

 

Union Cabinet Approves Classical Language

Status for Five Languages

  • The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the  conferment of Classical Language status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.
  • This initiative aims to recognize these languages as custodians of India's profound  cultural heritage.

Key Details and Background

  • Initiation: The Government of India first declared a Classical Language category on 12th

October 2004 by designating Tamil as a Classical Language.

  • Criteria for Classical Language Status:
  • High Antiquity: Recorded history of over 1,000 years.
  • Valuable Heritage: A body of ancient literature/texts that has historical significance.
  • Original Literary Tradition: The literary tradition must be unique, not borrowed from  other languages.

The following languages have been conferred Classical Language status:  LanguageDate of Notification

Tamil(12/10/2004), Sanskrit(25/11/2005) ,Telugu(31/10/2008) ,Kannada(31/10/2008) ,Malayalam(08/08/2013) ,Odia (01/03/2014).

 

Air Marshal SP Dharkar Takes Over as Vice Chief of  Air Staff

  • Air Marshal SP Dharkar has assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
  • He succeeded Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who became the Chief of  Air Staff on September 30, 2024.

About Indian Air Force :

  • Founded : 26 January 1950
  • Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
  • Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) : Air Marshal Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar
  • Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) : Air Marshal Tejinder Singh

 

Aero India is Scheduled to Take Place in Bengaluru on  February 10, 2025

  • India will host the 15th edition of its largest air show, Aero India, at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Karnataka, from February 10 to February 14, 2025.
  • The event will feature participation from leading Indian and foreign manufacturers and  several delegations from friendly foreign countries.
  • Many fighter aircrafts and helicopters performed on air and a defence exhibition was  inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi.
  • IAF's Tejas aircraft which is a lightweight, highly agile and multi-role supersonic fighter  was a major highlight in the aero India show in 2023.

About Aero India :

  • Aero India is organised by the Ministry of Defence which involves multiple agencies,  including the Department of Defence Production, IAF, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited  HAL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Department of Space, and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry.

 

India, Nepal and Bangladesh Sign Trilateral Agreement for  Electricity Export

  • India, Nepal and Bangladesh have entered into a trilateral agreement that  enables the export of 40 megawatts of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh  via India’s power grid.
  • This landmark deal, signed in Kathmandu, marks the first instance of Nepal  selling electricity to Bangladesh, as it has previously only exported power to  India.

 

Indian Men’s Football U-17 Wins SAFF  Championship 2024

  • The Indian U-17 football team clinched the SAFF(South Asian Footballl  Federation) Men’s U-17 Championship 2024 by defeating Bangladesh in the  final match.
  • The tournament was held at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu,  Bhutan.
  • India maintained an unbeaten record throughout the competition,  showcasing strong performances in both attack and defence.

About SAFF:

  • The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) was founded in 1997 by  Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and later Bhutan.
  • SAFF organizes tournaments for both senior and junior categories across South Asia.
  • Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • President: Kazi Md. Salahuddin (Bangladesh)

 

World Space Week (WSW) 2024: October 4 to 10.

  • World Space Week (WSW) is an annual international celebration of science

and technology and their contributions to improving the human condition. The United Nations General Assembly declared WSW will be  observed every year from October 4 to 10.

Theme of 2024 WSW: “Space & Climate Change”

World Teachers Day 2024: October 5

  • World Teachers Day or International Teachers Day is celebrated on the 5th  October of every year.
  • This year, World Teachers Day Theme 2024 is Valuing teacher voices "Valuing  Teacher Voices: Towards a new social contract for education."
  • World Teachers Day was established by the United Nations Educational,  Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the year of 1994.

 

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to attend Shanghai Cooperation  Organisation meeting in Pakistan, marking first EAM visit since Sushma  Swaraj 9 years ago

ŸExternal Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will lead India's delegation to the

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan on October 15-16, 2024.

  • It will be the first visit to Pakistan by an Indian EAM in 9 years; the last visit was by  Sushma Swaraj in 2015 for the Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan that  was held in Islamabad on December 8-9, 2015.

Key Highlights :

  • Pakistan's Role:Pakistan is the current rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation  Organisation (SCO) CHG and has extended invitations to all member states, including  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

About SCO :

  • Formed: 15 June 2001.
  • Headquarters: Beijing, China.
  • Secretary General: Zhang Ming.
  • Member States: Belarus, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia,  Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
  • India and Pakistan became full members of the SCO during the 2017 Astana Summit.

 

World Cerebral Palsy Day 2024: October 6

  • Every year 6th October is observed as a World Cerebral Palsy Day.
  • This year's theme, ‘#UniquelyCP’, celebrates the uniqueness of the cerebral  palsy community - their interests, passions, and identities - showing that they  are not solely defined by their disability.

World Cotton Day 2024: October 7

  • World Cotton Day is observed on 7th October of every year.
  • The theme of World Cotton Day is, 'Cotton for Good'

World Habitat Day 2024: October 7

  • World Habitat Day is observed on the first Monday of October of every year.  This year World Habitat Day is celebrated on the 7th of October.

 

India elected to GlobE Steering Committee to tackle global  corruption

  • India has been elected to the 15-member steering committee of the Globe Network during a plenary session in Beijing.
  • The election followed a multi-stage voting process, allowing India to actively  contribute to global efforts in combating corruption and asset recovery.

About GlobE Network:

  • The Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement  Authorities (GlobE Network) was launched under the G20 framework to  address international corruption and financial crimes.
  • Officially launched on June 3, 2021, during the UN General Assembly Special

Session against Corruption.

  • The network currently has 121 member countries and 219 member  authorities, with India being a member.
  • India’s Participation in the Network:India's Central Bureau of Investigation  (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) are part of the GlobE Network.