National News

PM Modi's Participation in Lord Ram's Idol Installation

• The Shri Ram Janambhoomi Trust has cordially invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the installation of Lord Ram's idol at the Ayodhya temple on January 22.
• The completion of the three-story Ram temple construction and the auspicious date of Makar Sankranti, January 14, have been chosen for the consecration of Ram Lalla.
• This event marks a significant milestone, fulfilling the dreams of millions of people and symbolizes a long-cherished desire.
• Prime Minister Modi's presence on January 22 is set to make this a historic moment in Ayodhya's history and India as a whole.

International News

China's Replacement of Defense Minister Li Shangfu

• China's Defense Minister, Li Shangfu, was recently relieved of his position, including his roles as a member of the Central Military Commission and one of China's five state councillors.
• His removal, approved by the National People's Congress, comes after his unexplained absence from public life since late August.
• The defense minister's role in China is largely ceremonial, focusing on military diplomacy rather than command power, which rests with the Central Military Commission.

US House of Representatives Elects New Speaker

• Republican Congressman Mike Johnson from Louisiana has been elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, ending a three-week period of political uncertainty in the United States.
• The Speaker of the House of Representatives holds significant political influence, ranking third in the line of succession after the U.S. President.
• Johnson, a four-term Congressman, won the election with a vote of 220 to 209 in a divided Congress.

India Partially Resumes Visa Services for Canadians

• India has decided to resume visa services for Canadians in four categories: entry, business, medical reasons, and conferences, with emergency cases still being considered.
• The strained India-Canada relationship, stemming from a dispute over the killing of a Sikh separatist in British Columbia, had led to the suspension of visa services for Canadians worldwide.
• The High Commission of India in Ottawa and Indian consulates in Toronto and Vancouver had temporarily halted these services due to safety and security concerns.

State News

12th Edition of the Bengaluru Literature Festival

• The 12th edition of the Bengaluru Literature Festival is scheduled to commence on December 2 at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru.
• This two-day event will feature approximately 250 authors, including notable figures such as Jnanpith awardee Chandrashekhara Kambara, Chetan Bhagat, Ramachandra Guha, and Perumal Murugan.
• The festival will take place at two distinct venues, Seonee and Malgudi, with names that hold special literary significance.
• Seonee is named after the hills where Mowgli was raised, as described in Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book," while Malgudi is named after the fictional town from R K Narayan's classic novel "Swami and Friends."
• This year's festival also introduces the Atta Galatta literary prize to honor outstanding contributions to Indian literature.

Kerala Government's Investment in Graphene Production Facility

• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has approved the establishment of an innovative graphene production facility through a public-private partnership model, requiring an estimated investment of ₹237 crore.
• The Kerala Digital University will oversee this project, with the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) serving as the special purpose vehicle for infrastructure development.
• Graphene, known for its exceptional properties such as chemical stability, electrical conductivity, transparency, and lightweight structure, holds vast potential for applications across various industries.

Banking News

RBI's New Directive for Private Banks

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a directive aimed at private banks and wholly-owned subsidiaries of foreign banks to establish a robust senior management team to navigate present and emerging challenges effectively.
• The directive mandates that these institutions have a minimum of two Whole-Time Directors (WTDs) on their boards, with one of them being the MD & CEO.
• Banks not meeting this requirement must submit proposals for the appointment of WTD(s) within four months. Banks lacking necessary provisions for WTD appointments in their Articles of Association are urged to seek approvals from the RBI promptly.

Important Days News

World Polio Day 2023

• World Polio Day, celebrated on October 24, underscores global efforts to eradicate polio and emphasizes the importance of vaccination in safeguarding children from this disease.
• In a remarkable achievement, India marked 12 polio-free years on January 13, with the last reported case in 2011. Polio vaccination, especially through oral polio vaccines, has been highly effective in preventing the spread of the virus.
• The World Health Assembly's resolution in 1988 aimed to eliminate the poliovirus, with significant progress.
• Notably, in 2002, the WHO European Region was declared polio-free, leading to the annual celebration of World Polio Day on October 24, highlighting the ongoing global commitment to this cause.

Accession Day 2023

• October 26 holds great significance in India's Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as it commemorates the historic signing of the Instrument of Accession in 1947.
• This pivotal document marked the region's formal integration into India. It was on this day that Maharaja Hari Singh took the momentous step of signing the Instrument of Accession, cementing the region's future within the Indian union.
• The day serves as a powerful symbol of unity between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India.
• In 2020, October 26 was officially designated as a public holiday in Jammu and Kashmir to honor this historic event, serving as a reminder of the region's integration into India and the importance of the Instrument of Accession in shaping its destiny.

Summits & Conferences News

Dr S. Jaishankar's Participation in the 22nd SCO Council Of Heads Of Government Meeting

• Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar's recent visit to Kyrgyzstan for a two-day trip included his participation in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
• During this visit, Jaishankar engaged in discussions with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov to explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation in banking, defense, and energy sectors.
• The discussions spanned a wide range of areas, including banking, energy, health, pharmaceuticals, defense, agriculture, and investments.
• Jaishankar's presence at the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting, alongside key figures like the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, underscores India's commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties within the SCO framework. This aims to foster regional cooperation and meaningful dialogue among member states.

Ranks & Reports News

SBI Report: PM SVANidhi Scheme's Gender Equality Impact

• A recent report from the State Bank of India's economic research department (ERD) sheds light on the remarkable impact of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme, particularly in terms of gender equality and socio-economic transformation.
• The report reveals that 43 percent of the beneficiaries of the PM SVANidhi Scheme are female street vendors, making it a significant contributor to gender equality.
• The scheme empowers urban women by providing them with the means to achieve financial independence and contribute to their families' well-being.
• Furthermore, approximately 75 percent of loan beneficiaries come from the "non-general category," emphasizing the scheme's ability to drive transformative changes.
• The report also highlights the inclusivity of the scheme, reaching individuals in need, irrespective of their religious affiliations.

Agreements News

Airbus Collaboration with IIT Kanpur for Aerospace Education and Innovation

• A momentous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) and Airbus, aiming to significantly enhance India's aerospace sector.
• This partnership will focus on promoting research in advanced aerospace technologies and developing programs to enhance the technical skills of aerospace students in India.
• The collaboration goes beyond conventional academia, offering mentorship, exposure, and hands-on experience to IIT Kanpur students.
• This collaboration holds the potential to make a substantial contribution to the growth of India's aerospace industry, fostering innovation and education.

Appointments News

EC Appoints Actor Rajkummar Rao as 'National Icon'

• Actor Rajkummar Rao, renowned for his role in the film "Newton," where he portrayed a dedicated government clerk overseeing elections in Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh, is set to be recognized as a 'National Icon' by the Election Commission (EC).
• His portrayal resonated with audiences and critics, emphasizing the significance of free and fair elections in India.
• The formal induction is scheduled for October 26, acknowledging Rajkummar Rao's exceptional contribution to promoting the importance of elections in the country.

Professor Sarang Deo's Appointment to WHO's TB Advisory Group

• Professor Sarang Deo, a distinguished figure in Operations Management and healthcare, has been appointed to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Strategic and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) for Tuberculosis.
• Professor Deo, known for his pioneering research and innovative solutions in healthcare, will provide WHO with valuable scientific and technical guidance related to tuberculosis work.
• STAG-TB plays a crucial role in evaluating WHO's strategic aspects, reviewing progress, and advising on priority activities for TB prevention and care.

Amol Muzumdar's Appointment as India Women Head Coach

• Amol Muzumdar, the former Mumbai batsman with an illustrious career in first-class cricket, has been appointed as the head coach of the India women's national team.
• This appointment comes after the position had been vacant since December 2022 when Ramesh Powar was removed as part of the BCCI's restructuring module.
• Amol Muzumdar's extensive experience in cricket, both as a player and a coach, positions him well for this role.
• His contribution to the development of young cricketers and his coaching experience with various teams, including Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, makes him a valuable addition to women's cricket in India.

Sports News

Paralympics Javelin Thrower Sumit Antil Breaks World Record

• Sumit Antil, the reigning Paralympics champion in javelin throw, achieved a remarkable feat by breaking his own F64 world record with a stunning throw of 29m, earning a gold medal for India.
• The F64 category includes athletes with a leg amputation who participate in standing position events using prosthetics.
• This achievement surpasses his previous world record of 70.83m, set while winning gold at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris earlier this year.
• In addition to Sumit Antil, other Indian athletes, including Ankur Dhama and Sundar Singh Gurjar, achieved exceptional success in the Paralympics, making their mark on the global stage.