International News

Indonesia's Inaugural High-Speed Railway: Southeast Asia's First

• Indonesian President Joko Widodo officially unveiled Southeast Asia's maiden high-speed railway, marking a momentous achievement in the nation's infrastructure progress.
• The ambitious project, known as the "Whoosh" high-speed railway, is a pivotal component of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
• It promises to significantly reduce travel times between Indonesia's key cities, Jakarta and Bandung. The name "Whoosh," which translates to 'timesaving, optimal operation, reliable system' in the Indonesian language, aptly reflects the project's dedication to efficiency and reliability.

Pro-China Leader Mohamed Muizzu Triumphs in Maldives Presidential Election

• Mohamed Muizzu, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) candidate, emerged victorious in the presidential elections after a runoff vote.
• His victory followed an initial round of polling that failed to produce a clear winner.
• Muizzu secured over 53 percent of the vote in the runoff, defeating the incumbent president, Ibrahim Solih, who gracefully conceded defeat and congratulated Muizzu on his triumph.
• Muizzu, currently serving as the mayor of Male, the capital city, holds a doctorate in civil engineering from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom and previously served as the Minister of Housing in former President Abdulla Yameen's cabinet.

State News

Bihar Caste Census: Unveiling Demographic Insights

• The Bihar government recently released the results of its comprehensive caste survey, shedding light on the state's demographic composition.
• This survey provides valuable data on the distribution of castes in Bihar.
• Key findings from the Bihar caste survey include: Extremely Backward Class (EBC) comprises 36.01% of the population, Other Backward Class (OBC) constitutes 27.13%, Scheduled Caste (SC) population stands at 19.65%, Scheduled Tribe (ST) population is 1.68%, General Caste population is 15.52%, and Yadavs represent 14% of the population. Hindus make up 82% of the population, while Muslims account for 17.71%.

Tamil Nadu Government Honors ISRO Scientists and Announces Awards

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin recently celebrated the achievements of nine distinguished space scientists from the state, including luminaries like K Sivan and Mylswamy Annadurai, for their remarkable contributions to India's space program.
• During a special event in Chennai on October 2, 2023, Chief Minister Stalin announced cash awards of 25 lakh for each scientist and unveiled plans for a scholarship program to foster scientific innovation among postgraduate engineering students.
• The government will allocate a corpus of Rs. 10 crore for this purpose, covering expenses such as tuition and hostel fees.

Initiating Football Excellence in Schools: F4S Program Launches in Sambalpur, Odisha

• On October 2, 2023, a two-day master training program was launched in Sambalpur, Odisha, as part of the Football for Schools (F4S) initiative.
• This event saw the participation of 95 Physical Education Teachers/Trainees from various States/UTs, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), and AIFF.
• The primary goal of this training was to equip educators with the skills and knowledge needed to promote football as an integral part of physical education.
• F4S, spearheaded by FIFA, aims to revolutionize physical education in Indian schools, empowering approximately 700 million children by integrating football into their education, emphasizing accessibility for both boys and girls.

Defence News

Indian Navy Introduces Weaponized Boat Swarms and Underwater Vessels at Swavlamban 2.0

• The Indian Navy is gearing up for the second edition of the Naval Innovation and Indigenization Seminar, known as Swavlamban, scheduled for October 4th and 5th in New Delhi.
• The Indian Navy will unveil two remarkable platforms at this event: the Autonomous Weaponized Boat Swarms and the Autonomous Vessel Underwater (AUV).
• These autonomous systems have been developed in partnership with Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd.
• The primary objective is to address India's maritime security needs by executing diverse naval and security missions with integrated autonomous technology.

Indian Air Force to Induct Astra BVR Air-To-Air Missile

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking significant steps to enhance its air defense capabilities with the impending induction of indigenous Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air Missiles.
• The IAF has entered into contracts with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for these advanced missiles, reducing import dependency and bolstering national security.
• The first batch of Astra-MK1 missiles, developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI), is set to be inducted by the end of 2023.
• This marks a significant milestone in indigenous missile production with Bulk Production Clearance already granted for Astra-MK1 missiles.

Important Days News

World Nature Day 2023: A Call to Action

• World Nature Day, established by the World Nature Organization (WNO) on October 3, 2010, serves as a vital platform for raising awareness about the environmental challenges, particularly those posed by climate change.
• This annual celebration unites individuals, groups, and organizations worldwide in their commitment to disseminating information about climate change and advocating for its mitigation.
• The initiative aims to combat ignorance about climate change and encourages eco-friendly practices such as recycling, reducing plastic usage, and adopting sustainable lifestyles.

World Space Week (WSW) 2023: Celebrating Space and Entrepreneurship

• World Space Week (WSW), a global celebration established by the United Nations General Assembly, takes place from October 4 to 10 each year.
• This event highlights the significance of space science and technology in enhancing human life.
• The choice of October 4 as the starting date commemorates the launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviet Union, marking the beginning of the Space Age.
• The theme for World Space Week 2023 is "Space and Entrepreneurship," emphasizing the growing influence of the commercial space industry.

Summits and Conferences News

Ministry Of MSME's 'Shramdaan Event' for a 'Garbage-Free India'

• On October 1, 2023, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) took a significant step towards realizing the vision of a "Garbage-Free India."
• A unique event titled 'Shramdaan' was organized by the Ministry, aligning with the national initiative championed by the Hon'ble Prime Minister.
• 'Shramdaan' epitomized a united and concerted effort, with participants from the Ministry of MSME, including its diverse range of organizations and field offices scattered across the country.
• The event revolved around the concept of "Garbage Free India," emphasizing the importance of cleanliness and proactive measures for a cleaner and healthier nation.

Appointments News

Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti Assumes Charge As Deputy Chief Of The Naval Staff

• Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, AVSM, VSM, has assumed the role of Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, marking a significant transition in the leadership of the Indian Navy.
• With a distinguished career spanning over 35 years, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.
• He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1988, specializing in Navigation and Direction. His tenure as a Flag Officer included commanding crucial naval assets, such as INS Nishank, INS Kora, and INS Kolkata.

Awards News

Nobel Prize In Physics 2023 Awarded To Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz And Anne L’Huillier

• The Nobel Prize in Physics for 2023 was awarded to Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz, and Anne L’Huillier for their groundbreaking experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light.
• Their work allows the study of electron dynamics in matter with unprecedented precision.
• The Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, has been presented 116 times to 222 laureates between 1901 and 2022.

Sudha Murty Receives Global Indian Award

• Sudha Murty, renowned author and philanthropist, became the first woman to receive the prestigious Global Indian Award from the Canada India Foundation (CIF).
• The award, with a value of $50,000, is presented annually to an outstanding Indian personality who has made a lasting impact in their respective field.
• Sudha Murty's exceptional contributions to literature, philanthropy, and society made her a fitting recipient.
• In a generous gesture, she donated the award money to The Field Institute at the University of Toronto, known for its efforts in strengthening collaborations and innovation in mathematics and other disciplines.

Sports News

Indian Men's Football Team Clinches SAFF Under-19 Championship

• India secured victory in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-19 Championship by defeating Pakistan 3-0 in a dominant display in the finals at the Dashrath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• This marked India's eighth youth title in the SAFF championships, reaffirming their regional supremacy.
• Manglenthang Kipgen was named the Most Valuable Player.

Ajay Jadeja Appointed as Mentor for Afghanistan Cricket Team in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

• Former India captain Ajay Jadeja was appointed as the mentor for the Afghanistan Cricket Team in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
• With a distinguished career as a player and coach, Jadeja brings extensive experience to the team.
• His role signifies the trust and expectations placed upon him by the team management.

Science & Technology News

24 Agri Startups Recommended for Support from Rs 20 Crore Fund

• In a significant boost to the agri-tech sector, 24 startups have been recommended for technical and financial support from a dedicated fund of Rs 20 crore.
• This transformative initiative was announced during the ATMAN (Agri sTartup deMo And funding) 2023 program.
• Organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with four Technology Innovation Hubs, the program played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing promising agri-startups.
• The selected startups, covering areas such as precision farming, agro IoT, and farm advisory, will receive support to further their innovative solutions.