National News

1. Ministry Of Tourism Inaugurates PATA Travel Mart 2023 In New Delhi

• The Ministry of Tourism, India, played a pivotal role in hosting the inaugural ceremony for the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart 2023 in New Delhi.
• This prestigious event, now in its 46th edition, unfolded at the magnificent International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) within Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from October 4th to 6th, 2023.
• Significantly, this physical gathering marked the return of the Travel Mart after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
• This year's Travel Mart offers a diverse array of activities, including the renowned PATA Gold Award, the enlightening PATA Youth Symposium, and the influential PATA Forum on Sustainability.
• Furthermore, it remains a vital platform for fostering valuable business-to-business (B2B) interactions in the tourism industry.

2. GoI Notifies Establishment Of National Turmeric Board

• The Union government of India has issued a notification for the establishment of the National Turmeric Board, aimed at promoting the growth and development of turmeric and its products within the country.
• The board's objectives encompass facilitating the setup of processing units, promoting exports, conducting research and development, and nurturing traditional value-added turmeric products, all while maintaining stringent quality and food safety standards.
• India currently stands as the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric globally, holding a substantial 62 percent share in the international turmeric market.
• Turmeric cultivation predominantly thrives in states such as Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Gujarat.
• With the concerted efforts of this newly established board, turmeric exports are anticipated to reach a remarkable one billion by the year 2030.

State News

3. Arjun Munda Inaugurates 4th EMRS National Cultural & Literary Fest And Kala Utsav-2023

• The 4th Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) National Cultural & Literary Fest and Kala Utsav-2023 commenced with an inauguration by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda, in the picturesque city of Dehradun on October 3rd, 2023.
• The event witnessed the presence of Uttarakhand's Chief Minister, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, and unfolded at the Maharana Pratap Sports College.
• This cultural fest serves as a national platform for tribal students across India to showcase their hidden talents in various domains.
• With participation from over 2000 tribal students representing 22 states, this year's four-day event, spanning from October 3rd to 6th, promises a rich tapestry of over 20 events.
• Activities range from captivating dance and musical performances to stimulating quizzes and vibrant visual arts presentations.

4. Two-Day Literature Festival To Be Held This Weekend In Bengaluru

• Scheduled for October 7th and 8th, 2023, the Neev Literature Festival 2023 is poised to captivate literary enthusiasts in Bengaluru.
• This year, the festival theme revolves around the question, 'What is childhood without stories?' This theme emerges in the context of the significant transformations in children's lives post-pandemic, encompassing issues such as artificial intelligence, globalization, mental health challenges, shifting values, and more.
• The Neev Literature Festival made its debut in 2017 and introduced the Neev Book Award in 2018, aiming to discover and celebrate exceptional children's books rooted in Indian experiences and narratives.
• Over the years, the festival has delved into thought-provoking themes such as 'Partition: Memory and Memorialization,' 'Peripheries: Boundaries on the Edge, Boundaries Within,' and 'Embracing Diversity.'

Defence News

5. IAF Receives First LCA Trainer From HAL, Seven More To Come By March 2024

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-run aircraft manufacturer, has delivered the inaugural trainer version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• This delivery is part of an earlier order for 40 Mk-1 jets, out of which 32 single-seater jets have already been inducted by the IAF, forming two LCA squadrons.
• The remaining eight aircraft consist of trainers.The Tejas trainer aircraft incorporates modern concepts and technologies, including relaxed static-stability, quadraplex fly-by-wire flight control, advanced glass cockpit, integrated digital avionics systems, and advanced composite materials for the airframe. HAL has committed to delivering seven additional twin-seater aircraft to the IAF by March 2024.

Economy News

6. India’s Diesel Exports To Europe Reached Their Peak In September 2023

• India's diesel exports to Europe surged to their highest levels in September 2023, driven by a combination of factors.
• Data from energy cargo tracker Vortexa highlights this significant development, with diesel exports reaching approximately 333,000 barrels per day (bpd).
• This marked a substantial increase of nearly 47 percent compared to August, and a remarkable year-on-year increase of 57 percent.
• The primary drivers behind this resurgence were constrained supplies from the Middle East and the US due to autumn refinery maintenance and robust demand in Europe.
• Serena Huang, Head of Asia-Pacific Analysis at Vortexa, emphasized these factors, underscoring the impact on global energy markets.

7. Government Maintains GPF Interest Rate At 7.1% For 15th Consecutive Quarter

• The government has announced the retention of the interest rate on General Provident Fund (GPF) savings at 7.1% for the October-December quarter.
• This decision marks the 15th consecutive quarter where the government has maintained the status quo, ensuring stability for government employees' retirement savings.
• This interest rate is also applicable to other provident funds for government employees, including those serving in crucial sectors such as Railways and the Armed Forces.
• While certain small savings schemes have witnessed rate hikes for five consecutive quarters, the popular Public Provident Fund (PPF) has remained at 7.1% since the first quarter of 2020-21.
• Additionally, the returns on five-year recurring deposits have been raised to 6.7% for this quarter, a slight increase from the 6.5% offered in the July-September period.

Business News

8. Coca-Cola India Rolls Out 100% Recycled PET Bottles For Small Packs

• Coca-Cola India has made a significant stride towards sustainability by launching fully recycled PET bottles for its flagship Coca-Cola brand.
• These bottles are available in pack sizes of 250 ml and 750 ml, and they are set to be distributed across various markets in the country.
• This initiative aligns with Coca-Cola's global commitment to reduce its environmental footprint.This endeavor is part of Coca-Cola's broader sustainable packaging platform, which includes a commitment to collect and recycle the equivalent of one bottle or can for every one sold globally by 2030. Additionally, Coca-Cola aims to make 100% of its packaging recyclable by 2025, marking a significant step towards responsible packaging practices.

Ranks and Reports News

9. Global Infrastructure Faces Staggering Annual Losses Of $300 Billion Due To Worsening Climate Impacts

• The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) has released a biennial report revealing alarming annual losses in global infrastructure due to the escalating impacts of climate change and disasters.
• The report highlights the critical challenges faced by low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) in maintaining resilient infrastructure systems.
• The global annual average loss (AAL) in principal infrastructure sectors due to disasters and climate change ranges between USD 301 and USD 330 billion.
• When including health and education infrastructure, along with building stock, this figure increases significantly to USD 732 to USD 845 This emphasizes the urgent need for global efforts to enhance infrastructure resilience in the face of a changing climate.

Appointments News

10. RBI Appoints Muneesh Kapur As Executive Director

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Muneesh Kapur as an Executive Director, effective from October 3, 2023.
• This significant appointment positions Kapur in a key leadership role within the central bank.
• Prior to this, Muneesh Kapur served as Adviser-in-Charge within the Monetary Policy Department and as the Secretary to the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), contributing significantly to shaping the nation's monetary policy.

• In his new capacity as Executive Director, Muneesh Kapur will oversee the operations of the Department of Economic and Policy Research, playing a crucial role in formulating economic policies and conducting research vital to the RBI's decision-making processes.

11. Aditya Puri Joins Deloitte As Senior Advisor

• Aditya Puri, the former Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Bank, has assumed the role of Senior Advisor at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP.
• This seasoned banking industry veteran will leverage his extensive expertise to drive a tech-enabled transformation in the financial services sector and champion initiatives focused on enhancing financial inclusion across India.
• Aditya Puri, with over 26 years as HDFC Bank CEO, holds the distinction of being the longest-serving head of a private bank in India.
• His wealth of experience, including more than two decades with Citibank in various international roles, positions him as a valuable asset in steering Deloitte's initiatives towards technological innovation and inclusive financial practices.

Agreements News

12. Fintech Unicorn Slice To Merge With North East Small Finance Bank

• Indian fintech unicorn Slice has officially confirmed its merger with North East Small Finance Bank (NESFB) after receiving approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• This merger, a rarity in the financial technology sector, aims to revolutionize banking services and expand financial inclusion in India.
• This strategic merger follows Slice's earlier acquisition of a 10% stake in NESFB, setting the stage for a deeper collaboration between the two entities.
• Industry experts anticipate that this partnership will enable the newly formed company to enhance its product offerings and accelerate innovation.
• With Slice's expertise in credit card-like offerings and NESFB's regional presence, the collaboration is poised to serve a broader customer base currently underserved by traditional banking institutions.

Awards News

13. Nobel Prize In Literature 2023 Awarded To Jon Fosse

• The Nobel Prize in Literature 2023 has been awarded to Norwegian author Jon Fosse for his innovative plays and prose that give voice to the unsayable.
• The Swedish Academy, based in Stockholm, Sweden, awarded Jon Fosse with the prestigious honor, accompanied by a monetary award of Swedish kronor (SEK)0 million.Jon Fosse, born in 1959, is recognized as one of the most significant writers of our time.
• His diverse body of work, spanning novels, plays, poems, stories, essays, and children's books, has been translated into over fifty languages. This accolade further solidifies his position as a literary luminary whose contributions resonate globally.

Sports News

14. Asian Games 2023, Indian Team Wins Gold In Men’s 4x400m Relay

• The Indian quartet secured a gold medal in the men's 4x400m relay at the Asian Games 2023 held in Hangzhou, China.
• The team, consisting of Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Rajesh Ramesh, and Muhammad Ajmal Variyathodi, finished with an impressive time of 3:01.58.
• India's qualification for the finals, with the fastest time of 3:03.81 minutes in the heats, showcased their prowess ahead of Qatar, Japan, and Iraq. Notably, India holds the Area Record in the event, achieved by the same quartet at the recent Athletics World Champions in Belgium, where they clocked 2:59.05 minutes to qualify for the finals.

15. Asian Games 2023, Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold In Javelin Throw

• India celebrated a remarkable 1-2 finish in the Men's Javelin Throw competition at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China.
• Neeraj Chopra secured the gold medal with a season's best throw of 88.88 meters, marking his second consecutive gold at the Asian Games.
• Kishore Kumar Jena clinched the silver with an impressive throw of 87.54 meters, showcasing the depth of talent in Indian javelin throwing.