National News

Cabinet Approves Women Reservation Bill Granting 33% Seats To Women In Parliament

• The Union Cabinet recently made a historic decision by giving its approval to the Women Reservation Bill.
• This landmark bill stipulates that one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies must be reserved for women candidates.
• This progressive move is aimed at fostering gender equality and bolstering the representation of women in India's legislative bodies.
• To ensure fairness and prevent the monopolization of reserved seats, the bill also includes a provision for rotating these seats after each general election.
• Additionally, the bill proposes sub-reservations within the 33 percent quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Anglo-Indians.
• This sub-reservation recognizes the importance of addressing intersectional inequalities and promoting diversity in political representation.

International News

Indonesia Kicks Off ASEAN Joint Military Drills Amid South China Sea Tension

• Amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, countries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) initiated joint military exercises in Indonesia's South Natuna Sea.
• These exercises focus on enhancing various military skills, including maritime security, patrols, and the distribution of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
• The primary goal of this initiative is to promote regional stability and cooperation among ASEAN member nations.
• All ten ASEAN member nations, including East Timor, are actively participating in these collaborative drills, emphasizing their commitment to regional stability.

African Union To Launch Own Credit Ratings Agency

• In response to concerns about biased credit assessments for African nations, the African Union is preparing to launch its own credit ratings agency.
• This agency aims to provide a balanced evaluation of lending risks associated with African countries and attract more investments to the continent.
• Operating primarily within Africa, the agency's objective is to offer an additional perspective for investors considering African bonds or extending private loans to African nations.
• Credit ratings play a crucial role in assessing borrowers' default risk and influence the terms of loans provided by financial institutions.

Gandhi Walk Resumed In Johannesburg, South Africa

• After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Gandhi Walk in Johannesburg, South Africa, made a triumphant return.
• This year's event featured a six-kilometer walk and emphasized enjoyment over competition, drawing the participation of over two thousand people.
• Notably, Harivardan Pitamber, who bears a striking resemblance to Mahatma Gandhi, added an authentic touch to the event.
• Pitamber has been a dedicated participant in the Gandhi Walk for years, enhancing the experience for all attendees.

India-Canada Relations Strained Over Sikh Separatist Allegations

• Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced "credible" information linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia, Canada.
• This revelation has significantly strained bilateral relations.
• The slain leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, advocated for an independent Sikh nation called Khalistan within India's Punjab state and was labeled a "terrorist" by Indian authorities in 2020.
• This incident has sparked discussions on social media about potential connections between Indian intelligence agencies and overseas deaths, including those on Canadian soil.

State News

CM Pramod Sawant Launches Griha Adhar Scheme To Empower Goan Homemakers

• In a significant move to empower homemakers in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant distributed Griha Adhar sanction orders to beneficiaries across the state.
• The Griha Adhar initiative, led by the Directorate of Women and Child Development, aims to enhance women's financial independence and overall quality of life.
• In addition to Griha Adhar, Chief Minister Sawant launched the Chavath-e-Bazaar program, part of the Swayampura Goa Programme, designed to empower local entrepreneurs and self-help groups through e-commerce, showcasing their products to a broader audience.

Nuakhai Juhar 2023

• On September 20th, people in Odisha celebrated the Nuakhai festival, marking the beginning of the new rice season. This annual harvest celebration holds special significance in Western Odisha and Simdega, Jharkhand.
• During Nuakhai, families collect newly harvested paddy, offer milk and flowers to the crops and mother earth, and then offer it to their deities.
• The festival serves as a time for traditional greetings, community dances, and feasts, lasting throughout the month in rural areas.

Defence News

Udhampur Railway Station Renamed As Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Railway Station

• In honor of Army Captain Tushar Mahajan, the Udhampur railway station in Jammu and Kashmir has been renamed as the Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Railway Station.
• Captain Tushar Mahajan, a dedicated officer in the Indian Army's 9 Para Special Forces, gave his life in service to the nation. This renaming serves as a tribute to his bravery and sacrifice.

Banking News

ACKO Launches "Health Insurance Ki Subah Ho Gayi Mamu" Campaign For Platinum Health Plan

• ACKO, a prominent insurance company, has introduced its comprehensive health insurance offering called the "ACKO Platinum Health Plan."
• Notable features of this plan include 100% bill payment, no room rent caps, and zero waiting periods. To promote this product, ACKO has launched the "Health Insurance ki Subah ho Gayi Mamu" campaign, featuring iconic Bollywood characters Munna Bhai and Circuit.
• This campaign highlights the plan's unique features, emphasizing immediate coverage and simplified claims processes.

Schemes and Committees News

Union Education Minister Launches "Skills On Wheels" Initiative To Empower Rural Youth

• Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the "Skills on Wheels"
• This collaborative effort between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and IndusInd Bank aims to enhance the employability of rural youth and equip them with essential digital skills.
• Over five years, the initiative plans to empower 60,000 rural youth and improve the livelihoods of rural households, with a particular focus on women.

Government Launches Three Transformative Initiatives For Farmers

• The government has announced three game-changing initiatives focused on agri-credit and crop insurance.
• These initiatives aim to enhance financial inclusion, harness technology, and improve farmers' livelihoods.
• The initiatives include the Kisan Rin Portal (KRP) for digital agri-credit, the Door to Door KCC Campaign for universal financial inclusion, and the Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) Manual for data-driven insights for farmers.

Agreements News

IREDA Signs MoUs With Bank Of Maharashtra For Green Financing

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) to promote and facilitate co-lending and loan syndication for renewable energy projects across India.

 This collaboration aligns with India's goals of reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to clean energy sources to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070.

Summits and Conferences News

14th World Spice Congress: Celebrating India’s Spice Heritage

• The 14th World Spice Congress (WSC) commenced in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, organized by the Spices Board India in collaboration with trade bodies and export forums.
• India, known as the 'Spice Bowl' of the world, produces high-quality, medicinal spices. The WSC aims to create new opportunities for the international trade of Indian spices, highlighting the regional significance of spices like black pepper, cardamom, and turmeric.

Appointments News

HDFC Bank’s Jagdishan Gets 3-Year Extension

• Sashidhar Jagdishan has received a three-year extension as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HDFC Bank, following the merger of HDFC Ltd with HDFC Bank.
• This extension endorses his leadership and strategic vision for one of India's largest banks, which has become the second-largest in the country after the merger.

Sports News

Cricketer Deepak Chahar Launches New Brand 'DNINE Sports'

• Cricketer Deepak Chahar has ventured into the world of sports equipment with the launch of DNINE Sports.
• With an investment of ₹2.5 crore, this sports line offers a wide range of products catering to the needs of athletes, including professional cricketers.
• DNINE Sports adopts a multi-pronged approach to distribution, both online and offline, emphasizing word-of-mouth marketing for building brand awareness.

Adidas Revealed Team India Jersey For ICC World Cup 2023

• Adidas has unveiled Team India's jersey for the ICC World Cup 2023, which India is hosting for the first time.
• The jersey features vibrant tricolor stripes instead of the traditional white stripes on the shoulders, symbolizing India's cultural heritage and national pride.
• Additionally, two stars above the BCCI logo represent India's two ODI World Cup triumphs in 1983 and 2011, celebrating the nation's cricketing achievements.