Daily Current Affairs and GK | 13 September 2024

Topic: State News/ Telangana

1. Telangana State government has decided to celebrate 17 September as Praja Palana Day.

• September 17th is the day on which Hyderabad State was integrated into the Indian Union in 1948.
• The national flag will be hoisted at all government offices, urban local bodies and gram panchayats on September 17.
• Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will hoist the Tricolour in Hyderabad at an official programme.
• Earlier, the Union government had decided to celebrate September 17 as Hyderabad Liberation Day.
• On 17 September 1948, the state of Hyderabad got its independence from Nizam’s rule.
• The liberation of Hyderabad was possible due to the action by the first Minister of Home Affairs of India, Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel under Operation Polo.

Topic: MoUs /Agreements

2. Tamil Nadu government inked a pact with U.S. machinery manufacturer Caterpillar.

• U.S. machinery manufacturer Caterpillar will set up its equipment manufacturing facilities in Tamil Nadu.
• An MoU with Autodesk to provide skill development for youth and to support MSMEs and startups was signed during Chief Minister MK Stalin’s ongoing visit to the U.S.
• An Rs 2,000-crore investment by Jabil in Tiruchirappalli will generate 5000 jobs and will also establish a new electronics manufacturing cluster.
• A Rs 2,000-crore MoU was signed with Trilliant for the development of a manufacturing unit.
• Agreements with Nokia, PayPal, Yield Engineering Services, Microchip, Infinx Healthcare, and Applied Materials were also finalized.
• Rs 900 crore investments will generate 4,100 job opportunities in the state.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: MoUs/Agreement

3. The agreement signed by ENEC and NPCIL to enhance potential cooperation in various areas.

• On 12 September, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) have signed an agreement in New Delhi.
• The agreement has been signed to exchange expertise between the two and enhance potential cooperation in various areas such as supply chain development, human resource development, provision of nuclear consultancy services, and future investments.
• This agreement is the first of its kind between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of India in the nuclear field.
• Mohammed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, and Bhuwan Chandra Pathak, Chairman and Managing Director of the Nuclear Energy Corporation of India, signed on this agreement.

Topic: International News

4. India will be a special partner for European Hydrogen Week in November 2024.

• On September 12, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced that India will be the exclusive partner for the European Hydrogen Week in November 2024.
• The partnership was revealed on the second day of the International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2024) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• The day highlighted India's intention to address EU green regulations to boost exports.
• In addition, a Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed between Chain Terminals of the Netherlands and ACME Cleantech of India for ammonia import terminals.
• The event also featured sessions bringing forth perspectives from the European Union, Australia, and the Netherlands on the opportunities and challenges in the green hydrogen sector.

Topic: Government Scheme and Initiatives

5. A scheme worth Rs 12,461 crore has been approved by the Cabinet to promote hydropower.

• On September 11, the revised scheme of budgetary support to hydropower projects (HEPs) with an allocation of Rs 12,461 crore approved by the Union Cabinet.
• Running from FY 2024-25 to FY 2031-32, the scheme aims to enhance infrastructure and support the development of hydropower in India.
• The scheme addresses key challenges such as remote locations and inadequate infrastructure by broadening its scope to cover additional costs.
• This includes financing for the construction of transmission lines, upgrading pooling substations, ropeways, railway sidings, and the development of communication infrastructure.
• The scheme will provide support to hydro power projects with a cumulative generation capacity of approximately 31,350 MW over the next eight years.
• The budgetary support limit has been revised to Rs 1 crore per MW for projects up to 200 MW and Rs 200 crore plus Rs 0.75 crore per MW for projects above 200 MW.
• This is likely to be increased to Rs 1.5 crore per MW in exceptional cases.

Topic: Art and Culture

6. Ladakh Zanskar Festival began in Sani.

• The picturesque Sani village in Zanskar is buzzing with excitement as the 9th Edition of Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2024 began on September 13.
• A large number of tourists, locals, and officials have gathered to witness this two-day cultural festival.
• It celebrates the rich heritage and natural beauty of the Zanskar region, where majestic glaciers meet age-old traditions.
• This festival is being celebrated on 13-14 September, 2024 in Sani village.
• A major highlight of the festival is the captivating traditional dance performances.
• This includes the Cham dance, which is performed by monks in elaborate masks and costumes.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Personality in News

7. Sitaram Yechury passed away in New Delhi on 12 September 2024 after a prolonged illness.

• He was receiving treatment for a severe respiratory tract infection at AIIMS in Delhi.
• He was General Secretary of CPI(M). He was born in Chennai.
• He was chosen three times to serve as the JNU Students Union President.
• After becoming a member of the CPI(M) in 1975, he was detained for his political activity during the emergency.
• In 2015, he was chosen to serve as the CPI (M) General Secretary.
• He was chosen from West Bengal to serve two terms in the Rajya Sabha from 2005 to 2017.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

8. The adoption of the Delhi Declaration on Civil Aviation has been announced by PM Modi.

• The Declaration was unanimously adopted following the 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference in New Delhi.
• The Declaration is a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing regional cooperation in the civil aviation sector in the Asia-Pacific region.
• It is also aimed at addressing emerging challenges and fostering sustainable growth in the civil aviation sector in the Asia-Pacific region.
• The Prime Minister said at the conference that India is now making progress towards becoming a major aviation hub by the end of this decade.
• He said that in the last ten years, the number of airports in India has doubled.
• 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation was held from 11–12 September 2024 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India.
• It was organised by the Government of India jointly with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

9. Government launched the ‘Rangeen Machhli' App to meet the needs of the ornamental fisheries sector.

• Union Minister for Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the "Rangeen Machhli" mobile app at ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar.
• It has been developed by the ICAR-CIFA with support from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
• The app has been designed to meet needs of the ornamental fisheries sector.
• It will provide crucial knowledge resources to hobbyists, aquarium shop owners, and fish farmers.
• The ornamental fisheries sector has immense potential of generating employment and contribute to the economy.
• "Rangeen Machhli" app provides multilingual information in eight languages.
• "Find Aquarium Shops" tool, which allows users to locate nearby aquarium shops, is the most unique feature of this app.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Awards and Prizes

10. Indian-origin lecturer Prasanthi Ram won the Singapore Literature Prize.

• An Indian-origin lecturer at Nanyang Technological University, Prasanthi Ram, has won the Singapore Literature Prize for her book ‘Nine Yard Sarees’.
• Her short story book – ‘Nine Yard Sarees’ was published in 2023.
• This short story book is about the generations of a Tamil Brahmin family dispersed across Singapore, Sydney, New York and Connecticut.
• A three-member panel led by poet Cyril Wong has selected the winner.
• The best English creative non-fiction prize went to Indian-origin Shubigi Rao for a book titled ‘Pulp III: An Intimate Inventory Of The Banished Book’ (2022).
• The best English debut prize went to Professor Emeritus Peter Ellinger for “Down Memory Lane: Peter Ellinger’s Memoirs (2023)”.

Topic: International News

11. Mexico became the first country in the world to allow voters to elect judges at all levels on 11 September.

• The decision came after protesters stormed the Upper House and debate on the issue was postponed.
• Outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador had pushed hard for reform and criticized the current judicial system for serving the interests of political and economic elites.
• With 41 votes against and 86 in favour, the reform was approved by the upper chamber, which is dominated by the ruling MORENA party and its allies.
• This is the two-thirds majority needed to amend the constitution.
• The debate over reform has sparked mass protests, diplomatic tensions and investor panic.
• Opponents, including court employees and law students, have staged numerous protests against the plan, which would see Supreme Court and other high-level judges, as well as local-level judges, elected by popular vote.

Topic: Government Scheme and Initiatives

12. On September 11, the Union Cabinet approved the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

• This is a flagship rural road programme with an estimated outlay of around Rs 70,125 crore over the next five years.
• A total of about 62,500 km of rural roads will be constructed during this phase.
• 25,000 unconnected settlements will get new connectivity and bridges on new roads will also be constructed and upgraded.
• In this programme, the Centre's share is estimated to be around Rs 49,087.5 crore, while the state's share is estimated at Rs 21,037.5 crore.
• The aim of this scheme is to generate 40 crore human-days of employment.
• According to the 2011 census, 25,000 unconnected habitations will be covered under the new rural road scheme.
• These include settlements with a population of more than 500 in the plains, more than 250 in the hilly, northeastern and tribal areas and more than 100 in the leftist-affected districts.
• Under various phases of the PMGSY scheme launched in the year 2000, around 800,000 km of rural roads have been constructed and 180,000 habitations have been connected.

Topic: Defense

13. Indian army to participate in India-Oman Joint Military Exercise Al Najah.

• Indian Army contingent has departed to take part in the fifth edition of the India-Oman Joint Military Exercise, Al Najah.
• It will be organized from September 13 to 26  at the Rabkoot Training Area in Salalah, Oman.
• Exercise AL NAJAH has been organized biennially since 2015, on an alternate basis between India and Oman.
• Indian Army’s contingent comprises 60 personnel, including a battalion from the Mechanised Infantry Regiment and members from various arms and services will take part in this exercise.
• The exercise will focus on operations in a desert environment.
• It will enhance the joint military capabilities of both countries for counter-terrorism operations.
• Tactical drills, including joint planning, cordon and search operations, fighting in built-up areas, etc. will be part of this exercise.

(Source: DD News)

Topic: State News/ Maharashtra

14. Maharashtra to establish Tribal University in Nashik.

• A Tribal University with an 80 per cent reservation for students from tribal communities will be set up in Nashik.
• The university will help in the social development of tribal communities.
• It will provide quality education and skills training from kindergarten (KG) to postgraduate (PG) level.
• The University with the highest standards of excellence, governance, and academic rigour will have accreditation from NAAC.
• A similar university has been set up in Odisha.