Daily Current Affairs and GK | 20 October 2023

Topic: State News/ Jammu and Kashmir

1. Jammu and Kashmir's government formed a high-level panel to identify foreign people living illegally.

• The panel will identify foreign nationals illegally overstaying in J&K since January 1, 2011.
• The committee aims to identify the Rohingya Muslims, foreign nationals from Bangladesh and the families of surrendered militants who are staying in Kashmir.
• The government wants to create a data bank of all foreign nationals and many staying illegally.
• The six-member panel is headed by the financial commissioner and additional chief secretary, RK Goyal.
• Senior Superintendent of Police, CID, Special Branch, Jammu, Senior Superintendent of Police, CID, Special Branch, etc. are members of this panel.
• The panel will prepare a monthly report of missing foreigners in Jammu & Kashmir and submit it to the Ministry of Home Affairs by the 7th of every month.
• In April 2022, the J&K and Ladakh High Court directed the state government to identify all illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh in Jammu and Kashmir.

Topic: State News/ Odisha

2. Odisha Government will promote maize cultivation under the ‘Mukhyamantri Maka Mission’.

• The Odisha Government has decided to launch a programme to increase the area under maize cultivation.
• The government will introduce different varieties of maize for farmers.
• The cabinet led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made a provision of Rs 481.94 crore for the crop diversification scheme for five years.
• Mukhyamantri Maka Mission (MMM) will be implemented more scientifically and progressively way.
• Apart from maize, the government will also work to increase the productivity of pulses, oilseeds, and fibre crops (cotton and jute).
• It will give a boost to employment generation in rural areas and increase farmer's income.
• The state government has also decided to increase the corpus fund for procurement and prepositioning of fertilisers from Rs 90 crore to Rs 150 crore.
• In India, maize is mainly grown in two seasons, rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi).
• Karnataka is the largest producer of maize in India. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are the second and third largest producers respectively.

Topic: National News

3. Nationwide Operation Chakra-2 launched by CBI to bust organized cyber crime.

• On October 19, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched Operation Chakra-II and conducted raids at 76 locations in the country in a concerted effort to dismantle the cybercrime mafia.
• A large number of devices were seized on the first day and five cases were registered.
• Chakra-II is the sequel to last year's original Operation Chakra in which the CBI had dismantled call centers that had become hubs of cybercrime.
• CBI launched Operation Chakra-II to continue its fight against international organized cybercrime networks.
• It aims to counter and dismantle the infrastructure of organized cyber-enabled financial crimes in India.
• This operation was carried out in collaboration with national and international agencies.
• The raids were conducted in several states including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Bihar, Delhi, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh.
• The agency has seized 32 mobile phones, 48 laptops or hard disks, images of two servers, 33 SIM cards, and pen drives, and has frozen several bank accounts.
• Additionally, Operation Chakra-II busted a sophisticated crypto-currency fraud operation by obtaining vital information from FIU India.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

4. 21^st meeting of the India-France Military Sub-Committee was concluded in New Delhi.

• On October 16-17, the 21st edition of the India-France Military Sub Committee (MSC) meeting was held at Air Force Station, New Delhi.
• The meeting was co-chaired from the Indian side by Air Vice Marshal Ashish Vohra, and Major General Eric Peltier, General Officer, International Military Relations of the Joint Staff from the French side.
• India-France MSC is a platform established to advance defense cooperation between the two countries through regular interactions at strategic and operational levels.
• The meeting took place in a friendly, warm and cordial atmosphere.
• The focus of the discussion was to explore new initiatives within the framework of the existing bilateral defense cooperation framework and to strengthen the already ongoing defense activities.
• In addition, on October 12, Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had a meeting with French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu in Paris.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Sports

5. Karthikeyan Murali became the third Indian to defeat World number one Magnus Carlsen in classical chess.

• Karthikeyan managed to defeat Carlsen while playing with black in the seventh round of the Qatar Masters tournament.
• The tournament was organized from October 10-20.
• Murali's win over Carlsen made him the third Indian after Harikrishna and Vishwanathan Anand.
• With this win, Murali joined the leaders with 5.5 points out of 7, which included SL Narine, Javokhir Sindarov, David Parvyan, Arjun Erigay, and Nodyrbek Yakuboev.
• The Qatar Masters Open is an open chess tournament organized by the Qatar Chess Association in Doha, Qatar.
• Its first edition took place from 25 November to 5 December 2014.

Topic: Personality in News

6. Padma Shri awardee, and spiritual leader Bangaru Adigalar passes away at the age of 82.

• On 19 October, Spiritual guru Bangaru Adigalar, popularly known as 'Amma', passed away at his residence in Melmaruvathur, near Chennai.
• He brought revolutionary reforms like paving the way for women to enter the sanctum sanctorum of Shakti temples.  
• He founded the Adhiparasakthi Siddha Peetham (Goddess Parvati) spiritual movement, better known as the Melmaruvathur temple.
• His devotees worshipped him as 'Amma' (Mother), using red clothes as a symbol of Shakti worship.

Topic: Indian Economy

7. According to an IMF official, India will contribute 18% of global growth in five years.

• According to a senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) official, India’s share in global economic growth will increase by 2 percentage points in 5 years.
• Indian economy is projected to grow faster in the coming years.
• Presently, India and China’s contribution to global growth is 50%. Out of this, India’s contribution is 16%.
• Krishna Srinivasan, Director, IMF Asia & Pacific Department said that the Asia Pacific region’s economy will grow by 4.6% in 2023 and by 4.2% in 2024.
• Recently, India’s growth estimate was revised upwards by the IMF to 6.3% in FY24.
• In the Regional Economic Outlook for Asia and the Pacific, IMF projected the growth in Asia-Pacific will increase from 3.9% in 2022 to 4.6% in 2023.
• Srinivasan said the Government of India was likely to meet its 5.9% fiscal deficit target in FY24.
• He added state government’s deficit is expected to be 2.8% of GSDP. This is below the deficit target of 3%.
• He added for every 10% increase in oil prices, global GDP declines by 0.15%.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

8. Mahsa Amini has been posthumously awarded the European Union’s top human rights prize. 

• She was a Kurdish-Iranian woman. She died in police custody last year in Iran.
• She has been posthumously awarded the European Union's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
• She died on 16 September 2022 after she was arrested for violating Iran's mandatory headscarf law.
• The award ceremony will be held on December 13. The award was started in 1988.
• It recognizes individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Topic: Reports and Indices/Ranking

9. A report on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in India has been released by FICCI.

• The report mentions how SMEs are adapting to digital transformation, sustainability practices and challenges.
• The report states that adopting technology through the use of e-commerce platforms, digital marketing, cloud computing, and automation tools has increased.
• The report highlighted that Small and Medium Enterprises have reduced their annual operational costs, increased customer base, and expanded market presence.
• As per the report, sustainable practices adopted by SMEs can reduce their ecological footprint and minimize waste generation.
• Lack of skilled resources, technological expertise, and a limited knowledge of business-specific technology solutions are the main challenges for Small and Medium Enterprises in India.
• The report made recommendations regarding improving access to finance, regular monitoring and evaluation of government schemes, and creating a single window for all compliances.
• The report is based on a nationwide survey of more than 600 SMEs across 14 cities followed by focused group discussions.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Science and Technology

10. BIS approved India’s first AC and DC combined charging connector standard.

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has approved India’s first ever indigenously developed AC and DC Combined Charging connector standard for light electric vehicles (LEVs).
• This is also the world’s first-ever combined AC and DC charging connector standard for light electric vehicles.
• This standard has been designed and developed in India, which can become a global benchmark.
• NITI Aayog, the Department of Science and Technology, ARAI, EV makers, and the Bureau of Indian Standards came together to develop this national standard.
• This standard will help to create an open ecosystem, which will increase faster adoption of EVs across the world.
• It will help in implementing a charging system that will support Indian Innovation.
• A combined AC and DC charging connector will ensure all forms of charging for light electric vehicles i.e. fast charging or slow charging.

Topic: Corporates and Company

11. A new brand identity and design unveiled by Air India Express.

• Tata-owned Air India's subsidiaries Air India Express and AirAsia India unveiled a common, refreshed branding as 'Air India Express'.
• On 18 October, it was unveiled on the first brand-new Boeing 737-8 aircraft at a ceremony at Mumbai Airport.
• On the occasion, Air India Express Chairperson Campbell Wilson and Managing Director Alok Singh unveiled the new brand identity, logo, and design.
• The airline's new visual identity features an energetic and premium colour palette of Orange and Turquoise with Tangerine and Ice Blue being the secondary colours.
• The Orange symbolizes Air India Express' brand values of excitement and agility, reflecting the state of quintessential Indian warmth.
• Turquoise embodies the brand personality qualities of style with a contemporary premium sensibility and digital-first approach.

Topic: Important Days

12. World Osteoporosis Day 2023: 20 October

• Every year on 20 October, World Osteoporosis Day is observed to raise awareness about Osteoporosis disease.
• The day aims to highlight silent bone disease and raise awareness about its prevention and treatment.
• The theme of World Osteoporosis Day 2023 is “Build Better Bones”.
• On 20 October 1996, it was first observed by the United Kingdom’s National Osteoporosis Society.
• In 1997, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) organized World Osteoporosis Day (WOD).
• Osteoporosis affects millions of people, especially women over the age of 50 and men over the age of 70.

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

13. PM Modi will inaugurate India's first Regional Rail ‘RAPIDX’ on 20 October.

• India's first Regional Rail, RAPIDX, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Sahibabad, Uttar Pradesh.
• The first phase will be 17 km long with a total of five stations - Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and Duhai Depot.
• The trains will run at a speed of 160 kilometres per hour at an interval of 15 minutes.
• It will have six coaches with the capacity to carry about one thousand 700 commuters.
• The first Train in both directions will commence operations at 6 AM and the last Train will depart from stations in both directions will be at 11 PM.
• Each RAPIDX train will also have one Premium coach. It will have extra facilities like reclining seats, coat hooks, magazine holders and footrests. 
• One coach will be reserved for women and it will have a number of commuter-centric features for a safe and comfortable regional commute. 
• The fare for a standard coach between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot stations will be 50 rupees, while for a premium coach, it is 100 rupees.
• Unified Payments Interface (UPI) enabled ticket vending machines have been also installed at Stations to purchase paper QR tickets and recharge the National Common Mobility Card.

Topic: State News/ Arunachal Pradesh

14. Arunachal Pradesh government approved the formation of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) in three Tiger Reserves of the State.

• Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) will be formed in three Tiger Reserves of the State namely- Namdapha, Pakke and Kamlang.
• Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve is located in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Pakke Tiger Reserve is in the East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. It was known as Pakhui Tiger Reserve.
• The Kamlang tiger reserve is located in the Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh.
• The state cabinet said it would help in the protection of tigers and their habitats. It will control other illegal activities in these tiger reserves.
• The Cabinet also approved the Amendment in the Arunachal Pradesh State Industrial and Investment Policy 2020.