Daily Current Affairs and GK | 29 and 30 September 2024

Topic: Space and IT

1. Women in space leadership programme has been launched by India to boost gender equality.

• The programme has been launched as part of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).
• It has been launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), in collaboration with the British Council, on September 24, 2024.
• The aim of the initiative is to strengthen gender-inclusive practices within institutions to increase women's leadership in space sciences by the development of a strategic leadership framework.
• The program's goal is to increase 250 early-career researchers' potential for leadership.
• By incorporating a female perspective into important fields like astrophysics and telecommunications, the initiative seeks to improve scientific innovation and establish long-lasting mentoring networks.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

2. Oxygen Bird Park (Amrit Mahotsav Park) inaugurated by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.

• Oxygen Bird Park (Amrit Mahotsav Park) has been inaugurated along the Nagpur-Hyderabad National Highway-44 in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• Oxygen Bird Park (Amrit Mahotsav Park) is an eco-initiative.
• It has been developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
• It has been developed near Jamtha, along the Nagpur-Hyderabad National Highway-44.
• The park covers a total area of 8.23 hectares, including 2.5 hectares dedicated to social forestry.
• The park is designed to serve as a natural bird habitat.
• It is also designed to serve as a recreational space for locals and tourists.
• The project integrates environmental sustainability and recreational facilities.
• The project was formally approved in March 2023 with a development cost of ₹14.31 crores.

Topic: Important Days

3. World Heart Day: 29 September

• World Heart Day is an international event observed annually on September 29.
• It is observed to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and promote heart health.
• From 2024 to 2026, the campaign will focus on the theme "Use Heart for Action”.
• World Heart Day was started by the World Heart Federation (WHF) in 1999 in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Around 18.6 million deaths occur annually due to cardiovascular diseases.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

4. RBI organized a conference on the governance of small finance banks.

• A day-long conference for the directors of Small Finance Banks (SFB) has been organized in Bengaluru.
• The theme of the conference was ‘Governance in SFBs: Driving Sustainable Growth and Stability’.
• RBI Deputy Governor Mr Swaminathan J to encourage directors to be vigilant and proactive in identifying and mitigating emerging risks.
• He also highlighted the importance of sustainable business models.
• Technical sessions on the ‘Governance and Assurance Functions’, ‘Business Risk – Regulatory and Supervisory Expectations’ and ‘IT Systems and Cybersecurity’ were also part of this conference.