Daily Current Affairs and GK | 5 November 2024

Topic: Environment and Ecology

1. India unveiled its updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP).

• A document titled Updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan: A Roadmap for Conservation of India’s Biodiversity has been released by Kirti Vardhan Singh.
• This has been released at the event organised at the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• This is the third NBSAP that has been developed since 2000.
• Under this plan, India has set 23 targets under six broad conservation domains.
• The Biodiversity Expenditure Review estimated that its implementation would require an estimated annual average financial requirement of Rs 81,664.88 crore at the central government level.
• This document also provided a financial plan. The biodiversity finance plan suggests some financial solutions.
• Finance Plan, including augmenting public finance, corporate social responsibility, ecological fiscal transfer, and access and benefit sharing (ABS).

Topic: Defence

2. Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise (VINBAX) 2024 has begun at Ambala, Haryana on 4 November 2024.

• This is the fifth edition of Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise.
• VINBAX 2024 aims to enhance the joint military capability of India and Vietnam.
• Personnel of the Army and Air Force from both countries are participating for the first time.
• The Indian Army contingent comprises 47 personnel.
• It is represented by a Regiment of the Corps of Engineers along with personnel from other arms and services.
• VINBAX-2024 will continue till the 23rd November 2024.

Topic: International News

3. India has been elected as President of International Solar Alliance for 2 years until 2026.

• France has been elected as co-President of International Solar Alliance for 2 years until 2026.
• Ashish Khanna will succeed Dr. Ajay Mathur as ISA Director General. He will assume the role in 2025.
• India’s solar capacity has expanded from less than 2 GW in 2014 to 90 GW.
• Fiji aims to meet 100% of its power demand with renewable energy by 2030.
• Fossil fuel imports currently account for 30% of Fiji’s total import costs.

Topic: Space and IT

4. India’s first analog space mission has been started by ISRO to plan Lunar mission experiments.

• India’s first analog space mission has been started at Leh in Ladakh.

• At Leh, ISRO will stimulate life in an interplanetary habitat.
• Analog space missions are field tests in locations on Earth.
• They have physical similarities to the extreme space environments.
• They play a significant role in problem solving for spaceflight research.
• Ladakh has been chosen as its geographical features are believed to closely resemble Martian and lunar landscapes.
• These features include dry and cold climate, barren land, high-altitude terrain and extreme isolation.
• The mission includes a compact, inflatable habitat named Hab-1.
• Analog space mission at Leh is a collaborative effort by the Human Spaceflight Centre, ISRO, AAKA Space Studio, University of Ladakh, and IIT Bombay.

Topic: MoUs/ Agreements

5. An MoU signed between India and Algeria on bilateral defence cooperation on 4 November.

• This MoU will enhance defence partnership between the two countries, increase mutual understanding and enhance strategic interests.
• Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Chief of Staff of the People's National Army Saíd Chanegriha signed the MoU in the presence of military and officials.
• General Chauhan was on an official visit to the North African country from October 31 to November 3.
• General Chouhan's visit coincided with the 70th anniversary of the Algerian Revolution on November 01, along with a military parade and other memorial activities.

Topic: Defence

6. Bharat Forge won the major contract for Indian Army's ATAGS howitzers by quoting the lowest bid.

• In a major boost for India's defense capabilities, Pune-based Bharat Forge Limited has secured the Indian Army's contract for 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS).
• These advanced artillery systems were developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Under the contract worth over Rs 6,000 crore, Bharat Forge will manufacture 60% of the 307 howitzer guns.
• In addition, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd., the second lowest bidder, will be responsible for the remaining 40% production of the 307 howitzer guns.
• This distribution of manufacturing rights is part of the agreement reached following the commercial bid evaluation.
• However, this will be the first major domestic order for the ATAGS howitzer, a product that has already garnered international interest and has been exported to friendly countries such as Armenia.
• The contract is expected to be finalized within the current financial year.
• The contract underlines India's strategic focus on strengthening border security with advanced, locally developed artillery.
• The weapon system, part of the Army's artillery modernization programme, has been designed and developed by DRDO's Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and other DRDO laboratories.
• The Indian Army had completed extensive testing of ATAGS at the Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR) from April 26 to May 2, 2023.

Topic: State News/Madhya Pradesh

7. Compensation for human death in wildlife attack has been increased by Madhya Pradesh government from 8 lakh rupees to 25 lakh rupees.

• The Madhya Pradesh government made this announcement a day following an elephant trampled two men to death near the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Umaria district.
• Increased compensation of 25 lakh rupees each would be provided to the families of the two persons who were killed in elephant attacks in Umaria, said Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
• Two villagers were killed at Devra village and Brahe village by an elephant near Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
• Recently, this tiger reserve was in news over the deaths of 10 elephants.
• Bandhavgarh is known for Evergreen Sal forest and Mixed forest.
• Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is located in the eastern Satpura hills of Umaria & Katni Districts.

Topic: International News

8. New Indian Consulate has been inaugurated by India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar in Brisbane.

• During the inauguration, he highlighted the strengthening bilateral ties between India and Australia.
• The consulate will play an essential role in addressing the needs of the expanding Indian community in Queensland.
• In Queensland, a considerable number of Indian students are pursuing higher education.
• He called Indian diaspora as a “living bridge” between India and Australia.
• He also visited Australia’s Humanitarian Logistics Capability (HLC) warehouse for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) supplies to the Pacific.
• His visit marked his 5th trip to Australia and first to Brisbane.

Topic: Science and Technology

9. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) Bengaluru has reported the “first significant” result from Aditya-L1.

• The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) scientists have reported the “first significant” results from the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) payload of the Aditya-L1 mission.
• India’s first solar mission was launched on September 2, 2023, by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• VELC on the Aditya-L1 precisely estimated the onset time of a coronal mass ejection that erupted on the Sun on July 16.
• The Sun often spews vast quantities of plasma in violent eruptions called coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
• The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAp), Bengaluru, developed the VELC.
• The unique data obtained from the VELC payload could precisely estimate the onset time of a CME.
• CMEs are usually observed in visible continuum light only when they have propagated well away from the sun’s surface.
• On January 6, ISRO placed the Aditya-L1 spacecraft in a halo orbit around the first Earth-Sun Lagrange point (or L1).

Topic: Art and Culture

10. Kannada short film “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” has been nominated for Oscars 2025.

• The Kannada short film “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” has qualified for the Oscars 2025 in the Live Action Short Film category.
• It has been produced by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and won the La Cinef at Cannes 2024.
• Chidananda S. Naik has directed it.
• This short film is about an elderly woman who steals the village rooster, which causes sunlight to cease.
• A prophecy is invoked to restore order, and the woman is exiled from the village.

Topic: Space and IT

11. Japan is set to test the world's first wooden satellite.

• Japanese scientists are set to test the world's first wooden satellite.
• A team from Kyoto University and homebuilder Sumitomo Forestry has developed this wooden satellite named the "LignoSat."
• "Lignosat" is named after the Latin word for wood.
• It will be launched to the International Space Station via a SpaceX rocket.
• Former Japanese Space Shuttle astronaut Takao Doi was part of the Kyoto team.
• It will remain in orbit for six months to test how well the material can withstand extreme environments.
• The wood used for this satellite comes from a type of magnolia tree – the Japanese Honoki.
• The wood also provides benefits at the end of the satellite's life, when it will burn up harmlessly in Earth's atmosphere.
• Traditional satellites also burn up, but when they do so they release a shower of polluting metal particles.

(Source: DD News)

Topic: Summit/Conference/Meeting

12. First Asian Buddhist Summit will be held in Delhi on November 5 and 6.

• The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), in collaboration with the Government of India, is organising the first Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS) in New Delhi.
• The theme of the summit is 'Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia.'
• This summit is a manifestation of India's Act East Policy, which is based on the collective, inclusive and spiritual development of Asia.
• President Draupadi Murmu will inaugurate the summit to be held on November 5-6.
• The conference will bring together Buddhist ‘Sangha’ leaders, scholars, experts and followers from different traditions across Asia to foster dialogue, promote understanding and address contemporary challenges facing the Buddhist community.
• Buddhism occupies a unique place in the spiritual and cultural history of India and the whole of Asia.
• The teachings of the Buddha, his disciples and preachers have united Asia through a common approach to life, divinity and social values.
• In 2023, the first Global Buddhist Summit was hosted by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation in New Delhi.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

13. Global Allied Health Network has been launched at the International Allied Health Conference (IAHC 2024).

• The International Allied Health Conference was held on November 1, 2024, in conjunction with the third Singapore Allied Health Conference.
• 1,100 global Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and students from over 18 countries participated in the conference to enhance collaboration and innovation.
• It has been organised by the National University Health System (NUHS) in partnership with SingHealth and the National Healthcare Group (NHG).
• "Advancing Allied Health: Diverse in Calling, United in Purpose” is the theme of this conference.
• It emphasises the shared mission of healthcare professionals from diverse specialities.
• The Global Allied Health Network (GAHN) has been launched at this conference to formalise a strategic collaboration with key stakeholder organisations, including the World Health Organization.

Topic: Personality in News

14. Renowned fashion designer Rohit Bal passed away at the age of 63.

• Renowned fashion designer Rohit Bal, also known as 'Gudda,' passed away at 63 due to cardiac arrest.
• He is known for his innovative designs and contributions to Indian fashion.
• He was a founding member of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).
• He was famous for his unique blend of traditional patterns with modern sensibilities.
• He co-founded Orchid Oversea Pvt. Ltd. with his brother.
• He was born into a Kashmiri Pandit family on May 8, 1961, in Srinagar.

(Source: News on AIR)