Daily Current Affairs and GK | 8 and 9 October 2023

Topic: State News/ Arunachal Pradesh

1. Three products of Arunachal Pradesh received GI Tag.

• Yak Churpi, Khamti rice, and Tangsa textile of Arunachal Pradesh received GI tags.
• Yak Churpi is prepared from the milk of Arunachali yak. It is a naturally fermented milk product derived from the milk of these special yak breeds.
• It is an excellent source of proteins and is frequently used as a substitute for vegetables by tribal yak herders
• Arunachali yak is a breed found in the West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
• The GI registration of this distinctive yak product was initiated by the ICAR-NRC on Yak in December 2021.
• Khaw Tai is a chewy sticky rice variety of the Namsai region. It is cultivated by traditional Khampti tribal farmers.
• The Tangsa textiles are produced by the Tangsa tribe.

Topic: Space and IT

2. ISRO to begin unmanned flight tests for Gaganyaan.

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to begin uncrewed flight tests for the Gaganyaan mission.
• It has started preparations for the Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1).
• ISRO will also test the efficacy of the Crew Escape System, which is an important part of the Gaganyaan mission.
• The Test Vehicle is a single-stage liquid rocket developed for this abort mission. Crew Module and Crew Escape Systems will be the payloads.
• The success of this test flight will set the stage for the remaining qualification tests and unmanned missions.
• The unmanned test launch will be carried out from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• Crew Module will carry the astronauts during the Gaganyaan mission to outer space.
• After this, an abort sequence will be executed autonomously and the parachutes will deploy, and the module will fall into the ocean.
• The Crew Module will be recovered after falling in the Bay of Bengal.

Topic: International News

3. Israel has formally declared war against Hamas.

• The conflict between the Israeli army and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas has become more severe.
• On 7 October, Hamas terrorists attacked Israel with rockets and its fighters entered Israel.
• On 8 October, Israel's Cabinet invoked Article 40 Aleph, officially declaring war for the first time since the Yom Kippur War in 1973.
• The death toll due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has exceeded 1000.
• About 700 people were killed in Israel while 400 were killed in Gaza.
• Thousands of people are feared to be injured in this conflict.
• In some areas, debris is yet to be removed after the Hamas attack and in some places, war is also going on.
• Due to this the number of deaths may increase. Fighting continues between Hamas and Israeli security forces at various places.
• Hamas:
  • Hamas is a Palestinian Islamic terrorist group that rules the Gaza Strip.
  • Hamas has vowed Israel's destruction and has fought several wars with Israel since taking power in Gaza in 2007.
  • The Gaza Strip is a 41 km long and 10 km wide area between Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea.
  • It is home to approximately 2.3 million people and has one of the highest population densities in the world.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

4. An MoU was signed between India and Saudi Arabia.

• On 8 October, the MoU was signed in the fields of Electrical Interconnections, Green and Clean Hydrogen, and Supply Chains. 
• On the occasion of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Climate Week in Riyadh, the MoU was signed between Union Minister R.K. Singh and the Minister of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud.
• The aim of the MoU is to establish a general framework for cooperation between the two countries in electricity interconnection, exchange of power during peak hours and emergencies, and co-production of green and clean hydrogen and renewable energy.
• Earlier, an Indian delegation led by Mr Singh participated in the high-level segment of the MENA Climate Week held in Riyadh.
• India is taking important steps to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 and achieve the target of net zero by 2070.
• India called on MENA countries to join the Global Biofuels Alliance to enhance international cooperation in sustainable biofuels.

Topic: Sports

5. India finished fourth in the Asian Games medal tally with a historic 107 medals.

• India finished fourth in the Asian Games, the biggest win by India in the history of the Asian Games.
• The fourth-place finish is India's best-ever rank since the 1962 Jakarta edition.
• Overall, India won 28 gold medals, 38 silver, and 41 bronze medals as they concluded their campaign after over 14 days of events.
• This is only the second time that India has won over 100 medals in any of the three major sports– the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, and the Asian Games.
• Previously, India's best tally of medals was 70 at the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Geography

6. The death toll due to the earthquake in Afghanistan has crossed 2400.

• On October 7, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck 25 miles west of the city of Herat in western Herat province – the third largest earthquake in Afghanistan.
• Search and rescue efforts are ongoing in the affected areas and many people may still be trapped under the debris of buildings destroyed by the earthquake.
• The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said at least 465 houses were destroyed and 135 were damaged by the earthquake.
• It was one of the worst earthquakes in two decades.
• Powerful earthquakes were felt at least three times, during which many buildings were damaged and a large number of people were buried under the debris.
• Afghanistan often has to face earthquakes.
• Earthquakes are frequent, especially in the area of the Hindukush Mountain range, because it is located near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic layers.
• In June 2022, an earthquake of 5.9 magnitude occurred in Paktika province of Afghanistan.

(Source: News on AIR)     

Topic: Defence

7. Indian Air Force (IAF) unveiled its new ensign on its 91st anniversary.

• Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari unveiled the new IAF ensign.
• In the past, the Union Jack and the RIAF roundel (Red, White, and Blue) were displayed on the RIAF ensign's top left canton and fly side, respectively.
• In the past, the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) ensign comprised the Union Jack in the upper left canton.
• Additionally, it comprised of the RIAF roundel (Red, White and Blue) on the fly side.
• After independence, the Union Jack was replaced with the Indian tricolour in the Indian Air Force ensign and the RIAF roundels were replaced with the IAF tri colour roundel in the lower right canton.
• A new IAF ensign has now been created. The Air Force Crest has been included in the top right corner of the Ensign, towards the fly side.
• The IAF Crest has the national symbol, the Ashoka lion on the top with the words “सत्यमेव जयते” in Devanagari below it.
• A Himalayan eagle with its wings spread is depicted beneath the Ashoka lion. It denotes the fighting qualities of the IAF.
• A ring in light blue colour encircles the Himalayan eagle with the words “भारतीय वायु सेना”
• The motto of the IAF "नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्" is inscribed below the Himalayan eagle in golden Devanagari.
• The IAF motto has been taken from verse 24, Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita.
• It means "Radiant Thou Touchest Heaven" or in other words "Touching the sky with Glory".

Topic: Important Days

8. World Post Day: 9 October

• World Post Day is celebrated annually on 9 October.
• Its purpose is to create awareness of the role of the postal sector in people’s and businesses’ everyday lives.
• Its purpose is also to create awareness of the role of the postal sector’s contribution to the social and economic development of countries.
• It commemorates the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in Bern, the capital of Switzerland.
• October 9 was adopted as World Post Day at the 1969 UPU Congress in Tokyo, Japan.
• Since then, countries across the world have taken part annually in the celebrations for World Post Day.
• The theme for World Post Day 2023 is ‘Together for Trust: Collaborating for a safe and connected future’.

Topic: Indian Economy

9. GST Council decided to reduce GST on molasses from 28% to 5%.

• The 52nd GST Council meeting was held in New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
• GST Council recommends amendments in conditions of appointment of President and Member of the proposed GST Appellate Tribunals regarding eligibility and age.
• The GST council recommended keeping Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) used for the manufacture of alcoholic liquor for human consumption outside the GST.
• It recommended reducing GST on molasses from 28% to 5% in relief to cane farmers for faster clearance of dues and to reduce the cost of manufacturing cattle feed.
• It recommended conditional and limited duration IGST exemption to foreign flag foreign going vessels when it converts to coastal run.
• It recommended zero rate for food preparation of millet flour in powder form and containing at least 70% millets by weight when sold in loose form, and 5% if sold in pre-packaged and labelled form.
• A separate tariff HS code has been created at the 8-digit level in the Customs Tariff Act to cover rectified spirit for industrial use.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: State News/ Uttar Pradesh

10. Ayodhya to become 1st solar city of Uttar Pradesh.

• The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Department (UPNEDA) is working to develop Ayodhya as a solar city.
• The work is expected to be completed before Ram Temple's opening.
• A solar park will be also developed along the banks of the Saryu River.
• The Solar-powered boats, solar streetlights, adoption of solar energy sources in public transport, and provision of solar-powered amenities such as mobile charging points at public places are part of the plan to make Ayodhya a solar city.
• A 40 MW solar plant on the banks of the Saryu will be established by NTPC Green.
• UP government is also planning to develop 16 municipal corporations and Noida as Solar cities.
• Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district has recently become India's first solar city.

Topic: State News/ Rajasthan

11. The formation of three new districts was announced by CM Gehlot in Rajasthan.

• On October 6, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced the formation of three new districts in the state namely Malpura, Sujangarh, and Kuchman City.
• There will now be 53 districts in Rajasthan.
• Malpura will be carved out of the existing Tonk district, Sujangarh will be carved out of Churu and Kuchaman will be carved out of Nagaur.
• The three new districts will be created in Rajasthan due to public demand and the recommendation of a high-level committee.
• The high-level committee was headed by former civil servant Ram Lubhya.
• CM said that in the future the issues related to delimitation of districts will continue to be resolved as per the recommendations of the high-level committee.
• In August 2023, the state government announced 17 new districts and redrawn two large urban districts - Jaipur and Jodhpur.
• The government had also announced three new divisions in the state.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

12. All India Police Science Congress organized in Dehradun on 7 October.

• The 49th All India Police Science Congress (AIPSC) was organized by Uttarakhand Police at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun.
• It was organized with the theme of “Policing in Amrit Kaal.”
• This event, held every year, was organized under the aegis of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D).
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended as the chief guest while Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was the guest of honour.
• In the 49th AIPSC, six themes have been selected for discussion:
  • Policing in the 5G Era
  • Narcotics: A Game-Changing Approach
  • Coordination between Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFS)
  • National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
  • Internal Security & Social Media Challenges
  • Community Policing
• In 1970, BPR&D was established in New Delhi to assist all police agencies in improving their infrastructure, human resources, and processes.
• BPR&D organizes such congresses to provide a platform for all ranks of police officers, technical experts, and forensic experts to actively participate and contribute to the discussion.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

13. Two out of every five amphibians are facing the threat of extinction.

• As per a new study, climate change is emerging as one of the biggest threats to frogs, salamanders, and caecilians.
• This study is based on the second global amphibian assessment highlighted that climate change poses the greatest threat to the existence of amphibian life.
• The second global amphibian assessment was conducted by the Amphibian Red List Authority.
• As per the assessment, there is a risk of extinction of more than 8,000 amphibian species from all over the world.
• The data revealed that two out of every five amphibians are threatened with extinction.
• According to the study, between 2004 and 2022, 300 amphibians have come closer to extinction. Climate change was the primary threat for 39% of these species.
• Habitat destruction and degradation due to agriculture, infrastructure development and other industries are the major threats to amphibians.
• Habitat destruction and degradation affect 93% of all threatened amphibian species.
• Three out of every five salamander species are threatened with extinction.
• 41% of all amphibian species that have been assessed are currently in the threatened (critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable) categories.
• Since 2004, four amphibian species have become extinct. Twenty-seven additional critically endangered species are now considered possibly extinct.

Topic:  Important Days

14. Indian Air Force Day: 8 October

• Every year Air Force Day is celebrated on 8 October.
• Indian Air Force is celebrating its 91st anniversary by organizing air shows and mega events in different cities across the nation.
• The final celebration of the Indian Air Force Day will held in Prayagraj on October 8.
• On this occasion, the air show will be organized which will be joined by 120 fighters, transport and helicopters.
• The legendary MiG-21 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will fly for the last time in the air show.
• In 2022, the Air Force Day flypast took place over Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh.
• Indian Air Force:
  • It was established on 8 October 1932 and hence, Air Force Day is celebrated every year on 8 October.
  • The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Air Force.
  • The Chief of Air Staff is Vivek Ram Chaudhari. The First Chief of the Air Staff is Sir Thomas Walker Elmhirst.