National News

Union MoS for Health & Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav Launched Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0

• On 24th September 2024, Union Minister of State Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav launched the 2nd edition of the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 2.0 at Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi.
• The campaign aims to protect young people from the harmful effects of tobacco.
• During the event, Tobacco Cessation Centres were virtually inaugurated in medical institutions across India.
• Participants took the ‘Say No To Tobacco’ pledge, and three important guidelines were launched: Health Workers Guide, SOPs for Villages to be Tobacco Free, and Guidelines for Law Enforcers for Effective Implementation of Tobacco Control Laws.

Science and Technology News

ARIES & BEL Signed MOU to Enhance Space Situational Awareness

• On 21st September 2024, ARIES and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed an MoU to enhance space technologies, focusing on Space Situational Awareness (SSA).
• The MoU was signed by Professor Dipankar Banerjee, Director of ARIES, and Rashmi Kathuria, General Manager of BEL.
• The partnership will develop advanced image processing techniques, data analytics software, and new instruments to monitor space objects.
• ARIES will provide observational data using its state-of-the-art telescopes, while BEL will utilize its expertise in image processing and data analytics.

Appointments and Resignations News

CAG of India Assumes Chairmanship of Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institution for 2024-27 Term

• On 24th September 2024, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India assumed the chairmanship of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) for the 2024-2027 term.
• Girish Chandra Murmu has been serving as the 14th CAG of India since August 2020.
• The 16th Assembly of ASOSAI was hosted by CAG of India in New Delhi from 21st to 27th September 2024.
• Saudi Arabia was elected as the chair for the 2027-2030 term and will host the 17th ASOSAI General Assembly.

State News

Tripura CM Manik Sah Laid Foundation for ADB-funded Rs 530 Cr Project to Boost Drinking Water Supply

• Manik Saha, the Chief Minister of Tripura, laid the foundation for an ADB-funded Rs 530 crore water supply project in Udaipur, Tripura.
• The project aims to provide clean drinking water to every urban household in 12 cities of Tripura.
• It will benefit approximately 4 lakh people from 75,000 families and will be implemented within 3 years.
• The project includes the construction of 305 km of water pipelines, 25 deep tubewells, 18 iron removal plants, 4 water treatment plants, and 19 water reservoirs.

Banking and Finance News

BOB & EaseMyTrip Jointly Launched Co-branded Travel Debit Card

• Bank of Baroda (BOB) and EaseMyTrip.com launched a co-branded travel debit card named ‘Bank of Baroda EaseMyTrip Debit Card’.
• The card offers discounts on travel and hotel stays, complimentary annual membership to OTT platforms, and vouchers on e-commerce sites.
• Cardholders can make a maximum of 2 transactions per quarter per product category in the travel segment.
• Additional benefits include comprehensive air insurance coverage of up to Rs 50 lakh and 24×7 concierge services.

Banking and Finance News

SBI General Insurance Partners with BLS E-Services to Offer Insurance Products

• SBI General Insurance Company Limited has partnered with BLS E-Services Limited to offer a range of insurance products across India.
• The collaboration aims to provide key insurance solutions, including Hospicash, vehicle insurance, personal accident insurance, and shop insurance.
• Hospicash offers daily hospitalization benefits, providing security against income loss during hospitalization.
• This partnership will simplify the insurance acquisition process and make it more user-friendly.

Banking and Finance News

Moody’s Raises India’s 2024 GDP Forecast to 7.1% in CY24; 6.5% in CY25

• Moody’s has raised India’s GDP growth forecast to 7.1% for Calendar Year 2024 (CY24), up from its previous estimate of 6.8%.
• The agency noted that the Indian economy will continue to be resilient amid global uncertainties.
• Moody’s has maintained its economic growth forecast for CY25 at 6.5% and projected a faster growth of 6.6% in CY26.
• The agency also predicted better inflation outcomes for India, reducing the inflation forecast to 4.7% from the earlier 5%.

Awards and Recognitions News

Indian Actress Anushka Sen Honoured by South Korea Government for Strengthening India-Korea Relations

• Indian Actress Anushka Sen has been honoured by the South Korea Government for her exceptional contribution to strengthening relations between India and Korea.
• She received the award from Hyun Woo Kim, CEO of Seoul Business Agency (SBA), during a ceremony in South Korea.
• As Honorary Ambassador of Korean Tourism, she has played a pivotal role in bridging the cultural gap between India and South Korea.
• SBA is a business support institution for SMEs run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Appointments and Resignations News

Brijendra Pratap Singh Set to become the Next CMD of NALCO

• The Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) has appointed Brijendra Pratap Singh as the next Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of NALCO.
• He is expected to take over from the incumbent CMD, Sridhar Patra, on 1st November 2024.
• Brijendra Pratap Singh is currently serving as the Director in charge of IISCO Steel Plant and Durgapur Steel Plants of SAIL.
• His appointment is subject to necessary clearances and final approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

Appointments and Resignations News

Harini Amarasuriya Sworn-in as 16th PM of Sri Lanka

• On 24th September 2024, Harini Amarasuriya was sworn in as the 16th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
• She replaced Dinesh Gunawardene, who resigned after the recent Sri Lanka Presidential election.
• Harini Amarasuriya took her oath of office administered by President Anura Kumar Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
• She became the 3rd woman PM after Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Chandrika Kumaratunga.

National News

GoI Approves Sale of Ferro Scrap Nigam Ltd. to Japanese firm Konoike Transport for Rs 320 Cr

• The Government of India has approved the sale of Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited (FSNL) to Japan’s Konoike Transport Cim Ltd. for Rs 320 crore.
• This marks the first privatisation in over 2 years.
• The sale was approved by the Alternative Mechanism, comprising Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, and HD Kumaraswamy.
• FSNL is a Mini Ratna-II Government of India Undertaking based in Bhilai and a subsidiary of MSTC Limited.

Sports News

45th FIDE Chess Olympiad Budapest 2024: Team India won Gold in both Open and Women’s Event

• Team India won the Gold medal in both the Open and Women’s sections of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad held in Budapest, Hungary.
• In the Open section, Team India received the Hamilton-Russell Cup, and in the Women’s section, they won the Vera Menchik Cup.
• This is the first time India has won gold in both sections of the Chess Olympiad.
• India became the 3rd country to achieve this feat after China (2018) and the Soviet Union (1980-1986).

Sports News

Team Europe won the Laver Cup 2024 by Defeating Team World

• Team Europe, captained by Björn Borg, won the Laver Cup 2024 by defeating Team World, captained by John McEnroe.
• This marks the 5th win for Team Europe, which previously won the title in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021.
• The Laver Cup 2024 was held at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, from 20th to 22nd September 2024.
• Carlos Alcaraz secured the 13-11 victory by defeating Taylor Fritz in the singles match on day 3.

Important Days News

World Car-Free Day 2024 – September 22

• World Car-Free Day is annually observed on 22nd September to encourage motorists to give up their cars for a day.
• The day highlights the benefits of going car-free, such as reduced air pollution and promotes walking and cycling.
• The first national car-free campaign was inaugurated in Britain by the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) in 1997.
• An international Car-Free Day was organized in Europe in 1999, which was the pilot project for the EU’s “In Town Without My Car” campaign.

Important Days News

NSS Day 2024 – September 24

• The National Service Scheme (NSS) Day is annually observed on 24th September to commemorate the establishment of NSS.
• NSS was formally launched on 24th September 1969 by Dr. Vijayendra Kasturi Ranga Varadaraja Rao, the then Union Minister of Education.
• The scheme aims to develop the personality and character of young students through voluntary community service.
• The motto of NSS is “Not Me But You,” reflecting the essence of democratic living and selfless service.