NATIONAL NEWS

Telangana Government Introduces 'Telangana Darshini'

The Telangana government has set in motion ‘Telangana Darshini’, a scheme aimed at providing students with an immersive learning experience outside the classroom.

The programme, under the Youth Advancement, Tourism, and Culture (T&PMU) Department, is designed to take school and college students on educational tours across the State.

The initiative caters to school and college students, from Class 2 to graduation level, ensuring the activities are suitable for different age groups.

The Telangana government has allocated approximately ₹12.10 crore for the program, covering travel, accommodation, and meals.

The program aims to include 100,000 students in its first year.

A committee of nodal officers from relevant departments will develop detailed tour plans, with the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) coordinating logistics.

Delhi Launches "Advanced Green War Room" to Combat Air Pollution

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai inaugurated an “Advanced Green War Room” at the Delhi Secretariat, aimed at monitoring and tackling air pollution in the capital, especially as winter approaches.

This initiative is part of a broader 21-point winter action plan

The Green War Room will operate 24/7 to track updates related to air pollution and ensure effective implementation of government measures against pollution.

The war room will be managed by an eight-member team of environmental engineers led by Nandita Moitra from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

The DPCC recently took over the Delhi government’s pollution “super-site” and mobile van, which previously provided real-time data in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NATO to Establish Northern Land Command in Eastern Finland

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) will set up a new land command in eastern Finland, near the Russian border, in 2025.

This command will oversee land force operations in northern Europe during military conflicts.

The decision comes after Finland joined NATO in 2023 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Finland is organizing NATO’s presence on its territory.

The new unit will be known as the Multi Corps Land Component Command and will operate under NATO’s Norfolk Joint Force Command based in the United States.

The command will closely collaborate with Finland’s existing land force command, which is based in Mikkeli.

Sweden, which also joined NATO in 2023, will coordinate foreign NATO troop visits and international drills in northern Finland.

 

BANKING

YES BANK and Paisabazaar Introduce 'PaisaSave' Cashback Credit Card

Paisabazaar, India's leading online marketplace for consumer credit and free credit score platform, has partnered with YES BANK, India's sixth largest private sector bank, to unveil their co-branded credit card - YES BANK Paisabazaar PaisaSave Credit Card.

The PaisaSave Credit Card is designed to reward frequent shoppers by offering substantial cashback on everyday purchases, both online and offline, making it a must-have for the value-conscious customers.

Cashback of 3% on online purchases across popular platforms including Amazon, Myntra, Flipkart, Nykaa, Swiggy, Zomato, Tata Cliq, Ajio, among others

After reaching a monthly cashback limit of INR 5,000 on online transactions, users will continue to earn 1.5% cashback on further online purchases

Unlimited 1.5% cashback on all offline purchases, including in-store transactions

Fuel surcharge waiver of 1% at all fuel stations

Additionally, customers can opt for a virtual YES BANK Rupay Credit Card while applying, enabling them to make UPI payments seamlessly, further expanding the card’s utility.

EaseMyTrip unveils ScanMyTrip

Online travel tech platform in India, com has introduced ScanMyTrip.com, the country’s first travel marketplace of its kind.

It has also become the first OTA (Online Travel Agency) to both offer and purchase travel services through the ONDC Network. ScanMyTrip.com will serve as a platform where OTAs, MSMEs, travel agents, and homestays can list services such as flights, hotels, and accommodations on the ONDC Network, expanding their reach within the digital marketplace.

With EaseMyTrip’s collaboration with the ONDC Network, businesses in the travel and tourism sector can benefit from the digital infrastructure provided by ONDC.

This partnership enables even small-scale service providers to access a larger customer base.

Jana Small Finance Bank Introduces 'Liquid Plus Fixed Deposit' Scheme

Jana Small Finance Bank has introduced the 'Liquid Plus Fixed Deposit' scheme.

The scheme is designed for investors looking to park extra funds for short durations.

The tenure for the Liquid Plus Fixed Deposit ranges from 7 days to 180 days.

Retail Deposits: Minimum deposit amount of ₹10 lakh for amounts up to ₹3 crore.

Bulk Deposits: Minimum deposit of ₹3 crore to ₹200 crore per customer.

Interest Rate: The interest rate for the Liquid Plus Fixed Deposit is 6.75% for all tenures.

 

BUSINESS

Statistics Ministry to Publish New GDP Growth Data with 2022-23 Base Year

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will publish GDP growth data with a new base year of 2022-23 by February 2026.

This base year revision aims to reflect the most up-to-date economic trends and will incorporate new data such as Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES 2023-24), Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE 2022-23), and GST data.

The base year for retail inflation (CPI) and factory output growth (IIP) will also be revised to 2022-23.

These revisions aim to ensure the accuracy and relevance of economic indicators.

The base year must be a 'normal' year, free from major global or domestic disruptions.

Despite challenges in choosing a 'normal' year, 2022-23 has been proposed for approval by the Advisory Committee on National Account Statistics (ACNAS).

New surveys on domestic tourism expenditure, household travel, and health expenses will be included in the next round of the National Sample Survey.

These surveys are designed to identify drivers of GDP growth and address data gaps for achieving the target of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

 

DEFENCE

Cruise Bharat Mission Launched To Promote Cruise Tourism

The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarabanand Sonowal, launched the Cruise Bharat Mission on 30 September 2024 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The Minister launched the mission onboard the cruise ship Empress.

The initiative aims to achieve India’s vision of becoming a global hub for cruise tourism and promote the country as the leading global cruise destination.

The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is the nodal ministry for implementing the Cruise Bharat Mission.

The mission will be implemented with the support of all regulatory agencies, such as Customs, Immigration, CISF, State Tourism Departments, State Maritime Agencies, District Administrations, and local police.

The ministry will establish a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for cruise development under the Indian Ports Association. The Indian Port Association is an association of major ports in India.

The Cruise Bharat Mission will be implemented from 1 October 2024 up to 31 March 2029 in three phases.

 

SPORTS

Men’s SAFF U17 Championship

The undefeated Indian football team lifted the 2024 Men’s SAFF U17 Championship by defeating Bangaldesh 2-0 in the final.

The final was played at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, on 30 September 2024.

The Indian boy's football team, also famously known as Blue Colts, remained undefeated throughout the tournament.

India defeated Bangladesh 1-0 and Maldives 3-0. In the semi-final, India defeated Nepal by 4-2. Bangladesh defeated Pakistan in the penalty shoot 8-7 in the other semi-final to qualify for the finals.

In the final, Mohammed Kaif scored the opening goal for India, and Mohammed Arbash scored the second goal in the 95th minute.

Player of the Tournament: Mohammed Arbash of India.

Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Aheibam Suraj Singh.

The South Asian Football Federation is a regional football association of South Asian countries.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Managing Director and CEO of IFFCO Tokio General Insurance

IFFCO Tokio General Insurance Company Limited (IFFCO Tokio), a general insurer, has appointed a new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in Subrata Mondal.

Mondal has over 36 years of experience in the insurance industry and has been with IFFCO Tokio since 2001.

Before becoming MD and CEO, he served as Chief Underwriter, overseeing underwriting for various business lines, including property.

IFFCO Tokio General Insurance is a joint venture between the Indian Farmers Fertilisers Co-operative (IFFCO) and Japan's Tokio Marine Group, with a shareholding structure of 51:49.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Older Persons

The 34th International Day of the Older Persons is being observed worldwide on 1 October 2024.

The day is observed to attract the worlds and policymakers' attention in responding to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century and promoting the development of a society for all ages.

The day also recognises the contributions of older persons to society and their wisdom.

The United Nations defines an old person as someone 65 years or older, while in India, old persons or senior citizens are 60 years or older.

The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on 14 December 1990 to observe 1 October as the International Day of Older Persons.

The first International Day of Older Persons was observed on 1 October 1991.

The theme of the 34th International Day of Older Persons is Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide".

The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment celebrates the International Day of Older Persons in India. The Ministry is the nodal ministry for the cause of senior citizens.

World Vegetarian Day

World Vegetarian Day is observed on the 1st of October of every year.

In 1977, the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) founded World Vegetarian Day.

In 1978, the International Vegetarian Union endorsed the World Vegetarian Day.

According to the North American Vegetarian Society, World Vegetarian Day was observed in order to create some awareness about the health, humanitarian, and ethical of a vegetarian lifestyle.

World Vegetarian Day aims to promote life-enhancing possibilities and the joy of eating vegetarian dishes.

International Day of Non-Violence

The International Day of Non-violence is observed on the 2nd October of every year.

In 2004, Iranian Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi had a proposal of an International Day of Non-Violence.

This idea was gradually attracted by some leaders of India’s Congress Party.

In January 2007, they called upon the United Nations to adopt the idea.

On 5th June 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution and established the International Day of Non-Violence.

The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2nd October in order to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Non-violent freedom fighter Mohandas Karmchand Gandhi.