NATIONAL NEWS

PM Modi Launched Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, on 2nd October 2024.

Prime Minister Modi was on a day-long visit to Jharkhand, where he laid foundation stones and inaugurated projects worth Rs 83,000 crore.

It included Eklavya Model Residential Schools and the foundation stones of various developmental projects under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), targeting the tribal communities.

The Abhiyan aims to fill critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood through 25 intervention schemes implemented by 17 central government Ministries and the Department of Government of India.

The scheme's total expenditure is Rs 79,150 crore. The Abhiyan will cover around 63,000 villages in 549 districts and 2,740 blocks across 30 States and Union Territories.

It is expected to benefit more than 5 crore tribal people in the targeted areas.

Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated 40 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and laid the foundation stone for 25 EMRS worth over Rs 2,800 crore.

The Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) was launched in 1997-98 by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribes children in remote areas.

CMS Vatavaran Film Festival on Environment

The 12th International Film Festival and Forum on Environment and Wildlife, known as CMS Vatavaran, started in New Delhi on 3rd October 2024.

Asia’s biggest green film festival, focussed on the environment and wildlife, is being held in New Delhi from 3-5 October 2024.

The festival uses films and documentaries to raise awareness about contemporary environmental issues and seeks to change the perception, practice, policy and governance regarding environmental issues.

CMS India organises the International Film Festival and Forum on Environment and Wildlife with support from the Union Ministry of Forest, Climate Change and Environment.

It has two categories: Competitive editions and Travelling Festival. The Competitive editions are held in New Delhi every two years, and films and documentaries from India and abroad are awarded.

Ashok Leyland Partners with FlixBus

Ashok Leyland, a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer and flagship of the Hinduja Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FlixBus India, a global travel-tech leader focused on affordable and sustainable travel.

This collaboration aims to revolutionise India’s bus transportation ecosystem through advanced technology and high-capacity vehicles.

Under this partnership, FlixBus’s operating bus partners will gain access to Ashok Leyland’s advanced chassis and after-sales services, facilitating seamless operations across the country.

Both companies aim to provide efficient travel options while empowering local bus operators through state-of-the-art technology.

This collaboration seeks to enhance operational efficiency, provide eco-friendly travel solutions, and contribute to the decarbonization of India’s transportation sector.

Ashok Leyland aims to set new benchmarks in the commercial vehicle industry by leveraging this partnership.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India and Jamaica Signed 4 MoU

India and Jamaica signed 4 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen and boost their bilateral relationships.

The agreement was signed during Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness's visit to India. Prime Minister Andrew Holness is the first Prime Minister of Jamaica to visit India.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2 October 2024 in New Delhi, Prime Minister Andrew Holness supported India’s bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Four MoUs were also signed between India and Jamaica during the visit of the Jamaican Prime Minister. These are as follows:

Sharing of Successful Indian Digital Public Infrastructure with Jamaica to Promote Financial Inclusion and Social and Economic Transformation.

Cooperation between NPCI International Payments Limited and Egov Jamaica Limited.

Cultural Exchange Programme between the two countries years for 2024-2029.

Cooperation in Sports.

BANKING

Monetary Policy Committee of the RBI

The Government of India has reconstituted the Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank of India and appointed three new members: Prof. Ram Singh, Saugata Bhattacharya, and Dr. Nagesh Kumar.

The Finance Act of 2016 amended the Reserve Bank of India Act 1934 and provided for a six-member Monetary Policy Committee.

The central government notified the first Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 29 September 2016.

The term of the members appointed by the government is four years, and they are not eligible for re-appointment.

The government can remove them from their office on certain grounds, and they can also resign from their office.

Star Health Takes Legal Action against Telegram

Insurer Star Health has filed a lawsuit against social media platform Telegram and a ‘hacker’ after it was discovered that the hacker was using the messaging application to leak company data.

Star has received a temporary injunction from a court in Tamil Nadu ordering Telegram to block any chatbots or websites "that make available the data online".

The hacker, identified as xenZen, allegedly shared the stolen data on Telegram, with millions of individuals' private information reportedly up for sale.

Star Health and Allied Insurance, India’s largest standalone health insurer, is facing a crisis after a massive data breach exposed the sensitive information of 31 million customers.

The breach, one of the biggest in Indian history, reportedly involved 24 terabytes of data being leaked, includes personal information such as names, phone numbers, addresses, tax details, medical records, and identification documents.

IDFC FIRST Bank Unveils Ashva Credit Card

IDFC FIRST Bank, a leader in innovative financial solutions, has announced the launch of the Ashva Credit Card, its newest offering for the modern, discerning customer.

The Ashva Credit Card, powered by Visa, is a celebration of the spirit and aspiration of the new India.

Deeply rooted in its rich cultural heritage the Card represents a perfect amalgamation of the beauty of Indian heritage and the sophistication of contemporary lifestyles.

Axis Bank Launches Corporate Credit Card Suite for Startups

Axis Bank introduced a Corporate Credit Card Suite specifically designed for start-ups under its New Economy Group (NEG).

The credit card suite aims to streamline travel, official expenses, and vendor payments for entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Executive Corporate Credit Card: Tailored for founders with benefits like enhanced credit limits, 4 complimentary golf rounds, reduced foreign exchange markup, and exclusive insurance perks.

Purchase Reward Credit Card: Focused on expense management with features like zero joining fees, automated accounting, and expense tracking.

Axis Bank partnered with the Tech Entrepreneurs Association of Mumbai (TEAM) to further support Mumbai's start-up ecosystem.

These initiatives were announced at Axis Bank’s flagship event called Start-Up Social, attended by over 200 start-up founders and ecosystem players in Mumbai.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence 2024

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar conferred the 25th Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence for 2024 to Smt. Rajashree Birla on 1 October 2024 at a function held at the Vice President's residence in New Delhi.

The Delhi-based Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management has instituted the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in memory of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

The Award honours an Indian residing either in India or abroad each year for his/her contributions and outstanding achievements of high professional order and excellence in management, public administration, public affairs, education, Institution building, art and culture, and sports.

Smt. Rajashree Birla is the chairperson of the non-profit organisation Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development.

She has been honoured for her contribution in implementing the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development initiatives, which has positively impacted the lives of millions living in rural areas.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

46th DG of Armed Forces Medical Services

Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin became the first woman to head the Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS).

She assumed her office as the 46th DGAFMS on 1 October 2024, replacing Lt Gen Daljit Singh.

Vice Admiral Arti Sarin's appointment is seen as a boost to women's empowerment in the Armed forces.

Arti Sarin is also a member of the 14-member National Task Force for the Safety of Medical Professionals, appointed by the Supreme Court.

Earlier, Lieutenant General Sadhna Saxena Nair became the first woman to be appointed as the Director General of Medical Services (Army).

Vice Admiral Arti Sarin is an alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune and was commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services in December 1985.

Before being appointed as the DGAFMS, Flag Officer Arti Sarin held the coveted appointments of DG Medical Services (Navy), DG Medical Services (Air) and Director and Commandant of Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune.