26th September, 2023 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
India Celebrates Milestone with 75% of Villages Declaring ODF Plus Status

India’s Jal Shakti minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, recently announced a significant achievement in the country’s sanitation efforts. He reported that 75% of Indian villages, totaling about 4.4 lakh, have attained the coveted ‘Open Defecation Free Plus’ (ODF Plus) status. This milestone signifies a crucial step toward fulfilling the goals of the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin by 2024-25.
An ‘ODF Plus’ village is one that has not only maintained its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status but has also successfully implemented either solid or liquid waste management systems.
Villages in 14 states and Union Territories (UTs) have achieved ODF Plus Status.
Four among them have been declared as ‘ODF Plus Model’ villages.

Inauguration of Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 Exhibition by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to inaugurate the Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 exhibition at Hindan Air Base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. In addition to the exhibition, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will formally induct the C-295 transport aircraft into the Indian Air Force. Key military officials, including IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, will be in attendance for this significant event.
The Indian Air Force recently received its first C-295 aircraft, marking a significant milestone.
This acquisition follows a Rs 21,935-crore deal between New Delhi and Airbus Defence and Space, which was signed two years ago.
Airbus is responsible for delivering the initial 16 aircraft in a ‘fly-away’ condition from its final assembly line in Seville, with completion expected by 2025.
An industrial partnership between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India will oversee the manufacturing and assembly of the subsequent 40 aircraft.

India Introduces A Policy To Uphold Dignity Of Border Roads Workers

India, on a mission to enhance its infrastructure along the country’s remote frontiers, has recently unveiled a groundbreaking policy aimed at dignifying the lives of casual workers employed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved this policy, which not only addresses the preservation and transportation of mortal remains but also raises funeral expenses. This move emphasizes the perilous nature of the work undertaken by these individuals in challenging terrains.
Until now, the facility for preserving and transporting mortal remains at government expense was exclusively available to BRO’s General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) personnel. However, recognizing the invaluable contribution of casual laborers, this policy extends this privilege to them as well.

India’s first lighthouse festival took place in Goa

On September 23, India witnessed a historic event as the country’s first-ever lighthouse festival illuminated the picturesque state of Goa. Organized by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, this festival is part of a grand vision to transform 75 lighthouses across India into thriving tourist hubs.
The Indian Lighthouse Festival in Goa, which commenced on September 23 and extends to September 25, marks a significant milestone in the journey to resurrect these historic structures and celebrate their cultural and historical significance.

Also Read: Weekly Current Affairs (Sports) 26 Aug - 01 Sep 2023 Bitbank: Which countries will jointly host the Asia Cup 2023?

>> Download Current Affairs PDFs Here

Download Sakshi Education Mobile APP

INTERNATIONAL
Philippines removes Chinese barrier at disputed shoal in 'special operation'

The Philippines said today it executed a special operation to remove a floating barrier installed by China at a prime fishing patch in the South China Sea. The Philippines coast guard said this special operation was instructed by President Ferdinand Marcos Junior.
The Philippines expressed outrage on Sunday and shared images of a Chinese coastguard guarding a long, ball-buoy barrier near the Scarborough Shoal. Hours after the national security adviser had vowed to take action, the Philippines removed the floating cordon.
Meanwhile, Manila says China violated its fishing rights with the 300m barrier in the Scarborough Shoal.

South Korea to stage its first large-scale military parade in decade

South Korea will stage its first large-scale military parade in a decade on Tuesday, with weapons ranging from ballistic missiles to attack helicopters rolling through Seoul in a show of force as it takes a tougher stance against North Korea.
The parade marks the country's Armed Forces Day, normally a muted event relative to the massive events the North has staged under leader Kim Jong Un that include strategic weapons such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM).
The full-day event in Seoul will feature thousands of troops and South Korea's home-grown tanks and self-propelled artillery as well as attack aircraft and drones, joined by 300 of the 28,500 U.S. soldiers based in the country, the Defence Ministry said.
South Korea last held a military street parade in 2013.

US and Vietnam discuss arms deal

A deal between the U.S. and Vietnam on arms sales was discussed between the two during the official meeting between them last month. Though the terms and conditions of the deal are yet to be finalized, it is assumed that the deal could help cash-strapped Vietnam by steering it away from its traditional reliance on lower-cost, Russian-made arms. The deal expected to finalise next year, will involve the sale of newly upgraded American F-16 fighter jets.
Termed as one of the largest arms transfers in history between the two nations, the deal could irk China and sideline Russia according to the experts.

ECONOMY
RBI proposes changes in instructions dealing wilful defaulters

Reserve Bank of India has proposed changes in the instructions dealing wilful defaulters. In a press release, the RBI said, wilful defaulters must be defined as someone who has an outstanding amount of 25 lakh rupees and above and those who refuse to repay their loans despite having the capacity to pay.
As per the revised guidelines, lenders will have to identify and label defaulting borrowers as "wilful defaulters" within six months of an account turning non-performing. It adds that wilful defaulters shall not be eligible for restructuring. The RBI said, banks must set up a review committee and allow the borrower up to 15 days to make a written representation, as well as a chance for in-person hearing if needed. However, once an account is identified as a wilful defaulter, banks should not grant additional credit until a year after the tag is taken off.
The banking regulator has further proposed that Non-Banking Finance Companies should also be allowed to tag accounts using the same parameters. The RBI has sought comments on the new draft master directions by 31st of next month.

ENVIRONMENT
India gets its 54th Tiger Reserve “Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve” in MP

Madhya Pradesh, which is home to the most number of tigers in the country, has got a new protected area for the big cats named ‘Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve’. The Madhya Pradesh Government has unveiled the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve, becoming the seventh tiger reserve in the state and the 54th in India.
MP retained the “tiger state” status in the 2022 census with the number of big cats in the state rising to 785 from 526 in 2018. Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve has become the seventh tiger reserve of Madhya Pradesh.
About 1,414 square kilometres in the tiger reserve has been included in the core area and 925.12 square kilometres in the buffer zone.

World Environmental Health Day 2023 observed on 26th September

Every year on September 26, World Environmental Health Day is celebrated to highlight the intricate relationship between humans and their environment. This annual observance emphasizes the profound impact of our surroundings on our well-being and aims to promote healthier and safer communities worldwide.
Environmental Health is a critical branch of public health that focuses on examining and enhancing the connection between human beings and their environment. It encompasses various facets of our daily lives, including our living spaces, food, surroundings, and the air we breathe.
The theme for this year’s World Environmental Health Day is “Global Environmental Public Health: Standing up to protect everyone’s Health each and every day” underscores the collective responsibility to safeguard the health of every individual by addressing global environmental challenges consistently.

SPORTS
India beat Pakistan in squash by 3-0:Asian Games Hangzhou 2023

In Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, India beat Pakistan in squash by 3-0. India also trounced Singapore by 16-1 in Men's Hockey group match .
Indian Men's 4x100m Medley Relay Team qualified for the final after finishing overall fourth in the heats with a timing of 3:40.84s. In tennis Women's Singles, India's Ankita Raina triumphs over Aditya Patil from Hong Kong with an impressive score of 6-1, 6-2 in the Round of 16, With this win she marches into the quarter-finals. Roshibina Devi has also guaranteed India at least bronze in Wushu.
However, it is a bad day for Indian Shooters. Ramita Jindal and Divyansh Singh Panwar suffered a narrow defeat in the 10m air rifle mixed team bronze medal match. In women's sabre individual event, Bhavani Devi suffered a 7-15 defeat against China's Shao Yaqi in the quarterfinals.
India stands at 5th position with a total of 11 medals including two gold medals won yesterday at Men's 10m Air Rifle event.
In total, 655 Indian athletes are competing at the Asian Games 2023.

India's Neha Thakur bags silver medal in sailing; women's squash team beats Pakistan

In Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, India's Neha Thakur bagged silver medal in the girl's dinghy sailing event. This is India's 1st medal in Sailing in this edition.
The 17-year-old finished with a net score of 27.
Earlier women's squash team beat Pakistan by 3-0 while the men's squash team won by 3-0 against Singapore in their opening group match.
Meanwhile, In the Men's Hockey group match today India trounced Singapore by 16-1. Indian Men's 4x100m Medley Relay Team qualified for the final after finishing overall fourth. The Indian quartet also broke the national record earned from the 2018 Asian Games. In tennis Women's Singles, Ankita Raina triumphs over Aditya Patil from Hong Kong with an impressive score of 6-1, 6-2 in the Round of 16.

AWARDS
Veteran actor Waheeda Rehman to honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award

Veteran actor Waheeda Rehman will be honoured with this year's Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award. The legendary actor has worked in films such as Guide and Reshma Aur Shera.
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur today shared the decision by the I and B Ministry on his social media handle.s

Published date : 26 Sep 2023 05:21PM