Daily Current Affairs 11th October 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

India’s Textiles Sector Targets $350 Billion by 2030

India’s textiles sector is set for significant expansion, with an 11% year-on-year growth in Ready-Made Garments (RMG) of all Textiles exports, as per India’s trade data of August 2024, signaling a bright future. The Textiles sector in the country is expected to grow to USD 350 billion by 2030, driven by India’s inherent strengths and a strong policy framework that encourages investment and exports.

International News

Young Sherpa Conquers World’s Tallest Mountains at 18

An 18-year-old Nepali mountaineer, Nima Rinji Sherpa, made history on Wednesday by becoming the youngest person to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter (26,246-foot) peaks. His remarkable achievement was sealed after successfully reaching the summit of Tibet’s 26,335-foot Shisha Pangma.

India Joins 44th Codex Nutrition Committee Meeting

India participated in the 44th session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) held in Dresden, Germany from October 2 to October 6, 2024. As a key contributor, India made pivotal interventions on significant agenda items.

UNGA Elects 18 New Members to Human Rights Council for 2025-2027 Term

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has elected 18 new members to the 47-member Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term. This decision was made through a secret ballot held recently, with countries like Benin, Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Qatar, and Thailand among the newly elected. The newly elected members will begin their three-year terms on January 1, 2025. The Human Rights Council, based in Geneva, plays a crucial role in promoting and protecting human rights globally. The elections reflect a commitment to staggered terms, ensuring continuity within the Council’s composition.

President Murmu’s Historic African Visit: Strengthening Ties

President Droupadi Murmu is set to embark on a significant state visit to Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi from October 13 to 19, 2024. This marks the first-ever visit by an Indian head of state to these three African nations, highlighting India’s commitment to enhancing its partnerships on the continent. The visit follows a year after the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency, reinforcing India’s strategic engagement with Africa.

State News

Kaimur Approved as Bihar’s Second Tiger Reserve

The central government has given its in-principle approval for Bihar’s second tiger reserve in Kaimur district. This decision follows a proposal from the Bihar government to develop the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) into a tiger reserve. Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran was the only tiger reserve in Bihar until now.

Business News

DigiLocker Partners with UMANG App for Seamless Access to Government Services

DigiLocker, a secure cloud-based platform for document storage and verification, has integrated with the UMANG app to enhance access to various government services. This collaboration aims to simplify citizen interactions with the government, enabling users to manage multiple services through a single platform. To utilize this integration, users need to update the DigiLocker app, install the UMANG app, and access a range of services conveniently. This partnership marks a significant step in India’s digital governance efforts, providing authenticated documents equivalent to originals as per regulatory standards.

Summits and Conferences News

44th and 45th ASEAN Summits Kick Off in Vientiane, Laos

The 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and related events began on October 9 in Vientiane, Laos, focusing on the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.” Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith urged member countries to uphold peace, stability, and sustainable development while honoring their commitments to multilateralism. This year marks a significant opportunity for ASEAN to build a more integrated and resilient community in response to pressing challenges.

Defence News

Army Commanders’ Summit in Sikkim: Border Security in Focus

The Second Army Commanders’ Conference of 2024 began on October 10 in a hybrid format at a forward location in Gangtok, Sikkim. Bringing together senior leaders of the Indian Army, the conference serves as a crucial platform to review the nation’s overall security landscape, address key conceptual issues, and devise strategies to tackle emerging challenges.

Indian Navy Partners with Bajaj Allianz for Naval Civilians’ Insurance Coverage

In line with its focus on enhancing the welfare of Naval Civilians, the Indian Navy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance. This initiative is a key highlight of 2024, declared as the “Year of Naval Civilians.” It underscores the Navy’s commitment to financial security and inclusivity for its civilian workforce, particularly by offering affordable life insurance options, including term insurance, to safeguard their families in the event of an untimely death.

Business News

UPI Transactions Surge 52% to 78.97 Billion in H1 2024: Report

In a major boost to India’s digital payment landscape, UPI transaction volumes recorded a 52% year-on-year rise to 78.97 billion in the first half of 2024. According to Worldline’s India Digital Payments Report, UPI’s value surged by 40%, growing from ₹83.16 trillion to ₹116.63 trillion between January 2023 and June 2024. While PhonePe led the market, followed by Google Pay and Paytm, the average ticket size (ATS) saw an 8% decline, reflecting a shift toward smaller transactions.

Sports News

38th National Games to be Held in Uttarakhand

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has chosen Uttarakhand as the host for the 38th Summer National Games, scheduled to take place from 28th January to 14th February 2025. This announcement marks a significant achievement for the state, as it will be hosting the prestigious event for the first time, followed by the upcoming Winter Games, which will be held outside Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for the first time. The 37th National Games, held in Goa from 25th September to 9th November 2023, paved the way for Uttarakhand’s momentous turn to showcase its capabilities on the national sporting stage.

Science and Technology News

World’s Highest Imaging Cherenkov Telescope Unveiled in Ladakh

On October 4, 2024, Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, inaugurated the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh. This monumental facility is the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia and stands as the highest of its kind in the world, located at an altitude of approximately 4,300 meters.

Important Days

World Migratory Bird Day 2024, Date, Theme, History and Significance

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a biannual global event aimed at raising awareness about the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. In 2024, WMBD will be observed on 11 May and 12 October, marking key dates in the migratory cycles of birds across the world. World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated twice a year—in May and October—to reflect the seasonal bird migrations in different parts of the world. The 2024 theme, “Insects for Birds”, highlights the importance of insects for migratory birds and calls for immediate action to protect the rapidly declining populations of insects.

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024: Date, Theme, History, and Significance

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) is observed annually on 13th October. This global event, spearheaded by the United Nations, emphasizes the importance of mitigating disaster risks and promoting strategies that help reduce the loss of lives and livelihoods due to natural and human-made disasters.

Miscellaneous News

Honoring Ratan Tata: Bihar Postal Circle Releases Special Cover

Ratan Naval Tata, the Bihar Postal Circle has released a special cover commemorating his contributions to industry, philanthropy, and national development. This gesture serves not only as a tribute but also as a reminder of his enduring values and leadership. Tata, who passed away in a Mumbai hospital on October 10, 2024, was honored with state rites, reflecting the immense respect and admiration he garnered throughout his life. The special cover is considered a significant collector’s item, honoring Tata’s visionary work that continues to inspire future generations.