Daily Current Affairs 17th September 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

PM Modi Launches Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and New Vande Bharat Trains

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail on September 16, 2024, which will operate between Ahmedabad and Bhuj. Known as the Vande Metro, this new train covers a 360-kilometre distance in 5 hours and 45 minutes, making stops at nine stations along the route. Alongside, Modi also flagged off several Vande Bharat Express trains on new routes, including Nagpur-Secunderabad, Kolhapur-Pune, and Pune-Hubballi, and introduced a 20-coach Vande Bharat train from Varanasi to Delhi.

Angkor Wat Named Most Photogenic UNESCO World Heritage Site in Asia

Cambodia’s Angkor Wat has been recognized as the most photogenic UNESCO World Heritage site in Asia by Times Travel, as announced by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on September 15. This accolade was revealed through a post on his official Telegram channel, featuring Times of India’s list of Asia’s top ten most photogenic UNESCO sites.

J&K Launches ‘Vote Ka Tyohar’ Theme Song

In an effort to encourage voter participation in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, launched the theme song ‘Vote Ka Tyohar’. The song, released by CEO, Pandurang K Pole, is aimed at motivating voters across Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory to cast their votes in the Assembly Elections, which begin on 18 September 2024 across seven districts of both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions.

Internatinal News

Jordan’s King Appoints New Prime Minister After Parliamentary Elections

Jordan’s King Abdullah II has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh following last week’s parliamentary elections. Al-Khasawneh, a seasoned diplomat who had been in office since October 2020, resigned in accordance with the constitutional norm after legislative elections. Jafar Hassan, a technocrat and former planning minister who was serving as the king’s head of office, has been appointed as the new prime minister.

Appointments News

Senior IPS Officer Amrit Mohan Appointed SSB Chief

According Government sources, A Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from Odisha cadre, Amrit Mohan was appointed as the Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved Mr Prasad’s appointment to the post of Director General, SSB for a tenure up to the date of his superannuation on August 31, 2025.

Banking News

LIC Appoints Infosys for NextGen Digital Platform

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has selected Infosys to develop its next-generation digital platform as part of its DIVE (Digital Innovation and Value Enhancement) programme. This new platform will serve as an integrated end-to-end solution, enhancing customer services, business lifecycle management, and operational activities for sales intermediaries, while also offering a digital front-end for branch employees.

Sports News

India’s Triumph at WorldSkills 2024

The WorldSkills 2024 competition in Lyon, France, witnessed a remarkable performance by the Indian contingent, showcasing the country’s growing prowess in various skill domains on the international stage. With an impressive haul of 4 Bronze medals and 12 Medallions of Excellence, India has firmly established itself as a rising force in the global skills arena.

First Pakistani Woman Nominated as International Cricket Umpire

Saleema Imtiaz has made history by becoming the first Pakistani woman to be nominated to the ICC International Panel of Development Umpires, according to an announcement by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

17 Year old Anmol Kharb Wins First Single Title in Belgium

India’s 17-year-old Anmol Kharb clinched her first international title in women’s singles as she beat Denmark’s Amalie Schulz in a hard-fought final in the Belgian International badminton tournament. Anmol Kharb became the women’s singles national badminton champion at the age of 16 and a year later, proved to be the driving force behind the Indian women’s team bagging a historic gold medal at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships in Malaysia.

Awards News

Indian women’s contributions across UAE honored at Indian Women Dubai Awards 2024

The Indian Women Dubai Awards 2024 took place in Dubai, honoring the achievements of Indian women who have contributed in various fields of excellence across the UAE.  This event celebrated empowerment, resilience, and unity, showcasing the impact of women who are shaping the community.

Aishwarya Rai Wins Best Actress at SIIMA 2024

At the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) 2024, Aishwarya Rai Bachhan stood out as she received the Best Actress (critics) Award  for her role in Maniratnam’s epic “Ponniyin Selvan 2” .

Books and Authors News

The Book Titled ‘Sri Rama in Tamilagam – An inseparable bond’ Released by Governor of Tamil Nadu

On a significant day for Tamil literature and cultural heritage, Thiru. R.N. Ravi, the Honorable Governor of Tamil Nadu, presided over the release of a groundbreaking book titled “Sri Rama in Tamilagam – An Inseparable Bond”. This literary work, authored by the esteemed duo Dr. D.K. Hari and Dr. D.K. Hema Hari, explores the deep-rooted connection between Lord Rama and the land of Tamilagam, now known as Tamil Nadu.

Defence News

Operation Sadbhavana, India’s Humanitarian Response to Typhoon Yagi

Typhoon Yagi recently struck Southeast Asia, the government of India has launched Operation Sadbhavana, a humanitarian initiative aimed at providing crucial assistance to affected countries. This operation exemplifies India’s commitment to its Act East Policy and its role as a first responder in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to nations in need.

Schemes News

NPS Vatsalya Scheme to Launch on September 18, 2024

The NPS Vatsalya Scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, will be launched by Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on September 18, 2024, in New Delhi. This initiative allows parents to invest in pension accounts for their children with flexible contributions starting at Rs. 1,000 annually, offering long-term wealth building through compounding.

Important Days

8th India Water Week 2024 Organized by Ministry of Jal Shakti

The Ministry of Jal Shakti will organize the India Water Week 2024 from 17th to 20th September. It is a 4-day conference and exhibition which is India’s international water resources event. Conceptualized and organized first in 2012, the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India is organizing the India Water Week 2024 biannually. 

World Patient Safety Day 2024, Know the Date, History and Significance

On September 17, 2024, the world observed World Patient Safety Day, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about patient safety and promoting collaboration among healthcare stakeholders. This year’s theme, “Improving diagnosis for patient safety”, accompanied by the slogan “Get it right, make it safe!”, underscores the critical importance of accurate and timely diagnoses in ensuring patient safety and enhancing health outcomes.