Daily Current Affairs 22nd October 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

Discovery of 16th Century Copper Plates in Tiruvallur District

A significant archaeological discovery has been made at the Sri Singeeswarar temple in Mappedu village, Tiruvallur district, where a set of copper plate inscriptions dating back to the 16th Century CE were found. During a routine check of the temple’s lockers, overseen by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department, officials uncovered two leaves of copper plates strung together with a ring featuring the seal of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) confirmed that the inscriptions, engraved in 1513 during the reign of King Krishnadevaraya, are written in Sanskrit using the Nandinagari script.

International News

Hurricane Oscar Hits Cuba, Triggers Protests Amid Economic Crisis

Hurricane Oscar made landfall in the Bahamas before crossing Cuba’s eastern coast, leaving at least six dead and causing widespread destruction. The storm triggered power outages that halted daily activities, prompting protests in neighborhoods like Santos Suárez and central Havana. Residents banged pots and pans, while some blocked streets in protest over water shortages. The blackout followed energy issues that have persisted since Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Pakistan Limits Chief Justice’s Term to Three Years

On October 21, Pakistan enacted the Constitution (26th Amendment) Act, 2024, limiting the Chief Justice’s tenure to three years and establishing a special commission for appointing the top judge from three senior-most Supreme Court judges. The amendment received President Asif Ali Zardari’s assent after being passed by both Houses of Parliament amid strong opposition from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. This legislation prevents Justice Masoor Ali Shah from succeeding current Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who is set to retire on October 25.

State News

New Citizen Sentinel App Unveiled in Kerala for Traffic Monitoring

In a significant move to enhance traffic law enforcement, Kerala’s Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) has launched the Citizen Sentinel mobile application, empowering citizens to actively participate in ensuring road safety. The app allows users to report traffic violations in real time by capturing photos or videos of infractions and uploading them for review by enforcement officials.

Economy News

Global Public Debt Set to Exceed $100 Trillion, Warns IMF

According to a report released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the world’s total public debt is poised to surpass $100 trillion this year for the first time. The IMF warns that this figure may rise even more rapidly than previously anticipated, driven by political sentiment favoring increased spending and the growing borrowing needs associated with slow economic growth.

Schemes News

Yogi Adityanath Rolls Out Key Welfare Schemes for Police Personnel on ‘Police Smriti Diwas’

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unveiled a series of welfare schemes for police personnel, including a substantial 70% increase in uniform allowance and a 25% hike in housing allowance for constables residing in barracks. These significant measures were announced during his address at the ‘Police Smriti Diwas’ event in Lucknow, held in honor of police personnel who have laid down their lives in the line of duty, according to an official statement. 

Mission Basundhara 3.0 Assam’s Push for Indigenous Land Rights

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma officially launched Mission Basundhara 3.0 at an event held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati. This ambitious initiative is designed to empower indigenous communities by providing them with formal land rights, ensuring greater security and recognition of their holdings.

UDAN’s 8th Anniversary: A Transformative Journey in Indian Aviation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the 8th anniversary of the UDAN (Ude Desh ke Aam Nagrik) scheme, celebrating its transformative impact on India’s aviation sector. Launched in October 2016, UDAN aimed to make air travel affordable for the common man and boost regional connectivity. The Prime Minister highlighted the increase in airports and air routes, emphasizing how the scheme has enhanced trade, commerce, and regional growth. Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded UDAN’s success in making air travel accessible in underserved regions, noting its role in unlocking India’s growth potential.

Summits and Conferences News

18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to Be Held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Odisha is set to host the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas from January 8th to 10th next year in its capital city, Bhubaneswar. The event, which celebrates the contributions of the Indian diaspora, will take place at Janata Maidan. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved the proposal submitted by the Union Ministry of External Affairs, making Bhubaneswar the venue for this prestigious global gathering.

Appointments News

Vikram Dev Dutt Takes Charge as Coal Secretary

Vikram Dev Dutt, a 1993-batch IAS officer from the AGMUT cadre, has officially assumed the role of Coal Secretary. Previously serving as the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Dutt takes over from VL Kantha Rao, who held the additional charge after Amrit Lal Meena was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Bihar. With India’s power demand projected to grow by 6-7% annually, Dutt faces the significant challenge of enhancing coal production to meet the rising needs of the Power and Industrial sectors.

ECI Appoints Ajay Kumar Singh as Jharkhand’s New DGP Ahead of Elections

Ajay Kumar Singh, a senior IPS officer, has been appointed as the new Director General of Police (DGP) for Jharkhand. His selection comes from a panel of three IPS officers recommended by the State Government, following the Election Commission’s order for the immediate removal of acting DGP Anurag Gupta.

Sports News

Railways Triumph Over Indian Oil to Clinch Women’s Hockey Title

Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) won the Senior Women Inter-Departmental National Hockey Championship by defeating Indian Oil 3-1 in the final, held at Major Dhyanchand National Stadium. This win avenges their loss in last year’s summit clash. Indian Oil scored first in the 18th minute through Deepika, but Vandana Katariya equalized for Railways just a minute later. Railways took the lead in the fourth quarter, with captain Navneet Kaur scoring a crucial goal, followed by a final strike from Salima Tete, who was named Player of the Match.