1 Exercise between the Army and Air Forces of India and Kazakhstan – Kazind 2023 begins in Otar, Kazakhstan
Exercise KAZIND 2023 between the Army and Air Forces of India and Kazakhstan is starting in Ottar, Kazakhstan . A team of 120 members of the Indian Army and Air Force left for Kazakhstan to participate in it. This exercise will continue till 11th November next month. The Indian Army contingent includes 90 soldiers from the battalion of the Dogra Regiment , while the Kazakhstan contingent will include soldiers from the Southern Regional Command of the Kazakh Ground Force. Apart from the military contingent, thirty each from the Air Force of both the countries are also participating in this exercise. Joint exercises between India and Kazakhstan started in 2016. This year, in the exercise, both the countries will practice anti-terrorist operations as per the orders of the United Nations. Apart from this, operation of drones will also be practiced.
2 Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Thunen Institute of Germany will jointly organize an international workshop on ‘Food Loss and Waste Prevention in the South Asian Region’
Indian Council of Agricultural Research in collaboration with Thunen Institute is organizing an International Workshop on ‘ Food Loss and Waste Prevention in the South Asian Region ‘ from October 30 to November 1, 2023 at the National Agricultural Science Center Complex, New Delhi. The objective of the workshop was to assess and impact post-harvest losses and food waste; prevention of post-harvest losses in the supply chain; Home and community programs aim to address issues such as the prevention of food wastage and the role of the Food Bang network and the circular economy. The participants in the workshop will include various stakeholders from South Asian countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Maldives.
3. 25T Bollard Pull Tug ‘Mahabali’ launched at M/s Shaft Shipyard Pvt. Ltd., Bharuch, Gujarat
The 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug , ‘ Mahabali ‘ was launched by Commander (CMDE) Sunil Kaushik , NM, WPS (MBI) at M/s Shaft Shipyard Pvt Ltd, Bharuch, Gujarat on 28 October 2023. This tug is the proud flag bearer of the “ Make in India ” initiative of the Ministry of Defence. In line with the ” Atmanirbhar Bharat ” initiative of the Government of India , the contract was concluded with M/s Shaft Shipyard Pvt. Ltd. (SSPL) for the construction and delivery of three 25T BP Tugs by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). The availability of the tug will provide impetus to the operational commitments of the Indian Navy (IN) by providing assistance to naval ships and submarines during berthing and un-berthing, turning and maneuvering in confined waters. The tugs will also provide fire-fighting support to nearby vessels in port, and have the capability to conduct limited search and rescue operations.
4 Minister of State for Culture Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal inaugurated the exhibition ‘Art from Waste’ – ‘Sculpture from Scrap’
As a part of Special Campaign 3.0 , the Ministry of Culture organized the exhibition ‘ Art from Waste ‘ – ‘ Sculpture from Scrap ‘ at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi , showcasing the best creative initiatives of various organizations of the Ministry. Delhi-based organizations of the Ministry of Culture and the North East Zonal Cultural Center (NEZCC) participated in the exhibition, while other organizations based outside Delhi also organized the exhibition in their respective offices.
5 Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurates 16th Urban Mobility India Conference in New Delhi
The three-day conference is being organized under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in collaboration with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited . The theme of the conference is ‘ Integrated and Efficient Urban Transport System ‘. It was inaugurated by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on 27 October . The main agenda of the conference will be the design and implementation of efficient, high quality, integrated and flexible urban transport systems in cities.
6 PM Swanidhi Scheme Gender Equality: SBI Report
SBI ‘s Economic Research Department reports that 43 per cent of the beneficiaries of the PM Swanidhi Scheme are women street vendors, demonstrating the role of the scheme as a promoter of gender equality . The PM Street Vendors’ Self-Reliant Fund (PM SVANidhi) scheme , launched on June 1, 2020 , has proven to be a game-changer for India’s urban street vendors. This micro-credit scheme aims to provide collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors, with a focus on empowering this marginalized community. A recent report by the Economic Research Department (ERD) of the State Bank of India highlights the significant impact of the scheme (in particular, in the context of gender equality and socio-economic transformation).
7 West Bengal teacher receives Global Teacher Award
Deep Narayan Nayak, a dedicated teacher from West Bengal , has ranked as one of the top 10 finalists for the prestigious Global Teacher Award 2023 . This prestigious award is organized annually by the UK – based Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO and Dubai Cares . A UAE-based philanthropic organization that celebrates exceptional teachers from around the world. Deep Narayan Nayak’s selection underlines his extraordinary dedication to the field of education (especially, during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic).
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Aircraft sign agreement to manufacture 8 aircraft engine parts
HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines have signed an MoU to enhance industrial cooperation in aerospace . HAL will jointly manufacture LEAP engine components while developing the Indian multi-role helicopter . In a significant development for the aviation industry, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and leading French aero engine design, development and manufacturing company Safran Aircraft Engines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting industrial cooperation and collaboration . This strategic partnership covers various key sectors of the aviation sector and marks an important moment in India’s aerospace landscape.
9 Jio MAMI Film Festival 2023: 27 October to 5 November
Jio MAMI Film Festival, which will run from 27 October to 5 November, has started. Priyanka Chopra and Isha Ambani are going to host this festival . Priyanka Chopra is the chairperson of Jio MAMI Film Festival. More than 250 films from 70 countries will be shown in this film festival . From Hansal Mehta ‘s ‘ The Buckingham Murders ‘ to Isabelle Hargeura’s animated ‘Sultana Dream’, it will be seen. Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival will run for ten days, showcasing over 250 features and shorts across 20 screens at eight locations across Mumbai.
10 Reliance Jio and Plum partner to provide AI-enhanced in-home services
Reliance Jio has partnered with Plum, a California – based company specializing in cloud-based AI-powered services, with an aim to enrich the digital experiences of its customers. Reliance Jio, India’s leading telecom operator, has entered into a strategic partnership with Plum, a California-based company specializing in cloud-based AI-powered services, to enhance the digital lives of its nearly 200 million customers.
11 Zomato launches maternity insurance scheme for female delivery partners
Zomato has launched maternity insurance for its female delivery partners , which will provide financial assistance for pregnancy-related expenses . Zomato has taken a big step to support its female delivery partners by launching a maternity insurance scheme. The insurance plan will cover various pregnancy-related expenses, such as the cost of childbirth and any complications that may occur during motherhood. This financial assistance is to reduce the burden on female delivery partners and their families. Zomato has partnered with technology-driven insurance company ACKO to provide this maternity insurance coverage.
12 RBI nod for MobiKwik’s Zaakpay to act as payment aggregator
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted in-principle authorization to MobiKwik’s secure payment gateway arm, Zaakpay, to act as a payment aggregator, enabling Zaakpay to onboard new merchants on its platform . This authorization paves the way for Zaakpay to onboard new merchants onto its platform, facilitating quick and easy processing of online payments.
13 JioSpaceFiber: India’s first satellite-based gigabit broadband service
Reliance Jio has introduced ‘ JioSpaceFiber ‘ , India’s first satellite-based gigabit broadband service to extend high-speed internet access to remote areas of India for nationwide coverage . India’s leading telecom provider Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited has launched ‘JioSpaceFiber’ satellite broadband service. This unprecedented initiative was officially unveiled at the India Mobile Congress and represents the country’s first satellite-powered GigaFiber service. The primary goal of this satellite broadband service is to extend high-speed Internet access to previously underserved and remote areas in India.
14 China is building the world’s largest ghost particle detector ‘Trident’
China is building the world’s largest neutrino-detecting telescope called “ Trident ” in the western Pacific Ocean to detect elusive particles called “ ghost particles ” or neutrinos . China is launching an unprecedented effort by building a giant telescope in the western Pacific Ocean. The primary mission of this massive facility is to detect elusive particles called “ghost particles” or neutrinos. This ambitious undertaking will result in the world’s largest neutrino-detecting telescope. Currently, the most extensive neutrino-detecting telescope is “ IceCube ” at the University of Madison-Wisconsin , located deep in the Antarctic . It consists of sensors spread over one cubic kilometer of ice. Set to be completed by 2030, Trident, known as the ‘Ocean Bell’ or ‘Hai Ling’ in Chinese, will be located at a depth of 11,500 feet (3,500 metres) beneath the surface of the western Pacific Ocean. Located in the South China Sea, this monumental instrument, the Trident, spans 7.5 cubic kilometers. Understanding neutrinos is very important because they have the potential to unravel one of the most complex mysteries of the universe: the origin of cosmic rays.
15 This year the theme of Vigilance Awareness Week is – Say No to Corruption, Stay Committed to the Nation
Vigilance Awareness Week 2023 will be observed from 30 October to 5 November . This year’s theme is – Say no to corruption, remain committed to the nation . Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ‘s birth anniversary is celebrated on 31 October . Vigilance Awareness Week is observed every year in his memory. During this week, the Integrity Pledge will be administered to all citizens. The Awareness Week campaign supports the commitment to promote integrity and honesty in public life through citizen participation. This week is one of the public participation vigilance initiatives of the Central Vigilance Commission against corruption. Its objective is to bring sensitivity towards ethics and transparency in governance and public administration.
16 International Day of Care and Assistance: 29 October 2023
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has established the International Day of Care and Assistance . This day is celebrated on 29 October . It recognizes the unequal burden of unpaid care and domestic work on women and girls, as well as emphasizes the importance of addressing these systemic barriers to women’s empowerment.