1 WHO declared India trachoma free
India has achieved another major public health milestone. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared India free from the infectious bacterial infection trachoma , considered one of the leading causes of blindness . The achievement is the result of decades of efforts to save the sight of millions of people across the country. Trachoma, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, has been a serious problem particularly affecting children. Globally, it has affected about 150 million people, of whom about 6 million are at risk of severe vision loss. The disease spreads through close contact, shared personal items, and environmental factors such as dirt and crowding. The trachoma crisis in India peaked in the mid -20th century , with states like Gujarat and Rajasthan reporting infection rates of over 50% . Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Indian government launched the National Trachoma Control Programme in 1963. The programme adopted the WHO ‘s SAFE strategy , which included surgery, antibiotics, facial hygiene, and environmental improvements.
2 Annual India Leadership Summit to be held in New Delhi
The annual India Leadership Summit, hosted by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, will be held in New Delhi . It aims to enhance bilateral trade, supply chain, semiconductor investment, artificial intelligence and modern technology cooperation. The summit comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘s recent visit to the US for the Quad Summit and address to the United Nations General Assembly. The one-day conference aims to promote defense ties and clean energy and ensure an independent and free Indo-Pacific region. Forum Chairman John Chambers said that this century belongs to India and he is excited about the infinite possibilities.
3 Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is leading the parliamentary delegation to the 149th meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union starting in Geneva, Switzerland
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is leading a parliamentary delegation to the 149th meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union starting in Geneva , Switzerland . This meeting will continue till the 17th of this month. In a social media post, Mr. Birla said that during his visit, he will address the assembly on the topic ” Using science, technology and innovation for a more peaceful and sustainable future “. The Inter-Parliamentary Union has 180 MPs and 15 associate members. Its member countries include big countries like China, India and Indonesia, as well as small countries like Cabo Verde, San Marino and Palau.
4 Centre lifts President’s rule from Jammu and Kashmir, paving the way for formation of new government in the Union Territory
5 Prestigious Alai Balai festival being held in Hyderabad
In Telangana , a day after the Dussehra festival , the prestigious Alai Balai festival is being held in Hyderabad. Speakers at the event stressed on the need to promote unity through festivals and preserve cultural heritage. Organised by the Alai Balai Foundation, the festival will see the participation of people from several states including Telangana, Uttarakhand , Rajasthan, Meghalaya , and others. . Speakers at the event stressed the need to promote unity through festivals and preserve cultural heritage. Organised by the Alai Balai Foundation, the event was attended by governors and former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. Alai Balai is celebrated a day after the Dussehra festival.
6 Bihar Postal Circle released a special cover in honour of Ratan Tata
Paying tribute to Padma Vibhushan decorated Ratan Naval Tata, Bihar Postal Circle released a special cover in the auditorium hall of the local Meghdoot Bhawan . This special cover was unveiled by Anil Kumar, Chief Postmaster General of Bihar Circle, Patna. The postal department described this cover as a symbol of Ratan Naval Tata’s important contribution to industry, social service and national development.
7 young Sherpas climbed the world’s highest peaks at the age of 18
Nima Rinzee Sherpa, an 18-year-old Nepali climber, created history on Wednesday by becoming the youngest person to climb all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres (26,246 feet). His remarkable achievement was sealed after he successfully reached the summit of Tibet’s 26,335-feet high Shisha Pangma. Nima Rinzee Sherpa, an 18-year-old Nepali climber, created history on Wednesday by becoming the youngest person to climb all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres (26,246 feet). His remarkable achievement was sealed after he successfully reached the summit of Tibet’s 26,335-feet high Shisha Pangma.
8 Tanya Hemanth wins women’s singles title at Bendigo International Challenge
India’s Tanya Hemanth defeated Taipei ‘s Tung Siow-Tong to win the women’s singles title at the Bendigo International Challenge badminton tournament being played in Bendigo , Australia . Second seeded Tanya defeated sixth seeded Tung 21-17, 21-17 in the women’s singles final. This is 21-year-old Tanya’s third and first international title of the year. She was the runner-up at the Polish Open and Azerbaijan International in 2024. Tanya Hemanth won titles at the India International in 2022 and Iran Fajr International in 2023. In the men’s doubles final, the top seeded Indian pair of Hariharan Amskarunan and Ruban Kumar Rethinsabapathy lost to the pair of Chen Cheng Kuan and Po Li-Wei of Taipei 17-21, 14-21.
9 Asian Table Tennis Championship: The pair of Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee created history by winning the first medal
India’s top women’s table tennis pair Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee created history by winning the first medal for the country in the Asian Table Tennis Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan . The Indian pair won the bronze medal in this championship . The pair of Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee lost 0-3 to Japan’s Miwa Harimoto and Miyu Kihara in the semi-finals. Ayhika and Sutirtha, ranked 15th in the world, defeated the provisional pair of Kim Nayoung and Lee Yunhe of Republic of Korea 3-1 in the quarter-finals.
10 World Migratory Bird Day 2024
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a biennial global event that aims to raise awareness about the need to conserve migratory birds and their habitats . In 2024, WMBD is celebrated on 11 May and 12 October , marking important dates in the migratory cycles of birds around the world. World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated twice a year – in May and October – to mark seasonal bird migration in different parts of the world. The theme for 2024 is, “ Insects for Birds. ” ”, highlights the importance of insects for migratory birds and calls for urgent action to protect the rapidly declining insect populations.
11 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
To achieve the goal of the Sendai Framework of reducing global disaster risk and losses , the theme of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2024 , to be observed on October 13 , will be on the role of education in protecting and empowering youth for a disaster-free future. This year’s theme is – Empowering the next generation for a brighter future .