October - 2024 Current Affairs

Correct Answer :   Bodh Gaya

---

Bodh Gaya, a small town located in Bihar, holds the title of City of Enlightenment. It holds great importance in the world of Buddhism as the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. This article explores the features, significance, history, and influence of Bodh Gaya.

India is a vast and diverse country in South Asia, famous for its rich culture and history. It has many languages, religions, and festivals, showcasing a unique blend of traditions. From the beautiful landscapes to delicious food, India offers a wide variety of experiences, making it a fascinating place for visitors and locals alike.

Indian States and Union Territories :

India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories. Each state has its own government and culture, while Union Territories are governed directly by the central government. The diversity in languages, traditions, and lifestyles across these regions makes India a colorful and vibrant nation.

Which Indian City is Known as the City of Enlightenment?

Bodh Gaya is a small town in the Gaya district of Bihar, India and holds the title as the City of Enlightenment. It holds great importance in the world of Buddhism as the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. This article explores the features, significance, history, and influence of Bodh Gaya.

Location of Bodh Gaya, the City of Enlightenment

Bodh Gaya is located in the Gaya district of Bihar, India. It is a small town that attracts many visitors and pilgrims every year, making it an essential religious site.

Bodh Gaya is Known for

Bodh Gaya is best known as the birthplace of Buddhism. It is famous because it is the place where Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, achieved enlightenment. This event is a cornerstone of Buddhist beliefs.

Correct Answer :   79th

---

The World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2024 reveals that India ranks 79th out of 142 countries, reflecting a continuing decline in the rule of law globally.

This year’s (2024) Index shows a decline in the rule of law in 59% of the countries surveyed, marking the sixth consecutive year of global declines since 2016.

Key Highlights :

* Global Trend : For the seventh consecutive year, rule of law scores declined in 57% of countries worldwide, attributed mainly to authoritarian trends and a decline in Fundamental Rights.
* India’s Performance : India ranked 79th out of 142 countries in the overall index, with its score increasing slightly from last year. Regionally, India holds the 3rd position among 6 South Asian countries.
* Income Group Ranking : Among lower-middle-income countries, India ranked 8th out of 38.
* Global Ranking Leaders : Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Germany top the list, while Venezuela, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Myanmar rank the lowest.

Within South Asia, India ranked third after Nepal (69) and Sri Lanka (75), followed by Bangladesh (127) Pakistan (129) and Afghanistan (140). Among the G7 countries, Germany topped fifth, followed by Canada (12), Japan (14), UK (15), France (22), the USA (27) and Italy (32). Venezuela got the lowest rank and placed at 142.

Correct Answer :   Deepak Agarwal

---

Days after it assigned additional charge of the Managing Director, National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED), to an official of the Ministry of Cooperation, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) Friday (25th Oct 2024) appointed Deepak Agarwal, a 2000-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer, as the regular MD of NAFED for a period of five years. An order to this effect was issued by the ACC.

The order came days after the ACC entrusted charge of the post to an official of the Ministry of Cooperation, a week after Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s decision to assign the additional charge of MD, NAFED, to an Agriculture Ministry official.

On 21 October 2024, The Indian Express reported— “NAFED post: Agriculture gives it to own official, week later it goes to Cooperation.”

The ACC, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, as its only other ministerial member. It is responsible for appointing senior officials to key positions in the Central government, public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies.

It is learnt that the Agriculture Ministry, in an order on September 23, assigned additional charge of MD, NAFED, to Muktanand Agrawal, a Joint Secretary in the ministry. The order was issued a day after Ritesh Chauhan demitted office as MD. The order was issued “with approval of the Competent Authority” — in this case the Agriculture Minister, sources said.

But on September 30, the ACC appointed Pankaj Kumar Bansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, as the MD, NAFED, initially for “a period of three months or till the appointment of a regular incumbent to the post.”.

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   October 28

---

International Animation Day (IAD) was created by ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation) in 2002 to honor the origins and influence of animation.

It commemorates the first public projection of animated images, Émile Reynaud’s Théâtre Optique in Paris on October 28, 1892. International Animation Day, also known as IAD, is held annually on 28th October.

Origin

* Established by ASIFA in 2002.
* Marks the first public performance of projected moving images by Émile Reynaud on October 28, 1892.
* Celebrates animation as a significant artistic and cultural medium.

Significance of Animation

* Recognized across various media, theater, television, advertising, music, internet, multimedia, and film.
* Appreciated as a powerful art form by independent creators, students, artists, and even children globally.
* Highlights the diversity of animation techniques like drawing, claymation, paper cut-outs, sand animation, and digital animation.
* Animation transcends language, making it a universal tool for cultural connection and storytelling.

ASIFA’s Role and Goals

* Promotes animation as a dynamic and evolving medium.
* Supports collaboration and exchange between animation communities worldwide.
* Seeks to increase public awareness and appreciation for animation through IAD.
* Assists in connecting animators from different countries, encouraging the sharing of unique animation styles and cultural insights.

Correct Answer :   Knesset

---

The parliament of Israel is called the Knesset. It is the only chamber of the parliament and holds the highest authority in the country. The Knesset has a unique history and plays a key role in shaping the government of Israel. Let's learn more about it.

Israel’s Parliament serves as the central institution for making laws and shaping government policies. It plays a crucial role in the country’s democratic system, representing the people’s interests and guiding national decision-making. In this article, we will know about the name of the Parliament of Israel and some interesting about it.

What is the Name of the Parliament of Israel?

The parliament of Israel is called the Knesset. It is the only chamber of the parliament and holds the highest authority in the country. The Knesset has a unique history and plays a key role in shaping the government of Israel. Let’s learn more about it.

How was the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament Established?

The Knesset was formed on February 16, 1949, when the Constituent Assembly (which was elected in January of the same year to prepare Israel’s constitution) decided to become the First Knesset. On the same day, Chaim Weizmann was elected as the first president of Israel. Although Israel did not create a formal, written constitution, it passed important laws to establish the rules for the Knesset and other parts of the government.

How may Members are there in the Knesset?

The Knesset has 120 members. They are elected every four years through a system called proportional representation. This means that even small political parties can win seats if they get enough votes. There are no voting districts in Israel; the entire country is considered a single voting area.

How are Knesset Members Elected?

People in Israel who are 18 or older can vote. They choose from lists of candidates provided by political parties. The lists are made up of people who are 21 or older, and the parties decide the order of the names. If a party’s list receives 5 percent of the vote, for example, then 5 percent of the 120 seats (which is six seats) in the Knesset go to the people at the top of that party’s list.

Who leads the Government of Israel?

The prime minister-elect is in charge of forming the government. They select the cabinet, which is the main group responsible for making important decisions. The cabinet needs to receive approval from the Knesset to start its work. Most of the cabinet members are also Knesset members, but sometimes nonmembers can be chosen.

Key Facts About Knesset, the Parliament of Israel :

Here are some key facts that you must know about Knesset, the Parliament of Israel:

Members of Knesset: 120
Term of Knesset Members: 4 years
Current Speaker of the Knesset: Amir Ohana
Current Prime Minister of the Knesset: Benjamin Netanyahu

Correct Answer :   $688.26

---

India’s foreign exchange reserves decreased by $2.163 billion, bringing the total to $688.267 billion for the week ending October 18, as reported by the Reserve Bank of India. This decline follows a significant drop of $10.746 billion in the previous week, marking one of the largest reductions in reserves in recent times.

Overview

Current Status : As of October 18, India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $2.163 billion, totaling $688.267 billion, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Recent Trends :

* The previous week saw a significant drop of $10.746 billion, bringing reserves down to $690.43 billion.
* Prior to that, reserves had decreased by $3.709 billion to $701.176 billion.
* Reserves reached an all-time high of $704.885 billion at the end of September.

Components of Reserves :

* Foreign Currency Assets: A key component of forex reserves decreased by $3.865 billion to $598.236 billion.
* These assets reflect the value of currencies held, affected by the appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies such as the euro, pound, and yen.
* Gold Reserves: Increased by $1.786 million, now valued at $67.444 billion.

Other Indicators :

* Special Drawing Rights (SDRs): Decreased by $68 million to $18.271 billion.
* Reserve Position with IMF: Dropped by $16 million to $4.316 billion.

Correct Answer :   Uttar Pradesh

---

Uttar Pradesh government has recently announced the establishment of Special Education Zones (SEZs) in six districts to boost higher education.

The districts are Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Agra, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Bundelkhand.

The zones will be based on factors such as literacy rate, infrastructure, per capita income, and youth population.

The government aims to improve the education and skills of the youth in the state to achieve its goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy in the next five years.

Correct Answer :   Gujarat

---

The Tata Aircraft Complex in Gujarat state will produce Airbus C-295 transport military aircraft in collaboration with Airbus Spain.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez have inaugurated India’s first private military aircraft plant, boosting New Delhi’s ambitions of growing local manufacturing in its defence and aerospace industries.

Sanchez was welcomed to India on Monday with a flower-filled open-top parade alongside Modi, as Madrid seeks to boost investment in the world’s fifth-largest economy.

The duo waved to crowds in a vehicle covered with flowers as they made their way to inaugurate the aircraft factory, a collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus, in Vadodara city of Modi’s home state of Gujarat, where crowds of hundreds cheered and waved banners.

It is the first visit by a Spanish premier to India in 18 years. Modi visited Spain in 2017 and held talks with Sanchez at the G20 summits in 2018 and 2021.

India’s Ministry of Defence has agreed to a $2.5bn deal for 56 cargo and troop-carrying C-295 aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space in 2021. While 16 will be assembled in Seville in Spain – with the first deliveries made last year – the 40 remaining will be built in India.

The Indian plant in Vadodara will complete the first “Made in India” C-295 aircraft in 2026.

The aircraft is capable of transporting up to 71 soldiers or 50 paratroopers and will be able to access remote locations. It can additionally be used for medical evacuations and aid in disaster response and maritime patrol duties.

“This factory will not only strengthen India-Spain relations, but also the ‘Make in India and Made for the World’ mission,” Modi said at the inauguration. “It also reinforces India’s position as a trusted partner in global aerospace manufacturing.”

Sanchez said Airbus had opened a new chapter in India’s defence and space industry.

“This project strengthens our industrial ties while underlying our country’s deep commitment as a reliable and strategic partner,” he said, speaking in English. “It shows, as well, the capabilities of the Spanish defence industry.”

The chairman of the Tata conglomerate, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, lauded the launch as a historic day for India’s defence sector and credited the late Ratan Tata, the “titan” of Indian business and former chairman who died earlier this month, for conceiving the idea more than a decade ago.

Spain, the 16th-largest foreign investor in India with more than 280 Spanish companies in the country, sees opportunities including in construction, pharmacy, energy, and the railways industry.

India says trade between the two nations is “robust and growing”, totalling $9.9bn in 2023, with India exporting $7.17bn and importing $2.74bn.

On Tuesday, Sanchez will travel to Mumbai, India’s financial capital and home to Bollywood, to meet trade and industry leaders, and will also visit film studios to grow collaboration between the Indian and Spanish entertainment industries.

Source : Aljazeera

Correct Answer :   Gujarat

---

The Barda Wildlife Sanctuary inaugurated in Dwarka, Gujarat now serves as the second habitat for the Asiatic lions, spread over 192.31 sq km and has diverse flora and fauna, including 368 plant species, 22 mammalian, and 269 bird species, where a jungle safari experience is also available in Phase-1.

Correct Answer :   Gandhinagar

---

The 17th Urban Mobility India Conference & Expo 2024 was inaugurated by Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

This significant event, running from October 25 to 27, 2024, brought together over 2,000 professionals and academics to discuss and innovate urban transport solutions in India.

The theme of the conference, “Standardisation and Optimisation of Urban Transport Solutions,” aims to enhance urban mobility through integrated strategies.

The participation of key government officials and the focus on sustainable transport principles highlight the commitment to improving urban infrastructure and mobility in India's growing economy.