October - 2024 Current Affairs

Correct Answer :   Colombo

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The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) organized a conference in Colombo to discuss the initiative of granting Pali the status of a classical language to the Indian government.

This conference brought together Buddhist monks and scholars, highlighting ICCR's commitment to promoting Indian culture and strengthening international ties.

Colombo, being the location of this important cultural event, underscores the significance of Sri Lanka in fostering Buddhist scholarship and cultural exchange within the region, aligning with ICCR's broader objectives of enhancing cultural relations globally.

Correct Answer :   Amitabh Chaudhry

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Amitabh Chaudhry has been re-appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Axis Bank for a new term effective from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027.

His re-appointment was approved by shareholders at the bank’s 30th Annual General Meeting in July, with final approval granted by the Reserve Bank of India on October 24, 2024.

Chaudhry has been at the helm since 2019 and has significantly contributed to expanding the bank’s retail services and enhancing its digital capabilities, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the market.

Correct Answer :   Nvidia

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Nvidia has recently overtaken Apple to become the world's most valuable company, reaching a market value of $3.53 trillion, slightly above Apple's $3.52 trillion.

This significant shift in market value is attributed to the remarkable surge in Nvidia's stock price, driven by the increasing demand for its advanced supercomputing AI chips.

Nvidia's rise to the top reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence and technology in the current market landscape, as the valuations of major tech firms continue to fluctuate closely, highlighting a highly competitive environment among industry leaders.

Correct Answer :   Airbus

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Airbus inaugurated (24th Oct 2024) its new India and South Asia Headquarters and Training Centre which will comprise four A320 simulators and have the capacity to train 800 pilots and 200 technicians annually.

“It will be the heart of Airbus’ industrial mission in India, which is to catalyse the exponential growth of the aerospace industry, develop a holistic aerospace and defence ecosystem, leverage and grow the technological talent of the country, and thereby, create skilled jobs and higher aerospace exports from India,” said Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, at the inauguration event.

Enumerating Airbus’s footprint in India, Mr. Schoellhorn said that the aerospace major has doubled its procurements from India to a worth of over Euros 1 billion, grown its headcount in India to 3,500 employees, apart from building two final assembly lines- one for the C295 military transporter and another for the H125 helicopter.

Airbus is also developing a second pilot training facility in the national capital region along with Air India which will have 10 simulators for A320 and A350s. It will also be setting up a 5000-seater Airbus Campus in Bengaluru.

Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu, who inaugurated the facility, said it was imperative to “pursue the dream of train in India” in the civil aviation space as 4,000 aircraft will be added in the next 20 years to the current fleet size of 800 aircraft with various airlines and 50 more airports will be added in the next five years and 400 airports will be added in the next 20 to 25 years.

Speaking about the current pilot training capacity in India, the Minister said that the country has added eight flying training organisation in the past 3 to 4 years, and 10 more were in the pipeline. The total training aircraft have grown from 190 in 2020 to 264 in 2024 and commercial pilot licences issued have increased from 744 in 2019 to 1600 in 2023.

Abolition of airport royalties and rationalised land rentals have led to a growth in FTOs, he said, adding that the government is also working to reduce the fuel cost and other expenses associated with pilot training to ease the burden on FTOs..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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The 34th Capacity Building Programme (CBP) for Maldivian civil servants was held in New Delhi, and organized by India’s National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs.

This program is part of a broader Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and the Maldives to enhance governance and administrative capabilities within the Maldivian civil service.

Conducted from October 14–25, 2024, the training underscores India’s commitment to supporting regional governance and fostering closer ties with the Maldives, building upon previous cooperative initiatives.

Correct Answer :   France

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Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured a significant order from ITER for a nuclear fusion project based in France.

This project involves L&T’s expertise in assembling advanced components for the Vacuum Vessel, a crucial part of ITER’s Tokamak fusion reactor, which is essential for nuclear fusion experiments.

Through this collaboration, formalized by an MoU, L&T will contribute to pioneering advancements in fusion technology, supporting global efforts in sustainable energy innovation.

Correct Answer :   HCL

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DPIIT has collaborated with HCLSoftware to boost the growth of Indian manufacturing startups through its Manufacturing Incubation Initiative.

This strategic partnership leverages HCL SYNC to provide global exposure to innovative startups, facilitating their entry into international markets.

The initiative aligns with the 'Make in India' vision, aiming to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and self-reliance in the manufacturing sector.

By joining forces, DPIIT and HCLSoftware seek to create a conducive ecosystem for startups to flourish, driving economic growth and industrial development in India. K

ey officials, including DPIIT Joint Secretary Sanjiv Singh and Director Dr. Sumeet K. Jarangal, have emphasized the initiative's potential impact.

Correct Answer :   Everest 1.0

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Everest 1.0 is a groundbreaking AI model launched by Hanooman AI at the NVIDIA GEN AI Summit in Mumbai.

As India's first multi-lingual and multi-modal foundational AI model, Everest 1.0 supports 35 languages and performs various tasks such as text, image, code, and voice generation.

With plans to expand to 90 languages, this innovative platform enhances data sovereignty and security for critical sectors like BFSI, defence, and more.

Everest 1.0's capabilities position Hanooman AI as a pioneer in India's growing AI ecosystem, offering a robust foundation for AI-driven applications.

Correct Answer :   Gujarat

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

This three-day event focuses on the theme of "Standardization and Optimization" in urban transport.

It showcases various initiatives aimed at promoting clean urban mobility, including the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) in Ahmedabad, metro networks, and the implementation of electric and CNG buses through the Mukhyamantri Shaheri Bus Parivahan Yojana and the PM eBus Sewa Scheme. These initiatives are crucial for enhancing sustainable transportation in urban areas.

Correct Answer :   Singapore

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The Asia Clean Energy Summit (ACES) 2024 took place in Singapore, bringing together industry leaders to discuss clean energy innovations and initiatives.

Gavin Adda, CEO of Peak Energy, addressed the summit, highlighting his company's impressive 5.5GW development pipeline. Peak Energy's projects span South Korea, Japan, and Australia, showcasing its commitment to renewable energy.

Notable projects include the 100MW Haesolar in South Korea, a 28MW solar project in Japan, and a 291MWh battery storage facility in Australia. Singapore's reputation as a hub for sustainability and clean energy makes it an ideal host for ACES.