Latest Current Affairs For Monday 3rd October, 2022

PM Modi launches phase-1 of Ahmedabad Metro rail project at Kalupur station

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated phase-1 of the Ahmedabad Metro rail project between Thaltej and Vastral.

He inaugurated the metro rail stretch on the city's East-West corridor from Kalupur station.

The prime minister waved a green flag to the metro train at Kalupur railway station.

With this, the 21-km corridor of the project between Thaltej and Vastral with 17 stations became operational.

15th International Sufi Rang Festival 2022 begins in Ajmer

The 15th International Sufi Rang Festival 2022 began in Ajmer, today (October 1).

This event is being organized and planned by Haji Syed Salman, Chairman of Chishty Foundation, an Ajmer Sharif-based organisation.

The annual International Sufi Festival India (ISFI) is a commemorative fiesta in honor of the Sufi Saint, Hazrath Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty.

The Held yearly in Ajmer, the ISFI festival, remembers the teachings of Sufi Saint Hazrath Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty. 

Anurag Singh Thakur to launch month-long nationwide Swachh Bharat 2022

Union Minister Anurag Thakur launched month-long nationwide campaign Swachh Bharat 2022 from Prayagraj in UP.

Swachh Bharat 2022 is being organized in 6 Lakh villages of 744 districts across the country.

The Department of Youth Affairs has set a target of collecting and disposing of 1 crore kg plastic waste through Swachh Bharat 2022.

Swachh Bharat 2022 will be launched with an aim to raise awareness, mobilize people and ensure their participation in making India clean.

USOF launches Telecom Technology Development Fund scheme

Universal Service Obligation Fund, a body under the Department of Telecommunications, launched Telecom Technology Development Fund Scheme on October 01st, 2022. 

The scheme is aligned with PM Modi’s clarion call of adding Jan Anusandhaan in the new phase of Amrit Kaal.

TTDF aims to fund R&D in rural-specific communication technology applications and form synergies among academia, start-ups, research institutes, and the industry to build and develop the telecom ecosystem. 

National Mission for Clean Ganga approves 14 projects worth ₹1145 crore

The executive committee of the National Mission for Clean Ganga has approved 14 projects at an estimated cost of ₹1,145 crore rupee.

The decision was taken at the 45th meeting of the executive committee under the chairmanship of director general G. Ashok Kumar. 

These include eight projects of sewerage management in five main stem Ganga basin states - Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

National Pension System (NPS) Diwas: 1st October 2022

To encourage pension and retirement planning among Indian residents, PFRDA is marking 1st October as National Pension System (NPS) Diwas.

The Day was established last year as part of a programme to encourage pension and retirement plans for worry-free and Azad retiring.

This initiative is being promoted by PFRDA via its social media channels every year on the said date.

PFRDA Chairperson: Supratim Bandyopadhyay. 

Lalit Bhasin elected new IACC national president

Noted lawyer Lalit Bhasin has been appointed as the national president of Indian American Chambers of Commerce (IACC).

A well - known name in business and social circles Bhasin was the executive vice president of IACC.

Bhasin is the 54th national president of IACC, which was set up in October 1968 and is headquartered in Mumbai.

He is closely associated with India’s apex business organizations like CII, PHD CCI and served as chairman of its legal committees.

S Bharathan appointed director-refineries at HPCL

S Bharathan took over as director, of refineries, at HPCL.

He replaced Vinod S Shenoy.

HPCL is the 3rd-largest oil refining and fuel marketing company.

Bharathan earlier served as executive director, Refineries Coordination, with additional charge of research and development (R&D).

Bharathan has wide exposure to the refinery operations of the company and has worked in operations and technical departments of Mumbai and Visakh refinery for over 25 years. 

President of India Presents Swachh Survekshan Awards 2022

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, presented the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2022. 

Indore has been adjudged as India's cleanest city, followed by Surat and Navi Mumbai. 

Madhya Pradesh has secured the first position, followed by Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra in the category of best performing states in 'Swachh Survekshan Awards 2022'.

Tripura topped among the states having fewer than 100 urban local bodies.

Maharashtra's Deolali was adjudged cleanest Cantonment Board.

India-US launched ‘Operation Broader Sword’

India and the USA, jointly conducted an ‘Operation Broader Sword’ to stop the illegal shipment of drugs through the International Mail System.

It targeted shipments of illicit, potentially dangerous, unapproved prescription drugs, combination medical devices, and synthetic drug precursors shipped through International Mail Facilities.

The operation resulted in the interception of over 500 shipments of illicit and unapproved prescription drugs bound for US consumers.

NLU Delhi launches research affiliate program ‘Eklavya’

The National Law University (NLU), Delhi launched Eklavya, a ‘Research Affiliate’ program, for those who do not have a traditional law degree.

Aim: To emphasize its commitment to actively seek partnerships outside the varsity and draw from their experiences and perspectives to develop quality legal scholarship. 

It is open to those who have at least three years of demonstrable experience working on issues that have a significant interface with the law.

CarTrade Tech to acquire OLX India's auto business for Rs 537 cr

Mumbai-based used cars platform CarTrade Tech Ltd will acquire online marketplace OLX India's auto sales business for Rs 537 crore.

CarTrade will acquire a 100% stake in Sobek Auto India Pvt Ltd, the entity that houses OLX India’s Automotive business, in an all-cash deal.

The acquisition will likely to be completed in 21-30 days.

Sobek is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, of 2013.

It is engaged in the business of running an automotive digital platform.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy.