PM Narendra Modi Launched India’s 1st Regional Rapid Transit System in UP
Prime Minister (PM), Narendra Modi inaugurated the 17 Kilometer (Km) priority section of the DelhiGhaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Corridor at Sahibabad RapidX Station inGhaziabad, Uttar Pradesh (UP).He also flagged off the ‘Namo Bharat’ RapidX train, connecting Sahibabad to Duhai Depot (UP), which marks India’s first RRTS. Additionally, 2 stretches of the east-west corridor of Bengaluru Metro were dedicated to the public.
Key Points:
- The 17 Km priority section of Delhi-GhaziabadMeerut connects Sahibabad to Duhai Depot
- This route features essential stations at Ghaziabad, Guldhar, and Duhai in UP
- It is being developed at a cost of more than Rs 30,000 crore and aims to reduce the travel time between Delhi and Meerut to less than an hour.
- The corridor is set to pass through key urban centers: Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, and Modinagar in U
Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Project:
- The RRTS project aligns with the Government of India’s vision to transform regional connectivity through state-of-the-art transport infrastructure.
- RRTS constitutes a new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system.With a design speed of 180 kilometers per hour (Kmph), RRTS is set to redefine the standards of transportation efficiency.
- It represents a transformative regional development initiative, promising improved connectivity and convenience for commuters.
Indian Navy conducts Security Exercise ‘Prasthan‘ in AP’s Kakinada
- On October 20, 2023, a Security Exercise Prasthan 2023 was carried out by Commodore Rajneesh SharmaNaval Officer-in-Charge (NOIC), Andhra Pradesh under the aegis of Eastern Naval Command, Indian Navy (IN) in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
- The exercise was conducted on the Rig ship Platinum Explorer of ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) and RG Fixed Oil Platform of Vedanta Ltd.
- IN is all set to host nine-day mega naval exercise namely ‘Milan’ from February 19 to 27, 2024 in the Arabian Sea It will see the see participation of over 50 countries including United States (US), Japan, Australia, France, Bangladesh, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia will participate in this exercise.
About Indian Navy (IN):
Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS)– Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar
Headquarters– Integrated Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi, Delhi
“Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan”: An Initiative to Ensure Kisan Credit Card Access for Fish Farmers
- Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D)conducted a National level meeting on ‘Ghar-Ghar Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Abhiyaan’, which means ‘Door to Door KCC Campaign’ for fisheries on 19th October 2023 in New Delhi, Delhi
- Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary(Department of Fisheries) chaired the meeting which was attended by the senior officers from various States and Union Territories, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Scheduled Commercial Banks, State Level Bankers Committees (SLBCs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).
- The ‘Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan’ initiative aims to ensure KCC Access for Fish Farmers including fishermen and fish vendors to achieve universal financial inclusion and to avail KCC facilities for all eligible fish farmers.
- Under the KCC Scheme, 1,59,903 new KKCs were issued for fish farmers with a credit worth of Rs 1746.16 Crore.
Google Partners with FACE to Take Down Illegal Loan Apps from Play Store in India
Google has partnered with the Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) to take down illegal digital lending apps on Play Store in India.This partnership was announced during the 9th annual Google for India (2023) event held on 19th October 2023 in New Delhi, Delhi.FACE is an industry association and selfregulatory organization for digital lenders.
Key Points:
- FACE monitored digital lending in India, reporting 700+ dubious apps in 15 months to app stores and authorities
- During the event, Alphabet Inc. announced plans to manufacture Pixel 8 smartphones in India with sales starting in 2024
- Google Lens introduced Visual Skin Condition Search, allowing users to find visual matches for skin issues, after uploading photos.
- Google Pay partnered with ePayLater to provide a credit line for merchants
- It also collaborated with DMI Finance to introduce sachet loans starting at Rs 15,000.
- Google Pay expanded its merchant loans with ICICI Bank and personal loans with Axis Bank.
- Google enhanced its security measures with Google Play Protect, offering real-time app scan recommendations for users installing unscanned apps.
About Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE):
CEO– Sugandh Saxena
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
HDFC Bank Launches ‘XpressWay’ Digital Banking Platform for Banking Products and Services
- HDFC Bank has developed ‘XpressWay,’ a digital banking platform that offers a range of financial products and services, providing customers with a fast and convenient banking experience.
- XpressWay provides a variety of services such as Xpress Personal Loans, Xpress Business Loans, Xpress Car Loans, Xpress Home Loans, Xpress Loan on Cards, Xpress Credit Card, and Xpress Savings Accounts.
- These services are intended to provide a rapid seamless, paperless, and self-service experience to its new and existing customers
- XpressWay is a part of HDFC Bank’s ‘NOW,‘ a brand that covers the bank’s digital products and services
Gujarat’s Dhordo featured among UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages 2023
Dhordo village in Kutch district of Gujarat, India named in the 3rd edition of Best Tourism Villages 2023 list released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). While, Madla village from Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district has been picked for the UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages UpgradeProgrammeThe announcement was made during the UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Key Points:
- It is well-known for hosting the annual Rann Utsav, a vibrant cultural festival showcasing the region’s traditional art, music, and crafts spanning 500,000 sq. mt. This festival was conceptualized by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, offers a visit to the Great Rann of Kutch, the white desert area on the IndiaPakistan border.
- Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO is part of the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme which fosters development and inclusion in rural areas, combat depopulation, advance innovation and value chain integration through tourism and sustainable practices.
- The award recognizes outstanding rural tourism destinations with accredited cultural and natural assets
- The “Best Tourism Villages Network” acts as a platform for sharing experiences
Army Commanders’ Conference 2023: Udhampur Military Station Bags ‘Best Green Military Station’ Award
- Udhampur Military Station in the Indian Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) bagged the ‘Best Green Military Station‘ award. The award recognises the station’s environmental efforts and highlights the commitment of the Indian Army to strive for excellence.
- The award was presented by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Manoj Pande, during the 2nd edition of Army Commanders’ Conference (ACC 2023) held from 16th to 20th October 2023 in New Delhi, Delhi.
Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Conferred with Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2023
- Narges Mohammadi, Iranian women’s rights campaigner and the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, will be conferred with the Harmony Foundation’s Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2023.
- The announcement was by Abraham Mathai,the founder-chairman of Harmony Foundation, a Mumbai(Maharashtra)-based Non-governmental Organisation NGO
- This award recognise Narges’s unwavering courage in risking her life as a fearless defender and advocate of human rights against the fundamentalist regime of Iran, truly embodying humanity in action.
- The 19th Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice Award (2023) Ceremony is scheduled for November 26, 2023, in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
MeitY Launches Indigenous Portable DC Charger to Boost Electric Vehicle Adoption
S Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), launched the indigenous(Made in India) technology of “2KW DC Portable Charger” designed to meet the new safetystandard IEC 60950-11.It envisages boosting electric vehicle (EV) adoption in India by encouraging the development of indigenous technology.This development will also aid in MeitY’s objective to accelerate EV adoption and reduce dependence on imported chargers.
Key Points:
- IEC 60950 is a safety standard for information technology equipment (ITE) that is published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
- It specifies safety requirements including electrical, mechanical, and thermal aspects, as well as protection against fire, radiation, and chemicals.
- Optional provisions for communicating with batteries for adaptive charging
- Hooks for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, enabling real-time tracking of charging-related parameters
- Providing over 95% efficiency and the ability to function in temperatures up to 50 degree Celsius
Police Commemoration Day 2023- October 21
Police Commemoration Day (Police Martyrs Day) is annually observed across India on 21 October to reflect, pay homage to, and appreciate the incredible dedication of Indian police martyrs. The day commemorates the sacrifices of 10 brave Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) policemen, who sacrificed their lives while defending our borders with China in 1959 at HotSprings in Aksai Chin, Ladakh.
Key Points:
- In January 1960, a resolution was passed at the Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories, recognising October 21st of every as the Police Commemoration Day.
- 21st October of every year since 1960 is being observed as Police Commemoration Day”. The day is also observed as Police Martyr’s Day.
About Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF):
Director-General– Dr Sujoy Lal Thaosen, Indian Police Service (IPS)
Establishment– 27 July 1939
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi