National News

Assam Government Launches SWIFT Project with ADB Support.

• The Assam government has officially launched the Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation (SWIFT) project, aimed at revitalizing 129 Beels and enhancing indigenous fish production in the state.
• The SWIFT project is designed to restore nearly 4,000 hectares of beel areas, contributing to vital environmental benefits such as flood control, groundwater replenishment, and river flow regulation.
• This initiative, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has a total outlay of ?800 crore.
• Additionally, it is xpected to significantly boost fish production, increasing yields by approximately 1,200 kg per hectare annually.

   What is a Beel?

• Beels are floodplain wetlands that cover around 100,000 hectares in Assam.
• These low-lying areas are inundated during the monsoon season due to overflow from major river systems, including the Ganga and Brahmaputra.
• Assam has the highest number of floodplain wetlands in India, primarily associated with these rivers.

Adani Group Donates ?100 Crore for Skills University in Telangana.

• The Adani Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Adani Group, has donated ?100 crore to the Telangana government to establish a university focused on developing industry-specific skills among young people.
• The Young India Skills University (YISU) has been set up in Hyderabad under the Young India Skills University, Telangana (Public-Private Partnership) Act, 2024.
• This initiative aims to bridge the gap between industry demands and academic offerings, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills needed for the evolving job market.

NCRTC Organizes First Namo Bharat Diwas in New Delhi.

• The Namo Bharat Diwas was celebrated in New Delhi on October 21, 2024, to commemorate the anniversary of the operation of the Namo Bharat Trains.
• This event marks a significant milestone in India's public transportation.
• On October 20, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a 17-kilometer section of the country’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), connecting Sahibabad to Duhai Depot.
• The overall Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS spans 82 kilometers and is being implemented and operated by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
• The high-speed, self-propelled trains that operate on this transit system are known as Namo Bharat trains, aiming to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time in the region.

Kerala Launches Citizen Sentinel App for Reporting Traffic Violations.

• The Kerala government has introduced the Citizen Sentinel app, enabling citizens to report traffic rule violations easily.
• Launched by Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar, the app allows users to upload photographs and videos of violations directly to the NextGen Parivahan app.
• Users can submit media files up to 8 MB, which will be verified by officials from the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD).
• Following verification, electronic challans will be issued to the vehicle owners.
• Developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the Citizen Sentinel app is part of the Kerala government's 100-day action plan and is now available for public use.
• This initiative aims to enhance road safety and ensure adherence to traffic regulations.

   About Kerala

• Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
• Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
• Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan

Ministry Approves 50 National Highway Projects in Manipur, Focuses on 902 km of Hill Road Development.

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved 50 National Highway projects spanning a total length of 1,026 km in Manipur.
• Notably, 44 of these projects, covering 902 km, are located in the hilly regions of the state.
• So far, 8 projects totaling 125 km have been completed, while 36 ongoing projects worth ?12,000 crore are in progress, focusing on enhancing infrastructure in challenging terrains.
• For the Annual Plan 2024-25, the Ministry has earmarked 2 National Highway projects worth ?1,350 crore, which will extend over 90 km in hilly areas.
• Under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), the Ministry has also prioritized a list of 111 works proposed by the State Government.
• Of these, 57 projects have been approved based on the BOS ratio, which currently stands at 9.81, exceeding the permissible ratio of 4 for hilly states.

Nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign 3.0: November 1-30, 2024.

• The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) is set to launch the Nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign 3.0 from November 1 to 30, 2024.
• This month-long initiative aims to encourage pensioners to submit their Digital Life Certificates (DLCs), which are essential for the continuation of pension benefits.
• Pensioners must submit their life certificates annually in November.
• This year, the campaign will reach 800 cities and districts across India and will emphasize the use of face authentication technology to streamline the process.
• In collaboration with Pension Disbursing Banks, India Post Payments Bank, Pensioners’ Welfare Associations, CGDA, DoT, Railways, UIDAI, and MeitY, the campaign aims to connect with pensioners even in the most remote areas of the country.
• Both MeitY and UIDAI will provide comprehensive technical support, ensuring that the face authentication process is user-friendly and accessible for elderly pensioners.
• Additionally, DD, AIR, and PIB teams will offer extensive audio, visual, and print publicity to maximize outreach.
• This campaign is poised to be the largest digital empowerment initiative for pensioners, ensuring that all categories of pensioners can easily complete their DLC submissions.

Rajasthan Government Establishes Economic Revival Task Force for Holistic Development.

• The Rajasthan government has announced the formation of the Rajasthan Economic Revival Task Force, aimed at promoting comprehensive economic development in the state.
• This initiative follows the announcement made by State Finance Minister Diya Kumari during her 2024-25 budget speech.
• Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma will chair the task force, with Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari serving as Deputy Chairperson.

  The task force will focus on identifying and enhancing key economic sectors, including:

• Policy formulation and implementation
• Skill development and education
• Infrastructure development
• Promotion of innovation and technology
• Support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and startups
• Tourism and cultural heritage
• Green growth initiatives

  About Rajasthan

• Capital: Jaipur
• Chief Minister: Bhajan Lal Sharma (succeeded Ashok Gehlot)
• Deputy Chief Ministers: Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa
• Speaker of the Rajasthan Assembly: Vasudev Devnani
• Governor: Haribhau Bagade

                      International News

WHO Declares Egypt Malaria-Free: A Significant Public Health Milestone.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared Egypt as ‘malaria-free’, marking a significant achievement in global public health.
• This declaration makes Egypt the second country worldwide, after Cabo Verde, to be certified malaria-free in 2024.
• It is also the fifth African nation to receive this prestigious certification from the WHO.
• Egypt has become the third country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to attain malaria-free status, a milestone that took 14 years to achieve.
• Morocco was declared malaria-free in 2010, following the United Arab Emirates, which received the certification in 2007.
• With this announcement, a total of 44 countries and one territory have been recognized by the WHO as malaria-free, highlighting the global progress in combating this deadly disease.

   About Egypt

• Capital: Cairo
• Currency: Egyptian pound
• Continent: Africa, Asia
• President: Abdel Fattah El-Sisi

                     Banking and Financial

Neowise Launches India's First AI-Driven Debt Collection SaaS Tools.

• Neowise, recognized as India's fastest-growing debt recovery solutions provider, has unveiled the nation’s first generative AI-powered debt collection tools.
• This innovative suite includes NeoBot, a voice-based debt collection assistant, and NeoSight, an AI call analytics tool, designed to transform the debt recovery process.
• Developed in partnership with Sarvam AI, a Bangalore-based generative AI startup, these cutting-edge tools are set to enhance operational efficiency in the debt recovery sector.
• Early trials have indicated that these AI-driven solutions can improve debt recovery efficiency by 15% and reduce operational costs by 33%.
• Neowise aims to expand the deployment of these tools to over 150 lenders across India, showcasing a commitment to revolutionizing the debt collection landscape with advanced technology.
• This initiative positions Neowise at the forefront of the debt recovery industry, offering innovative solutions that streamline processes and enhance financial outcomes.

PFRDA Appoints Chitra Jayasimha as Chairperson of NPS Trust Board.

• The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has officially appointed Chitra Jayasimha as the new Chairperson of the National Pension System (NPS) Trust Board.
• Jayasimha has been a Trustee on the NPS Trust Board since December 2020 and now succeeds Venkata Rao Yadagani, who held the position until December 12, 2023.

  About NPS Trust

1. The NPS Trust is managed by a dedicated Board of Trustees responsible for ensuring that the Trust operates in the best interest of NPS subscribers.
2. The National Pension System (NPS) is a market-linked, voluntary, portable, and flexible retirement savings scheme designed to help individuals save for their future.

  Recent Appointments in Key Positions

• Secretary of the Ministry of Coal: Vikram Dev Dutt
• Chairperson of the National Commission for Women: Vijaya Rahatkar (9th; replaces Rekha Sharma)
• Member of the National Commission for Women: Dr. Archana Majumdar
• President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce: Abhyuday Jindal (replaces Ameya Prabhu)
• Director of Cricket at JSW Sports: Saurav Ganguly

                          Defence

India and Oman Conduct Joint Naval Drill ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ Off Goa Coast.

• The Indian Navy participated in the Indo-Oman bilateral naval exercise called Naseem Al Bahr, conducted off the coast of Goa.
• The exercise featured the INS Trikand and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, alongside the Royal Navy of Oman’s vessel Al Seeb.
• Exercise Details
  • The naval drill comprised two phases: a harbour phase and a sea phase.
  • During the harbour phase, personnel from both navies engaged in professional interactions, including Subject Matter Expert Exchanges and planning conferences.
  • This collaboration aimed to enhance interoperability and improve understanding of best practices between the two nations' naval forces.

   Recent Military Exercises

• Exercise SWAVLAMBAN SHAKTI: Conducted by the Sudarshan Chakra Corps of the Indian Army at Babina Field Firing Ranges near Jhansi.
• Exercise Malabar 2024: A trilateral exercise involving India, Australia, Japan, and the USA in Visakhapatnam.
• Exercise KAZIND 2024: The 8th edition of this exercise is taking place between the Indian and Kazakhstan military in Auli, Uttarakhand.
• Exercise Eastern Bridge: The 7th edition of this exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Royal Oman Air Force at Masirah Air Force Base, Oman.
• Exercise Al NAJAH: The 5th edition between the Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman in Salalah, Oman.
• Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield: Conducted between South Korea and the USA.
• Exercise Udara Shakti 2024: A joint exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Malaysian Air Force in Kuantan, Malaysia.