- National:
- The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand has launched the Nandagaura Yojana Portal for girls. This online portal will be available to about 50 thousand girls every year. The scheme provides financial assistance to the girl child from birth till her marriage to ensure she can get the best education and become independent.
- Cyclone ‘Hamoon’ intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. The Indian Meteorological Department confirmed on October 24 that the cyclonic storm ‘Hamoon’ escalated to a severe storm in the northwest Bay of Bengal.
- A three-member delegation from the European Investment Bank (EIB) recently visited Agra, Kanpur, and Lucknow to examine the Metro rail works being constructed under the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC). The visit concluded with a meeting in Lucknow on October 21.
- Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, inaugurated IFFCO’s Nano DAP (Liquid) Plant at Kalol in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This is a significant development as it promotes natural farming practices and the reduction of urea usage among Indianfarmers.
- International:
- China has recently announced the removal of its Defense Minister, General Li Shangfu, who had been out of public view for almost two months. This is the second instance of a senior Chinese official disappearing this year, following the removal of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang in July.
- Max Verstappen won his 50th Formula 1 race at the United States Grand Prix in 2023. Despite starting from sixth on the grid due to a penalty in qualifying for exceeding track limits, Verstappen managed to secure the victory.
- Appointments:
- Sanjay Kumar Jain, an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer, has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
- Ipsita Dasgupta, a former Apple executive, has been appointed as the Senior Vice President & Managing Director of HP’s India market. She will be responsible for leading all aspects of HP’s strategy and P&L in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
- Awards & Honors:
- Ashok Gadgil and Subra Suresh, two Indian-American scientists, were awarded the highest scientific awards in the United States by President Joe Biden. Ashok Gadgil was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation and National Medal of Science for providing life-sustaining resources to communities around the world.
- Important Days:
- The International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) takes place every year during the third week of October. In 2023, it will be observed from 22nd to 28th October. This event aims to raise awareness about the health effects of lead exposure, highlight the efforts of countries and partners to prevent lead exposure, particularly in children, and urge further action to eliminate lead paint through regulatory action at the country level.
- The International Snow Leopard Day in 2023 will be observed on Monday, October 23. This day is celebrated globally with the aim to raise awareness about the conservation and preservation of these splendid animals.
- Books:
- The Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas in India, Hardeep Singh Puri, recently launched a book titled ‘The Reverse Swing: Colonialism to Cooperation,’ written by Ashok Tandon.
- Obituaries:
- The legendary Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi passed away on October 23, 2023. He was 77 years old. Bishan Singh Bedi was a highly skilled left-arm orthodox spinner celebrated for his graceful bowling style. He played 67 Tests for India between 1967 and 1979, taking 266 wickets.
Questions:
Q.1 When is the International Snow Leopard Day celebrated?a. October 22
b. October 23
c. October 24
d. October 25
Q.2 Who has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)?
a. Mahendra Pratap Maal
b. Sanjay Kumar Jain
c. Ramesh Kumar
d. Suresh Prabhu
