Current Affairs One - Liner : 20th & 21st October 2024

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers in Pune on October 13, 2024. Developed by Praj Industries, the facility showcases indigenously developed integrated Polylactic Acid (PLA) technology.

The Indian government will set up a committee to address the disparity between farm-gate prices and retail costs of horticulture produce, announced on October 19, 2024, by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The committee will explore solutions, including possible subsidies for transportation costs.
Mission Basundhara 3.0 was launched by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on October 20, 2024, at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati. The initiative aims to provide land rights to indigenous communities, digitize land records, and enhance transparency in land-related services.
On October 20, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth 6,700 crore rupees in Varanasi. These include upgrades to airport infrastructure, healthcare facilities like the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital, and initiatives in education, skill development, sports, and tourism.

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) increased its stake in Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) from 4.05% to 7.10% through a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), announced on October 5, 2024. This involved the allotment of 25.96 crore equity shares and signifies LIC's confidence in BoM's growth potential.
India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI) will be introduced in the Maldives to enhance financial transactions and boost the economy. Announced on October 20, 2024, this initiative aims to promote financial inclusion and improve digital infrastructure, following a recommendation from the Maldivian Cabinet.

Liu Yukun of China and Yang Ji-in of South Korea were named the ISSF Athletes of the Year 2024 during the ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi on October 14, 2024. Liu is the Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist in 50m rifle 3-position, and Yang is the women's 25m sports pistol Olympic champion.
The New Zealand women's cricket team won the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup title on October 20, 2024, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. They defeated South Africa by 32 runs to clinch their maiden title. Amelia Kerr was named the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament for her outstanding performance.

Police Commemoration Day is observed on 21 October each year to honor the bravery and sacrifices of police personnel. It commemorates the 1959 ambush of CRPF personnel in Ladakh by Chinese forces. The theme for 2024 is "Honouring the Heroes of the Nation: Sacrifice and Service."
World Iodine Deficiency Day is observed annually on October 21 to raise awareness about the importance of iodine and the health risks associated with its deficiency. The 2024 theme is "Ending Iodine Deficiency Through Public Awareness and Global Action."

Abhyuday Jindal, Managing Director of Jindal Stainless Limited, has been appointed as the new president of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), effective October 19, 2024. He succeeds Ameya Prabhu and aims to promote sustainable business practices and inclusive growth.

Writer Ashokan Charuvil from Kerala won the Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Literary Award for 2024 for his novel "Kattoorkadavu". Announced on October 6, 2024, the award includes a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a bronze sculpture. The award ceremony will be held on October 27, 2024, at the Nishagandhi Auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram.

Sanskrit scholar Vasant Anant Gadgil passed away on October 18, 2024, in Pune at the age of 94. He was known for his extensive work on ancient Sanskrit texts and founded the Sharda Dyaan Peetham in Pune.

Questions:

1 Who has been appointed as the new President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) as of October 19, 2024?

2 Where was Mission Basundhara 3.0 launched?