Current Affairs One - Liner : 6th & 7th October 2024

The 3rd edition of the Kautilya Economic Conclave 2024 concluded in New Delhi on October 6, 2024. The theme was “The Indian Era,” focusing on India’s economic growth and structural reforms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India’s progress and future goals. The event featured over 150 economists and policymakers discussing India’s path to becoming a developed economy by 2047.

Odisha’s leopard population has increased by 22%, rising from 568 to 696 between 2022 and 2024. This growth, observed through the All Odisha Leopard Estimation 2024, is a positive sign for wildlife conservation in the state.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath unveiled the new multi-coloured logo for Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. The logo features a temple, a seer, an urn, the Akshayvat tree, and Lord Hanuman, symbolizing the confluence of nature and humanity.

The DGCA has approved the merger of AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) with Air India Express, effective October 1, 2024. This merger, part of Tata Group’s consolidation strategy, will operate under the Air India Express name, expanding its fleet to 100 aircraft and routes to 171. The move aims to enhance operational efficiency and meet the growing demand for air travel in India.

BHP (Broken Hill Proprietary) and SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 7, 2024 in New Delhi, to explore decarbonisation pathways for steel production. The collaboration aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by considering alternate reductants like hydrogen and biochar.

Scientists have discovered a massive water reservoir about 700 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface, trapped within a mineral called ringwoodite. This hidden “ocean” suggests that Earth’s surface water might have originated deep within the planet.

The Nijut Moina Scheme launched by Assam’s Chief Minister aims to support college girls by providing monthly stipends. Higher secondary students will receive ₹1,000, degree students ₹1,250, and post-graduate students ₹2,500. This initiative, with a budget of ₹1,500 crore, targets around 10 lakh girl students to promote education and prevent child marriages.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled the logo and mascot for the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024. The mascot, named ‘Gudiya’, is inspired by the state bird, the sparrow, symbolizing women’s empowerment. The tournament will be held in Rajgir from November 11-20, with six countries participating.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated DefConnect 4.0 on October 7, 2024, in New Delhi. The event aims to boost indigenous defence innovation by bringing together stakeholders from the armed forces, DPSUs, industry leaders, start-ups, and policymakers.
The DRDO successfully flight-tested the fourth-generation Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) on October 3rd and 4th, 2024, at the Pokhran Field Firing Ranges. This man-portable system demonstrated its capability to intercept high-speed aerial targets, enhancing India’s air defence capabilities and supporting the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
Lokesh Machines Limited has delivered 550 units of the Asmi submachine gun (SMG) to the Indian Army’s Northern Command. This is India’s first indigenous SMG developed by the private sector. The Asmi SMG is lightweight and highly competitive for close-quarters combat.
Zen Technologies has unveiled advanced remote weapon systems, including the RCWS – 7.62 x 51 MMG (Parashu) and Tank Mounted RCWS – 12.7 x 108 HMG (Fanish). These systems feature cutting-edge thermal imaging and anti-drone capabilities, enhancing India’s defence capabilities.

German-American Day is celebrated on October 6th to honor the contributions of German immigrants to the United States. It commemorates the founding of Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1683. The theme often revolves around celebrating the shared history and cultural contributions of German-Americans.
October 6th is World Cerebral Palsy Day, a global movement to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of individuals with cerebral palsy. It brings together people from over 100 countries to support and celebrate the cerebral palsy community. This year’s theme, is “Together Stronger,”.
World Habitat Day is observed on the first Monday of October, which was October 7th this year. It focuses on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right to adequate shelter. The 2024 theme is “Engaging youth to create a better urban future,” with the global observance held in Querétaro, Mexico.

Prakash Man Singh Raut was appointed as the Chief Justice of Nepal on October 6, 2024. His appointment followed the retirement of the former Chief Justice, Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha. President Ramchandra Paudel made the official appointment.

On October 2nd, Vera Voronova from Kazakhstan and Ysabel Agustina Calderón Carlos from Peru were awarded the MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2024 for their exceptional conservation work. Voronova focuses on ecosystem restoration and endangered species protection in Central Asia, while Calderón Carlos promotes sustainable beekeeping and supports Indigenous women and youth in Peru. The awards will be presented at COP 16 in Cali, Colombia on October 29, 2024.
Darjeeling’s Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park’s Red Panda Conservation Program has been selected as a finalist for the 2024 WAZA Conservation Award. The program successfully released nine captive-bred red pandas into the wild, with three females giving birth to five cubs. The winner will be announced at the WAZA Annual Conference in Sydney on November 7, 2024.

Questions:

1 What was the theme of the 3rd edition of the Kautilya Economic Conclave 2024?

2 Which zoological park’s Red Panda Conservation Program has been selected as a finalist for the 2024 WAZA Conservation Award?