IMPORTANT DAYS

World Cotton Day celebrated on October 7.

• World Cotton Day is celebrated globally on October 7 each year.

• The inaugural World Cotton Day took place in Geneva in 2019.

• This year marks the fifth anniversary of the celebration.

• The concept for World Cotton Day was proposed by the Cotton Four nations: Burkina Faso, Benin, Chad, and Mali.

• Additional cotton-producing nations in Africa also contributed to the initiative.

• Currently, India holds the title of the world's largest cotton producer.

• The day highlights the importance of cotton in agriculture and trade.

World Space Week 2024 to be held from October 4 to 10

• World Space Week 2024 will take place from October 4 to 10.

• Each year, the celebration follows a theme set by the United Nations General Assembly.

• The theme for 2024 is "Space and Climate Change."

• This theme highlights the significant role of space science in addressing extreme weather and climate issues.

• The week aims to educate and inspire the global community about the synergy between space technology and climate science.

• World Space Week 2024 focuses on enhancing awareness and understanding of Earth's climate through space exploration.

STATE NEWS

Odisha’s leopard population increased by 22% to 696.

• The latest All Odisha Leopard Estimation 2024 reports a leopard population of 696, reflecting a 22% increase from 568 in 2022.

• A comprehensive survey conducted by the Forest Department covered 47 forest divisions to assess leopard numbers.

• The statewide survey identified leopard presence through various signs, including pugmarks, scats, and urine spray.

• Odisha's forest cover constitutes approximately 33.50% of the state’s total geographic area.

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) estimates India's total leopard population at 13,874.

• Over the past decade, approximately 1,485 leopards have been poached across India, according to the Wildlife Protection Society of India.

• Between 2018 and 2023, Odisha authorities seized 59 leopard skins from wildlife smugglers.

• The increase in Odisha’s leopard population highlights ongoing conservation efforts and the importance of habitat protection

Nijut Moina Scheme for college girls has been launched by the Chief Minister of Assam.

• The Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, launched the Nijut Moina Scheme for college girls on October 6.

• The scheme aims to provide financial support to girls from Class 11 to postgraduate level.

• Under Nijut Moina, girls in higher secondary education will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000.

• Degree students will benefit from an increased stipend of Rs 1,250 per month.

• Postgraduate students will receive the highest monthly support of Rs 2,500.

• The initiative targets both the promotion of women’s education and the prevention of child marriage.

• Sarma emphasized that this program complements existing government efforts, such as free admissions and other incentives.

• The scheme is designed to encourage regular class attendance by providing essential financial assistance.

Unveiling of Mahakumbh 2025 Logo in Prayagraj

• The new multi-colored logo for Mahakumbh 2025 was unveiled by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.

• The design features the Amrit Kalash, symbolizing both religious significance and financial prosperity.

• Key elements include the Akshayvat tree, a temple, a seer, an urn, and an image of Lord Hanuman.

• The logo embodies the harmony between nature and humanity, reflecting the essence of Sanatan civilization.

• It signifies the ongoing flow of public welfare and self-awareness, serving as an inspiring symbol for the event.

• UNESCO recognizes the Kumbh Mela as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity."

• The Mahakumbh is celebrated with the motto "Sarvasiddhipradah Kumbhah," highlighting its spiritual importance.

• The Kumbh Mela is acknowledged as the largest peaceful pilgrimage gathering globally.

DEFENCE

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated DefConnect 4.0.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated DefConnect 4.0, an initiative aimed at fostering innovation in the defence sector.

• The event is organized by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under the Ministry of Defence at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantonment.

• DefConnect 4.0 aims to unite policymakers, innovators, armed forces, and defence PSUs to enhance indigenous innovation.

• The program will feature interactive discussions with key figures from the defence industry and announcements from the Defence Minister.

• A thematic session will focus on recent budget announcements and lessons learned for the defence innovation ecosystem.

• The event will also highlight new projects related to semiconductors.

• iDEX has received over 9,000 applications across its 11 editions of the Defence India Start-up Challenges to date.

• Since its launch in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, iDEX has provided a unified platform for various stakeholders in the aerospace and defence sectors.

APPOINTMENTS

Prakash Man Singh Raut became the new Chief Justice of Nepal.

• Prakash Man Singh Raut has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of Nepal.

• The appointment was made by President Ramchandra Paudel.

• Chief Justice Raut took the oath of office and secrecy administered by the President.

• His recommendation for the position came from the Constitutional Council.

• Raut succeeds Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, who retired at the age of 65.

• The appointment follows a formal procedure as per constitutional requirements.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar will visit Pakistan for the SCO meeting.

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will visit Islamabad on October 15 and 16.

• The purpose of the visit is to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government meeting.

• India is prioritizing regional cooperation mechanisms through this engagement.

• Currently, no bilateral meetings have been scheduled during this trip.

• The last visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan occurred in 2015, when Sushma Swaraj attended the Heart of Asia conference.

• Jaishankar's visit is rooted in the principle of "reciprocity."

• Pakistan's previous participation in the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Goa in May 2023 prompted this visit.

• The trip highlights India's ongoing commitment to regional dialogue despite existing bilateral tensions.