AWARDS

2024 Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to South Korean writer Han Kang.

• Han Kang became the first South Korean writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, announced on October 10, 2024.

• The Nobel Committee awarded her for her "intense poetic prose" that explores historical traumas and human fragility.

• Han Kang's novel The Vegetarian (2007) gained global recognition, winning the Man Booker International Prize in 2016.

• The Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded 117 times between 1901 and 2024 to 121 laureates.

• The prize includes a monetary award of 11 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to around $1 million.

• Han Kang started her literary career in 1993 by publishing poems in Literature & Society magazine.

• The Nobel Prize ceremony will be held in Stockholm on December 10, 2024.

• The first Nobel Prize in Literature was given to French poet and philosopher Sully Prudhomme in 1901.

Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo.

• Nihon Hidankyo, an organization of Hiroshima-Nagasaki bombing survivors, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

• The organization raises awareness about the devastating humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons.

• Nihon Hidankyo consists of Hibakusha, survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings by the United States on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

• The bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were named “Little Boy” and “Fat Man” respectively.

• The Hibakusha’s key goals are nuclear disarmament and compensation for victims of the bombings.

• This recognition follows the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).

• Nihon Hidankyo has long advocated for the elimination of nuclear weapons globally.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

PM Modi unveiled a 10-point plan to strengthen India-ASEAN ties.

• PM Modi unveiled a 10-point plan aimed at strengthening the India-ASEAN comprehensive partnership during the 21st India-ASEAN Summit.

• One key proposal is celebrating 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism to boost cultural ties.

• The plan includes a decade-long celebration of the Act East Policy with events like Youth Summits, Start-up Festivals, Hackathons, and Music Festivals.

• PM Modi highlighted the importance of regular ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue to enhance digital and cyber resilience.

• A workshop on Green Hydrogen is also planned as part of the cooperation efforts between India and ASEAN.

• India-ASEAN trade has doubled over the past decade, now exceeding $130 billion.

• The initiative aims to foster stronger collaboration in sectors such as trade, technology, and innovation.

• The 10-point plan seeks to elevate the India-ASEAN partnership to new levels through various strategic engagements.

NATIONAL NEWS

Hizb-Ut-Tahrir and all its manifestations and front organisations declared terrorist organisations by the Center.

• Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) was declared a terrorist organization by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on October 10, 2024, under the UAPA.

• The group aims to establish a global Islamic caliphate, including in India, by overthrowing elected governments through jihad.

• A member of HuT was arrested by the NIA on October 9, 2024.

• The organization has been involved in radicalizing youth and motivating them to join groups like ISIS.

• HuT raises funds for terrorist activities and spreads its message through social media and encrypted apps.

• The Union Home Ministry stated HuT actively promotes terrorism via Dawah meetings and other methods.

• HuT’s tactics include using online platforms to target vulnerable individuals and push them towards extremist acts.

• The ban includes all HuT front organizations and affiliated entities.

India’s textile sector is expected to grow to nearly 350 billion dollars by 2030.

• India's textile sector is projected to reach $350 billion by 2030.

• The PM MITRA Parks and PLI schemes are expected to bring in ₹90,000 crore in investment over the next 3-5 years.

• August 2024 trade data shows an 11% year-on-year rise in ready-made garment exports.

• Seven PM MITRA Parks have been approved, each set to attract ₹10,000 crore in investment.

• The sector will generate 1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect jobs through these parks.

• The PM MITRA initiative is a major step to boost textile manufacturing and employment.

• Investments will help expand the sector’s global competitiveness and growth.

STATE NEWS

Eight products of Assam received the GI tag.

• The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai granted GI tags to eight unique products from Assam.

• Three rice beer varieties, including ‘Bodo Jou Gwra’, ‘Maibra Jou Bidwi’, and ‘Bodo Jou Gishi’, received the GI tag through the Bodo Traditional Brewers Association.

• The Bodo community believes that rice beer has divine origins, linked to Lord Shiva, and considers it medicinal.

• Traditional food items, such as ‘Bodo Napham’, a dish made with fermented fish, have also been awarded GI tags.

• ‘Bodo Ondla’, a rice powder curry with garlic, ginger, salt, and alkali, has secured a GI tag.

• The application for four traditional food products was filed by the Association of Traditional Food Products.

• ‘Bodo Gwkha’, locally called ‘Gwka Gwkhi’, is another dish that has been awarded a GI tag.

• ‘Bodo Narzi’, a semi-fermented dish made with jute leaves, has also received the GI tag.

• These GI tags highlight the cultural and traditional significance of Assam’s food and beverage heritage.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

1st phase of 2nd Army Commanders’ Conference will be organized in hybrid mode at Gangtok.

• The first phase of the 2nd Army Commanders’ Conference (2024) will be held in hybrid mode in Gangtok, Sikkim.

• Senior commanders will assess current operational readiness and discuss critical strategies during the event.

• The conference serves as a platform to enhance the Indian Army's warfighting capabilities.

• The second phase is scheduled in Delhi on the 28th and 29th of October.

• Various Boards of Governors will review welfare schemes and deliberate on key measures during the conference.

• Strategic national security issues will be a focal point for discussion in the Gangtok phase.

• Future directives and plans for the Army’s preparedness will be outlined by senior leadership.