APPOINTMENTS
Jafar Hassan became the new Prime Minister of Jordan.
• Jafar Hassan has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Jordan by King Abdullah II.
• Prior to his appointment, Hassan served as the planning minister and then as the king's chief of staff.
• He succeeds Bisher Khasawneh, who led the government since October 2020.
• The Islamic Action Front (IAF) emerged as the largest party in the elected lower house of parliament, securing 31 out of 138 seats.
• Following the parliamentary elections, Hassan was tasked with forming the new government.
• In Jordan, the king holds the authority to make high-level appointments, including that of the prime minister.
• King Abdullah II's decision underscores the importance of political dynamics in the country.
In the LCA Tejas aircraft fleet, Squadron Leader Mohana Singh became the first female fighter pilot.
• Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has made history as the first female fighter pilot in the LCA Tejas aircraft fleet.
• She has joined the elite 'Flying Bullets' squadron, which operates India’s indigenously built LCA Tejas fighter jets.
• As one of the first women fighter pilots in the country, her achievement highlights the Indian Air Force's commitment to gender equality.
• Recently, Singh participated in Exercise 'Tarang Shakti' in Jodhpur, featuring a historic flight with the three vice chiefs of the services.
• She was part of the initial group of three women who became fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force.
• Since the government opened the fighter aviation sector to women in 2016, the IAF now has around 20 female fighter pilots.
• Singh’s success continues to raise the flag for women in aviation and defence.
• Her remarkable journey exemplifies empowerment and progress within the Indian Air Force.
NATIONAL NEWS
World Food India 2024 Launches in New Delhi
• World Food India 2024 kicked off on September 19, 2024, in New Delhi.
• This mega event will run for four days, concluding on September 22, 2024.
• Over 90 countries, along with 26 states and union territories, are participating.
• Japan is the partner country for this edition, while Vietnam and Iran are featured as focus countries.
• The event marks the third edition of India's largest food summit.
• The Ministry of Food Processing Industries first launched World Food India in 2017.
• The second edition of the summit was held in 2023.
• World Food India serves as a significant platform for global food industry collaboration.
Union Cabinet approved ‘One nation, one election’ to simultaneous elections.
• The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for 'One Nation, One Election' to enable simultaneous elections in India.
• A high-level committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, submitted a report on the initiative.
• The proposed Bill is expected to be introduced during the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
• The committee argues that simultaneous elections will conserve resources, promote development, and enhance social cohesion.
• Recommendations include creating a common electoral roll and issuing voter ID cards managed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• The panel has suggested 18 constitutional amendments to facilitate this process.
• Most of the recommended amendments do not require ratification by State Assemblies.
• The initiative aims to strengthen the foundations of democracy in India.
Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar inaugurated the 19th Divya Kala Mela on 19th September 2024.
• Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar inaugurated the 19th Divya Kala Mela on September 19, 2024, in Visakhapatnam.
• A high-level committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, submitted a report on the initiative.• This event is a key initiative supporting the ‘Vocal for Local’ movement.
• Organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) through the National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC), the Mela showcases local talent.
• Running from September 19 to September 29, 2024, the Mela features products and craftsmanship from Divyang entrepreneurs nationwide.
• Over 100 Divyang entrepreneurs, artists, and artisans from around 20 states and union territories will display their skills and goods.
• The Divya Kala Mela aims to promote economic development for Divyangjans.
• This series of Mela events began in 2022, with the Visakhapatnam edition being the 19th.
• The Mela serves as a platform for empowering and showcasing the talents of individuals with disabilities.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE
International WASH Conference 2024 concluded at 8th India Water Week.
• The International WASH Conference 2024 concluded during the 8th India Water Week held in New Delhi from September 17-19, 2024.
• Organized by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the conference focused on ‘Sustaining Rural Water Supply.’
• This three-day event served as a platform for knowledge exchange, showcasing innovations, and sharing best practices to tackle global WASH challenges.
• A special emphasis was placed on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).
• The conference featured over 40 sessions, including 143 offline and 43 online paper presentations, along with 5 panel discussions.
• Topics covered included water quality, greywater management, community engagement, and climate change adaptation.
• One of the highlights was the Swachh Sujal Gaon, a model village that demonstrates India’s holistic approach to enhancing the WASH sector in rural areas.
• The event facilitated valuable discussions on information, education, and behavior change communication (IEC/BCC) initiatives.
BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE
Southern states emerged as major contributors in India’s GDP.
• Southern states, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, now contribute around 30% to India’s GDP.
• Telangana has emerged as a significant player in India’s economy.
• Maharashtra, while still the largest contributor to India's GDP, has seen its share decline to 13.3%.
• Despite its large population, Bihar contributes only 4.3% to the national GDP.
• Uttar Pradesh accounts for approximately 9.5% of India's GDP.
• West Bengal's contribution to GDP stands at just 5.6% for 2023-24.
• In terms of per capita income, Maharashtra does not rank among the top five states.
• West Bengal's relative per capita income has dropped from 127.5% of the national average in 1960-61 to 83.7% in 2023-24.