NATIONAL NEWS
PM Modi to inaugurate ‘Karmayogi Saptah’.
• Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate ‘Karmayogi Saptah’ (National Learning Week) on October 19 at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
• The initiative aims to enhance capacity development for civil servants throughout the country.
• Karmayogi Saptah is expected to be the largest event focused on civil service learning.
• The week is designed to promote a unified “One Government” approach, aligning participants with national objectives.
• It encourages a culture of lifelong learning among civil servants.
• Eminent speakers will participate, sharing insights and strategies to improve citizen-centric service delivery.
• The event reflects the government's commitment to strengthening the capabilities of its civil service.
Government may reduce the spectrum lease period to 10 years.
• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is considering shortening the spectrum lease period for telecom operators from 20 years to 10 years.
• This change is being evaluated due to the decreasing technology life cycle and the long-term depreciation of spectrum value.
• A shorter lease period may prevent operators from fully realizing the value of the spectrum they lease.
• If approved, the new tenure will be implemented in future spectrum auctions.
• The telecom industry suggests that a reduced lease period should also come with a lowered reserve price.
• The first spectrum auction in India took place in 2010 for 3G, raising over Rs 1 lakh crore for the government.
• Previously, the government proposed extending the lease period to 30 years, following recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
The first international research and innovation center will be set up in Dubai by IIT Madras.
• IIT Madras is set to establish its first international flagship center in Dubai, focusing on research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
• The IITM Global Dubai Centre is scheduled to launch in early 2025 and will specialize in advanced fields like artificial intelligence (AI), data science, robotics, and sustainable energy.
• This initiative strengthens ties between India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and Dubai’s economic landscape.
• The establishment of the center follows an agreement between IIT Madras and Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
• The agreement was signed by Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), and Professor Raghunathan Rengaswamy from IIT Madras during GITEX Global 2024.
• The IITM Global Dubai Center will focus on research, innovation, intellectual property licensing, and technology transfer in priority areas for Dubai.
• This centre marks the first of its kind under IITM's new entity, 'IITM Global.'
• IIT Madras was founded with support from the German government, following an agreement in 1959 to establish a premier engineering institution in India.
SPORTS
India’s Arjun Erigaisi has won the WR Chess Masters Cup.
• India’s Arjun Erigaisi has won the WR Chess Masters Cup by defeating Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the finals.
• In the semifinals, he triumphed over his friend R Praggnanandhaa.
• Arjun secured a 2-0 victory against Sivananda Bodhana from England earlier in the knockout event.
• He showcased impressive form and precision throughout the tournament.
• With this win, Arjun is now leading the FIDE Circuit.
• He is set to compete in the European Chess Club Cup, which will be held in Serbia.
Virat Kohli became the fourth Indian batsman to reach 9,000 Test runs.
• Virat Kohli has become the fourth Indian batsman to score 9,000 Test runs during the match against New Zealand at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
• He joins the ranks of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar as the only Indian players to achieve this milestone.
• Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most Test runs overall with 15,921, followed by Dravid at 13,265 and Gavaskar at 10,122.
• Kohli is currently the second-highest Test run-scorer among active players, trailing only England's Joe Root.
• He is ranked 18th on the all-time list of Test run-scorers.
• In the ongoing Test series, Kohli became India’s second-most capped player, reaching 536 international matches, surpassing MS Dhoni's 535.
• He now ranks behind Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record for the most international matches with 664.
STATE NEWS
Madhya Pradesh government installed pink alarms at Datia district hospital and medical college for women’s safety.
• The Madhya Pradesh government has installed pink alarms at the Datia district hospital and medical college to enhance women’s safety.
• This initiative marks the first installation of such a facility in a government hospital in the state.
• The pink alarm system was conceived by district collector Sandeep Makin.
• Activating the pink alarm triggers a siren, ensuring security personnel arrive within five minutes to assist individuals in distress.
• The alarms are strategically located in the staff duty room on all three floors of the Maternity Ward, Trauma Center, and New OPD Block.
• This move aims to provide a safer environment for women accessing medical services.
• The installation of pink alarms demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing women's security concerns in healthcare settings.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE
NHRC’s national conference on the rights of older persons concluded.
• A national conference on the "Rights of Older Persons" was held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
• The event marked the 31st Foundation Day of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India.
• Union Minister Shri Amit Yadav chaired the first session, reaffirming the government's commitment to the welfare of older persons.
• The conference featured three technical sessions addressing key issues: “Ageing of the Aged,” “Gendered Aspects of Ageing,” and “Evaluating Healthcare Scenarios.”
• NHRC has initiated various measures to protect the rights of the elderly, including forming a core group.
• The commission has also issued guidelines aimed at safeguarding the rights of older individuals.
• The conference served as a platform to discuss and promote the rights and welfare of older persons in India.
DEFENCE
Coastal security exercise 'Sagar Kavach' successfully organised by the Indian Coast Guard.
• The Indian Coast Guard successfully conducted the coastal security exercise "Sagar Kavach" off Gujarat and Daman and Diu on October 16-17.
• This exercise, coordinated by the Coast Guard Regional Headquarters in Gandhinagar, marked the second edition held this year.
• The primary goal was to enhance maritime and coastal security preparedness by validating existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Various stakeholders participated, including the Indian Navy, State Police, Marine Police, Border Security Force (BSF), National Security Guard (NSG), and Port Authorities.
• Key resources involved included ships and boats from the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Marine Police, alongside aerial surveillance from Coast Guard aircraft and drones.
• The two-day event simulated several operational scenarios to assess the coordination and effectiveness of all agencies in maintaining maritime security.
• "Sagar Kavach" underscores the commitment to ensuring safety and security along India’s coastal regions.
GOVERNMENT SCHEME
“SAMARTH” (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector) extended by the government till March 2026.
• The government has extended the "SAMARTH" scheme, aimed at capacity building in the textiles sector, until March 2026.
• SAMARTH is a demand-driven, employment-oriented mass skilling program initiated by the Ministry of Textiles.
• The extension includes a budget of Rs 495 crore to train 300,000 individuals in textile-related skills over the next two years (FY 2024-25 and 2025-26).
• The scheme's goal is to support employment generation in organized textile and related sectors, covering the entire value chain except for spinning and weaving.
• Training programs and curricula have been updated to align with emerging technology and market demands.
• Implementation of the scheme involves partnerships with textile industries, industry associations, and various government agencies.
• So far, SAMARTH has successfully trained 327,000 candidates through its implementing partners.
• Notably, 79.5% of those trained (260,000 individuals) have secured employment, with a significant focus on women, who comprise 88.3% of the trainees (289,000 women).
