CURRENT AFFAIRS 22 & 23-09-2024

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Sign Languages 2024 observed on 23 September

• September 23 is designated as the International Day of Sign Languages, observed annually.

• The day was first celebrated in 2018 to promote awareness of sign language’s significance for the deaf community.

• The UN General Assembly established this day to commemorate the founding of the World Federation of the Deaf.

• The theme for the 2024 observance is "Sign up for Sign Language Rights."

• Over 70 million deaf individuals worldwide use sign language, with more than 80% residing in developing countries.

• Globally, there are more than 300 distinct sign languages in use.

• The International Week of the Deaf was initiated in September 1958 to support deaf rights.

• This day serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of accessibility and inclusion for deaf individuals.

APPOINTMENTS

Amar Preet Singh has been appointed as the next Chief of Air Staff.

• Amar Preet Singh has been appointed as the next Chief of Air Staff, set to take office on September 30.

• He will succeed Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari in this role.

• Singh was commissioned into the Indian Air Force's fighter pilot stream in December 1984.

• With over 5,000 hours of flying experience, he is a qualified flying instructor and an experimental test pilot.

• He previously served as the Project Director (Flight Test) at the National Flight Test Center, overseeing the flight testing of the Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas).

• Amar Preet Singh has been honored with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished service.

STATE NEWS

Uttarakhand government approved a bill to make protesters pay for damage to public property.

• The Uttarakhand government has approved a bill to recover costs for damages to public property during protests and riots.

• The Uttarakhand Public and Private Property Damage Recovery Bill received assent from Governor Gurmit Singh.

• The bill aims to deter individuals from damaging public property during strikes and demonstrations.

• Full recovery of damages caused during unrest will be mandated under the new legislation.

• Offenders may face fines of up to Rs 8 lakh in addition to property damage costs.

• Protesters will also be responsible for covering government expenses incurred for riot control measures.

• The bill was passed by the Uttarakhand state assembly in August 2024.

• Its primary objective is to prevent vandalism of public property during civil disturbances.

• The legislation serves as a strong warning to potential offenders against causing property damage.

AWARDS

ICMR received U.N. award for successes in non-communicable diseases control.

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has received the 2024 UN Inter-Agency Task Force Award.

• This recognition highlights ICMR’s innovative contributions to assistive technology for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

• ICMR has advanced multi-sectoral efforts to improve mental health and NCD prevention and control.

• The award emphasizes the importance of affordable and accessible solutions for those affected by these conditions.

• ICMR's initiatives aim to enhance the quality of life for individuals dealing with mental health issues and NCDs in India.

• The honour reflects ICMR's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to non-communicable diseases.

• This achievement underscores the significance of collaborative approaches in addressing public health challenges.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Two new Indian consulates have been announced by PM Modi in Boston and Los Angeles.

• Prime Minister Modi announced the opening of two new Indian consulates in the US: one in Boston and another in Los Angeles.

• The decision responds to the growing Indian-American population in both cities.

• Boston is recognized as a major centre for education, while Los Angeles is known as the entertainment hub of the US.

• The announcement was made during an event attended by around 13,000 Indian Americans at Nassau Veterans Coliseum in New York.

• This move aims to better serve the needs of the expanding Indian diaspora in these regions.

• The new consulates reflect India’s commitment to strengthening its ties with the US.

• The opening of these consulates is part of broader efforts to enhance diplomatic engagement and community support.

DEFENCE

The first-ever tri-services ‘Future Warfare’ course launched by India on 23 September.

• India launched its first-ever tri-services "Future Warfare" course on September 23.

• The course is conducted by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and runs from September 23-27.

• Led by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, the initiative prepares officers for modern warfare challenges.

• Participants will include officers from various ranks, from Major General to their equivalents in the Navy and Air Force.

• The curriculum focuses on both operational and technical aspects of contemporary conflicts.

• Key topics will cover emerging warfare dynamics, including kinetic and non-kinetic operations, and psychological warfare.

• The course will examine the influence of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and hypersonic weapons.

• This program aims to equip military leaders with the skills necessary for adapting to the evolving landscape of warfare.

NATIONAL NEWS

Dhruvi Patel crowned Miss India Worldwide 2024.

• The Miss India Worldwide 2024 title has been awarded to Dhruvi Patel, a student of Computer Information Systems from the United States.

• This prestigious pageant, recognized as the longest-running Indian beauty competition outside India, celebrated its 31st edition.

• The event took place in Edison, New Jersey, highlighting the vibrant Indian community in the area.

• Dhruvi Patel hails from a Gujarati family that relocated to the US during her childhood.

• The pageant is organized by the New York-based India Festival Committee.

• Indian-American siblings Neelam and Dharmatma Saran chair the event.

• Dhruvi Patel's victory adds to the rich legacy of the Miss India Worldwide pageant.

SPORTS

India won double gold medals in the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest.

• The Indian men’s chess team secured gold at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, marking a historic achievement.

• In the final round, Arjun Erigaisi triumphed over Slovenia's Jan Subelj to help clinch the victory for the men’s team.

• The women's team also shone, defeating Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5 to win their gold medal.

• The women's team also shone, defeating Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5 to win their gold medal.

• The Indian open category team included notable players such as Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, and Pentala Harikrishna.

• Prior to this year, India’s best results in the Chess Olympiad were bronze medals in 2014 and 2022.

• The impressive performance of the Indian teams in 2024 highlights a significant rise in the country's chess prowess.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

PM Narendra Modi will attend the sixth annual Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the USA from September 21 to 23 for various diplomatic engagements.

• He will attend the sixth annual Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, where key issues like climate change and emerging technologies will be discussed.

• Ahead of the Quad summit, Modi met with President Joe Biden on September 21 to explore ways to enhance the India-U.S. strategic partnership.

• Bilateral discussions are also scheduled with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

• Modi's meeting with Biden aimed to review existing cooperation and identify new opportunities for collaboration.

• On September 23, he will address the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

• The theme for the UN summit is 'Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow.

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