Daily Current Affairs 11 January 2024 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.
NOTE: To read complete Current Affairs, subscribe to our plan. All important news are not covered here.
NATIONAL NEWS
New Republic Day Pact Allows States One Tableau Every Three Years
The Defence Ministry has proposed a three-year rollover plan that would allow each state and union territory (UT) to present their tableaux. Each year, approximately 15 tableaux are chosen for the Republic Day parade, making it difficult to accommodate every state. The proposed approach is intended to ensure equitable distribution and fair representation for everybody.
- Discussions have taken place with Resident Commissioners from different States and UTs, chaired by the Defence Secretary. A three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been proposed to facilitate the implementation of the rollover plan. As of now, 28 States have signed the draft agreement.
Indian Navy gets first India-made long endurance Drishti 10 Starliner drone
The Indian Navy has recently acquired its first indigenous medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone, the Drishti 10 Starliner unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
- This marks a significant development in enhancing the navy’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. Manufactured by Adani Defence and Aerospace in collaboration with Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems, the drone offers versatility and advanced features.
- The Drishti 10 Starliner drone is 70% indigenous, demonstrating a significant leap in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities. With an endurance of 36 hours and the ability to carry a payload of 450 kg, the drone is well-equipped for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Notably, the UAV is adaptable to different operational scenarios due to its modularity and mobility of ground support equipment.
Wings India To Be Held At Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport From Jan 18
Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport is set to host the aviation extravaganza, Wings India 2024, from January 18 to 21, marking the country’s most significant civil aviation event.
- Jointly organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Indian Industry (FICCI), this four-day biennial spectacle promises to be a showcase of cutting-edge aviation technology and machinery.
Chhattisgarh launches “Ramlal Darshan” scheme
Chhattisgarh Government will launch the Ramlala Darshan Scheme, a pilgrimage to the newly built Ram Temple at Ayodhya. The decision was made during a state cabinet meeting held in Raipur.
- Under the scheme, 20,000 eligible residents of the State would be taken to the holy city for pilgrimage every year. The eligibility for the pilgrimage will be for Chhattisgarh natives aged 18 to 75 who are found fit in the health examination conducted by the district medical board.
- The pilgrimage distance is approximately 900 kilometers, and transportation will be facilitated in collaboration with the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
Maharashtra Creates New Safe Haven for Endangered Canids and Diverse Wildlife
The Maharashtra government has established a crucial new wildlife habitat in Sangli district, aptly named the Atpadi Conservation Reserve. Spanning a compact 9.48 sq. km, this reserve prioritizes the protection of the endangered ‘canid’ family, including wild dogs, wolves, jackals, and foxes.
- This newly declared Conservation Reserve hosts three types of forest cover, Semi-evergreen, moist deciduous and dry deciduous. 36 tree species, 116 herb species, 15 shrub species, 14 vine species and 1 parasitic plant are found in this area.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India ranks at 80th position in world’s most powerful passport 2024 list
According to the The Henley Passport Index Indian passport ranked 80th spot in the world’s most powerful passport list for 2024, with citizens allowed to travel to 62 countries without a visa. The country shares its rank with Uzbekistan, while the neighboring nation Pakistan is positioned at 101 spot.
- Singapore and Japan have boasted the world’s most powerful travel documents for the last five years, granting their citizens access to more countries without a prior visa than anyone else.
- South Korea, Sweden, and Finland all climbed one spot to take joint second place, with access to 193 locations. Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands shared third place, allowing travel to 192 places, Bloomberg reported.
- The United Arab Emirates was the fastest climber over the past decade, jumping to 11th place and offering access to 183 destinations without a visa. And China, up two spots this year to land in 62nd place, has visa-free access to 85 destinations — almost twice as many as 10 years ago.
- Ranking low on the index are Pakistan (101), Iraq (102), Syria (103) and Afghanistan (104).
Scientists from Mauritius and Bangladesh join India’s 43rd Antarctic Expedition
Fostering maritime collaboration, two scientists from Mauritius and one from Bangladesh have joined the 43rd Antarctic expedition of India, led by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research in Goa. The scientists boarded the vessel in Cape Town on December 20, 2023, marking a significant stride in international cooperation in polar research.
- This collaborative effort stems from the maiden Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Oceanographers and Hydrographers conference held in Goa and Hyderabad in November 2022. The conference laid the foundation for scientific partnerships among the CSC nations, facilitating joint initiatives for oceanographic and hydrographic studies.
South Korea passes bill to ban consumption of dog meat
South Korea’s parliament passed a Bill banning breeding, slaughtering and selling dogs for their meat, a traditional practice that activists have long called an embarrassment for the country.
- The National Assembly passed the Bill by a 208-0 vote. It will come into effect after a three-year grace period and after it receives final approval from President Yoon Suk-yeol.
APPOINTMENTS
Tshering Tobgay Re-Elected As Bhutan’s Prime Minister
Bhutanese voters have elected Tshering Tobgay to become Prime Minister for a second time after his party won nearly two-thirds of seats, the election commission said in results released recently.
- Tshering Tobgay, a former Prime Minister who previously held office from 2013 to 2018, has promised to strengthen ties with India, Bhutan’s key trading partner.
- The PDP won 30 seats in the 47-member parliament, or National Assembly, with the rest of the seats going to the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP).
AWARDS
Divyakriti Singh becomes 1st Indian Woman Arjuna Awardee for Equestrian Sports
In a historic moment for Indian sports, the accomplished equestrian athlete, Divyakriti Singh, has been conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award, making her the first woman from Rajasthan to achieve this honour.
- Divyakriti Singh’s remarkable journey in the equestrian world reached new heights with the Arjuna Award, recognizing her outstanding contribution to the sport. Her dedication and prowess were on full display when she played a pivotal role in securing the Gold Medal for the Indian Dressage team at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, last September.