Daily Current Affairs- 29 October 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 29th October 2024

International

India-Spain sign agreements in rail transport, customs & investment

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of the Government of Spain, Mr Pedro Sánchez, discussed a range of bilateral issues during delegation-level talks in Vadodara, Gujarat. In a Joint statement, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in promoting sustainable energy and adapting to climate change. 

National

Navy Chief Dinesh Tripathi launches ‘Swavlamban 2024’ exhibition to promote indigenization

• Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi inaugurated the ‘Swavlamban 2024’ exhibition at Bharat Mandapam. The event aims to showcase innovations from the country’s young entrepreneurs and strengthen collaborations between the Indian Navy and various industry stakeholders. 

PM Modi launched Rs 13,000 crore healthcare projects on Dhanvantari Jayanti

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and lay the foundation stone for healthcare projects worth approximately Rs 13,000 crore on Tuesday (October 29), in celebration of Dhanvantari Jayanti and the 9th Ayurveda Day. 

Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurates India’s first biomanufacturing institute

• Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and other key portfolios, inaugurated the new complex of India’s first biomanufacturing institute—BRIC-National Agri-Food Bio-Manufacturing Institute (BRIC-NABI). The facility aims to transform India’s agri-food sector through advanced biotechnology. 

PM Modi inaugurated AIIMS Bhopal extension and drone service

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday virtually inaugurate the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal's new extension building and also launch its drone service facility. 

Appointment & Resignations

Shashwat Sharma to take over as MD, CEO of Airtel   

• Bharti Airtel has announced a top-level recast including a new chief executive officer (CEO). Chief Operating Officer (COO) Shashwat Sharma will take charge as the next managing director (MD) and CEO while incumbent Gopal Vittal has been named vice-chairman from January 1, 2026. 

Important Days

Ayurveda Day: 2024

• The Government of India officially declared Ayurveda Day in 2016 to promote Ayurveda as a traditional system of medicine. The day is celebrated on Dhanvantari Jayanti, which is the 13th day of the dark fortnight in Ashwin, and usually falls in October or November. The first Ayurveda Day was celebrated on October 28, 2016. 

Ranking

India is ranked 176th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Survey

• India has been ranked 176 out of 180 countries in the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index, with a score of 45.5 out of 100, India was placed at the bottom of the list, just above Kiribati (ranked last), Turkey (ranked 179), Iraq (178) and Micronesia (177). 

Banking and Economy

Tata Power acquires 40% stake in Khorlochhu Hydro Power for Rs 830cr

• Tata Power said has acquired 40 percent stake in Bhutan-based Khorlochhu Hydro Power Limited for Rs 830 crore, On August 6, the Board of Directors of The Tata Power Company Limited approved a proposal for the acquisition of a 40 per cent equity stake in Khorlochhu Hydro Power Limited in one or more tranches.