Daily Current Affairs- 31 October 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 31st October 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Indian Railways & Transport Ministry in Switzerland sign Mou to enhance technical cooperation

• The Indian Railways signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Environment, Transport and Communications of Switzerland to enhance technical cooperation between the two nations. 

NATIONAL

Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurates Medical Inspection Room for providing medical facilities in Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan

• Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation, unveiled the Medical Inspection Room via online mode, with a view to providing medical facilities in emergency situations to the employees working in Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, New Delhi. 

SPORTS

India Claims Second Spot at Asian Armwrestling Cup

• India achieved a commendable runner-up position in the overall team standings at the Asian ArmWrestling Cup 2024, which took place at the Aurika Skycity Hotel in Mumbai. The Indian team finished second in the medal tally, only behind Kazakhstan, the top-ranking nation in the world of arm wrestling. 

Afghanistan A won the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024

• Afghanistan A defeated Sri Lanka A by seven wickets at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in the finals, Sri Lanka scored 133/7 in the finals with Sahan Arachchige scoring an unbeaten 64 runs from 47 balls, Nimesh Vimukthi and Pawan Rathnayake also contributed to the score with 23 and 20 runs, Afghanistan reached the target with three overs to spare. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas / National Unity Day

• Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day celebrated every year on October 31, commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Home Minister, who played an important role in persuading many princely states to join the Union of India. He is famously known as Iron Man of India and as one of the founding leaders of the Republic of India. 

Diwali / Deepavali

• Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a festival of lights that originated in ancient Hindu mythology, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It is associated with the return of Lord Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, to Ayodhya after 14 years, defeating the demon king Ravana. Hindus celebrate by lighting diyas (oil lamps), decorating their homes with rangolis, and taking an oil bath at dawn.
• According to Hindu Calendar and Panchang, Deepawali is celebrated on Amavasya Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik. 

SUMMITS & MOUs

Dr. Jitendra Singh to Inaugurate the prestigious International 52nd Annual Conference of RSSDI

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is also a nationally known Diabetologist, will inaugurate and also be the chief guest at the upcoming International 52nd Annual Conference of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), one of the largest global societies of diabetes physicians in the world. The Conference is set to be held from November 14 to 17 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi. 

8th edition of Future Investment Initiative Held in Riyadh

• Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 29th-30th October 2024. This visit aims to further deepen the India-Saudi Arabia strategic partnership and explore new avenues of trade, investment, and economic cooperation, underscoring India’s growing global economic presence. Shri Goyal will also participate in the 8th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, a crucial platform that brings together global leaders, investors, and innovators.

 RANKING

Lahore became the most polluted city in the world

• Lahore has once again topped the list of the world's most polluted cities, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 708, according to Dawn.
• Dawn said that with PM2.5 concentrations reaching 431 ug/m3, which is 86 times more than the World Health Organization's (WHO) yearly safe limit, the health of millions of Lahore residents is increasingly jeopardized.
• The situation is caused not only by stubble burning, but also by uncontrolled vehicle emissions, redundant industrial practices, and ineffective environmental regulation. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Jio Financial and BlackRock Form Joint Ventures for Mutual Funds

• Jio Financial Services Ltd (JFSL) and BlackRock Inc. officially announced the incorporation of two joint venture companies, Jio BlackRock Asset Management Private Limited and Jio BlackRock Trustee Private Limited, to enter the mutual fund sector in India. This strategic move follows the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) granting in-principal approval for the companies to act as co-sponsors and establish a mutual fund.