Weekly Current Affairs (1st to 7th October 2024) | Current Affairs: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - CLAT PDF Download

India Launches Cruise Bharat Mission to Boost Tourism

The 'Cruise Bharat Mission' is an initiative by the Indian government to boost cruise tourism in India. Launched by Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in Mumbai, the mission aims to position India as a major cruise destination and double cruise passenger traffic by 2029.

Aims of the Mission: The mission seeks to establish India as a global hub for cruise tourism by enhancing infrastructure, marketing India as a prime cruise location, and gradually improving the overall cruise experience.

Three-Phase Plan for Cruise Tourism: The mission will be implemented in three phases:

• Phase 1 (2024-2025): Focus on studies, master plans, partnerships with neighboring countries, and upgrading existing cruise terminals and marinas.
• Phase 2 (2025-2027): Construction of new cruise terminals and expansion of high-potential cruise destinations.
• Phase 3 (2027-2029): Integration of cruise routes across the Indian subcontinent and further development of infrastructure and tourist spots.

Performance Targets: The mission aims to increase sea cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1 million and river cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1.5 million.

Key Pillars of the Mission: Built on five pillars:

• Sustainable Infrastructure & Capital: Developing eco-friendly cruise terminals and marinas.
• Technology and Operations: Enhancing cruise operations through advanced technology.
• Cruise Promotion & Circuit Integration: International promotion of India's cruises and seamless circuit connections.
• Supportive Policies: Creating regulations and financial policies to support cruise tourism growth.
• Capacity Building and Research: Job creation through skill development and research in cruise-related fields.

Expected Impact: The mission aims to create 400,000 new jobs, enhance the cruise experience, and positively impact coastal communities and economies. It aligns with India's Blue Economy strategy, emphasizing sustainable ocean resource use and positioning India as a key player in global maritime tourism.

Mithun Chakraborty Receives Prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty has been awarded the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honor in Indian cinema, recognizing his lifetime contribution to the film industry. The announcement was made by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, with the official presentation scheduled for October 8, 2024, during the 70th National Film Awards ceremony. This accolade follows Chakraborty's recent receipt of the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards.

What is the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?

• The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the pinnacle of recognition in Indian cinema, named after Dadasaheb Phalke, the pioneer of Indian cinema who directed the country's first full-length feature film.
• This award honors individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on the Indian film industry through various roles such as acting, directing, or other creative contributions.

Mithun Chakraborty’s Journey in Film:

• Bursting into the film scene in 1977 with 'Mrigayaa,' Chakraborty quickly showcased his talent, winning a National Award for his debut performance.
• His fame surged in 1982 with 'Disco Dancer,' a film that catapulted him to nationwide recognition and solidified his status as a beloved actor.

Notable Achievements:

• Chakraborty has delivered memorable performances in films like 'Agneepath,' 'Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye,' and 'Ghar Ek Mandir.'
• Renowned for his versatility, he has successfully portrayed a wide range of characters across various genres, earning both critical acclaim and commercial success.
• His knack for balancing serious and entertaining roles has endeared him to audiences, making him a respected figure in Indian cinema.

Recent Recognition:

• In addition to the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Chakraborty was honored with the Padma Bhushan, underscoring his significant contributions to Indian arts and culture.
• These recent accolades reflect his lasting impact on the film industry and the continued appreciation for his work.

Political Involvement:

• Beyond his film career, Chakraborty has been active in politics, serving as a Rajya Sabha MP and joining the BJP ahead of the 2021 West Bengal legislative elections.
• His engagement in politics demonstrates his influence and contributions not only in entertainment but also in public service.

Lt. Gen. Asim Malik Appointed New Pakistan’s ISI Chief

• Lt. Gen. Muhammad Asim Malik has been appointed as the new Director General of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), succeeding Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum.
• This leadership change occurs amid increasing security challenges and political instability in Pakistan, particularly due to tensions involving supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Background of Lt. Gen. Malik:

• Lt. Gen. Malik, aged 59, hails from a military lineage; his father, Lt. Gen. Ghulam Muhammad Malik, also served in the army.
• He studied at the University of Balochistan and pursued further education at prestigious defense institutions in the U.S. and U.K.
• During his training at the Pakistan Military Academy, he earned the 'Sword of Honour,' awarded to the best cadet.

His Military Career:

• Lt. Gen. Malik has had a lengthy and notable military career, serving in key positions within the Balochistan infantry division and leading operations in Waziristan, a region affected by militancy.
• He was also a chief instructor at Pakistan's National Defence University, responsible for training senior military officers.
• Holding a doctorate in U.S.-Pakistan relations, he is the most academically qualified ISI chief in history.

Appointment Process:

• The ISI chief is formally appointed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, but the military significantly influences the decision.
• Typically, the Chief of Army Staff recommends candidates for the position, though political factors can affect the final choice.
• Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum's term was marked by controversy, highlighting the political dynamics involved.
• The military's focus on actions against Imran Khan and his supporters reflects internal tensions.
• Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, a former ISI chief close to Khan, is currently facing court-martial, indicating shifting power dynamics within the military and government.
• Lt. Gen. Malik will need to navigate these complex dynamics while leading the ISI.

Strategic Responsibilities:

• As the head of the ISI, Lt. Gen. Malik will be responsible for critical aspects of Pakistan's foreign policy, particularly in countering terrorism and managing relations with Afghanistan.
• His experience and connections with Western military institutions will be valuable in addressing these challenges.
• His leadership will be crucial in ensuring security and stability during a period of political uncertainty in Pakistan.

Taiwan Receives First  Shipment of Harpoon Missile Systems

Taiwan Receives First Shipment of Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile Systems from the U.S.

• Taiwan has received its inaugural shipment of 100 land-based Harpoon anti-ship missile systems from the United States, marking a significant step in enhancing Taiwan's military capabilities amid regional tensions.
• The shipment, which arrived at Kaohsiung Port on September 27, is part of a broader military upgrade aimed at strengthening Taiwan's defense systems.

Shipment Details

• The specific contents of the shipment have not been fully disclosed, but it signifies the commencement of a major military enhancement for Taiwan.

Background

• This shipment is part of a larger agreement approved by the U.S. in 2020, reflecting the strong military cooperation between Taiwan and the United States.

Deal Components

The full deal includes:

• 400 RTM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II missiles
• Four specialized maneuverable missile versions
• 100 missile launch trucks
• 25 radar trucks

Delivery Timeline

The delivery is planned in two phases:

• Phase One: Expected to be completed by 2026 with the delivery of 128 missiles.
• Phase Two: Anticipated to be finished by the end of 2028.

About Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile Systems

• The Harpoon missile system, developed in the 1970s by McDonnell Douglas, is capable of being launched from ships, submarines, or aircraft.
• It has a range of over 60 nautical miles and utilizes radar for precise targeting.
• The missile is designed to target and destroy warships and merchant vessels, with various versions employed by the U.S. Navy and allied countries.
• These systems are integrated into numerous naval vessels, significantly enhancing their capability to defend against enemy ships.

National Wildlife Week 2024 – Oct 02 to 08

Celebrating Wildlife Week 2024 at Dachigam National Park

Kick-off Event:

• The Department of Wildlife Protection in Jammu and Kashmir began Wildlife Week 2024 at Dachigam National Park.
• This year’s theme focuses on the beauty of nature and the importance of wildlife conservation.

Engaging Young Minds:

• School students participated in various activities to learn about the environment and the need to protect wildlife.

Activities Include:

• Nature walks
• Educational workshops
• Interactive sessions with wildlife experts

Statements from Officials:

• Tawheed Ahmad Deva, Regional Wildlife Warden, highlighted the event’s importance in promoting environmental responsibility among young people.

Ongoing Celebrations:

• Throughout Wildlife Week, various programs like movie screenings,art competitions, and expert discussions will take place to raise awareness about wildlife conservation.

Key Attendees:

• Important figures such as Rashid Y. Naqash,Parvez Wani,Intesar Suhail,Aliya Mir, and Nadeem Qadri were present, contributing to wildlife protection efforts in the region.

What is Taiwan’s Global Elite Card?

Taiwan Introduces Global Elite Card and Digital Nomad Visa to Attract Skilled Foreign Professionals

• Taiwan has introduced the Global Elite Card to attract skilled foreign professionals as part of a response to a growing labor shortage. The country is expected to face a deficit of 350,000 workers by 2028.
• In addition to the Global Elite Card, Taiwan is also preparing to launch a Digital Nomad Visa to further boost its workforce by targeting remote workers.

Overview of the Global Elite Card:

• The Global Elite Card allows foreign professionals to obtain permanent residency in Taiwan after just one year of living in the country. This is a significant improvement compared to the previous Gold Card, which required a three-year stay.
• The card is designed to attract high-earning individuals who can contribute their expertise to Taiwan's workforce.

Target Audience:

• Applicants for the Global Elite Card must have an annual income of over TWD 6 million(approximately ₹1.57 crore).
• The card offers additional benefits, such as allowing the applicant's spouse to join and granting unlimited stays for dependent family members. This makes it an appealing option for professionals with families.

Digital Nomad Visa Initiative:

• Taiwan is also developing a Digital Nomad Visa specifically for freelancers and remote workers. This visa would permit individuals to live in Taiwan for up to six months, with the potential to apply for permanent residency later.
• The Digital Nomad Visa aims to attract more remote workers to settle in Taiwan for the long term.

Future Developments:

• Details regarding the application processes and requirements for both the Global Elite Card and the Digital Nomad Visa are not yet available.
• Taiwan hopes to attract over 200,000 professionals and 100,000 remote workers through these initiatives in the coming years.

More About the Global Elite Card:

• The Global Elite Card also functions as a membership card offering luxury travel benefits, including VIP airport access, concierge services, and partnerships with luxury brands.
• It is tailored for high-net-worth individuals and frequent travelers, providing exclusive perks such as faster check-ins, upgrades, and access to special lounges.

PM Modi to Inaugurate  Mumbai Metro Line 3 in Maharashtra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Upcoming Tour to Maharashtra:

Key Highlights:

• Inauguration of Mumbai Metro Line 3: PM Modi will inaugurate a segment of the new Mumbai Metro Line 3, which is the city's first fully underground metro line. The 12.69-kilometer stretch will connect Aarey JVLR to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). The official flag-off ceremony will take place at the BKC metro station, where the Prime Minister will also take a ride on the metro to experience it firsthand.
• Community Engagement: During the metro ride, PM Modi will interact with residents, including students and workers, to highlight how the new metro line will ease daily commuting. He will also unveil a coffee table book showcasing the development of Mumbai's underground metro through pictures and stories.
• Agricultural Initiatives: PM Modi will distribute the 18th installment of the PM-KISAN scheme, providing financial assistance to farmers. Approximately Rs 20,000 crore will be disbursed to 9.4 crore farmers, raising the total under the scheme to Rs 3.45 lakh crore. New projects aimed at supporting farmers will also be launched, including those under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and the establishment of 9,200 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
• Infrastructure Development Projects: Five solar parks in Maharashtra will be dedicated to promote sustainable energy. These parks will enhance the state's capacity for clean and renewable energy.
• Urban Development Projects: Several urban development initiatives will be announced, including the foundation stone for the Elevated Eastern Freeway Extension to improve traffic flow, the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) project for planned urban growth around the upcoming Navi Mumbai Airport, and a new administrative building for Thane Municipal Corporation to enhance governance and services in Thane.

What is National Agriculture Code?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is working on a new set of guidelines called the National Agriculture Code (NAC). This code is similar to existing national standards for buildings and electrical systems but focuses specifically on agriculture. The aim is to improve the quality and efficiency of farming practices in India, which currently lack detailed regulations.

Understanding NAC 

The NAC aims to create rules and guidelines for various agricultural practices across the country. These guidelines will standardize farming methods to ensure they are efficient, safe, and of high quality. While there are standards for farming machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides, many other aspects of farming lack clear regulations.

Why is the NAC needed?

Despite existing standards for specific items, many areas of farming do not follow a standard process. These include:

• Land preparation (getting the field ready for planting)
• Irrigation (how water is used for crops)
• Sustainable farming practices

This absence of clear rules has been a recognized problem, and policymakers believe that the NAC will help make farming more organized and efficient.

What will the NAC cover? 

The NAC will focus on:

• Agricultural Processes: Guidelines for crop selection, land preparation, planting, watering, and harvesting.
• Post-Harvest Operations: Standards for initial processing, storage, and traceability of produce.
• Input Management: Standards for chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and organic farming.
• New Farming Methods: Incorporation of modern technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and sustainable practices.

What are the objectives of the NAC? 

The main goals of the NAC include:

• Establishing a national framework for various farming methods.
• Promoting a culture of quality in Indian agriculture.
• Guiding farmers in making better decisions.
• Encouraging modern agricultural techniques and sustainability.

When will the NAC be ready? 

The BIS aims to draft the NAC by October 2025. Once finalized, farmers will receive training to understand and implement the new standards.

What are Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF)? 

To test and promote the NAC, the BIS is setting up Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF) with the help of major agricultural institutes. These farms will serve as experimental sites where farmers and industry professionals can learn hands-on about standardized practices and how to apply them in their fields.

DRDO Successfully Conducts Flight-Tests of Advanced VSHORADS System

What is VSHORADS?

• VSHORADS stands for Very Short Range Air Defence System, a portable missile system designed to protect against low-flying aerial threats like drones and aircraft within a range of 5 to 20 kilometers.
• It is a 4th generation system that uses surface-to-air missiles guided by infrared, radar, or optical systems to track and hit targets.
• VSHORADS is increasingly important in modern warfare due to the rising use of drones and is typically deployed near military bases, borders, and critical infrastructure for protection.

Testing Objectives:

• The tests aimed to evaluate VSHORADS's performance, focusing on its ability to:
• Intercept targets at maximum range and altitude.
• Engage fast-moving aerial threats in various combat scenarios.

“Hit-to-Kill” Capability:

• A key feature of VSHORADS is its “hit-to-kill” capability, which allows the missile to destroy the target directly upon impact.
• The tests demonstrated its effectiveness against approaching, receding, and lateral targets, showcasing its adaptability in different situations.

Development and Production:

• VSHORADS was developed with the support of two production agencies, following a model that emphasizes simultaneous development and manufacturing.
• This approach enables faster production and quicker user trials, expediting the system's readiness for military deployment.

Connection to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India):

• The successful tests align with the Indian Government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, aimed at enhancing self-reliance in defense production.
• By developing advanced systems like VSHORADS domestically, India is reducing its reliance on imports.

Involvement of Armed Forces:

• The Indian Armed Forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—have been involved in the VSHORADS project from the beginning.
• Their feedback and participation during the development and testing phases ensure that the system meets the practical needs of soldiers in the field.

Official Recognition:

• India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and its partners for the successful tests, emphasizing the system’s significance for national defense.
• DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat also praised the team’s efforts, considering the tests a major milestone in India’s defense technology.

Odisha Records Rare Black Panther Sightings in Forests

Odisha’s Leopard Survey and the Discovery of Melanistic Leopards

• Odisha's forest officials conducted the "All Odisha Leopard Estimation," uncovering the presence of rare melanistic leopards, also known as black panthers, in three different forest areas.
• The survey spanned 47 forest divisions across the state, revealing the presence of these unique leopards.

What is a Melanistic Leopard?

• A melanistic leopard is a leopard with a genetic mutation that causes its fur to appear black due to an excess of melanin.
• Despite their dark coat, the typical leopard rosette patterns are still visible in certain lighting conditions.
• These black panthers are not a different species but are simply a color variant of regular leopards.
• They have better camouflage in dense forests, which helps them survive in those environments.
• However, they are very rare, making up only about 11% of the leopard population in certain regions, such as Africa and Asia.

Current Leopard Population

The discovery of melanistic leopards is significant because these rare animals face unique conservation challenges. Their locations are kept secret to prevent poaching, which is a major threat to their survival. The presence of these black panthers highlights the need for focused efforts to protect them.

Current Leopard Population in Odisha

• The latest survey found that Odisha is home to 696 leopards, an increase of 128 from the previous count.
• However, this number is still lower than the 760 leopards reported by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2018.

How was the Leopard Population Estimated?

• Odisha’s forest department used a detailed approach to count the leopards by looking for signs like paw prints (pugmarks), droppings (scats), and vocalizations.
• They also set up camera traps to capture images of the animals.
• The NTCA’s 2018 survey relied more on statistical models and fewer camera traps, leading to a higher margin of error in their estimates.

Comparison of Results

• The NTCA’s survey in 2018 had an error margin of 35%, meaning their estimate could have been off significantly.
• In contrast, Odisha’s thorough method produced a much lower error margin of less than 10%, making their count more reliable.

Key Habitats for Leopards in Odisha

• Similipal Tiger Reserve: The most important habitat for leopards and Royal Bengal Tigers in Odisha.
• Satkosia Landscape: Shows a growing population of leopards, ranking second in the state.
• Despite the increasing leopard population, poaching remains a serious issue. Between 2018 and 2023, 59 leopard skins were seized in the state, highlighting the threat of illegal hunting.
• Continuous conservation efforts are essential to protect leopards and ensure their population continues to grow.