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 AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
Current Affairs 4 October 2023 : Headlines

❖ President Droupadi Murmu gives assent to Women’s Reservation Bill

❖ Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Launched Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav and Technology &
Bharatiya Bhasha Summit
❖ HDFC Pension Launches a First-of-its-kind NPS Preference Index on the Occasion of NPS Diwas
❖ WDRA Signs MoU with Bank of India to Fund against e-NWRs
❖ SBI Life Insurance & State Bank of Sikkim Sign a Bancassurance Pact to Offer Insurance Products
❖ Captain Bana Singh PVC Nominated as Ambassador for ‘War Against Waste’ in J&K
❖ Mohamed Muizzu Elected as the President of Maldives
❖ Shanth Kumar Elected as PTI Chairman; Praveen Someshwar as Vice-Chairman
❖ Indian Army celebrated 197th Gunners Day – 28th September 2023
❖ Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023 – October 1 to 31
❖ International Day of Older Persons 2023 – October 1
❖ International Coffee Day 2023- October 1
❖ World Vegetarian Day 2023 – October 1
❖ Uttarakhand CM UK Visit from 25-28th September 2023: MoUs worth Rs. 12,500 Crore Signed
for Investment Proposals
❖ Tripura Launches “Yuba Tripura, Natun Tripura, Atmanirbhar Tripura” to Encourage Youth
Entrepreneurship

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 NATIONAL AFFAIRS
President Droupadi Murmu Gives Assent to Women’s Reservation Bill 2023
On September 29, 2023, as per the notification issued by the Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal
,President Droupadi Murmu has granted assent to the Women’s Reservation Bill 2023, which mandates
a 33% reservation (one-third of total seats) for women in the Lok Sabha, State Legislative assemblies, and
National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. This historic decision was officially approved by the President
on September 28, 2023.

• Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairperson, Jagdeep Dhankhar on September 28 signed the
women’s reservation Bill as passed by Parliament before it was presented to President Droupadi
Murmu for her assent.
• Following the President’s assent, this Bill will be recognized as the Constitution (106th
Amendment) Act.
• The Women’s Reservation Bill 2023, officially titled as The Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill,
2023 and commonly referred to as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, has been introduced in the Indian
Parliament.
• This bill, which aims to enhance gender representation, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 19th
September 2023 during a special parliamentary session.
• The Women’s Reservation Bill cannot be enacted into law until the year 2026.The bill can only
become effective after a process known as “delimitation” is carried out in the country.Delimitation is
necessary to allocate seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies in a manner that
reserves a specific percentage (in this case, 33 percent) for women.
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam
i.During the special session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had described the law as “Nari
Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.”
• The Indian Parliament Special Session, 2023 was a Special Session held in the Parliament of India
from 18 to 22 September 2023.
• This special session witnessed the transfer of parliamentary proceedings from the existing premises
to the New Parliament House, the Sansad Bhavan in New Delhi. Notably, this special session of
Parliament did not incorporate Question Hour, Zero Hour, or Private Member Business.
• During this session, the Women’s Reservation Bill was introduced on September 19, 2023, which is
the first bill to be presented in the new parliament building.
ii.The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, will also apply to seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and
Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies.
• The demand for a separate OBC quota was also raised during the session.

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Note: The present Bill does not include provisions for women’s reservation in the Rajya Sabha and State
Legislative Councils. Rajya Sabha presently exhibits a lower representation of women compared to the Lok
Sabha.
Summary of Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023
The Bill introduces major amendments in various articles of constitution by inserting new clauses.
(i) Reservation for Women in NCT of Delhi (New clause in 239AA):
In article 239AA of the Constitution,
• One-third of total Seats shall be reserved for women in the Legislative Assembly of the National
Capital Territory of Delhi.
• About One-third of the seats will be reserved for the Scheduled Castes in the Legislative Assembly
of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, one-third of these seats will be reserved for women.
• One-third of all directly elected seats in the assembly will be reserved for women. This includes
seats reserved for women from Scheduled Castes as well.
(ii) Reservation of seats for women in the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
As per Article 330A, one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election to the House of the
People shall be reserved for women in the Lok Sabha.
• About one-third of the total number of seats shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled
Castes or the Scheduled Tribes.
(iii) Reservation for Women in State Legislative Assemblies:
• The Bill introduces Article 332A, which mandates the reservation of seats for women in every state
Legislative Assembly.
• Additionally, one-third of the seats reserved for SCs and STs must be allocated for women, and one-
third of the total seats filled through direct elections to the Legislative Assemblies shall also be
reserved for women.
(iv) Commencement of Reservation:
• The New article – 334A is introduced, according to which the reservation will be effective after the
census conducted after the commencement of this Bill has been published. Based on the
census, delimitation will be undertaken to reserve seats for women.
• The reservation will be provided for a period of 15 years. However, it shall continue till such
date as determined by a law made by Parliament.
(v) Rotation of Seats: The Bill provided that reserved seats for women may be allotted by rotation to different
constituencies in states or Union Territories.
• In the seats reserved for SCs/STs, the Bill sought to provide one-third of the seats to be reserved
for women on rotational basis.
• Seats reserved for women will be rotated after each delimitation, as determined by a law made by
Parliament.
(vi) The Bill has been introduced with the objective of achieving the goal of becoming ‘Vikasit Bharat’ by
2047 and it would require contribution of all sections of society including women, constituting a half of the
population. Following initiatives are mentioned in the bill:
• Spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’.
• Women led development, Women’s empowerment, financial independence, education, and health
access for women.
• Ease of Living, measures like Ujjawala Yojana, Swacch Bharat Mission, and Mudra Yojna.
Click here to view the Bill

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History of the Women Representation Bill:
i.Historical Roots: The issue of women’s reservation in Indian politics dates to the Indian national
movement. In 1931, leaders like Begum Shah Nawaz and Sarojini Naidu advocated for women’s political
representation through an official memorandum to then British Prime Minister.
ii.National Perspective Plan: In 1988, the National Perspective Plan for Women recommended reservation
for women in politics from the panchayat level to the Parliament.
iii.Constitutional Amendments: The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992, and the Constitution (74th
Amendment) Act, 1992, introduced articles 243D and 243T, respectively, to provide reservations for
women in Panchayats and Municipalities.
iv.Unsuccessful Attempts: Various bills were introduced to reserve one-third of seats for women in the House
of the People and State Legislative Assemblies. The Constitution (81st Amendment) Bill, 1996, and subsequent
bills in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2003 faced challenges and failed to pass due to lack of consensus among
political parties.
• The Constitution (84th Amendment) Bill, 1998, intended to reserve seats for women in Lok Sabha,
State Assemblies, and Delhi Legislative Assembly. It lapsed with the 12th Lok Sabha dissolution,
referred to the Geeta Mukherjee Committee.
Note: In 2006, Bihar became the first State to provide 50% reservation for women in panchayat bodies. At
present, more than 20 States have 50% reservation for women at the panchayat level.
Statistics of Women Political Representation of India:
i.After implementation of this Act, there should be at least 181 (approximately 33.3% of seats) women
members in the Lower House and 31 women in Rajya Sabha (13%).
• As of the current data, there are 82 women in the Lok Sabha, constituting 15% of its members. In the
Rajya Sabha, there are 24 women, accounting for less than 10% of total seats.
ii.In 20 States & Union Territories (UTs) less than 10% Member of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are female.
• This includes States such as Gujarat (2%), Maharashtra (8.3%), Andhra Pradesh (8%), Kerala
(7.9%), Tamil Nadu (5.1%), Telangana (5%) and Karnataka (4.5%).
iii.Across party lines, women form just 13.5% of sitting members of the largest party in the Lower House, the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
• The highest share of women MPs in the Lok Sabha are from the Biju Janata Dal (41.7%) followed by
the Trinamool Congress (40.9%).
• The party-wise analysis of the State Legislative Assemblies shows that the Trinamool Congress in
West Bengal had the highest share of women MLAs (3%) followed by the Congress in Chhattisgarh
(14.7%).
• The Congress in Karnataka (3%), the Bharat Rashtra Samithi in Telangana (4%), and the Dravida
Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu (4.5%) had among the lowest shares.
Women Representation in Parliament of India: A Global Perspective
i.The representation of women in India’s Parliament is among the lowest in the world. When compared
with BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) nations, including the new members, India has the
second-lowest representation of 15%, the second lowest after Iran’s 6%.
• According to recent UN Women data, Rwanda (61%), Cuba (53%), Nicaragua (52%) are the top
three countries in women representation.
• Bangladesh (21%) and Pakistan (20%) as well are ahead of India in case of female representation.
ii.In the World Economy Forum (WEF)’s 2023 Global Gender Gap Report,India ranked 127 out of 146
countries in terms of gender parity.India’s performance in the domain of Political Empowerment, specifically
the percentage of women in parliament, ranked 59th out of 146 countries.

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About Delimitation:
i.Delimitation is the process of redrawing electoral
boundaries for Lok Sabha and state Assembly constituencies
based on the latest population data.The Delimitation
Commission Act, established in 1952, governs the
delimitation process in India.
• The President of India appoints the Delimitation
Commission, which collaborates with the
Election Commission of India.
ii.Delimitation aims to ensure that constituency sizes
accurately reflect demographic changes and that each vote
carries equal weight.
• Article 82 mandates the Parliament to enact a
Delimitation Act after each Census to redefine
Lok Sabha constituencies.
• Article 170 requires states to divide their
territorial constituencies based on the Delimitation Act after every Census.
Note: The census, due in 2021, faced delays due to the Covid pandemic and there is no clarity yet on when it
will be carried out now. Delimitation is considered as a necessary pre-requisite for implementing women’s
reservations, as it determines which one-third of the seats will be reserved for women candidates. This process
can be complex and time-consuming.
About Lok Sabha (House of People/Lower House)
• Speaker: Om Birla (Constituency-Kota), 17th speaker
• Maximum strength: 550
About Rajya Sabha (Council of States/Upper House)
Ex-officio chairperson: Vice President of India- Sh. Jagdeep Dhankhar (14th)
Maximum strength: 250 members, Present strength of Rajya Sabha -245 members

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Launched Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav and Technology &
Bharatiya Bhasha Summit
On 30th September 2023, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the Ministry of Education(MoE) and the
Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), launched the Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav and
inaugurated the two-day Technology & Bharatiya Bhasha summit in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The 2-day summit, held from 30th September to 1st October 2023, was organised as a part of the
75-day Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav that commenced on 28 September 2023 and will conclude on 11
December 2023.
• An exhibition was also set up to showcase Bharatiya Bhasha technology products, and their
applications by the industries, government organizations, and start-ups.

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Note: Significant book by various officials were presented to dignitaries symbolizing the rich literary heritage
of Bharatiya languages and students of Kendriya Vidyalaya shared their experiences in 22 different languages.
Organisers:
The summit was organised by the MoE, MSDE, and their constituent institutions such as the Central Institute of
Indian Languages (CIIL), University Grants Commission (UGC), National Educational Technology
Forum (NETF), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), National Centre for Vocational & Technical
Education (NCVTE), National Council for Teachers Education (NCTE), Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti (BBS) and
others.
About the Summit:
The Summit aims to enable a seamless transition from the current education ecosystem to one rooted in
Bharatiya languages, in line with the National Education Policy(NEP) 2020 vision and paves the way for a
technologically driven future in Bharatiya language education.
Thematic Sessions:
The Summit encompassed 3 thematic sessions:
1. Technology FOR Bharatiya Languages;
2. Technology IN Bharatiya Languages, and
3. Technology THROUGH Bharatiya Languages.
These themes will emphasise the integration of technology in promoting Bharatiya Bhasha (according to NEP-
2020).
Note: Technology’s role in teaching-learning of Bharatiya languages, the use of Machine Learning, and language
modeling for speech recognition, and Unicode standardization for Bharatiya language scripts were also
discussed under the theme of Technology FOR Bharatiya Languages.
Roadmap in the Summit:
During the two-day summit, a road map for achieving the vision of education in Bharatiya Languages was
prepared for implementation by all stakeholders in the field of education.
• The active participation from stakeholders across various sectors, including academia, students,
research scholars, edutech and infotech industry professionals, technical experts, media
representatives, and freelancers.
Bharatiya Bhasha Divas:
i.The Government of India has proposed to celebrate the birthday of renowned Tamil poet and freedom
fighter Mahakavi Subramania Bharati as Bharatiya Bhasha Divas on 11 December.
• 11th December (1882) commemorates the birth anniversary of Subramania Bharati.
Highlights of the Summit:
iThe integration of technology offers an opportunity to contextualize and preserve India’s knowledge system.
ii.The summit aims to promote discussions on language for technology, language in technology, and language
through technology, paving the way for a robust ecosystem for Indian languages.
• One-third of the world’s coders hail from India. This underscores India’s prowess in technology and
innovation on the global stage.
iii.NEP 2020’s inclusion of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) recognizes the fundamental significance
of language development in education.
iv.Students were emphasised to grasp technology, particularly regenerative Artificial Intelligence (AI), as a
powerful tool to break down language barriers and enhance learning experiences.
v.Discussions were held on agendas like “Leverage Technology for Bharatiya Languages”, “Operating Systems
and Software Localization”, “Search Engine Localization” and more.
Recent related news:
On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day 2023 (15th July 2023), Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) launched a free online training programme on Artificial
Intelligence (AI), “AI for India 2.0“.

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About Ministry of Education (MoE):
Union Minister– Dharmendra Pradhan (Rajya Sabha Madhya Pradesh)
Ministers of State– Annpurna Devi (Constituency- Kodarma,Jharkhand); Dr. Subhas Sarkar (Constituency-
Bankura, West Bengal); Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh (Constituency- Inner Manipur, Manipur)

BANKING & FINANCE

HDFC Pension Launches a First-of-its-kind NPS Preference Index on the Occasion of NPS Diwas
HDFC Pension Management Company Limited has launched a first-of-its-kind ‘National Pension System (NPS)
Preference Index’ on the occasion of 2nd edition of NPS Diwas which was observed on 1st October 2023.

• HDFC Pension also released NPS Preference Index Study which is the industry first spotlight on
NPS.
• HDFC Pension Management Company Limited,a subsidiary of HDFC Life Insurance Company
Limited is one of the Pension Fund Managers (PFM’s) appointed by Pension Fund Regulatory and
Development Authority (PFRDA) in India to manage funds for the National Pension System (NPS).
What is NPS?
i.National Pension System (NPS) is a voluntary, defined-contribution pension scheme.It is a government-
backed retirement savings program designed to provide financial security after retirement.
ii.It was launched in India in 2004.
iii.It is open to all Indian citizens between the ages of 18 and 70.
iv.It is regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
v.The National Pension System (NPS) in India operates through a unique identification number called
the Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN). This PRAN is allocated to every subscriber and is used
for all transactions and communications related to the NPS.
NPS Preference Index Study 2023:
i.The aim of the survey is to assess consumers’ views on retirement and their awareness, interest, and
contemplation of the NPS.This resulting in the framing NPS Preference Index, which can be tracked over time.
• Additionally, the North region exhibits the highest NPS Preference Index (57) in comparison to other
regions, signifying a strong inclination towards NPS among people in the northern part of the
country.
ii.This research has been conducted in association with an independent market researcher Ipsos Research
Private Limited.
iii.The Index is a powerful metric derived from three broad aspects such as
• Familiarity with NPS
• Appeal of NPS
• Consideration for NPS
Findings:
i.The survey results show that the NPS Preference Index is currently 54 out of 100. This means that the NPS is
at moderate level and is equally influenced by the three pillars.

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ii.The study indicates that 32years is the ideal age to start
retirement
planning as per consumers.
iii.Despite being relatively new, the NPS is a popular
financial investment option for retirement planning, with
24% of people owning it.
iv.Tax benefits, peers, and financial advisors encourage
people to buy NPS, but educating people about NPS and its
features is essential to increase adoption.
About NPS Diwas:
i.The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority
(PFRDA) observes National Pension System
Diwas (NPS Diwas) every year on 1st October.
• The day aims to promote pension and retirement
planning among the people of India, and make
them financial independence post retirement.
ii.It is a campaign under ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
iii.The day was first observed on 1st October 2022.
Additional Info:
This research study was based on the responses od the people in NCCS (New Consumer Classification
System) A households with annual incomes above Rs10 lakhs (or Rs 7 lakhs in Tier III cities) in 12 Indian cities
between August and September 2023.
About HDFC Pension Management Company Limited:
HDFC Pension Management Company Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of HDFC Life Insurance Company
Limited.
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Sriram Iyer
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established in – 2011

WDRA Signs MoU with Bank of India to Fund against e-NWRs

Warehousing Development Regulatory Authority (WDRA) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
the Bank of India (BoI) to fund against e-NWRs (electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt).
• The MoU was signed in the presence of T.K Manoj Kumar, Chairperson, WDRA, Rajneesh Karnatak,
Managing director (MD) cum Chief Executive Officer (CEO), BoI.
• The MoU also aims to provide information to depositors about the benefits, besides doing further
outreach activities to improve agricultural pledge finance in India.
• The MoU aims to facilitate farmers and traders by offering low-interest rate loans, no Additional
collateral, and attractive interest rates.
• Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt (eNWR) is a digital warehousing receipt issued by
registered warehouses regulated and governed by WDRA.
• The farmers were given e-NWRs once they stored their produce in scientific storage godowns
authorised by WDRA and seek loan from e-NWRsbanks against their e-NWR.
Note:
The WDRA is a Statutory Authority under the Department of Food and Public Distribution(DFPD) of the
Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution.

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SBI Life Insurance & State Bank of Sikkim Sign a Bancassurance Pact to Offer Insurance
Products
Sate Bank of India (SBI) Life Insurance Company Limited signed a bancassurance pact with the State Bank of
Sikkim (SBS) to make insurance solutions accessible to the residents of Sikkim.
• The agreement was signed by P. Wangdi Bhutia, Managing Director, State Bank of Sikkim, and
Jayant Pandey, Regional Director- Bengal region, SBI Life Insurance at the SBS’s headquarters in
Gangtok, Sikkim.
• Bancassurance is an agreement between a bank and an insurance company, through which the
insurer can sell its products to the bank’s customers.
• Through this partnership, the State Bank of Sikkim offers SBI Life’s diverse range of protection,
wealth creation, and savings insurance products to its customers.
Note:
SBI Life Insurance is a joint venture between State Bank of India (SBI) (55.50%) and French financial
institution BNP Paribas Cardif.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Captain Bana Singh PVC Nominated as Ambassador for ‘War Against Waste’ in J&K
The Directorate of Rural Sanitation, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) has nominated Param Vir
Chakra(PVC) Awardee Captain Bana Singh as the ambassador for the “War Against Waste”, initiative to takle
sanitation challenges in rural areas of J&K.

• The “War Against Waste” campaign attempts to resolve waste management and environmental
conservation challenges in rural J&K.
• Captain Bana Singh’s participation in the cause will create awareness, encourage sustainable
practices, and inspire local populations to actively participate in waste reduction and the
preservation of J&K’s scenery.
• Charandeep Singh, Director of Rural Sanitation of J&K announced the nomination of ambassador at
Captain Bana Singh Stadium, R. S. Pura, Jammu during the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS 2023) campaign.
About Captain Bana Singh:
i.Captain Bana Singh served in the 8th Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI).
• He played a key role in ‘Operation Rajiv’ in which Indian armed forces’ recaptured ‘Quaid Post’ in
Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 21,000 feet, from Pakistani soldiers in June 1987.
• The recaptured post was renamed as the ‘Bana Top’ in his honour.
ii.He was awarded India’s highest wartime gallantry medal “Param Vir Chakra” in 1988.
About Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS 2023):
i.The Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS 2023) campaign was celebrated from 15th September to 2nd October 2023
under the joint aegis of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) and the Ministry of Housing
and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

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 • The theme of SHS-2023 is ‘Garbage Free India’ with a focus on visual cleanliness and the welfare of
SafaiMitras(sanitation Workers).
ii.The campaign aims to mass movement through community participation to reinforce the concept of
Sanitation as everyone’s business.
iii.It also was part of Swachh Bharat Diwas (2nd October) with nationwide participation.
About Jammu and Kashmir(J&K):
Lieutenant Governor – Manoj Sinha
Dance Forms – Wuegi-Nachun, Bacha Nagma, Bhand Jashan
Festivals – Hemis Festival, Sindhu Darshan Festival, Amarnath Yatra

Mohamed Muizzu Elected as the President of Maldives

Mohamed Muizzu of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) was elected as the New President of Maldives.
He is set to be sworn in on 17th November 2023.

• He defeated the incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (2018 to 2023) of the Maldivian
Democratic Party (MDP) by securing 54% of the votes.
About Mohamed Muizzu:
i.The 45-year-old Mohamed Muizzu is currently serving as the mayor of the capital Male since 2021, and he is
the first mayor of Male to be elected by the people.
ii.He had served as the minister of housing and environment from 2012 to 2018 under then-Maldives president
Abdulla Yameen.
• During his tenure as minister, he oversaw the building of the China-Maldives friendship bridge that
connects the capital Male’, the international airport on Hulhule, and man-made Hulhumale Island.
iii.He had also served as the Governor of the Maldives for the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank (AIDB).
About the 2023 Election:
i.The candidate need to secures the necessary 50% to win in the Presidential elections in Maldives.
• In the 1st round, Mohamed Muizzu secured 46 % while Ibrahim Solih secured 39%, none of them
cross the threshold mark of 50%.
• In the 3nd round, Mohamed Muizzu led with the 53 % of the polled while Ibrahim Solih secured
only 46%.
About Maldives:
The Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, comprised of 1192 islands that stretch along a length of
871 kilometers.
President – Mohamed Muizzu
Capital – Male
Currency – Maldivian Rufiyaa

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Shanth Kumar Elected as PTI Chairman; Praveen Someshwar as Vice-Chairman
K.N. Shanth Kumar of Deccan Herald was elected as the Chairman of the Press Trust of India (PTI) for the one-
year term and Praveen Someshwar, the Chief Executive Officer of Hindustan Times, was elected as the Vice-
Chairman.
• Shanth Kumar succeds Aveek Kumar Sarkar, who had served as Chairman of PTI for 2 consecutive
terms (2020 – 2023). Shanth Kumar has previously held the Chairmanship of PTI from 2013 to
2014.
• The election took place at a meeting of PTI’s Board of Directors following their Annual General
Meeting at the headquarters of PTI in New Delhi, Delhi.
About K.N. Shanth Kumar: K.N. Shanth Kumar has been editor and director with The Printers (Mysore) since
1983.
• The Printers (Mysore) are the publishers of Deccan Herald and Prajavani newspapers and related
publications.
• He was also the Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) and a member of the Indian
Newspaper Society (INS) Executive Committee for more than 20 years.
About Praveen Someshwar: Someshwar also led PepsiCo’s business in the food and beverage sector across
Asia.
Note:
PTI is India’s largest and oldest private news agency which was registered in 1947 and started functioning in
1949.

IMPORTANT DAYS
Indian Army celebrated 197th Gunners Day – 28th September 2023
The Regiment of Artillery, an operational arm of Indian Army, annually observes September 28th as
the “Gunners Day”.

• The 28th of September 2023 marks the observance of the 197th Gunners day.
• The day commemorates the raising of 5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery, equipped with 2.5-inch Guns
as the 8th Company of the Golandaz Battalion, Bombay Foot Artillery (India’s first Artillery unit), on
28th September 1827.
What is Artilley?
Artillery refers to a group of soldiers primarily armed with some form of manufactured weapon or armour.
About Regiment of Artillery:
i.The Regiment of Artillery, the second-largest arm of the Indian Army, has been a part of the Indian defence
since its independence.
ii.The motto of the Regiment is Sarvatra Izat-o-Iqbal (Everywhere with Honour and Glory).
Contribution & Recognition:
i.The regiment made their contribution is post independence wars such as Indo-China war 1962, Indo-Pakistan

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war 1947, Indo-Pakistan war 1965, Indo-Pakistan war 1965 and Kargil war 1999.
ii.The regiment was recognised with honours such as:
• Pre-independence era: One Victoria Cross, One Distinguished Service Order & 15 Military Crosses.
• Post independence era: One Ashok Chakra, Seven Maha Vir Chakras, Nine Kirti Chakras, One
Hundred and One Vir Chakras, Sixty Nine Shaurya Chakras, 6 Bar to Sena Medal, 502 Sena Medals
besides many other decorations.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023 – October 1 to 31

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) is annually observed across the globe during the month
of October (from October 1 to 31) to raise awareness about breast cancer, promote early detection, support
those affected by the disease, and raise funds for research, prevention, and treatment.

• BCAM, the month-long global health campaign, serves as a reminder of the significance of regular
breast examinations and mammograms to detect breast cancer at an early, more treatable stage.
Symbol: The pink ribbon is an international symbol of support for breast cancer awareness month.
• In a global effort to raise awareness of breast cancer, October has been designated as “Pink Month“.
Background:
i.The event started as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), a weeklong event in October 1985.
ii.It was organised in partnership between the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the pharmaceutical division
of Imperial Chemical Industries, which would later become part of AstraZeneca.
• NBCAM was organised to promote mammograms as the most effective tool to fight breast cancer.
History of the Pink Ribbon:
i.Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization has used the colour pink since its inception in
1982.
ii.In 1992, Evelyn H. Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of Estée Lauder (Cosmetics Company) and breast
cancer survivor launched the Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign, and in 1993, she founded the Breast
Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
• The Estée Lauder Companies’ iconic brands support its mission to create a breast cancer-free world
and raise funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
Note: The original pink ribbon inspiration colour was peach.
About Breast Cancer:
i.Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast as a group of cancer cells that can then invade surrounding
tissues or spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body.
ii.Breast cancer most often begins with cells in the milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma).
iii.It may also begin in the glandular tissue called lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma) or in other cells or tissue
within the breast.
Significance:
i.Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women.
The goal is to reduce breast cancer mortality by 2.5% per year.
ii.23% of breast cancer cases are preventable. Taking steps such as maintaining a healthy weight, limiting
alcohol intake, and quitting smoking, can help reduce the risk.

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iii.Breast cancer deaths disproportionately affect individuals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
iv.In high-income countries, the 5-year survival rates exceed 90% (9 out of 10), compared with 66% (6 out of
10) in India and 40% (4 out of 10) in South Africa.
v.Survival rates for breast cancer are very high when the cancer is detected early and where treatment is
available.
Breast Cancer in India:
i.According to the National Cancer Registry of India, it is estimated that by 2025, there will be 230,000 new
cases of breast cancer annually in India, with an increase in young women being diagnosed.
ii.Young women with breast cancer are typically diagnosed at or below the age of 40. They constitute less than
10% of all new breast cancer cases annually.
iii.Risk factors such as genetic mutations, obesity, and delayed childbirth can contribute to its occurrence.

International Day of Older Persons 2023 – October 1

The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) is annually observed across the globe
on October 1 to raise awareness of the contributions and achievements of older individuals (defined as those
aged 65 years or older) in society, as well as to promote their well-being and inclusion in all aspects of life.

• 1st October 2023 marks the observance of the 33nd anniversary of the IDOP.
Theme:
The theme for IDOP 2023 is “Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for
Older Persons: Across Generations.”
• The theme highlights the unique needs of older people globally in terms of their rights and reporting
violations, in addition to fostering solidarity through equity and reciprocity between the generations
offers long-term solutions to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDG) promise.
Background:
i.The background of International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) can be traced back to the 1982 World Assembly
on Ageing (WAA), which adopted the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing (VIPAA).
ii.In 1990, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) through Resolution A/RES/45/106 declared October
1 as the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP).
iii.The first IDOP was observed on 1st October 1991.
Objectives of UNIDOP 2023:
i.To increase global knowledge and awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and encourage all
stakeholders to commit to protecting the human rights of older people around the world.
ii.To share and learn from intergenerational models for the protection of human rights around the world; and
iii.To encourage governments and UN entities to review their current practices to better integrate a life course
approach to human rights in their work, and to ensure the active and meaningful participation of all
stakeholders, including civil society, national human rights institutions, and older people themselves, in efforts
to strengthen solidarity among generations and intergenerational partnerships.
Significance of Older persons:
i.Older persons are invaluable sources of knowledge and experience and have much to contribute towards
peace, sustainable development, and protecting our planet.

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ii.United Nations had declared 2020-30 as the Decade of Healthy Ageing to improve the lives of older people,
their families, and the communities in which they live.
iii.Rapid growth in the number of people reaching older ages underscores the significance of promoting health,
preventing, and treating illnesses throughout the entire course of life.
• The number of older people tripled from around 260 million in 1980 to 761 million in 2021.
Between 2021 and 2050, the global share of the older population is projected to increase from less
than 10% to around 17%.
In India:
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, as the nodal ministry for the cause of senior citizens, has been
celebrating the day since 2005 by conferring Vayoshreshtha Sammans to eminent Senior Citizens and
Institutions in recognition for their service towards the elderly persons, especially indigent senior citizens.
Additional Info:
According to ‘Caring for Our Elders Institutional Responses: India Ageing Report
2023’ released by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India, along with the International Institute for
Population Sciences (IIPS)
i.The population of the senior citizen is 10% of India’s population. By 2036, it will be 14.36%. In 2050 it will be
20.8%
ii.The report predicts that by 2046 elderly population will surpassed the population of children (aged 0 to 15
years) in the country.
Recent Related News:
World Senior Citizen’s Day is annually celebrated across the globe on 21st August to honour the efforts,
contributions, and achievements made by elderly people to society, families, and communities. The day also
recognises the issues that an elderly individual faces in old age.

International Coffee Day 2023- October 1

International Coffee Day (ICD) is annually observed across the globe on 1 October to celebrate and promote
the global love and appreciation for coffee. This day provides an opportunity to recognize the significant
cultural, economic, and social impact of coffee around the world.

• ICD aims to recognise the millions of people across the globe, from farmers to roasters, baristas,
coffee shop owners, and more, who work hard to create and serve the beverage.
The 2023 theme of International Coffee Day is, “promoting the right to a safe and healthy working
environment in the coffee supply chain”.
• The celebration of ICD is led by International Coffee Organisation (ICO), with its 77 Member States
and dozens of coffee associations from around the world.
Background:
i.In March 2014, the Member States of the ICO agreed to observe International Coffee Day on 1 October of every
year to create a single day of celebration for coffee lovers around the world.
ii.The first ever ICD was observed on 1 October 2015 by 74 member states of the ICO and 26 coffee
associations from around the world.

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iii.The first ICD coincided with the 115th session of the International Coffee Council (ICC) and the first Global
Coffee Forum (GCF) which took place during Expo Milan 2015 in Milan, Italy.
About Coffee:
i.The coffee plants originated in East Africa, particularly Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia), where wild coffee plants
grew naturally.
ii.Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted coffee beans, which are the seeds of “berries” from the Coffea
plant.
• Coffee comes from a genus of plants known as Coffea of the family Rubiaceae.
iii.It is one of the 3 most popular beverages in the world (alongside water and tea).
Types: 2 economically important species of coffee are Coffea Arabica and C. canephora.
Areas: Coffee plants are cultivated in over 70 countries and the primary coffee growing and exporting areas are
in the equatorial region.
Key Facts:
i.The top 5 coffee producing countries are: Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.
• These 5 countries account for nearly 75% of the world’s coffee production.
ii.Coffee is the second-most-exported commodity in the world after oil.
iii.Finland, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, and the Netherlands are the top 5 Coffee consuming countries.
iv.World coffee exports amounted to 10.21 million bags in July 2023, compared with 10.37 million in July 2022.
v.Top 3 Coffee producing states in India: Karnataka (72.5 %), Kerala (18.9%), Tamil Nadu (5.1%).
2023 Events:
To commemorate the ICD 2023 on 1 October 2023, the ICO and the International Labor Organization (ILO), a
United Nations (UN) agency jointly launched the #CoffeePeople Campaign and a social media challenge around
the ICD 2023 theme.
About International Coffee Organisation (ICO):
Chair of the International Coffee Council (ICC 2022-2023)– Massimiliano Fabian
Executive Director– Vanúsia Nogueira
Headquarters– London, United Kingdom
ICO is the main intergovernmental organization for coffee. Its Member governments represent 98% of world
coffee production and 67% of world consumption.
ICO was set up in 1963 under the auspices of the UN.

World Vegetarian Day 2023 – October 1

World Vegetarian Day(WVD) is annually observed across the globe on October 1 to promote the joy,
compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism.

• World Vegetarian Day marks the beginning of Vegetarian Awareness Month, which begins on 1st
October and concludes on 1st November, World Vegan Day.
Background:
i.World Vegetarian Day was formed in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS).

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ii.The day was endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union (IVU) in 1978.
iii.As of now World Vegetarian Day is celebrated in more than 180 countries around the world.
• It is also recognized as a national day in several countries, including India, Brazil, China, France, and
Thailand.
Significance
i.The day spread the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle and encourages people to explore plant-based diets to
create positive impact on health and the environment.
ii.Around 22% of the global population is vegetarian.
iii.Most number of vegetarians reside in India with 38% of the total population following meat-less diet .
• Followed by Israel and Taiwan with 13% and 12% respectively.
Types Of Vegetarians
Vegetarians are individuals who typically do not eat animal products, but some groups are defined by the types
of animal-derived foods that they eat.
i.Lacto-ovo vegetarians: They consume eggs and dairy products but do not eat any meat, poultry, or fish.
ii.Lacto vegetarians: they omit eggs, meat, fish, and poultry, but do consume dairy products.
iii.Vegans: They omit all foods derived from animals, including eggs, dairy, meat, fish, and poultry.

STATE NEWS
Uttarakhand CM UK Visit from 25-28th September 2023: MoUs worth Rs. 12,500 Crore Signed
for Investment Proposals
Uttarakhand Chief Minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami visited London and Birmingham, the United Kingdom
(UK) from September 26-28, 2023 to invite Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and industrialists for the
upcoming Uttarakhand Global Investor Summit to be held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand in December 2023 to
achieve the goal of a strong Uttarakhand.

• During his visit, the Uttarakhand government signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with
various companies for investment proposals worth more than Rs 12,500 crore.
• He also participated in a roadshow organised for the Uttarakhand Global Investors’ Summit
in Birmingham (UK) and held a meeting with various industrialists.
Key Highlights:
i.An action plan was conceptualised to accelerate tourism activities in Uttarakhand, in a meeting held at the
High Commission of India in London.
• An investment agreement worth Rs. 4,800 crores was signed with the group involved in various
activities in the tourism sector.
ii.A meeting was held with the Lord Mayor of the London Municipal Corporation for technical assistance in
raising funds from the bond market regarding financial arrangements to develop the infrastructure of
Uttarakhand.

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iii.A meeting was held with the officials of the German Embassy regarding Germany’s support to Uttarakhand
in terms of technical, education, and skill development.
• Uttarakhand’s skilled workforce may find opportunities to work in Germany.
Uttarakhand CM Dhami Took Part in Roadshow in Birmingham for Global Investors Summit
Uttarakhand CM participated in the Roadshow organized for the Global Investors Summit in Birmingham (UK)
and held discussions with various prospective industrialists of Birmingham.
• The theme of the Global Investor Summit to be organized in Uttarakhand has been kept as “Peace
to Prosperity”.
Note: After London, the Uttarakhand government will also organise roadshows in Singapore and Taiwan.
Key Highlights:
i.More than 250 delegates from fields of education, IT, health, and manufacturing industry participated during
the roadshow.
ii.An event will be organised on October 4 2023 in Delhi, to hold discussions with the investors.
iii.Britain (UK) is the 6th largest number of investors in India, with more than 600 industrial units working
across the country.
Uttarakhand Govt Signs MoU With Ropeway Construction Firm Poma Group In London
The Uttarakhand government signed an MoU worth Rs. 2,000 crore with Poma Group, a French cable car
company for investment in Uttarakhand Global Investor’s Summit in London (UK).
• The MoU was signed by Vinay Shankar Pandey, Secretary (industries) Uttarakhand on behalf of the
Uttarakhand government.
Association of Poma Group:
i.The Poma Group has worked in Uttarakhand, having been associated with the Auli ropeway in the Chamoli
district of Uttarakhand.
ii.The Poma Group is also providing technical support in the Dehradun-Mussoorie ropeway & Yamunotri
ropeway projects in Uttarakhand.
iii.Alongside technical support for the ropeway, the Poma Group plans to establish a Center of Excellence in
many other religious and tourist places in Uttarakhand including Haridwar.
Benefits of ropeway:
• Ropeway will provide convenience to the tourists in Uttarakhand.
• Ropeways are environmentally friendly, reducing the carbon footprint associated with conventional
transportation methods.
• It plays a pivotal role in uplifting the livelihoods of the local population and fostering economic
growth.
Other MoU’s:
The Government of Uttarakhand signed 2 separate MoUs in the presence of CM Pushkar Singh Dhami worth Rs
3800 crore:
• Industrial group Kayan Jet in London (UK) for developing a skiing resort and cable car project in
Uttarakhand and
• Investment MoUs worth Rs 1,000 crore with Usha Breco was signed.
i.Kayan Jet: Kayan Jet signed an investment MoU of Rs 2100 crore for developing a skiing resort and another
MoU of Rs 1700 crore for the cable car project in Uttarakhand.
• The agreement by Kayan Jet aims to develop skiing resort projects in Auli, Dayara Bugyal, and
Munsiyari of Uttarakhand.
ii.Usha Bracco Limited: Along with this, an agreement was signed with Usha Breco Limited, a leader in the
field of ropeway agreed to develop a ropeway in Haridwar and other districts of Uttarakhand.
• It specialises in the construction, operation, and maintenance of ropeways.

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Uttarakhand CM Dhami Signs MoUs worth Rs 3,000 Crore with Aager Technology and Fira Barcelona
Investment MoUs worth Rs 3,000 crore were signed by the government of Uttarakhand during Pushkar Singh
Dami’s 4-day visit to the UK. The MoUs were signed with 2 companies during the meeting organised for the
Global Investors Summit in London, UK.
• An MoU worth Rs 2,000 crore was signed with Aager Technology and another for investment worth
Rs 1,000 crore with Fira Barcelona.
Key Points:
i.M/s Agar Technology has agreed to invest in lithium battery plants in Uttarakhand.
• This partnership underscores Uttarakhand’s growing appeal in the renewable energy sector.
ii.Fira Barcelona is a prestigious European group specialising in the convention center and events management.
• Their expertise in organising world-class business fairs enhances Uttarakhand’s global business
prospects.
Additional MoUs:
Additionally, 2 MoUs were signed with Ease My Trip, which agreed to create a state-supported online travel
agency (OTA) and promote Uttarakhand as a prominent global tourism destination.
• This initiative is composed to generate a substantial number of employment opportunities.
Note: For the upcoming Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit, held in Delhi, the Uttarakhand government
secured a Rs 1,000 crore MoU with Mahindra Holidays and Resort India Limited, marking the firm’s “largest
investment in any Indian state”.
• The MoU outlines plans for the establishment of 4 to 5 resorts within Uttarakhand.
Recent Related News:
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi virtually flagged off Uttarakhand’s 1st semi-high-speed Vande
Bharat Train connecting Dehradun with Delhi.
About Uttarakhand:
Chief Minister– Pushkar Singh Dhami
Governor– Gurmit Singh
Festivals– Magh Mela (January – February) and Nanda Raj Jat (August – September once in every twelve years)

Tripura Launches “Yuba Tripura, Natun Tripura, Atmanirbhar Tripura” to Encourage Youth
Entrepreneurship
Tripura Chief Minister(CM) Manik Saha launched “Yuba Tripura, Natun Tripura, Atmanirbhar Tripura”, an
initiative of the Tripura Industries Development Corporation Limited (TIDCL) to encourage youth to set up
industrial and business units.
• The initiative is intended to provide exposure and guidance to 100 interested individuals aged 18 to
45 from each of Tripura’s eight districts, encouraging them to embark on their entrepreneurial
paths.
• They will be provided with insights into small, medium, and large-scale industries, followed by a
presentation on government schemes, policies, and incentives by the Industries and Commerce
Department of Tripura government.
• Representatives from NABARD and several lead banks will explain available loan facilities to the
participants.

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Aspirant: Does Affairscloud covers all the Current affairs topics
related to examinations?

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Affairscloud: We Guaranteed All the Important topics related to
examination are covered in Our Daily CA content and Daily CA
Quizzes.
Aspirant: Why is there a delayal in news?
Affairscloud: As some of the major news sites doesn't provide the
required data on the exact day, we take extra time for important
data to be presented to the aspirants on the examination basis to
ensure nothing is missed.
Example: In 'Important Days' topics the International
Organisations publish their reports and Rankings in the evenings, to
make sure every data is covered, we delay the topics to the next day

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