Today's Current Affairs 10th October 2023

INTERNATIONAL

India, Switzerland celebrate 75 yrs of friendship at Kumaon village

• India and Switzerland recently celebrated 75 years of their enduring friendship and fruitful collaboration in a beautiful Kumaon village nestled in the Uttarakhand region of India.
• The three-day event, aptly named ‘Swiss Himalayan Bounty,’ unfolded last week at a charming homestay in Satoli village, positioned at an altitude of 6,000 feet near Mukteshwar in the Nainital district.
• A significant focus of the celebration was the showcase of the remarkable achievements of rural women in the Champawat district who have reaped the benefits of projects supported by the Switzerland-based organization, Swiss Himalayan Amity (SHA).
• SHA’s involvement in the region revolves around four distinct programs: Aarohi, Arogya, Alaap, and Cankids.

 NATIONAL

India's first solar roof cycling track thrown open in Hyderabad

• In a remarkable stride towards promoting eco-friendly and active mobility, Hyderabad, India, proudly inaugurated its first solar roof cycling track, Healthway.
• This innovative track, which is a pioneering initiative in the country, was officially opened by K Tarakarama Rao, the state Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister.
• Situated on the bustling Outer Ring Road (ORR) between the main carriageway and the service road, this track is designed to be accessible 24/7. Its inauguration marks a significant step towards transforming Hyderabad into the active mobility capital of India.

Country’s oldest think tank USI to hold first Indian Military Heritage Festival

• The United Service Institution of India (USI), the nation’s oldest think tank, is set to host the first-ever Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF), scheduled for October 21 and 22.
• The pursuit of self-reliance in military capabilities through the Atmanirbhar Bharat programs.
• The IMHF seeks to deepen our understanding of India’s extensive military heritage and traditions.
• Through insightful discussions, the festival aims to enlighten attendees from all walks of life about the multifaceted dimensions of India’s military history.

UP CM yogi Adityanath unveils freedom fighter Raja Rao stature in Unnao

• Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth Rs 804 crore on Monday and unveiled the equestrian statue of freedom fighter Raja Rao Rambaksh Singh in Daundiyakheda village of UP's Unnao district.

 SPORTS

Kenyan Kiptum breaks Kipchoge’s world record to win Chicago Marathon men’s title

• Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum left the running world in awe as he shattered the men’s world record, clocking a time of just two hours and 35 seconds, to claim victory at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday.
• He broke the previous record set by Eliud Kipchoge in the 2022 Berlin Marathon.
• Kelvin Kiptum’s journey to the pinnacle of marathon running has been nothing short of extraordinary.
• The young Kenyan had previously secured victories in his first two marathon appearances, first triumphing in Valencia and then repeating his success in the London Marathon. However, Kiptum’s record-breaking performance in Chicago surpassed all expectations.
• Kiptum’s victory marked the third time a men’s world record had been established on the streets of Chicago, but it was the first time since Morocco’s Khalid Khannouchi achieved the feat in 1999.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

World Mental Health Day 2023: 10th October

• World Mental Health Day on October 10th is a global initiative that brings organizations and individuals together to commemorate the importance of mental well-being.
• This occasion serves to enhance knowledge, raise awareness, and drive actions that promote and protect the mental health of all individuals as a fundamental human right.
• World Mental Health Day 2023 provides a platform for individuals and communities to unite under the theme “Mental health is a universal human right.”
• The theme of World Mental Health Day 2023 serves as a catalyst for individuals and communities to address mental health challenges.

SUMMITS AND MOU’S

India and Tanzania Set to Ink 15 Agreements, Aiming for USD 10 Billion Trade

• India and Tanzania are set to boost their bilateral cooperation as Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan visits India after an eight-year gap.
• The visit aims to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership and enhance trade and investment ties. Tanzanian Foreign Minister January Yusuf Makamba anticipates the signing of 15 agreements covering various areas of cooperation.
• Expectations of 15 agreements spanning government-to-government and private sector collaborations.
• Tanzanian President to address a business forum in New Delhi.
• Objective: Enhance trade volumes and expand bilateral trade to USD 10 billion in the next three years.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Ahead of Bima Vistaar rollout, IRDAI issues guidelines on Bima Vahaks

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has announced its ambitious plan to deploy ‘Bima Vahaks’ in every Gram Panchayat across the country by December 31, 2024.
• IRDAI has introduced the ‘Bima Vahaks (BV)’ initiative to expand insurance coverage and accessibility.
• The objective of this initiative remains women-centric, with the aim of creating a dedicated distribution channel that ensures the availability of insurance services in every corner of India.
• These guidelines distinguish between two categories of Bima Vahaks: individual and corporate.
• Both these categories play a crucial role in the distribution of insurance services.

YES BANK becomes the first bank to offer 'ONDC Network Gift Card'

• YES Bank, a prominent financial institution in India, has taken a significant leap forward in the digital commerce space by introducing the ONDC Network Gift Card. This move makes YES Bank the first bank in the country to issue such a card.
• The ONDC Network Gift Card is at the forefront of democratizing digital commerce. Unlike traditional gift cards that restrict usage to a specific brand or store, this concept empowers customers to utilize the gift card for purchasing products from any brand and any seller across a wide array of segments.

Urban unemployment falls to 6.6% in Q1 FY24

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released its quarterly bulletin of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), shedding light on the urban unemployment situation in India during the first quarter of the fiscal year.
• In the April-June quarter of this fiscal year, the urban unemployment rate in India dropped to 6.6%.
• This was the lowest level recorded since the PLFS bulletin was launched in 2018.
• For males above the age of 15, the urban unemployment rate decreased from 6.0% in the previous quarter to 5.9%.
• For females in the same age group, the unemployment rate decreased from 9.2% to 9.1% during the same period.