Today's Current Affairs 10th September 2023

INTERNATIONAL

Successful summit. PM Modi hands over G20 ceremonial gavel to Brazilian president

• In a symbolic ceremony, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over the G20 Presidency gavel to Brazil’s President, marking the transition of leadership within the elite group. The transfer of power took place with warm diplomatic exchanges, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and shared priorities.
• Prime Minister Modi congratulated Brazil’s President, Lula da Silva, and referred to him as a friend. This gesture signified the strong relations between the two nations. Brazil was set to assume the G20 Presidency officially on December 1.
• During the handover ceremony, President Lula da Silva outlined the priorities that Brazil would focus on during its G20 Presidency. These included:
• Social Inclusion and Fight Against Hunger: Highlighting the importance of addressing social inequalities and hunger on a global scale.
• Energy Transition and Sustainable Development: Emphasizing the need for a sustainable approach to energy and overall development.
• Reform of Global Governance Institutions: Advocating for greater representation of emerging countries in organizations like the UN Security Council, World Bank, and IMF.

 NATIONAL

Indore tops clean air survey among cities with mn-plus people

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious plan to improve air quality in over 100 Indian cities through a holistic approach has taken significant strides towards fruition. The recently released Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023 (Clean Air Survey) report, conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board, reveals that Indore, Amravati, and Parwanoo boast the cleanest air in India. These cities have diligently worked towards improving their air quality and have emerged as leaders in the battle against air pollution.
• In cities with a population exceeding one million, Indore secured the top spot, followed by Agra and Thane. Bhopal, a notable performer, stood fifth, while the national capital, Delhi, claimed the ninth spot. This ranking underscores the effectiveness of localized efforts in combatting air pollution in densely populated urban areas.
• Madurai, Jammu, and Kohima face significant challenges in terms of air quality. According to the report, these cities rank the lowest, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to address their air pollution issues. The findings emphasize the importance of tailored action plans for cities struggling with deteriorating air quality.

J&K L-G inaugurates Bangus Valley Festival

• In a significant development, Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, inaugurated the much-anticipated Bangus Valley Festival in the picturesque Kupwara district. The festival’s primary objective is to shed light on the untapped rural and adventure tourism opportunities within the Bangus Valley.
• Speaking at the inauguration, L-G Manoj Sinha emphasized the festival’s role in promoting the rich tribal culture of this offbeat destination. Furthermore, the festival provides a valuable platform for local artisans to exhibit their traditional arts and crafts, contributing to the preservation and propagation of indigenous heritage.
• L-G Manoj Sinha also highlighted the incredible diversity of experiences that Jammu and Kashmir offers to travelers. The region is a haven for adventure enthusiasts, food connoisseurs, pilgrims, and aficionados of traditional handicrafts. The state’s serene mountains and stunning natural beauty only add to its allure.

BRO to construct world's highest fighter airfield in Ladakh's Nyoma

• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is set to achieve a remarkable feat as it embarks on the construction of the world’s highest fighter airfield at Nyoma in Ladakh. The foundation stone of this ambitious project is scheduled to be placed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 12, 2023, at the Devak Bridge in Jammu. This endeavor signifies the BRO’s dedication to strengthening India’s defense capabilities in a region of strategic importance.
• Nyoma stands as a prominent village situated in the southern region of Ladakh, India. It hosts an Indian Air Force Base within the Leh district. Nyoma is notably home to an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) established in 1962. Nyoma’s elevation reaches an impressive 4,180 meters (13,710 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest-altitude locations in the region.

 SPORTS

India’s Praggnanandhaa Finishes Third, Grischuk Takes Open Blitz Title

• At the 2023 Tata Steel Chess India tournament held in Kolkata, R Praggnanandhaa from India achieved an impressive third-place finish, establishing himself as the leading Indian contender. In the Open Blitz category, world champion Alexander Grischuk exhibited his dominance by securing the top position, while Arjun Erigaisi secured the second-best position among Indian participants, securing fourth place in the Chess tournament.
• R Praggnanandhaa made a strong start to the tournament, remaining unbeaten in his initial four games. He displayed his exceptional skills in a fine attacking game against Teimour Radjabov, which set the tone for his performance. However, his journey was not without hurdles, as he encountered defeats in crucial matches against Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Alexander Grischuk, and Vidit Gujrathi.
• Arjun Erigaisi demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, securing fourth place overall with 10 and a half points. He stunned the chess world by defeating Grischuk in the 13th round, marking the only loss for the two-time world blitz champion in the event. Erigaisi’s ability to compete at such a high level solidified his status as one of India’s promising chess talents.

Kishore Jena wins Indian grand Prix with throw of 82.53m

• Kishore Jena and Amoj Jacob, who excelled at the Budapest World Championships last month, continued their good form to win gold medals at the Indian Grand Prix 5 2023 athletics in Chandigarh on Sunday.
• Kishore Jena’s best attempt in the javelin throw of 82.53m came on his first try. His subsequent throws read 80.74m, 81.56m and 78.39m. The 28-year-old athlete fouled on the fifth attempt and concluded with 78.98m.
• All of Kishore Jena’s legal throws were better than the second-placed Vikas Yadav, who achieved the distance of 72.88m. Rajasthan’s Harish Kumar came third with a throw of 71.78m.
• Kishore Jena missed out on a medal at the world championships last month and finished fifth with his personal best throw of 84.77m. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra holds the national record of 89.94m.

India's Kiran george clinches Indonesia badminton masters title

• Indian badminton player Kiran George clinched the men’s singles title at the Indonesia Masters 2023 in Medan, North Sumatra on Sunday.
• Playing at the GOR PBSI Pancing court, Kiran George, 50th in the badminton rankings, beat world No. 82 Koo Takahashi of Japan 21-19, 22-20 in 56 minutes to claim his second BWF World Tour Super 100 badminton title. Kiran George won the Odisha Open last year, beating compatriot Priyanshu Rawat in the final.
• In the Indonesia Masters final, Kiran George and Koo Takahashi matched each other’s intensity in the first game. However, after the scores were tied at 15-all, Kiran George won six of the next 10 points to take a 1-0 lead.
• The second game also got off to a similar start. The 23-year-old Indian shuttler amped up his game after the scores were level at 6-all to take a five-point lead at 16-11.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

Himalaya Diwas 2023: 9th September

• Himalaya Day or Himalaya Diwas is celebrated every year on 9 September with an aim to preserve the Himalayan ecosystem and region. The Himalayas play an important role in saving and maintaining nature and protecting the country from adverse weather conditions. Apart from being rich in biodiversity of flowers and fauna, the Himalayan range is also responsible for bringing rain to the country. Himalaya Day is also an excellent day to raise awareness among the general public and bring about community participation in conservation activities. This year nation celebrates 14th Himalaya Diwas.
• This day is celebrated to mark the importance of the Himalayas. The Himalayan hill cities face many challenges due to poor building planning and design, poor infrastructure like roads, water supply, sewage etc. and unprecedented felling of trees. This results in serious ecological issues.

 Suicide Prevention Awareness Day 2023: 10th September

• Every year, World Suicide Prevention Day is celebrated on September 10. The day is dedicated to educate and aware people about the measures to prevent the suicides that are currently increasing at an alarming rate across the globe. Suicide is a major public health issue that needs to be addressed in order to eradicate it from the society. Lack of awareness is one of the main factors contributing to the worldwide rise in suicide mortality rates each year.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “It is estimated that there are currently more than 700 000 suicides per year worldwide. The 10 September each year aims to focus attention on the issue, reduces stigma and raises awareness among organizations, governments, and the public, giving a singular message that suicides are preventable.”
• The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day 2023 is “Creating Hope Through Action”. The theme reflects the need for collective, action to address this urgent public health issue. All of us- family members, friends, co-workers, community members, educators, religious leaders, healthcare professionals, political officials and governments- can take action to prevent suicide.