Today's Current Affairs 9th October 2023

NATIONAL

Indian Air Force marks 91st anniversary with grand celebrations, unveils new ensign

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated its 91st anniversary at the Bamrauli Air Force Station in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The occasion was marked by the unveiling of the new IAF ensign by Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari.
• One of the notable features of the celebration was the introduction of the new IAF ensign. The key change is the addition of the Air Force crest.
• Group Captain Shaliza Dhami made history as the first woman officer to command the Air Force Day Parade. Her leadership and dedication not only shattered glass ceilings but also inspired a new generation of women to pursue careers in the IAF.

Largest Hindu temple outside Asia opens in New Jersey, built by 12,500 volunteers

• BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, the largest Hindu temple in the United States, celebrated its grand opening on Sunday, October 8, in Robbinsville, New Jersey.
• The temple, set up in the picturesque city of Robbinsville, New Jersey, is a remarkable achievement. It stands as the largest Hindu temple outside India in the modern era.
• The construction of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham is a testament to human creativity and resolution. The temple’s front is crafted from four distinct varieties of marble sourced from Italy and limestone from Bulgaria. These precious materials embarked on an extraordinary journey, covering over 8,000 miles worldwide to reach their final destination in New Jersey.

SPORTS

IND vs AUS: David Warner becomes fastest to 1000 runs in ODI World Cup, beats Sachin Tendulkar's record

• Australia opener David Warner became the fastest batter to complete 1000 runs in ODI World Cup during his side’s match against India in Chennai. Warner reached the milestone in 19 innings to break Sachin Tendulkar and AB de Villiers’ joint record of 20 innings. Warner completed the feat within averaging 62 with three half-centuries and four tons since first being a part of the tournament back in 2011. Warner has struck three fifties and four hundreds in World Cups so far.
• Indian captain Rohit Sharma is also in the contention to get to the top of the list. Rohit has 978 runs in 17 innings and needs 22 more to pip Warner. Warner has won the Player of the Match award four times in the ODI World Cup, with the highest score of 178 against Afghanistan at home.

Asian Games 2023: Colourful closing ceremony brings curtains down on memorable Hangzhou Asian Games

• The 19th Asian Games 2023 concluded with a spectacular closing ceremony held at the Hangzhou Olympics Stadium in China. The event celebrated the love and unity between the participating countries, showcasing the cultural diversity and sporting excellence of the Asian nations.
• Renowned hockey player P. R. Sreejesh had the honor of being India’s flag bearer during the closing ceremony, representing his country with pride on the international stage.
• The closing ceremony wowed spectators with a dazzling performance featuring more than 2000 performers. The show symbolized the harmonious spirit that unites the diverse nations of Asia in the pursuit of athletic excellence.

 OBITUARY

Terence Davies: Screenwriter and film director dies aged 77

• British filmmaker Terence Davies, known for his thought-provoking and introspective films, has sadly passed away at the age of 77 at home after a short illness. He is recognized for his internationally acclaimed films, including ‘Distant Voices, Still Lives’ and ‘The Long Day Closes’.
• Terence Davies was celebrated for his unique approach to cinema, which often delved into themes such as LGBT life, Catholicism, and other common aspects of human existence.

World Post Day 2023: 9th October

• World Post Day is celebrated each year on October 9th to commemorate the creation of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874. It’s a day to recognize the crucial role that post offices play in connecting communities, and in 2023, the theme is “Together for Trust: Collaborating for a safe and connected future.”
• The history of postal services dates back centuries, with the first organized postal service said to have been established during the time of Augustus Caesar in Rome. Remarkably, the oldest functioning post office is in Sanquhar, Scotland, operating since 1712 AD.
• World Post Day was officially declared by the UPU Congress in Tokyo, Japan, in 1969. The UPU is an international organization that promotes and coordinates postal services worldwide. It currently has 151 member countries, all of which participate in this annual celebration.

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Day 2023: 9th October

• Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Day is an annual celebration held on October 9th. This special day honors the establishment of the Indian Foreign Service, a critical institution for India’s diplomatic, consular, and commercial representation worldwide.
• Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Day is a momentous occasion to celebrate the establishment and enduring legacy of the IFS. It serves as a reminder of the invaluable contributions made by diplomats and foreign service officers in promoting India’s interests and fostering global cooperation.
• This day not only honors the past but also looks forward to a future where diplomacy continues to play a vital role in shaping India’s international relationships.

India designates October 10th as Good Manufacturing Practice Day

• The Indian government, in collaboration with the Indian Drugs Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA), is set to observe the first-ever National Current Good Manufacturing Practice Day (cGMP Day) on 10th October. This initiative aims to underscore the importance of adhering to cGMP guidelines in pharmaceutical manufacturing, with a focus on improving product quality and ensuring patient safety.
• Current Good Manufacturing Practices, commonly referred to as cGMP, are stringent quality standards mandated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for pharmaceutical manufacturing. These guidelines serve as the backbone of pharmaceutical operations, providing essential standards to enhance product quality by regulating various aspects of the manufacturing process, including materials, methods, machinery, processes, personnel, facilities, and environmental conditions.

 SUMMITS AND MOU’S

India, Saudi Arabia tie up for electrical interconnections, green Hydrogen

• India and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on securing a green hydrogen supply chain and collaborating on power grid interconnection. This significant agreement was formalized in Riyadh during the MENA Climate Week 2023, with Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, RK Singh, representing India and Saudi Minister of Energy, Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, representing Saudi Arabia .
• The Ministry of Power released a statement highlighting the key areas of cooperation outlined in the MoU. These include:

Electrical Interconnection:

Co-development of Projects:

Green/Clean Hydrogen and Renewable Energy:

Secure Supply Chains:

Building on Previous Agreements

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

Indian Navy & SBI launches unique NAV-eCash card

• To support the Indian government’s Digital India initiative, the State Bank of India (SBI) introduced a new card called NAV-eCash on the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya. The launch took place on October 1, 2021, at Karwar.

Key Points:

1. Digital Payment Advancement
2. Joint Unveiling
3. Unique Features
4. Collaborative Effort
5. Digital Transactions Anywhere