1 Scientists David Baker, John Jumper and Demis Hassabis will be awarded this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry
The Nobel Prize winners for Chemistry were announced on 9 October . This year this prize will be given to American scientists David Baker , John Jumper and British scientist Demis Hassabis . They will be given this honor for creating AI models that help in understanding the computational design of proteins and their structure . The Nobel Prize for Chemistry is divided into two parts . The first part has been given to David Baker , who has designed a new type of protein . Protein design is a technique in which proteins with new properties are created by changing the structure of the protein. This helps in making medicines and vaccines. At the same time, the second part of the prize was given to Demis and John Jumper , who created an AI model that helped in understanding the structure of complex proteins. The announcement of the winners of the Nobel Prize 2024 has started from Monday, 7 October. On the first day i.e. 7 October, Victor Ambrose and Gary Ruvkun were awarded the Nobel Prize in the field of medicine. They have been given this prize for the discovery of micro RNA (ribonucleic acid). After this, on October 8, the names of Geoffrey E. Hinton, known as the godfather of AI, and American scientist John J. Hopfield were announced for the Nobel Prize in Physics. They will be given this honor for the development of new technologies related to machine learning, which is based on artificial neurons. The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Maungi Bawendi, Louis Bruce, Alexei Ekimov. They received this honor for the discovery and development of quantum dots.
2 ASEAN’s 44th and 45th summit started in Vientiane, capital of Laos
The 44th and 45th Summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other related meetings began in Vientiane , the capital of Laos . Addressing the opening session, Lao President Thamlon Sisoulith called on ASEAN countries to continue working towards the common goals of peace, stability and sustainable development. He said that ASEAN countries should continue to honour their commitment to multilateralism based on equality and mutual benefit. The theme of this year’s ASEAN Summit, held under the chairmanship of Laos, is – ASEAN for Connectivity and Resilience. Its aim is to make the ASEAN community more cohesive and dynamic. Along with the ASEAN Summit, other events like the 27th ASEAN-China Summit and India-ASEAN and East Asia Summits are also being organised.
3. Integration of Umang App with DigiLocker announced for seamless access to government services to people
The National e-Governance Division has announced the integration of the Umang app with DigiLocker to provide seamless access to government services to the people . According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, this will allow users to access multiple services from one place. The ministry has said that the Umang app is available on all Android phones. Its services can be availed through the DigiLocker app.
4 Free supply of nutritious rice will continue till 2028: Central Government
On October 9, approval was given to continue the supply of free fortified rice till December 2028 under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PM-GKAY) and other welfare schemes . This decision was taken in the meeting of the Union Cabinet. Its objective is to overcome anemia and deficiency of micronutrients. It will cost Rs 17,082 crore, which will be fully borne by the Central Government. The Cabinet approved the construction of 2280 km of road in the border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab with an investment of Rs 4406 crore . The world’s largest National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) will be developed in Lothal , Gujarat . The proposal aims to showcase the rich and diverse maritime heritage. The fortified rice initiative was launched to ensure nutrition-related security. It covers Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), PM POSHAN (formerly Mid Day Meal Scheme) and other welfare programs in all states and union territories.
5 Cabinet approves development of National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal , Gujarat . The project will be completed in two phases. The development of the project is expected to generate around 22,000 jobs with 15,000 direct employment and 7,000 indirect employment. In line with PM Modi’s vision to showcase India’s 4,500-year-old maritime heritage , the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is setting up a world-class National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal. The masterplan of NMHC has been prepared by renowned architecture firm M/s Architect Hafeez Contractor and construction of Phase 1A has been entrusted to Tata Projects Limited.
6 RBI did not change the repo rate for the 10th consecutive time, kept it at 6.5%
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not changed the interest rates for the 10th consecutive time . RBI has kept the interest rates unchanged at 6.5% . That is, loans will not become expensive and your EMI will also not increase. RBI last raised the rates by 0.25% to 6.5% in February 2023. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting is held every two months . RBI had not changed the interest rates in the earlier meeting held in August. RBI has increased the transaction limit on UPI Lite from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 . At the same time, the limit of UPI Lite wallet has been increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 . That is, now people will be able to keep 3,000 rupees more in the wallet. Through this facility, PIN is not required in UPI payment and payment is done easily. At the same time, the limit of UPI 123 Pay has been increased to Rs 10,000 . This service is for non-smartphone users . Earlier, on October 1, the government appointed three new external members including Ram Singh, Saugata Bhattacharya and Nagesh Kumar in the Monetary Policy Committee. Ram Singh is the Director of Delhi School of Economics, Dr. Nagesh Kumar is the Director and Chief Executive of the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development. Saugata Bhattacharya is an economist. There are 6 members in MPC, out of which three are the Governor of the Central Bank Shaktikanta Das, Deputy Governor Michael Patra and Executive Director Rajiv Ranjan. Whereas, three external members are appointed by the Central Government for four years.
7 Reserve Bank estimates GDP growth to be 7.2 percent in the current financial year
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday projected gross domestic product (GDP) growth to be 7.2 percent in the financial year 2024-25 . RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das informed about this decision taken in the three-day Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) review meeting starting from October 7. Real GDP growth has been 6.7 percent in the first quarter (April-June) of the current financial year 2024-25. The RBI Governor said that due to improved domestic demand, low cost of raw materials and boom in the manufacturing sector due to government policies, economic growth rate is expected to be 7.2 percent in the current financial year.
8 Maritime exercise between India, Brazil and South African navies begins, INS Talwar also included in IBSAMAR
The joint multinational maritime exercise between the Indian, Brazilian and South African navies has started in Simon’s Town , South Africa , which will continue till October 18. Indian Navy’s leading stealth frigate INS Talwar has gone to participate in this exercise. The aim of this exercise is to enhance interoperability as well as strengthen mutual coordination between the three navies. Its broad concept is based on blue water naval warfare , which includes dimensions of surface and anti-air warfare. The abbreviation of this exercise is IBSAMAR , which is a series of naval exercises between the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa .
9 38th National Games will be organized in Uttarakhand next year
The 38th National Games will be held in Uttarakhand from 28 January to 14 February next year . The details of the entire program of the National Games will be given in the general body meeting of the Indian Olympic Association on the 25th of this month. Apart from the National Games, Winter National Games will also be organized in Uttarakhand. During a meeting held recently in New Delhi, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Indian Olympic Association President Dr. PT Usha .
10 Indian women’s team wins historic bronze medal at Asian Table Tennis Championship
The Indian women’s team won a historic bronze medal in the Asian Table Tennis Championship held in Astana, Kazakhstan on 9 October . This is the first medal for the women’s team for India since the championship began . The Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) started this tournament in 1972. Earlier, the Indian women’s team defeated South Korea 3-2 in the quarter-final match played on Tuesday, 8 October. In this way, Team India confirmed the bronze medal by making it to the top-4. In this victory, Ayhika Mukherjee (world’s 92 ranked Indian player) defeated world number-8 Shin Yubin and world number 16 player Jeon Jihee. Ayhika was not a part of the Indian women’s team that reached the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics, but she returned to this team after Archana Kamath’s retirement. Ayhika defeated world number-1 player Sun Yingsa of China in the World Team Championship earlier this year.
11 Joe Root first batsman to score 5000 runs in WTC
English batsman Joe Root has become the first batsman in the world to complete 5 thousand runs in the World Test Championship (WTC) . He achieved this achievement by scoring a century in the Multan Test against Pakistan . Joe Root joined the list of top-5 Test scorers as soon as he scored a century on Wednesday, the third day of the Multan Test. Sachin Tendulkar is at the top of this list, who has scored 15,921 Test runs. Joe Root has now also become the highest run-scorer Test batsman from England. In the Multan Test, Pakistan has scored 556 runs in the first innings and England’s first innings is going on.
12 World Postal Day
On the occasion of World Post Day , the Department of Posts, Government of India released a special set of commemorative postage stamps to mark the 150th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). The stamps were released by Ms Vandita Kaul, Secretary, Department of Posts , during a function held at Meghdoot Bhawan, New Delhi. Established on 9 October 1874 in Bern, Switzerland, the UPU is the cornerstone of modern postal cooperation and India is one of its oldest and most active members. The UPU has played a very important role in standardizing international postal regulations, ensuring seamless mail exchange among its 192 member countries and making postal services accessible to all.
13 Famous industrialist Ratan Tata died in Mumbai at the age of 86
Renowned industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata passed away in Mumbai at the age of 86. Mr Tata joined the Tata Group in 1962. After serving in various Group companies, he was appointed Director-in-Charge of National Radio & Electronics Company Limited in 1971. He was the Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, from 1991 until his retirement on 28 December 2012. On 29 December 2012, Mr Ratan Tata was conferred the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals. Mr Ratan Tata, one of India’s most respected business tycoons, served as the Chairman of Tata Sons for over two decades. He was deeply involved in philanthropy through the Tata Trusts. He was honoured with several awards including the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008 . Born on 28 December 1937 to Naval and Soonu Tata, Ratan was the great-grandson of Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group.