NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Tata Steel commissions India’s largest blast furnace at Kalinganagar: Tata Steel Ltd had commissioned ‘India’s largest blast furnace’ at Kalinganagar, Odisha as part of the Phase II expansion its plant.With a total investment of Rs 27,000 crore, the Phase II expansion at Kalinganagar will take the total capacity at the site from 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 8 MTPA.The new facility was inaugurated by T. V. Narendran, CEO and Managing Director, of Tata Steel.The new blast furnace will significantly boost the plant’s overall production capabilities, allowing Tata Steel to meet the growing demands of various industries, including automotive, infrastructure, power, shipbuilding, and defence. It will also provide advantages in specific areas like oil & gas, lifting & excavation, and construction.With the Phase II expansion, Odisha has emerged as the largest investment destination in India for Tata Steel, with a total cumulated investment of over Rs 100,000 crore in the last 10 years.
2. Rubber Research Institute signs MoU with Indian Oil: The Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) has signed an MoU with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) to enhance research on the use of Rubber Process Oils marketed by IOCL in various tyre and non-tyre rubber products.This collaboration aims to improve product performance and rubber processing across these applications.The partnership reflects a shared commitment to drive innovations in rubber processing while addressing the growing global demand for environmentally sustainable industrial products.
3. Pune airport to be renamed ‘Tukaram Maharaj Airport: The Maharashtra government has officially approved the renaming of Pune airport to ‘Tukaram Maharaj Airport’ in honour of the revered 17th-century saint.This move aims to pay tribute to Sant Tukaram Maharaj, a prominent spiritual figure in Maharashtra’s history, known for his devotional poetry and influence on the Bhakti movement.Sant Tukaram was a significant saint and spiritual poet of the Bhakti movement, born in Pune district.
4. Zepto retains first place in LinkedIn’s 2024 list of India’s Top Startups: Quick commerce platform Zepto, for the 2nd consecutive year, has been ranked first in LinkedIn Top Startups India List 2024 — an annual ranking of emerging companies where professionals want to work.The list draws insights from data based on the actions of more than 1 billion LinkedIn members globally. It measures startups based on four pillars: employment growth, engagement, job interest and attraction of top talent.Zepto was followed by compliance firm Sprinto and cloud storage management platform Lucidity.E-commerce platform GoKwik, conversation intelligence platform Convin, biofuel supply chain platform BiofuelCircle, and, mental health platform MindPeers are also featured in the list.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India becomes 3rd Most Powerful Nation in Asia, Surpasses Japan in Asia Power Index: According to the Asian Power Index Report 2024, released recently by the Australian think tank Lowy Institute, India is ranked third most powerful country in Asia after the United States of America and China.Last year, India was ranked the fourth most powerful country in Asia in the 2023 report, but this year, India overtook Japan to be ranked.The 2024 Asia Power Index Report ranks 27 countries and territories. For the first time, the Southeast Asian country of Timor Leste has been included in the Report.The report evaluates the power of the countries on 131 indicators across eight thematic measures: Military Capability and Defence Networks, Economic Capability and Relationships, Diplomatic and Cultural Influence, as well as Resilience and Future Resources.
2. 25 September – Antyodaya Diwas: Antyodaya Diwas is celebrated every year on September 25 across the country.The day marks the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya to remember his life and legacy. It was dedicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 in honour of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, a prominent Indian political leader and thinker.Pandit Deendayal was born in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh on September 25, 1916. Later, he joined a 40-day camp in Sangh education and a two-year training at the RSS education wing in the 1940s. Upadhyaya served the Bharatiya Jana Sangh from 1953 to 1968, where he became the source of ideological guidance and moral inspiration for the BJP.He was also known for his philosophical and literary works. Deendayal developed the concept of ‘Integral Humanism’ advocating the holistic development of the mind, body, intellect, and soul. He died at the age of 51, on February 11, 1968.
3. 26 September – World Contraception Day: World Contraception Day is observed every year on September 26.Objective – To raise awareness about contraception and to empower young people to make informed decisions about their reproductive healthTheme 2024 – A choice for all. Freedom to plan, power to choose.Contraception is used to prevent pregnancy. This can be a device, a medication, a procedure or a behaviour. Contraception allows a woman control of her reproductive health and affords the woman the ability to be an active participant in her family planning. Some types of contraception protect against sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
4. 26 September – World Environmental Health Day: World Environmental Health Day is observed every year on 16 September.The day highlights the significance of fostering a safe and healthy environment, tackling key issues such as clean air, water, sanitation, pollution control, and waste management.Theme 2024 – Environmental Health: Creating Resilient Communities through Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.The International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) established World Environmental Health Day in 2011 to emphasize the importance of environmental care for human health.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. DRDO & IIT Delhi develop ABHED Light Weight Bullet Proof Jacket: The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), together with researchers of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, has developed light weight bullet proof jackets, named ABHED (Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat), which offer 360-degree protection.These jackets have been created from polymers and indigenous boron carbide ceramic material.The design configuration is based on characterisation of various materials at high strain rates followed by appropriate modelling and simulation in collaboration with DRDO. The armour plates for the jackets have passed all necessary R&D trials as per the protocols.The jackets meet the highest threat levels, and are lighter than the maximum weight limits stipulated in respective General Staff Qualitative Requirement of the Indian Army. With minimum possible weight of 8.2 kgs and 9.5 kgs for different BIS Levels, these modular-design jackets having front & rear armours provide 3600 protection.
SPORTS
1. Indian tennis duo Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan & Vijay Sundar Prashant win Hangzhou Open Doubles title: Indian tennis duo Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth won the doubles title in the ATP 250 Hangzhou Open 2024.They defeated the German pair of Constantine Frantzen and Hendrik Jebens at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Expo Centre.The Indian duo staged a remarkable comeback to triumph 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 10-7, marking their first ATP title together as a pair.For Jeevan, it ends a seven-year title drought, while for Vijay, this victory represents a career milestone as it is his first-ever ATP title.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Department of Space and Technology launched Women in Space Leadership Programme in Collaboration with British Council: A Women in Space Leadership Programme (WiSLP) was launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the British Council as part of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).The initiative focuses on supporting institutions in strengthening gender-inclusive practices to foster women’s leadership in space science by developing a strategic leadership framework. Coventry University is the delivery partner in this initiative.The programme would involve building sustainable mentoring networks and enhancing scientific innovation by integrating a gender perspective into critical areas such as astrophysics and telecommunications.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Axis Bank and Mastercard join hands to unveil MyBiz credit card for small business owners in India: Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, has joined hands withMastercard, a global technology company in the payments industry, to launch MyBiz, a business credit card designed exclusively for sole proprietors and small business ownersThe new card, part of the World Mastercard category, combines a wide range of business andtravel benefits to meet the diverse needs of SME owners.MyBiz card offers a comprehensive suite of business and travel benefits — an end-to-end digital offering that simplifies our small business clients’ experience through greater rewards, increased purchasing power, zeroliabilityprotection, and increased employee controls.”Along with benefits, such as airport lounge access and travel insurance, MyBiz card will allow cardholders to avail of a bouquet of business-related services covering productivity, marketing, online readiness, security, and compliance through Mastercard Easy Savings Specials.
2. Decentro unveils eNACH and UPI AutoPay, Streamlining Recurring Payments: Decentro, India’s largest fintech infrastructure platform, has introduced eNACH & UPI AutoPay, intended to streamline and simplify the management of recurring payments for businesses.The company hopes to assist at least 100+ enterprises with integrating these modules over the next three months, addressing some of the most difficult obstacles that businesses encounter regarding recurring payments. The first partner bank for this new module is YES Bank.The total addressable market (TAM) for recurring payments in India is around $800 million. However, businesses encounter several hurdles, resulting in a large time (and monetary) commitment of at least 500 man-hours to integrate and test these systems with their banking partners.
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