Renowned economist and Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM), Dr. Bibek Debroy, passed away at the age of 69.
Known for his profound understanding of economic theory and policy, Debroy was instrumental in shaping key economic strategies and reforms in recent years.
He was serving as the Chairman, of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Government of India. He had worked in Presidency College, Kolkata (1979-83), Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune (1983-87); Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi (1987-93).
Dr. Debroy was also a member of NITI Aayog till June 2019.
Senior bureaucrat Rajesh Kumar Singh took over as defence secretary, a release by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced.
A 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Kerala cadre, Singh assumed charge at the South Block in New Delhi, where the MoD is housed.
He succeeds Giridhar Aramane, a 1988-batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, who superannuated. Singh assumed charge as the officer on special duty (defence secretary-designate) on August 20, 2024.
Prior to his role at the MoD, Singh held the post of secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Shimla, The upcoming 'Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park' at Bankhandi in Kangra district would become India's first zoo to receive certification from the Indian Green Building Council for its sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said.
The certification underscores the state's priority on integrating sustainability into tourism and infrastructure development, the chief minister said, adding that once completed, Durgesh Aranya will not only be a tourist attraction, but also a model for sustainable infrastructure, blending conservation with innovation.
The first phase of the zoological park project will cover an area of 25 hectares with an estimated cost of Rs. 230 crore. It is slated to be completed by the third quarter of 2025, the statement said.
The entire project with a total outlay of Rs. 619 crore aims to establish the park as a cornerstone for boosting the tourism sector in Kangra and its nearby districts.
A notable feature of the zoo will be a nocturnal house designed to provide a unique view of elusive cat species. The zoo will also have a wetland aviary designed to showcase indigenous bird species in a natural and immersive environment, Sukhu said.
Ayodhya saw the setting of two Guinness World Records on Wednesday during the eighth edition of Deepotsav. One record was of most people performing aarti simultaneously and the other record was the largest display of oil lamps. Over 25 lakh earthen lamps were lit and 1,121 'vedacharyas' performed the 'aarti' together.
Pravin Patel, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, along with consultant Nischal Bharot, announced the records in Ayodhya. "With a total of 1,121, UP Tourism, District administration of Ayodhya and Saryu Aarti Samiti, you are the Guinness World Records title holder for most people performing diya rotations simultaneously.
Regarding the second record, Patel stated, "With a total of 25,12,585, UP Tourism, Govt of UP, District Administration of Ayodhya, and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, you are the new Guinness World Records title holder for the largest display of oil lamps."
The Deepotsav events took place on 55 ghats, including Ram ki Paidi along with the Saryu River. Drones were deployed to count the diyas that set the world record.
This is the first festival of lights after 500 years after our beloved Lord Shri Ramlala has been re-installed in his grand temple.
Government estimates indicate that over 35 lakh lamps lit up Ayodhya. Of these, 25,12,585 lamps were placed on the 55 ghats.
Every year on 31st October the country commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who is a pivotal figure in India’s struggle for independence and the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of the country.
National Unity Day serves as a reminder of his efforts to unite the diverse princely states into a single nation and fosters a spirit of solidarity among the people of the country. Renowned for his exceptional leadership and unyielding commitment to national integration, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is fondly remembered as the Iron Man of India.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), like Indian households, is keen to bring more gold closer to home. On Dhanteras, a day revered for gold purchases, the central bank revealed a significant move - it had shipped 102 tonnes of gold from the Bank of England’s vaults in London to secure locations within India.
According to RBI’s latest foreign exchange reserves report, the central bank held 855 tonnes of gold as of the end of September, with over half, or 510.5 tonnes, now stored domestically. This development reflects a broader, ongoing effort by RBI and the Indian government to protect the nation’s gold reserves from potential risks abroad.
Since September 2022, RBI has quietly brought back 214 tonnes of gold, driven by the need to safeguard holdings amid growing geopolitical uncertainties. India still has 324 tonnes of its gold stored in the vaults of the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), both based in the UK.
This bulk storage serves as a strategic reserve for RBI, with over 20 tonnes further set aside as gold deposits.
As one of the world’s largest gold custodians after the New York Federal Reserve, the Bank of England plays a crucial role in safeguarding gold reserves for several central banks, including India’s.
Former Karnataka High Court judge Justice K S Puttaswamy, who played a pivotal role in the declaration of the right to privacy as a fundamental right from the Supreme Court in 2017, passed away at his Bengaluru residence. He was 98.
Justice Puttaswamy was the lead petitioner who had moved the apex court in 2012 challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme as being violative of privacy rights.
The Aadhaar scheme subsequently received legislative sanction.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a mobile application for seamless and hassle-free registration of birth and death at the click of a button. The Civil Registration System (CRS) mobile app, prepared by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, is expected to significantly reduce the time required for the registration of birth and death.
The Union minister also unveiled a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel here at the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, also known as the Janganana Bhawan.
The mobile app for birth and death registration was launched and the statue of Patel was unveiled by Shah two days ahead of the birth anniversary of the country's first home minister.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the appointment of Sumathi Dharmawardena P.C. as the new Independent Chair of the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).
Mr Dharmawardena replaces Sir Ronnie Flanagan who retired from the role after 14 years.
Mr Dharmawardena brings a wealth of experience including serving as an Additional Solicitor General at the Attorney General’s Department of Sri Lanka, in which he represents the Government of Sri Lanka, including the Ministry of Sport, in a variety of legal matters.
The Independent Chair of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit is responsible for overseeing and leading the ACU, which is managed at the executive level by the General Manager - Integrity. Mr Dharmawardena starts in the role on 1 November 2024.
The ‘Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak’ has been awarded to 463 personnel of various States/Union Territories (UTs)/Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)/Central Police Organisations (CPOs) for the year 2024.
The medal is given to recognize excellent work, promote high professional standards and boost the morale of the concerned official/officer in the following four fields-
(i) Special Operation.
(ii) Investigation.
(iii) Intelligence.
(iv) Forensic Science.
Initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, ‘Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak’ will boost the morale of all police personnel.
The ‘Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak’ has been instituted vide Ministry of Home Affairs’ Notification dated 1st February, 2024. It is to be conferred on members of the Police Forces, Security Organization, Intelligence Wing/Branch/Special Branch of State/UTs/CPOs/CAPFs/National Security Guard (NSG)/Assam Rifles;
and Forensic Science (Central/State/Union Territories) in consideration for excellence in Operations, outstanding service in Investigation, exceptional performance indomitable & daring intelligence service, meritorious work done by Serving Government Scientists in the field of Forensic Science.
The medal will be announced on 31st of October every year.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is also a nationally known Diabetologist , will inaugurate and also be the chief guest at the upcoming International 52nd Annual Conference of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), one of the largest global societies of diabetes physicians in the world.
The Conference is set to be held from November 14 to 17 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi.
The RSSDI, one of the largest global societies of diabetes physicians with over 12,000 members, is recognized for its sustained efforts in promoting research and education in diabetes.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2 November as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ in General Assembly Resolution A/RES/68/163. The Resolution urged Member States to implement definite measures countering the present culture of impunity.
The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013.
This landmark resolution condemns all attacks and violence against journalists and media workers. This year, the global commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists will take place on 6-7 November 2024.
At the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme of Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies.
The United Nations General Assembly designated 31 October as World Cities Day, by its resolution 68/239. The Day is expected to greatly promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization, push forward cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities addressing challenges of urbanization and contribute to sustainable urban development around the world.
Urban October was launched by UN-Habitat in 2014 to emphasize the world’s urban challenges and engage the international community towards the New Urban Agenda.
2024 Theme: Youth Leading Climate and Local Action for Cities
The Indian Army contingent departed today for the 15th edition of India- US joint Special Forces Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 2nd to 22nd November 2024 at Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA. The last edition of the same exercise was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya in December 2023.
This will be the second exercise of the year between India and the US Army, the previous being Exercise YUDH ABHYAS 2024, conducted at Rajasthan in September 2024.
Contingents of both the countries taking part in the joint exercise will comprise 45 personnel each.
The Indian Army contingent will be represented by Special Forces units and the US Army contingent will be represented by Green Berets of US.
The aim of Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR is to promote military cooperation between India and the US through enhancement of interoperability, jointness and mutual exchange of special operations tactics.
The exercise will enhance combined capabilities in executing joint Special Forces Operations in desert/ semi desert environment. The exercise will focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills.
The Indian Army contingent comprising 25 personnel departed for Jakarta to take part in the 9th edition of India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24. The Exercise will be conducted from the 1st to 12th of this month.
The Indian contingent is represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and Indonesian contingent comprising 40 personnel is represented by Indonesian Special Forces Kopassus.
The Exercise aims to acquaint both sides with each other’s operating procedures, enhance mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between Special Forces both armies.
The Exercise is designed to develop bilateral military cooperation and strengthen bond between two armies through conduct of discussions and rehearsal of tactical military drills. It will involve planning and execution of special operations, orientation to advance special forces skills, and sharing of information on weapons, equipment, innovations, tactics, and techniques.
