Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs- 21 October 2023

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Addapedia Odisha – Daily Current Affairs – 21 October 2023

National and International News
RapidX or Namo Bharat	Context High-speed train, RapidX, all set to be inaugurated. Key points The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has named India’s first semi-high-speed regional rail services as ‘RAPIDX’. These trains will operate on the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors, which are being constructed to link important urban nodes across the National Capital Region (NCR). The brand aims to incorporate green energy into its operations by installing solar panels at stations and depots and gradually increasing the use of blended power in traction. About NCRTC The NCRTC is a joint venture company between the Union government and the states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
Namo Bharat	Context Prime Minister flagged off the country’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) , Namo Bharat train. About train The RRTS is a new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system. With a design speed of 180 kmph, it is a regional development initiative, which is designed to provide high-speed trains for intercity commuting every 15 minutes, going up to a frequency of every five minutes when required. The train will allow a commuter to travel between Delhi and Meerut in less than an hour.
‘Tej’	Context A low-pressure area over the southeast and the adjoining southwest Arabian Sea that is about to develop into a depression. It has the potential to impact Mumbai, Pune, and other regions of Maharashtra and the Konkan area. About Cyclone Cyclones are rapid inward air circulation around a low-pressure area. The air circulates in an anticlockwise direction in the Northern hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern hemisphere. Cyclones are usually accompanied by violent storms and bad weather.
Mehrauli park structures	Context Major restoration and conservation works have been done at Mehrauli Archaeological Park About Mehrauli It is spread over 200 acres. Mehrauli Archaeological Park is adjacent to Qutub Minar It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to 55 historic structures built by various empires — including the Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Lodhis, Mughals, and the British These include the Jamali Kamali Mosque, Metcalfe House, Rajon ki Baoli, as well as the tombs of Mamluk king Ghiyas-ud-din Balban and Mughal governor Shah Quli Khan.
Dhordo in Gujarat	Context Dhordo in Gujarat has made it to the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s best villages list. About UNWTO The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It promotes responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability.
Star rating energy efficiency scheme for solar panels	Context The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has expanded its scheme to solar panels. Starting January 2024, solar panel manufacturers can apply for getting their products rated for energy efficiency. Key points BEE manages the ‘star rating’ scheme and is a subsidiary of the Ministry of Power. A panel with efficiency of 17% to 18% will be rated 1-star, 18% to 20% 2-star and so on. Panels will be rated 5-star for efficiency greater than 22%.
China to curb graphite export	Context China will require export permits for some graphite products to protect national security Key points China is the world’s top graphite producer and exporter. It also refines 90% of the world’s graphite into the material that is used virtually in all EV battery anodes, which is the negatively charged portion of a battery.
President launches fourth Krishi Road Map of Bihar	Context President launched the fourth Krishi Road Map (2023-28) of Bihar with an estimate of ₹1.62 lakh crore. Key points The map focuses on increasing agricultural production, while also increasing farmers’ incomes in the five years. The road map, the fourth of its kind, focuses on storage, processing, and expansion of seed and irrigation along with crop diversification and improved agriculture marketing.
Ayodhya Ram temple trust receives FCRA licence to accept foreign donations	Context The Ayodhya Ram temple trust, known as the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, has received a licence to accept foreign donations under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). About FCRA Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) was enacted in 1976 to regulate foreign donations and ensure that such contributions do not adversely affect the internal security of the country. The FCRA applies to all associations, groups, and NGOs which intend to receive foreign donations. All such NGOs must register themselves under the FCRA. This legal Provision is not only meant for NGOs but also for Political Organisations and Political Parties. Moreover, the 2010 Amendment Act has also included electronic media companies and “organizations of a political nature” to the list.

Odisha Regional Specific News
Odisha Govt Ties Up With WTI To Launch ‘Gaj Utsav’	Context As part of its measures for protection of elephants, the Odisha government in partnership with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) launched ‘Gaj Utsav’ campaign in Bhubaneswar About Gaj Utsav Gaj Utsav is a campaign by the WTI with a mission to raise awareness about safeguarding the future of India’s National Heritage Animal, while advocating for their essential right of passage. Odisha is home to over 1900 elephants spanning three elephant reserves and having 12 identified elephant corridors. Gaj Utsav seeks to encourage collective action among policymakers, media, infrastructure agencies, legal professionals, and wildlife experts for their protection.
Wildlife Trust of India	Wildlife Trust of India is an Indian NGO committed to nature conservation.
New Odisha Governor	Context Former chief minister of Jharkhand Raghubar Das will be appointed as the next Governor of Odisha.
Former Orissa HC Chief Justice S Muralidhar To Practice Law In Supreme Court	Context With the Supreme Court designating him as a senior advocate, former Orissa High Court Chief Justice Dr S Muralidhar, who recently retired from service, will now practice law in the apex court Key points Under Article 220 of the Constitution, a former high court judge can practise as a lawyer only in the Supreme Court or high courts, where they have not served as a judge. Justice Muralidhar retired on August 7 after serving as the 32nd Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court for over two years and seven months. He also served as a judge of the high courts of Delhi and Punjab and Haryana.
Odisha CM Launches Projects	Context Chief Minister launched projects worth over Rs 311 crore in Cuttack and Kendrapada districts under the state government’s “Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha” programme. About Programme This programme aims to spread Jagannathan culture in every village, develop every place of worship to strengthen the basic foundation of Odisha’s culture and develop digital infrastructure across the state. This will be the basic foundation for building an ambitious Odisha.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy	Context Odisha Rout Sikkim By 104 Runs To Post 2nd Win in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. About Trophy The 2023–24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will be the sixteenth edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy It is a Twenty20 cricket competition that will be held in India. The tournament will form part of the 2023–24 Indian domestic cricket season, announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in April 2023.
Odisha To Recommend Inclusion Of Mundari Language In 8th Schedule Of Constitution	Context The Odisha Cabinet decided to recommend the proposal for the inclusion of Mundari language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India. About 8th Schedule The 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution is responsible for listing the authorized Indian languages of the Republic. The part of the constitution that deals with the official speeches in India are XVII, included in Articles 343 to 351. The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution consists of the following 22 languages: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi,Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili and Dogri.

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