Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 26 October 2023 | Download PDF

The book titled “Lords of Wankhede” was recently launched.

Key points

• It is authored by WV Raman and R Kaushik.
• The Lords of Wankhede explores the evolution of Indian cricket in the 28 years between the two World Cup successes.

• Euro zone PMI hit lowest in nearly 3 years and has stirred recession worries. 

Key points:

• PMI is an economic indicator, which is derived after monthly surveys of different companies.
• It measures activity at the purchasing or input stage.
• In this sense, it is very different from industrial production which is indicative of actual production.
  • E.g., the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) measures output.

Did you know?

• There are two types of PMI — Manufacturing PMI and Services PMI.
• The index shows trends in both the manufacturing and services sector.
• PMI does not capture informal sector activity.
• PMI data for India is released by S&P Global – a global major in financial information and analytics.

Bishan Singh Bedi passed away following prolonged illness.

About Bedi

• He was an Indian cricketer who was primarily a slow left-arm orthodox bowler. 
• He played Test cricket for India from 1966 to 1979 and formed part of the famous Indian spin quartet. 
• He played a total of 67 Tests and took 266 wickets. 
• He also captained the national side in 22 Test matches. 
• He was awarded the Padma Shri award in 1970 and the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has flagged off 51 State transport corporation buses under Mission Mahila Sarathi on the occasion of Durga Ashtami in Ayodhya 

Key points

• These buses will have women drivers and conductors.
• The initiative seeks to connect and empower women

• United Nations Day is an annual commemorative day, reflecting the official creation of the United Nations on 24 October 1945. 
• It is celebrated on 24th October each year.
• The United Nations Day 2023 theme is “Equality, Freedom and Justice for All.” 
• This year marks the 75th anniversary.

The European Union Tax Observatory in its ‘Global Tax Evasion Report 2024’ has called for a global minimum tax on billionaires equal to 2% of their wealth.

Key points

• This step was taken because tax evasion was enabling billionaires to enjoy effective tax rates equivalent to 0% to 0.5% of their wealth.
• This would both address evasion and “generate nearly $250 billion from less than 3,000 individuals
• While the number of taxpayers affected by it would be miniscule, the tax rate for them (2%) “would still be very modest” given that the wealth of billionaires has grown at 7% a year annually on average since 1995 (net of inflation).

• The Army will start phasing out the first lot of vintage Cheetah and Chetak helicopters from 2027 on completion of their total technical life.
• This is to induct the indigenous light utility helicopters (LUHs) to replace them

About LUH

• The LUH is a 3-tonne class helicopter with glass cockpit for reconnaissance and surveillance roles and as a light transport helicopter. 
• The helicopter will be capable of flying at 220 kmph, with a service ceiling of 6.5 km and a range of 350 km with 400 kg payload

Scientists have embarked on comprehensive studies of bat genomes, revealing invaluable insights into their distinctive biology.

Key points

• Bats boast relatively small genomes, typically consisting of around 2 billion bases, making them ideal subjects for genomic research.
• The ambitious Bat1K global genome consortium is currently undertaking the task of sequencing genomes of all bat species worldwide, promising further revelations about their genetic makeup.
• The research will highlight how bats enjoy a unique defense against a range of diseases, including cancer.

Did you know?

The bumblebee bat weighs only 2 grams whereas the flying foxes, which have a wingspan of 1.5 metres, weigh up to 1.6 kg.

• Bats are the only mammals on the earth that can maintain sustained flight. 
• They also have relatively long life-spans and are relatively more protected from a variety of diseases, including cancer. 
• They also have a unique ability in echolocation, whereby they use sound to navigate and locate objects, freeing them from being constrained by the availability of light like humans are.
• By population, bats make up 20% of all mammals. 
• There are more than 1,400 species of bats today around the world; more than 60 are endangered and 170-odd are classified as vulnerable. 
• In all, bats play crucial roles in maintaining the ecological balance, and are essential for pollination, insect control, etc.

• According to the Indian External Affairs Minister, Canada’s inability to provide safety and security to Indian diplomats challenges the “most fundamental aspect” of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

About Convention

• The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) is a treaty that defines the framework for the conduct of diplomatic relations between countries.
• It was adopted in 1961 by the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities held in Vienna, Austria.
• This treaty lays down the rules and regulations of diplomatic relations between countries and also the privileges that diplomats enjoy in other countries.
• India ratified the convention through the Diplomatic Relations (Vienna Convention) Act of 1972.

Chief Minister announced a cash incentive of Rs 10 lakh each for the seven para-athletes from Odisha who will participate in the Asian Para Games.

Participants

The seven para-athletes from Odisha who will represent India at the Asian Para Games include

• Pramod Bhagat (para-badminton)
• Jayanti Behera (para-athletics)
• Soundarya Kumar Pradhan (visually impaired chess)
• Rakhal Kumar Sethi, (wheelchair fencing)
• V Ramesh Rao(wheelchair fencing)
• Prafulla Kumar Khandayatray (wheelchair fencing)
• Pujaswini Nayak (wheelchair fencing).

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will provide Rs 2 crore annually for the conservation of wildlife in the state

Key points

• The NHAI will release the fund to PCCF, Wildlife for Wildlife Management
• The plan has been worked out to take up the NH expansion without disturbing the elephant passage in the area.

Chief Minister inaugurated the OPTCL Tech Tower at Saheed Nagar in the state capital.

Key points

• The multi-storeyed building worth `55 crore will function as the corporate office of Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL).
• The energy-efficient building has been constructed with modern architecture and technology to ensure the safety of the workspace. 
• OPTCL has demonstrated its expertise in the field of power transmission and created extensive employment opportunities for the youth of the state.

The Odisha Cabinet approved the proposed Bill for amendment of the Odisha Land Reforms Act- 1960 

Key points

• This act is to confer raiyati rights to the sub-tenants, under raiyats, successor-in-interests who are in possession of land recorded as Sikkim.
• Revenue Officer shall determine the compensation amount at the rate of Rs 14, 200 only per standard acre to be paid by the sub-tenants /under-raiyats/ successor-in-interests to the land owners.
• The government may revise the compensation amount from time to time.

• Virtual centres of Orissa High Court were inaugurated in 10 more districts of the state 
• With this, now all 30 districts of the state have virtual centres of Orissa HC.

Key points

• Virtual Courts will reduce costs to the litigants, increase efficiency and ensure speedy justice. 
• The Virtual Courts will accelerate the adaptation of technology in the judiciary in the country
• Odisha is the first state in India to have virtual centres of the HC in all districts.

A doctor of VIMSAR, Burla has come up with a clinic at Barikel village under Padampur subdivision where they can avail treatment at just Rs 1.

Key points

• Dr Sankar Ramchandani is an assistant professor in the department of medicine at VIMSAR.
• He launched the ‘Jay Kisan Farmers’ Clinic’ at a yard near a farmland in the village
• This is to provide quality healthcare to farmers of Bargarh district.

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