Daily Current Affairs 13th October 2023: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
Dear Readers,
This post contains important current affairs of 13th October 2023. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 13th October 2023. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 13th October 2023 Current affairs test.
International News
1. Is Israel a Member of NATO?
- Israel is not a member of NATO but holds the prestigious designation of a “NonNATO Ally Status,” which it shares with 30 other countries, including Japan and South Korea. This status signifies a strategic partnership with the US military but falls short of full NATO membership.
- As of 2023, NATO comprises 31 sovereign member countries. While Israel is not among these members, its role as a major nonNATO ally underscores its significant contribution to the alliance’s framework. Major nonNATO ally status is granted by the U.S. government to some of its close allies.
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also known as the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance consisting of 31 member states—29 European and two North American countries. NATO’s primary objective is to safeguard the independence and security of its member nations through political and military cooperation.
State News
2. UP Receives Award for Utilizing Telecommunication Technology in Mental Health and Counseling
- On October 10th, Uttar Pradesh was honored with the third prize for its exceptional efforts in implementing Telemanas, a teletechnologybased mental health and counseling service.
- The award was presented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and was accepted by Dr. Pinky Joval, the Mission Director of the National Health Mission in Uttar Pradesh.
- The National Tele Mental Health Programme was launched on October 10, 2022, coinciding with World Mental Health Day. This initiative aimed to address the pressing need for a digital mental health network, offering telemental health care services throughout the state and ensuring 24/7 mental health support, even in remote areas.
3. 54th International Film Festival of India to be Held from November 20 to 28
- The 54th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), renowned for its celebration of global cinema, is scheduled to take place from November 20 to 28 in the picturesque coastal state of Goa.
- India has been hosting the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) since 1952, which includes both competitive and noncompetitive segments. Starting in 1975, the festival became an annual event. The upcoming 54th edition of the festival, featuring a competition for feature films directed by filmmakers from various continents, will be held in Goa.
- IFFI is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, in collaboration with the Entertainment Society of Goa, Government of Goa, the host state of the festival. The management of the festival has been entrusted to the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) following the merger of film media units.
4. Udaipur Aims to Become India’s First Wetland City
- The Rajasthan government, in partnership with the Environment and Forest Department, is actively working to elevate Udaipur, also known as the ‘City of Lakes,’ to international prominence by striving to become India’s inaugural wetland city.
- Udaipur, endowed with breathtaking natural beauty and ecological significance, is poised to meet all the requirements stipulated by the Ramsar Convention. Covering an area of 37 square kilometers, the city is adorned with five major lakes—Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai.
- The Ramsar Convention, officially known as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, is a global treaty aimed at safeguarding and sustainably using wetlands of international significance.
5. ‘Miniature Eastern Ghats’ to Emerge as a Key Tourist Destination in Visakhapatnam Soon
- The ‘Miniature Eastern Ghats’ (MEG) forest arena, set to become a prominent tourist attraction in Visakhapatnam from November 2023, will provide visitors with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the stunning mountainous landscape.
- The ‘Miniature Eastern Ghats’ is not just a forest; it is a celebration of the unique flora found in the Eastern Ghats. The forest arena is home to a diverse range of medicinal plants, effectively serving as a living pharmacy. Additionally, it features an astrologythemed garden with 27 plant varieties associated with the zodiac signs.
- The Miniature Eastern Ghats serves as a comprehensive showcase of the biodiversity of the Eastern Ghats, with approximately ₹2.5 crore contributed by various government and private organizations as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Business News
6. RITES Ltd Attains ‘Navratna’ Status: India’s 16th Central Public Sector Enterprise
- RITES Ltd, a prominent Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Railways, has achieved the prestigious ‘Navratna’ status, becoming the 16th CPSE in India to be granted this distinction.
- RITES Ltd is recognized for its expertise in transport infrastructure consultancy, railway inspection, rolling stock leasing and maintenance, and various related services. The attainment of Navratna status acknowledges its significant contribution to the nation’s growth and development.
- To attain Navratna status, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) must meet specific financial benchmarks, including:
- A net profit of over Rs 5,000 crore for three consecutive years.
- An average annual turnover of Rs 25,000 crore for three years.
- An average annual net worth exceeding Rs 15,000 crore for three years.
Important Days News
7. International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023
- The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, observed annually on October 13th, draws global attention to the critical issues of disasters and inequality.
- This day serves as a platform for raising awareness, educating communities, and promoting resilience in the face of natural and humanmade disasters. The theme for UN International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023 is “Fighting inequality for a resilient future.”
- The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was established in 1989, following a United Nations General Assembly call for a day to promote a global culture of risk awareness and disaster reduction. The day celebrates efforts worldwide to reduce exposure to disasters and emphasizes the importance of managing the risks they pose.
Ranks and Reports News
8. Global Hunger Index 2023: India Slips to 111th Place
- In the latest Global Hunger Index (GHI) for 2023, India has been ranked 111th out of 125 countries, highlighting the nation’s ongoing struggle with undernutrition and food insecurity.
- The GHI is an annual report prepared by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe that measures hunger and malnutrition rates globally. The Index measures four primary indicators: undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and child mortality.
- India’s lower ranking in the Global Hunger Index 2023 underlines the need for proactive measures to address food and nutrition security. Child malnutrition remains a grave concern in many parts of India, with factors such as insufficient access to quality food, health services, clean water, and sanitation playing a significant role.
Trivia
9. World’s Oldest Active Lighthouse
- The world’s oldest active lighthouse is the Tower of Hercules, situated in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. This ancient Roman lighthouse, constructed in the 1st century AD, stands as a testament to human ingenuity and craftsmanship.
- The lighthouse has been in continuous use since its establishment, guiding mariners safely through the northern Spanish coast. In 2009, the Tower of Hercules was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical and architectural significance.
- Overlooking the North Atlantic coast of Spain, the Tower of Hercules stands at a height of 55 meters (180 ft) and offers visitors a panoramic view of the surrounding seascape and city.
Science and Technology News
10. India Tests its First Quantum Communication Technology
- On October 15th, India successfully tested its inaugural quantum communication technology, marking a significant leap in the nation’s advancements in quantum technologies.
- The successful test involved the transmission of information using quantum principles, ensuring complete security and promising an era of unhackable communication systems.
- The testing of quantum communication technology places India among a select group of nations that have made significant strides in this cuttingedge domain. Quantum communication leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to encode information, making it virtually impossible for unauthorized parties to intercept or decipher.
