Daily Current Affairs
To the Point Notes
1.Arun River Basin Contributing to Rise in Mt Everest
Context: A study reveals that Mount Everest’s height may be increasing due to erosion caused by the Arun River.
Key Points:
- Arun River erodes the landscape near Mount Everest, reducing pressure on Earth’s crust and triggering isostatic rebound. This process pushes the crust upwards, contributing to the rise of Everest.
- Mount Everest is growing at a rate of about 2 mm per year.
- The primary force for Everest’s rise is the tectonic collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates, which began 40-50 million years ago.
About Arun River:
- A transboundary river flowing through Tibet, Nepal, and India.
- Originates in Tibet Autonomous Region, China (known as Phung Chu or Bum-chu River).
- Joins the Koshi River in Nepal, which eventually flows into the Ganges in India.
2.Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti
Context: Prime Minister paid tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary.
Key Points:
- Birth: October 2, 1904, in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh.
- Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, he joined the Non-Cooperation Movement at 16, leaving his studies.
- Attended Kashi Vidyapeeth, where he received the title “Shastri.”
- Active in the Salt March and various anti-British movements; imprisoned for 7 years.
Post-Independence:
- Appointed as Parliamentary Secretary in UP (1946) and later Home Minister.
- Served in key Union Cabinet roles: Railways, Transport, Home Affairs.
- Resigned as Railway Minister after a major accident, reflecting his integrity.
- Played a crucial role in Congress’ success in the General Elections of 1952, 1957, and 1962.
Legacy:
- Known for his integrity, humility, and dedication.
- Emphasized hard work and moral values, following Gandhi’s principles.
- Led India with a vision of progress, committed to national service.
3.STARS Program
Context: At a workshop for the STARS project, the School Education Minister highlighted improving the education system for a developed India by 2047.
About STARS (Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States) Program:
- Launch: Approved in October 2020, effective from February 23, 2021, till FY 2024-25.
- Objective: To improve the quality and governance of school education.
- States Covered: Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan.
- Focus Areas:
- Early years education.
- Learning assessment systems.
- Teacher performance and classroom practice.
- School-to-work transition.
- Governance and decentralized management for better service delivery.
- Aligned with: Samagra Shiksha and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
4.India-Germany Military Cooperation Sub Group Meeting (MCSG)
Context: The 17th edition of the India-Germany MCSG meeting took place on October 1-2, 2024, in Berlin.
About MCSG:
- Purpose: Forum for strategic and operational defense collaboration.
- Participants: India’s Integrated Defence Staff and Germany’s Armed Forces International Cooperation Department.
- Objective: Enhance bilateral military cooperation and strengthen defense engagements.
- Atmosphere: Friendly and cordial.
5.India’s Core Sectors Slipped
Context: Commerce Ministry data showed the index of eight core industries fell by 1.8% annually in August, compared to a 6.1% gain in July.
Key Points:
- Sectors with Growth: Fertilisers and steel saw a rise in production.
- Sectors with Decline: Coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, cement, and electricity contracted.
- Index of Core Industries (ICI):
- Reflects the production performance of eight core industries.
- Comprises 40.27% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
Eight Core Industries:
- Coal
- Crude Oil
- Natural Gas
- Refinery Products
- Fertiliser
- Steel
- Cement
- Electricity
These industries serve as the backbone of the economy.
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