Current Affairs Capsule for 21st October 2024

1. Accusation Against Vikash Yadav

Details of the Plot:

• Yadav is alleged to have connived to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani sympathizer, in New York.

• The terror outfit under Indian law headed by Pannun is the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

Involvement of Nikhil Gupta

• Nikhil Gupta, who was arrested in Brooklyn, was to be used by Yadav to find a gunman.

18-page Indictment

• The indictment also spells out Yadav’s involvement in the case, for instance, providing the conspirators with Pannun’s personal address.

US Authorities’ Response:

• The FBI put out a ‘Wanted’ notice of Yadav, an indication to thosepersons of Indian origin who wanted to harm Americans that the US government would go out of its way to arrest and extradite them.

Context in India-US Relations:

• India is accused of international terrorist attacks such as the Hardeep Singh Nijjar incident making relations between India, Canada, and the US tense.

2. Modi’s Visit to Russia for BRICS Summit

Bilateral Meetings and BRICS Focus:

• Meetings to be held between October 22 and 23, 2024 deal with collaboration between BRICS countries with the participation of Modi.

• Speaking for Russia, Denis Alipov also focused on civilizational heterogeneity of BRICS.

Meeting with Xi Jinping Unclear:

• There is no official talk of Modi’s possible meeting with Xi Jinping as there are territorial disputes between the two nations.

Geopolitical Relevance:

• Proposals under consideration encompass increase of trading in domestic currencies as well as creation of SWIFT-like options.

• BRICS wants to advance the agenda of the Global South in view of evolving geopolitical realities.

3. LM2500 Marine Engines for NGMVs

Supply and Testing:

• The GE Aerospace will also provide six LM2500 engines for propulsion of the Next-Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs).

• Engine assembly and testing will be done by HAL Bengaluru.

NGMV Specifications:

• These vessels are built for a stated speed of 35 kn, adequate for their principal role of ASW.

Cochin Shipyard’s Role:

• Cochin Shipyard awarded a ₹9805 crore deal contains the construction of six NGMVs which will be delivered from March 2027.

• The shipyard is also constructing anti-submarine warfare crafts as well on the heels of INS Vikrant success.

4. UGC Guidelines for Institutional Leadership Development

Objective and Traditional Inspiration:

• This social action research was guided by kaal (time), sthan (context), and patra (actor), all of which point to the phenomenon of academic leadership.

Key Areas of Focus:

• Tutoring, training, and appreciating multiple systems at a learning institution.

• Meeting the organizational need of management while embracing creativity and diversity.

Alignment with NEP 2020:

• It is in conformity with the NEP 2020 that advocates for multiversity education systems.

5. Russia’s Nuclear Posture

Production and Upgrades:

• Russia has intentions to manufacture new ground based intermediate-range missiles that the INF treaty which has been terminated has prohibited.

• Sarmat ICBMs (Satan II) was deployed as well as the modification of Tu-160 bombers improve its nuclear triad.

Tactical Nuclear Weapons:

• It means that exercises with Belarus imply tactical nuclear weapons.

• Russia’s doctrine permits nuclear counter-t Initialized by conventional attack on nuclear weapon states.

Tensions with NATO:

• The US has called for Russia to resume the arms control talks thus has refused, thus sparking worries over conflicts intensification.

6. Kala-azar Status in India

Prevalence:

• This disease continues in Bihar Jharkhand West Bengal & some pockets of Uttar Pradesh even though prevailed at significantly low levels.

Health Ministry’s Strategies:

• Subheadings include early diagnosis and case finding, treatment, vectors control, and health education.

• India to maintain lower transmission rates and be granted WHO elimination status.

7. Supreme Court Decision on SC Sub-Classifications

Reversal of E.V. Chinnaiah Judgment:

• The court set aside the 2004 judgement and extended the feature of formal classification of SCs on the basis of the extent of their backwardness.

Key Outcomes:

• Further categorization in the 15% SC reservation category is allowed but the total reservation should not exceed a 100% for any particular group.

• To avoid abuse, sub-classifications that are associated with state-level will be subjected to a judicial review.

8. Samarth Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector

Overview:

• The Samarth scheme was approved to go on till the financial year 2025-26 for a budget of ₹495 crore will cover 3 lakh people.

Achievements:

• 3.27 lakh candidates trained, while, 88.3% being women of course.

• 79.About 5% of the trained candidates are placed in the textile sector with relative jobs.

Textile Industry’s Role:

• Accounts for approximately 2.3 percent of the GDP, 13 percent of the industrial production and 12 percent of exports.

• PM-MITRA Parks initiative covers the concept of developing state of art infrastructure in the textiles sector.

9. Mera Hou Chongba Festival 2024

Cultural Importance:

• Also complements of flicker, this festival held in Imphal brings together the hill and valley dwellers of Manipur.

• It has been continued since the ancient time of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba thus strengthening the cultural texture of the area.

Recognition:

• The festival is known as General Holiday in Manipur to address the social significance of the festival.

10. India’s Rupee-Denominated Line of Credit to Mauritius

Overview:

• The IDEAS scheme under which India offered a Line of Credit of ₹487.6 crore to Mauritius has been operative.

Project Details:

• The LOC will fund installation of new water pipeline networks where 100 kilometers of existing pipelines are obsolete.

• About this initiative said to sustain development in Mauritius, this falls in line with global south strategy of India.

11. Do You Know? – Concessional Lines of Credit (LOCs) by India

Overview of LOCs:

• India has issued over 300 Line of credit (LOCs) totaling USD 32 Billion to 68 countries to finance 600 projects.

Examples of LOCs under Neighbourhood First Policy:

• $7.86 billion to Bangladesh

• $1.65 billion to Nepal

• $2 billion to Sri Lanka

• $745 million to Myanmar