Published on: October 22, 2024
Snippets : 22 OCTBER 2024
Snippets : 22 OCTBER 2024
- Karnataka’s economic performance is currently outpacing the national economy, with the state recording a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth rate of 10.2% for the 2023-24 fiscal year, significantly above the national average of 8.2%. This growth has been fueled by strategic investments, innovative policies, and a business-friendly environment. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) recently revised its initial growth projection for Karnataka from 4% to an impressive 13.1%, indicating an earlier underestimation of the state’s economic performance. For 2024-25, the NSE forecasts a 9.4% GSDP growth rate, while the Ministry of Finance predicts an even higher 14%. Notably, strong economic indicators include a 10% year-on-year increase in GST collections and a remarkable 24% growth in stamp duty revenue as of September 2024. Karnataka also boasts one of the highest GSDP per capita figures in India, aligning closely with Telangana, supported by state policies aimed at equitable growth. However, challenges persist, such as the worst drought in a decade adversely affecting agricultural output, a heavy reliance on the IT and hardware sectors for 28% of its Gross State Value Added (GSVA), and the impact of the global economic slowdown. Recognizing the importance of law and order in fostering investment and economic growth, the government has announced plans for significant law enforcement improvements, including the construction of 100 new police stations and 10,000 residential quarters for police personnel by 2025, alongside crime prevention measures like deploying 6,000 CCTV cameras.
- The Government of Karnataka has launched its first Centre of Excellence (CoE) in financial technology (fintech) through the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology, in collaboration with the Nadathur S Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL) at IIM Bangalore, which will implement the initiative. Financial backing will be provided by the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), with a total budget of ₹13.24 crore allocated for operations over five years, including ₹8.19 crore for incubation and acceleration programs and ₹5.04 crore for skilling and training programs. The CoE aims to accelerate fintech growth in Karnataka, leverage the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, facilitate innovation in the fintech sector, and support startups within the industry.
- The Supreme Court (SC) has reaffirmed that “secularism” is an integral part of the Constitution’s basic structure, emphasizing its unamendable nature in various rulings. This declaration arose during hearings concerning the inclusion of “socialist” and “secular” in the Constitution’s Preamble, where Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar highlighted that secularism is fundamental to the Constitution, reflected in the principles of equality and fraternity. The Court noted India’s unique approach to secularism, which differs from the French model, and emphasized the need to balance rights within its framework. While discussing socialism, the Court acknowledged the term’s Western connotations but expressed satisfaction with India’s economic growth despite debates about its inclusion. Petitioners raised concerns about the 42nd Amendment, arguing it lacked proper parliamentary debate and could limit personal liberty, citing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s warnings. The SC, however, pointed out that socialism could foster equality and fair wealth distribution. Broader implications of the ruling include concerns about future amendments potentially undermining foundational principles like democracy.
- India has recently announced a breakthrough agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, marking a significant development in the prolonged border negotiations with China. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that both nations have reverted to the pre-conflict situation of 2020, following the completion of the troop disengagement process. This announcement aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming trip to Kazan, Russia, for the 16th BRICS summit. The stand-off along the disputed boundary has persisted since 2020, and the new agreement permits Indian and Chinese soldiers to resume patrolling as they did prior to the conflict. Despite this progress, India will maintain a vigilant stance along the LAC due to lingering trust issues with China, especially since the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has not fully withdrawn the additional troops deployed since April-May 2020. The Indian Army will also retain its presence in ‘rear areas,’ apart from standard winter repositioning. A research paper highlighted that India has lost access to 26 of the 65 patrolling points along the LAC since the stand-off began, emphasizing the importance of this new agreement.
- The rapid expansion of sugarcane and maize cultivation in north Karnataka has unexpectedly created a conduit and shelter for leopards, leading to increased human-leopard conflicts. As their natural habitats shrink due to human activities like mining, stone quarrying, and dwindling prey bases, leopards are adapting by migrating to newer areas. Data from 2019-2024 shows 82 human-leopard conflict incidents in Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Bidar, and Bagalkot districts, with 57 livestock killed in Koppal district alone since April 2022. Forest officials have paid Rs 6 lakh in compensation over two years. Sugarcane fields in the Krishna river basin have become a haven for leopards, providing easy prey, water, and breeding grounds. The area under sugarcane cultivation has increased from 7.65 lakh hectares in 2019-20 to 10 lakh hectares in 2023-24, while maize cultivation has risen from 15 lakh hectares to 20.13 lakh hectares. Experts note that these fields’ dense vegetation makes them ideal hiding spots for leopards, which prey on cattle, sheep, stray dogs, and wild boars, highlighting the complex interplay between human activities, habitat loss, and wildlife adaptation.
- Karnataka’s Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, announced the launch of the Gruha Arogya scheme on October 24 at an event organized by the Kidney Warriors Foundation in Bengaluru. This initiative aims to screen the entire state population for various health conditions, including diabetes and hypertension, and ensure the regular delivery of medicines to patients across Karnataka. By doing so, the Gruha Arogya scheme seeks to improve the overall health and wellbeing of Karnataka’s residents, addressing two major health concerns that often require ongoing medical attention. The program’s focus on preventive care and timely medication delivery is expected to have a significant impact on public health in the state.
- Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has announced that the Department of Posts will release a commemorative postage stamp honoring Kittur Rani Chennamma on October 23. This historic move marks the 200th anniversary of Rani Chennamma’s courageous victory against the British East India Company in 1824, cementing her legacy as a warrior queen and India’s first woman independence activist
- India’s premier recurve archer Deepika Kumari won her fifth silver medal at the World Cup Final at Mexico
- Well-known Yakshagana comedy actor Bantwal Jayaram Acharya passed away in Bengaluru.
- Minister for Agriculture N. Cheluvarayaswamy announced plans to establish Assistant Directors of Agriculture offices in all Mandya district taluks, urging local MLAs to identify suitable land. He spoke during the foundation stone laying ceremony for Mandya’s Centre of Excellence, a ₹2 crore project handling various departmental tasks. Cheluvarayaswamy also pledged government grants for permanent Raitha Samparka Kendras buildings, currently operating from rented premises, and directed tahsildars and Agriculture Department officers to coordinate land identification for the new offices.
- SC gives Radhakrishnan-led committee two weeks more to file NEET overhaul report
- Wikipedia has taken down the article “Asian News International vs. Wikimedia Foundation” following an order from the Delhi High Court, marking the first time an English Wikipedia article has been removed in the platform’s history. The court ruled that the article’s criticism of the lawsuit “amounts to interference in Court proceedings” and violates the “sub judice principle” . This decision comes after ANI, an Indian news agency, sued Wikimedia Foundation for defamation over a description stating that ANI spreads pro-government propaganda and disinformation. Justice Manmohan noted that being called a “puppet of an intelligence agency” or “stooge of the government” can severely damage a news agency’s credibility . Wikimedia Foundation has complied with fewer than half-a-dozen takedown or alteration requests since 2012, primarily from Germany, France, and Ukraine. Although the removed article is no longer accessible, the Wikipedia page on ANI remains available, and information about the court case can still be found within that article. ANI is seeking ₹2 crore in damages and edits to the page.
- Laura Wolvaardt was named skipper of the Team of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup.
- India’s Prime Minister recently addressed a ceremony celebrating International Abhidhamma Divas and recognizing Pali as a classical language in New Delhi. Abhidhamma Divas commemorates Lord Buddha’s descent from Tāvatiṃsa-devaloka to Sankassiya, now Sankisa Basantapur in Uttar Pradesh, marked by the historic Asokan Elephant Pillar . This event honors Lord Buddha’s three-month teaching of Abhidhamma to deities in Tāvatiṃsa, including his mother, as described in Theravāda Buddhist texts. The celebration coincides with the end of the first Rainy Retreat and Pavāraņā festival, where monks and nuns conclude their retreat with a ceremony. Hosted by the Ministry of Culture and International Buddhist Confederation, International Abhidhamma Divas promotes the analytical approach of Abhidhamma, exploring reality and understanding existence through concepts like “citta” (consciousness), “cetasika” (mental factors), “rūpa” (materiality), and “nibbāna” (final liberation). The Prime Minister emphasized the significance of Pali language, noting that Abhidhamma is contained within Dhamma, and understanding Dhamma requires knowledge of Pali
- A new species of orchid named Coelogyne tripurensis was recently discovered in Jampui Hills, in Tripura’s North District.
- On 21st October 2024, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) commenced the 12th edition of the Joint Military Training (JMT) exercise at Air Force Station Kalaikunda, West Bengal. The RSAF is participating with its largest contingent till date, comprising of aircrew and support personnel from F-16, F-15 squadrons alongwith G-550 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) and C-130 aircraft. The IAF will be participating with Rafale, Mirage 2000 ITI, Su-30 MKI, Tejas, MiG-29 and Jaguar aircraft.
- Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology in Guwahati have made a groundbreaking discovery about Stevia rebaudiana, commonly known as Candy Leaf, revealing its potential to combat endocrine, metabolic, immune, and cardiovascular diseases. This natural sweetener, exported worldwide from Assam, has been found to have therapeutic properties due to its impact on cellular signaling systems. The research team, led by Dr. Asis Bala, Prof. Ashis K. Mukherjee, and Ms. Piyali Devroy, employed a multimodal strategy integrating network pharmacology with in vitro and in vivo techniques to demonstrate Stevia’s ability to inhibit a crucial cellular signaling route connected to inflammatory and autoimmune illnesses
