DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Sept. 19, 2024

WAAYU Launches as India's First Zero-Commission Food Delivery App on ONDC

Tags: National News

WAAYU, India's first zero-commission food delivery app, is now live on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

An Overview of the News

• The app aims to create a seamless connection between restaurants and consumers, eliminating commission fees.

Growth and Expansion

• Since its launch in May 2023, WAAYU has onboarded over 3,000 restaurants in major Indian cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

• WAAYU collaborates with buyer apps like TATA Neu and OLA to enhance order volume and customer experience.

Strategic Partnerships

• The entry of Flipkart as a buyer app on the ONDC network, alongside other platforms like Paytm and Tata Neu, is expected to boost demand for WAAYU's services.

• This strategic expansion aims to democratize the food delivery ecosystem in India, benefiting both restaurants and consumers.

Company Vision and Technology

• Founded by Mandar Lande and Anirudha Kotgire, WAAYU is developed by Destek Infosolutions Pvt Ltd, based in Pune.

• With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, WAAYU plans to use its AI-based platform for steady expansion across the country.

Valluri Ajaya Babu Wins Gold at Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships

Tags: Sports News

Valluri Ajaya Babu (19 years old) won the gold medal in the men's 81kg junior and senior categories at the Commonwealth Championships.

An Overview of the News 

• Babu lifted a total of 326kg (147kg in snatch + 179kg in clean and jerk).

• He set a Commonwealth record in clean and jerk in the 81kg junior category.

• Babu also broke the junior national records in snatch, clean and jerk, and total weight.

• Sairaj Pardeshi, another Indian weightlifter, won the youth gold in the same 81kg category and finished second in the junior section behind Babu.

Achievements in Other Weight Classes

• Lalruatfela secured a silver medal in the men's 89kg category with a total lift of 301kg (135kg snatch + 166kg clean and jerk).

• Hrudananda Das won silver in the youth category and bronze in the junior category in the men's 89kg event, lifting a total of 299kg (129kg snatch + 170kg clean and jerk).

Punjab Wins Hockey Junior Men’s National Championship 2024

Tags: Sports

Hockey Punjab won the 14th Hockey India Junior Men’s National Championship 2024 by defeating Uttar Pradesh Hockey in a thrilling final in Jalandhar on September 19.

An Overview of the News

• The final was held at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar.

Final Match: Hockey Punjab vs Uttar Pradesh Hockey

• The match ended in a 3-3 draw, leading to a shootout.

• Hockey Punjab triumphed over Uttar Pradesh Hockey with a score of 4-3 in the shootout.

• Goal scorers for Hockey Punjab: Sukhwinder Singh (5’), Jarman Singh (33’), and Jobanpreet Singh (39’).

• Goal scorers for Uttar Pradesh Hockey: Ajeet Yadav (31’), Suraj Pal (48’), and Akash Pal (54’).

Shootout Decider

• Uttar Pradesh Hockey shootout scorers: Akash Pal, Nitish Bhardwaj, and Ajeet Yadav.

• Hockey Punjab shootout scorers: Japnit Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Jarman Singh, and Lovenoor Singh, securing the championship.

Third-Place Match: Hockey Haryana vs Hockey Karnataka

• Hockey Haryana dominated the match and defeated Hockey Karnataka 5-0.

• Goal scorers for Hockey Haryana: Amit Khasa (30’), Navraj Singh (50’), Nitin (54’), Manish Kumar (55’), and Sahil Ruhal (59’).

India Clinches Record 5th Men's Asian Champions Trophy

Tags: Sports News

India won the Hero Asian Champions Trophy by defeating China 1-0 in the final.

An Overview of the News

• Indian player Jurgraj Singh scored the only goal in the last quarter (51') assisted by captain Harmanpreet Singh.

• India set a record by winning five titles in the tournament's history.

• The Indian team remained unbeaten and scored 26 goals in seven matches.

Indian Key Players and Contributions

• Captain Harmanpreet Singh played a key role by scoring 7 goals from penalty corners.

• Jurgraj Singh's match-winning goal ensured India's title win.

• India's recent successes include gold at the last Asian Champions Trophy, gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games, and bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Other results and award winners

• Pakistan won the bronze medal by defeating Korea 5-2.

• Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament: Yang Jihun (Korea) - 9 goals

• Promising Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Kim Jehan (Korea)

• Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Wang Kaiyu (China)

• Rising Star of the Tournament: Hanan Shahid (Pakistan)

• Player of the Tournament: Harmanpreet Singh (India)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Launches NPS Vatsalya Scheme

Tags: Economy/Finance

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the NPS Vatsalya scheme in New Delhi, which was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25.

An Overview of the News

• The scheme provides children the benefit of high returns starting from the time savings are made.

• Since its inception, NPS has generated 9.5% CAGR returns for the government sector.

• For the non-government sector:

  • The equity asset class has delivered 14% CAGR returns.

  • Corporate debt has delivered a 9.1% CAGR.

  • Government securities have delivered 8.8% CAGR.

Unified Pension Scheme (UPS):

• The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), recently approved by the Cabinet, will be effective from April 1, 2025.

• It combines the best aspects of the old and new pension schemes, ensuring an assured pension after retirement.

Key Features of NPS Vatsalya:

• Enables parents to invest in their children's future via a pension account.

• Ensures long-term wealth creation through the power of compounding.

• Offers flexible contributions and investment options with a minimum contribution of ₹1,000 annually.

• They were designed to be accessible to families across various economic backgrounds.

Cabinet Approves 'One Nation, One Election', Chandrayaan-4, Venus Mission, and Key Schemes for Farmers, Tribals, and AVGC Sector

Tags: National News

On September 19, the Union Cabinet approved the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, Chandrayaan-4, Venus mission and major initiatives for farmers, tribals and the AVGC sector.

An Overview of the News

One Nation, One Election Proposal:

• The Union Cabinet accepted recommendations from the High-Level Committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

• The plan is to conduct simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the first phase.

• Local body elections (panchayats, municipalities) to follow within 100 days of general elections.

Chandrayaan-4 Mission:

• Approved by the government to advance space technologies.

• It focuses on successfully landing on the moon and returning to Earth.

Venus Orbiter Mission:

• Mission to Venus approved for scientific exploration of its atmosphere.

• Scheduled launch: March 2028, with a total budget of ₹1,236 crore.

Nutrient-Based Subsidy (Rabi 2024-25):

• Subsidy for phosphatic and potassium fertilizers approved.

• Estimated financial implication: ₹24,000 crore.

Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA):

• Continuation approved to ensure stable prices for farmers.

• Total financial outlay: ₹35,000 crore, promoting self-sufficiency in essential commodities.

Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gramme Abhiyan:

• Scheme to improve the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities.

• Outlay: ₹79,156 crore, benefiting 63,000 villages and over 5 crore tribal people.

National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR:

• Approved for animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, and extended reality (AVGC-XR).

• Aims to boost India’s global soft power and attract foreign investment.

Bio-RIDE Scheme:

• Unified Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development scheme approved.

• New component: Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry, with an outlay of ₹9,197 crore.

Telangana CM Unveils MSME Policy-2024

Tags: State News

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy launched the new MSME Policy-2024.

An Overview of the News

• The policy aims to address six key challenges faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

• It includes a ₹4,000 crore investment over five years.

• The launch event took place in Hyderabad, with Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and IT Minister D Sridhar Babu also present.

• The policy promotes industrial opportunities for Dalits and women, encouraging their participation in MSMEs.

• The government has partnered with TATA to upgrade Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) with an investment of ₹2,400 crore.

About Telangana

• It is in south-central India, on the Deccan Plateau.

• 11th largest Indian state by area.

• Formed on June 2, 2014, from Andhra Pradesh.

• Borders Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

• Capital: Hyderabad

• Governor: Jishnu Dev Varma

• Chief Minister: Revanth Reddy

• Rajya Sabha: 7 seats

• Lok Sabha: 17 seats

Additional Information:- Telangana Registers First FIR Under New Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Charminar Police Station