DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Sept. 27, 2023

Uttarakhand launches India's first polythene waste bank for sustainable waste management

Tags: State News

On September 25, 2023, Dehradun Cantt Board in Uttarakhand launched the first three polythene waste banks in the country.

An Overview of the News

• These polythene waste banks are strategically placed, two of which are in Garhi and one in Premnagar.

• The inauguration of Garhi Kuda Bank was presided over by State Urban Development Minister Premchand Aggarwal.

• The primary objective of these garbage banks is twofold: waste management and income generation.

• Various polythene waste items including bags, chips wrappers, packing bags, plastic cutters and bread wrappers will be collected.

• Contributors will be compensated at the rate of Rs 3 per kg for the polythene waste brought by them.

• The collected polythene waste will be processed to make decorative items like tiles, boards and utensils.

Expansion Plans and Environmental Impact:

• Additional polythene waste banks are planned to be operational soon, including at places like Bindal Chowki, Dairy Farm in Garhi, and Special Wing in Premnagar.

• This initiative has set a target to purchase a minimum of 70 tonnes and a maximum of 100 tonnes of polythene waste every month.

• This initiative addresses the issue of low-value plastics such as polythene bags and chip wrappers, for which there is often a lack of buyers and markets.

• Polyethylene waste banks aim to provide a solution for responsible disposal of such waste, which can potentially have a positive impact on waste management and the environment.

World Tourism Day - 27 September

Tags: Important Days

World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on 27 September to raise global awareness about the important role of tourism in the world economy.

An Overview of the News

• According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the economic impact of tourism is equal to or even greater than that of industries such as oil exports.

• The theme of World Tourism Day in 2023 is "Tourism and Green Investment".

• To mark World Tourism Day 2023, UNWTO is hosting a two-day conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background of World Tourism Day:

• The decision to celebrate 27 September as World Tourism Day was made during the third session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in Torremolinos, Spain in September 1979.

• World Tourism Day was celebrated for the first time in 1980.

UNWTO:

• UNWTO is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1975.

• Its primary mission is to promote responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism encompassing various forms of tourism, including marine, coastal and inland water tourism.

• UNWTO consists of 159 member countries and 6 associate members.

• The headquarters of the organization is located in Madrid, Spain.

• The Secretary-General of UNWTO is Zurab Pololikashvili, a citizen of Georgia.

Inauguration of Marwar International Center in Jodhpur

Tags: State News

Marwar International Center was inaugurated by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in Jodhpur.

An Overview of the News

• It aims to deliver on the government's commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of every region of the state and promoting intellectual exchange.

• As part of this effort, town halls are being constructed in many districts across Rajasthan.

• Notable establishments in Jaipur include the Rajasthan International Center and the Constitution Club.

• Inspired by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Social Sciences has also been established.

• Additionally, MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) centers are under construction at a cost of Rs 100 crore in four districts including Jodhpur.

MICE Center in Rajasthan

• MICE centers are being developed to promote the tourism sector in Rajasthan.

• These centers will facilitate international-level conferences and exhibitions in popular tourist destinations like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Ajmer.

• Plans for these centers were announced in the budget for 2023-24.

Marwar International Center

• Marwar International Center aims to serve as a center of cultural and ideological exchange.

• It will play an important role in the preservation and promotion of art, culture and traditions.

• Situated on 65,000 square meters of land, the center has an auditorium with a seating capacity of 1350 people.

• It includes two hostels for artists, two green rooms, two banquet lawns and an exhibition center spread over 5820 square meters.

Prestigious Institute in Jodhpur

• The foundation stone of many prestigious institutions in Jodhpur includes MBM University, Rajiv Gandhi Fintech University and Mahatma Gandhi Divyang University and Marwar Medical University.

• These institutions contribute to the educational and healthcare infrastructure of Jodhpur and the entire state.

India's Sift Kaur Samra gives India its 5th gold in the Asian Games 2023

Tags: Sports News

Sift Kaur Samra won gold in the women's 50m rifle 3-P individual event, giving India its fifth gold medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

An Overview of the News

• The Indian team of Manu Bhaker, Rhythm Sangwan and Isha Singh won the gold medal in the women's 25m pistol shooting event.

• Isha Singh earned a silver medal in the women's individual 25m pistol event by finishing second behind China's Rui Liu.

• Anant Jeet Singh Naruka won the silver medal in the men's skeet final with an impressive score of 58 out of 60 shots.

India's overall medal tally:

• India's total medal count at the Asian Games 2023 now stands at 22, which includes 5 gold, 7 silver and 10 bronze medals.

• Vishnu Saravanan won bronze for India in the ILCA-7 event by finishing third with a net score of 34.

• The Indian trio of Sift Samra Kaur, Aashi Chouksey, and Manini Kaushik won the silver medal in the 50m rifle team event.

• Aashi Chouksey also won a bronze medal in the individual 50-meter rifle event.

Indian tennis player Leander Paes nominated for 2024 Tennis Hall of Fame

Tags: Person in news

On September 26, 2023, legendary Indian tennis player and multiple Grand Slam champion Leander Paes received a historic nomination for the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2024.

An Overview of the News

• Leander Paes (India) - Leander Paes is the first male player from Asia to be nominated for the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Potentially the first Indian tennis player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

• Leander Paes, 50, is one of the six players who have received nominations for the year 2024.

• There are a total of six tennis players who have been nominated. Apart from Leander Paes, five other contenders are vying for induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

• These nominees include former world number-one Spanish tennis player Carlos Moyá, Serbia's Ana Ivanovic, Italy's Flavia Pennetta, South Africa's Cara Black, and Canada's Daniel Nestor.

Path to Hall of Fame induction

• Nominations: Players are nominated in various categories, such as "Most Awarded Player" for Leander Paes.

• Fan Voting: Tennis fans around the world have the opportunity to vote for their favorite nominees.

• Announcement: The results of fan voting will be revealed in January 2024.

• Formal Induction: Selected players will be officially inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in July 2024.

Li Na's leading achievement

• Chinese tennis player Li Na set an example by becoming the first player from Asia to be nominated for the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2019.

• Her victories at the Australian Open and French Open in the women's category propelled her to this prestigious recognition.

Leander Paes: A Tennis Icon

• Early Life: Born on 17 June 1973 in Kolkata, India into a sports family.

• Olympic glory: Won a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, becoming the first Indian tennis player since KD Jadhav to win an individual Olympic medal.

• National Recognition: Awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for his extraordinary achievements.

• Double success: Partnership with Mahesh Bhupathi, significant contribution to Indian tennis history.

• Three decades of legacy: Actively involved in tennis from 1990 to 2020.

About the International Tennis Hall of Fame

• Founded: 1880 by James J. Founded by Van Allen.

• Location: Located in Newport, Rhode Island, United States.

• Recognition: Honors both players and contributors who have had a lasting impact on the game of tennis around the world.