Daily GK Update: 24th October 2023

 National Affairs

1. Amit Shah inaugurates India’s first liquid nano DAP fertiliser plant

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated India’s first liquid nano di-ammonia phosphate (DAP) plant established by IFFCO at Kalol in Gandhinagar.
• This plant will hugely benefit the farmers and also help reduce the import of DAP in the country.
• Mr. Shah also laid the foundation stone for various development works in the Sanand assembly area in Ahmedabad.

 Important Dates

2. World Polio Day being celebrated today

• World Polio Day is celebrated every year on October 24 to create awareness around the importance of polio vaccination to protect children.
• Every year this day is remembered to raise awareness against the poliomyelitis disease, commonly known as polio, and the importance of polio vaccination.
• Polio virus can life in an infected person’s throat and intestines and can be contracted by food and water in unhygienic conditions.

 Arts & Culture

3. India to host the world's largest textiles event, Bharat Tex 2024

• India Inc. will host the world's biggest textiles event, Bharat Tex 2024, in the national capital from February 26 to 29 next year that will see the participation of exhibitors and buyers from over 40 countries.
• Bharat Tex 2024 is envisaged to be a comprehensive showcase of the entire textile industry value chain, from India's rich cultural heritage and textile traditions to the latest technological innovations.

 Banking & Finance

4. Russia's Sberbank Secures FPI Registration in India

• Sberbank of Russia has become the first Russian bank to register with the Indian markets regulator as a foreign portfolio investor (FPI), according to data available on the website of National Stock Depository (NSDL).
• Sberbank of Russia, a state-owned bank which already has a presence in India, registered with the Indian markets regulator for a Category I FPI licence last week.

 Arts & Culture

5. Indian Panorama announces official selection for 54th IFFI, 2023

• Indian Panorama, the flagship component of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has announced the selection of 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films. 
• The selected films will be showcased at the 54th IFFI to be held from 20th to 28th of November in Goa. 
• ‘Aattam will be the Opening Feature Film while ‘Andro Dreams in Manipuri language will be the Opening Non-Feature Film.

 Important Dates

6. UN celebrates World Development Information Day

• The World Development Information Day is celebrated today by the United Nations (UN). 
• This day aims to draw the attention of the world to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them. 
• The UN hopes that effective dissemination of information and the mobilization of public opinion, particularly among young people, would lead to greater awareness of the problems of development.

 Defense

7. South Korea says holds first joint air drill with Japan and US

• South Korea, together with Japan and the United States, held a joint aerial exercise near the Korean peninsula on Sunday, the South Korean military said, marking the first such collaboration between the three countries.
• The drill aimed to expand the countries' response capabilities against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, South Korea's air force said in a statement.
• It involved a U.S. B-52 strategic bomber as well as fighter jets of the three nations.

 National & International Appointments

8. Air Marshal Sadhna Nair takes charge as Director General Hospital Services

• Air Marshal Sadhna S Nair assumed the appointment of Director General Hospital Services (Armed Forces) in the office of DGAFMS.
• Now, She become the first woman to hold the position on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal. 
• Prior to this appointment, the Air Officer was tenanting the appointment of Principal Medical Officer (PMO) at HQ Training Command (Air Force), Bangaluru.

 National Affairs

9. Nitin Gadkari inaugurated 418-feet national flag at Attari-Wagah border

• Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the tallest national flag of 418 feet at Attari chief post on India-Pakistan international border.
• The flag at the Attari border, famous tourist destination and known for the beating retreat ceremony, will have the surveillance system that will help the BSF keep vigil along the international border.
• Earlier, there was a 360-foot flag that was installed in March 2017 at a cost of ₹3.5 crore

 Honours & Awards

10. 'Best Green Military Station' award conferred to Udhampur military station

• The Udhampur military station received the 'Best Green Military Station' award.
• The 'Best Green Military Station' award was presented by Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande at the Army Commanders' Conference.
• Dehradun Military Station secured the "Second Best" award.
• Bikaner Military Station got the “Best Transformative Station" award.
• The 'COAS Flight Safety Trophy' has been awarded to ‘671 Army Aviation Squadron (R&O)'.