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Current Affairs 08 November 2024
1. Alexander Zverev won the final Masters 1000 title of 2024 in Paris
German tennis star Alexander Zverev secured his second Masters
1000 title of 2024 with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over France’s Ugo Humbert in the Paris Masters final. This victory highlights Zverev’s strong form on indoor hard courts and lifts him above Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz to the ATP world No. 2 ranking, solidifying his position among the season’s top players.
1000 title of 2024 with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over France’s Ugo Humbert in the Paris Masters final. This victory highlights Zverev’s strong form on indoor hard courts and lifts him above Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz to the ATP world No. 2 ranking, solidifying his position among the season’s top players.Foot notes:
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The 2024 Rolex Paris Masters concluded with Alexander Zverev's victory and a record-breaking attendance of 176,451.
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In 2025, the tournament will relocate to Paris La Défense Arena, Europe’s largest indoor venue, for its 40th edition from October 25 to November 2.
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This move aligns with the French Tennis Federation’s vision to expand the tournament in an ultra-modern setting, enhancing the experience for players, spectators, media, and partners.
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Paris La Defence Arena will host four competition courts, including a 16,500-seat center court, plus a practice court, with upgraded, modernized player areas.
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Spectator experience will be prioritized, with convenient transport links, efficient crowd management, a spacious reception hall, catering options, and giant screens, creating a unique atmosphere for fans.
About Paris:
President: Emmanuel Macron
Mayor: Anne Hidalgo
2. Bengaluru Unveils First Digital Population Clock at ISEC
Bengaluru celebrated a significant milestone with the inauguration of
its first digital population clock at the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC). This innovative installation will provide real-time population estimates for both Karnataka and India, offering up-to-date demographic data for citizens, researchers, and policymakers. Located at the entrance of ISEC, the clock aims to engage and educate the public about India’s rapid population growth.
its first digital population clock at the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC). This innovative installation will provide real-time population estimates for both Karnataka and India, offering up-to-date demographic data for citizens, researchers, and policymakers. Located at the entrance of ISEC, the clock aims to engage and educate the public about India’s rapid population growth.Foot notes:
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Event: Bengaluru inaugurated its first digital population clock at the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) on November 8.
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Scope: The clock focuses on real-time population data for Karnataka and India, updating Karnataka’s population every 1 minute, 10 seconds, and national population every 2 seconds.
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Purpose: Aims to raise public awareness on population growth and its impact on sustainable development.
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Collaboration: Jointly developed by ISEC and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
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Data Sources: Utilizes birth and death rates, migration patterns, life expectancy, fertility, and mortality rates.
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Census Data Workstation: ISEC offers a workstation for census data access, aiding research and policy planning.
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MoHFW Initiative: The clock is part of a project to install clocks at 18 Population Research Centres (PRCs) across India.
About Bengalore:
Established: 1537
Founded by: Kempe Gowda I
Official language: Kannada
3. India-Australia Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2024 Commences
The third edition of the AUSTRAHIND joint military exercise
commenced on November 8, 2024, at the Foreign Training Node in Pune, Maharashtra. The Indian contingent comprises 140 personnel, including a battalion from the DOGRA Regiment and 14 members from the Indian Air Force. The Australian contingent includes 120 personnel, primarily from the 13th Light Horse Regiment of the 10th Brigade, 2nd Division. The exercise emphasizes physical fitness, joint planning, and joint tactical drills.
commenced on November 8, 2024, at the Foreign Training Node in Pune, Maharashtra. The Indian contingent comprises 140 personnel, including a battalion from the DOGRA Regiment and 14 members from the Indian Air Force. The Australian contingent includes 120 personnel, primarily from the 13th Light Horse Regiment of the 10th Brigade, 2nd Division. The exercise emphasizes physical fitness, joint planning, and joint tactical drills.Foot notes:
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The AUSTRAHIND joint military exercise between India and Australia began at the Foreign Training Node in Pune and will run until November 21.
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Objectives include enhancing interoperability for joint sub-conventional operations in semi-urban and semi-desert environments under Chapter VII of the UN mandate.
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Key drills include Response to terrorist actions involving territory capture, Setting up a joint operations center, Conducting counter-terrorism missions like raids and search-and-destroy.
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Both sides will exchange best practices in tactics, techniques, and operational procedures.
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Indian contingent: 140 personnel from a DOGRA Regiment battalion and 14 Air Force personnel.
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Australian contingent: 120 personnel from the 13th Light Horse Regiment of the 10th Brigade, 2nd Division.
4. Kolkata's 3-year-old Anish Sarkar becomes youngest rated chess player
Three-year-old Anish Sarkar from Kolkata, India, is defying
expectations with his love for chess, choosing it over typical toddler favorites like Peppa Pig and Baby Shark. Instead, he looks up to chess stars like International Master Levy Rozman and Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen. Anish has become the world’s youngest-rated player, earning an impressive FIDE rating of 1555. Born in January 2021, Anish discovered chess around his third birthday and quickly became captivated by chess videos on YouTube, which he watches regularly.
expectations with his love for chess, choosing it over typical toddler favorites like Peppa Pig and Baby Shark. Instead, he looks up to chess stars like International Master Levy Rozman and Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen. Anish has become the world’s youngest-rated player, earning an impressive FIDE rating of 1555. Born in January 2021, Anish discovered chess around his third birthday and quickly became captivated by chess videos on YouTube, which he watches regularly.Foot notes:
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Anish Sarkar, at three years old, became the world’s youngest-rated player after fulfilling the criteria in a U-13 tournament, receiving his FIDE rating on November 1.
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FIDE confirmed his status as the youngest-rated player, though it's unclear if he holds the record for the youngest ever.
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Anish had the chance to play against India No. 1 and World No. 4 GM Arjun Erigaisi in a simultaneous exhibition match at the Bengal Rapid Rating Open.
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A week later, he participated in the West Bengal state Under-13 Open, facing older, more experienced players, which helped him meet the FIDE requirements.
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Anish earned an initial FIDE rating of 1555 after facing five rated players in the event, with his rating officially updated on Thursday.
5. IIT Delhi bags top spot in India in QS Asia University Rankings 2025
India has surpassed China in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025,
with a total of 163 universities making the list, marking the highest growth in representation compared to China. IIT Delhi leads Indian institutions at 44th place, surpassing IIT Bombay. Chandigarh University also made notable progress, rising 29 places to secure the 120th spot in Asia. Among Indian universities, 59 improved their rankings, 51 dropped, and 31 maintained their positions.
with a total of 163 universities making the list, marking the highest growth in representation compared to China. IIT Delhi leads Indian institutions at 44th place, surpassing IIT Bombay. Chandigarh University also made notable progress, rising 29 places to secure the 120th spot in Asia. Among Indian universities, 59 improved their rankings, 51 dropped, and 31 maintained their positions.Foot notes:
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In the QS Asia Rankings 2025, IIT Delhi has overtaken IIT Bombay as India’s top-ranked institution, reaching 44th place.
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This year’s QS rankings feature 984 universities from 25 education systems, with India leading in representation with 193 institutions, ahead of China (135) and Japan (115).
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IIT Bombay ranks 48th, and IIT Madras 56th, highlighting India’s strong presence, with six universities in Asia’s top 100.
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This achievement reflects India’s focus on research productivity and employability, especially at IITs and IISc.
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India’s academic influence in Asia is growing, marking a significant advancement in global education and research.
6. S Sharad Rao appointed as Deputy Secretary of Steel
S Sharad Rao, an officer of the 2011 batch of the Indian Ordnance
Factories Service (IOFS), has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Steel, Delhi. His appointment follows a recommendation for central deputation by the Department of Defence Production. Rao will serve under the Central Staffing Scheme for a combined tenure of four years, until June 19, 2026, including time spent on Ex-cadre and CSS posts at the Deputy Secretary level.
Factories Service (IOFS), has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Steel, Delhi. His appointment follows a recommendation for central deputation by the Department of Defence Production. Rao will serve under the Central Staffing Scheme for a combined tenure of four years, until June 19, 2026, including time spent on Ex-cadre and CSS posts at the Deputy Secretary level.Foot notes:
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S Sharad Rao has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Steel.
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He is an officer from the 2011 batch of the Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS).
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The appointment is under the Central Staffing Scheme for a tenure up to June 19, 2026.
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Rao’s tenure includes a combined four-year period on Ex-cadre and CSS posts at the Deputy Secretary level.
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His central deputation was recommended by the Department of Defence Production.
7. Vilas Sopan Wadekar appointed as CMD of MRVC
Vilas Sopan Wadekar has been selected as the next Chairman &
Managing Director (CMD) of Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) Limited, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways. His appointment was recommended by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) on Thursday. Currently serving as Director (Technical) at MRVC, Wadekar was chosen from two candidates interviewed by the PESB selection panel on November 7, with the other candidate representing Patel Engineering Ltd.
Managing Director (CMD) of Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) Limited, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways. His appointment was recommended by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) on Thursday. Currently serving as Director (Technical) at MRVC, Wadekar was chosen from two candidates interviewed by the PESB selection panel on November 7, with the other candidate representing Patel Engineering Ltd.Foot notes:
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The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has selected Vilas Sopan Wadekar as the next Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited (MRVCL), a Schedule 'A' PSU.
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Wadekar, currently serving as Director (Technical) at MRVCL, was chosen from two candidates interviewed by the PESB.
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Subject to requisite clearances and ACC approval, Wadekar will succeed Subhash Chand Gupta, who is retiring on January 31, 2025.
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The PESB is a statutory body, and the interview also included Tirth Nath Singh, Director of Projects and Corporate Affairs at Patel Engineering Ltd.
About MRVC:
CEO: Subhash Chand Gupta
Founded: 1999
Headquarters: Churchgate
8. Anil Pradhan, co-founder of Young Tinker Foundation received Rohini Nayyar Prize
Anil Pradhan has been awarded the prestigious Rohini Nayyar Prize
for 2024 in recognition of his significant contributions to rural development in India. Known for his commitment to empowering rural communities, Pradhan has brought about positive changes and new opportunities in underserved areas. The Rohini Nayyar Prize honors young leaders under 40 who have made remarkable contributions to rural development in India. The award includes a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh, a citation, and a trophy.
for 2024 in recognition of his significant contributions to rural development in India. Known for his commitment to empowering rural communities, Pradhan has brought about positive changes and new opportunities in underserved areas. The Rohini Nayyar Prize honors young leaders under 40 who have made remarkable contributions to rural development in India. The award includes a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh, a citation, and a trophy.Foot notes:
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Anil Pradhan, co-founder of the Young Tinker Foundation, won the Rohini Nayyar Prize for his contributions to STEM education for underserved communities.
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At 28, Pradhan is an engineer and educationist from Baral village, Odisha, dedicated to offering hands-on STEM education in rural areas.
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The Young Tinker Foundation focuses on STEM education in underserved areas, providing labs for students to innovate in subjects like robotics and 3D printing.
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A mobile lab initiative brings STEM education to remote rural areas, ensuring access to resources for students who can't reach stationary labs.
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Pradhan received the award from R.A. Mashelkar, a renowned scientist, and used the occasion to call for a shift in how rural communities are portrayed, particularly regarding poverty.
9. World Radiography Day observed on 8th November
World Radiography Day 2024 marks the anniversary of Wilhelm
Roentgen's discovery of X-rays in 1895. X-rays, a vital diagnostic tool in medicine, are painless and harmless to patients during use. Once performed, an X-ray remains in the body from a minimum of three hours to a maximum of three days. Roentgen's accidental discovery of this new electromagnetic wave in his laboratory revealed that it could pass through flesh but not through bones or metal. Recognizing its potential, he named this wave the X-ray, an invention that has greatly advanced the medical field.
Roentgen's discovery of X-rays in 1895. X-rays, a vital diagnostic tool in medicine, are painless and harmless to patients during use. Once performed, an X-ray remains in the body from a minimum of three hours to a maximum of three days. Roentgen's accidental discovery of this new electromagnetic wave in his laboratory revealed that it could pass through flesh but not through bones or metal. Recognizing its potential, he named this wave the X-ray, an invention that has greatly advanced the medical field.Foot notes:
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Theme: "Radiographers: Seeing the Unseen".
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World Radiography Day 2024 celebrates the discovery of X-rays, a groundbreaking electromagnetic wave.
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Awareness programs promote free full-body checkups, emphasizing “prevention is better than cure.”
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The day honors early radiographers and radiologists who faced health risks from X-ray machines, paving the way for safer technology.
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The day also raises awareness of the importance of medical imaging.
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X-rays have contributed significantly to scientific breakthroughs, including DNA structure discovery and tuberculosis diagnosis.
10. Dinanath Batra, advocate for Indianized education passed away
Batra, who passed away at the age of 94, gained attention in 2011
for filing lawsuits against books he considered offensive, including Wendy Doniger's *Hindus: An Alternative History*. He criticized the book as "un-Indian" and objected to its portrayal of Hinduism from a sexual perspective. As a result, the publisher withdrew the controversial book from the Indian market in 2014, agreed to cease its publication, distribution, and sale in the country, and consented to destroy the remaining stock.
for filing lawsuits against books he considered offensive, including Wendy Doniger's *Hindus: An Alternative History*. He criticized the book as "un-Indian" and objected to its portrayal of Hinduism from a sexual perspective. As a result, the publisher withdrew the controversial book from the Indian market in 2014, agreed to cease its publication, distribution, and sale in the country, and consented to destroy the remaining stock.Foot notes:
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Educationist Dinanath Batra, known for advocating a "nationalist" education system with "spiritual values," passed away at 94 in Delhi on Thursday.
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He served as the principal of Vidya Bharati's first school in Kurukshetra from 1965 to 1990.
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In 2017, Batra’s Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas urged NCERT to revise school textbooks, requesting the removal of certain content.
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The requested changes included the removal of English, Urdu, and Arabic words, works by poets like Avatar Singh Pash and Mirza Ghalib, and references to Mughal emperors, BJP, and secularism.
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His suggestions also called for removing references to Rabindranath Tagore, M.F. Husain’s autobiography, and statements related to the 1984 riots and Gujarat 2002.
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