19 SEPTEMBER NEWS || CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Madhya Pradesh government has announced a ban on the sale of liquor and meat in religious towns situated along the banks of the Narmada River. This decision has been made in consideration of the religious and cultural significance of the Narmada River. The Narmada is regarded as one of the holiest rivers in India, and its banks are home to numerous important pilgrimage sites.

 The Asian Champions Trophy Hockey tournament that India won recently was indeed in 2024, not 2023. The final match took place on September 17, 2024, where India defeated China 1-0 to secure their fifth title.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the 'NPS-Vatsalya Yojana' on September 18, 2024. This scheme is a new initiative under the National Pension System (NPS) aimed at providing financial assistance to the children of central government employees for their higher education or marriage.

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) organized the third National Lok Adalat of the year 2024 across 27 states/union territories on September 14, 2024. Lok Adalats are held to provide people with quick and accessible justice, where pending cases are settled through mutual agreement.

Manipur, a northeastern state of India, shares a 398-kilometer-long international border with Myanmar. Manipur has been in the news recently due to ethnic violence, raising concerns about the security and humanitarian situation in the state.

The Indian government has made significant strides in the renewable energy sector. The installed renewable energy capacity, which was 75.52 GW in March 2014, has now increased to more than 207.7 GW. This demonstrates India's commitment to moving towards clean and green energy.

The Indian government has set an ambitious target of increasing exports to 2 trillion dollars by 2030. This goal has been set to boost the Indian economy and increase its share in global trade.

The fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), PMGSY-IV, aims to generate 40 crore man-days of employment. This scheme focuses on improving road connectivity in rural areas and creating employment opportunities. PMGSY was launched in the year 2000, and millions of kilometers of rural roads have been constructed under it so far. PMGSY-IV will strive to continue the success story of this scheme.

The Maharashtra government has declared winemaking as a small-scale industry. This will boost the wine industry in the state and create employment opportunities. Maharashtra has a favorable climate for grape cultivation and good prospects for wine production. This decision is also expected to promote wine tourism in the state.

World Bamboo Day is celebrated every year on September 18th. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of bamboo and its uses. Bamboo is a versatile and sustainable resource used in construction, furniture, textiles, and many other industries. It is also environmentally friendly as it grows rapidly and absorbs carbon dioxide.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has indefinitely postponed its consultation mission with Russia, citing technical reasons. The mission was scheduled to review the Russian economy and provide policy recommendations. However, the mission had to be postponed due to geopolitical tensions and sanctions arising from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the fourth summit of QUAD leaders in the United States on September 21, 2024. The QUAD is a strategic forum comprising India, the United States, Australia, and Japan. This summit will focus on enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and addressing regional challenges.

President Draupadi Murmu will inaugurate the first edition of the Indian Arts Festival at Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad on September 28, 2024. This festival will showcase the rich and diverse art and culture of India. It will feature various art forms like music, dance, theatre, painting, and handicrafts.

Portugal has recently announced that it will issue a special €7 coin to honor Cristiano Ronaldo's remarkable achievements and contributions to the Portuguese national football team. The coin will feature an image of Ronaldo along with his iconic "CR7" symbol. This gesture recognizes his status as Portugal's all-time leading scorer and his pivotal role in leading the team to victories in the 2016 European Championship and the 2018/2019 UEFA Nations League.