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Current Affairs Daily Digest – September 20 2024

1. IPS Officer Anurag Garg Appointed as New NCB Director General

Anurag Garg, a senior police officer from the 1993 batch in Himachal Pradesh, has been appointed as the head of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The decision was made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He is currently working as an Additional Director General in the Border Security Force (BSF). Garg will serve as the NCB chief until May 23, 2026, or until further notice.

Other Important Appointments:

Brijendra Pratap Singh has been chosen as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO). He is currently in charge of Burnpur and Durgapur Steel Plants under SAIL.
Manoj Kumar, the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) at Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Authority in Mumbai, has been given extra responsibility as the CVO of the Shipping Corporation of India for six months.

2. Glasgow to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

Glasgow, which hosted the Commonwealth Games 10 years ago, will be the host again, but some sports may need to be dropped as the Commonwealth Games Federation looks to cut costs.

Why Glasgow?

In July 2023, the Australian state of Victoria backed out of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to rising costs. This led to speculation about Glasgow stepping in to host the event, given its successful experience in 2014. However, both the Scottish and UK governments had concerns about the financial burden of hosting. After lengthy discussions, the Scottish government has agreed to host the 2026 Games.

Budget

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has offered Scotland around £100 million (approximately $A200 million) from the compensation owed by the Victorian government for pulling out of the event, which totaled $A380 million.

3. Jordan Becomes First Country to Receive WHO Verification for Eliminating Leprosy

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized Jordan as the first country in the world to eliminate leprosy, a major achievement in public health. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Jordan’s efforts in stopping the spread of leprosy and reducing the stigma linked to the disease. Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, noted that Jordan’s success is not only about defeating leprosy but also overcoming the psychological and economic harms associated with it.

Commitment to Elimination

Jordan has not reported any local cases of leprosy for over 20 years, showing its strong political commitment and effective public health strategies. An independent team, appointed by WHO, carefully reviewed the situation and confirmed Jordan’s elimination of the disease.

4. Manu Bhaker appointed brand ambassador for Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has appointed Manu Bhaker, a double Olympic medalist, as its brand ambassador.

Nari Shakti in Marine

The 4th “Harnessing of the Nari Shakti for the Development of the Nation” event was held at the International Cruise Terminal of Chennai Port in Tamil Nadu. It was jointly organized by the Chennai Port Authority and the Kamarajar Port Authority. At this event, women achievers with experience in the marine field or related sectors were recognized for their contributions to the nation’s development.

5. World Cleanup Day 2024

The first World Cleanup Day was celebrated on September 20, with activities designed to raise awareness about the importance of clean-up efforts in supporting sustainable development.

Background

During its seventy-eighth session on December 8, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed resolution 78/122, officially establishing September 20 as World Cleanup Day. The resolution encourages participation from all UN Member States, UN organizations, international and regional bodies, as well as civil society, the private sector, and academia. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is responsible for coordinating the observance of this important day.

6. India’s First Fashion Forecasting Initiative ‘VisioNxt’

VisioNxt, launched by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), is a fashion forecasting initiative designed to enhance global competition while promoting Indian culture and design. By using a combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emotional Intelligence (EI), VisioNxt provides trend insights that reflect India’s unique socio-economic and cultural diversity.

Established in 2018 with support from the Ministry of Textiles, VisioNxt operates through hubs in Chennai and Delhi. It offers consultancy services, academic courses, and workshops. The platform supports Indian weavers, designers, and retailers with bilingual content, making it accessible to a wide range of stakeholders across the fashion industry.

7. 19th Divya Kala Mela Unveiled in Visakhapatnam

The 19th edition of the Divya Kala Mela was inaugurated in Visakhapatnam by the Honorable Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Shri S. Abdul Nazeer, along with Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, and other MPs. During the event, ₹40 lakh in concessional loans was provided to 10 Divyang (persons with disabilities) beneficiaries through NDFDC schemes. Assistive devices were also distributed with the support of CSR partners like HPCL, GAIL India, and IOCL.

The fair featured vibrant products from 100 Divyang artisans from 20 states and union territories, showcasing handicrafts, handlooms, embroidery, and packaged foods. It supports the “Vocal for Local” initiative and promotes financial independence for Divyang entrepreneurs.