CURRENT AFFAIRS 24 October, 2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS 24 October, 2024

1. NEW MISSILE TESTING RANGE APPROVED IN ANDHRA PRADESH –

• The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of a new missile testing range in Nagayalanka, Andhra Pradesh.
• This initiative aims to bolster India’s defense capabilities, particularly for testing tactical missile systems.
• The new facility will focus on surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank missiles, and other advanced projects under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

2. NEW SNAKE SPECIES IN HIMALAYAS NAMED AFTER LEONARDO DICAPRIO –

• A team of scientists has discovered a new species of snake in the Western Himalayas, naming it Anguiculus dicaprioi in honor of Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, recognizing his significant contributions to wildlife conservation.
• The snake species is named Anguiculus dicaprioi, recognizing DiCaprio’s work in raising awareness about global climate change, biodiversity loss, and supporting conservation efforts.
• DiCaprio has been involved in creating awareness about environmental issues and funding field conservation activities and research.
• Anguiculus means “small snake” in Latin, reflecting the relatively small size of this species in comparison to other members of the Colubridae family.

3. 63RD ITBP RAISING DAY 2024 –

• The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was formally raised on October 24, 1962, as a direct response to the Sino-Indian War that highlighted the vulnerabilities in India’s border security. The war exposed the need for a specialized force capable of securing India’s northern frontier, particularly in the challenging high-altitude terrain of the Himalayas.
• Initially starting with just four battalions, the ITBP has grown exponentially in strength and capabilities over the years. As of today, it boasts a personnel strength of over 88,000 soldiers, all highly trained in extreme conditions to guard the nation’s borders.
• The ITBP’s primary role is to safeguard India’s northern borders, particularly along the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, stretching from Ladakh in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east. The ITBP operates in some of the most inhospitable and high-altitude regions in the world, with its personnel well-trained in skills like mountaineering, skiing, and survival under extreme conditions.

4. INDIA-CHINA SIGN BORDER DEAL AFTER FOUR-YEAR NEGOTIATIONS –

• India and China signed a border deal after four years of negotiations. This agreement focuses on disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
• The deal aims to enhance patrolling rights in the Depsang Plains and Demchok areas.
• Tensions between India and China escalated in 2020 following the Galwan clash, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and an undisclosed number of Chinese soldiers.
• The clash stemmed from disputes over the poorly defined 3,440 km border, leading to military confrontations. Since then insisted that relations with China would only improve once the border situation normalized.

5. SHILLONG TOPS INDIAN TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2025 –

• Shillong has emerged as the most popular destination for Indian travellers in 2025, surpassing Baku, Azerbaijan, according to Skyscanner’s “Travel Trends Report.”
• Indian travellers are exploring newer destinations, with Shillong leading due to its scenic charm, followed by Langkawi, Tromso, and Tashkent.
• It has also come out with another list, called the “Best Value Destinations category”.