Current affairs 02 October 2023

PM Narendra Modi launches Sankalp Saptaah.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a week-long program called Sankalp Saptah for aspirational blocks in New Delhi on 30 September 2023.
• The objective of the Sankalp Saptah is to effectively implement the Aspirational Block Programme, which aims to improve governance at the block level and enhance the quality of life of the citizens.
• About three thousand panchayat and block level representatives and officials from across the country will participate in this program to be held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.
• Additionally, around two lakh people including block and panchayat level officials and farmers will join the program virtually.

FSSAI introduces "special category" provision to promote gender equality in food industry.

• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) introduced a new provision called Special Category in the FOSCOS portal.
• This provision aims to promote gender equality and equal opportunities for women and transgender entrepreneurs in the food business sector.
• Under this provision, licensing and registration authorities will give priority to special category applications.
• Priority will be maintained in such a way that a one-to-one ratio is maintained between Special Category applications and regular applications, unless there are no pending applications in any category.

Intel appoints Gokul Subramaniam as India President.

• Intel Corporation, the leading digital chip maker headquartered in the United States, has elected Gokul Subramaniam as the President of Intel India.
• Gokul Subramaniam's responsibilities in his new role include overseeing Intel's engineering and design operations in India.
• His duties include fostering innovation, enhancing cross-group efficiencies and ensuring successful execution of Intel products from Indian facilities.
• It is noteworthy that he will continue to lead client platforms and systems within the Client Computing Group (CCG).
• In June 2023, Nivrutti Rai, former country head of Intel India and vice president of Foundry Services, resigned from her post.

Taiwan unveils first domestic submarine "Haikun".

• Taiwan recently unveiled its first domestically built submarine Haikun.
• It aims to enhance its defense capabilities amid the constant threat of a possible Chinese attack.
• Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the launch ceremony in Kaohsiung.
• Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is a democratic island nation that China considers a rebel province.
• The enduring dispute over Taiwan's status has been a long-term source of regional tension, with China stressing its intention to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, even by force if necessary.

MoT recognizes Pembarthi and Chandlapur as Best Tourism Village.

• In Telangana, Pembarthi in Jangoan district and Chandlapur in Siddipet district have been chosen by the Ministry of Tourism as the best tourism villages in Telangana for the year.
• Both the villages received awards on the occasion of World Tourism Day during a special function in New Delhi.
• Pembarthi is known for brass and bronze products and home decorations, figurines of gods and goddesses, and other handicrafts, which are exported to countries like the U.S., Germany, Belgium, and Japan. About 25 thousand people visit the village annually.
• Chandlapur village is renowned for the famous Ranganayaka Swamy temple, ‘Gollabama’ sarees, and other crafts of the region.