Current Affairs September 2023

The ‘Road Accidents in India- 2022’ report reveals alarming statistics for the year 2022:
4,61,312 road accidents,
1,80,491 fatalities, and
4,43,366 injuries.
These numbers represent an increase of 11.9%, 9.4%, and 15.3% respectively compared to the previous year (2021).

1. National Highways accounted for 32.9% of total accidents and 36.2% of casualties in 2022. State roads were responsible for 23.1% of accidents and 24.3% of casualties, while other roads had 43.9% of accidents and 39.4% of deaths.
2. On average, there were 1,264 accidents and 462 deaths every day, or 53 accidents and 19 deaths every hour in India in 2022.
3. In 2022, Tamil Nadu had the highest number of accidents (64,105), representing 13.9% of the total accidents. Other states with high accident numbers included Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh.
4. Major factors contributing to road accidents include speeding, drunken driving, non-adherence to traffic rules, road infrastructure issues, and inadequate enforcement mechanisms.
5. The Ministry of Road and Transport has devised a multi-pronged strategy involving education, engineering for roads and vehicles, enforcement, and emergency care to reduce road accidents.
6. Various media platforms are used to raise awareness about road safety and traffic rules, and the government has introduced measures like mandatory airbags, Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS), speed limits, inspection and certification centers, vehicle scrapping policies, and automated testing stations to enhance safety.
7. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, introduced strict penalties to deter violations of safety rules.
8. Compensation for victims of hit-and-run motor accidents has been increased significantly.
9. The National Highways Authority of India has provided ambulances with paramedical staff and Emergency Medical Technicians at toll plazas along the entire National Highways corridor to improve emergency response and save lives.

MCQs

Q.: What was the average daily number of road accidents in India in 2022?

a) 537 accidents per day
b) 1,264 accidents per day
c) 712 accidents per day
d) 953 accidents per day

Ans : b) 1,264 accidents per day

Q.: Which state reported the highest number of road accidents in 2022?

a) Uttar Pradesh
b) Maharashtra
c) Tamil Nadu
d) Gujarat

Ans : c) Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a week-long programme called Sankalp Saptaah in New Delhi on September 30, 2023. The event took place at Bharat Mandapam in the National Capital and saw the participation of approximately three thousand panchayat and block-level people’s representatives and functionaries from across the country.

1. Sankalp Saptaah is linked to the effective implementation of the Aspirational Blocks Programme, which aims to improve governance at the block level and enhance the quality of life for citizens.
2. Additionally, about two lakh people, including block and panchayat level functionaries and farmers, joined the programme virtually.
3. Sankalp Saptaah will be observed in all 500 Aspirational Blocks across 329 districts in the country from the 3rd to the 9th of the following month.
4. Each day during the week is dedicated to a specific development theme, including Sampoorna Swasthya, Suposhit Pariwaar, Swachhta, Krishi, Shiksha, and Samridhi Diwas.
5. The last day of the week, known as Sankalp Saptaah – Samavesh Samaroh, will be a celebration of the work conducted during the entire week.

Q.: What is the name of the week-long programme launched by PM Modi on September 30, 2023 to Enhancing governance at the block level?

a) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
b) Sankalp Saptaah
c) Aspirational Blocks Initiative
d) Bharat Mandapam Programme

Answer: b) Sankalp Saptaah

Indore was awarded the title of the Best Smart City in India on September 27, 2023, during the India Smart Cities Conclave 2023. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu as part of the fourth edition of the India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) 2023.

1. Indore received this recognition after being ranked as the cleanest city in India on five separate occasions.
2. The India Smart Cities Conclave 2023 took place on September 26-27, 2023, at the Brilliant Convention Centre in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
3. The event was organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, and saw participation from all 100 smart cities in India.
4. The conclave served as a platform for cities to showcase their noteworthy achievements under the Smart Cities Mission and contribute to the future urban transformation of the country.

Q.: Which city was awarded the Best Smart City in India at the India Smart Cities Conclave 2023?

a) Mumbai
b) New Delhi
c) Indore
d) Bengaluru

Ans : c) Indore

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highway, Nitin Gadkari, discussed plans for electric buses and an electric highway from Delhi to Jaipur at the 20th Indo-US Economic Summit in New Delhi on 27 September 2023.

1. The government intends to introduce electric buses with luxury facilities, offering a similar level of service as aviation class but at a cost less than 30 percent compared to diesel buses.
2. The proposed electric buses will cover the Delhi to Jaipur route in approximately two hours and 50 minutes.
3. Nitin Gadkari emphasized the potential for collaboration between India and the US at the economic summit, highlighting the opportunity for joint ventures and technology sharing that would benefit both nations.
4. Additionally, Mr. Gadkari presented the 7th Business Leadership Awards during the event.

Q.: What is the proposed route for the government’s plan to establish an electric highway?

a) Mumbai to Pune
b) Delhi to Jaipur
c) Bangalore to Chennai|
d) Kolkata to Patna

Ans : b) Delhi to Jaipur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute approximately 51,000 appointment letters to newly recruited individuals on September 26, 2023, through video conferencing.

1. The distribution of appointment letters will take place during a Rozgar Mela (employment fair) held at 46 locations across the country.
2. The new recruits come from various parts of the country and will be joining different Ministries and Departments, including the Department of Posts, Atomic Energy, Revenue, Higher Education, and Ministry of Defence, among others.
3. This initiative is in line with the Prime Minister’s commitment to prioritize employment generation in India.
4. The Rozgar Mela is expected to play a pivotal role in creating more employment opportunities and empowering youth to participate in national development.

Q.: What is the main objective of the Rozgar Mela as mentioned in the information?

a) To promote cultural activities
b) To distribute government grants
c) To provide career counseling
d) To generate employment opportunities

Ans : d) To generate employment opportunities

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh formally inducted the first C-295 MW transport aircraft at the Indian Air Force airbase in Hindan, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh on 25 September 2023.

1. The induction of the C-295 is expected to enhance the medium-lift tactical capability of the Indian Air Force.
2. The C-295 is capable of taking off and landing from unprepared landing grounds and will replace the HS-748 Avro aircraft.
3. Airbus is set to deliver the first 16 C-295 aircraft in fly-away condition from its final assembly line at Seville, while Tata Advanced Systems will manufacture and assemble the remaining 40 aircraft in India.
4. All C-295 aircraft will be equipped with an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite.
5. The C-295 is designed for tactical transport, capable of carrying up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and is suited for logistic operations in areas inaccessible to heavier aircraft.
6. Raksha Mantri also inaugurated the two-day Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 event, which features participation from over 75 drone start-ups and companies.
7. Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 aims to promote India’s goal of becoming a global drone hub by 2030 and is expected to have broad participation from various government departments, industries, armed forces, and friendly countries.

Q.: Who will manufacture and assemble the majority of the C-295 aircraft in India?

a) Airbus
b) Boeing
c) Tata Advanced Systems
d) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

Ans : c) Tata Advanced Systems