India and Colombia Sign Audio-Visual Co-Production Agreement

• On October 16, 2024, India and Colombia have signed an agreement to enhance collaboration in the film industry.
• The deal allows filmmakers from both nations to share resources such as technology, finances, and creative ideas.
• This partnership enables joint productions that highlight the unique cultural and artistic traditions of both countries.
• Colombia becomes the 17th nation to partner with India in this film co-production initiative.
• The agreement aims to foster international collaboration and create diverse content for global audiences.

ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue

• On October 16, 2024, The ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue took place in Singapore, co-chaired by Amit A. Shukla.
• Both sides exchanged views on cyber threats, national cyber policies, and the ICT developments at the UN.
• The dialogues main aim to explored ways to enhance cooperation in cyber capacity building and training.
• The discussions aimed at advancing the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• The dialogue followed the issuance of a joint statement on digital transformation at the ASEAN-India Summit.

India Become Sri Lanka's Top Tourism Source Market in 2024

• By mid- October 2024, India topped in the list of tourists to Sri Lanka.
• Sri Lanka welcomed more than 1.5 million tourists by mid-October 2024.
• The United Kingdom, Russia, and Germany follow India as the top tourism source countries.
• Frequent flights and resumed ferry services have made travel between India and Sri Lanka more accessible.
• Sri Lanka aims for 3 million tourists in 2025, bringing the industry back to pre-COVID levels.

Cabinet Approves Increased MSP for Rabi Crops

• The Cabinet approved a significant increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) on October 16, 2024, for Rabi crops for the 2025-26 season.
• The highest MSP hike is for Rapeseed & Mustard, with an increase of₹`300 per quintal, followed by Lentil at ₹275.
• Other crops like Gram, Wheat, Safflower, and Barley saw MSP increases ranging from ₹ 130 to ₹210 per quintal.
• The MSP increases align with the Union Budget 2018-19 goal to set MSP at least 1.5 times the cost of production.
• This decision will help to ensure fair prices for farmers and encourage crop diversification across the country.

Kaziranga become India’s Second-Largest Hub for Butterfly Diversity (Environment & Ecology)

• As per research came on October 16, 2024, Kaziranga National Park, famous for its one-horned rhinos, is now India’s second-largest butterfly diversity hub.
• The park is home to 446 butterfly species, placing it just behind Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi’s research, which began in 2007, led to the discovery of this incredible butterfly diversity.
• In September 2024, the first ‘Butterfly Conservation Meet’ was held, attracting experts and enthusiasts from across the country.
• Kaziranga’s unique butterfly population thrives despite being outside the Himalayan and Patkai mountain ranges, known for higher species diversity.

India launched its fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, S4 (Defence)

• India successfully launched S4, at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2024.
• S4 is larger and more advanced than S2, powered by an 83 MW pressurized light-water reactor, capable of carrying K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles with a 3,500 km range.
• India's Nuclear Triad, completed in 2018, enables nuclear weapon delivery via land, air, and sea, crucial for Credible Minimum Deterrence (CMD).
• India's Nuclear Doctrine, formalized after the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests, is based on Credible Minimum Deterrence and a No First Use policy.
• The significance lies in enhancing national security and regional stability, reinforcing India's strategic deterrence and operational capabilities in line with global maritime security challenges.

27th All India Forest Sports Meet Kicks Off in Raipur

• The 27th All India Forest Sports Meet started on October 16, 2024, in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurating the event.
• T-20 cricket team captain, Suryakumar Yadav, was also present at the opening ceremony.
• The five-day event will run until October 20, attracting athletes from across the country.
• Nearly 3000 athletes from 29 states and 10 union territories are competing in various sports.
• This annual meet brings together forest department personnel to showcase their athletic skills and foster camaraderie.

Neetu David, Alastair Cook, and AB de Villiers are inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame:

• On October 16, 2024, Alastair Cook, Neetu David, and AB de Villiers were inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
• Alastair Cook was the previous captain of England, Neetu David was the former captain of India, and AB de Villiers is from South Africa.
• Neetu David, the first Indian woman to take 100 ODI wickets, was the top wicket-taker in the 2005 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, leading India to its first final.
• Alastair Cook, England's highest Test run-scorer, played over 250 matches and retired in 2018.
• AB de Villiers has a legacy of scoring over 20000 international runs across all formats.
• AB de Villiers also holding records for the fastest 50, century, and 150 in ODIs.