SSB PATRIKA

Thrusday Students
10 Oct 2024 Version

India’s First Newspaper Specifically Made For Defence Aspirants

Current Affairs SSB Group Discussions Lecturette topics Vocabulary TAT + PPDT Stories

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
CCS clears deals for 31 MQ-9B drones and
submarines
The Cabinet Committee on Security on
Wednesday approved two high-profile deals for
the purchase of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long
Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
(UAV) from General Atomics of the U.S. and
indigenous construction of two nuclear attack
submarines (SSNs). The MQ-9B HALE UAVs are
for the three services, as confirmed by two
official sources. Approval from CCS is the final
step and the MQ-9B deal now awaits formal
conclusion. As part of the deal, General Atomics
is scheduled to establish a Global Maintenance,
Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India which would count towards off set obligations. As reported
by The Hindu earlier in end-July, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Mr. Singh had
approved amendments to the MQ-9B deal related to indigenous content and related aspects. The deal
for 31 MQ-9B UAVs, 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardians, eight each for the
Indian Army and Air Force, is estimated to cost $3.99 billion.

Modi to hold bilateral talks with leaders at

ASEAN-India summit
Relations with ASEAN a central pillar of Act East Policy and
Indo-Pacific vision, says External Affairs Ministry announcing
the PM’s two-day visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Laos on Thursday and Friday to
attend the 21st ASEAN-India and the 19th East Asia Summits. The annual
events are crucial as they are being held against the backdrop of fast
developments in Myanmar where ethnic armed organisations are battling
the military junta of the country, creating hurdles for regional connectivity
and security plans. “India is marking a decade of the Act East Policy this
year. Relations with ASEAN are a central pillar of the Act East Policy and our
Indo-Pacific vision,” the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday
announcing the visit. Mr. Modi will reach the Laotian capital Vientiane on
Thursday and will hold bilateral meetings with leaders of the ASEAN
countries after attending the ASEAN-India summit in the afternoon. Laos is the current chair of
ASEAN and Mr. Modi will be travelling at the invitation of his Laotian counterpart, Sonexay
Siphandone.

New PM Ishiba calls snap election in attempt to ‘create

a new Japan’
Japan’s new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba dissolved
parliament on Wednesday, saying that an election this month
was a chance to “create a new Japan” by revitalising rural
regions. Mr. Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its
junior coalition partner are almost certain to be re-elected on
October 27

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 SSB PATRIKA
Thrusday Students
10 Oct 2024 Version

India’s First Newspaper Specifically Made For Defence Aspirants

Current Affairs SSB Group Discussions Lecturette topics Vocabulary TAT + PPDT Stories

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Trump praises Modi, says he is the ‘nicest human being’ but
can also be a ‘total killer’
Former U.S. President and Republican
presidential candidate Donald Trump praised
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described Mr.
Modi’s change in demeanour in response to
perceived threats. His comments were made on
an episode of the Flagrant podcast, hosted by
Andrew Schulz and Akaash Singh. Before
getting into the segment on Mr. Modi, the
former President asked the host, Mr. Singh, if he
liked Mr. Modi. Mr. Singh, sidestepped the
question, saying he had family on both sides,
those who loved everything [about Mr. Modi]
and those who did not. “Before him, they were replacing ‘em every year, ” Mr. Trump said, incorrectly.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mr. Modidi’s predecessor, was in the post from 2004-2014. “He’s
great, he’s a friend of mine,” Mr. Trump said about Mr. Modi. “But on the outside he looks like your father,
he’s the nicest ... total killer,” Mr. Trump said. The former President described the Howdy Modi event held in
2019 in Houston, Texas, where he appeared with Mr. Modi at an Indian diaspora event.

2 killed as rockets hit Israel’s north; clashes continue in

Lebanon’s south
The deaths mark the first civilian casualties
since Israel’s invasion of Lebanon began; Israeli
military says about 20 projectile launches were
identified crossing from Lebanon; Hezbollah
says its fighters ‘bombed enemy troops’ with
artillery shells
Israeli emergency responders said two persons
were killed on Wednesday in a rocket attack on
the northern city of Kiryat Shmona, as the Army
and Lebanon’s Hezbollah exchanged fire along the
border. “We found a man and a woman aged
around 40 years old, unconscious and injured by
shrapnel,” an emergency service provider said. “
Their injuries were serious and we had to declare them dead on the spot,” he added. The incident is
the first involving civilian deaths since Israel sent ground troops into southern Lebanon and began
targeting Hezbollah positions with regular air strikes on Beirut. The Israeli military said approximately
20 projectile launches were identified crossing from Lebanon. Israel expanded operations in Lebanon
nearly a year after Hezbollah began cross-border fire in support of its ally, Hamas, following the
Palestinian group’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
While battling Hamas in Gaza, Israel has vowed to secure its northern border with Lebanon to allow
tens of thousands of Israelis displaced by Hezbollah fire to return home. Hezbollah on Wednesday
said its fighters targeted Israeli forces in a south Lebanon border village, shortly after saying Israeli
soldiers tried to advance in the area.

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 SSB PATRIKA
Thrusday Students
10 Oct 2024 Version

India’s First Newspaper Specifically Made For Defence Aspirants

Current Affairs SSB Group Discussions Lecturette topics Vocabulary TAT + PPDT Stories

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Union Cabinet gives nod for continuation of free fortified
rice supply till Dec. 2028
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet on Wednesday
approved the continuation of supply of free fortified rice under
various welfare pro grammes from July 2024 to December 2028.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the rice fortification initiative
would continue as a central sector initiative with 100% funding by
the Centre in order to ensure inclusive nutritional security in the
country. The move is aimed at addressing anaemia and
micronutrients deficiency. Free fortified rice will be provided under
pro grammes such as Targeted Public Distribution System,
Integrated Child Development Service, and PM POSHAN in all States and Union Territories. The Cabinet
Committee on Economic Affairs had in April 2022 decided to implement it in a phased manner by March
2024. “All three phases have been successfully completed and the target of universal coverage to supply
fortified rice in all schemes of the government was achieved by March 2024,” the government said.

Malabar has evolved into key multilateral event, says ENC

chief
The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the Indo-Pacific Region (IPR) are
becoming increasingly vital for global security and economic stability,
Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief,
Eastern Naval Command (ENC) said here on Wednesday. Addressing
representatives of the three friendly Navies of the United States, Japan
and Australia before the commencement of the Harbour Phase of Mala
bar-2024, a maritime exercise of the Quad nations being hosted by
India at the ENC base, he said the strategic importance of these
regions could not be overstated as they were essential for trade,
energy security and maritime freedom. ‘Not just a drill’
“The Malabar is not just a military drill. It also embodies the commitment to collaboration among the like-
minded nations to mitigate maritime challenges,” the Vice Admiral Pendharkar.

Bengaluru to switch to AI-powered traffic signals

In a bid to tackle growing traffic chaos, the Bengaluru
Traffic Police have set their sights on a full transition to AI-
powered, real time adaptive traffic signals at major
junctions. The move is part of the Bengaluru Adaptive
Traffic Control System (BATCS), a technology initiative
designed to streamline traffic flow and reduce manual
intervention at traffic signals. On October 9, Bengaluru
Police Commissioner B. Dayananda said, “The BATCS
project, initiated in May,
includes upgrading 136 existing junctions and installing 29 new ones, covering a total of 165 traffic signals
in the city. We have already completed 50% of the work, and the remaining work is expected to benished
by March next year.” Bengaluru, known for heavy congestion and a high number of private vehicles, is home
to one of the highest concentrations of vehicles in India. With two-wheelers accounting for around 60% of
the city’s traffic, managing such adiverse mix of vehicles on the road has become increasingly challenging
for the authorities.

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 SSB PATRIKA
Thrusday Students
10 Oct 2024 Version

India’s First Newspaper Specifically Made For Defence Aspirants

Current Affairs SSB Group Discussions Lecturette topics Vocabulary TAT + PPDT Stories

EDITOR OF THE DAY

Mental health in India’s material world

In July this year, the case of a 26-year-old woman executive working for a multinational consulting firm,
ending her life due to immense work pressures moved the spotlight to an important issue that concerns
millions of working Indians. In September, a 38-year-old software engineer with 15 years of experience in
a Chennai-based firm, ended his life. He was on medication for depression caused by work stress. Despite
their “successful” careers, the loss of these lives underscores a growing mental health crisis in India,
where success is often equated with relentless productivity and material wealth. These events reveal the
struggles many face such as battling depression, anxiety, and a lack of purpose even as they put up a
facade of success and contentment. India is currently witnessing a surge in mental health disorders.
According to The Lancet Psychiatry Commission, over 197 million people suffer from conditions such as
depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Economic growth has created new opportunities, but it has also
intensified societal pressures and personal expectations. As India’s developmental aspirations rise, mental
well-being is often overlooked, fuelling a crisis driven by materialism and a growing disconnect from
community and self-awareness.
Rising stress and anxiety India is grappling with a mental health epidemic, with millions suffering from
disorders such as depression and anxiety. The relentless pressures of urban living, financial instability, and
fierce competition are significant contributors. Even those who achieve material success often find that
wealth and status do not deliver true well-being. Instead, many feel isolated and disconnected from their
communities, experiencing a profound sense of purposelessness.
Collective action, community as solutions To address this crisis, we must shift focus from individual
success to collective well-being. Studies show that strong social connections, supportive communities,
and meaningful work are critical to mental health. However, work-life balance and legal protection are
increasingly under threat. The socio-political climate in India, where young individuals desperately strive
for a consumeristic “good life”, has led to proposals such as extended work hours. For instance, the
Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2024 permits employees to work
more than 12 hours a day, up to 125 hours in three months. Amid rapid urbanisation and personal
achievement, it is essential to remind ourselves of the deeper meaning and purpose in life that can be
found through community, joy, and friendship. Examples from
Consumer choice and liberty A significant contributor to India’s mental health crisis is the reduction of
freedom to consumer choice. As India’s middle class expands, many equate their ability to buy goods with
personal freedom and success. However, this perspective prioritises material wealth over deeper values
such as equality and fraternity. The result is a society where happiness is measured by buying power,
leading to an endless cycle of consumption that does little to improve long-term mental health.

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