NATIONAL AFFAIRS
VAIBHAV SUMMIT INAUGURATED BY PM MODI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik, (VAIBHAV) Summit through video conference to introduce pioneering space reforms which provide opportunities for both industry and academia.
He has invited researchers and academicians and sought their support to realize the dream of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, which includes a vision of global welfare.
Calling VAIBHAV as a confluence of great minds as these efforts will help create an ideal research ecosystem.
NITI AAYOG AND NETHERLANDS SIGNS SOI
NITI Aayog and Embassy of the Netherlands, New Delhi, has signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to support the Decarbonization and energy transition agenda for accommodating cleaner and more energy.
The focus of the partnership is on co-creating innovative technological solutions by leveraging the expertise of the two entities.
• The NITI Aayog is a policy think tank of the GOI established on 1st January, 2015.
• Prime Minister of India is the Chairman whereas Rajiv Kumar is the Vice Chairman
• The Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog is Amitabh Kant.
SER LAUNCHED " OPERATION MY SAHELI"
South Eastern Railways (SER) has launched the project, “Operation my Saheli” to enhance the security of women passengers in the train throughout the entire journey from the originating point to their destinations.
“Operation my Saheli” has been introduced in 3 trains: Howrah-Yesvantpur Duronto Special, Howrah- Ahmedabad Special and Howrah-Mumbai Special.
• Piyush Goyal is the Minister of Railways in the current Central Government.
• The GM of South Eastern Railway is Sanjay Kumar Mohanty.
• The headquarters of South Eastern Railway is Kolkata, West Bengal
INDIA-BANGLADESH MARITIME EXERCISE: "BONGOSAGAR"
The second edition of Indian Navy (IN) – Bangladesh Navy (BN) Bilateral Exercise “Bongosagar” commences in Northern Bay of Bengal.
Exercise Bongosagar, is aimed at developing inter-operability and joint operational skills through conduct of a wide spectrum of maritime exercises and operations.
The current Chief of Naval Staff is Admiral Karambir Singh. The 24th Navy Chief took over from Admiral Sunil Lanba.
TESLA PLANNING ENTRY IN INDIAN MARKET IN 2021
Tesla Inc. co-founder and chief executive Elon Musk said that the California-based Electric Vehicle (EV) and clean energy company will enter the Indian market in 2021.
Developing India as a global hub for EVs is one of the prime agendas for the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Tesla could be looking at India for setting up a captive R&D centre & for this Tesla is in talks with the Karnataka government to build an R&D centre in Bengaluru
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
FORMER MINISTER NAMED AS TRANSITIONAL PM OF MALI
Former Mali Foreign Minister Moctar Ouane named transitional PM. Moctar Ouane has also served as Mali’s foreign minister in 2004-2009.
A veteran diplomat, Ouane, also served as Mali’s ambassador to the United Nations from 1995-2002.
Mali’s interim “President Bah Ndaw” has named former Malian Foreign Minister “Moctar Ouane” as Prime minister.
NAWAF AL AHMAD BECOMES RULING EMIR OF KUWAIT
Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah became the oil-rich nation’s new ruling emir. Sheikh Nawaf had served as the crown prince since 2006.
Sheikh Nawaf became a governor of Kuwait’s Hawalli region and later the country’s interior minister, a position he held for nearly a decade.
Sheikh Nawaf served as Kuwait’s defense minister beginning in 1988. He’d be in the role in 1990, when Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait and occupied the nation for seven months.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
RBI'S AWARENESS CAMPAIGN LEAD BY AMITABH BACHCHAN
The Reserve Bank has roped in Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan for the customer awareness campaign to prevent gullible account holders from being duped by fraudsters.
As part of the public awareness initiative of RBI, the regulator keeps informing about do's and don'ts that have to be followed by customers to transact safely and securely.
Bachchan also promoted digital banking during the lockdown period urging people to adopt digital payment and be safe.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is India's central bank.
• It controls & regulates entire Banking in India.
• RBI has its headquarters in Mumbai
• Shaktikanta Das is the present Governor of RBI.
NABARD FACILITY FOR "WASH PROGRAMME"
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has announced a special refinance facility of Rs 800 crore for Fiscal Year 2021.
With this, NABARD will support the Government of India’s Water, Sanitization and Hygiene (WASH) programme.
• NABARD is an apex development finance institution owned by Government of India.
• It has its headquarters in Mumbai, Maharashtra
• The current Chairman of NABARD is G R Chintal.
INDIAN BANK LAUNCHES GREEN INITIATIVE "IB-eNote"
Indian Bank has launched a green initiative named “IB-eNote” to enable a total paperless working environment.
The IB-eNote facility is likely to considerably improve Turnaround Time, save the cost of paper, printing and other administrative expenses.
• MD & CEO of the Indian Bank is Padmaja Chunduru
• Indian bank has its Headquarters in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
APPOINTMENTS
SHEKHAR KAPUR NAMED AS PRESIDENT OF FTII
Noted filmmaker “Shekhar Kapur” has been named as the President of Film and Television Institute of India, FTII.
Kapur succeeded B.P. Singh who was the last president of FTII Society and chairman of Governing Council
Mr. Kapur has directed several films, many of which are critically acclaimed. The Movies include Masoom, Mr. India, Bandit Queen and Elizabeth.
• FTII is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India and aided by the Central Government of India.
• It is situated on the premises of the erstwhile Prabhat Film Company in Pune.
APURVA CHANDRA APPOINTED AS LABOUR SECRETARY
Apurva Chandra is the new labour secretary of the union government, and his first big role will be to implement the three labour codes passed by the Parliament.
Apurva Chandra replaces Heeralal Samariya as the new labour secretary, following later’s retirement.
Besides his role in Maharashtra as a Senior Bureaucrat, he has worked in central ministries like Defence, human resource development, and Petroleum and Natural Gas.
AWARDS & HONOURS
SURAT CITY CONFERRED WITH UNESCO AWARD
Diamond City Surat has bagged the Netexplo Smart Cities Award with UNESCO in the resilience category. Surat’s mayor will receive the award at the UNESCO House in Paris, France.
“Globally, 10 cities were awarded of which Surat is the only city from India to have bagged the award in the resilience category.
Netexplo, an independent observatory that studies the impact of digital technology on society and business, has been a UNESCO partner since 2011.
• UNESCO headquarters: Paris, France
• Currently, Audrey Azoulay is the Director General of UNESCO.
SONU SOOD HONOURED WITH UNDP AWARD
Bollywood actor “Sonu Sood” was honored by the (UNDP) with a Special Humanitarian Award for his good deed.
He has been honored by this award for selflessly extending a helping hand and sending home lakhs of migrants in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• UNDP is the United Nations' global development network.
• UNDP was established on 22nd November of 1965 and active in 177 countries
• It has its headquarters in New York, USA.
SHANTI SWARUP BHATNAGAR AWARD BY CSIR
Twelve scientists, including three from Mumbai, were given the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, 2020, on the foundation day of (CSIR)
• Dr Satyendra Datta of IIT-Bombay
• U K Anandvardhanan, also from IIT-Bombay
• Dr Kinshuk Dasgupta of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize – often cited the highest honour for scientists in India. The award is named after the founder Director of the CSIR, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar. It was first awarded in 1958.
KERALA RECEIVES INDIA TODAY'S AWARD
India Today Healthgiri Awards 2020 to salute the invincible spirit of corona warriors who have led the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic has begun.
India Today Healthgiri Awards 2020 was received by the State of Kerala in the category of “Best state to combat Covid-19 pandemic”.
• K. K. Shailaja is the current Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Kerala.
• She played a vital role in combating Covid-19 pandemic in the state.
• Dr. Harsh Vardhan is the Union Minister for Health and Family welfare.
SWACHH BHARAT AWARDS 2020
Union Jal Shakti Minister “Gajendra Singh Shekhawat” today gave away the Swachh Bharat Awards-2020.
• Under the “Swachh Sundar Samudayik Shouchalaya” category Gujarat bagged the first position.
• Under the “Samudayik Shouchalaya Abhiyan”, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh was awarded as the best performing states.
• Under the “Gandagi Mukth Bharat Mission”, Haryana and Telangana were awarded the top slot.
SPORTS
VALTTERI BOTTAS WINS RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX
Valtteri Bottas won his second Formula One race of the 2020 season, easing to victory at the Russian Grand Prix.
Valtteri Bottas, a Finnish driver finished just under eight seconds clear of Max Verstappen in second while Lewis Hamilton fought back to finish in third.
Both Lewis Hamilton & Valtteri Bottas belong to the same team "Mercedes" whereas second in the Grand Prix, Max Verstappen belongs to "Red Bull Racing Honda" Team.
SPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA LAUNCHED NEW LOGO
The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju has launched the new logo of Sports Authority of India’s (SAI).
The new logo of SAI features a flying figure which indicates the freedom an athlete to leapfrog his/her career in SAI. It features Indian Tricolour and blue colour of the chakra.
• SAI is the apex national sports body of India,
• It was established in 1982 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• Currently the Director General of SAI of “Sandip Pradhan.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE
“Gandhi Jayanti” is celebrated on October 2 every year to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. This year will mark Gandhi’s 151st birth anniversary.
On June 15, 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that declared October 2 as International Day of Non-Violence as he was leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.
International Day of Older Persons
International Day of Older Persons is observed globally on 1st October every year.
It is a United Nations designated day to focus on the well-being and special needs of the elderly people. This year marks 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons.
The theme of International Day of Older Persons 2020: Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing?
REPORTS AND INDEXES
India's first Happiness Report 2020
In a first, India Happiness Report has been released. Mizoram has been ranked the happiest state, followed by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Punjab. Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Uttarakhand ranked at the bottom.
The report was prepared by Professor Rajesh K Pillania, one of the leading management strategy experts of the country.
The said research was carried out on the basis of six parameters of happiness:
• Family relations and friendship, Work-related issues like income and growth, Social issues and philanthropy, Physical and mental health, Religion or spiritual affiliation, Covid-19's effect on happiness
NCRB REPORTS CRIME AGAINST SC & ST
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) launched the annual Crime in India 2019 report. The report stated that the Crime against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) has increased to over 7% and 26% respectively in 2019 when compared to 2018.
Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of crimes against SCs in 2019. It was followed by Rajasthan and Bihar.
Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of cases against STs. It was followed by Rajasthan and Odisha.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
BRAHMOS MISSILE SUCCESSFULLY FLIGHT TESTED
BrahMos surface-to-surface supersonic cruise missile with ‘Made in India’ sub-systems was successfully flight tested from ITR, Balasore in Odisha.
The successful flight testing of BrahMos has paved the way for realizing Aatmanirbhar Bharat pledge.
• Union Minister of Defence: Shri Rajnath Singh.
• Dr G. Satheesh Reddy is the Chairman of DRDO.
ISRO TO LAUNCH VENUS MISSION IN 2025
ISRO is scheduled to launch its Venus mission in 2025 and France will participate in it announced by French space agency CNES.
The VIRAL (Venus Infrared Atmospheric Gases Linker) attached to the French national scientific research centre CNRS has been selected by the ISRO.
• The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) established in 1969.
• It is the national space agency of the Republic of India, headquartered in the Bengaluru. Currently K Sivan is the Chairman of the organization.
LEGAL AFFAIRS
ALL ACCUSED ACQUITTED IN BABRI MASJID DEMOLITION CASE
A Special CBI Court at Lucknow acquitted all 32 persons accused of criminal conspiracy behind the demolition of the Babri Masjid mosque on December 6, 1992
It includes prominent BJP leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharati, Kalyan Singh etc.
Special CBI Judge SK Yadav, held that the demolition of the mosque was not premeditated and that there was no criminal conspiracy behind it.
NARCO ANALYSIS TEST CAN'T BE CONDUCTED FORCIBLY
Petition filed before the Allahabad High Court seeking stay on the UP-Government's decision to conduct a Narco-analysis test of the victim's family in the Hathras Gang Rape case the Uttar Pradesh government.
A decade ago in Selvi vs. State Of Karnataka Supreme Court observed that the compulsory administration of the techniques like Narco Analysis tests constitutes 'cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment' in the context of Article 21.
AMNESTY HALTS WORK IN INDIA
"Amnesty International India announced that it is halting its work in the country after the Indian government froze its bank accounts in an act of reprisal for the organization's human rights work.
As per the Government of India, Amnesty International has been receiving foreign funds, which the government has prohibited under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) 2010.
In conclusion, the statements say that a robust, independent, and vocal civil society is indispensable in any democracy to ensure a check on government and to hold it accountable, pushing it to do better.
• The Secretary General of Amnesty International is Kumi Naidoo,
• He is South-African human rights activist.
• The headquarters of Amnesty International is at London, United Kingdom.
