NATIONAL AFFAIRS
'MISSION SHAKTI' IN UP TO TACKLE CRIME AGAINST WOMEN
Facing flak over a string of rape incidents in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched ‘Mission Shakti’ campaign.
It focuses upon ensuring the safety and dignity of women and girls, with a stern warning that perpetrators of crimes against females will be dealt with an iron hand.
“The first phase of ‘Mission Shakti’ will focus on spreading awareness towards ensuring the safety and dignity of women and girl child.
In the second phase, they will have to face social-boycott and their pictures will be displayed publicly.
PM NARENDRA MODI LAUNCHED SVAMITVA SCHEME
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the programme of physical distribution of Property Cards under the SVAMITVA scheme.
The Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) is a Central Sector Scheme to provide the ‘record of rights to document the residential properties’ to village households.
SVAMITVA Scheme will help in strengthening the Panchayati Raj system for which efforts are underway for the past 6 years.
UGC TERMED 24 UNIVERSITIES AS FAKE
The University Grants Commission announced a list of 24 unrecognized universities. These Universities have been termed as fake.
The maximum number of these universities is operating from the states of Uttar Pradesh followed by Delhi.
UGC has also notified that the word “University” shall not be used by any institutions other than those established and recognised by UGC. UGC has its headquarters in New Delhi & its chairman is DP Singh.
8 BEACHES GOT BLUE FLAG CERTIFICATION
All Eight beaches recommended by the Government have got the coveted International Blueflag Certification.
It is an outstanding feat for the country as no Blueflag nation has ever been awarded for 8 beaches in a single attempt.
The beaches which got International Blueflag Certification are Shivrajpur beach in Dwarka Gujarat, Ghoghla beach in Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka, Kappad in Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden Beach in Odisha and Radhanagar beach in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
INDIA TO DELIVER "INS SINDHUVIR" TO MYANMAR
India will deliver Submarine to Myanmar Navy as part of growing defence cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
The submarine will be an EKM or kilo class submarine “INS Sindhuvir” described as "state of the art package".
The move is in accordance with India's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
A kilo class submarine is a class of diesel-electric attack submarines designed and built in the Soviet Union for the Soviet Navy.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
PAKISTAN ON FATF'S ENHANCED FOLLOW UP LIST
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Asia Pacific Group has kept Pakistan in its ‘Enhanced Follow Up’ list.
The organization had downgraded Pakistan status from “regular follow-up” to “enhanced follow up”.
• FATF is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1989
• The headquarters of FATF is in Paris, France
• President of FATF is Marcus Pleyer
RUSSIA'S SECOND CORONA VACCINE: "EpiVacCORONA"
Russia has given regulatory approval to a second Covid-19 vaccine, named ‘EpiVacCorona’, after early-stage studies.
The new corona virus vaccine comes two months after a similar move for Russia’s first vaccine Sputnik V.
The second Russian vaccine to receive regulatory approval was developed by the Vector State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology.
PM OF NEW ZEALAND, JACINDA ARDERN WINS 2ND TERM
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, won a landslide victory in the country’s general election, to be elected as the PM for the second consecutive three-year term.
Ardern’s centre-left Labor Party won 49.2% of the total 83.7% votes counted in the 120-member parliament.
The 40-year-old is serving as the 40th Prime Minister of the country since 26 October 2017.
SADYR JAPAROV APPOINTED AS NEW PM OF KYRGYZSTAN
The members of Kyrgyzstan parliament unanimously approved the appointment of Sadyr Japarov as the new Prime Minister of the country.
Sadyr Japarov, only a day ago was behind bars serving a sentence for kidnapping a public official, has become the country’s new head of government.
Japarov was elected to Parliament in 2005 as a supporter of former President Kurmanbek Bakiev, who was overthrown in a revolution in 2010 after it became clear that he was involved in mass-scale corruption.
NEW ZEALAND'S PASSPORT MOST POWERFUL IN THE WORLD
Global Passport Index which compares the access granted by the passports of 193 UN member countries, considered the passport of New Zealand to be the world’s ‘most powerful’.
The US passport ranked 21 and India, 58. Kiwi passport holders now get visa-free access to 129 countries.
Japan now holds the second position along with Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Ireland, South Korea and Australia. Most of the European countries are in the top 10 list.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
IMF PROJECTS INDIA'S GDP TO CONTRACT BY 10.3%
According to ‘World Economic Outlook’ report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected the Indian economy to contract by 10.3 per cent in 2020-21.
However, IMF estimates the GDP of India to grow at 8.8 per cent in 2021-22, as compared to 6 per cent predicted earlier, regaining the position of the fastest-growing emerging economy.
• IMF is an international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C.
• It consists of 189 countries.
• The Chairman and the MD of the organization is Kristalina Georgieva.
• Gita Gopinath is the Chief Economist of IMF.
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM'S ANNUAL MEETING VENUE SHIFTED
The World Economic Forum (WEF) will hold its Annual Meeting 2021 in Lucerne-Burgenstock, Switzerland.
The change in schedule and venue was necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The World Economic founded in 1971.
• WEF Headquarters: Cologny, Switzerland
• World Economic Forum's Executive Chairman is Klaus Schwab.
RAJKIRAN RAI G ELECTED AS IBA'S CHAIRMAN
The Managing Director and CEO of Union Bank of India, Rajkiran Rai G has been elected as the Chairman of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
He succeeds Rajnish Kumar as the IBA Chairman after Kumar recently retired as SBI Chief.
Apart from this, Dinesh Kumar Khara, the Chairman of State Bank of India has been elected as the deputy chairman of the association.
• Indian Banks' Association (IBA) formed on 26 September 1946.
• It has its headquarters in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
APPOINTMENTS
BHARAT PE: 11 CRICKETERS AS BRAND AMBASSADORS
BharatPe has announced the launch of its high impact TV campaign starring ‘Team BharatPe’ with 11 Cricket stars as brand ambassadors.
Team BharatPe includes:
• Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina, Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Shubhman Gill.
MICHAEL IRANI APPOINTED AS INTERIM PRESIDENT OF IWF
Dr Michael Irani of Great Britain (GBR) has been appointed as the Interim President of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
Michael Irani was appointed following the resignation of IWF President Tamás Aján.
He was the former Chairman of the anti-doping Commission of IWF. He served as the President of the European Weightlifting Federation (EWF) Medical Committee from 1995 to 1999.
• International Weightlifting Federation Headquarters: Budapest, Hungary.
• International Weightlifting Federation Founded: 1905
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VISHAL V. SHARMA PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO UNESCO
The Ministry of External Affairs announced that India’s next envoy to the UN’s cultural body will be Vishal V. Sharma.
Vishal V. Sharma has been appointed as the next Permanent Representative of India to the Permanent Delegation UNESCO, with the rank of Ambassador
He will replace Jawed Ashraf. Sharma is expected to take up the assignment shortly.
• UNESCO headquarters: Paris, France.
• UNESCO Head: Audrey Azoulay.
AWARDS & HONOURS
ALTERNATIVE NOBEL (RIGHT LIVELIHOOD AWARD) 2020
The Right Livelihood Award Foundation has announced the four winners of the Right Livelihood Award 2020 which is also known as the alternative Nobel Prize in Stockholm.
Ales Bialiatski and Nasrin Sotoudeh: Realization of democracy in Belarus and human rights in Iran respectively.
Bryan Stevenson: Reform the criminal justice system and the advance racial reconciliation in the US. Lottie Cunningham Wren: Protecting indigenous lands and communities from exploitation.
PRINCE WILLIAM LAUNCHES "EARTHSHOT PRIZE"
Britain’s Prince William and Naturalist David Attenborough have launched an “Earthshot Prize”, with an aim to encourage change and support to repair the planet.
The Earth shot Prize aims to “incentivize change and help to repair our planet over the next 10 years,” and “turns pessimism to optimism” by rewarding innovative solutions to environmental problems.
The prize is supported by a group of individuals and organizations and philanthropic bodies of billionaires like Bloomberg Philanthropies, Jack Ma Foundation (Alibaba), Paul G.Allen Family Foundation (Microsoft).
SPORTS
TENNIS FRENCH OPEN 2020
Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic to win the men’s 2020 French Open Title. This is his 13th French Open men’s singles title and 20th Grand Slam title.
• Men’s Singles -- Rafael Nadal (Spain)
• Women’s Single ---- Iga Swiatek (Poland)
• Men’s Double ---- Kevin Krawietz & Andreas Mies (Germany)
• Women’s Double ----- Tímea Babos (Hungary) & Kristina Mladenovic (France)
LEWIS HAMILTON WINS 2020 EIFEL GRAND PRIX
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) has won the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix, held at the Nürburgring in Nürburg, Germany.
This is Hamilton’s 7th win of the season and 91st career race victory, which was till now achieved only by Michael Schumacher.
Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands) came second followed by Daniel Ricciardo (Renault, Australia) at third position.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS WON NBA CHAMPIONSHIP 2020
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat to win the National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship 2020.
LeBron James of the Lakers’ was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the fourth time in his career.
• NBA: American men's professional basketball league.
• National Basketball Association headquarters in New York, USA
• Adam Silver is the commissioner of National Basketball Association.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF GIRL CHILD: 11TH
International Day of the Girl Child is observed globally on 11 October every year since 2012.
The theme for 2020 International Day of the Girl Child is “My voice, our equal future”.
On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISASTER REDUCTION
The United Nations International Day for Disaster Reduction is observed globally on 13th October. The theme of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2020 is "Disaster risk governance".
The day is celebrated to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction and also celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was started in 1989, after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction.
WORLD ARTHRITIS DAY 2020
World Arthritis Day is observed globally on 12th October every year.
The day is celebrated to raise awareness about arthritis, an inflammatory condition which causes pain and stiffness in joints which can worsen with age.
This year the theme of this day is- It is in your hand - Take action which is more relevant during Covid times.
WORLD'S STANDARDS DAY: 14TH OCTOBER
World Standards Day or International Standards Day is observed globally on 14 October every year.
The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of standardization to the global economy among the consumers, regulators and industry.
World Standards Day 2020 theme is “Protecting the planet with standards”.
• International Organization for Standardization was founded in 1947.
• It has its Headquarters Geneva, Switzerland.
• International Organization for Standardization's President is Eddy Njoroge
WORLD'S STUDENTS DAY: 15TH OCTOBER
World Students’ Day is observed every year on 15 October to mark the birth anniversary of former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
This year marks the 89th birth anniversary of the former president and ‘Missile Man’ Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
In 2010 the United Nations declared 15 October “World Students’ Day”, due to Kalam’s love for students he himself was a dedicated teacher and identified himself foremost in that role before anything else.
WORLD'S FOOD DAY: 16TH OCTOBER
World Food Day (WFD) is observed globally on 16 October every year. The day is celebrated to eradicate worldwide hunger from our lifetime.
This day generates awareness globally for those who suffer from hunger and to ensure the need for food security and nutritious diets for all. Theme 2020: “Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together”.
The main focus of this day is that food is a basic and fundamental human right. WFD commemorates the day in 1945 when the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was founded.
• FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
• It leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.
• The FAO is headquartered in Rome, Italy
• Currently the Director General of FAO is Qu Dongyu.
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR ERADICATION OF POVERTY
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed globally on 17 October every year.
The day aims to raise awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution around the world, particularly in developing countries.
2020 Theme: “Acting together to achieve social and environmental justice for all”. The theme for the Day this year addresses the challenge of achieving social and environmental justice for all.
REPORTS AND INDEXES
INDIA RANKED 129 IN CRI INDEX BY OXFAM
India has been ranked 129 among 158 countries in the 2020 Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index.
The 2020 CRI index has been topped by Norway. South Sudan is the lowest ranking country in the index at 158th position. As per the index, India is among the world’s worst-performing countries in tackling inequality going into the pandemic.
India’s health budget is the world’s fourth-lowest and only half of the population has access to even the most basic healthcare services.
OBITUARIES
KUCHIPUDI DANCER SHOBHA NAIDU PASSED AWAY
Renowned Kuchipudi dancer, Shobha Naidu passed away.
Her major achievements include choreography and presentation of Ballets Vipranarayana, Kalyana Srinivasam and many others.
Shobha Naidu has many laurels. Some of the famous awards won by her include, Padma Shri in 2001, Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1991.
OSCAR WINNER BHANU ATHAIYA PASSES AWAY
The first Indian to win the Oscar award, Bhanu Athaiya passed away.
She won the Best Costume Design Oscar for her work in the 1982 film Gandhi, directed by Richard Attenborough.
And in a career of more than five decades won two National Awards, for Gulzar’s mystery drama “Lekin” (1990) and the period film “Lagaan” (2001).
The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in the film industry is regarded as the most famous and prestigious awards in the entertainment industry.
MALAYALAM POET AKKITHAM PASSED AWAY
Legendary Malayalam poet and Jnanpith laureate, Mahakavi Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri passed away. He died at the age of 94.
He has penned more than 46 literary works including poems, plays, essays and short stories. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2017.
His most notable work is Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasam (Epic of the 20th Century) which won him the Sanjayan Award in 1952, and is revered as a true testament of modernist poetry in Malayalam.
LEGAL AFFAIRS
YATIN OZA FOUND GUILTY OF CONTEMPT OF COURT
Verdict in the criminal contempt case suo moto initiated by High Court of Gujarat held Advocate Yatin Oza guilty of contempt of court.
It was held Oza, the President of the Gujarat High Court Advocates Associations made public allegations of maladministration of justice within the HC.
The cause of action was a Facebook live conference held by Oza in June, where he alleged that the HC registry was following corrupt practices and that undue favors were being shown to high profile industrialists and smugglers.
FORMER J&K CM RELEASED FROM DETENTION
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti was released from detention.
Mufti has been under detention since August 5, 2019, the day when the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under article 370 and 35A was repealed.
Her detention under the J&K Public Safety Act was being extended from time to time.
