PREFACE
It gives us great pleasure to release the monthly edition of the PRAVAHINI – Monthly e-Compendium & Weekly e-Periodicals of Current Affairs. The magazine’s members have shown considerable cooperation as well as devotion. We at successmantra.in work tirelessly to create this magazine and bring it to you with a great sense of gratitude.
The PRAVAHINI October-2022 eBook covers the current events that happened in the month of October. Current Affairs is a crucial component of any competitive exams including CLAT, AILET, DU-LLB, HM, CAT, IAS, PCS, SSC, CUET, Banking, MBA and various other competitive examinations.
Current Affairs play the bigger role in many competitive and government exams. It holds the power of making or breaking your chance of success. Therefore, the candidates should cover the Current Affairs thoroughly and smartly.
The PRAVAHINI October-2022 eBook is divided into different sections keeping in mind the need of various exams. The sections covered namely International, National, Economy, Ecology and Environment, Science & Technology, Legal Affairs, Sports, States News Makers and few others.
We would also be pleased to receive any suggestion that could assist us with the upcoming editions.
Success Mantra (GTB Nagar, Delhi)
Website: www.successmantra.in
Mail Id: [email protected]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- National Affairs
- International Affairs
- Economic Affairs
- Appointments
- Important Dates
- Sports
- Reports And Indexes
- Science & Technology
- Miscellaneous
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
CCI IMPOSED A PENALTY ON GOOGLE
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a penalty on Google for abusing its dominance in the Android mobile device ecosystem.
The CCI found that Google abused its dominant positions via online search and app store to protect its apps like Chrome and YouTube in mobile web browsers and online video hosting.
Hence, the competition watchdog imposed a fine of Rs 1,337.76 crore on the tech giant.
In 2018, the European Union imposed a penalty of 4.34 billion euros (around Rs 35,541 crore) on Google for the same reason. However, it was later cut to 4.125 billion euros (approximately Rs 33,296 crore).
The EU had fined the tech giant a total of 8.25 billion euros (around Rs 66,600 crore) for antitrust violations after 3 investigations that lasted for over 10 years. 97 percent of 600 million smartphones in India are powered by the android operating system. This makes the country Google’s largest market by users.
The CCI found that Google used its dominant position to mandate OEMs to pre-install its entire Google Mobile Suite like Search, Chrome, YouTube, Google Play store, Maps, Photos, and others on mobile phones and place them in prominent positions.
WHAT IS NATIONAL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK?
Recently, the Union Education ministry launched the National Curriculum Framework for foundational stage education of children in the three to eight years age group.
What is the National Curriculum Framework?
The NCF has four sections:
the National Curriculum Framework for School Education
the National Curriculum Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education
the National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education
National Curriculum Framework for Adult Education
The framework focuses on the 'panchakosha' concept - the ancient Indian emphasis on the body-mind connection.
The NCF says its five parts are physical development (sharirik vikas), development of life energy (pranik vikas), emotional and mental development (manasik vikas), intellectual development (bauddhik vikas) and spiritual development (chaitsik vikas).
It is an important step taken to implement the New Education Policy-2020.
ONE HEALTH JOINT PLAN OF ACTION
The One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA) was unveiled by the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and World Organisation for Animal Health.
The Joint Plan of Action aims to integrate systems and boost capacity to collectively prevent, predict, detect and respond to the global health crisis.
The action plan will be implemented from 2022 to 2026 to address health challenges at the international, regional, and national levels.
What is One Health Approach?
One Health Approach recognizes the interdependence of humans, domestic and wild animals, and the wider environment. It is the integrated and unifying approach that seeks to balance the health of people, animals, and the environment.
It will increase the ability of the global community to prevent, predict, detect and respond to health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
ENHANCED ACCESS & SERVICE EXCELLENCE (EASE)
As a part of the Enhanced Access & Service Excellence (EASE) reforms, the government is planning to leverage Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to expand their portfolio by adding new segments.
What are the Key Points?
The initiatives and targets will be part of the EASE reforms being undertaken by the Centre. Rural banks will be asked to look beyond crop loans and also provide loans for tractors, small businesses in rural areas and education and housing loans too in rural areas.
The Center is working on a proposal to raise the guarantee limit for education loans from Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh to ensure banks restart lending to the education sector. The government’s plan is to continue to improve the profitability of RRBs.
What is EASE Reform?
It was launched in January 2018 jointly by the government and PSBs. It was commissioned through Indian Banks’ Association and authored by Boston Consulting Group.
It aims to foster new-age reforms in PSBs to improve profitability, asset quality, customer service and digital capabilities.
MADHYA PRADESH'S DURGAVATI TIGER RESERVE
Madhya Pradesh Wildlife Board recently approved the establishment of a new tiger reserve called Durgavati Tiger Reserve.
The Madhya Pradesh Wildlife Board recently approved the creation of the Durgavati Tiger Reserve.
It will host tigers of Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), a quarter of which is set to be submerged because of the linking of Ken-Betwa rivers.
It will span across 2,339 square kilometres of new tiger reserve, covering Narisinghpur, Damoh and Sagar districts of Madhya Pradesh.
It will have 1,414 sq km of land as core area and 925 sq km area as buffer zone. The tigers will be shifted to the new reserve by encouraging their natural movement via a green corridor that will link it with Panna Tiger Reserve.
Ken-Betwa link project
The Ken-Betwa link project is set to become one of the first river interlinking projects implemented in India. At the Union Budget 2022-23, Rs 44,605 crore was allocated for this project.
It is expected to provide for the irrigation needs to around 9 lakh hectares of farmland and drinking water for over 62 lakh people. It will also generate 103 MegaWatt of hydropower and 27 MegaWatt of solar power.
The project will be especially beneficial for the drought prone Bundelkhand region. It is expected to be completed in over 8 years.
It may adversely affect various species in the Panna Tiger Reserve, which is home to the largest population of vultures in Central India.
BCCI ANNOUNCED EQUAL PAY FOR MEN & WOMEN
On October 27, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that it will provide equal pay for both men and women.
The members of the 15th BCCI apex council had recently passed a unanimous resolution to implement a new pay equity policy for its contracted women cricketers. This will ensure that the same pay is provided for both men and women cricketers.
How does this decision affect the players?
Under the new pay equity policy, women cricketers will receive the same match fee as men. They will receive Rs.15 lakh for test matches, Rs.6 lakhs for ODI matches and Rs.3 lakhs for T20I matches.
Previously, women cricketers earned just Rs.4 lakh for test marches, Rs.1 lakh for T20s and ODIs. Apart from match-wise fees, women cricketers also receive payments under the retainership system.
Each year, Grade A cricketers receive Rs 50 lakh, Grade B players receive Rs.30 lakh and Grade C receive Rs.10 lakh.
Men cricketers, who play a higher number of games, receive payments between Rs.7 crore and Rs. 1 crore per annum based on the grade starting from A Plus grade. The BCCI has not made changes to the retainment systems as of yet.
WHAT IS BLUE FLAG CERTIFICATION?
Two beaches in Lakshadweep received the international eco-label “Blue Flag”.
Minicoy Thundi Beach and Kadmat Beach in Lakshadweep recently entered into the coveted list of Blue Beaches.
These two beaches have a dedicated staff to maintain cleanliness and provide safety and security for swimmers. With these new entrants, India currently has 12 beaches with Blue Flag certification.
Other beaches in the blue list are Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden beach (Odisha), Radhanagar (Andaman and Nicobar Islands), Kovalam (Tamil Nadu) and Eden (Puducherry).
Golden Beach in Puri was the first in Asia to receive a Blue Flag certificate. In 2021, Kovalam beach in TamilNadu and Eden beach in Puducherry received the blue flag tag.
What is Blue Flag Certification?
The Blue Flag Certification is an eco-label awarded by the non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
It is obtained by a beach, marina or sustainable boating tourism operators in the FEE member countries after complying with 33 stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria. The blue flag certification is seen as an indicator for high environmental and quality standards of beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism.
DILIP MAHALANABIS PASSES AWAY
Dilip Mahalanabis, who pioneered Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) treatment as a simple, effective remedy for dehydration has passed away.
What is ORS?
ORS, a combination of water, glucose, and salts, is a simple and cost-effective method of preventing dehydration. It is an alternative to intravenous rehydration therapy for preventing and treating dehydration from diarrhea when intravenous therapy is not available or feasible.
Oral rehydration therapy is calculated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to have saved the lives of over 60 million persons.
INDIA RE-ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF ISA
In the third assembly of ISA, Union Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh was re-elected as the President of International Solar Alliance. France Minister of State for Development Chrysoula Zacharopoulou has been re-elected as Co-President.
India and France were re-elected as the President and Co- President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for a term of two years at the virtual meeting of the Third Assembly held on 14 October.
Four new Vice-Presidents were also chosen to represent the four regions of ISA.
The representatives of Fiji & Nauru for Asia Pacific Region; Mauritius & Niger for Africa Region; UK & Netherlands for Europe and others Region, and Cuba and Guyana for Latin America and Caribbean Region assumed the vice presidency.
"EK BHARAT SHRESHTHA BHARAT" INITIATIVE
Recently, the Government of India has announced a month-long programme named the ‘Kashi-Tamil Sangamam’ “to strengthen” and “rekindle” the cultural and civilisational bond between Tamil Nadu and Varanasi.
This programme would be a part of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative.
What is Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat?
Launched: It was launched in 2015 to promote engagement amongst the people of different States/UTs so as to enhance mutual understanding and bonding between people of diverse cultures, thereby securing stronger unity and integrity of India.
Ministry Involved: It is an initiative of the Ministry of Education.
Activities under the Scheme: Every State and UT in the country would be paired with another State/UT for a time period, during which they would carry out a structured engagement with one another in the spheres of language, literature, cuisine, festivals, cultural events, tourism etc.
WORLD'S EARLIEST KNOWN DOCK: LOTHAL
Recently, the Prime Minister has reviewed the construction of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) site at Gujarat’s Lothal.
What is the National Maritime Heritage Complex?
The project began in March 2022, and is being developed at a cost of Rs 3,500 crore.
It will have several innovative features such as Lothal mini-recreation, which will recreate Harappan architecture and lifestyle through immersive technology.
Where is Lothal?
Lothal was one of the southernmost sites of the Indus Valley civilization (IVC), located in the Bhāl region of what is now the state of Gujarat. The port city is believed to have been built in 2,200 BC.
Lothal was a thriving trade center in ancient times, with its trade of beads, gems and ornaments reaching West Asia and Africa. The meaning of Lothal (a combination of Loth and (s) thal) in Gujarati is “the mound of the dead.
PM MODI INAUGURATED DEF-EXPO 2022
Mission DefSpace was inaugurated at DefExpo2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PM Modi).
The project’s goal is to create cutting-edge defence forces in the space industry. 75 space industry challenges have been highlighted for private companies to work on under Mission DefSpace.
Mission DefSpace: About
Through industry and startups, the space programme seeks to create cutting-edge solutions for the Defense Forces. Mission DefSpace, the effort will strengthen India’s preparation and position the nation for potential future space opportunities.
‘South Asia satellite’ is a good illustration of this. Ten ASEAN nations will also have real-time access to Indian satellite data by the end of the following year. With Mission DefSpace even wealthy nations like Europe and America use the information from our satellites.
KARNATAKA CABINET TO INCREASE RESERVATION TO SC/ST
The Karnataka cabinet decided to promulgate an ordinance to raise reservations for Scheduled Caste (SCs) by 2 percent and for Scheduled Tribe (STs) by 4 percent.
The Karnataka cabinet is chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. The decision by the Karnataka government aims to uplift the ST/SC community in the state and provide adequate opportunities in the education and employment sector.
The files related to the reservation will be submitted to Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot for approval.
The hike in the reservation will benefit the 103 communities classified as SCs and 56 communities among STs.
The initiative to increase the reservation for SC/STs by the state government implies that reservation will cross the Supreme Court’s 50 percent limit and go up to 55 percent in Karnataka.
WHAT IS DELHI SAMRIDDHI SCHEME?
Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena launched the SAMRIDDHI 2022-23 schemes on October 26.
SAMRIDDHI is short for Strengthening and Augmentation of Municipal Revenue for Infrastructure Development in Delhi. It is implemented from October 26 to March 31, 2023.
It is a one-time property tax amnesty scheme for both residential properties as well as commercial properties.
Under this scheme, residential property owners can pay just the principal property tax amount of the current and past five fiscal years (FYs 2017-18 to 2021-22) and get a 100 per cent waiver of interest and penalty on the outstanding tax amount.
The commercial property owners can pay the principal amount of the last six years (FYs 2016-17 to 2021-22) and get a waiver on the past pending dues, including penalties and interest incurred before 2016-17.
TERAI ELEPHANT RESERVE IN UTTAR PRADESH
The Centre has approved the setting up of the Terai Elephant Reserve (TER) at Dudhwa-Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh.
The Terai Elephant Reserve is the 3rd Elephant Reserve in India which is spread over 3,049 sq km. The Terai Elephant Reserve includes protected areas, forest areas, and corridors for the conservation of wild elephants.
The Terai Elephant Reserve will be developed in the joint forest areas of Dudhwa and Piliphit tiger reserve. This will cover the conservation of four wild species including tiger, Asian elephant, swamp deer, and one-horned rhinoceros.
The TER is the third new elephant reserve that got approval in the past three months under Project Tiger.
UTTAR PRADESH TO HAVE INDIA'S 53RD TIGER RESERVE
Uttar Pradesh is set to have its fourth Tiger Reserve and 53rd tiger reserve in India.
The tiger reserve is spread across over 529.36 sq km out of which the core area is 230.32 sq km and the buffer area is 299.05 sq km.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate change Bhupendra Yadav confirmed the development.
Apart from Ranipur, Uttar Pradesh has three tiger reserves, Dudhwa, Pilibhit, and Amangarh. The Uttar Pradesh government approved the development of the first tiger reserve in the Bundelkhand region of the state on 28th September 2022.
The UP government also approved the notification of the Ranipur Wildlife Protection Act 1973.
AMENDMENTS IN THE IT RULES 2021
On October 28, the Central Government notified amendments to the IT Rules, 2021.
What are IT Rules, 2021?
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 or IT Rules, 2021 was notified by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).
It replaces decade-old rules regulating social media intermediaries (SMI) to make them more accountable towards providing open, safe and trusted internet.
What are the key features of the IT Rules, 2021?
Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs)
The new rules pave the way for the establishment of one or more Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) within 3 months.
These committees will enable users of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to get recourse to settle complaints without depending on the judiciary.
SMIs obligations
SMIs are mandated to ensure that their users comply with the relevant rules of the social platform. Earlier, the rules only mandated SMIs to inform their users of the “rules and regulation, privacy policy and user agreement”. The SMIs are required to make “reasonable” efforts to prevent prohibited content from being hosted on their platforms.
WHAT ARE THE GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS?
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is currently planning to recommend environmental release of genetically modified (GM) herbicide tolerant cotton of German multinational company Bayer AG.
It had earlier approved the environmental clearance of Delhi University’s transgenic hybrid mustard DMH-11 al ong with its parental lines.
What is BG-II RRF?
Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex (BG-II RRF) is a transgenic cotton having three alien genes.
Two of the alien genes – cry1Ac and cry2Ab – were isolated from a soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. These genes have proteins that are harmful for American bollworm, spotted bollworm and tobacco caterpillar insect pests.
The BG-II RRF cotton was developed by the American company Monsanto, which was acquired by Bayer in 2018.
What are genetically modified crops?
Genetically modified crops are crops that had their DNAs altered to include certain desirable traits.
The widely used GM soybean, maize, cotton and canola are tolerant to herbicides and resistant to pest attacks. Other common traits included in genetically modified crops are resistance to virus, resistance to drought and improved fruit and tuber quality.
CONCEPT OF 'OFFICE OF PROFIT'
Recently, Jharkhand chief minister who was accused of holding an office of profit, pleaded to the government to make his crime public as well as grant him punishment at the earliest.
What is the Concept of ‘Office of Profit’?
Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislature (MLAs), as members of the legislature, hold the government accountable for its work.
The essence of disqualification under the office of profit law is if legislators hold an ‘office of profit’ under the government, they might be susceptible to government influence, and may not discharge their constitutional mandate fairly.
The intent is that there should be no conflict between the duties and interests of an elected member.
What Constitutes an ‘Office of Profit’?
The law does not clearly define what constitutes an office of profit but the definition has evolved over the years with interpretations made in various court judgments.
An office of profit has been interpreted to be a position that brings to the office-holder some financial gain, or advantage, or benefit.
The amount of such profit is immaterial. In 1964, the Supreme Court ruled that the test for determining whether a person holds an office of profit is the test of appointment.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
PAKISTAN REMOVED FROM FATF GREY LIST
Pakistan has been removed from the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Paris-based global watchdog on money laundering and terrorist financing.
Pakistan was placed in the grey list in 2018 for failing to keep a check on money laundering and terrorist financing.
Besides Pakistan, Nicaragua was removed from the FATF’s ‘grey list’ while Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Mozambique were added to the list. Myanmar was added to the FATF’s ‘black list’.
In a statement, the FATF said Pakistan made significant progress in checking money laundering and combating financing of terrorism.
“They have (Pakistan) been removed from the grey list, however, there’s still work to be done on their part,” FATF president T Raja Kumar said.
LIZ TRUSS TO RESIGN AS UK PRIME MINISTER
Liz Truss, the British Prime Minister, will step down from her position after only six weeks in office due to an economic plan that angered many members of her own party and rattled financial markets.
Suella Braverman, Indian origin British interior minister, also resigned making her the second senior cabinet official to do so in the past week after finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng.
Grant Shapps, the country’s new interior minister, has taken Suella Braverman’s seat.
Liz Truss to Resign as UK Prime Minister:
By Oct. 28, a new leader of the Conservative Party will be chosen. The Conservatives have a sizable majority in parliament and do not need to schedule a general election for another two years. Rishi Sunak, a former finance minister, is most likely to face Penny Mordaunt in that race.
RISHI SUNAK AS PRIME MINISTER OF UK
Rishi Sunak will be named as the PM of UK, and he will be the first British Prime Minister of Indian descent.
In a remarkable shift of power during an economic crisis. In the midst of a “deep economic dilemma,” the future prime minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak, has called for cooperation.
Due to Penny Mordaunt’s inability to garner enough support from MPs, he won the race for the Conservative Party leadership.
Rishi Sunak declared that uniting his party and the UK would be his utmost priority in his opening statement.
Rishi Sunak, 42, is the first British Asian prime minister since more than 200 years and will also be the youngest. He succeeds Liz Truss, who resigned last week barely 45 days into her turbulent premiership.
Rishi Sunak took over as Conservative Party leader after his old employer Boris Johnson cancelled his attempt to make a comeback and his competitor Penny Mordaunt was unable to win enough support from Conservative MPs.
Sunak will be the nation’s youngest prime minister in more than 200 years. He succeeds Liz Truss, who had to resign in disgrace when her tax-cutting schemes failed within two months.
2022 UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE
The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) is set to be held from November 6 to 18 this year.
What is COP?
The Conference of Parties (COP) is the apex decision making body responsible for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The COP presidency rotates among 5 UN regions – Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe and Western Europe and others. Egypt will assume the Presidency of COP 27.
Who will host the COP27?
The Government of Egypt will host the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 27) at Sharm El Sheikh.
This is the fifth time that a Conference of the Parties (COP) is being held in Africa. It is expected to bring global attention to the climate crisis faced by Africa – one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to climate change.
PM MODI LAUNCHED 'MISSION LIFE'
Prime Minister Modi launched the Mission LiFE movement at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
What is Mission LiFE?
Mission LiFE was introduced by Prime Minister Modi at the COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021.
It is an India-led global mass movement that will nudge individual and collective actions towards the protection and preservation of the environment. It follows three pronged strategy to achieve this goal:
Promotion of environmental-friendly daily practices among people (demand)
Enable industries and markets to respond to the shift in demand (supply)
Influence government and industrial policy to support both sustainable consumption and production (policy).
The mission aims to mobilize at least 1 billion Indians and foreigners to take actions that will preserve the environment for the period between 2022 and 2027.
It aims to make at least 80 percent of all villages and urban local bodies in India environmentally friendly by 2028.
SOLAR FACILITY APPROVED BY INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE
The ‘Solar Facility’ has been approved by the International Solar Alliance at its 5th Assembly Meeting.
Solar Facility is a payment guarantee mechanism under the ISA framework. This initiative was launched to attract investments into the solar energy sector, in line with the ISA goal of unlocking $1 trillion in solar energy investments by 2030. It is also to reduce the cost of financing and technology.
5th ISA Assembly Meeting
The Assembly is the top decision-making body of the ISA. It convenes annually at the ministerial level to take key decisions towards the implementation of the Alliance’s framework.
The 1st ISA Assembly Meeting was organized in 2018 in Greater Noida. The Delhi Solar Agenda was adopted at this meeting. The 5th Assembly of the ISA was held at New Delhi. 109 countries attended this 4-day event. India was re-elected as the ISA President and France as the Co-President for the next 2 years.
WHAT IS INTERPOL METAVERSE?
The Interpol Metaverse was launched at the 90th General Assembly held in New Delhi. The world’s first metaverse specifically designed for law enforcement was launched recently.
It enables the registered users to take a virtual tour of Interpol’s general secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France to interact with other officers through their avatars.
It also provides training courses on forensic investigation and other policing skills. This newly launched facility is provided via Interpol's secure cloud.
It is currently fully operational for use by law enforcement officials from 195 member countries of the Interpol. It provides benefits like remote work capabilities, networking, collection and preservation of evidence from crime scenes and capacity building.
77TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED NATIONS
Recently, the World has celebrated the 77th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) on 24th October 2022.
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States.
Its mission and work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter and implemented by its various organs and specialized agencies.
History:
In 1899, the International Peace Conference was held in The Hague to elaborate instruments for settling crises peacefully, preventing wars and codifying rules of warfare.
It adopted the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes and established the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which began work in 1902. This court was the forerunner of the UN International Court of Justice.
The forerunner of the United Nations was the League of Nations, an organization conceived in circumstances of the First World War, and established in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles "to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security." The UN Charter of 1945 is the foundational treaty of the United Nations, as an intergovernmental organization.
LULA DA SILVA AS NEW PRESIDENT OF BRAZIL
The leftist leader Lula da Silva recently made a comeback as the new President of Brazil after defeating incumbent far right President Jair Bolsonaro.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, popularly known as Lula, served as the President of Brazil for two terms between 2002 and 2010.
During his previous tenures as the president, Brazil witnessed a massive economic growth and large-scale implementation of social welfare programmes that raised millions of people out of poverty.
The most popular of these social welfare programmes is the Bolsa Familia. It provided cash to poor families if they send their children to schools and get them to undergo regular health check-ups. Lula left office since the laws in the country did not allow a third consecutive presidential term.
GARUDA VII AIR EXERCISE B/W INDIA & FRANCE
At Air Force Station Jodhpur, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF) are taking part in the bilateral exercise “Garuda VII'' from October 26 to November 12, 2022.
FASF is taking part in this exercise with a troop of 220 people, one A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, and four Rafale fighter aircraft.
The IAF is taking part with fighter aircraft including the Su-30 MKI, Rafale, LCA Tejas, and Jaguar as well as helicopters like the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Mi-17.
Combat-enabling assets including AWACS, AEW & C, and flight refuelling aircraft will also be part of the IAF contingent.
The IAF and FASF’s participation in this exercise will foster professional engagement, experience sharing, and the improvement of operational knowledge in addition to fostering bilateral ties between the two nations.
APPOINTMENTS
PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST OF ADITYA L-1 MISSION
The Indian Space Research Organisation has designated Dr. Sankarasubramanian K as the Principal Scientist of the Aditya-L1 mission.
Aditya-L1 is the first observatory-class space-based solar mission from India. Sankarasubramanian has contributed to AstroSat, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2 missions of ISRO in several capacities.
Aditya-L1 is the first observatory-class space-based solar mission from India. The spacecraft will be placed in a halo orbit around the first Lagrange point, L1, of the Sun-Earth system.
A satellite around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without occultation/eclipses.
This position provides a greater advantage of observing solar activities continuously. Aditya-L1 carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layers of the Sun (the corona) using electromagnetic and particle detectors.
AWARDS & HONOUR
UTTAR PRADESH BAGS 1ST POSITION IN PMAY-U AWARDS
Under the BJP-led Centre’s flagship, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) housing scheme have been delivered and the rest are under various stages of completion, Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri.
In the awards, Uttar Pradesh bagged the first position followed by Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu at second and third place, respectively.
Poll-bound Gujarat saw five special category awards for performance related to Affordable Rental Housing Complexes and ‘Convergence with other Missions’ coming its way.
Madhya Pradesh got three special category awards followed by Jammu and Kashmir, which was adjudged the ‘Best Performing UT’ alongside Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
Odisha has been felicitated with the prestigious PMAY-U Awards 2021 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for the best policy initiative under a special category.
PMAY-U scheme
PMAY-U scheme is aimed at confronting and tiding over the shortage of housing facilities in urban India for beneficiaries under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Low-Income Groups (LIGs) and Middle Income Groups (MIGs) categories.
PMAY-U, a flagship Mission of the Government of India implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), was launched on 25th June 2015.
SAKHAROV PRIZE FOR FREEDOM OF THOUGHT 2022
The 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was bestowed to the people of Ukraine, represented by their president, elected leaders, and civil society.
It recognizes the bravery of Ukrainians who have been affected by the Russian invasion and their role in defending freedom, democracy, rule of law, and European values on the battlefields.
The Sakharov Prize involves prize money of 50,000 euros. It will be distributed to the representatives of Ukrainian civil society. This is the second time that this award was used by EU lawmakers to send a message to Russia.
Last year, the Sakharov prize was conferred to the imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Others who won the award in the past include former South African president Nelson Mandela, Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai and the democratic opposition of Belarus.
IMPORTANT DATES & DAYS
7TH AYURVEDA DAY OBSERVED FOR SIX WEEKS
The 7th Ayurveda Day was celebrated on a magnificent scale in India and at the international level. The theme of this year’s Ayurveda Day is “Har Din Har Ghar Ayurveda”, with the motive to propagate the benefits of Ayurveda to masses and grass-root communities.
In view with the 2022 theme, several events and activities were conducted under 3-Js i.e. Jan Sandesh, Jan Bhagidari and Jan Aandolan. The celebration also includes six-week-long events from 12th September 2022 to 23rd October 2022.
About Ayurveda:
Originating in Vedic times, Ayurveda is a traditional system of healthcare. It focuses on the prevention of disease and the maintenance of health as well.
The term ‘Ayurveda’ refers to the ‘Science of Life', it is based on the biological- mechanism of consciousness, mind, physiology, behaviour, and environment.
Ayurveda deems health as the equilibrium of three biological dashas which are Vata, Pitta and Kapha, seven dhatus, Agni and a state of pleasure of the soul, mind and senses.
Ayurveda is simply a way of life. Healthy living in therapeutic ways leads to our physical, mental, spiritual and social harmony.
INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION DAY OBSERVED ON 28TH OCT.
International Animation Day is celebrated on 28 October every year. It was in this year when the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) declared International Animation Day (IAD) as a worldwide occasion to commend the speciality of animation.
This day is celebrated in more than 50 distinct nations throughout the world. IAD was started by ASIFA, an individual from UNESCO.
The day is celebrated to commemorate the first public animation performance, Théâtre Optique at the Musée Grévin in Paris.
The moving picture technology utilised in the animated performance was developed by Charles-Emile Reynaud. There are various animation styles, including traditional 2D animation, 3D animation, stop motion animation, and typographic animation.
NATIONAL UNITY DAY OBSERVED ON 31ST OCTOBER
The National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is celebrated every year on October 31st to commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
This year will mark the 147th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who is also known as the Iron Man of India.
National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2022: History
The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day was introduced by the Indian government in 2014 to pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary for his extraordinary work in keeping India united.
The first Rashtriya Ekta Diwas event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who flagged off a program, ‘Run for Unity’ in New Delhi in 2014.
About Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel:
He was born on 31st October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat. He was the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of independent India.
He played an important role in the integration of many Indian princely states to make an Indian federation.
After the signing of the Gandhi–Irwin Pact, Patel was elected president of Congress for its 1931 session (Karachi). Women of Bardoli bestowed the title ‘Sardar’ on Vallabhbhai Patel, which means ‘a Chief or a Leader’.
He is recognized as the real unifier of India for his colossal contribution to integrating and making India a united (Ek Bharat) and an independent nation. The Statue of Unity at Kevadiya in the Narmada district of Gujarat (2018) was built in his honour.
WORLD STATISTICS DAY 2022
World Statistics Day 2022 is celebrated annually on October 20th to recognize the importance of statistics in our daily lives.
The United Nations Statistical Commission has been at the forefront of advocating for the use of statistics to track progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Good data and statistics are essential for effective planning, monitoring and evaluation of progress towards the SDGs.
World Statistics Day 2022: Theme
The theme of Statistics Day, 2022 is “Data for Sustainable Development”. On this occasion, MoSPI also recognizes the outstanding contribution through high-quality research in the field of applied and theoretical statistics benefiting the official statistical system through awards instituted for this purpose.
WORLD POLIO DAY OBSERVED ON 24TH OCTOBER
World Polio Day 2022 is observed every year on October 24 to raise awareness about the polio vaccination and eradication of polio from every corner of the world.
The day is observed to commemorate the progress made by the world towards polio eradication.
World Polio Day 2022: Theme
This year, the overarching theme of World Polio Day is “World Polio Day 2022 and Beyond: A healthier future for mothers and children”.
The theme urges the world to acknowledge the progress made in the battle to eradicate polio in children and the work to provide a healthier future for mothers.
UN DISARMAMENT WEEK FROM 24TH OCT. TO 30TH OCT.
The UN Disarmament Week is observed from October 24 to 30.
The UN Disarmament Week is observed to raise awareness and improve understanding of the significance and challenges of disarmament.
The week starts on October 24, which marks the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN). Since the UN was founded, disarmament and arms control has been one of its major focus areas.
The week-long annual event advocates for the ending of diplomatic tensions with political dialogue and negotiations instead of using more arms and ammunition.
It calls for the elimination of all materials that support armed conflicts.
INTERNATIONAL INTERNET DAY OBSERVED ON 29TH OCT.
International Internet Day is celebrated on October 29 every year across the world to celebrate the usage of the internet for the first time.
The day marks the sending of the first electronic message which was transferred from one computer to another in 1969.
At that time the Internet was known as ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network). The Internet provides instant access to information.
International Internet Day: History
The internet is defined as a remote connection between two computers. The first internet connection was made on October 29th, 1969.
This was just two months after Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. To commemorate the event, International Internet Day was celebrated for the first time on October 29th, 2005. International Internet Day is promoted by the Association of Internet Users.
CENTRAL VIGILANCE AWARENESS WEEK
Central Vigilance Commission observes Vigilance Awareness Week during the week in which 31st of October, the birthday of the late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel falls.
This year, Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed from 31st October to 6th November 2022 with the following theme: “Corruption-free India for a developed Nation”.
As a precursor to Vigilance Awareness Week 2022, the Central Vigilance Commission had carried out a three-month campaign highlighting certain preventive vigilance initiatives as focus areas for all the Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations.
The six focus areas include the following:
Property Management
Management of Assets
Record Management
Technological Initiatives comprising two parameters
Website Maintenance & updation
Identification of new areas for service delivery for customers to be brought on the online portal and initiation of steps for creating an online platform.
Updation of guidelines/circulars / Manuals wherever found necessary
Disposal of complaints
REPORTS & INDEXES
CII REPORT TITLED 'VISION DEVELOPED INDIA'
According to the EY (Ernst & Young) - Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) report titled ‘Vision—Developed India: Opportunities and Expectations of MNCs’, India will attract FDI (Foregn Direct Investment) worth USD 475 billion in 5 years.
What are the Findings of the Report?
71% of MNCs (Multinational Corporation) working in India consider the country an important destination for their global expansion.
India has seen a consistent rise in FDI in the last decade, with FY22 receiving USD 84.8 billion, despite the impact of the pandemic and geopolitical developments.
India is seen as an emerging manufacturing hub in global value chains, as a growing consumer market and as a hub for ongoing digital transformation.
Over 60% of MNCs stated improvement in the business environment in the last three years. Against the backdrop of growth challenges MNCs consider India an attractive investment destination and are planning expansion.
WHO RELEASED GLOBAL TB REPORT 2022
The World Health Organization released the Global TB Report 2022 on October 27 this year.
The Global TB report is released every year by the World Health Organization to provide a comprehensive assessment of the tuberculosis epidemic and the progress of countries in preventing, diagnosing and treating the disease at the global, regional and national levels.
The report is mainly based on the data gathered by the World Health Organization from national health ministries.
What are the key findings of the report?
Over 10.6 million people fell ill because of tuberculosis in 2021. This is a 4.5 per cent increase when compared with 2020 figures. 6 million people have lost their lives to tuberculosis. Of these, 187,000 are HIV patients.
The burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) has risen by 3 per cent between 2020 and 2021. Last year, 450 000 new cases of rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) were recorded.
EMISSIONS GAP REPORT RELEASED BY UNEP
The report titled “Emissions Gap Report 2022-The Closing Window” was released recently by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Emission Gap Reports assess the gap between countries’ pledges on emission reduction and the reduction required to bring down the global temperature increase below 2°C by the year 2100.
It analyzes the difference between where the GHG emissions are predicted to be in 2030 and where they should be to prevent catastrophic consequences of climate change.
The report is seen as a scientifically authoritative source for information on the implementation of the Paris Agreement. It has been published by UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP CCC) since the year 2011.
The 2022 edition (13th edition) of this report was released recently. This report was released a day after the UNFCCC warned in its annual assessment that the world is on track for around 2.5°C warming by the end of this century.
CLIMATE TRANSPARENCY REPORT 2022
The eighth edition of the Climate Transparency report was released recently.
The report, which assessed the climate actions by G20 countries, found that the members’ support to produce fossil fuels have reached new heights at 64 billion USD in 2021, despite the worsening climate crisis.
Wider government fossil fuel subsidies, which shrunk to 147 billion USD in 2020, rose back again by 29 per cent to 190 billion USD in 2021.
The subsidies continue to spike into 2022, partly because of the Russian war in Ukraine causing inflation in the energy sector, which has increased profits of energy manufacturers.
G20 members with highest total subsidies for fossil fuels are China, Indonesia and the United Kingdom.
These subsidies are contributing to the global temperature surpassing the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit agreed under the Paris Agreement and reaffirmed in 2021 at the COP26 held in Glasgow.
The report also found that energy emissions also rebounded across G20 countries by 5.9 per cent last year, returning back to the pre-pandemic levels despite the warning from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that recommended reducing emissions by 50 per cent to keep the 1.5 degree warming levels.
2022 FOREST DECLARATION ASSESSMENT
Recently, the 2022 Forest Declaration Assessment was published, showing that the Deforestation rates worldwide declined only modestly in 2021 by 6.3 % compared to the 2018-20 baseline.
Some 145 countries affirmed their commitment to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow (2021).
Forest Declaration Assessment publishes annual updates on progress toward global forest goals.
In 2014, the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) was adopted as a political declaration calling for the end of natural forest loss and the restoration of 350 million hectares of degraded landscapes and forestlands by 2030.
What are the Findings?
Not a Single Global Indicator is on Track' to Reverse Deforestation by 2030. To be on course to halt deforestation completely by 2030, a 10% annual reduction is needed.
While afforestation and restoration efforts have been commendable, more forest area is being lost than gained. Global forest loss decreased in 2021, but the crucial climate goal of stopping deforestation by 2030 would still be missed.
IEA RELEASED WORLD ENERGY OUTLOOK 2022
Amid the global energy crisis caused by war in Ukraine, the World Energy Outlook 2022 report was released to provide insights into the implications of this global energy shock.
What is WEO?
The WEO is the world’s most comprehensive and authoritative assessment and projection of the global energy sector. It is an annual report published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) since 1998.
It provides comprehensive insights into the global energy supply and demand in different scenarios and their impact on energy security, climate targets and economic development.
What are the key findings of the 2022 report?
Russia’s invasion has exacerbated the energy crisis that was already triggered by supply disruption caused by the pandemic.
Russia has been the world’s top exporter of fossil fuels.
However, its supply curtailments to Europe and European sanctions on imports of oil and coal from Russia have increased energy prices significantly.
Natural gas prices have reached unprecedented levels. They are consistently exceeding the equivalent of USD 250 per barrel of oil.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
ISRO PLANS TO LAUNCH CHANDRAYAAN-3 MISSION
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) plans to launch its third lunar mission in the month of June 2023.
The more capable lunar rover will be carried by Chandrayaan-3, which is essential for future interplanetary explorations, according to S. Somnath, Chairman of the Indian Space Agency, ISRO.
According to S Somnath, the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV Mk-III) will launch Chandrayaan-3 (C-3) in June of next year.
About the Mission Chandrayaan-3:
The mission was previously scheduled to launch in the third quarter of 2022, but it has now been further postponed. The coronavirus epidemic and the upcoming lockdown earlier hampered the progress on Chandrayaan-2’s replacement.
It is important to note that the Chandrayaan-2 mission lost control and fell to the Moon’s dark side. However, the orbiter is still operational and making crucial observations of both the solar system and the lunar surface.
IRANIAN MADE KAMIKAZE DRONES
Recently, Ukraine’s capital region was struck by Iranian-made kamikaze drones.
What are Kamikaze Drones?
These are small unmanned aircraft that are packed with explosives that can be flown directly at a tank or a group of troops that are destroyed when it hits the target and explodes.
They are called Switchblade because their bladelike wings spring out on launch.
The drones have the capability of going past traditional defences to strike its targets and also cost a fraction of what the larger counterparts do.
These small lethal drones are difficult to detect on radar, and they can even be programmed to hit targets without human intervention, based on facial recognition.
Countries Possess such Drones: Although the Kamikaze might be the most advanced form of this genre of drones, Russia, China, Israel, Iran and Turkey all have some version of it.
LVM3 ROCKET PLACES 36 SATELLITES IN ORBIT
OneWeb’s 36 satellites were successfully orbited by the biggest rocket ever launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3 or GSLV Mark 3), which lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.
With this 14th launch, OneWeb will have 462 satellites in its constellation. This launch represents more than 70% of the 648 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that are expected to be deployed globally to provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity.
LVM3 has entered the market for international commercial launch services with this launch.
The LVM3-M2 dedicated commercial satellite mission is being carried out by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) that is part of the Indian government’s Department of Space.
About One Web’s Mission
OneWeb is still on target to activate global coverage in 2023 with just four more launches, and its connectivity solutions are now operational in areas north of 50 degrees latitude.
OneWeb’s commitment to supplying connectivity throughout all of India by 2023 is demonstrated by its relationship with NSIL and ISRO.
WHAT ARE THE PILLARS OF CREATION?
A lush, highly detailed landscape- the iconic "Pillars of Creation" has been caught by NASA's powerful James Webb Telescope.
What are Pillars of Creation?
It is a vista of three looming towers made of interstellar dust and gas. These iconic Pillars of Creation are located in the centre of the Eagle Nebula (it is a constellation of stars), which is also known as Messier 16.
The images show vast, towering columns of dense clouds of gas and dust where young stars are forming in a region some 6,500 light-years from Earth.
At the ends of several pillars are bright red, lava-like spots. These are ejections from stars that are still forming, only a few hundred thousand years old. The pillars were made famous by the Hubble Space Telescope, which first captured them in 1995 and then again in 2014.
What is the James Webb Space Telescope?
The telescope is the result of an international collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency which was launched in December 2021.
It is currently at a point in space known as the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point, approximately 1.5 million km beyond Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Lagrange Point 2 is one of the five points in the orbital plane of the Earth-Sun system.
Named after Italian-French mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange, the points are in any revolving two-body system like Earth and Sun, marking where the gravitational forces of the two large bodies cancel each other out.
DRDO SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRED AGNI-PRIME
Recently, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired indigenously-developed new generation medium-range ballistic missile Agni Prime (Agni-P) from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island at Odisha coast.
What is Agni Prime?
It is a two-stage canisterised missile. It is the latest and sixth variant of the Agni series missiles (under IGMDP - Integrated Guided Missile Development Program).
With multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles, the missile is capable of delivering a number of warheads at separate locations at a distance of 1,000 - 2,000 km.
These missiles will be inducted in the armed forces after a couple of user associated launches. It has a dual redundant navigation and guidance system. The Agni-P missile would further strengthen India's credible deterrence capabilities.
INDIA TO EXPAND NAVIC
India is planning to expand the regional satellite navigation system NavIC.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is currently planning to expand the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC).
It had sought the government’s permission to launch 12 additional satellites into the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) for this purpose. Placing NavIC satellites in MEO will make them global like GPS.
About NavIC
NavIC is an independent stand-alone navigation satellite system developed by ISRO. It was operationalized in 2018 with 7 satellites covering the whole of the Indian landmass and up to 1,500 km from the international boundaries.
It is currently being used for public vehicle tracking, providing emergency warning alerts for fishermen sailing to the deep sea, and tracking information related to natural disasters.
With NavIC, India is one of the few countries having its own positioning system. Others with their own navigation satellite systems are Russia (GLONASS), the European Union (Galileo), and China (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System).
MISCELLANEOUS
1ST ASIAN-AMERICAN TO FEATURE IN US CURRENCY
Anna May Wong, a Chinese-American movie star in Hollywood, is set to become the first Asian-American to feature in US currency.
A quarter-dollar coin depicting a close-up image of Anna May Wong will commence circulation on October 24, 2022.
This will be the fifth coin in the American Women Quarters (AWQ) Program. It will have the Latin phrase “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, which means “out of many, one”.
It is designed to recognize Wong’s accomplishments while overcoming challenges and hurdles during her lifetime.
Wong is regarded as Hollywood’s first Chinese-American star, having a decades-long career in motion pictures, television, and theatre amid the widespread racism in the United States.
ELON MUSK FIRES TWITTER CEO PARAG AGARWAL
Elon Musk finally completed his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter Inc., after six months of public and legal battle over the purchase.
Placing the world’s richest man in charge of the faltering social network. One of Musk’s first actions was to replace the leadership.
Redundancies include Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal, director of legal, policy, and trust Vijaya Gadde, chief financial officer Ned Segal, who joined Twitter in 2017, and general counsel Sean Edgett, who has served as Twitter’s general counsel since 2012.
According to two of the people who requested anonymity because the details are private, Edgett was led out of the building.
Long before Musk took over, it was obvious that Agrawal probably wouldn’t stay in command. Twitter will now be a private corporation and shareholders will receive $54.20 per share.
The conclusion brings to an end a complicated process that started in January with Elon Musk quietly building up a sizable investment in the business, his mounting displeasure with the way it’s handled, and an eventual merger agreement that he later spent months trying to undo.
THE HINDU DAILY ARTICLES' ANALYSIS BY SUCCESS MANTRA SMART COACHING
In this competitive world, the demand for "authentic Current Affairs updates" from a reliable source has been increasing for the past few years, with the growth of awareness and aspirants' educational goals.
Keeping this in mind, Success Mantra Smart Coaching, via its YouTube Channel ‘Success Mantra Digital’, aims to make ‘The Hindu Daily Articles Analysis’ accessible to everyone and everywhere across the platform. It offers the latest important news with a minute update, especially for aspirants who are preparing for their dream entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, CUET, DU-LLB, MH-CET, IPU-CET, NCHM and many more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHzTJwt8JFo&list=PLDrM_6OHOo1lcuxmRN-icOWj7UIhevkfl
