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 September-2021 eBook covers the current events that happened in the month of September. Current Affairs is a crucial component of any competitive exams including CLAT, AILET, DU-LLB, HM, CAT, IAS, PCS, SSC, 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 September-2021 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
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. National Affairs
2. International Affairs
3. Economic Affairs
4. Appointments
5. Awards And Honors
6. Important Dates & Sports
7. Reports And Indexes
8. Miscellaneous
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
INDIA: 1ST ASIAN NATION TO LAUNCH PLASTICS PACT
India has become the first country in Asia to launch a Plastics Pact, a new platform to promote a circular system for plastics.
The India Plastic Pact platform was launched by the British High Commissioner to India, Alexander Ellis, at the 16th Sustainability Summit hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
About the ‘India Plastic Pact’: The new platform ‘India Plastic Pact’ is a joint effort of the World-Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF India) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and envisions to create a world where plastic is valued and does not pollute the environment.
The Pact targets the businesses to transition towards a circular economy for plastics by 2030. The initiative is supported by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and WRAP, a global NGO based in the UK, and endorsed by the British High Commission in India.
MANOJ SINHA LAUNCHED 'SAATH INITIATIVE' FOR WOMEN
In Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has launched a Rural Enterprises Acceleration Programme titled ‘Saath’ for Self Help Group (SHG) women.
The programme aims to transform the lives of women and make them independent and strong in social and financial aspects, by mentoring the women associated with SHGs and creates market linkages of products created by these women.
Jammu and Kashmir already has 48000 SHGs, with around four lakh women connected to these SHGs.
The J&K administration further aims to create 11000 more SHGs in the coming year. This will transform the lives of these women and make them independent and strong in social and financial aspects.
Aim of the programme: Saath is aimed at accelerating the livelihoods of rural women, associated with SHGs and which are doing small works.
There is not much profit in their work and there is a lack of knowledge about marketing, packaging and branding. This initiative aims to teach women such skills and convert their businesses into Higher Order Enterprises.
UTTARAKHAND, PUNJAB & TN GET NEW GOVERNORS
President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, who retired as the deputy chief of Army, governor of Uttarakhand, a post which fell vacant after Baby Rani Maurya tendered her resignation.
According to a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique, President Ram Nath Kovind accepted the resignation of Maurya and appointed Singh as the governor of the state.
Shuffling of governors:
• The President also appointed Banwarilal Purohit, currently the Governor of Tamil Nadu, as the Governor of Punjab.
• R.N.Ravi, presently the Governor of Nagaland, has been made the Governor of Tamil Nadu.
• Professor Jagdish Mukhi, Governor of Assam is appointed to discharge the functions of the Governor of Nagaland in addition to his own duties until regular arrangements are made.
• The President’s office, in an official release, mentioned that the new appointments will take effect from the dates they assume charge of their respective offices.
PM MODI INAUGURATED 'SHIKSHAK PARV-2021'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the “Shikshak Parv-2021” and addressed the inaugural conclave through a video conference.
The theme of ‘Shikshak Parv-2021’ is “Quality and Sustainable Schools: Learnings from Schools in India”.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Education, will continue to be celebrated from September 07 to 17, 2021.
The objective of the Shikshak Parv-2021 is to encourage innovative practices to ensure not only continuity of education at all levels but to improve quality, inclusive practices and sustainability in the schools across the country as well.
As a part of the event, PM launched five key schemes under the National Education Policy, NEP 2020. These included:
• Indian Sign Language Dictionary (audio and text embedded sign language video for the hearing impaired, in conformity with Universal Design of Learning)
• Talking Books (audiobooks for the visually impaired)
• School Quality Assurance and Assessment Framework of CBSE
• NISHTHA teachers’ training programme for NIPUN Bharat
• Vidyanjali 2.0 portal (platform for non-teaching professionals to contribute to increasing the quality of education in government schools.)
INDIA'S 1ST EMERGENCY LANDING FACILITY IN NH RAJASTHAN
Union Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh and Union Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Emergency Landing Facility on a National Highway in Rajasthan.
This emergency landing facility has been constructed on the Satta-Gandhav stretch of National Highway (NH) 925A in Barmer, Rajasthan.
This is the first time that a national highway (NH-925) will be used for the emergency landing of IAF aircraft. The project will cost ₹765.52 crores under the Bharatmala Pariyojana.
About the highway: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has developed a 3-km section of the Satta-Gandhav stretch of NH-925A, as an emergency landing facility (ELF) for the IAF.
It is part of a newly developed two-lane paved shoulder of the Gagariya-Bakhasar and Satta-Gandhav section having a total length of 196.97 km.
Apart from the Emergency Landing Strip, 3 helipads (size 100 x 30 metres each) have been constructed in Kundanpura, Singhania and Bakhasar villages in this project, according to the requirements of the Air Force/Indian Army, which will be the basis for strengthening the Indian Army and security network on the western international border of the country.
UNION AYUSH MINISTER LAUNCHED 'Y-BREAK' APP
The Union AYUSH Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal has launched ‘Y Break’ Yoga protocol mobile application in New Delhi.
The app has been developed by Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY).
The app was launched as a part of the week-long activities and campaigns organised by the Ministry of Ayush to commemorate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav from August 30 to September 5, 2021.
About the app: The Y-Break (or the “Yoga Break) mobile application is a unique five-minute Yoga protocol app, designed especially for working professionals to de-stress, refresh and re-focus at their workplace to increase their productivity, and consists of Asanas, Pranayam and Dhyana.
While on one hand the app will facilitate doing yoga and meditation with ease anywhere in just 5 minutes, it will also bring awareness about different Yoga practices.
SITHARAMAN LAUNCHED 'MY PAD MY RIGHT' INITIATIVE
In Tripura, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has inaugurated a project called ‘My Pad, My Right’ initiated by NABARD and NABFOUNDATION at Killa village in Gomati district on the second and concluding day of her visit to the state.
The project aims to bring livelihood and menstrual hygiene closer to rural women by way of grant, wage support and capital equipment.
The Union Minister also flagged off the mobile ATM van of Tripura State Co-Operative Bank Limited which will cover all Gram Panchayats and Village Committees of South Tripura District.
PUNJAB LAUNCHED 'MERA KAAM MERA MAAN SCHEME'
The Punjab Cabinet gave a nod to a new scheme that will help the unemployed youth in the state to hone their skills and increase their chances of getting a job.
These youngsters will be given short-term skill training free of cost under the ‘‘Mera Kaam Mera Maan” scheme of the state government. A target of 30,000 beneficiaries has been proposed, at a cost of ₹ 90 crores.
About the scheme: The scheme also provides an employment assistance allowance of ₹ 2,500 per month for a period of 12 months from the start of the training course, which will be conducted at Punjab Skill Development Mission training centres.
The allowance shall be given during the training period, and after successfully completing the training, during the pre-placement and post-placement period of 12 months from the date of the start of the programme.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
INDIA TO HOST G20 LEADERS' SUMMIT IN 2023
India will hold the G20 presidency from December 1, 2022, and will convene the G20 leaders’ summit in 2023 for the first time.
Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Minister has been appointed as India’s Sherpa for the G20 in 2023 (18th edition).
A sherpa is a diplomat who undertakes preparatory work prior to a summit conference.
The 2021 edition of the G20 meet will be held in Rome, Italy. The 2022 G20 meet will be held in Bali, Indonesia.
INDIAN ARMY WILL PARTICIPATE IN ZAPAD EXERCISE 2021
Indian Army will participate in Exercise ZAPAD 2021, a Multi Nation exercise being held at Nizhniy in Russia from 3-16 September.
ZAPAD 2021 is one of the theatre level exercises of the Russian Armed Forces and will focus primarily on operations against terrorists.
Over a dozen countries from the Eurasian and South Asian Regions will participate in this signature event.
About the exercise:.The exercise aims to enhance military and strategic ties amongst the participating nations while they plan and execute this exercise.
The Indian contingent has been put through a strenuous training schedule that encompasses all facets of conventional operations including mechanised, airborne and heliborne, counter-terrorism, combat conditioning and firing.
In all, 17 countries are participating in ZAPAD including Mongolia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Russia, India and Belarus.
Pakistan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka are observers at the exercises.
DTTI AGREEMENT SIGNED B/W INDIA & USA
The Ministry of Defence, the Government of India and US Department of Defence have signed a Project Agreement (PA) for Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (ALUAV).
This agreement is signed under the Joint Working Group Air Systems in the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).
The PA for ALUAV is part of the Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E) Memorandum of Agreement, which was first signed between the Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence, in January 2006 and renewed in January 2015.
The RDT&E aims at deepening defence technology collaboration between the two nations through the co-development of defence equipment.
About the agreement: Under the collaboration, the two countries will work towards the design, development, demonstration, testing and evaluation of systems to co-develop an ALUAV Prototype.
The DTTI aims to bring sustained leadership focus to promote collaborative technology exchange and create opportunities for co-production and co-development of future technologies for Indian and US military forces.
PACIFIC AIR CHIEFS SYMPOSIUM 2021 IN HAWAII
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria attended a three-day-long Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium 2021 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.
The event themed”Enduring Cooperation towards Regional Stability” was attended by air chiefs from countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Bhadauria was nominated as the Dean for the symposium.
India, the US, Australia, Japan and many other like-minded countries are working towards ensuring a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
The symposium saw deliberations through panel discussions, tabletop exercises and keynote addresses on topics ranging from aspects of regional security to cooperation amongst air forces for humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
28TH EDITION OF SIMBEX BILATERAL EXERCISE
The 28th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) took place from September 02 to 04, 2021.
The SIMBEX-2021 annual bilateral maritime exercise was hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in the southern fringes of the South China Sea.
About the SIMBEX-2021: The Indian Navy was represented by Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvijay with a shipborne helicopter, ASW Corvette INS Kiltan and Guided Missile Corvette INS Kora and one P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
The exercise aimed to strengthen the bilateral defence ties between both countries. This year’s edition of SIMBEX is also a special occasion as it takes place during the ongoing celebrations of the 75th year of India’s independence.
The success of SIMBEX-2021 is yet another demonstration of the mutual resolve on both sides to strengthen the bilateral partnership further in the years ahead.
INDIA & AUSTRALIA NAVAL EXERCISE - AUSINDEX
The 4th edition of AUSINDEX, a bilateral navy exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy has begun from September 06, 2021, and will continue up to September 10, 2021.
Indian Navy Task Group comprises INS Shivalik and INS Kadmatt.
This edition of AUSINDEX includes complex surface, sub-surface and air operations between ships, submarines, helicopters and Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the participating Navies.
About the exercise: Commenced in 2015 as a bilateral IN-RAN maritime exercise, AUSINDEX has grown in complexity over the years and the 3rd edition of the exercise, held in 2019 in the Bay of Bengal, included anti-submarine drills for the first time.
• Australia Prime minister: Scott Morrison.
• Australia Capital: Canberra.
JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SUGA TO STEP DOWN
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga would step down, setting the stage for a new premier after a one-year tenure marred by an unpopular COVID-19 response and rapidly dwindling public support.
Suga, who took over after Shinzo Abe resigned last September, citing ill health, has seen his support ratings sink to below 30% as the nation struggles with its worst wave of COVID-19 infections ahead of a general election this year.
Suga’s decision to not run in a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) election in September means the party will choose a new leader, who will become prime minister.
• Japan Capital: Tokyo.
• Japan Currency: Japanese yen.
UAE, URUGUAY & BANGLADESH AS NEW MEMBER OF NDB
The Shanghai-based New Development Bank (NDB) has approved the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Bangladesh as its new member countries.
In 2020, the NDB Board of Governors initiated the negotiation to expand its membership. As a result UAE, Uruguay and Bangladesh have been admitted as the first new member countries of the NDB.
NDB was established by the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries in 2015.
The bank supports public or private projects through loans, guarantees, equity participation and other financial instruments.
• New Development Bank Headquarter: Shanghai, China.
• New Development Bank President: Marcos Prado Troyjo.
• New Development Bank Founder: BRICS.
• New Development Bank Founded: 15 July 2014.
INDIA CONDUCTS MARITIME EXERCISE WITH ALGERIAN
The Indian Naval Ship, INS Tabar, is on her goodwill visit to the number of ports in Africa and Europe since June 2021 till September 2021.
As a part of this visit, INS Tabar took part in the Maiden Maritime Partnership Exercise with Algerian Navy, off the Algerian coast, in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Algerian Naval Ship ANS Ezzadjer participated in the exercise.
The objective of the exercise: The objective of the exercise was to enhance interoperability, understand the concept of operations followed by each other, and opened the possibility of increasing interaction and collaboration between the two navies in the future.
INS Tabar is a Talwar-class stealth Frigate built in Russia for the Indian Navy. The ship is a part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, based in Mumbai.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
IMF'S SPECIAL DRAWING RIGHTS
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has made an allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) 12.57 billion to India. (approx USD 17.86 billion).
With this, the total SDR holding of India has gone upto SDR 13.66 billion (equivalent to around USD 19.41 billion).
SDR is one of the components of the Foreign Exchange Reserves (FER) of India.
Hence the Foreign Exchange Reserves (FER) has also increased now. IMF has allocated a total of SDR 456 billion to all its member countries out of which India has got SDR 12.57.
• IMF Headquarters: Washington, D.C. U.S.
• IMF Managing Director and Chairman: Kristalina Georgieva.
• IMF Chief Economist: Gita Gopinath.
RUPAY LAUNCHED FOLLOW PAYMENT DISTANCING CAMPAIGN
RuPay has launched a strategic campaign titled – #FollowPaymentDistancing to promote and encourage contactless payments among customers.
Due to COVID-19, customers have been following several norms and measures to stay safe by following healthy habits, self-care routines, and social distancing.
RuPay’s #FollowPaymentDistancing campaign encourages consumers to start ‘payment distancing’ and switch to contactless digital payments with RuPay Contactless Cards which is safe as well as time-conserving.
About Contactless payments: Contactless payments allow merchants to offer their consumers a safer, cleaner way to pay, reduce long queues at checkout counters, and more control over physical space during these tough times.
The campaign aims to educate both the merchants and consumers about the benefits of using contactless payments during these unprecedented situations.
APPOINTMENTS
PANKAJ KUMAR SINGH TAKE CHARGE AS NEW DG OF BSF
Pankaj Kumar Singh, a 1988-batch IPS officer from the Rajasthan cadre, has taken charge as the new Director General (DG) of the Border Security Force (BSF).
Prior to this, he was serving as the special DG at the BSF headquarters in Delhi.
The 58-year-old Pankaj Singh replaces IPS officer and Indo-Tibetan Border Police Director General (DG) SS Deswal who was holding the additional charge of BSF DG since July 2021.
Apart from this, Sanjay Arora, 1988-batch IPS officers from Tamil Nadu cadre, has taken over as the new DG of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
• BSF was formed on December 1, 1965.
• BSF Headquarters: New Delhi.
• ITBP Founded: 24 October 1962.
• ITBP Headquarters: New Delhi, India.
JB MOHAPATRA APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN OF CBDT
IRS officer JB Mohapatra was appointed as the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes.
His appointment was approved today by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He has already served as the acting chairman of the CBDT.
A 1985-batch IRS officer, Mohapatra was given the additional charge as CBDT chairman after the tenure of incumbent PC Mody ended this year in May.
Earlier, Mohapatra had served as the principal chief commissioner of Income Tax for the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana region.
• Central Board of Direct Taxes Established: 1924
• Central Board of Direct Taxes Headquarters: New Delhi.
ADIDAS ROPED IN MIRABAI CHANU FOR STAY IN PLAY CAMPAIGN
Adidas has roped in Tokyo Olympic Silver-medalist Mirabai Chanu as the face of its ‘‘Stay in Play” campaign for its latest product innovation designed to keep more menstruating women in sports.
The new TechFit Period Proof tights, featuring an absorbent layer to help protect against leaks when worn with a tampon or pad.
Such innovations showcase Adidas’ commitment to encourage and support women in sport.
Adidas found that teenage girls are dropping out of sport at an alarming rate, with one of the key reasons being fear of period leakage.
• Adidas Founder: Adolf Dassler.
• Adidas Founded: 18 August 1949.
• Adidas Headquarters: Herzogenaurach, Germany.
• Adidas CEO: Kasper Rorsted.
AWARDS & HONOURS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD 2021
Ramon Magsaysay Award 2021 awardees have been announced, the winners will be formally awarded the Magsaysay Award during the November 28 event at the Ramon Magsaysay Centre in Manila.
Among the awardees is Dr Firdousi Qadri of Bangladesh and Muhammad Amjad Saqib of Pakistan, as well as Philippine fisheries and community environmentalist Roberto Ballon, American citizen Steven Munsi, who works for humanitarian work and help refugees, and Indonesian WatchDoc for investigative journalism.
List of awardees of Ramon Magsaysay Awards 2021:
Muhammad Amjad Saqib: A visionary who founded one of the largest microfinance institutions
in Pakistan, servicing millions of families.
Firdausi Qadri: A Bangladeshi scientist who has been instrumental in discovering vaccines that have saved millions of lives.
Steven Muncy: A humanitarian who has been helping the displaced refugees of Southeast Asia rebuild their lives.
WatchDoc: A production house that ingeniously combines documentary filmmaking and alternative platforms to highlight underreported issues in Indonesia.
Roberto Ballon: A fisherman from Southern
Philippines who has led a community in restoring their rich aquatic resources and their primary source of livelihood.
About the Ramon Magsaysay Award: The Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honor and is widely regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
It celebrates the memory and leadership example of the third Philippine president after whom the award is named, and is given every year to individuals or organizations in Asia who manifest the same selfless service that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino leader.
7TH YAMIN HAZARIKA WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE AWARD
Writer Namita Gokhale has been chosen as the recipient of the seventh Yamin Hazarika Woman of Substance Award.
She was conferred upon the honour recently in a virtual ceremony.
She is a co-founder and co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival, Gokhale also mentors Himalayan Echoes and the Kumaon Festival of Literature and the Arts.
About the award: The award was organised by a collective of women professionals from the year 2015, the annual award honours Yamin Hazarika, the first woman from Northeast India to be selected for DANIPS, a federal police service that administered Delhi and the Union Territories in 1977.
BEHLER TURTLE CONSERVATION AWARD
Indian biologist Shailendra Singh has been awarded the Behler Turtle Conservation Award for bringing three critically endangered turtle conservation species back from the brink of extinction.
Shailendra Singh was named to lead the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA)/ Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) India turtle programme.
About the award: The award has been bestowed by several global bodies involved in turtle conservation such as Turtle Survival Alliance, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Turtle Conservancy, and Turtle Conservation Fund.
The Behler Turtle Conservation Award was established in 2006 to recognise outstanding achievements, contributions and leadership excellence in international turtle conservation and biology.
PRESIDENT PRESENTS NATIONAL TEACHERS' AWARD 2021
National Teachers’ Award 2021 was awarded by President Ram Nath Kovind, September 5, 2021. President Kovind gave the awards to 44 finest teachers in the country for their dedicated contribution.
The award is contributed to those who improve the quality of education for students and also inspire, enrich their lives.
This year, the Ministry of Education released the name of 44 teachers, who would be conferred the National Teachers’ Award. Out of the total 44 teachers, 9 of the awardees are women.
Due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation, President Kovind addressed the teachers virtually. While highlighting the role and importance of teachers in one’s life, President Kovind expressed his gratitude to all the teachers who received the awards.
The award was also bestowed upon Pramod Kumar Shukla of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Chhattisgarh.
It is the second award in a row for an EMRS established under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
SPORTS
130TH EDITION OF DURAND CUP KICKS OFF IN KOLKATA
The 130th edition of the Durand Cup kicked off at the Vivekananda Yubabharati Krirangan in Kolkata. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee kicked the ball and inaugurated the tournament.
16 teams are playing in this edition of the oldest club football tournament in Asia while two clubs East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are not participating. The final match will be held on 3rd October.
About Durand Cup: The Durand Cup is a prestigious football tournament. It was first held in 1888, at Dagshai in Himachal Pradesh.
This tournament has been named after Mortimer Durand. He was the then Foreign Secretary in charge of India.
INDIA FINISHED 24TH WITH 19 MEDALS AT PARALYMPICS
India finished their campaign at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 with an all-time high of 19 medals which includes five gold, eight silver, and six bronze.
This is the best medal tally for India a single edition of the Paralympic Games. India is placed at 24th position in the overall medal tally out of a total of 162 nations.
Indian Flag Bearers: Javelin thrower Tek Chand was the flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics.
Shooter Avani Lekhara was India’s flag-bearer at the closing ceremony.
India at Paralympics 2020: India sent its biggest ever contingent of 54 para-athletes at Tokyo Paralympics to compete across as many as 9 sporting disciplines at the Games.
Prior to this, India had won a total of 12 Paralympics medals, since making its first appearance at the Paralympics in 1968, till the 2016 Rio.
The Indian theme song of Paralympics 2020 “Kar de kamaal tu”. The composer and singer of the song is Sanjeev Singh, a Divyang cricket player from Lucknow.
List of Indian medallists winners of Tokyo Paralympics 2020:
Gold Medal Winners
• Athletics: Sumit Antil (Men’s Javelin Throw)
• Badminton: Pramod Bhagat (Men’s Singles)
• Badminton: Krishna Nagar (Men’s Singles)
• Shooting: Manish Narwal (Mixed 50m Pistol)
• Shooting: Avani Lekhara (Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing)
Silver Medal Winners
• Athletics: Yogesh Kathuniya (Men’s Discus Throw)
• Athletics: Nishad Kumar (Men’s High Jump)
• Athletics: Mariyappan Thangavelu (Men’s High Jump)
• Athletics: Praveen Kumar (Men’s High Jump)
• Athletics: Devendra Jhajharia (Men’s Javelin Throw)
• Badminton: Suhas Yathiraj (Men’s Singles)
• Shooting: Singhraj Adhana (Mixed 50m Pistol)
• Table Tennis: Bhavina Patel (Women’s Singles)
Bronze Medal Winners
• Archery: Harvinder Singh (Men’s Individual Recurve)
• Athletics: Sharad Kumar (Men’s High Jump)
• Athletics: Sundar Singh Gurjar (Men’s Javelin Throw)
• Badminton: Manoj Sarkar (Men’s Singles)
• Shooting: Singhraj Adhana (Men’s 10m Air Pistol)
• Shooting: Avani Lekhara (Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions)
Tokyo Paralympics was the 16th Summer Paralympic Games, held in Tokyo, Japan from August 24, to September 05, 2021.
Badminton and Taekwondo were inducted for the first time in the Tokyo Paralympics.
Team China topped the final medal tally at Tokyo Paralympic Games. The country won a total of 207 medals (96 golds, 60 silvers and 51 bronzes). United Kingdom (124) gets the second position followed by the USA(104).
This is the fifth consecutive time China dominated Paralympic Games in both gold medal tally and overall medal tally.
The closing ceremony was entitled ‘Harmonious Cacophony’ and involved both able-bodied actors and others with disabilities. The theme was described by organizers as a ‘world inspired by the Paralympics, one where differences shine’.
1ST INDIAN WOMAN TO WIN TWO MEDALS AT PARALYMPICS
Avani Lekhara won the bronze medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event with a score of 445.9 to become the first Indian woman to win two medals at the Paralympics.
Lekhara had also won gold in the 10m air rifle standing SH1 event.
India’s medal tally now stands at 12 at these Paralympics. It has now won two golds, six silvers and four bronze medals.
This is India’s best tally at a single edition of the Para Games. It had won four medals at Rio 2016 and four at the 1984 Paralympics.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
NATIONAL TEACHERS' DAY: 5TH SEPTEMBER
The 5th of September is celebrated as teacher’s day all over India.
This day is celebrated as the teacher’s day to mark the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan who was once the former president of our country.
He was once a philosopher, a scholar, and the Bharat Ratna Awardee. He was the second President of India (1962 to 1967) and the first Vice President of India (1952–1962).
The Ministry of Education offers the National Teachers Awards on this event each year. In 2021, the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind will confer National Awards on forty four teachers from throughout the country.
In 1962, Dr. Radhakrishan grew to be the 2nd President of Independent India. The predominant importance to celebrate this day is that Dr Radhakrishan’s students approached him to enable them to rejoice his birthday as a one-of-a-kind day.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLEAN AIR FOR BLUE SKIES
The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is observed globally on September 07 to promote and facilitate actions to improve air quality.
It is an UN-recognised day that aims to raise public awareness at all levels (individual, community, corporate and government) that clean air is important for health, productivity, the economy and the environment.
Theme of the day: The 2021 theme for the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet” which emphasizes the health aspects of air pollution, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s focus is on prioritizing the need for healthy air for all while keeping the conversation broad enough to encompass other critical issues such as climate change, human and planetary health as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.
The day serves as a rallying call to action to align our efforts and claim our right to clean air. #HealthyAirHealthyPlanet.
History of the day: The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Resolution to hold an International Day of Clean Air for blue skies on December 19, 2019, during its 74th session and invited the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The inaugural edition of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies was held in 2020.
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY: 8TH SEPTEMBER
International Literacy Day is observed globally on 8th September every year.
The day spread awareness about the importance of literacy for individuals, communities, and societies and the need for intensified efforts towards more literate societies.
The theme of 55th International Literacy Day is Literacy for a human-centred recovery: Narrowing the digital divide.
History of International Literacy Day: The 8th of September was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO in 1966 to remind the international community of the importance of literacy for individuals, communities and societies, and the need for intensified efforts towards more literate societies. It was celebrated for the first time in 1967.
• UNESCO headquarters: Paris, France.
• UNESCO Head: Audrey Azoulay.
• UNESCO Founded: 16 November 1945.
FOOD PROCESSING WEEK: 6TH TO 12TH SEPT.
To commemorate 75 years of India’s independence, the Government of India is celebrating the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.’
As a part of the celebration, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries is observing ‘Food Processing Week’ from 6th to 12th September 2021, under which, the Ministry is organizing various programs.
The Ministry launched the ‘Food Processing Week’, 6th September 2021, through an official video on social media platforms.
The success story of the beneficiary of the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, Smt. Radhika Kamat was also published on the Ministry’s website in the ‘Atmanirbhar Enterprises’ series.
• Union Minister of Food Processing Industries: Pashupati Kumar Paras.
• Minister of State for Food Processing Industries: Prahlad Singh Patel.
WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY: 10TH SEPTEMBER
International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) observes World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) on 10 September every year.
The purpose of this day is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented.
The theme for the 2021 World Suicide Prevention Day is “Creating hope through action”.
History of World Suicide Prevention Day: The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) to host World Suicide Prevention Day with various activities around the world since 2003.
IASP Founded by the late Professor Erwin Ringel and Dr Norman Farberow in 1960.
WORLD EV DAY OBSERVED ON 9TH SEPTEMBER
World EV Day is observed on September 9 every year.
The day marks the celebration of e-mobility. Special awareness campaigns are organised globally to educate people about the benefits of electric vehicles. World EV Day was an initiative created by the sustainability media company GreenTV.
The first World EV day was observed in 2020. China is the largest EV market in the world.
It was largely a social media campaign that encouraged drivers to recognise the benefits of electric vehicles and make a commitment that the next car they drive will be electric and not run on conventional fuels.
REPORTS AND INDEXES
IIT MADRAS REGAINS TOP POSITION IN NIRF INDIA RANKINGS
The Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan released the NIRF India Rankings 2021, on September 09, 2021, through video conferencing.
The NIRF India Rankings 2021 is the sixth edition of the annual list which ranks higher educational institutions in the country based on objective criteria to promote competitive excellence.
In Overall Winner: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has retained the top spot in the overall category.
List of Winners:
• Overall: Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
• University: Indian Institute of Science, (IISc) Bangaluru
• Management: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad
• College: Miranda House, Delhi
• Pharmacy: Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
• Medical: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi
• Engineering: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras
• Architecture: Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
• Dental: Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Udupi
• Law: National Law School of India University (NLSUI), Bengaluru
• Research Institutions: Indian Institute of Science, (IISc) Bangalore
MISCELLANEOUS
LADAKH DECLARED NEW STATE ANIMAL & BIRD
The Union Territory of Ladakh has declared snow leopard (Panther unica) as the new state animal and black-necked crane (Grus nicricollis) as the new state bird.
The notification in this regard was released by Shri Radha Krishna Mathur, Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Ladakh on August 31, 2021.
The decision was taken keeping in view bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh into separate administrative divisions in 2019.
In the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, the black-necked crane and Kashmir stag (Hangul) were the state bird and animal respectively.
RAJIV GANDHI'S NAME REMOVED FROM ORANG NATIONAL PARK
The Assam cabinet has decided to remove the name of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi from the Orang National Park.
Since the name of Orang is associated with the sentiments of the Adivasi and tea-tribe community, the cabinet has decided to rename the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park as Orang National Park.
Located on the North Bank of Brahmaputra, Orang National Park spread over 78.80 sq km is the oldest forest reserve in the state.
It was named a wildlife sanctuary in 1985 and declared a national park in 1999.
• Assam Governor: Jagdish Mukhi.
• Assam Chief Minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma.
CRISTIANO RONALDO RECOGNIZED IN GUINNESS RECORDS
Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo has broken the world record for most goals scored in men’s international football.
Ronaldo surpassed Iranian striker Ali Daei’s long-held record of 109 international goals by scoring a brace against Ireland in a World Cup Qualifier.
Ronaldo at 36 years of age is now a Guinness world record holder of most international goals of all time with 111 goals.
The Guinness world book of records has recognised Cristiano Ronaldo as a world record breaker for the most goals scored in international football (soccer) matches scored by an individual (male).
Ronaldo achieved the feat scoring goals for his native Portugal between 2003 and 2021 proactively over a span of 18 years with a career still going strong as he looks to overcome yet another new challenge after his move away from Turin with a year left on his contract with the Bianconeri.
