Important Days
International Day for Disaster Reduction: 13 October
The United Nations International Day for Disaster Reduction is held annually on 13 October since 1989. The day is celebrated to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction and also celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face.
The theme of the 2021 International Day for Disaster Reduction is “International cooperation for developing countries to reduce their disaster risk and disaster losses”.
World Arthritis Day: 12 October
The World Arthritis Day is observed every year on October 12 to raise awareness about arthritis, an inflammatory condition that causes pain and stiffness in joints that can worsen with age.
This day was started by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) in 1996 in order to spread awareness about arthritis and encourage policymakers to help reduce the burden of arthritis. The World Arthritis Day theme 2021 is Don’t Delay, Connect Today: Time2Work.
National
PM Narendra Modi addresses 28th NHRC Foundation Day program
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed the 28th NHRC Foundation Day program, through video conferencing on October 12, 2021, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and NHRC chairperson.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is a Statutory public body constituted on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993, for the promotion and protection of human rights and dignity of the marginalized.
The Prime Minister concluded by mentioning the human rights of future generations. He emphasized that with measures like International Solar Alliance, renewable energy goals, and Hydrogen Mission, India is rapidly moving in the direction of sustainable life and eco-friendly growth.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Chairperson of NHRC: Justice Arun Kumar Mishra;
- NHRC Headquarters: New Delhi.
PM Narendra Modi launches Indian Space Association
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Indian Space Association (ISpA) via videoconferencing. Its founding members include Bharti Airtel, Larsen & Toubro, Nelco (Tata Group), OneWeb, Mapmyindia, Walchandnagar Industries and Ananth Technology Limited.
Other core members include Godrej, Hughes India, Azista-BST Aerospace Private Limited, BEL, Centum Electronics and Maxar India.
The ISpA is a private industry body that will act as a premier industry body for space and satellite companies in the country. ISpA will be represented by homegrown and global corporations with advanced capabilities in space and satellite technologies.
ISpA will work towards boosting space technology in India, with a focus on capacity building and space economic hubs and incubators in India.
Haryana bans govt employees from participation in politics, elections
Facing farmers’ protests over new farm laws for over a year now, the Haryana government has banned the participation of its employees in politics and elections.
A notification has also been issued from the office of the chief secretary in this regard while implementing Haryana Civil Services (Government Employees Conduct) Rules, 2016.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Haryana Capital: Chandigarh;
- Haryana Governor: Bandaru Dattatraya;
- Haryana Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar.
GoI launched ‘My Port App’ for digital monitoring of port operations
The Centre government has launched ‘MyPortApp’ in Kolkata for digital monitoring of port operation. It has been launched for promoting transparency and to provide port-related information.
The app has been launched for those port users who want to use various port services. It includes all facts about the port digitally. The app incorporates information related to Vessel Berthing, Rake & Indent, Rake Receipt, Container Status, Tariff, Bills, Port Holidays and can be accessed anywhere 24×7.
Tamil Nadu’s ‘Kanniyakumari Clove’ gets GI Tag
The unique clove spice grown in the hills of Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu has been awarded a geographical indication (GI) as ‘Kanyakumari clove’.
In India, the total production of cloves is 1,100 metric tons and of this, 1,000 metric tons is produced in Tamil Nadu every year while 750 metric tons of cloves are produced in the Kanyakumari district alone.
Apart from this, the traditional dye-painted figurative and patterned cloth called Karuppur kalamkari paintings and the wood carvings of Kallakurichi from Tamil Nadu have also received GI tags.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Tamil Nadu Capital: Chennai;
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister: MK Stalin;
- Tamil Nadu Governor: R.N.Ravi;
- Tamil Nadu State Dance: Bharathanatyam.
International
Alexander Schellenberg appointed Austria’s new Chancellor
Alexander Schellenberg was elected as Austrian Chancellor after the resignation of Sebastian Kurz. Sebastian Kurz resigned because of his involvement in a corruption scandal.
Apart from Alexander, Michael Linhardt joined in for the role of foreign minister. He was the former ambassador to France. The appointment of both persons helped in ending the crisis within the Austrian government, the Austrian People’s Party, and Green Party Coalition.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Austria Capital: Vienna;
- Austria Currency: Euro.
IEA invites India to become a full-time member
International Energy Agency (IEA) has invited India to become its full-time member. This membership invitation was given in the light that, India is the world’s third-largest energy consumer. If this proposal is accepted, it will require India to increase its strategic oil reserve to 90 days requirement.
Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri held discussions with IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. During the discussion, IEA executive director invited India to deepen its cooperation with IEA by becoming its full member.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- International Energy Agency Members: 30 (eight associate nations);
- International Energy Agency Full membership: Colombia, Chile, Israel and Lithuania;
- International Energy Agency Headquarters: Paris, France.
Germany launches World’s First Self-Driving Train
German rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, and industrial group, Siemens launched the first automated & driverless train in the world. The self-driving train was launched in the city of Hamburg.
This project is being developed by ‘Siemens and Deutsche Bahn’. It is being dubbed as “world-first”. The project is part of a 60-million-euro modernization of the rapid urban rail system of Hamburg. These automated trains will offer a reliable service without laying a single kilometer of new track.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Germany Capital: Berlin;
- Germany Currency: Euro;
- Germany President: Frank-Walter Steinmeier;
- Germany Chancellor: Angela Merkel.
Appointments
EESL appoints Arun Kumar Mishra as CEO
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of Public Sector Undertakings under the Ministry of Power has announced the appointment of Arun Kumar Mishra as chief executive officer (CEO) on deputation. He will be responsible for EESL’s operations across the nation.
EESL, an energy service company (ESCO), is among the earliest entrants in India’s energy efficiency market estimated at around ₹74,000 crores and is presently running the world’s largest domestic lighting program.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- EESL Headquarters location: New Delhi;
- EESL Founded: 2009;
- EESL Chairman: K.Sreekant.
Former SBI Chief Rajnish Kumar appointed as Chairman of BharatPe
The fintech startup, BharatPe has appointed former State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman Rajnish Kumar as the Chairman of its board.
The former SBI chairman will work closely with the top officials of the company on key business and regulatory initiatives. He will also take part in defining BharatPe’s long-term and short-term strategy.
As the Chairman, Kumar will be responsible to:
- Mentor the BharatPe team in formulating a short-term and long-term strategy
- Work closely with the board and executives on regulatory matters
- Advise and counsel the management on corporate governance
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Chief Executive Officer of BharatPe: Ashneer Grover;
- Headoffice of BharatPe: New Delhi;
- BharatPe Founded: 2018.
Amit Khare appointed advisor to PM Modi
Former bureaucrat Amit Khare, who last month retired as higher education secretary, has been appointed as advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for two years on a contract basis.
Mr. Khare, a 1985 batch (retired) IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre, had superannuated on September 30.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Khare as an advisor to the prime minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, in the rank and scale of secretary to the government of India.
Eight High Courts to get new Chief Justices
The Government notified the appointments of eight and transfer of five chief justices of high courts.
Eight High Courts will get new Chief Justices, and five Chief Justices have been transferred.
The clearance in the 13 High Courts was considered crucial as some of them have been making do with Acting Chief Justices.
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K V Subramanian resigned as Chief Economic Adviser
The Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) KV Subramanian has decided to return to academia after the completion of his three-year term in the Finance Ministry of India.
KV Subramanian had taken over the charge of Chief Economic Adviser on December 7, 2018. The appointment was made nearly five months after his predecessor Arvind Subramanian had stepped down.
Ranks and Reports
UNDP Releases 2021 Multidimensional Poverty Index Report
The 2021 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report was jointly released by UNDP and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
The report provides estimates on multidimensional poverty across 109 developing countries (with data from surveys ranging 2009-2019/2020); These include 26 low-income countries, 80 middle-income countries, and 3 high-income countries. The index measures each person’s deprivations across 10 indicators divided into three equally weighted dimensions.
Business
Adani Group takes over management of Jaipur International Airport
Gautam Adani-led Adani Group has taken over the responsibilities of the Jaipur International Airport from the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The airport has been leased out to the group by the government of India for a period of 50 years. For the last two months, officials from the Adani group have been observing operations at the airport.
Airport director J S Balhara handed over a symbolic key of the airport to Chief Airport Officer Adani Jaipur International Ltd Vishnu Jha in the presence of other officials.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Adani Group Headquarters: Ahmedabad;
- Adani Group Founder: Gautam Adani;
- Adani Group Founded: 20 July 1988.
Schemes and Committees
Arvind Kejriwal launches ‘Desh Ke Mentor’ Programme
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has launched a program under which students of Delhi government schools will be provided guidance on career choices by citizens who are successful in their respective fields.
The ‘Desh ke mentor’ program entails ‘adopting’ one to 10 government school students who can be mentored by citizens who are successful in their respective fields. The Delhi government had in August announced that Bollywood actor Sonu Sood will be the brand ambassador for the mentors’ program.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Chief Minister of Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal; Lieutenant Governor of Delhi: Anil Baijal.
Books and Authors
Former SBI Chief Rajnish Kumar launches memoir ‘The Custodian of Trust’
Former Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI) Rajnish Kumar has come out with his memoir titled ‘The Custodian of Trust – A Banker’s Memoir’. The book has been published by Penguin Random House India.
It gave a rare insight into how the financial system in our country works. The Custodian of Trust presents Kumar’s journey from a modest house in the old city of Meerut to being a probationary officer in SBI in 1980 and growing to the post of Chairman in 2017.
Agreements
India announces $200 million lines of credit for Kyrgyzstan
India announced a $200-million line of credit for Kyrgyzstan and signed an agreement to carry out small but high-impact projects for community development in the Central Asian state.
The two initiatives were among several measures announced by external affairs minister S Jaishankar at the end of a two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held “constructive” talks with the top Kyrgyz leadership to boost bilateral ties, including defense cooperation, and discussed global issues like Afghanistan.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Kyrgyzstan Capital: Bishkek;
- Kyrgyzstan Currency: Kyrgyzstani som;
- Kyrgyzstan President: Sadyr Japarov.
Economy
India’s retail inflation eases to 4.35% in September
Retail inflation declined to 4.35 percent in September, mainly due to lower food prices, according to government data released.
The Consumer Price Index-based (CPI) inflation was at 5.30 percent in August and at 7.27 percent in September 2020.
As per the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the inflation in the food basket eased to 0.68 percent in September 2021, significantly down from 3.11 percent in the preceding month.
Banking
RBI grants banking license to Unity Small Finance Bank
The Reserve Bank of India has granted a banking license to Unity Small Finance Bank Ltd (USFBL), which was established jointly by the Centrum Financial Services Ltd (CFSL) and Resilient Innovations Private Limited (BharatPe), to carry on an SFB business in India.
It is the first time ever that two partners are uniting equally to build a Bank. The proposed business model is one of collaboration and open architecture, uniting all its stakeholders to deliver a seamless digital experience.
Summits and Conferences
PM Participates in G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has participated virtually in the G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan.
The Meeting was convened by Italy, which currently holds the G20 Presidency, and chaired by Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi.
Issues under consideration at the meeting related to the humanitarian situation; concerns relating to terrorism; and human rights in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister welcomed the initiative of the Italian G20 Presidency in convening the meeting to take stock of the current situation in Afghanistan.
Awards
Dr. Randeep Guleria bags 22nd Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award
The Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu presented the 22nd Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence to the eminent pulmonologist and Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Dr. Randeep Guleria at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas.
He lauded Dr. Guleria’s devotion to duty and in nurturing the Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Sleep Disorders in AIIMS.
Dr. Guleria is widely respected for his ground-breaking work in his chosen field and is known to be a highly efficient and dedicated hospital administrator, as well.
Sports
Indian Shooters win 43 medals at ISSF Junior World Championship
The 2021 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Championship Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun was held in Lima in Peru. The Indian shooters claimed a historic win with 43 medals to stand atop the medal table. These included 17 Gold, 16 Silver, and 10 Bronze medals.
The USA finished second on the medal table with 21 medals including six gold, eight silver, and six bronze. Meanwhile, Manu Bhaker created a milestone record of becoming the first Indian shooter to win the highest number of medals in a single edition of the ISSF Junior World Championships, with as many as five medals. These included 4 gold medals and a bronze.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- ISSF Headquarters: Munich, Germany;
- ISSF Founded: 1907;
- ISSF President: Vladimir Lisin.
FIFA unveils “Ibha” mascot of India’s 2022 U-17 Women’s World Cup
World football body, FIFA has unveiled the official mascot of the U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 “Ibha” an Asiatic lioness representing women’s power.
The tournament will be held in India from October 11-30 next year. The announcement coincided with the International Day of the Girl Child.
According to a release issued by the global body, Ibha aims to inspire women and girls across India and around the world to realize their potential.
Ibha is a strong, playful, and charming Asiatic lioness that aims to inspire and encourage women and girls by using teamwork, resilience, kindness, and empowering others.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- President of FIFA: Gianni Infantino; Founded: 21 May 1904.
- Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland.
- Daily Current Affairs in English 11 Sep 2022 – Useful for all Competitive Exams
- Hindu Editorial with Vocabulary: Sep Month – Day 10
- 11 Sep 2022 Daily Current Affairs in Hindi – सभी प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं के लिए महत्वपूर्ण
- 10 Sep 2022 Daily Current Affairs in Hindi – सभी प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं के लिए महत्वपूर्ण
- Hindu Editorial with Vocabulary: Sep Month – Day 9
- Daily Current Affairs in English 10 Sep 2022 – Useful for all Competitive Exams
