Latest Current Affairs For Thursday 23rd September, 2021

Current Affairs in One Minute

1-Centre has extended the deadline for linking Aadhaar with PAN by six more months, till March 2022. 

2-Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the first prototype train of the Kanpur and Agra Metro projects via video conferencing. 

3-Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission Commemorates 4th Rashtriya Poshan Maah, 2021. 

4-Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology and Shri Conrad KongkalSangma, jointly launched Meghalaya Enterprise Architecture Project (MeghEA). 

5-The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah planted the 10 millionth sapling at the CRPF Training Center in Nanded, Maharashtra under the 'All India Tree Plantation Campaign-2021' being run by the Central Armed Police Forces. 

6-Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched countrywide free Telemedicine facility to mark “Seva Samarpan Abhiyaan” on the occasion of the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

7-Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship inaugurated Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Kohima under the SANKALP project. 

8-Union Education Minister and Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan virtually presented Kaushalacharya Awards 2021 to 41 skill trainers for their exemplary contribution to the skill ecosystem. 

9-TRIFED enters into an MoU with Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FIIT) of IIT-Delhi and M/s Rusicaa Beverages to commercialize Mahua Nutra Beverage in the State of Jharkhand. 

10-Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has received approval from the US health regulator to market Clindamycin Phosphate Foam, an antibiotic used for treating bacterial infections, in the American market. 

Centre signs MoU with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited

Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has signed MoU with CSC e-Governance Services India (CSC) to increase the business opportunities and income of Fair Price Shops by way of delivery of CSC services through interested Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers.

CSC has been advised to identify feasible activities like Utility Bill payments, PAN Application, Passport Application, etc. to facilitate the consumer and simultaneously provide additional income to the FPSs.

Ministry of Education forms National Steering Committee for Curriculum

Ministry of Education has formed National Steering Committee for development of National Curriculum Frameworks under K Kasturirangan chairmanship. 

Other members: Mahesh Pant, Govind Prasad Sharma, Najma Akhtar, TV Kattimani, Michel Danino, Milind Kamble, Jagbir Singh, Manjul Bhargava, M K Sridhar, Dhir Jhingran. Shankar Maruwada. 

Committee will develop National Curriculum Frameworks for School Education, Early Childhood Education, Teacher Education, Adult Education.

Telecom Department initiates new reforms with simplifying KYC process

Dept of Telecommunications (DoT) has started implementation of new telecom reforms by simplifying the KYC (Know Your Customer) process. 

DoT implemented three fresh ways:

Aadhaar-based e-KYC: It has been re-introduced for new mobile phone connections.

Self-KYC: Issuance of mobile connection is done via an app/portal-based online process. 

OTP based conversion of connection: It enables a subscriber to convert his mobile connection from prepaid to postpaid and vice-versa. 

National conference on Agriculture for Rabi campaign 2021 held

National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi campaign 2021-22 has been virtually inaugurated. 

Aim: to review and assess the crop performance during the preceding crop season and fix crop-wise targets for Rabi season in consultation with State Govt, ensure supply of critical inputs and facilitate adoption of innovative technologies with view to enhance production and productivity of crops. 

Special campaign will be launched to increase production of oilseeds in Rabi season. 

ECI organizes National Conference on Accessible Elections

Election Commission of India has organized virtual National Conference on Accessible Elections 2021 to assess present accessibility policies and discuss strategies for addressing barriers to enhance participation in electoral process. 

During conference, crossing Barriers- Accessibility Initiatives 2021 was also launched. 

Braille Language versions of Voter Guide, Letter to new voter and Booklet of 50 motivational songs on voter awareness was also launched. 

Justin Trudeau wins third term as Prime Minister of Canada

Canada PM Justin Trudeau (49 years) has won third term of the 2021 parliamentary elections to serve as the Prime Minister of Canada, after his party won elections on September 20, 2021

His Liberal Party only manage to win minority seats in the election, leading in 155 of 338 seats in the House of Commons, compared with 123 seats for Conservatives under Erin O’Toole

A party needs 170 seats to form a majority in the House of Commons.

Justin Trudeau is in power since 2015

Centre forms panel for India’s sustainable finance road map

Central govt has set up key task force to assess climate and ESG resilience in India’s financial sector and recommend a concrete road map to strengthen India’s sustainable finance architecture.

It will be headed by Economic Affairs Secretary, Ajay Seth. 

The panel will look out at ways to further strengthen the resilience of the country’s financial sector against risks emanating from various climate and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

Kovalam and Eden beaches get Blue Flag Certification

Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and Eden in Puducherry beaches has been globally recognized and coveted International eco-label ‘Blue Flag Certification’. 

Foundation for Environment Education in Denmark (FEE) has also given re-certification for 8 nominated beaches Shivrajpur-Gujarat, Ghoghla-Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri-Karnataka, Kappad-Kerala, Rushikonda- Andhra Pradesh, Golden-Odisha and Radhanagar- A&N. 

Blue Flag is indication of 100% compliance to 33 stringent criteria. 

World Rhino Day: 22nd September

World Rhino Day is observed on 22nd September every year to celebrates and raise awareness of the need to protect all the five existing species of Rhinoceros. 

Rhino species:

Black Rhino

White Rhino

Greater one-horned Rhino

Sumatran Rhino

Javan Rhinos

The day was first announced by World Wildlife Fund-South Africa in 2010.

It is being observed internationally for the first time in 2011.

Third India-Indonesia bilateral maritime exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ begins

Third edition of India and Indonesia bilateral maritime exercise titled as ‘Samudra Shakti’ began on September 20, 2021 in Sunda Strait, Indonesia. 

It is a 3-day exercise and will culminate on 22 Sep 2021. 

Sunda Strait lies between Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra. 

Indian Navy has deployed its 2 frontline warships Shivalik and Kadmatt. 

It will strengthen bilateral relationship, enhance mutual understanding and interoperability in maritime operations between 2 navies. 

Uttar Pradesh Government to set up ‘Electronic Park’ near Noida

Uttar Pradesh govt has cleared proposal to develop ‘Electronic Park’, along Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority area, near Noida to promote electronics industry.

Park is proposed to be developed in 250 acres near Jewar Airport.

It will be built at an investment of around Rs 50,000 crore as well as generate employment for thousands of local youths. 

Companies manufacturing mobile phones, TVs, electronic devices will establish their units in the park.

Iran becomes 9th member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders have agreed to change the membership of the Islamic Republic of Iran from an observer state to a full member state.

After this, Iran becomes the 9th main member of SCO. 

Iran was holding the observer status for the past 15 years. 

The technical and legal process could take up to two years to conclude.

Full member of SCO: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan. 

SCO HQs: Beijing, China

FSSAI releases 3rd edition of State Food Safety Index 2020-21

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has released third State Food Safety Index (SFSI) of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for evaluating food safety across all States/UTs in 2020-21.

Top state in larger states category: Gujarat, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 

Top state in smaller states category: Goa, Meghalaya and Manipur. 

Top UT: Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and New Delhi. 

He also flagged off 19 Mobile Food Testing Van's. 

Air Marshal V R Chaudhari appointed as next Chief of Air Staff

Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff (CoAS), with effect from 1st October 2021.

Presently, he is serving as the Vice Chief of Air Staff.

He will succeed incumbent Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, whose tenure will come to end on September 30, 2021. 

He was the chief of Western Air Comma from August 1, 2020.

He also flew several Air Defence missions during 1999 Kargil war with Pakistan.

PM Narendra Modi to be awarded prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023

The Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) would confer the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pune on August 1, 2023.

Reason: This award recognizes PM Modi's supreme leadership under which India has climbed the ladder of progress

It is presented annually on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak's death anniversary.

Other awardees: Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sharad Pawar, Cyrus Poonawalla, and Manmohan Singh. 

J&K Bank wins award for Best Performance in CASA

Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been felicitated for the Best Performance in CASA-India (1st Runner up in Small Bank Category) at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2022.

The event was participated by banks from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Myanmar.

The function was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Goa.

Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group headquartered in Calcutta.

India poised to become world’s 2nd-largest economy by 2075: Goldman Sachs

According to the Investment Bank Goldman Sachs, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075.

As per the report, India would cross Japan, Germany, and the US With a population of 1.4 billion people.

India’s GDP is estimated to expand remarkably, reaching 52.5 trillion dollars surpassing the US GDP projection.

The labour force participation set to make India the second-largest economy in the world by 2075.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy. 

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.