Latest Current Affairs For Tuesday 28th September, 2021

Current Affairs in One Minute

1-O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) is ranked among the world's top 500 universities in the prestigious QS Graduate Employability Rankings (GER) 2022, released. 

2-India’s flagship health programme, Ayushman Bharat – the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has completed three years. Around two crore 20 lakh people have been benefited under the scheme launched on this day in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

3-“Exporters Conclave” cum Exhibition inaugurated by Ms. Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. 

4-National Single Window System for Investors and Businesses Launched by Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Textiles, Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution Piyush Goyal. 

5-Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated‘Jammu Haat’, a hub of export promotion at Exhibition Ground, Jammu. 

6-Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying signed Memorandum of Understanding with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support India’s livestock sector. 

7-Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats to human health alongside climate change, the World Health Organisation said as it released its new air quality guidelines for the first time since its last global update in 2005. 

8-REC Limited, a public infrastructure finance company under the Ministry of Power and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia are partnering to create an annual, data-based assessment of 79 public and private power distribution companies (DISCOMS) across the country to improve consumer service delivery and ensure reliable electricity supply to consumers. 

9-Bangladesh economy is projected to grow at 6.8 percent for the fiscal year 2022, says the latest Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2021 released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

10-The United Nations has announced to release USD 45 million in life-saving support from the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund to help prevent Afghanistan's healthcare system from collapse.

11-Former Commissioner of Delhi Police, Yudhvir Singh Dadwal, has passed away in Chhattarpur. He was 70. 

Anurag Thakur addresses Summit for Information and Democracy

Anurag Thakur has addressed Summit for Information and Democracy, organized at New York. 

Summit was an opportunity to focus defending and promoting access to freedom of opinion and expression, creation of International Observatory and civil society coalition (around 50 NGOs) linked to the Forum. 

International Partnership for Information and Democracy was launched on 26 September 2019 in New York for Multilateralism. It has been signed by 43 States.

Union Minister flags off 2nd Ultimate Ladakh Cycling Challenge at Leh

Union Minister Anurag Thakur has flagged off second edition of Ultimate Ladakh Cycling Challenge at Leh, Ladakh at 11000 feet above the sea level as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav and ‘Fit India Movement’. 

It has been organized by Ladakh police in coordination with Cycling Federation of India.

It is also the part of Fit India Campaign ‘Let’s cycle, let’s stay fit, let’s keep India fit. If the youth is fit, India is fit’.

Lt Governor of Ladakh: Radha Krishna Mathura. 

Union Minister launches DD/AIR Transmitters at Hamboting La in Ladakh

Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has launched 10 KW High Power Transmitters of Doordarshan and All India Radio at Hamboting La near Kargil in Ladakh. 

The transmitters are the highest altitude TV and Radio transmitters in the country, located at the height of 4054 metres above the mean sea level.

Transmitters at Leh are at the altitude of 3501 metres.

Range of the transmitters is over 50 Kms in radius and will cover a population of about 50,000 in Kargil. 

RBI allows lenders to sell fraud loans to Asset Reconstruction Companies

RBI has allowed lenders/banks to transfer of loans that have been classified as fraud by lenders to Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs). 

Stressed loans that are in default for more than 60 days or as NPA are permitted to be transferred to ARCs.

Here are loan figures:

For 2020-21 (FY21): loans worth Rs 1.37 trillion were declared as fraud. 

For 2019-20 (FY20): loans worth Rs 1.81 trillion declared as fraud. 

For 2018-19: loans worth Rs 64,539 crore declared as fraud. 

RBI issues new rules for securitization of standard assets, loan transfer

RBI has issued guidelines regarding Securitization of Standard Assets and loan transfer that will be applicable to all scheduled commercial banks, excluding RRBs, all-India term financial institutions, small finance banks and NBFCs. 

As per the guidelines of RBI, minimum ticket size for issuance of securitization notes will be Rs.1 crore.

Minimum holding period for different categories of loans after which they shall become eligible for transfer has been prescribed in it. 

Anurag Thakur lays foundation stone of ZPEO and PMGSY road

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has laid foundation stone of zonal physical education office (ZPEO) and zonal playfield and inaugurated 1.5 km PMGSY road at Kichpora Kangan. 

PMGSY road was constructed at the cost of Rs 136.67 lakh at Bonibagh Kangan connecting Bonibagh Bala habitation to highway. 

Centre has earmarked Rs 200 crore under PM Development Plan for playfields and indoor stadiums and Rs 33 crore more are approved for synthetic turfs, hockey and football grounds. 

Tourism Ministry launches NIDHI 2.0 and India Tourism Statistics

Ministry of Tourism launched NIDHI 2.0 (National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry) and ‘India Tourism Statistics – At a Glance, 2021’ on World Tourism Day (27 September 2021).

Apart from this, Ministry of Tourism will sign MoU with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Responsible Tourism Society of India (RTSOI) to actively promote and support ‘sustainability initiatives’ in the tourism sector of each other.

Noted women’s right activist and author, Kamla Bhasin passes away

Women’s rights activist and noted author, Kamla Bhasin (75 years) passed away battling cancer in Delhi. 

She has authored several books, especially on gender theory and feminism, many of which have been translated into more than 30 languages.

She started working on developmental issues in 1970. 

She was best known for her work with Sangat - A Feminist Network and for her poem Kyunki main ladki hoon, mujhe padhna hai.

Jyothi Surekha Vennam wins silver medal at World Archery Championship

Jyothi Surekha Vennam has won silver medal in the women’s compound event at World Archery Championship, which is being held in Yankton.

Sara Lopez of Colombia bagged the gold medal by defeating Jyothi by 146-144 in the Finals.

Indian mixed pair duo of Abhishek Verma and Jyothi Surekha Vennam lost to the Colombian pair in the summit clash as well. 

Jyothi Surekha won two bronze medals at 2011 Asian Archery Championships.

PM Modi launches Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

PM Narendra Modi has launched Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to provide a digital health ID to people that will contain their health records.

Aim: enable access and exchange of longitudinal health records of citizens with their consent. 

Currently, It is being implemented in a pilot phase, since August 2020 in six union territories.

Components: Health ID linked and viewed with mobile application, Healthcare Professionals Registry and Healthcare Facilities Registries.

Lewis Hamilton wins the Russian Grand Prix 2021

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) has won F1 Russian Grand Prix 2021, winning his 100th Grand Prix title, which was held at at Sochi Autodrom. 

Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands) came second, followed by Carlos Sainz (Ferrari-Spain) in the Russian Grand Prix 2021. 

Carlos Sainz got his first podium in Russia.

Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-Finland) stood at 5th position. 

This was the 15th round of the 2021 Formula One World Championship.

World Tourism Day: 27th September

World Tourism Day (WTD) is observed every year on September 27 across the globe to raise awareness on the role of tourism within international community and to demonstrate its affect on social, cultural, political, and economic values. 

It was first observed in 1980. 

Theme for WTD 2021: Tourism for Inclusive Growth

This date was chosen by United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to commemorate the adoption of Statutes of UNWTO in 1970. 

UNWTO HQs: Madrid, Spain.

India-US launched ‘Operation Broader Sword’

India and the USA, jointly conducted an ‘Operation Broader Sword’ to stop the illegal shipment of drugs through the International Mail System.

It targeted shipments of illicit, potentially dangerous, unapproved prescription drugs, combination medical devices, and synthetic drug precursors shipped through International Mail Facilities.

The operation resulted in the interception of over 500 shipments of illicit and unapproved prescription drugs bound for US consumers.

NLU Delhi launches research affiliate program ‘Eklavya’

The National Law University (NLU), Delhi launched Eklavya, a ‘Research Affiliate’ program, for those who do not have a traditional law degree.

Aim: To emphasize its commitment to actively seek partnerships outside the varsity and draw from their experiences and perspectives to develop quality legal scholarship. 

It is open to those who have at least three years of demonstrable experience working on issues that have a significant interface with the law.

CarTrade Tech to acquire OLX India's auto business for Rs 537 cr

Mumbai-based used cars platform CarTrade Tech Ltd will acquire online marketplace OLX India's auto sales business for Rs 537 crore.

CarTrade will acquire a 100% stake in Sobek Auto India Pvt Ltd, the entity that houses OLX India’s Automotive business, in an all-cash deal.

The acquisition will likely to be completed in 21-30 days.

Sobek is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, of 2013.

It is engaged in the business of running an automotive digital platform.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.