Latest Current Affairs For Sunday 10th October, 2021

World Migratory Bird Day 2021: 9th October (Second Saturday of October)

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is officially celebrated twice in a year to spread awareness for the need to conserve migratory birds and their habitats. 

It is celebrated on second saturday of October and second saturday of May. 

The day was introduced in 2006. 

WMBBD 2021 falls on May 8, 2021 and October 9, 2021. 

Theme for 2021 WMBD: Sing, Fly, Soar – Like a Bird!

The day is organized by Convention on Migratory Species, African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement.

Ranveer Singh appointed as brand ambassador of CoinSwitch Kuber

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has been roped in as the brand ambassador of Crypto platform CoinSwitch Kuber.

Through this collaboration, CoinSwitch Kuber aims to leverage Ranveer Singh’s mass youth appeal, along with his popularity among the Gen Z and millennial customers.

CoinSwitch Kuber and Ranveer Singh will work towards highlighting the growing acceptance of crypto in India along with enhancing crypto awareness and trust in this emerging asset class.

DRDO conducts All India Official Language, Scientific and Technical Seminar

DRDO has organized All India Official Language, Scientific and Technical Seminar for promoting use of Hindi in official activities including scientific and technical works. 

Seminar was hosted by ITR with the theme ‘Test and Evaluation of Defence Products: The Necessity and Achievements’ in 2021. 

He stressed on preserving the cultural heritage through promoting use of regional languages. 

Officers and staff of DRDO laboratories across the country participated in the seminar.

Sarbanand Sonowal launches ‘MyPortApp’ for digital monitoring

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbanand Sonowal has launched mobile application titled as MyPortApp to promote transparency and easy access of port related information.

It will provide all details regarding port in India and also monitor operations virtually.

It will also has various information like vessel berthing, rake & indent, rake receipt, container status, tariff, bills, Port holidays, etc., and can be accessed anywhere 24x7.

Maharashtra Government launches ‘Mission Kavach Kundal’

Maharashtra govt has launched a special Covid-19 vaccination drive titled as ‘Mission Kavach Kundal’, with the target of inoculating 15 lakh people everyday.

This week-long drive has been organized from October 8 to October 14, 2021.

It is in line with Centre’s target of reaching 100 crore vaccination mark till 15 October 2021. 

Maharashtra government has a stock of 75 lakh vials and another 25 lakh will be available. 

CM of Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray.

Anshu Malik becomes 1st Indian Woman to claim World Championships Silver

Anshu Malik became the 1st Indian women finalist at World Championship, and also the first female player from India to claim silver medal at 2021 World Wrestling Championships. 

She was defeated by Helen Lousie Maroulis of US in 57kg freestyle. 

Till now, Alka Tomar (2006) Geeta Phogat (2012), Babita Phogat (2012), Pooja Dhanda (2018) and Vinesh Phogat (2019) won bronze each.

Wrestler Sushil Kumar (2010) is the lone wrestler from India to win World Championship till date.

RBI keeps policy rate unchanged for 8th time in a row

RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has announced that the policy repo rate under liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) will be kept unchanged at 4.0%.

Other rates:

Reverse Repo Rate: 3.35%

Marginal Standing Facility Rate: 4.25%

Bank Rate: 4.25%

CRR: 4.00%

SLR: 18.00%

MPC also decided to continue with the accommodative stance and RBI has retained the projection for real GDP growth at 9.5 per cent in 2021-22.

India ranks 90th in Q4 Henley Passport Index 2021

India has been ranked at 90th position in Henley Passport Index, released for Q4 of 2021, among 116 countries as its passport holders are allowed to travel visa-free to 58 countries. 

India shares its rank with Tajikistan and Burkina Faso.

The index lists world’s most travel-friendly passports and India was ranked 84th in 2020 Henley Passport Index. 

Top performers: Japan and Singapore shares the top position.

Worst performer: Afghanistan.

World Post Day: 9th October

World Post Day is celebrated every year on October 9 globally to celebrate the anniversary of Universal Postal Union establishment in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern.

Theme of World Post Day 2021: Innovate to recover.

Aim: to create awareness of the role of the postal sector in everyday lives and businesses’ of the people and its contribution to the social and economic development of countries.

World Post Day was first celebrated in 1969.

Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov wins 2021 Nobel Peace Prize

Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov has won 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy, peace. 

Maria Angelita Ressa: Filipino-American journalist and author, co-founder and CEO of Rappler (Philippine news website). 

Dmitry Andreyevich Muratov: Russian journalist and editor-in-chief of newspaper Novaya Gazeta. 

This is the 1st Nobel Peace Prize for journalists since German Carl von Ossietzky won it in 1935. 

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.