Latest Current Affairs For Thursday 14th October, 2021

Current Affairs in One Minute

1-The Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced that a major reform of the international tax system has been agreed, ensuring that multinational enterprises will be subject to a minimum 15 per cent tax rate from 2023. 

2-Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Council has given nod to transfer land measuring over 974 Kanals at village Rakh Raipur, in favour of Airport Authority of India (AAI) free of cost for establishment of new terminal at Jammu Airport. 

3-Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of restoration work of Pansar village lake and inaugurated various schemes in Gujarat's Gandhinagar. 

4-Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia along with the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, General (Retd.) Dr. V.K. Singh flagged off the Doon Drone Mela 2021 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. 

5-Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister, Uttarakhand along with General Dr. V K Singh (Retd.), MoS, Civil Aviation, launched a sectoral event of the Ministry of Civil Aviation in collaboration with FICCI & State Government of Uttarakhand. 

6-Sarbanada Sonowal inaugurated the Girls’ hostel for under graduate students and Play grounds (Basket Ball, Foot Ball and Volley Ball) at National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH), Kolkata. 

7-International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and GIFT City launched I-Sprint’21, the global FinTech Hackathon Series of IFSCA. 

8-The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, launched the River Ranching Programme at Brijghat, Garh Mukteshwar, Uttar Pradesh. 

9-Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbanand Sonowal launched a port mobile application called MyPortApp in Kolkata. 

10-Anshu Malik has scripted history as she became the first Indian woman to win a silver medal in the World Wrestling Championships. 

First pilot plant to convert high ash coal to methanol developed

India has developed indigenous technology to convert high ash Indian coal to methanol and established its first pilot plant in Hyderabad. 

This technology will help India move towards the adoption of clean technology and promote the use of methanol as a transportation fuel.

Broad process of converting coal into methanol consists of conversion of coal to synthesis (syngas) gas, syngas cleaning and conditioning, syngas to methanol conversion, and methanol purification. 

Father of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, Abdul Qadeer Khan passes away

Pakistani nuclear physicist and metallurgical engineer, Abdul Qadeer Khan (85 years) passed away, after being transferred to a hospital in Islamabad with lung problem. 

He was also called a man who built the Muslim world’s first atomic bomb and father of Pakistan's atomic weapons program. 

He was disgraced in 2004 when he was forced to acknowledge responsibility for nuclear technology proliferation. 

He was accused by U.S. of sharing nuclear technology with North Korea, Iran. 

Former SBI Chief Rajnish Kumar launches memoir ‘The Custodian of Trust’

Former Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI) Rajnish Kumar has come out with his memoir titled ‘The Custodian of Trust – A Banker’s Memoir’.

Book has been published by Peguin Random House India.

It gave a rare insight of how the financial system in our country works.

Custodian of Trust depicts 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.

International Day for Disaster Reduction: 13th October

United Nations International Day for Disaster Reduction is held every year on 13 October to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction since 1989. 

The day 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. 

Theme 2021: International cooperation for developing countries to reduce their disaster risk and disaster losses. 

FIFA unveils ‘IBHA’ as official mascot for U-17 2022 Women’s World Cup

World football governing body, FIFA has unveiled the official mascot of U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022.

Mascot is named as ‘IBHA, which is an Asiatic lioness representing women power.

It aims to inspire women and girls across the world to take the right decisions and reach their full potential.

It will be the 7th edition of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and will be held in India from October 11 to 30, 2022. 

Tamil Nadu’s Kanniyakumari Clove gets GI Tag along with 2 more products

Unique clove spice grown in the hills of Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, ‘Kanyakumari clove’ has been awarded geographical indication (GI).

Total production of cloves in India is 1,100 metric tons and of this, 750 metric tons of cloves are produced in Kanyakumari district alone.

Apart from this, traditional dye-painted figurative and patterned cloth called Karuppur kalamkari paintings and wood carvings of Kallakurichi from Tamil Nadu have also received GI tags.

Indian Shooters win 43 medals at ISSF Junior World Championship

Indian shooters claimed a historic victory with 43 medals to stand atop in the medal table at 2021 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Championship Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun that was held at Lima, Peru. 

43 medals included 17 Gold, 16 Silver and 10 Bronze medal. 

USA finished 2nd on the medal table with 21 medals. 

Manu Bhaker created milestone record of becoming first Indian shooter to win highest number of medals in single edition.

Adani Group takes over operational control of Jaipur International Airport

Adani Group took over the responsibilities of Jaipur International Airport from Airports Authority of India (AAI). 

The airport is being taken on lease by Adani for a period of 50 year. 

Adani Airports will work on the operations, management and development of the Jaipur airport through PPP Mode. 

It will take over the control of entire facility except for cargo terminal, Air Traffic Control and Communication, Navigation, Surveillance which will continue to be operated by AAI. 

PM participates in G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan

PM Narendra Modi has participated virtually in G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan.

The meet was convened by Italy, which currently holds G20 Presidency, and chaired by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

He emphasized centuries old people-to-people ties between India and Afghanistan and recalled that over 500 development projects have been implemented by India in Afghanistan.

Focus: issues related to humanitarian, terrorism, and human rights issue in Afghanistan. 

Delhi Govt launches ‘Desh Ke Mentor’ Programme for its classes IX to XII

Delhi govt has launched mentorship programme ‘Desh Ke Mentor’ for children studying in Classes IX to XII of govt schools. 

Under this, students will be mentored by professionals and academicians from across the country for 10-15 minutes daily on issues ranging from career choices to teenage concerns.

It will be of 2-6 months with 2 months compulsory module and 4 optional module. 

Mentors will guide 2 to 5 students to help students in their overall personality development. 

Rajiv Kumar launches NITI Aayog-UNDP Handbook on waste management

NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Rajiv Kumar has launched ‘NITI Aayog – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Handbook on Sustainable Urban Plastic Waste Management’ in New Delhi. 

It provides a comprehensive overview of managing plastic waste by representing and discussing components of the entire plastic waste value chain. 

It can be adopted by urban local bodies. 

NITI Aayog has suggested urban local bodies across states to adopt material recovery facility (MRF) model. 

CZA releases Vision Plan 2021-31 for Indian Zoo

Union Environment Minister has released Vision Plan (2021-2031) for Indian zoos by Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to upgrade them to global standards, strengthening Central Zoo Authority. 

It is committed to making CZA and Indian zoos greater force for conservation by providing unparalleled animal care, and immersive visitor experiences that strike meaningful chords with people of all ages.

Environment Minister also presented Prani Mitra Awards constituted by CZA. 

Randeep Guleria bags Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence

Randeep Guleria (Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences) has been conferred with Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence. 

Award was instituted by Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, Delhi, promoted by Lal Bahadur Shastri Educational Society for outstanding achievements of high professional excellence. 

Cash prize: Rs 5 lakh, citation, and a Plaque. 

It is presented on 1st October every year on the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri. 

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.