Latest Current Affairs For Tuesday 19th October, 2021

Current Affairs in One Minute

1-Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conducted virtually the final breakthrough blast of Sela tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh. 

2-World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the establishment of a scientific advisory group to identify the origin of COVID-19 and other future outbreaks. 

3-Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman participated in the 4th G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) Meeting under the Italian Presidency held in Washington D.C. on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings. 

4-Star Trek fame William Shatner, who, at 90, has become the world's oldest astronaut so far. 

5-As the Indian economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic that hit it hard, it is important for the country to focus on public investment, particularly in green sectors, the International Monetary Fund said. 

6-As part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Department of Posts, J&K Postal Circle released two special covers on the unsung heroes of Jammu and Kashmir namely Sarvanand Koul Premi and Mohd. Maqbool Sherwani. 

7-Justice Aravind Kumar was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court. 

8-A team of scientists have used tea and banana waste to prepare non-toxic activated carbon, which is useful for several purposes like industrial pollution control, water purification, food and beverage processing, and odour removal. 

9-As many as 7 districts of Uttar Pradesh have found a place in the top 10 best-performing aspirational districts in the 'delta ranking' released by NITI Aayog for the month of August 2021. 

10-Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh jointly launched Climate Resilience Information System and Planning (CRISP-M) tool for integration of climate information in Geographic Information System (GIS) based watershed planning under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA along with Lord Tariq Ahmad, Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through a virtual event. 

Agri waste recycling project wins Prince William’s Earthshot Prize

An India-based technology that recycles agricultural waste to create fuel was named among the winners of Prince William’s inaugural Earthshot Prize.

Dubbed as the “Eco Oscars,” the prizes have been created by the Duke of Cambridge and renowned British naturalist David Attenborough.

Vidyut Mohan led Takachar’s innovation was recognised for its affordable technology to convert crop residues into sellable bio-products.

Govt has constituted a working group to roll out an overhauled PMFBY

The union govt has constituted a working group to to roll out an overhauled Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) from kharif 2022.

The group will have members from Centre, key crop-producing states and top executives of public sector insurance companies.

It will suggest sustainable, financial and operational models. 

The premium to be paid by farmers is fixed at 1.5% of the sum insured for Rabi and 2% for Kharif crops, while it is 5% for cash crops under PMFBY.

IndiaFirst Life Introduces endowment plan, ‘Saral Bachat Bima’

IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Ltd introduced 'Saral Bachat Bima Plan'. 

It is a savings and protection cover for the entire family.

This non-linked, non-participating, individual, limited premium policy provides a shorter pay commitment of five or 7 years while keeping the entire family protected for 12-15 yrs. 

IndiaFirst Life is promoted by Bank of Baroda and Union Bank of India.

This is a competitively priced plan that helps in saving for future financial needs.

China and Indonesia won Uber Cup and and Thomas Cup Respectively

China beat defending champions Japan 3-1 in the Uber Cup final 2021.

This is the 15th time China have won the competition.

The match pivoted on the longest match in the Uber Cup history when Chen Qing Chan and Jia Yi Fan won their doubles match.

Indonesia blanked defending champions China 3-0 to win the Thomas Cup title for the first time since 2002.

It was Indonesia’s 14th overall triumph in the tournament’s history.

Divya Deshmukh becomes India's 21st WGM

Divya Deshmukh became India's 21st Woman Grand Master after achieving her 2nd International Master in Budapest, Hungary.

She scored 5 points in the 9 rounds and ended up with a performance rating of 2452 to secure her final WGM norm.

She also secured her 2nd IM-norm and is now a norm away from becoming an International Master.

The Nagpur teenager had earned the first two WGM norms at the Velammal International women's round-robin tournament and the Aeroflot Open 2019.

Russian Crew Lands on Earth After Filming First Movie in Space

Russian actress Yulia Peresild and film director Klim Shipenko along with cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy of Roscosmos returned to Earth after spending 12 days on the International Space Station (ISS) shooting scenes for the movie 'The Challenge', first movie in orbit.

They departed the ISS in their Soyuz MS-18 spacecraft. 

The filmmakers had blasted off from the Russia-leased Baikonur Cosmodrome in ex-Soviet Kazakhstan earlier this month.

Center renamed ‘Mount Harriet’ in Andaman as ‘Mount Manipur’

Union govt has renamed the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' 'Mount Harriet' as 'Mount Manipur'.

This was done in honour of Manipur's Maharaja Kulchandra Dhwaj Singh and 22 other freedom fighters were imprisoned here.

'Mount Harriet National Park' renamed as 'Mount Manipur National Park’.

Manipuri war hero Yuvraj Tikendrajit and General Thangal were publicly hanged at Fida in Imphal.

After that Maharaja and 22 freedom fighters were sent (Kalapani) to Mount Harriet Island.

Punjab CM Charanjit Channi launches scheme to confer proprietary rights

Punjab CM Charanjit Channi launched 'Mera Ghar Mere Naam' scheme to confer proprietary rights on the people living in the houses within the 'Lal Lakir' of villages and the cities.

The scheme would give much needed succour to people, especially the needy and underprivileged.

Earlier this scheme was launched only for the residents of villages, but now it is being extended to the eligible residents of the cities within the 'Lal Lakir'.

Governor: Banwarilal Purohit

RBI Withdrew all Restrictions Imposed on Hindu Cooperative Bank

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has withdrawn all restrictions imposed on Hindu Cooperative Bank Limited, Pathankot.

The Reserve Bank had issued directions stipulating certain restrictions on the bank in March 2019.

The RBI has withdrawn the sanction under sub-section (2) of Section 35 A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

RBI Deputy Governors: T. Rabi Sankar, M. Rajeshwar Rao, Dr. M. D. Patra, M. K. Jain. 

India signed MoU with Russia to buy coking coal

Ministry of Steel, GoI signed an MoU with Russian ministry of energy for collaboration in the mining and steel sectors, with special focus on coking coal.

The move is part of India’s National Steel Policy 2017 under which the country is aiming to reach 300 million tonne steel production by 2030.

The MoU has come at a time when India’s non-power industries are facing severe thermal coal shortage issues.

Currently, India imports its coking coal largely from Australia.

Wipro is hiring women professionals under ‘Begin Again’ program

IT major, Wipro has announced the launch of ‘Begin Again’ program for the women. 

This is for those who had a break in their career for a duration of six months to 1 yr or more. 

The initiative enables talented women to explore career opportunities that will harness their potential and allow them to get back on track. 

Under the initiative women can relaunch their career post a break – be it for a sabbatical, motherhood, elderly care, travel or passion. 

Indian American Scientist Dr. Vivek Lall gets Lifetime Achievement Award

Indian American scientist Dr Vivek Lall was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at Ritossa Family Summits in Dubai, UAE.

General Atomics CE Dr Vivek Lall received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Dubai for his "outstanding vision, dedication and success.

A Jakarta-born Indian origin scientist, Dr Lall is known for this extraordinary role in strengthening India-US Defence trade and brokered some "top deals" between the two countries.

India wins 2021 SAFF Championship final title

India clinched the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship for eighth time defeating Nepal 3-0 in Male, Maldives.

Sunil Chhetri scored in the 49th minute of the match, which put him level with Lionel Messi on 80 international goals.

This is the Indian football team's first title triumph under head coach Igor Stimac.

Stimac also became the third foreign coach after Jiri Pesek (1993) and Stephen Constantine (2015) to clinch the title with the Indian team.

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.