Latest Current Affairs For Saturday 23rd October, 2021

Current Affairs in One Minute

1-Union Cabinet Minister Parshottam Rupala dedicated newly constructed building of Shri SaraswatiVidhyamandir in Nava village, near Chotila of Surendranagar District, Gujarat. 

2-Union Minister of State for MSME Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma inaugurated a state-of-the-art Khadi exhibition displaying exquisite handcrafted products from 20 Indian states in Varanasi. 

3-For the first time in the history of major ports, Ship-to-Ship operation of LPG undertaken at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. 

4-Iranian and Pakistani military commanders have agreed to cooperate in manufacturing military vessels and submarine maintenance. 

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

6-A Delhi-based entrepreneur’s Vidyut Mohan agricultural waste recycling project was named among the winners of Prince William’s inaugural Earthshot Prize, dubbed the “Eco Oscars", at a gala ceremony in London. 

7-Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated 71 'Har-Hith' stores across the state, more than two months after launching the scheme for opening the stores that will sell quality products of daily needs. 

8-Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the Bastar Academy of Dance, Art and Language (BADAL) and said the institute will play an important role in the preservation and promotion of folk arts, local dialects, literature and craftsmanship. 

9-Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan became the highest wicket-taker in T20 International cricket when he pipped Lasith Malinga's tally of 107 wickets during their T20 World Cup game against Scotland. 

10-Senior monk of Ramakrishna Math Swami Ameyanandaji Maharaj passed away. He was 90. 

Jitendra Singh launches improved Air Quality Early Warning System for NCR

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has launched an improved Air Quality Early Warning System for NCR. 

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune has developed a new ‘Decision Support System’ (DSS)  to enhance the existing ‘Air Quality Early Warning System’ (AQEWS), in Delhi & NCR.

The institute has also developed a dedicated website for DSS, to deliver quantitative information about the contribution of emissions from Delhi and NCR. 

India Internet Governance Forum to be conducted in November,2021

India Internet Governance Forum to be conducted in November 2021 to bring all stakeholders of internet governance on a single platform.

The theme of IIGF 2021 is ‘Empower India through Power of Internet’.

The India Internet Government Forum is an initiative associated with the UN Internet Governance Forum (UN-IGF).

South Korea launches its first homegrown space rocket

South Korea has launched its first homegrown rocket, stepping up the country's ambitions in space. 

The Korean Satellite Launch Vehicle II (known as Nuri) took off from Goheung, about 500km south of Seoul. 

S Korea is locked in an arms race with North Korea, with both recently test-firing new weapons. 

Nuri cost South Korea an estimated 2 trillion won $1.6 billion to develop.

Weighing 200 tonnes and measuring 47.2 metres long, it is fitted with six liquid-fuelled engines. 

China and Indonesia won Uber Cup and and Thomas Cup Respectively

China beat defending champions Japan 3-1 in a thrilling Uber Cup final in Aarhus, Denmark, to reclaim the Uber Cup title. 

This is China’s 15th Uber Cup title win in 19 finals.

Indonesia beat defending champion China, 3-0, to win the Thomas Cup final played at the Ceres Arena in Aarhus, Denmark.

The 2020 Thomas & Uber Cup was the 31st edition of the Thomas Cup and the 28th edition of the Uber Cup.

International Stuttering Awareness Day: 22nd October

Every year 22nd October is observed as International Stuttering Awareness Day (since 1998).

The day is intended to raise public awareness of the millions of people who have a speech disorder of stuttering or stammering. 

The Theme of 2021: “Speak the change you wish to see”. 

Stuttering is a communication disorder that involves “disfluencies”, or disruptions in a person’s speech.

OnePlus promotes Navnit Nakra as India CEO and Head of India region

Smartphone maker OnePlus has elevated Navnit Nakra as its India CEO and Head of OnePlus India region operations.

Nakra will spearhead the company's business operations and overall strategy for the Indian region.

Navnit has successfully led the strategy and sales operations at OnePlus India, and our team has gained immense growth under his leadership.

MP Govt announced Implementation of “Mukhyamantri Ration Aapke Dwar Yojana

Madhya Pradesh government has announced the implementation of Mukhyamantri Ration Aapke Dwar Yojana in the state from next month. 

Under the scheme, the ration will be transported by vehicles in those villages where there are no fair price shops.

The objective of MRADY is to provide ration material to Divyanga and senior citizens near their homes so that they do not need to go to the ration shop of other villages to get their monthly food.

MP Capital: Bhopal

Cabinet approval sets the implementation of PM Gati Shakti NMP in motion

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved PM GatiShakti National Master Plan including the institutional framework for rolling out, implementation, monitoring and support mechanism for providing multi-modal connectivity.

This will help in bringing down the logistics cost.

This will translate into enormous economic gains to consumers, farmers, youth as well as those engaged in businesses.

PM Modi launched PM Gati Shakti NMP on 13th October 2021.

Govt to issue 4 tranches of Sovereign Gold Bonds from Oct 2021 to March 202

Centre in consultation with RBI has decided to issue four tranches of Sovereign Gold Bonds from October 2021 to March 2022.

The Bonds will be sold through Scheduled Commercial banks, designated post offices, and Stock exchanges.

It will be denominated in multiples of grams of gold with a basic unit of 1 gram and the MPI will be 1 gram of gold.

Bonds will be restricted for sale to resident individuals, HUFs, Trusts, Universities and Charitable Institutions.

PM virtually addressed national level Conclave of IAF in Bengaluru

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed the national level Conclave of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Earlier, this conclave has been inaugurated by Defence minister Rajnath Singh in Bengaluru.

The conclave is part of the events organised to celebrate the Swarnim Vijay Varsh, the Golden jubilee of our victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

Military strategists, diplomats, political analysts and experts from other spheres are participating in the three days conclave.

152 SAKSHAM Centres launched in a week as part of Amrit Mahotsav

A total of 152 Centres ( across 77 districts of 13 states) for Financial Literacy and Service Delivery (SAKSHAM Centres) have been launched under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission in a week as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

The objective of the centre is to provide financial literacy and facilitate the delivery of financial services to Self-Help Group members and the rural poor.

Klim Shipenko becomes first to shoot a film in space

In a historic first, Russian film director Klim Shipenko and actress Yulia Peresild are back on Earth after wrapping up scenes for the first movie shot in space.

It took around 30 hours to record the material while in space.

This is the first time a mission has been embarked to ISS to shoot a movie in space.

The film “The Challenge” is based on the life of a woman doctor who goes to space to save a cosmonaut’s life.

Scorsese & Szabo to be honored with Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award

Mr Istevan Szabo and Martin Scorsese will be conferred the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award at the 52nd International Film Festival of India in Goa.

Istvan Szabo is one of the most critically acclaimed Hungarian film directors of the past few decades known for masterpieces like Mephisto (1981) Father (1966).

Martin Scorsese is one of the major figures of the New Hollywood era, regarded as one of the greatest and most influential directors in film history.

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.