Latest Current Affairs For Saturday 30th October, 2021

Current Affairs in One Minute

1-Superstar Rajinikanth recieves the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award at 67th National Film Awards for his stupendous contribution to the world of Indian Cinema. 

2-Prime Minister NarendraModi launched the biggest health infrastructure scheme -- Pradhan Mantri Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana (PMASBY) worth Rs 64,180 crore from his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi. 

3-Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 9 Medical Colleges in Siddharth Nagar, UP. These nine medical colleges are in the districts of Siddharthnagar, Etah, Hardoi, Pratapgarh, Fatehpur, Deoria, Ghazipur, Mirzapur and Jaunpur.

4-Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated various development projects worth around Rs 5200 crore for Varanasi. 

5-The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah inaugurated the new campus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu built at cost of Rs. 210 crore. 

6-PS Vinothraj's directorial 'Koozhangal' (Pebbles) has been selected as India's official entry to the 94th Academy Awards. 

7-India's first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) Vikrant set sail for the second sea trials, ahead of its planned induction into the Indian Navy by August next year. 

8-Bangladesh's premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan became the leading wicket-taker in the history of T20 World Cups, surpassing former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi. 

9-Khalid Jamil has become the first full-time Indian head coach in the history of the Indian Super League with NorthEast United FC offering him the top job ahead of the upcoming season. 

10-The Metro Railway, Kolkata, formally bade farewell to non-AC rakes, some of which have been in service since its inception as the country's first underground railway in 1984. 

Mahanadi Coalfields signs MoUs with CIPET for Skill Development Projects

Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), Ministry of Coal, under its CSR initiative has signed two MoU with Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET), Bhubaneswar with an investment of Rs 1.38 crores.

Two CSR initiatives/MoU named as ‘Udaan’ and ‘Sahyog’ will help 40 youths from peripheral villages to join a two-year full-time ITI training in fitter/electrician trades and 30 divyangjan to join a six month-long skill training programme respectively.

Union Agriculture Minister inaugurates Apple Festival in Jammu and Kashmir

Union Agriculture Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar and Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha has virtually inaugurated Apple Festival, organized for the first time in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

It will provide a better platform to apple growers and other stakeholders. 

With annual production of more than 2.2 million metric tonnes, apple from J&K contributes to 87% of the national production and is linked to the livelihood of about 30% of the population of Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Health Minister launches 6th Edition of National Formulary of India

Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya has launched Sixth Edition of National Formulary of India (NFI) 2021.

It has been drafted by adopting the principle ‘do not miss critical and do not overload’ the information by revising the appendices, chapters and drug monographs.

It has been published by Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) to promote rational use of medicines in the country.

It will beneficial for Clinicians, Healthcare and the patients.

MeitY to organize ‘AI Pe Charcha’ on ‘AI for Date Driven Governance’ theme

National e Governance Division (NeGD) of Ministry of Electronics and IT has organized AI Pe Charcha (AI Dialogue), covering the importance of data driven and AI-enabled governance along with the global best practice.

Theme: AI for Date Driven Governance.

It is a series of panel discussions involving various global and domestic leaders from the Government and industry, researchers and academicians sharing their views & experiences around AI and related issues. 

International Internet Day: 29th October

International Internet Day is observed every year on October 29 across the world to celebrate the usage of internet for the first time.

This​ day marks the sending of the first electronic message which was transferred from one computer to another in 1969 by Charley Kline (student programmer at University of California). 

In 1969, Internet was known as ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network).

First International Internet Day was celebrated on October 29, 2005. 

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launches ‘Go-Green’ scheme

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel has launched ‘Go-Green’ scheme to provide subsidized e-vehicles to construction and industrial workers, along with a dedicated portal. 

Aim: to reduce fuel bills as well as save the environment by curbing vehicular pollution. 

Under this, any worker of the organized sector can avail a subsidy of 30% on the price of the electric vehicle or a subsidy of ₹30,000, whichever is less.

This can be availed on the purchase of battery-powered two-wheeler.

Indigenous Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sarthak’ dedicated to the Nation

A new indigenously built Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) named as ‘Sarthak’ has been dedicated to the nation with 105 m long offshore patrol vessel (OPV). 

It will be based at Porbandar in Gujarat and was commissioned by the Director General of Indian Coast Guard, K Natarajan, at Goa.

ICGS Sarthak: It is fourth in the series of five Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) being built by Goa Shipyard Limited for the ICG, to boost maritime safety and security of India.

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev wins second 5-year term

Incumbent President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev (64 years) has been re-elected for the second five-year term as President of the country, after landslide victory in 2021 Presidential election.

He won 80.1% of the total vote.

He took the office of President in 2016 following the death of longtime President Islam Karimov,

Prior to being appointed as President, he served as the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan from 2003 to 2016.

Capital of Uzbekistan: Tashkent

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya addresses CII Asia Health 2021 Summit

Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya virtually participated in the CII Asia Health 2021 summit.

It is a 2-day summit and has been organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). 

Theme: ‘Transforming Healthcare for a better tomorrow’.

Aim: to provide a centralized forum to deliberate on most critical challenges that India and the world face in delivering healthcare, with focus on the digital transformations that result in improved patient outcomes and experience. 

World Psoriasis Day: 29th October

World Psoriasis Day is observed every year on 29th October to promote awareness, empowerment, and action for improving the quality of life for people with psoriasis and psoriatic Arthritis. 

The day is organized by International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA). 

Theme for 2021: Uniting for action.

Psoriasis: Skin disease that causes red, itchy scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp and can be extended to other organs of the body.

Anita Anand appointed as National Defence Minister of Canada

Indian-origin Canadian politician Anita Anand (54 years) has been appointed as the Defence Minister of the country in a Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

She is only the second women to be appointed as Canada’s National Defence Minister, after Kim Campbell in the 1990s.

She was first elected as a rookie Member of Parliament in 2019 representing Oakville of Ontario province. 

She replaced long-time Indian-origin Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.

France successfully launches military communications satellite ‘Syracuse 4A

France has successfully launched military communication satellite, titled as ‘Syracuse 4A’, into orbit from Kourou, in French Guiana Space Centre. 

The satellite was launched on Ariane 5 rocket.

It will allow the armed forces of France across the globe to communicate swiftly and securely.

It is first in the series of three Syracuse IV communication satellite being developed to improve French military satellite Communications. 

President of France: Emmanuel Macron

Baldev Prakash appointed as MD & CEO of Jammu and Kashmir Bank

Baldev Prakash has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir Bank for a period of three years.

His candidature has been approved by Reserve Bank of India (RBI). 

His tenure will be effective from the date of taking charge or April 10, 2022, whichever is earlier.

Prior to this, he worked with SBI in various capacities.

He will succeed RK Chhibber.

J&K Bank Headquarters: Srinagar.

K V Kamath appointed as Chairperson of NaBFID

K V Kamath has been appointed as the chairperson of National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID). 

He is a well-known banker in India and was the first head of New Development Bank (NDB). 

NaBFID:

Newly set up development financial institution (DFIs) in India under NaBFID Act 2021.

Authorized share capital: Rs 1 lakh crore

Initial paid-up capital: Rs 20,000 crore

HQs: Mumbai

Provide finance options for projects in National Infrastructure Pipeline. 

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.