Latest Current Affairs For Sunday 31st October, 2021

CSIR developed indigenous Mechanized Scavenging System

CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur has developed indigenous Mechanized Scavenging System successfully at the premises of CSIR-National Physical Laboratory.

This cost-effective machine will be deployed in Metro and tier-2 and tier-3 cities. 

It will handle the blockage caused by plastic and other non-biodegradable domestic thrown-away items, debris, intrusion of tree roots, etc. 

It is benchmarked with the market available system in India. 

India’s First Unique Manned Ocean Mission Samudrayan at Chennai launched

Union Minister Jitendra Singh has launched India’s First Manned Ocean Mission Samudrayan at Chennai.

With this, India joins the elite club of nations such as USA, Russia, Japan, France and China to have such underwater vehicles for carrying out subsea activities.

It shall facilitate in carrying out deep ocean exploration of the non-living resources such as polymetallic manganese, hydro-thermal sulphides, cobalt crusts, located at a depth between 1000-5500 meters.

DRDO & IAF jointly flight test Long-Range Bomb successfully

DRDO and Indian Air Force (IAF) team have jointly flight tested indigenously developed Long-Range Bomb (LRB) successfully from an aerial platform in Odisha. 

After being released from IAF fighter aircraft, LR Bomb guided to a land-based target at a long range with accuracy within specified limits.

Flight of the bomb and performance was monitored by number of range sensors including Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS), Telemetry and radar deployed by ITR, Odisha.

Third Advance Estimates of Area and Production of Horticulture crop 2020-21

Dept of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has released 2020-21 Third Advance Estimates of Area and Production of various Horticultural Crops, compiled with information received from States/ UTs and Govt agencies.

As per this, horticulture production in 2020-21 is estimated to be a record 331.05 million tonnes, showing an increase of 10.6 million tonnes (3.3%) over 2019-20.

Production of Fruits: 103.0 Million Tonnes. 

Production of Vegetables: 197.2 Million Tonnes

Govt extended RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das’s tenure for 3 more years

Govt has extended the tenure of RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das (1980 batch IAS Officer from Tamil Nadu Cadre) for another three years with effect from December 10, 2021.

His appointment is approved by Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

He assumed the charge as the 25th governor of RBI on December 12, 2018 for three years.

Before his appointment at RBI, he served as a member of the 15th Finance Commission.

RBI’s HQs: Mumbai

NITI Aayog releases report on ‘Health Insurance for India’s Missing Middle’

NITI Aayog has released report titled ‘Health Insurance for India’s Missing Middle' highlighting the gaps in the health insurance coverage with solutions. 

Foreword of report: Dr V.K. Paul.

As per the report, AB-PMJAY provides comprehensive hospitalization cover to the bottom 50% of population, 20% is covered through social health insurance and private voluntary health insurance and other 30% are devoid of health insurance, and has termed them as the missing middle. 

Union Minister inaugurates 14th Urban Mobility Conference

Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep S. Puri has inaugurated 14th edition of Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference 2021 through video-conferencing from New Delhi. 

Theme of the conference: Mobility for All

Aim: provide an opportunity to decision makers and delegates to interact with professionals, experts, industry, civil society, technology, services providers and other stake holders in Urban Transport. 

India at 75-Mobility for All film also released. 

Karnataka tops the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2020

Karnataka has bagged 1st position in the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2020 with a score of 70 out of 100 and is included in ‘Front runner’ category.

Karnataka is followed by Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. 

SEEI is released by the Ministry of Power and assesses the states in four categories using 68 qualitative, quantitative, and outcome-based indicators aggregating to a maximum score of 100 across six sectors.

Facebook Inc. rebranded corporate name as ‘Meta’

Facebook Inc (Mark Zuckerberg owned) has changed the corporate name of world’s largest social media platform to ‘Meta’ to reflect its emphasis on building the metaverse vision’. 

However, names of the flagship social network will remain the same.

With the name change, Meta Platforms, Inc. will henceforth be called as the parent organization of Facebook and its subsidiaries (Instagram, Messenger, Whatsapp, Workplace, etc). 

Meta means beyond and reflects the futuristic motive. 

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.