Important Current NEWS of 2nd and 3rd week of October 2021 |

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National NEWS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kushinagar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh, which will help connect key Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Kushinagar is an important Buddhist pilgrim destination, and is believed to be the final resting place of Gautam Buddha. It is also at the centre of a Buddhist tourist circuit, which includes Lumbini (Nepal), Sarnath and Bodhgaya. Other Buddhist destinations nearby include Nalanda, Sravasti and Kapilavastu.

India was re-elected to the U.N. Human Rights Council for the 2022-24 term with an overwhelming majority in the General Assembly. The 76th UN General Assembly held elections for 18 new members of the U.N. Human Rights Council who will serve for a period of three years, starting in January 2022.

India has become 15% more vulnerable to extremes of heat than in 1990, according to ‘the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change’, a flagship report of the medical journal The Lancet that provides periodic updates on the scientific literature on the relationship between climate change and public health. The economic losses of climate-related extreme events were three times higher in medium-HDI countries than they are in very high HDI countries. South-East Asia was the only region with increasing air pollution mortality costs between 2015 and 2019, relative to GDP, the report noted.

The Railway Board has issued an order to shut down the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC) that was set up for the redevelopment of stations across the country. This is the second organisation under the Railway Ministry to be shut down after the closure of the Indian Railways Organisation for Alternative Fuel (IROAF) on September 7, 2021. The step is a move to accept the recommendation of the Finance Ministry, which in a report has recommended the rationalisation of government bodies either by closing them down or through merging multiple organisations under different ministries.

Construction and infrastructure giant Larsen and Toubro Ltd. emerged as the lowest bidder for the contract for construction and maintenance of the first three buildings of the proposed new Common Central Secretariat (CCS). A part of the Central Vista redevelopment, the project is the third of the major segments of the plan, after the new Parliament and Central Vista Avenue.

The Globel Hunger Index (GHI) 2021 ranked India at 101 position out of 116 countries.

The index is based on four indicators — under-nourishment, wasting, stunting and under-five mortality.
Of these, India’s performance is shown to deteriorate only for undernourishment, which is what the Government has challenged. According to governments, there are only 3.9% anganwadi children found to be undernourished.

According to FAO’s data, which is used in the Index, the prevalence of undernourishment in India rose from 14% in 2017-2019 to 15.3% in 2018-2020 which the Government has called exaggerated. India ranked 94 among 107 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) released last year.
India was also behind most of the neighbouring countries. Pakistan was placed at 92 rank, Nepal at 76 and Bangladesh also at 76.
Based on the values of the four indicators – undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting and child mortality- the GHI determines hunger on a 100-point scale, where 0 is the best possible score (no hunger) and 100 is the worst. Each country’s GHI score is classified by severity, from low to extremely alarming.
Somalia has the highest level of hunger according to the 2021 GHI ranking

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a ₹ 100-lakh-crore PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity in the country.

Launch of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for the multi-model connectivity will help improve global competitiveness, promote manufacturing and modernise infrastructure in the country.
PM Gati Shakti targets to cut logistic costs, increase cargo handling capacity and reduce the turnaround time.

Other important National NEWS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched Indian Space Association (ISpA), an industry body aspiring to be the voice of the Indian space sector. The ISpA will undertake policy advocacy and engage with all stakeholders in the Indian space domain, including the government and its agencies.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said the entire Haj 2022 process in India will be 100% digital.
People in many parts of Manipur celebrated the renaming of Mount Harriet in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as Mount Manipur. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the renaming in recognition of the revolt in Manipur during 1857-1891.
Lok Adalat has no jurisdiction to decide the matter on merits once it is found that compromise or settlement could not be reached between the parties, the Supreme Court said. The apex court said the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 make it clear that the jurisdiction of the Lok Adalat would be to determine and to arrive at a compromise or a settlement between the parties to a dispute. It said that once the settlement or a compromise fails, the Lok Adalat has to return the case to the Court from which the reference has been received for disposal in accordance with the law.
Government think tank, NITI Aayog, launched the Geospatial Energy Map of India on October 18, 2021. This Geospatial Energy Map of India provides a holistic picture of all energy resources like oil & gas wells, petroleum refineries, conventional power plants, coal fields and coal blocks.
The Henley Passport Index 2021 was released recently in which India’s rank has dropped by six places as compared to 2020 index. This year India has been ranked at 90^th. This year Japan and Singapore have topped the list as their passports holders are allowed to travel across 192 countries visa-free.
The Telangana State Election Commission has planned to conduct a dry run of a “Mobile-Based e-voting system”.

International NEWS

India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States decided to launch a new quadrilateral economic forum. The grouping had decided to establish an international forum for economic cooperation, and specifically discussed “possibilities for joint infrastructure projects.

India introduced a draft resolution in the UN General Assembly for granting Observer Status for the International Solar Alliance that would help provide for regular cooperation between ISA and the United Nations, benefiting global energy growth and development. The ISA was jointly launched by India and France in 2015 at the 21st Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) held in Paris.

India and Denmark signed two agreements on research in climate change, while another MoU on setting up a “green hydrogen” electrolyser plant was signed between Reliance Industries and Danish company Stiesdal Fuel Technologies as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen.

Imprisoned Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was awarded the European Union’s top human rights prize.

Prestigious “Martial Arts Education Prize 2021” was conferred to the world-renowned Kung Fu Nuns of Drukpa order of Buddhism.

India joined hands with Croatia and inked a MoU for research & development in Indian traditional medicine systems and for promoting Ayurveda in Europe.

Business NEWS

To support the startup ecosystem in India, Microsoft has launched a programme, Microsoft AI Innovate, for nurturing and scaling startups that are leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) of banks are expected to rise to 8-9% this fiscal from 7.5% as on March 31, but they would still remain below the peak of 11.2% seen at the end of fiscal 2018, Crisil Ratings said in a report.

International Energy Agency (IEA) has invited India, the world’s third-largest energy consumer, to become its full-time member – a proposal if accepted will require New Delhi to raise strategic oil reserves to 90 days requirement. India, in March 2017, became an associate member of the Paris-based body which advises industrialised nations on energy policies.

As on August 31, Air India had a total debt of ₹61,562 crore. Of this, the Tata Sons holding company Talace Pvt Ltd will take over ₹15,300 crore and the remaining ₹46,262 crore will be transferred to AIAHL.

Air India Assets Holding Ltd (AIAHL), which will hold non-core assets of Air India such as land and building, will also be saddled with 75 per cent of the airline’s debt that the Tata Group is not taking over.
Tata Sons subsidiary Talace Pvt Ltd emerged as the winning bidder for the debt-laden national carrier after quoting an enterprise value of ₹18,000 crore.

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) announced for the launch of NPCI Tokenization system (NTS) on October 20, 2021 in order to provide support to the tokenisation of cards as an alternate for storing card details with merchants.

Defence NEWS

India and the U.S. will kickstart a 15-day mega military exercise in Alaska to further deepen bilateral military cooperation. The 17th edition of the exercise “Yudh Abhyas” will be conducted at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Alaska from October 15 to 29.

The Indo-U.S. defence ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.

The two countries have signed key defence and security pacts over the past few years, Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016, COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018 and BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) agreement in October last year.

Second Phase of Malabar exercise in the Bay of Bengal

This is the 25th edition of the naval exercise, which began as a bilateral exercise between India and the U.S. in 1992.
In 2015, Japan joined Malabar as a permanent member, while Australia was included in 2020.
While Phase-I of Malabar was held in August and hosted by the U.S. Navy near Guam, Phase-II is being held from October 12-15 in the Bay of Bengal off Visakhapatnam.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday visited Israel’s Ovda Airbase to meet the Indian contingent participating in the biennial Blue Flag exercise involving Air Force missions from eight countries, that aims to share knowledge and combat experience to improve operational capabilities. The Blue Flag drill is a bi-annual exercise designed to strengthen Israel’s military cooperation internationally.

India and Japan held the fifth edition of the bilateral maritime exercise, JIMEX, in the Arabian Sea from October 6 to 8. The exercise will enable the two navies to further strengthen their already wide-ranging strategic partnership.

A team from 5th Battalion-4 (5/4) Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) representing the Indian Army won gold medal at the prestigious Cambrian Patrol Exercise which was held in United Kingdom.

Sports NEWS

China beat 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 lifted the Thomas Cup trophy for the first time since 2002 after defeating the defending champions China 3-0 in the final match held in Aarhus, Denmark.
15-year-old Divya Deshmukh became India’s 21st Woman Grand Master (WGM) after achieving her 2nd International Master (IM) at Grand Master (GM) in Budapest, Hungary.
Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Friday became the first player in world cricket to captain a team in 300 T20 games across various competitions.
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan on October 17 became the highest wicket-taker in T20 International cricket.
Tamil Nadu Blind Football Association partnering with the Indian Blind Football Association is all set to host the national level championship for both men and women from October 26 to October 30 with sixteen men’s teams and six women’s teams taking part.

Fencer Bhavani Devi, who made history at the Tokyo Olympics by becoming the first Indian to compete in the sport at the Games, has won the Charlellville National Competition in France in the individual women’s sabre event.
India beat Nepal, 3-0, to win the 2021 SAFF Championship final title, held on October 16, 2021, at the National Football Stadium in Male, Maldives. This is the eighth SAFF Championship title claimed by the Indian men’s national football team. Previously the team had won the title in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015. Sunil Chhetri scored his 80th international strike at the championship to equal his score with iconic Lionel Messi and became the second-highest goal-scorer in international football among active players.
At the 2021 World Wrestling Championships, Indian wrestler Anshu Malik created history as she became the first Indian women finalist at the World Championship, and also the first female player from India to claim a silver medal.
World football body, FIFA has unveiled the official mascot of the U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 “Ibha” an Asiatic lioness representing women power.
Ireland’s Amy Hunter hit 121 not out on her 16th birthday against Zimbabwe, making her the youngest batter to score an ODI century in either men’s or women’s cricket.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the finals to win the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) title. This was the 14th edition of IPL which is an India-based Cricket league in 20-20 format. This was the 4th win of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL, having previously won the tournament in 2010, 2011, and 2018.
- Player of the Tournament: Harshal Patel (RCB)
- Highest Run Scorer (Orange Cap): Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK) (635 runs)
- Highest Wicket Taker (Purple Cap): Harshal Patel (RCB) (32 wickets)
- Mumbai Indians team has won the IPL title highest number of times, i.e 5 times.

Sci-Tech NEWS

OneWeb (Bharti-backed) had entered into an arrangement through Letter of Intent with NewSpace India Ltd. the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to use PSLV and the GSLV-MkIII as potential platforms to launch OneWeb’s satellites in India from 2022.
As per report of financial times, China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August 2021, demonstrating an advanced space capability.
American Space Agency, NASA, launched the Lucy Spacecraft (first-of-its kind mission) on October 16, 2021 to study the Trojan asteroids of Jupiter. Trojan asteroids are two large clusters of space rocks, which are believed to be remnants of primordial material forming the outer planets of the solar system. The space probe is called as Lucy.
An Indian Project, Takachar’s Innovation, that recycles agricultural waste into fuel has won the “Prince William’s inaugural Earthshot Prize”, which is also called as “Eco Oscars.

German rail operator, Deutsche Bahn and industrial group, Siemens launched the first automated & driverless train of the world on October 11, 2021.

Person/Places in NEWS

Former bureaucrat Amit Khare, has been appointed as advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for two years on contract basis.
The government has appointed M. Ravichandran as Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Navrang Saini has been given the additional charge as the Chairperson of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). The post fell vacant after M.S. Sahoo retired after a five-year tenure on September 30.
Vinai Thummalapally, has been appointed as the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).
IMF’s Chief Economist Gita Gopinath will leave her job in January next year and return to the prestigious Harvard University.
Indian American scientist Dr. Vivek Lall was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at Ritossa Family Summits in Dubai recently.
Alok Sharma is the president of the 26th United Nations Change Climate Change Conference.
Amit Rastogi: CMD of National Research Development Corporation.

Former chief of State Bank of India, Rajnish Kumar, has joined the Board of BharatPe as chairman.
On October 11, 2021, Alexander Schellenberg was elected as Austrian Chancellor after resignation of Sebastian Kurz.
Three United States-based economists namely, David Card, Joshua D Angrist and Guido W Imbens have been conferred the “Nobel prize in Economics 2021”.
World Food Day is observed every year on October 16. Year 2021 marked the 76^th World Food Day.

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s birth anniversary on October 15

Kalam served as the 11th president of India from 2002 to 2007 and earned the respect and admiration of people and political parties across the spectrum for his simple living and non-partisan conduct.
He is also credited with opening the doors of the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the masses and came to be affectionately called the “People’s President”.
Kalam, who passed away in 2015, also earned the sobriquet “Missile Man of India” for his role in the development of the country’s missile programmes.

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