12th October 2021
Honours & Awards
1. G Satheesh Reddy conferred with Aryabhata Award 2021
- Chairman of DRDO, G Satheesh Reddy has been conferred the prestigious Aryabhata Award.
- The award has been given by Astronautical Society of India for his outstanding life-time contribution to the promotion of astronautics in India.
- Dr Reddy is a pioneer in the area of R&D of advanced avionics, navigation and missile technologies.
- He has contributed to strategic and tactical missile systems
- He helped the country become self-reliant in critical defence technologies.
National & International Appointments
2. Former SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar joins BharatPe board as Chairman
- Rajnish Kumar, former chairman of State Bank of India (SBI), has joined the board of Fintech firm BharatPe as its Chairman.
- Kumar will mentor the BharatPe team during transition into small finance bank.
- He will also be involved in defining the firm's short-term and long-term strategy.
- Kumar was previously appointed as a non-executive director for banking giant HSBC's Hong Kong-headquartered Asia unit.
- CEO of BharatPe: Ashneer Grover
International Affairs
3. Germany unveils world's first self-driving train
- German rail operator Deutsche Bahn and industrial group Siemens unveiled the world's first automated, driverless train in Hamburg.
- It is billed as more punctual and energy efficient than traditional trains.
- The train is controlled by digital technology and is fully automated.
- The driver remains on the train to supervise the journey with passengers on board.
- The project partners and the City of Hamburg have invested a total of €60 mn in the digital S-Bahn Hamburg.
Honours & Awards
4. 3 US-based economists win Nobel prize for societal research
- Three US-based economists David Card, Joshua D Angrist and Guido W Imbens have been conferred 2021 Nobel prize for economics.
- David Card of the University of California was awarded half of the prize for his research on how minimum wage, immigration and education affect the labor market.
- The other half was shared by Joshua Angrist from MIT and Guido Imbens from Stanford University for their framework for studying issues that can’t rely on traditional scientific methods.
State Affairs
5. Karuppur kalamkari paintings, Kallakurichi wood carvings get GI tags
- Karuppur Kalamkari Paintings, Kallakurichi Wood carvings & Kanyakumari Clove, all three from Tamil Nadu were awarded with GI tags.
- Kalamkari painting is done on pure cotton cloth.
- The ‘Kallakurichi Wood Carving’ is a unique form of wood carving where the craftsmen are specialized in carving temple related products and furniture.
- Kanyakumari Cloves is known for its rich aromatic oil content, with volatile oil content of 21% (normal 18%) resulting in 86% of eugenol.
National & International Organizations
6. Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2021 released by UNDP
- Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2021 was released by United Nations Development Programme and the Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
- The Index considers data from 109 countries and 5.9 billion people.
- These include 26 low-income countries, 80 middle-income countries and 3 high-income countries.
- The index measures each person’s deprivations across 10 indicators divided into three equally weighted dimensions.
- UNDP Headquarters: New York, US
Important Dates
7. World Arthritis Day 2021: 12th October
- World Arthritis Day is celebrated every year on October 12 to spread awareness about the existence and impact of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.
- Arthritis is not a single disease but a broad term for more than a hundred diseases related to joints.
- It can cause swelling in or around a joint, resulting in pain, stiffness, and sometimes difficulty moving.
- WAD was first observed in 1996 and this year the theme of the day is Don’t Delay, Connect Today: Time2Work.
Honours & Awards
8. Teluhgu filmmaker B Gopal chosen for Satyajit Ray Award
- Telugu filmmaker B Gopal has been chosen for the fourth Satyajit Ray Award 2021 for his overall contribution to the Indian cinema.
- Instituted by the Satyajit Ray Film Society Kerala, a state-based organisation, the award comprises Rs 10,000 cash prize, a memento and plaque.
- Gopal has directed 30 films Telugu films and two Hindi moves in his decades-long tinsel town career.
- The award would be presented to him in a function to be held in Hyderabad.
National Affairs
9. Union MoS L Murugan inaugurates Prasar Bharati Auditorium in Srinagar
- Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L. Murugan inaugurated Prasar Bharati Auditorium at All India Radio Srinagar.
- With a capacity of more than 170 seats, the auditorium is equipped with state-of-the-art digital technologies.
- This auditorium was damaged in 2014 floods.
- A cultural programme by noted Kashmiri artist and singer Bashir Ahmad Tailbali and his troupe was also held during the function.
Obituaries
10. Kannada actor Sathyajith passes away
- Veteran Kannada actor Sathyajith (72) passed away after suffering a massive heart attack.
- Born as Syed Nizamuddin, Sathyajith carved a name for himself in the Kannada film industry by playing negative roles.
- In a career spanning over four decades, he acted in over 600 movies.
- Some of his popular films include Shiva Mecchida Kannappa, Thayigobba Karna, Nyayakkaagi Naanu, Yuddha Kaanda, Padma Vyuha, Sangharsha, Mandyada Gandu, Police Story, Appu and Apthamitra
Obituaries
11. Noted Malayalam actor Nedumudi Venu passes away
- National Award-winning Malayalam actor Nedumudi Venu passed away.
- Nedumudi Venu began his career as a theatre artist with the plays of Kavalam Narayana Panicker.
- He made his debut in films with Thambu, directed by G Aravindan in 1978.
- Known for his work in Malayalam and Tamil movies, Venu acted in over 500 movies.
- Nedumudi Venu won three National Film Awards, and six Kerala State Film Awards for his performances.
Agreement
12. APEDA signs MoU with ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur
- For boosting exports of citrus and its value-added products, APEDA has signed an MoU with ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur.
- The MoU envisages promoting export by focussing on creation of product specific clusters.
- The collaboration with two institutes of repute would focus on diversifying the export basket, destinations and boosting high value agricultural products exports through establishing Brand India globally.
National & International Appointments
13. Alexander Schellenberg appointed new Chancellor of Austria
- Alexander Schallenberg has been appointed as new Chancellor of Austria after Sebastian Kurz resigned amid corruption allegations.
- Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen swore in Alexander Schallenberg.
- Earlier he was the foreign minister of Austria.
- Career diplomat Michael Linhart became the country's new foreign minister.
- Capital of Austria : Vienna
- Currency of Austria : Euro
Books & Authors
14. ‘Quest for a Stable Afghanistan’ authored by Sujeet Sarkar
- The book titled ‘’Quest for a Stable Afghanistan: A View from Ground Zero” was authored by Sujeet Sarkar.
- The book was published by Rupa Publications.
- It provides a detailed account of how the haggard and faulty policies of the West have put Afghanistan on the deeper and increasingly worrisome crisis
- It provides a daring new outlook denouncing several myths that colour common global perception of this war-ravaged country, Afghanistan.
13th October 2021
Honours & Awards
1. Randeep Guleria bags Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence
- Randeep Guleria (Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences) has been conferred with Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence
- Award was instituted by Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, Delhi, promoted by Lal Bahadur Shastri Educational Society for outstanding achievements of high professional excellence
- Cash prize: Rs 5 lakh, citation, and a Plaque
- It is presented on 1st October every year on the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri
National Affairs
2. CZA releases Vision Plan 2021-31 for Indian Zoo
- Union Environment Minister has released Vision Plan (2021-2031) for Indian zoos by Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to upgrade them to global standards, strengthening Central Zoo Authority
- It is committed to making CZA and Indian zoos greater force for conservation by providing unparalleled animal care, and immersive visitor experiences that strike meaningful chords with people of all ages.
- Environment Minister also presented Prani Mitra Awards constituted by CZA
National Affairs
3. Rajiv Kumar launches NITI Aayog-UNDP Handbook on waste management
- NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Rajiv Kumar has launched ‘NITI Aayog – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Handbook on Sustainable Urban Plastic Waste Management’ in New Delhi
- It provides a comprehensive overview of managing plastic waste by representing and discussing components of the entire plastic waste value chain
- It can be adopted by urban local bodies
- NITI Aayog has suggested urban local bodies across states to adopt material recovery facility (MRF) model
State Affairs
4. Delhi Govt launches ‘Desh Ke Mentor’ Programme for its classes IX to XII
- Delhi govt has launched mentorship programme ‘Desh Ke Mentor’ for children studying in Classes IX to XII of govt schools
- Under this, students will be mentored by professionals and academicians from across the country for 10-15 minutes daily on issues ranging from career choices to teenage concerns.
- It will be of 2-6 months with 2 months compulsory module and 4 optional module
- Mentors will guide 2 to 5 students to help students in their overall personality development
Summits & Conferences
5. PM participates in G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan
- PM Narendra Modi has participated virtually in G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan.
- The meet was convened by Italy, which currently holds G20 Presidency, and chaired by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
- He emphasized centuries old people-to-people ties between India and Afghanistan and recalled that over 500 development projects have been implemented by India in Afghanistan.
- Focus: issues related to humanitarian, terrorism, and human rights issue in Afghanistan
National Affairs
6. Adani Group takes over operational control of Jaipur International Airport
- Adani Group took over the responsibilities of Jaipur International Airport from Airports Authority of India (AAI)
- The airport is being taken on lease by Adani for a period of 50 year
- Adani Airports will work on the operations, management and development of the Jaipur airport through PPP mode
- It will take over the control of entire facility except for cargo terminal, Air Traffic Control and Communication, Navigation, Surveillance which will continue to be operated by AAI
Sports
7. Indian Shooters win 43 medals at ISSF Junior World Championship
- Indian shooters claimed a historic victory with 43 medals to stand atop in the medal table at 2021 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Championship Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun that was held at Lima, Peru
- 43 medals included 17 Gold, 16 Silver and 10 Bronze medal
- USA finished 2nd on the medal table with 21 medals
- Manu Bhaker created milestone record of becoming first Indian shooter to win highest number of medals in single edition.
Arts & Culture
8. Tamil Nadu’s Kanniyakumari Clove gets GI Tag along with 2 more products
- Unique clove spice grown in the hills of Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, ‘Kanyakumari clove’ has been awarded geographical indication (GI).
- Total production of cloves in India is 1,100 metric tons and of this, 750 metric tons of cloves are produced in Kanyakumari district alone.
- Apart from this, traditional dye-painted figurative and patterned cloth called Karuppur kalamkari paintings and wood carvings of Kallakurichi from Tamil Nadu have also received GI tags.
Sports
9. FIFA unveils ‘IBHA’ as official mascot for U-17 2022 Women’s World Cup
- World football governing body, FIFA has unveiled the official mascot of U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022.
- Mascot is named as ‘IBHA, which is an Asiatic lioness representing women power.
- It aims to inspire women and girls across the world to take the right decisions and reach their full potential.
- It will be the 7th edition of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and will be held in India from October 11 to 30, 2022
Important Dates
10. International Day for Disaster Reduction: 13th October
- United Nations International Day for Disaster Reduction is held every year on 13 October to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction since 1989
- The day also celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face
- Theme 2021: International cooperation for developing countries to reduce their disaster risk and disaster losses
Books & Authors
11. Former SBI Chief Rajnish Kumar launches memoir ‘The Custodian of Trust’
- Former Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI) Rajnish Kumar has come out with his memoir titled ‘The Custodian of Trust – A Banker’s Memoir’.
- Book has been published by Peguin Random House India.
- It gave a rare insight of how the financial system in our country works.
- Custodian of Trust depicts Kumar’s journey from a modest house in the old city of Meerut to being a probationary officer in SBI in 1980 and growing to the post of Chairman in 2017.
Obituaries
12. Father of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, Abdul Qadeer Khan passes away
- Pakistani nuclear physicist and metallurgical engineer, Abdul Qadeer Khan (85 years) passed away, after being transferred to a hospital in Islamabad with lung problem
- He was also called a man who built the Muslim world’s first atomic bomb and father of Pakistan's atomic weapons program
- He was disgraced in 2004 when he was forced to acknowledge responsibility for nuclear technology proliferation
- He was accused by U.S. of sharing nuclear technology with North Korea, Iran
National Affairs
13. First pilot plant to convert high ash coal to methanol developed
- India has developed indigenous technology to convert high ash Indian coal to methanol and established its first pilot plant in Hyderabad
- This technology will help India move towards the adoption of clean technology and promote the use of methanol as a transportation fuel.
- Broad process of converting coal into methanol consists of conversion of coal to synthesis (syngas) gas, syngas cleaning and conditioning, syngas to methanol conversion, and methanol purification
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