8th October 2021
Honours & Awards
1. Novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah wins 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature
- Tanzanian novelist, Abdulrazak Gurnah has been awarded 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature for his uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of the refugees in the gulf between cultures and continents.
- He writes in English.
- Nobel Prize in literature is awarded by Swedish Academy, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Prize money for Nobel Prize in Literature is worth 10 million Swedish crowns ($1.14 million).
National & International Appointments
2. P L Haranadh takes charge as Chairman of Paradip Port Trust
- P L Haranadh (1994 batch Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer) has been appointed as the new Chairman of Paradip Port Trust (PPT).
- He has worked in various capacities, during his 27 years of service, that includes 22 years in Indian Railways and 5 years in the Ministry of Shipping.
- PPT is a natural, deep-water port on the lone East coast of India in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha
- He succeeded Rinkesh Roy.
Important Dates
3. Indian Air Force Day 2021: 8th October
- Air Force Day in India is observed every year on 8th October to mark the official foundation day of the Indian Air force
- 2021 edition of Air Force Day 2021 marks the 89th anniversary of foundation day of the Indian Air force.
- Indian Air Force was officially established on 8th October 1932 by British Empire as the Royal Indian Air Force.
- Its name was changed to Indian Air Force in 1950.
Banking & Finance
4. BharatPe launches ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ platform “Postpe”
- BharatPe has launched a new solution to provide credit to customers on the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) platform titled as ‘PostPe’.
- Using Postpe platform, customers can avail interest-free credit limit of up to Rs 10 lakh.
- It is not only limited to big-ticket purchases but can also be used for micro-purchases.
- With this, BharatPe aims to facilitate a loan book of $300 million in the first 12 months for its lending partners
- MD & Co-Founder: Ashneer Grover.
Arts & Culture
5. Wada Kolam Rice (Zini Rice) from Maharashtra’s Palghar gets GI Tag
- Rice variety widely grown in Palghar district in Maharashtra, Wada Kolam has received the ‘Geographical Indication’ (GI) tag, which means the product now gets unique identity as well as wider market base.
- Wada Kolam rice is also known as Zini or Jhini rice
- Grain is off white in colour, with small granules and a peculiar aroma after cooking. It can completely absorb daal and is in demand for these qualities.
- Its price is between Rs 60-70 per kg in domestic markets.
Honours & Awards
6. Mukesh Ambani tops Forbes India Rich List 2021
- Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani has topped Forbes India Rich list for 2021, that ranks India’s 100 richest Indians with net worth of $92.7 billion.
- He has retained his position as the wealthiest Indian for 14th consecutive year on Forbes India list, since 2008
- Second spot has been retained by Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani with a net worth of $74.8 billion, followed by Shiv Nadar.
- India’s 100 richest are now worth $775 billion.
Banking & Finance
7. Kotak Mahindra Bank get approval for collection of direct, indirect taxes
- Kotak Mahindra Bank has received approval from the Government for collection of direct and indirect taxes, such as income tax, Goods and Services Tax (GST), etc, through its banking network.
- After this, KMBL became the first scheduled private sector bank to receive permission to take part in government-related business
- Now the customers of Kotak bank will be able to pay their direct and indirect taxes straight from the lender’s mobile banking or net banking platforms.
Banking & Finance
8. Govt releases ₹ 40,000 crore to States/ UTs with Legislature
- Ministry of Finance has released an amount of ₹40,000 crores to the States and UTs with Legislature under the back-to-back loan facility to meet the shortfall in GST Compensation.
- With this, total amount released in current financial year as back to back loan in-lieu of GST compensation has reached to 1,15,000 crore
- All eligible States and UTs (with Legislature) have agreed to the arrangements of funding of the compensation shortfall under back-to-back loan facility.
State Affairs
9. Transmission System for Rajasthan Solar Energy zone commissioned
- POWERGRID Khetri Transmission System Ltd. (PKTSL) has commissioned Transmission System associated with Rajasthan Solar Energy Zone (SEZ).
- This is one of the largest Inter State Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) projects established in Rajasthan.
- Transmission Project involves new 765 kV Sub-station at Khetri (Rajasthan) and connects the capital of the country at Jhatikara (Delhi) through a 765 kV Double Circuit Transmission line.
Important Dates
10. World Investor Week 2021: 4 to 10 October
- World Investor Week (WIW) is a global initiative promoted by International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to raise awareness about the importance of investor education and protection and highlight the various initiatives of securities regulators in these two critical areas.
- 5th annual WIW is being observed between October 04 and October 10, 2021.
- The 2021 WIW campaign will be based on two themes:
- sustainable finance
- frauds and scams prevention
Books & Authors
11. Jaithirth Rao comes out with book ‘Economist Gandhi’
- Indian Entrepreneur and writer Jaithirth Rao has come out with a book Mahatma Gandhi titled as ‘Economist Gandhi: The Roots and the Relevance of the Political Economy of the Mahatma’
- Jaithirth Rao is popularly known as Jerry Rao and is the founder and former CEO of the software company Mphasis
- Book examines Mahatma Gandhi’s economic philosophy and his hidden facet personality- thoughts on economics and capitalism.
- It has been published by the Penguin Random House India.
National Affairs
12. PM Modi dedicates to nation 35 PSA Oxygen Plants setup under PM CARES
- PM Modi has dedicated 35 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plants to the nation, established under PM CARES, across 35 States and Union Territories.
- As per the data, 1,224 PSA oxygen plants have been funded under PM-CARES (Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation) fund across the country till date and of these, more than 1,100 plants have already been commissioned providing an output of over 1,750 MT oxygen per day.
Important Dates
13. World Egg Day 2021: 8th October (Second Friday of October)
- World Egg Day is celebrated every year on the ‘Second Friday of October’ month to raise awareness of the benefits of eggs and their importance in human nutrition.
- 2021 edition of the day is being observed on October 8, 2021.
- The Day was established at IEC Vienna 1996 conference.
- Theme for 2021 World Egg Day: Eggs for all: Nature’s perfect package.
National Affairs
14. Govt deploys 'Made in India' drone first time to transport COVID-19 vaccine
- Mansukh Mandaviya has launched ICMR’s Drone Response and Outreach in North East (i-Drone) to ensure last-mile delivery of vaccines
- This is a delivery model to make sure that life-saving vaccines reach everyone.
- This is for the first time that Made in India drone has been used in South Asia to transport COVID vaccine over an aerial distance of 15 kms in 12 to 15 minutes from Bishnupur district hospital to Loktak lake, Karang island in Manipur.
9th October 2021
Honours & Awards
1. Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov wins 2021 Nobel Peace Prize
- Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov has won 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy, peace
- Maria Angelita Ressa: Filipino-American journalist and author, co-founder and CEO of Rappler (Philippine news website)
- Dmitry Andreyevich Muratov: Russian journalist and editor-in-chief of newspaper Novaya Gazeta
- This is the 1st Nobel Peace Prize for journalists since German Carl von Ossietzky won it in 1935
Important Dates
2. World Post Day: 9th October
- World Post Day is celebrated every year on October 9 globally to celebrate the anniversary of Universal Postal Union establishment in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern.
- Theme of World Post Day 2021: Innovate to recover.
- Aim: to create awareness of the role of the postal sector in everyday lives and businesses’ of the people and its contribution to the social and economic development of countries.
- World Post Day was first celebrated in 1969.
National & International Organizations
3. India ranks 90th in Q4 Henley Passport Index 2021
- India has been ranked at 90th position in Henley Passport Index, released for Q4 of 2021, among 116 countries as its passport holders are allowed to travel visa-free to 58 countries
- India shares its rank with Tajikistan and Burkina Faso.
- The index lists world’s most travel-friendly passports and
- India was ranked 84th in 2020 Henley Passport Index
- Top performers: Japan and Singapore shares the top position.
- Worst performer: Afghanistan.
Banking & Finance
4. RBI keeps policy rate unchanged for 8th time in a row
- RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has announced that the policy repo rate under liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) will be kept unchanged at 4.0%.
- Other rates:
- Reverse Repo Rate: 3.35%
- Marginal Standing Facility Rate: 4.25%
- Bank Rate: 4.25%
- CRR: 4.00%
- SLR: 18.00%
- MPC also decided to continue with the accommodative stance and RBI has retained the projection for real GDP growth at 9.5 per cent in 2021-22.
Sports
5. Anshu Malik becomes 1st Indian Woman to claim World Championships Silver
- Anshu Malik became the 1st Indian women finalist at World Championship, and also the first female player from India to claim silver medal at 2021 World Wrestling Championships
- She was defeated by Helen Lousie Maroulis of US in 57kg freestyle
- Till now, Alka Tomar (2006) Geeta Phogat (2012), Babita Phogat (2012), Pooja Dhanda (2018) and Vinesh Phogat (2019) won bronze each.
- Wrestler Sushil Kumar (2010) is the lone wrestler from India to win World Championship till date.
State Affairs
6. Maharashtra Government launches ‘Mission Kavach Kundal’
- Maharashtra govt has launched a special Covid-19 vaccination drive titled as ‘Mission Kavach Kundal’, with the target of inoculating 15 lakh people everyday.
- This week-long drive has been organized from October 8 to October 14, 2021.
- It is in line with Centre’s target of reaching 100 crore vaccination mark till 15 October 2021
- Maharashtra government has a stock of 75 lakh vials and another 25 lakh will be available
- CM of Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray.
National Affairs
7. Sarbanand Sonowal launches ‘MyPortApp’ for digital monitoring
- Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbanand Sonowal has launched mobile application titled as MyPortApp to promote transparency and easy access of port related information.
- It will provide all details regarding port in India and also monitor operations virtually.
- It will also has various information like vessel berthing, rake & indent, rake receipt, container status, tariff, bills, Port holidays, etc., and can be accessed anywhere 24x7.
Summits & Conferences
8. DRDO conducts All India Official Language, Scientific and Technical Seminar
- DRDO has organized All India Official Language, Scientific and Technical Seminar for promoting use of Hindi in official activities including scientific and technical works
- Seminar was hosted by ITR with the theme ‘Test and Evaluation of Defence Products: The Necessity and Achievements’ in 2021
- He stressed on preserving the cultural heritage through promoting use of regional languages
- Officers and staff of DRDO laboratories across the country participated in the seminar.
National & International Appointments
9. Ranveer Singh appointed as brand ambassador of CoinSwitch Kuber
- Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has been roped in as the brand ambassador of Crypto platform CoinSwitch Kuber.
- Through this collaboration, CoinSwitch Kuber aims to leverage Ranveer Singh’s mass youth appeal, along with his popularity among the Gen Z and millennial customers.
- CoinSwitch Kuber and Ranveer Singh will work towards highlighting the growing acceptance of crypto in India along with enhancing crypto awareness and trust in this emerging asset class.
Important Dates
10. World Migratory Bird Day 2021: 9th October (Second Saturday of October)
- World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is officially celebrated twice in a year to spread awareness for the need to conserve migratory birds and their habitats
- It is celebrated on second saturday of October and second saturday of May
- The day was introduced in 2006
- WMBBD 2021 falls on May 8, 2021 and October 9, 2021
- Theme for 2021 WMBD: Sing, Fly, Soar – Like a Bird!
- The day is organized by Convention on Migratory Species, African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement.
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