National Affairs
1. PM launches National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity 'GatiShakti'
- PM Modi has inaugurated Rs 100 lakh crore PM Gati Shakti-National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity from Pragati Maidan in New Delhi
- Under this, centralized portal will be set up to bring together infrastructure schemes of around 16 Ministries & State Governments on a common platform.
- It is based on six pillars:
- Comprehensiveness
- Prioritization
- Optimization
- Synchronization
- Analytical
- Dynamic
- PM Modi also inaugurated new exhibition complexes of ITPO.
National Affairs
2. Govt accorded ‘Maharatna’ status to PFC
- Govt has accorded ‘Maharatna’ status to the state-owned Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC), thus giving PFC greater operational and financial autonomy by Dept of Public Enterprises
- It will enable PFC to offer competitive financing for power sector, which will go a long way in making available affordable & reliable ‘Power For All 24x7’.
- PFC was incorporated in 1986 and is the largest Infrastructure Finance Company under the administrative control of Ministry of Power.
National & International Appointments
3. Arun Kumar Mishra appointed EESL's chief executive officer
- Arun Kumar Mishra has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL).
- He is a veteran in the energy sector, with more than three decades of experience in NTPC and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd.
- EESL is a joint venture between NTPC Ltd, Power Finance Corporation, REC and PowerGrid, was set up under the power ministry to facilitate the implementation of energy efficiency projects.
- Headquarters of EESL: New Delhi
International Affairs
4. World’s first driverless-automated train launched in Germany
- World’s first automated, driverless train has been unveiled in Hamburg, Germany and will begin carrying passengers from December 2021
- Automated trains project is a joint venture between German rail company Deutsche Bahn and high-tech industrial group Siemens.
- It is a part of 60 million euro ($70 million) ‘Digital Rail Germany’ modernisation plan which includes modernisation of Hamburg’s rapid urban rail system.
- Capital of Germany: Berlin
- Currency of Germany: Euro
National & International Organizations
5. India ranks 3rd in 2021 Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index
- India has retained 3rd rank in 58th Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI) released by Ernst & Young
- 2021 RECAI ranked top 40 global markets of the world on attractiveness of their renewable energy investment and deployment opportunities
- Top performer: US, followed by China
- New PPA Index has been introduced in this edition of RECAI focuses on the attractiveness of renewable power procurement and ranks the growth potential of corporate PPA market
Important Dates
6. International E-Waste Day: 14 October
- International E-Waste Day (IEWD) is observed every year on 14 October every year to promote the correct disposal of e-waste throughout the world, increasing re-use, recovery and recycling rates.
- Theme for 2021 IEWD: Consumer is the key to Circular Economy!
- 2021 is the 4th edition of the International E-Waste Day.
- IEWD was developed in 2018 by WEEE Forum, an international association of e-waste collection schemes, with the support of its members.
National & International Appointments
7. Amit Khare appointed as Advisor to PM Modi
- Former Information & Broadcasting and Higher Education Secretary, Amit Khare has been appointed as the Advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for two years on contractual basis
- He is a 1985-batch IAS officer from Bihar-Jharkhand cadre.
- He is known for his instrumental role in shaping the National Education Policy 2020 and bringing key changes in the I&B ministry, particularly in digital media regulations.
Important Dates
8. World Standards Day: 14 October
- World Standards Day (WSD) is observed globally on 14th October annually to raise awareness about the importance of standardization to the global economy among the consumers, regulators and industry.
- WSD 2021 theme: Standards for sustainable development goals – shared vision for a better world.
- It is also known as International Standards Day.
- The day was established on October 14, 1946.
State Affairs
9. Delhi to soon have driving licenses with QR codes
- Delhi Transport Dept will soon issue QR based Smart cards for driving licenses (DLs) and registration certificates (RCs) for digitization the DL system
- New driving license will have an advanced microchip with features like QR code and Near Field Communication
- It will have owner's name on the front while microchip and QR will be embedded at the back of the card
- It will also enable unification in linking and validating information to smart cards with Sarathi and Vahan
Obituaries
10. Chairman of IFFCO Balvinder Singh Nakai passes away
- Chairman of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), Sardar Balvinder Singh Nakai (87 years) passed away.
- He was appointed as the new Chairman of IFFCO in May 2019.
- He was an eminent farmer cooperator and was deeply involved in providing strength to Indian cooperative movement for the last three decades
- IFFCO: multi-state cooperative society engaged in the business of manufacturing and marketing of fertilisers.
- Headquarters of IFFCO: New Delhi.
State Affairs
11. Meghalaya govt launches Special Postal Covers
- Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma has launched Special Postal Covers of Pa Togan N. Sangma and Citrus Indica (Memang Narang) at Williamnagar.
- It was launched to mark the 75th Year of Independence which is being observed as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
- It is a befitting tribute of the heroic legendary freedom fighter from the Garo Hills
- Meghalaya will come up with a special financial support to create infrastructure to be dedicated in memory of Pa Togan Sangma at Chisolbibra
National & International Organizations
12. ADB raises 2019–2030 Climate Financing Goal to $100 Billion
- Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced to increase its climate financing goals 2019-2030 for developing member countries (DMCs) by $20 billion to $100 billion
- Prior to this, ADB had announced $80 billion goal for climate financing in 2018 for developing countries in Asia during 2019-2030
- Additional $20 billion in financing support will be used for climate mitigation efforts including low-carbon energy sources, etc
- HQs of ADB: Mandaluyong, Philippines
Agreement
13. NHAI sings MoU with TIDCO for development of MMLP in Chennai
- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signs MoU with Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) for development of a Multimodal Logistics Park (MMLP) at VOC Port in Chennai.
- It will be developed through Public Private Partnership, providing land and connectivity and the actual MMLP infrastructure to be developed by a private developer.
- All the three stake holders viz, Chennai Port Authority, TIDCO and NHAI will be equity partners in the proposed SVP.
National Affairs
14. Dept of Post launches digital version of Postal Life Insurance policy bonds
- Department of Posts has launched digital version of the Postal Life Insurance policy bonds, termed as ‘ePLI bond’, on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
- ePLI bond is first the digital integration of Postal Department with Digilocker that will greatly facilitate citizens, providing ease of access and quick claim settlements.
- It is made available in collaboration with DIGILOCKER, National eGovernance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY).
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