NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Karnataka tops NITI Aayog’s India Innovation Index 2019: NITI Aayog
released the first-ever India Innovation Index (III) 2019, which looks into the
innovation ecosystem of Indian states and union territories to help
policymakers design policies to drive innovation across regions. The ranking is
done in three categories: 'the Major States’, ‘North East and Hill States’ and
‘Union Territories (UTs)/City & small States. Major states category: Topped
by Karnataka, followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra among. Union
Territories/City-states/Small States category: Delhi has topped the list,
followed by Chandigarh and Goa. North Eastern & Hill states region
category: Topped by Sikkim followed by Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Note:
The Index has been developed by NITI Aayog
with Institute for Competitiveness as the knowledge partner. It is developed on
the lines of the Global Innovation Index (GII).
Chairperson: Narendra Modi; Vice
Chairperson: Rajiv Kumar; CEO, NITI Aayog: Amitabh Kant.
2. NH
No. 703AA in Punjab named as Guru Nanak Dev Ji Marg: Union Road
Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced the naming of new
National Highway No. 703AA as “Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Marg.” The road starting
from Kapurthala connecting Goindwal Sahib and terminating near Taran Taran in
Punjab. The naming would be effective from next month. The decision has been
taken to mark the 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev.
Note: CM of Punjab: Amarinder Singh;
Governor: VP Singh Badnore.
3.
Odisha’s first Robot Restaurant opens in Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s smart city
Bhubaneswar gets it 1st Robo Chef Restaurant in Odisha. The Robot Restaurant
opened at the Infocity DLF tower of Bhubaneswar claims to be the first
restaurant in Eastern India where two indigenously developed robots, ‘Champa’
and ‘Chameli’ are engaged. The robots are developed at a Jaipur-based startup
using SLAM technology, and It automatically navigates like humans, follows the
routes and instructions. Not only this, after serving the food, the robots will
also ask you for feedback in Odia that ‘Are you happy’. Earlier Chennai and
Bengaluru had introduced smart restaurants with robots machines imported from
China.
4. CM
Kamal Nath inaugurates “Magnificent Madhya Pradesh Conference”: Chief Minister of
Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath inaugurated the two-day Magnificent Madhya Pradesh
Conference in Indore. CM Kamal Nath also inaugurated the Global Trade
Exhibition at the Brilliant Convention Centre, Indore. Many well-known
industrialists are attending this conference. Foreign investment proposals
worth 4,385 crore rupees are in the process of consideration or final stage in
Madhya Pradesh.
Note: Governor of Madhya Pradesh: Lal Ji
Tandon; Capital: Bhopal
5.
Tamil Nadu constitutes two panels over water disputes with Kerala: The Tamil Nadu
government constituted two committees to deal over water disputes with Kerala
relating to the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP) and the Pandiyar-Punnampuzha
project. Secretary of Tamil Nadu’s Public Works Department (PWD) K. Manivasan
would lead both the committees constituted by the State government. Cauvery
Technical Committee chairperson R. Subramanian is also part of both the panels.
Note: Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu:
Edappadi K. Palaniswami; Governor: Banwarilal Purohit; Tamil Nadu Capital:
Chennai.
6.
Kerala extends maternity leave benefits to teachers, other staff: Kerala is
extending maternity leave benefits to teachers and other staff of private
educational institutions, including those in the unaided sector. The Union
Government has approved the Kerala Government’s decision to bring these
teachers and employees under the Maternity Benefit Act.
After the amendment to the Act comes into
force, Kerala would become the first state in the country to provide maternity
benefits in the private educational sector. Employees covered under the law can
avail 26 weeks’ maternity leave with salary. Moreover, an employer has to
provide an amount of 1,000 rupees as a medical allowance.
7.
India's livestock population increases to over 535 million: The Department of
Animal Husbandry and Dairying released the 20th Livestock Census -2019. As per
Livestock Census -2019, India's livestock population has increased to over 535
million, showing an increase of 4.6% over Livestock Census-2012. The share of
cattle is around 36%, the goat (over 27%), buffaloes (over 20%), cow 18%
(population - over 145 million) , sheep (around 14%) and pigs (around 2%).
Among the states, West Bengal reported the highest increase of over 23% in
livestock population, followed by Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
8. A
new book titled “India in a Warming world: Integrating Climate Change and
Development” set to release: A new book titled “India in a Warming
World: Integrating Climate Change and Development” is set to release on
November 2019. This book is featuring a collection of articles by climate
experts including Sunita Narain, Anil Agarwal, Dr Friederike Otto & Shibani
Ghosh, edited by Navroz K Dubash. It is
published by Oxford University Press (OUP). This book aims to bring together
the many and growing, voices that seek to find the language and ideas with
which to engage climate change and to do so from a perspective that resonates
with broader Indian development policy discourses.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Italy set to introduce web tax on digital giants from 2020: Italy approved a
new tax on digital companies, including U.S. tech giants, as part of its 2020
draft budget on October 16. The levy, due to be introduced from next year, will
oblige companies such as Facebook, Google and Amazon, to pay a 3% levy on
internet transactions, according to a text of the draft budget. The Italian
scheme is expected to yield about 600 million euros ($662 million).
Note: President: Sergio Mattarella; Prime
Minister: Giuseppe Conte; Capital: Rome; Currency: Euro.
2.
India to gift 75,000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan: According to Vinay
Kumar (Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan), India will gift 75,000 metric tonnes
of wheat to Afghanistan in November. The Indian envoy made these announcements
while speaking at the 37th anniversary of the Afghan Red Crescent Society's
(ARCS) Special Week. In October 2017, India sent its maiden cargo of wheat to
Afghanistan through the Chabahar port in Iran, bypassing Pakistan. The Indian
government has supplied 1.1 million tonnes of wheat for the people of
Afghanistan on a grant basis. During the last four years, around 2000 Afghan
children in the age group of 4 months to 18 years have been treated with
India's assistance of USD 4 million.
3.
World Steel Association elected Sajjan Jindal as vice Chairman: The World Steel
Association (Worldsteel) has elected Sajjan Jindal, Chairman and Managing
Director, JSW Steel, as Vice-Chairman of the association for one year. The
association has also appointed Tata Steel CEO and MD T V Narendran and Arcelor
Mittal Chief L N Mittal as its members. The board also elected a 14-member
Executive Committee.
Note: Chairman of World Steel Association:
Andre Johannpeter; Formed: 10 July 1967; Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
England all-rounder Jennifer Louise Gunn announces retirement from
international cricket: England all-rounder Jennifer Louise Gunn has announced
her retirement from international cricket. Gunn, who is England’s most capped
player in T20Is, made 259 appearances for her country, winning 3 World Cups and
five Ashes series. She was a member of the England side that won the inaugural
Women’s World T20 in 2009, and also featured in her country’s Women’s World
Cup-winning campaign that same year.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
Home Credit India join hand with Karur Vysya Bank for joint lending: Home Credit India
(HCIN), a local arm of the international consumer finance provider, has tied-up
with Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) for joint lending using end-to-end automated
processing which will help the customer get real-time approval and
disbursement. Under the agreement, HCIN and KVB will disburse loans in a single
amount to customers. With this partnership and by leveraging the lower cost of
funds of KVB, Home Credit India will be able to reach out to a new segment of
customer. Home Credit India has operations spread over 179 cities across 20
States in India.
Note: Managing Director and CEO: PR
Seshadri; founded: 1916; Headquarters: Karur, Tamil Nadu.
AWARDS & HONOURS
1.
Hong Kong’s orchestra wins “Orchestra of the year award 2019” at Gramophone
Awards: Hong
Kong Philharmonic Orchestra has been named orchestra of the year at the 2019
Gramophone Awards. The group is the first Asian orchestra to win the award, a
fact noted by its Dutch-born conductor Van Zweden, who has been its Music
Director since 2012. The category is the only one of the classical music
magazine’s awards open to the public vote. This award is often likened to the
Oscars for the classical music world.
DEFENCE
1.
India-Oman begin joint training exercise ‘EX EASTERN BRIDGE-V’: Indian Air Force
(IAF) kickstarted its bilateral joint exercise with Royal Air Force Oman
(RAFO), named ‘EX EASTERN BRIDGE-V’ at Air Force Base Masirah, Oman. The
exercise will be held till October 26. The IAF contingent comprises of MiG-29
and C-17 aircraft. MiG-29 will be exercising with Royal Air Force Oman’s Eurofighter
Typhoon, F-16 and Hawk. For the first time, MiG-29 fighter aircraft will be
participating in an international exercise outside India. The exercise will
enhance inter-operability during mutual operations between the two Air Forces
and will provide an opportunity to learn from each other’s best practices. Last
time, the bilateral exercise was held in 2017 at Jamnagar, Gujarat.
Oman Capital: Muscat, Currency: Omani rial.
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