NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
IIT Madras startup launches ‘mooPay’ for dairy farmers in Rajasthan: The IIT-Madras
incubated dairy-tech startup, “Stellapps” has launched a first-of-its-kind, fully-automated
direct payment platform, ‘mooPay’, for dairy farmers in Rajasthan. The Digital
technology solutions provider Stellapps is a first of its kind end-to-end dairy
technology solutions company of India. It is also one of the technology pioneers
of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
About “mooPay”: mooPay is a payment gateway
for dairies and dairy farmers where the dairy officials can transfer milk
payments digitally to member farmers from the dairies’ existing bank account to
farmers’ savings bank account. Directly depositing payments in farmers’ bank
accounts will help enhance farmer savings and will also build farmer loyalty to
the dairy. This will remove the risks and costs of transferring money in cash
to hundreds of thousands of farmers in hundreds of villages.
Note: Stellapps CEO: Ranjith Mukundan;
Stellapps headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka.
2. UP
Governor launches “Safe City Project” for women’s safety: Uttar Pradesh (UP)
Governor, Anandiben Patel has launched “Safe City Project” – a women’s safety
campaign in Lucknow, UP. The Project is a 180-day-long campaign under which
police and other departments will work towards strengthening the security of
women in public places. The campaign will involve the movement of women police
personnel to inculcate a feeling of pride and safety for women in Lucknow. The
UP Governor flagged off 100 pink scooters and 10 four-wheeler police vehicles
as part of the campaign. The vehicles are equipped with first-aid kits,
flashlights and other facilities.
About the Safe City Project: It is a
mission mode initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Its main aim of
Safe City Project is to create a safe, secure and empowering environment for
women in public places. Eight cities (Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru,
Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Lucknow) have been identified for implementation of
this project in the first phase. The projects will be financed under Nirbhaya
Fund at a cost of INR 2919.55 Crores.
Note: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister: Yogi
Adityanath.
3.
FSSAI to expand its new food safety compliance platform across entire India
from November 01: The
food regulator FSSAI has announced to extend its Food Safety Compliance System
(FoSCoS) across the entire country from November 1, 2020. Currently the system is operational only in
nine States/UTs since June 2020, which are Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat, Odisha,
Chandigarh, Goa, Manipur, Puducherry and Ladakh. FoSCoS is a cloud-based,
upgraded new food safety compliance online platform of FSSAI. It can be accessed
at https://foscos.fssai.gov.in. FoSCoS will provide one point stop for all
engagement of a food business operator (FBO) with the department, for any
regulatory compliance transaction. It will replace the existing online FLRS
(Food Licensing and Registration System), which is operational in all the
states since 2011 for licensing and registration (URL
https://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in). FLRS has till date issued about 70 lakh
licences/ registrations while over 40 lakh licensees/ registrants are actively
transacting on it.
4.
Three Tamil Nadu students made nano-satellite, to be launched by NASA: The National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has chosen an indigenous
experimental satellite developed by three students from Tamil Nadu for launch
in suborbital space. The three students are mentored and guided by
Chennai-based Space Kids India. They hail from pockets in Tamil Nadu – M Adnaan
of Thanthonrimalai, M Kesavan of Nagampalli village near Malaikovilur and V
Arun of Thennilai. They gained this opportunity as they bagged the Cubes in
Space competition, a global competitive programme for aspiring space scientists
by Idoodledu Inc in association with NASA.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
India 4th most powerful country in Asia Power Index 2020: India has been
ranked at 4th position, with a score of 39.7 out of 100, in the Asia Power
Index 2020, released by the Sydney-based Lowy Institute. The Asia Power Index
2020 ranks 26 countries and territories to assess the relative power of states
in Asia. The United States has retained its position as the most powerful
country influencing the Asia-Pacific with a score of 81.6. It is followed by
China (76.1) and Japan (41) at second and third spot respectively. The annual
Asia Power Index is an analytical tool that ranks countries in terms of what
they have, and what they do with what they have (resources and influence) to
have dominant power in Asia.
2.
India hosts 7th meeting of Ministers of Justice of SCO: The 7th meeting of
Ministers of (Law and) Justice of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
Member States was virtually hosted by Indian Minister of Law & Justice,
Communication and Electronics & Information Technology, Ravi Shankar
Prasad. The Indian side urged the SCO Member States to promote the exchange of
ideas, best practices and experiences in identified areas through the platform.
He also mentioned initiating Pro Bono Legal Services to provide free legal aid
to marginalized sections of the society.
The virtual meeting was attended by justice
ministers from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan, according to a statement by the Ministry Of Law and Justice. The
Seventh Session of the Justice Ministers of SCO member states deliberated on
areas of cooperation; emphasized the high relevance of mutual exchange of legal
information on counteraction to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and
acknowledged the need for cooperation in ADR mechanism area, among others.
3. World
Statistics Day: 20th October: The third World Statistics Day is observed
globally on 20 October 2020. The celebration of World Statistics Day 2020 is a
global collaborative endeavour, organized under the guidance of the United
Nations Statistical Commission. The World Statistics Day 2020 theme “Connecting
the world with data we can trust.” This theme reflects the importance of trust,
authoritative data, innovation and the public good in national statistical
systems. The day was first observed in 2010 as proposed by UN Statistical
Commission at its 41st Session in 2010 under the theme ‘Celebrating the many
achievements of official statistics’.
4.
World Osteoporosis Day: 20th October: The World Osteoporosis Day (WOD) is
observed globally on 20 October. The day is celebrated to raise global
awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and
metabolic bone disease. WOD is organized by the International Osteoporosis
Foundation (IOF), by the launch of a year-long campaign with a specific theme.
WOD aims to make osteoporosis and fracture prevention a global health priority
by reaching out to health-care professionals, the media, policymakers,
patients, and the public at large. In 2020 the Global WOD Campaign theme is
“THAT’S OSTEOPOROSIS”, highlighting emotionally impactful visuals and stories
of real people living with osteoporosis in all regions of the world.
Note: International Osteoporosis Foundation
Headquarters location: Nyon, Switzerland; International Osteoporosis Foundation
President: Cyrus Cooper; International Osteoporosis Foundation Founded: 1998.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Nozomi Okuhara and Anders Antonsen wins Denmark Open 2020: In Badminton,
former World Champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan clinched the Denmark Open 2020
title beating three-time world champion Carolina Marin in women’s singles. In
the men’s singles final, world number seven Anders Antonsen of Denmark defeated
his compatriot Rasmus Gemke. Winners List:
|
Category |
Name of the
Sportsperson |
|
Women’s Single |
Nozomi Okuhara (Japan) |
|
Men’s Single |
Anders Antonsen
(Denmark) |
|
Men’s Double |
Marcus Ellis and Chris
Langridge (England) |
|
Women’s Double |
Yuki Fukushima and
Sayaka Hirota (Japan) |
|
Mixed Double |
Mark Lamsfuss and
Isabel Herttrich (Germany) |
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
IDBI Bank launches banking services on WhatsApp: IDBI Bank announced
the launch of banking services on WhatsApp. The WhatsApp Banking service is
being offered through a dedicated WhatsApp verified number ensuring end-to-end
encryption, the Bank stated. The facility will enable IDBI Bank customers to
avail various essential services such as account balance information, last five
transactions, request for a cheque book and an email statement, interest rates,
as well as details of IDBI Bank branches/ATMs in the vicinity, to begin with.
Note: IDBI Bank Headquarters: Mumbai,
Maharashtra; IDBI Bank CEO: Rakesh Sharma.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
ISA Solar Awards conferred for the first time: For the first time,
since the inception of the framework agreement of ISA, the Solar Awards were
presented during the third Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA)
to the countries of the region as well as institutions working for solar. Three
categories of awards were conferred which included: (1) Visvesvaraya award recognises
the countries with a maximum floating solar capacity in each of the four
regions of ISA; (2) Kalpana Chawla awards recognise the outstanding
contribution of scientists and engineers working in the field of solar energy;
(3) Diwakar award recognizes organisations & institutions that have been
working for the benefit of differently-abled people and have maximised the use
of solar energy in the host country.
List of Winners:
Visvesvaraya award: Japan for the Asia
Pacific region and the Netherlands for Europe and Others region.
Kalpana Chawla awards: Dr Bhim Singh from
IIT Delhi (India) and Dr Aaesha Alnuaimi from Dubai Electricity and Water
Authority (United Arab Emirates).
Diwakar award: Arpan Institute (Haryana)
and Arushi Society.
Note: ISA Headquarters Location: Gurgram,
Haryana; ISA Leader: Upendra Tripathy.
DEFENSE
1.
8th India-Sri Lanka Maritime Exercise SLINEX-20 begins: The 8th edition of
the annual Indian Navy (IN) – Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) bilateral maritime exercise
SLINEX-20 starts at Trincomalee, Sri Lanka from 19 to 21 October 2020. The
Indian Navy will be represented by the indigenously built ASW corvettes Kamorta
and Kiltan. The Sri Lanka Navy will be represented by SLN Ships Sayura
(Offshore Patrol Vessel) and Gajabahu (Training Ship).
About SLINEX-20: The SLINEX-20 will enhance
interoperability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and
procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both navies. The
exercise is being conducted in a non-contact ‘at-sea-only’ format in the
backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic. SLINEX series of exercise emphasises the deep
engagement between India and Sri Lanka which has strengthened mutual
cooperation in the maritime domain.
2.
India successfully test-fires BrahMos missile from INS Chennai: India successfully
test-fired the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, from the Indian Navy’s
indigenously-built stealth destroyer INS Chennai with the weapon hitting a
pre-designated target in the Arabian Sea. The missile hit the target in the
Arabian Sea successfully with pinpoint accuracy after performing high-level and
extremely complex manoeuvres.
About BrahMos Missile: The highly versatile
BrahMos has been jointly designed, developed and produced by India and Russia
under the joint venture, BrahMos Aerospace. The supersonic cruise missile can
be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, and land platforms. The missile
has a top speed of Mach 2.8, nearly three times the speed
of sound. The extended-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile that can hit
targets 400 km away. The range has been increased from the existing 290 km.
OBITUARIES
1. Marthoma Church Head Joseph Mar Thoma
passes away: Spiritual head of the Marthoma
Christian community Joseph Mar Thoma (89 years) passed away at a private hospital
in Thiruvalla due to pancreatic cancer. He was the 21st Marthoma Metropolitan
and primate of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church headquartered in Kerala, India. Mar
Thoma Church: It is also known also as the Reformed Syrian Church and is an
autonomous Reformed Oriental church. According to the 2011 Census of Kerala it
was the 6th largest Christian church in the state.
2. Veteran Bengali Vocal Artiste Pradip Ghosh passes away: Noted Bengali elocutionist Pradip Ghosh has passed away at his residence in Kolkata. He tested coronavirus positive, in a swab test which was taken after his death. He was 78. Ghosh was a prominent recitor and renowned vocal artist, who was well-known for his inimitable style of recitation. His most notable works included his recitation of Tagore’s poems, especially those for children.
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