Daily GK Update- 11th Oct, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Maharashtra Government launches ‘Mission Kavach Kundal’: The state government of Maharashtra has launched a special Covid-19 vaccination drive named as Mission Kavach Kundal, with the target of inoculating 15 lakh people everyday. The week-long drive has been organised from October 08 to October 14, 2021. The drive is in line with Centre’s target of reaching 100 crore vaccination mark till 15 October 2021. Meanwhile, the country reported 22,431 new cases in the last 24 hours. The active caseload is presently 2,44,198, which is the lowest in 204 days. Maharashtra reported 2,876 new Coronavirus positive cases, 90 fatalities and 2,763 discharges, a state health department bulletin.

Note: Maharashtra Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari; Maharashtra Capital: Mumbai; Maharashtra CM: Uddhav Thackeray.

 

2. India’s Newest Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh: National Tiger Conservation Authority has approved the Chhattisgarh government’s proposal to declare the combined areas of the Guru Ghasidas National Park & Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve. It is located in the northern part of the state, bordering Madhya Pradesh & Jharkhand. This is the 4th Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh (Udanti-Sitanadi, Achanakmar, Indravati).

Note: CM of Chhattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel; Governor of Chhattisgarh: Anusuiya Uikey.

 

3. UNESCO launches 2021 State of the Education Report for India: On the Occasion of the World Teachers’ Day, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched its 2021 State of the Education Report (SOER) for India: “No Teacher, No Class”. This publication is the annual flagship report of UNESCO New Delhi and it is based on extensive research. This third edition of the State of Education Report focused on the theme of teachers, teaching and teacher education. Access to the internet in schools is 19 per cent all over India.

Key Points of the reports:

(1) The Higher proportion of women teachers: Chandigarh, Delhi, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu

(2) The lower proportion of women teachers: Tripura, Assam, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Bihar.

(3) Increase the number of teachers and improve working conditions in North-Eastern states, rural areas and ‘aspirational districts.

(4) Increase the number of physical education, music, art, vocational education, early childhood and special education teachers.

(5) Provide teachers with meaningful Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training.

(6) Develop teaching governance through consultative processes, based on mutual accountability.

 

4. Bathukamma festival begins in Telangana: The nine-day floral festival has begun in Telangana. The festival began with excitement as the women were dressed in traditional clothes and colourful processions were carried out in Telangana, the Bathukamma festival is celebrated during Durga Navratri. Bathukamma festival begins on the day of Mahalaya Amavasya and the festival continues till nine days, ending on the day of Durgashtami.

Note: Telangana Capital: Hyderabad; Telangana Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan; Telangana Chief minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. First Malaria Vaccine Approved by W.H.O.: World Health Organization (WHO) is recommending widespread use of the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine among children in sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission. The recommendation is based on results from an ongoing pilot programme in Ghana, Kenya & Malawi that has reached more than 800 000 children since 2019.

The vaccine is developed by British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Many vaccines exist against viruses and bacteria but this was the first time that the WHO recommended broad use of a vaccine against a human parasite. The vaccine acts against Plasmodium falciparum, one of five parasite species and the most deadly. The symptoms of malaria are fever, headaches, and muscle pain, then cycles of chills, fever, and sweating.

Note: President of the World Health Organisation: Tedros Adhanom; Headquarters of WHO: Geneva, Switzerland; WHO founded: 7 April 1948.

 

2. International Girl Child Day: 11th October: Every year on 11th October we celebrate the International Day of the girl child. This occasion is remarked to highlight the importance of a girl child and also to identify their potentials by opening a new door of opportunities for them. The United Nations declared 11th October as International Day of the girl child to recognize the voice of young girls around the globe and to increase awareness regarding the issues faced by them. According to the UN there is a neglection being faced by girl child everywhere. The UN also points out a gender divide within the digital divide. The reason behind celebrating this day is to give thorough education, social well-being, learning, healthcare, and opportunities to young girls and women around the globe.

The theme for International Day of girl child 2021 is “ Digital generation“. The reason behind this theme is that girls are more likely to be cut off within the digital divide. This year this theme will focus on empowering girls and women towards a digital revolution where people use technology in various ways to learn new skills and earn revenue.

International Girl Child Day History: The United Nations declared October 11 as the International Day of goals child on December 19, 2011. this decision was taken in contrast to the initiative that began in 1995 as a non-government international plan of action to address the challenges being faced by young women.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Wrestler Anshu Malik becomes 1st Indian woman to win World Championships Silver: At the 2021 World Wrestling Championships, Indian wrestler Anshu Malik created history as she became the first Indian women finalist at the World Championship, and also the first female player from India to claim a silver medal. The 19-year old Anshu settled for a silver medal after losing to 2016 Olympic champion Helen Lousie Maroulis of the United States in a 57kg freestyle bout.

Till date, Indian women wrestlers Alka Tomar (2006), Geeta Phogat (2012), Babita Phogat (2012), Pooja Dhanda (2018) and Vinesh Phogat (2019) have been able to win a bronze each. Wrestler Sushil Kumar (2010) is the lone wrestler from India to win World Championship till date. Besides this, Sarita Mor claimed her maiden medal by winning bronze in the 59kg category at the 2021 World Wrestling Championships being held at Oslo, Norway from October 02 to 10, 2021.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. PNB launches ‘6S Campaign’ under customer outreach programme: Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched ‘6S Campaign’ under a customer outreach programme to extend financial services at a concessional rate during the festival season. The ‘6S Campaign’ encapsulates different schemes such as – Swabhiman, Samruddhi, Sampark and Shikhar, Sankalp and Swagat. The objective is to drive a special awareness campaign for the development of financial services in the country and to accelerate credit growth, improve penetration of social security schemes and drive digital banking push.

About the ‘6S Campaign’ programme:

(1) Through Swabhimaan, the Bank aims to aggressively push the financial inclusion agenda by deepening penetration of the three Jan Suraksha or Social Security Schemes pertaining to the insurance and pension sector namely, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, and Atal Pension Yojana.

(2) Under the Samruddhi scheme, Bank aims to drive credit outreach for the agricultural sector which is the cornerstone of the Indian economy.

(3) Under Shikhar, Sankalp and Swagat schemes, the Bank has devised special rates of interest to drive credit offtake in the retail and MSME sector. In addition, focussed products and customer segments have also been identified for targeted outreach in line with the Bank’s broader strategic agenda.

(4) Within the ambit of Digital Outreach and Service Delivery, Bank would run a Sampark campaign, aimed at driving penetration of its flagship mobile application, PNB One.

Note: Punjab National Bank Headquarters: New Delhi; Punjab National Bank MD and CEO: S. S. Mallikarjuna Rao; Punjab National Bank Founded: 19 May 1894, Lahore, Pakistan.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Tata Group wins bid for Air India: Tata Group, the progenitor of the Air India airline, reclaimed it, nearly 60 years after it was nationalised. Tata Sons bid ₹180 billion for the government’s 100% stake in Air India. The government is seeking to sell 100 per cent of its stake in the state-owned national airline, including Air India’s 100 per cent shareholding in AI Express Ltd and 50 per cent in Air India SATS Airport Services Private Ltd. The stake sale process, which begun on January 2020, faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In April 2021, the government asked potential bidders to put in financial bids.

History of Air India: JRD Tata founded the airline in October 1932 and it was at that time called Tata Airlines. This marks the return of Air India to Tata fold after 68 years. The government nationalised the airline in 1953. With this, the airline will go back to the Tatas who have a long history with the national carrier.

Reason the government want India sell Air India: Air India has been in losses ever since its merger with domestic operator Indian Airlines in 2007. The airline, which was formed by the Tatas as a mail carrier in 1932, will give the successful bidder control of 4,400 domestic and 1,800 international landing and parking slots at domestic airports, as well as 900 slots at airports overseas. Besides, the bidder would get 100 per cent of the low-cost arm Air India Express and 50 per cent of AISATS, which provides cargo and ground handling services at major Indian airports.

 

2. IFSCA launches Global FinTech Hackathon Series ‘I-Sprint’21’: The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has launched the global FinTech Hackathon Series ‘I-Sprint’21’. The first Sprint of the series is “Sprint01: BankTech”, which focuses on FinTechs for the Banking sector. Sprint01: BankTech is organised jointly by IFSCA and GIFT city in collaboration with NITI Aayog. The Partners to the Hackathon are ICICI Bank, HSBC Bank, iCreate, Zone Startups and Invest-India. The hackathon will be conducted virtually and is open for all eligible FinTechs from across the Globe. The Price money for this hackathon is Rs 24 lakh.

About IFSCA: IFSCA was established by the Ministry of Finance on April 27 2020, as a unified regulator of all financial products, financial services, and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) in India. It has its headquarter at GIFT city in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. India-UK Joint Company Level Military Exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior’ begins: The 6th Edition of India–UK Joint Company Level Military Training EXERCISE AJEYA WARRIOR has commenced at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. The exercise is part of an initiative to develop interoperability and sharing expertise with friendly foreign nations. Armies would familiarise themselves with each other’s weapons, equipment, tactics, techniques, etc. The troops of the two countries will also share the experiences that they have learnt during the conduct of several military operations in their respective countries and overseas engagements. The exercise will conclude with a gruelling 48 hours exercise to validate the performance of both armies in conducting joint military operations in a semi-urban environment.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. ‘Father of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb’ A. Q. Khan passes away: Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, the man regarded as the “Father of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb”, has passed away, He was 85. The atomic scientist, Dr Khan was hailed as a national hero for transforming Pakistan into the world’s first Islamic nuclear power and for his contributions in enhancing the country’s defence capabilities.