Daily GK Update- 4th Oct, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi launches Jal Jeevan Mission App and Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh: Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi virtually launched the Jal Jeevan Mission App and Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh, on October 02, 2021, as a part of the flagship Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched in 2019. The Jal Jeevan Mission has been empowering women of the country by saving their time and efforts which was earlier consumed in covering long distances to fetch drinking water.

About the Jal Jeevan Mission app:  The Jal Jeevan Mission App has been launched to improve awareness among stakeholders and for greater transparency and accountability of schemes under the Mission. All details about the mission, including how many households received water, quality of water, among other things, will be available in one place on the mobile application.

About the Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh (RJJK): Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh (RJJK) will enable individuals, institutions, corporations, or philanthropists, either in India or abroad, to contribute/donate to provide tap water connection in every rural household, school, Anganwadi centre, ashram shala, and other public institutions. The RJJK has been launched as a registered public charitable trust, set up by the department of drinking water and sanitation, under the ministry of Jal Shakti.

 

2. GoI launches ‘Waste to Wealth’ web portal: The government of India has launched a web portal called “Waste to Wealth” to enhance cooperation for sustainable development through economy and community participation. The web portal will bring together technology providers, government stakeholders and urban local bodies to find solutions to India’s waste problems, mainly plastic waste. The portal has been launched by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and inaugurated by the Principal Scientific Advisor K. Vijay Raghavan on October 02, 2021, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

 

3. Kiren Rijiju inaugurates India’s first Sports Arbitration Centre in Gujarat: The Union Minister of Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju has inaugurated the first Sports Arbitration Centre of India at Ahmedabad in Gujarat. This Sports Arbitration Centre of India (SACI) will serve as an independent body to fast track disputes in the sports sector and serve as a mechanism to redress issues related to sports.

About the SACI: The SACI will be promoted by Ahmedabad-based SE TransStadia Pvt Ltd. and all legal backing will be provided by the Ministry of Law and Justice. The SACI will have a far-reaching impact for the sports sector of the country by creating a reputation and establishing credibility for itself through the provision to settle disputes and other issues and concerns of the sports sector in a fast, transparent and very accountable manner.

 

4. World’s largest Khadi National Flag hoisted in Leh, Ladakh: The world’s largest national flag, made up of Khadi cloth, has been installed in Leh, Ladakh, on the occasion of the 152nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 02, 2021. The Khadi national flag was inaugurated by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur. The flag is made by Khadi Dyers and Printers based in Mumbai which is affiliated to the Khadi Village and Industries Commission. The Sura-Soi Engineer Regiment was entrusted with the responsibility of bringing the national flag from Mumbai to Leh and also with the task of installing it at the top of the high mountains for the unveiling ceremony. About the flag:

(1) The tricolour is 225-feet long and 150-feet wide. It weighs around 1,000 kg.

(2) The flag has been prepared by the 57 Engineer Regiment of the Indian Army.

(3) The flag is the largest handwoven and handspun cotton khadi flag ever manufactured in India.

 

5. Kangana Ranaut becomes brand ambassador of UP’s ODOP Scheme: The Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has named veteran Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut as the brand ambassador of the ambitious “One District One Product (ODOP) scheme” of the state. CM Yogi also presented Kangana with a silver coin which was used for ‘Ram Janm Bhumi Pujan’.

About the ODOP scheme: The UP government has launched the one district-one product (ODOP) programme with the aim to create product-specific traditional industrial hubs across 75 districts of the state. The scheme encourages such indigenous and specialized products and crafts of UP that are not found anywhere else.

Note: UP Capital: Lucknow; UP Governor: Anandiben Patel; UP Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath.

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. World Habitat Day: 4th October: The United Nations designated the first Monday of October as World Habitat Day. In 2021, World Habitat Day is being celebrated on October 04. The day is commemorated every year worldwide to throw light on the condition of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. The day is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns. The theme for 2021 World Habitat Day is “Accelerating urban action for a carbon-free world”.

History: In 1985 the United Nations designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day. World Habitat Day was first celebrated in 1986 with the theme “Shelter is My Right”.

 

2. World Animal Day: 4th October: The World Animal Day is observed annually on October 04 since 1929. The day aims to raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe. It was originated by Heinrich Zimmermann and he organized the first World Animal Day on 24 March 1925 at the Sport Palace in Berlin, Germany. The event was moved to 4 October for the first time in 1929.

 

3. World Space Week: 4th-10th October: The World Space Week (WSW) is observed every year from October 4 to 10, to celebrate science and technology, and their contribution towards the betterment of the human condition. WSW was declared by the United Nations General Assembly on December 6, 1999. The 2021 theme is “Women in Space”!

History of World Space Week: WSW was declared by the United Nations General Assembly on December 6, 1999. The dates commemorate the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik I, on 4 October 1957 and the entry into force of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies on 10 October 1967.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Birendra Lakra and SV Sunil announces retirement from International Hockey: S V Sunil, the veteran forward and star striker of India men’s field hockey team and Olympic bronze medal-winning Indian hockey star defender Birendra Lakra have announced their retirement from international hockey. The 31-year-old Lakra was part of the bronze medal-winning Indian side in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 as vice-captain. He has represented India in 197 games with 10 goals. The 32-year-old Sunil has scored 72 goals in 264 appearances for the national team.

 

2. Indian men’s team wins bronze medal in Asian Table Tennis Championship 2021: The Indian men’s table tennis team claimed the bronze medal in the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Doha, Qatar, after losing to South Korea 0-3 in the semi-finals. The Indian team was assured of a medal after beating Iran 3-1 in the quarterfinals. Both the semifinalists secure a bronze. This is the second medal for India at the Asian Championships since 1976. The bronze medal-winning Indian team comprised of Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, Sanil Shetty, and Manav Thakkar.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Government extends ECLGS Scheme till 31.03.2022 (or till Rs 4.5 lakh crore guarantee): The Government of India has extended the timeline of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) till 31.03.2022 or till guarantees for an amount of Rs 4.5 lakh crore are issued under the scheme, whichever is earlier. Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) was launched by Government of India as a special scheme in view of COVID-19. The last date of disbursement under the scheme has also been extended to 30.06.2022. ECLGS is managed by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd (NCGTC).

 

2. Govt approves IPO of ECGC and capital infusion of Rs 4,400 crore to ECGC: The government of India has approved a capital infusion of Rs. 4,400 crore to ECGC Ltd for a period of five years, i.e. from FY 2021-2022 to FY 2025- 2026. ECGC Limited is a wholly-owned CPSE of the Government of India. The government has also approved the Initial Public Offer (IPO) on the Stock Exchange of ECGC Ltd. ECGC was set up with the objective of improving the competitiveness of the exports by providing Credit Risk Insurance and related services for exports.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Piramal Group acquires DHFL for Rs 34,250 crore: Piramal Enterprises has completed the acquisition of Dewan Housing Finance Limited (DHFL) by paying the consideration amount of Rs 34,250 crore. This is the first successful resolution of a financial services company under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). Dewan Housing Finance (DHFL) is the first financial services firm to go for bankruptcy proceedings. It is a non-deposit-taking housing finance company. The creditors of DHFL will recover an aggregate amount of Rs 38,000 crore from the DHFL’s resolution, which includes Rs 34,250 crore paid by Piramal Enterprises and Rs 3,800 crore from the cash balance of DHFL.

 

2. Amish Mehta appointed as new MD & CEO of CRISIL: Amish Mehta has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of rating agency Crisil with effect from October 01, 2021. He has replaced Ashu Suyash. Crisil is owned by S&P. Mehta has more than two decades of leadership experience across industries and joined Crisil in October 2014 as President and Chief Financial Officer. In July 2017, he was elevated as the President and Chief Operating Officer, responsible for the global analytical centre, India research and SME, the global innovation and excellence hub and corporate strategy.

Note: Crisil Founded: 1987; Crisil Headquarters: Mumbai.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Indian Organisation LIFE receives 2021 Right Livelihood Award: The Delhi-based environmental organisation “Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE)” has been felicitated with the 2021 Right Livelihood Award, an international honour, also known as Sweden’s alternative Nobel Prize. LIFE has been selected for the award for its “grassroots approach of empowering vulnerable communities to protect their livelihoods and claim their right to a clean environment.” Apart from this, other three awardees who were also honoured include:

(1) Cameroonian women rights activist Marthe Wandou

(2) Russian environmental activist Vladimir Slivyak

(3) Canadian Indigenous rights defender Freda Huson

About the Awards: The Award was established in 1980 by German-Swedish philanthropist Jakob von Uexkull to “honour and support those who offer a practical and exemplary contribution in such fields as environmental protection, human rights, sustainable development, health, education, which are not included in Nobel Prize list. The Right Livelihood Award comes with a cash prize of 1 million Swedish crowns ($115,000) and long-term support to highlight and expand Laureates’.

 

2. Shiv Nadar to be awarded Global Leadership Award 2021: The US India Business Council (USIBC) has chosen Shiv Nadar and Mallika Srinivasan as the recipient of its 2021 Global Leadership Award. Shiv Nadar is the founder and chairman emeritus of HCL Technologies Limited. Mallika Srinivasan is the chair and managing director, Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE). Both will be honoured at the 2021 India Ideas Summit to be held on October 6-7, 2021.