NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
India’s first Green Technology incubation facility opened at NIT Srinagar: At the National
Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, a technology company incubator centred
on green technology (Green Technology incubation facility) called the
“Greenovator Incubation Foundation” will soon open. The Department of Science
and Technology (DST) is supporting a three-year initiative known as Inclusive
TBI (i-TBI) for educational institutions, idea generators, innovators, and
entrepreneurs to support innovative ideas, startup initiatives, and promote
self-employment and job creation through incubation. Key Points:
a)
All
of the money required to establish the Green Technology incubation facility
centre will be provided by the Department of Science and Technology. Startups
will have access to the co-working space, which includes conference spaces, a
prototype lab, and other amenities.
b)
In
addition to office space, financial support in the form of seed money would be
provided on an individual basis with equity in accordance with DST criteria.
c)
Saad
Parvez, the center’s CEO, described the forthcoming centre as the first of its
type in the area and claimed that it would foster ideas that would lead to
entrepreneurship and self-employment.
d)
Saad
Parvez continued by saying that this will be India’s first green technology
incubation centre. Aside from the softer aspects of GreenTech that fit with the
theme of the valley, the proposed incubator would address some of the issues
that have the potential to alter the socioeconomic standing of the valley and
produce innovations that could be applied to other markets, increasing the
likelihood of interstate trade and commerce.
e)
AgriTech,
EnviroTech, and AlterTech are some of the key topics on which the centre will
concentrate.
2. UP
first all-woman PAC battalions formed by Uttar Pradesh Govt: According to
Chief Minister Office officials, the Uttar Pradesh government announced the
creation of the first three all-female Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC)
battalions in the state. The objective of the action is to give women control
over the state’s security. Additionally, by designating women beat constables,
women’s aid desks were established at each of the state’s 1,584 police
stations. Key Points:
a)
Veer
Naris inspired the naming of the brigade. In accordance with the policy, 20% of
the state’s police force was set aside for the appointment of women in order to
empower them while also providing protection.
b)
In
honour of the state’s valiant and gallant women, three Provincial Sashastra
Seema Bal PAC lady battalions are being formed. These three battalions are
being called in honour of the Indian liberation fighters Rani Avantibai Lodhi,
Uday Devi, and Jhalkari Bai.
c)
They
are establishing themselves in Gorakhpur, Lucknow, and Badaun.
d)
One
women’s battalion of the PAC is now in the process of posting 1262 positions.
e)
There
are also positions for a shivirpal, nine assistant senanayaks, three deputy
senanayaks, 24 inspectors, 108 head constables, 842 scavengers, and cooks.
Note: Capital of Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow;
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Adityanath
3.
Brig. B.D. Mishra assumes additional charge as Governor of Meghalaya: At the Raj Bhavan
in Shillong, Brigadier (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.), the governor of Arunachal
Pradesh, assumed the role of governor of Meghalaya. After previous Governor
Satya Pal Malik’s term ended because he did not receive a term extension, he
has been handed the extra responsibility. The oath was delivered by Justice
Harman Singh Thangkhiew, acting chief justice of Meghalaya.
Brig. B. D. Mishra is a combat veteran who
fought for India in three significant conflicts in 1962, 1965, and 1971. On
October 3, 2017, he became the official governor of Arunachal Pradesh.
Note: Capital of Meghalaya: Shillong; Chief
Minister of Meghalaya: Conrad Kongkal Sangma
4.
Sandeep Kumar Gupta assumed charge as Chairman of GAIL: Sandeep Kumar
Gupta assumed charge as the chairman and managing director of GAIL (India)
Limited. Gupta, who will replace Manoj Jain, has a wide experience of over 34
years in the oil and gas industry. Before joining GAIL, he was working with
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) since 2019. Gupta, 56, is a commerce graduate and
a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. In June, the
Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) had selected him for the top role at
GAIL after interviewing 10 candidates.
Note: GAIL (India) Limited Headquarters:
New Delhi; GAIL (India) Limited Founded: 1984.
5.
Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Day: 9th October: October 9 is
celebrated as Indian Foreign Service Day. On 9 October 1946, the Indian
government established the Indian Foreign Service for India’s diplomatic,
consular and commercial representation overseas.
In 1947, there was a near seamless
transformation of the Foreign and Political department of the British India
government into what then became the new Ministry of External Affairs and
Commonwealth Relations, and in 1948, the first batch recruited under the
combined Civil Service Examination system of the Union Public Service
Commission joined the service. This system of entry has remained the staple
mode of intake into the Indian Foreign Service to this day.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Captain Ibrahim Traore chosen as President of Burkina Faso: Following Burkina
Faso‘s second coup in less than nine months, Captain Ibrahim Traore was named
president, according to an official announcement. At the weekend,
newly-emerging competitor Captain Ibrahim Traore, who was heading a band of
unhappy junior officers, overthrew Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo
Damiba, who had seized control in January, sending the poor Sahel nation into
fresh upheaval. Key Points:
a)
It
was the most recent coup to occur in the Sahel, a region that, like Burkina
Faso, is grappling with an escalating Islamist insurgency.
b)
Following
the two-day standoff, which was resolved by community and religious leaders,
Damiba escaped to Togo.
c)
A
seven-year-old jihadist campaign in Burkina Faso has resulted in thousands of
deaths, over two million house evacuations, and the loss of government
authority over more than a third of the nation.
d)
Damiba’s
January coup against the elected president was brought about by growing
resentment among the military forces.
e)
After
appointing himself interim head of state, Damiba had sworn to put the country’s
security first; yet, the assaults resumed after a brief calm, killing hundreds
of people.
Note: Capital of Burkina Faso: Ouagadougou;
Currency of Burkina Faso: West African CFA franc
2.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 Launches to International Space Station: A SpaceX rocket
soared into orbit from Florida carrying the next long-term International Space
Station crew, with a Russian cosmonaut, two Americans and a Japanese astronaut
flying together in a demonstration of US-Russian teamwork in space despite
Ukraine war tensions.
Crew Members: SpaceX Crew5 astronauts,
Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina, NASA astronaut Josh Cassada, NASA astronaut
Nicole Mann and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata.
The ISS Mission: The mission, designated Crew-5, marks the
fifth full-fledged ISS crew NASA has flown aboard a SpaceX vehicle since the
private rocket venture founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk began sending US
astronauts aloft in May 2020. The SpaceX launch vehicle, consisting of a Falcon
9 rocket topped with a Crew Dragon capsule dubbed Endurance, lifted off into
clear skies at noon from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. The
two-stage, 23-story-tall Falcon 9 ascended from the launch tower as its nine
Merlin engines roared to life in billowing clouds of vapor and a reddish-orange
fireball.
3.
Sibi George appointed India’s next ambassador to Japan: Senior Diplomat
Sibi George was appointed as the next Indian Ambassador to Japan. Sibi George
is a 1993-batch Indian Foreign Service Officer. He is currently serving as the
ambassador of India to Kuwait. Sibi George will replace Sanjay Kumar Verma as
the representative of India to Japan.
In 1993, he joined the Indian Foreign
Service. In 2014, the Government of India conferred on him the S.K.Singh Award
for his Excellence in Indian Foreign Service.
4.
World Mental Health Day: 10th October: World Mental Health Day is observed on
October 10 every year. On this day, various programs are designed to draw
attention to mental health issues and their effects on those affected and the
lives of their caregivers. In India, World Mental Health Day is marked on the
final day of the Mental Health Awareness Campaign Week campaign, launched last
year by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The theme or rather the
slogan for 2022’s celebration of World Mental health Day is “Make mental health
& well-being for all a global priority.”
World Mental Health Day History: World Federation
for Mental Health (WFMH) is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1948.
The then WFMH Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter initiated the first
celebration of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 1992. From 1994 onwards,
a special theme was selected each year for the global event.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Rest of India beat Saurashtra by eight wickets to win Irani Trophy: The Rest of
India’s side won the Irani Cup title after beating the Ranji Trophy Champion of
2019-2020 Saurashtra by eight wickets in Rajkot. Rest of India (ROI) chased
down the 105-run target, with Abhimanyu Easwaran remaining undefeated on 63
runs while adding 81 runs and Kona Bharat not out at 27. Key Points:
a)
Kuldeep
Sen took most of the wickets in the first innings against Saurashtra.
b)
ROI
dominated Saurashtra from the opening day when they clean-bowled the opposing
team for 98.
c)
The
eight-wicket partnership of Jaydev Unadkat and Prerak Mankad, however, Kuldeep
Sen changed the game in the favor of ROI.
About Irani Trophy: Irani Trophy is
also known as Mastercard Irani Trophy. It is a test match format cricket
tournament in India. It is played annually between the incumbent Ranji Trophy
winners and the Rest of the India Cricket Team. It is organized by the Board of
Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
RBI introduces Internal Ombudsman Mechanism for Credit Information Companies
(CICs): To
enhance the effectiveness of its grievance redressal systems, the Reserve Bank
of India (RBI) has urged Credit Information Companies to designate an internal
ombudsman (IO) by April 1, 2023. The Central Bank made the decision in August
to include CICs in the scope of the RBI-Integrated Ombudsman Scheme 2021 in
order to broaden its appeal. Key Points:
a)
Only
complaints that the CIC has already reviewed but rejected in whole or in part
will be handled by the IO. Direct complaints from complainants or members of
the public won’t be handled by it, the RBI said in a circular.
b)
The
RBI claimed that the action would give clients of regulated businesses a free
alternative dispute resolution method for complaints regarding CICs.
c)
“Every
CIC shall appoint the internal ombudsman for a fixed term of not less than
three years, but not exceeding five years” the circular said.
d)
The
IO position cannot at any moment be left unfilled, hence the CIC must make sure
of that, the circular said. Furthermore, it stated that the IO will not be
handling any complaints involving fraud and misappropriation, with the
exception of those brought about by a CIC service failure.
Who can be appointed: According to the
central bank, the internal ombudsman shall be either a retired or a serving
officer, not below the rank of deputy general manager or equivalent in any
financial sector regulatory body, credit information companies, a non-banking
financial company (NBFC) or bank, with necessary skills and experience of at
least seven years in banking, non-banking finance, financial sector regulation
or supervision, credit information, or consumer protection.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Aditya Birla Health Insurance launches Activ Fit for young & healthy adults: Aditya Birla
Health Insurance Co. Limited (ABHICL), the health insurance subsidiary of
Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL), has launched ‘Active Fit’ which is a
comprehensive health insurance plan for young and healthy adults. It is
first-of-its-kind in the industry. The ‘Active Fit’ plan by Aditya Birla Health
Insurance Co. Limited provides an upfront 10 percent good health discount basis
an assessment done through a unique facial scan, up to 50 percent HealthReturns
TM on being active and 100 percent binge refill to ensure that health insurance
becomes an attractive proposition for the cohort. Key Points:
a)
While
purchasing the policy, customers get a Good Health Discount of 10 percent
upfront.
b)
Customers
below the age of 35 years, can avail of an Early Bird Discount at renewal, 5
percent from the 4th to 7th policy year and 10 percent from the 8th policy year
for the lifetime of the policy.
c)
The
customer’s effort to stay healthy will be awarded with 50 percent HealthReturns
TM.
d)
The
customers can use the 100 percent binge refill feature in case of
hospitalization.
e)
The
Active Fit plan also covers Modern Treatment, Mental Care Cover, HIV/AIDS, and
STD, Day Care treatments, pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization, and
road ambulance cover.
f)
The
plan also covers maternity benefits, including normal delivery, C-section
Delivery, Newborn baby expenses, vaccination expenses, and stem cell preservation
2.
Alphabet Inc’s Google to build its first cloud region in Greece: Alphabet Inc’s
Google will set up its first cloud region in Greece, the company, giving a
boost to the country’s efforts to become a world cloud computing hub. The deal
is estimated to contribute some 2.2 billion euros ($2.13 billion) to Greece’s
economic output and create some 20,000 jobs by 2030. The investment would
enable organisations to better use their data, help improve low latency and
ensure users’ security in the face of cybersecurity threats.
Google’s investment comes two years after
Microsoft Corp. decided to build a data centre hub in the country. Amazon Inc’s
cloud computing division also opened its first office in Greece last year to
support what it said was a growing number of companies and public sector
agencies using its cloud services.
Note: Google CEO: Sundar Pichai; Google
Founded: 4 September 1998, California, United States; Google Founders: Larry
Page, Sergey Brin.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
The SASTRA Ramanujan Prize for 2022 will be awarded to Yunqing Tang: The SASTRA
Ramanujan Prize for 2022 will be awarded to Yunqing Tang Assistant Professor at
the University of California, Berkeley, USA. The Award is instituted by the
Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) in 2005.
The award includes a cash prize of $10,000 and it is presented annually to
individuals aged 32 and below, who made an outstanding contribution to the
field of mathematics. Key Points:
a)
Ms.
Yunqing Tang’s works display a remarkable combination of sophisticated
techniques in which the arithmetic and geometry of modular curves and Shimura
varieties play a central role.
b)
Tang’s
recent woke in collaboration with Frank Calegari and Vesselin Dimitrov on the
modular equation is of great significance.
c) Ms. Yunqing Tang is praised as one of the deepest and most creative Mathematicians of her age.
