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MONTHLY ISSUE OCTOBER 2020 64th EDITION Vanik’s Current Affairs

G20 VIRTUAL SUMMIT Contents

Topics of the Month ------1

Banking & Economy ------22

International ------29

National ------33

Recent Government Schemes ------42

Agreements & MOU’s ------23

States in News ------48

Recent Committees ------56

Webportals and Apps ------57

Ranks and Indices ------59

Acquisition and Merger ------63

Award & Honour ------64

Recent Appointments ------66

Sports ------69

Science and Technology ------71

Defence ------73

Recent Summits ------75

Books & Authors ------79

Miscellaneous ------80

Days & Dates ------82 MAGAZINE FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER – 2020

MAJOR ISSUES OF THE MONTH

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1 Basic Exchange And Cooperation Agreement : USA As a step towards strengthening the bilateral relation further USA is looking forward to India signing the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial cooperation (BECA), at the next India-USA 2+2 ministerial dialogue likely to be held in October, 2020. Key Points 2+2 talks:  They are a dialogue between two appointed ministers from each country. This meeting aims to discuss issues of strategic and security interests between the two countries.  Defense and foreign ministers or secretaries meet with their counterparts from another country.  India holds such talks with Japan and Australia, at the foreign secretary and defense secretary level.  India holds ministerial-level talks only with the USA. Apart from India, the United States holds such ministerial dialogues with Australia and Japan also.  The talks were announced in June 2017. The 2+2 dialogue has replaced the Strategic and Commercial Dialogue between the foreign and commerce ministers of the two countries that were held previously. BECA:  BECA will allow India to use the geospatial maps of the USA to get pinpoint military accuracy of automated hardware systems and weapons such as cruise and ballistic missiles.  BECA is an important precursor to India acquiring armed unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Predator-B from the USA. Predator-B uses spatial data for accurate strikes on enemy targets.  BECA is one of the four foundational military communication agreements between the two countries. The other three being GSOMIA, LEMOA, CISMOA.  Initially, India had reservations to geospatial mapping on the grounds of national security, but they were later addressed by mutual dialogue and discussion between the two countries. Other Maritime Developments Between India and the USA  A maritime information agreement is also under active deliberation between India and the USA. Once concluded, India will have such arrangements with all Quad countries.

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 Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is the informal strategic dialogue between India, USA, Japan and Australia with a shared objective to ensure and support a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.  In increasing military to military interactions, the USA has also posted a liaison officer at the Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) meant to promote Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).  The Information Fusion Centre serves countries that have White Shipping Information Exchange (White-shipping refers to commercial shipping information about the movement of cargo ships) agreements with India.  MDA is defined by the International Maritime Organization as the effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime domain that could impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of a country.  Recently, India posted a liaison officer at the USA Navy Central Command in Bahrain. Way Forward  Signing BECA is crucial for India in order to neutralise the Russia-China-Pakistan axis in the maritime domain and for the stability of the Indo-Pacific region. The acquisition of aerial platforms like the USA naval helicopters and multi-role fighters is a key priority for India in the current scenario of increasing Indo-China conflict.  The increase in India’s maritime interactions with the Quad countries centred around information sharing for improved MDA in the Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific will strengthen India’s position internationally.  Strategic hedging is the key to move forward in relationships with powerful countries like the USA. India and the USA must now strive to complete the unfinished agreements and set the course for a Comprehensive Strategic Global Partnership. Additional information General Security Of Military Information Agreement(GSOMIA)  GSOMIA allows militaries to share the intelligence gathered by them. Signed by India in 2002.  An extension to the GSOMIA, the Industrial Security Annex (ISA), was signed at the 2+2 dialogue in 2019.  ISA provides a framework for exchange and protection of classified military information between the USA and Indian defence industries. Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement  LEMOA allows both countries to have access to each other’s designated military facilities for refueling and replenishment.  Signed by India in 2016. Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement  COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) is the India specific version of CISMOA.  Valid for 10 years, COMCASA aims to provide a legal framework for the transfer of highly sensitive communication security equipment from the USA to India that will streamline and facilitate interoperability between their armed forces.  Signed by India in 2018.

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Reversing Global Wildlife Decline According to a Living Planet Report 2020 of the World Wildlife Fund. Wildlife populations have fallen by more than two-thirds over the last 50 years. Key Points Findings: Related to Biodiversity:  There has been a reduction of 68% in the global wildlife population between 1970 and 2016.  The highest biodiversity loss due to land use change: (1) Europe and Central Asia at 57.9 %; (2) North America at 52.5 %; (3) Latin America and Caribbean at 51.2 %; (4) Africa at 45.9 %; (5) Asia at 43%.  The sharpest declines have occurred throughout the world’s rivers and lakes, where freshwater wildlife has plummeted by 84% since 1970 — about 4% per year. Related to Land and Oceans:  75% of the Earth’s ice-free land surface has already been significantly altered.  Most of the oceans are polluted.  More than 85% of the area of wetlands has been lost during 1970-2016. India’s scenario:  India has 2.4% global land share, about 8% global biodiversity and around 16% global population  However, it has lost 12% of its wild mammals, 19% amphibians and 3% birds over the last five decades.  India’s ecological footprint per person is less than 1.6 global hectares (gha)/person (smaller than that of many large countries). But, its high population size has made the gross footprint significantly high.  Ecological Footprint: It is the amount of the environment necessary to produce the goods and services necessary to support a particular lifestyle. Factors responsible for this decline:  Changes in how land is used – from pristine forest to cropland or pasture – rank among the greatest threats to biodiversity on land worldwide.  Use and trade of wildlife.  Natural habitat loss.  Degradation and deforestation driven by food production processes. Need for Conservation Efforts:  Because the health of nature is intimately linked to the health of humans.  The emergence of new infectious diseases like Covid-19 tend to be related to the destruction of forests and wilderness.  Healthy ecosystems are the foundation of today’s global economies and societies, and the ones we aspire to build.

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 As more and more species are drawn towards extinction, the very life support systems on which civilisation depends are eroded.  As per the World Economic Forum, biodiversity loss is a disturbing threat with few parallels like extreme weather events, climate change, severe income inequality etc. Areas of Action Conservation Reserves: There must be renewed ambition from the world’s governments to establish large- scale conservation areas, placed in the most valuable hotspots for biodiversity worldwide, such as small islands with species found nowhere else.  These reserves, in which wildlife will live and roam freely, will need to cover at least 40% of the world’s land surface to help bend the curve from decline to recovery for species and entire ecosystems.  Management is more important than the size of reserves.  Habitat restoration and conservation efforts need to be targeted where they are needed most – for species and habitats on the verge of extinction. Food Production: Need is to transform our food systems to produce more on less land.  If every farmer on Earth used the best available farming practices, only half of the total area of cropland would be needed to feed the world. There are lots of other inefficiencies that could be ironed out too.  Reducing waste and favouring healthier and more environmentally friendly diets. Restoring Land: Efforts to restore degraded land are also required. Such as farmland that’s becoming unproductive as a result of soil erosion.  This could return 8% of the world’s land to nature by 2050. Afforestation: This can help not only in arresting soil erosion but also expansion of desertification along with avenues for biodiversity replenishment. Way Forward  While giving back to nature, the conservation measures would simultaneously slow climate change, reduce pressure on water, limit nitrogen pollution in the world’s waterways and boost human health.  Only a comprehensive set of policy measures that transform our relationship with the land and rapidly scale down pollution can build the necessary momentum.

Balanced loan restructuring scheme to tackle Covid-19 stress The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor has called for a balanced loan restructuring scheme to tackle the Covid-19 related stress in the ongoing pandemic period to maintain the health of Indian Economy. Key Points

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 The financial stability of the banking sector needs to be kept in mind while providing loan restructuring along with depositors' interest.  There are crores of depositors (small depositors, middle-class people, retired persons) who depend on deposit income while borrowers are only in lakhs.  The loan restructuring includes altering the terms of existing loans, usually to make them more favorable to the borrower. For example, the lender may restructure a loan to receive a lower interest rate or monthly payment.  Restructured loans are most common if the borrower states that he/she can no longer afford payments under the old terms.  The governor does not want a repeat of the Non-Performing Asset (NPA) surge that happened after 2014 with loan restructuring.  The economic measures taken by the RBI in the wake of the global financial crisis of 2008-09, led to a surge in bad loans from 2014-15.  The idea behind loan restructuring was to protect viable businesses that are facing genuine cash flow problems. The revival of business will ensure NPA levels are kept low and also ensure quick economic recovery.  However, the governor cautioned that the economic recovery would be gradual, as the upticks in some sectors appear to be levelling off as efforts towards reopening of the economy are confronted with rising infections. Background  In the recent Monetary Policy report, RBI has allowed banks to restructure loans to reduce the rising stress on incomes and balance sheets of large corporates, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as well as individuals.  A large number of firms that otherwise maintain a good track record are facing the challenge as their debt burden is becoming disproportionate, relative to their cash flow generation abilities.  The RBI set up a committee headed by K.V. Kamath on restructuring of loans impacted by the Covid- 19 pandemic.  The committee was tasked to recommend parameters for one-time restructuring of corporate loans.  The committee recommended five fi nan cialra tiosand sec tor-spe cific thresh oldsfor res o lu tion of Covid-19 re latedstressed as setsin 26 sec tors.  It also specified that restructured loan tenure cannot be extended beyond two years. Issues Involved  The major criticism of the restructuring scheme is the select 26 sectors identified by the K V. Kamath committee. However, there are many other sectors that are eligible for a restructuring scheme.  The 26 sec torsin cludeau to mo biles,power, tourism, ce ment,chem i cals,gems and jew ellery, lo gis tics,min ing,man u fac tur ing,real es tate,and ship pingamong oth ers.  As per the RBI, only those borrowers which were classified as standard and with arrears less than 30 days as at 1st March 2020 are eligible for restructuring.  The two year period is also very short for economic recovery. Given the GDP contraction and no second economic stimulus by the government in sight, the recovery will take longer than two years.  In May 2020, the government announced the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (or Self-reliant India Mission)’ with an economic stimulus package — worth Rs. 20 lakh crores aimed towards achieving the mission. Way Forward The loan restructuring must be a temporary step as continuing it for long may lead to an inflation surge, currency crisis, and financial instability. It is important that post-Covid-19, regulatory measures are rolled out in a very careful and orderly manner and the financial sector returns to normal functioning without relying on the regulatory relaxations as the new norm.

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4 G20 Environment Ministers Meeting (EMM) Saudi Arabia hosted the G20 Environment Ministers Meeting (EMM)  Global initiatives to reduce Land Degradation and Coral Reef Programme and two documents on climate change, related to managing emissions and climate change adaptations under the G20 in 2020, have been launched.  G20 EMM, 2019 saw an agreement on adopting a new implementation framework for actions to tackle the issue of marine plastic waste on a global scale. Key Points Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation:  It aims to strengthen the implementation of existing frameworks to prevent, halt, and reverse land degradation within G20 member states.  The Scientific Conceptual Framework for Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), developed by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), provides a scientific foundation for understanding, implementing and monitoring land degradation.  Globally, it aims to take into account possible implications on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-13: Climate Action, SDG-14: Life below Water, SDG-15: Life on Land) and adhere to the principle of doing no harm. Global Coral Reef Research and Development Accelerator Platform:  It is an innovative action-oriented initiative aimed at creating a global research and development programme to advance research, innovation and capacity building in all facets of coral reef conservation, restoration and adaptation.  It will strengthen ongoing efforts and commitments made to enhance coral reefs conservation and stop their further degradation.  Limiting global average temperature and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase, in line with the Paris Agreement, provides the only chance for the survival of coral reefs globally. India’s Stand:  India intends to take measures to enhance coral reef conservation under the National Coastal Mission Programme.  The proposed mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) will address the impact of climate change on coastal and marine ecosystems.  It will include all phases of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project.  India has also put efforts towards achieving land degradation neutrality and towards the attainment of global goals of climate change mitigation and adaptation.  The Indian government sees schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Card Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana as tools to tackle the problem of land degradation.

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 India is committed to working with G20 nations for a better world and is taking adequate action to meet the Paris Agreement and its climate commitments.  It was emphasised that equity, common but differentiated responsibilities, finance and technology partnerships are the key pillars to tackle the problem of climate change. Additional information Paris Agreement . It was adopted by 195 parties at the UN climate conference "COP 21" held in Paris in 2015 with an aim to reduce the hazardous greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. . Objective: To prevent an increase in global average temperature and keep it well below 2 degrees Celsius. . It emphasised that global GHG emissions must fall 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. . 19 members of the G20, except the USA which has pulled out of it, have voiced their commitment to the full implementation of the deal. G20 . It is an informal group of 19 countries and the European Union (EU), with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. . Headquarters: It operates as a forum and not as an organisation. Therefore, it does not have any permanent secretariat or management and administrative structure. . Members: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the USA, and the EU.

Parliamentary Committee Report on Startups The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance tabled a report related to startups in Parliament, as a review and remedial follow up to the start up India scheme launched in 2016 by GoI. Key Points Recommendations:  Indian start-ups need to reduce their dependence on China and the USA, so that India becomes self- reliant by having several large domestic growth funds powered by domestic capital.  E.g Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) Fund-of-Funds vehicle should be expanded and fully operationalised to play an investment role.  A fund-of-funds also known as a multi-manager investment—is a pooled investment fund that invests in other types of funds.  Foreign development finance institutions may also be encouraged to participate with local asset management companies to set up fund-of-funds structures. 8 | Page MAGAZINE FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER – 2020

 The companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) should be allowed to invest in start-ups without being classified as Non-banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to expand capital sources for start-ups.  Abolition of Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax on Collective Investment Vehicles (CIVs) for at least the next two years to encourage investment in start-ups and to drive a sharp post-pandemic revival.  At present, LTCG earned by foreign investors in private companies attracts taxation at a rate of 10%, in comparison to the domestic venture capital investments which are taxed at 20% (for LTCG) with an enhanced surcharge of 37%.  After a two-year period, the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) may be applied to CIVs so that revenue neutrality is maintained.  A CIV is any entity that allows investors to pool their money and invest the pooled funds, rather than buying securities directly as individuals. It is usually managed by a fund management company which is paid a fee for doing so.  Examples of CIV: angel funds, alternate investment funds and investment LLP.  Benefits: A strong start-up ecosystem can propel investment, jobs, and demand creation in the economy. Additional Information Startup India Scheme  It is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, intended to catalyse startup culture and build a strong and inclusive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in India.  Since the launch of the initiative in 2016, Startup India has rolled out several programs with the objective of supporting entrepreneurs, and transforming India into a country of job creators instead of job seekers.  A startup is an enterprise that is initiated by its founders around an idea or a problem with a potential for significant business opportunity and impact. Securities Transaction Tax  It is a tax levied at the time of purchase and sale of securities listed on stock exchanges in India.  Both purchaser and seller both need to pay 0.1% of share value as STT. Capital Gain Tax  Any profit or gain that arises from the sale of a ‘capital asset’ is a capital gain. This gain or profit comes under the category of ‘income’.  Land, building, house property, vehicles, patents, trademarks, leasehold rights, machinery, and jewellery are a few examples of capital assets.  Hence, the capital gain tax will be required to be paid for that amount in the year in which the transfer of the capital asset takes place. This is called the capital gains tax, which can be both short-term or long-term.  Long-term Capital Gains Tax: It is a levy on the profits from the sale of assets held for more than a year.  Short-term Capital Gains Tax: It applies to assets held for a year or less and is taxed as ordinary income. Small Industries Development Bank of India  Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) was set up in 1990. It is a statutory body established under an Act of Parliament.  It acts as the principal financial institution for promotion, financing and development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector as well as for coordination of functions of institutions engaged in similar activities.

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Living Planet Report: WWF The population of vertebrate species has largely declined in the past half- century as per the recently published Living Planet Report 2020 released by the World Wide Fund for Nature.  Vertebrates : Vertebrates are animals that have backbones or vertebral columns. They are also characterized by a muscular system consisting primarily of bilaterally paired masses and a central nervous system partly enclosed within the backbone. Key Points . Methodology: The Report used the Living Planet Index to calculate the decline in vertebrate species. . Living Planet Index (LPI): It is a measure of the state of the world’s biological diversity based on population trends of vertebrate species in terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats. . It is released by Institute of Zoology (Zoological Society of London) . Founded in 1826, Zoological Society of London is an international conservation charity working for wildlife conservation. . LPI tracked almost 21,000 populations of more than 4,000 vertebrate species between 1970 and 2016. Findings:  It shows an average 68% decline in global vertebrate species populations, between 1970 and 2016. In the Asia Pacific the decline stands at 45%.  A 94% decline in the LPI for the tropical subregions of the americas is the largest fall observed in any part of the world. Freshwater species populations have reduced by 84% on average since 1970.  Freshwater species populations are being lost faster than terrestrial or marine species. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), almost 1/3rd of freshwater species are now threatened with extinction.  Wildlife populations in freshwater habitats suffered a decline of 84%, equivalent to 4% per year, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean.  Megafauna, or bigger species in terms of size, are more vulnerable because they were subjected to intense anthropogenic threats and overexploitation.  For eg. Large fishes are also heavily impacted by dam construction that blocks their migratory routes to spawning and feeding grounds. Since 1970, our Ecological Footprint has exceeded the Earth’s rate of regeneration.  Ecological Footprint measures the ecological assets that a given population requires to produce the natural resources it consumes (including plant-based food and fiber products, livestock and fish products, timber and other forest products, space for urban infrastructure) and to absorb its waste, especially carbon emissions.

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 The human enterprise currently demands 1.56 times more than the amount that Earth can regenerate. It is like living off 1.56 Earths. Threats to Biodiversity: . Changes in Land and Sea Use, including Habitat Loss and Degradation: This refers to the modification of the environment where a species lives, by complete removal, fragmentation or reduction in quality of key habitat. . Species Overexploitation: Direct overexploitation refers to unsustainable hunting and poaching or harvesting. Indirect overexploitation occurs when non-target species are killed unintentionally. . Pollution: Pollution can directly affect a species by making the environment unsuitable for its survival. It can also affect a species indirectly, by affecting food availability or reproductive performance. . Invasive Species and Disease: Invasive species can compete with native species for space, food and other resources, can turn out to be a predator for native species, or spread diseases that were not previously present in the environment. Humans also transport new diseases from one area of the globe to another. . Climate Change: As temperatures change, some species will need to adapt by shifting their range to track a suitable climate. The effects of climate change on species are often indirect. For eg, change in migratory patterns of birds. Way Forward  Research shows the world could start to stabilize and reverse the loss of nature by embracing bolder, more ambitious conservation efforts as well as making transformational changes in the way food is produced and consumed, such as making food production and trade more efficient, reducing waste, and favouring healthier and more sustainable diets.  The report also underscores the need for a global New Deal for Nature and People with clear, ambitious goals, to see us on the path to recovery by 2030.  Diseases like Covid-19 are one of the many connections between the health of people and the planet. How humanity chooses to recover from the pandemic, and address the looming threats from global environmental change, will influence the health and livelihoods of generations to come. Additional Information: World Wildlife Fund for Nature  It is the world’s leading conservation organization and works in more than 100 countries.  It was established in 1961 and is headquartered at Gland, Switzerland.  Its mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.  WWF collaborates at every level with people around the world to develop and deliver innovative solutions that protect communities, wildlife, and the places in which they live. 7

12 | Page MAGAZINE FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER – 2020 Re-Measuring of Mount Everest In a major global event China and Nepal are soon expected to announce Mount Everest’s latest official height as since 2019, both countries agreed to re-measure the elevation of the world’s highest mountain and announce the findings together.

Key Points About:  Mount Everest (also called Sagarmatha in Nepal) is Earth’s highest mountain above sea level, located in the Himalayas between China and Nepal with their borders running across its summit point.  Its current official elevation is 8,848m which places it more than 200m above the world’s second- highest mountain, K2, which is 8,611m tall and located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.  Mount Everest gets its English name from Sir George Everest, a colonial-era geographer who served as the Surveyor General of India in the mid-19th century.  It was first scaled in 1953 by the Indian-Nepalese Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary. First Survey of Everest:  The first effort was carried out in 1847 by a team led by Andrew Waugh, Surveyor General of India.  The survey was based on trigonometric calculations and is known as the Great Trigonometric Survey of India.  The team discovered that ‘Peak 15’ (as Mount Everest was referred to then) was the highest mountain, contrary to the then-prevailing belief that Mount Kanchenjunga (8,582m and the 3rd highest peak in the world now) was the highest peak in the world. Need for Re-measurement:  Everest’s current official height has been widely accepted since 1956 when the figure was measured by the Survey of India.  However, the height of a summit changes due to tectonic activities like the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

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 Its measurement over the decades has also depended on who was surveying.  Previous measurements of the mountain were by Indian, American or European surveyors.  The joint effort represents national pride for Nepal which will come up with its own findings on the height. Survey of India  It is the National Survey and Mapping Organisation of the country under the Department of Science and Technology.  It was established in 1767 and is the oldest scientific department of the Government of India.  Headquarters: Dehradun, Uttarakhand.  It acts as an adviser to the Government of India on all survey matters, viz Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Mapping and Map Reproduction.  Geodesy is the science of accurately measuring and understanding the Earth's geometric shape, orientation in space and gravity field.  Photogrammetry is the science of making measurements from photographs. Himalayas Origin: The northward drift of the Indo-Australian plate resulted in its collision with the much larger Eurasian Plate. Due to which, the sedimentary rocks which were accumulated in the geosyncline known as the Tethys were folded to form the mountain system of western Asia and Himalaya. Features:  The Himalayas are geologically young and structurally folded mountains and represent the loftiest and one of the most rugged mountain barriers of the world.  They form an arc, which covers a distance of about 2,400 km. Their width varies from 400 km in Kashmir to 150 km in Arunachal Pradesh. Orientation:  The general orientation of these ranges is from northwest to the southeast direction in the northwestern part of India.  Himalayas in the Darjeeling and Sikkim regions lie in an east west direction.  In Arunachal Pradesh they are from southwest to the northwest direction.  In Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, they are in the north south direction.  The Himalayan mountains consist of three parallel ranges in longitudinal extent:  Great Himalaya or Himadri: It is the northernmost and the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6,000 m. World’s highest peaks are located in it.  Lesser Himalaya or Himachal: To the south of Himadri, it is the most rugged mountain system and is known as Himachal or lesser Himalaya. The altitude varies between 3,700 and 4,500 m. It is well known for its hill stations like Kashmir, Kangra and Kullu Valleys.  Shiwalik: It is the southernmost range with an altitude varying between 900 and 1100 m. These ranges are composed of unconsolidated sediments brought down by rivers from the main Himalayan ranges located farther north. There are large-scale regional variations within the Himalayas. On the basis of relief, alignment of ranges and other geomorphological features, the Himalayas can be divided into the following subdivisions:  Kashmir or Northwestern Himalayas.  Himachal and Uttaranchal Himalayas.  Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas.  Arunachal Himalayas.  Eastern Hills and Mountains.

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USA sanctions against ICC Officials As a reaction for their investigation into alleged war crimes by the USA forces and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Afghanistan since 2003. The USA announced sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, against two officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Key Points . The USA’s Stand: Not only sanctions against officials, earlier the USA criticized the ICC. . The USA has considered the ICC a threat to USA sovereignty, and announced the strict punitive measures that are generally reserved for use against terror groups and those accused of abusing human rights. . USA had never ratified the “Rome Statute”, which created the ICC in 1998, and thus is not subject to its rulings. . The USA administration also called ICC a thoroughly broken and corrupted institution. . ICC’s Stand on USA Sanctions: An unacceptable attempt to interfere with the rule of law and the Court’s judicial proceedings. . It stands firmly by its staff and officials and remains unwavering in its commitment to discharging, independently and impartially, the mandate laid down in its founding treaty, the Rome Statute. Criticism of the USA’ Sanctions: . The USA decision has been criticised by the United Nations, the European Union, 10 members of the UN Security Council, including the UK and France, as well as several international human rights agencies, all of which have called for the sanctions to be reversed. . The international NGO Human Rights Watch has observed that by penalising war crimes investigators, the USA is openly siding with those who commit and cover up human rights abuses. . The USA action is a setback to the international rules-based multilateral order. . The decision to sanction anybody assisting the ICC will deter victims of violence in Afghanistan from speaking out. . The USA’s unilateral sanctions would encourage other regimes accused of war crimes to flout the ICC’s rulings. International Criminal Court . The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal that sits in The Hague in the Netherlands. . It was set up after the ad hoc tribunals to deal with Rwanda war crimes proved ineffective. ICC is a criminal court. . The ICC has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. . ICC is based on the principle of complementarity. ICC was not created to supplant the authority of national courts. However, when a state’s legal system collapses or when a government is a perpetrator of heinous crimes, the ICC can exercise jurisdiction. ICC is a court of last resort.

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. The ICC began functioning on 1st July 2002, the date that the Rome Statute entered into force. . The Rome Statute is a multilateral treaty which serves as the ICC's foundational and governing document. . States which become party to the Rome Statute, for example by ratifying it, become member states of the ICC. . The Rome Statute has been signed by 139 countries, and 123 have ratified it through their Parliaments and internal process. . USA and the ICC: Although the USA was part of the founding movement to build the ICC to try cases of genocide and war crime, especially after the courts in Rwanda failed, it decided not to ratify the Statute in 2002. . USA opposed the ICC due to apprehensions that it will be used politically against its nationals. . Countries like Russia, China and India were never in favour of the Rome Statute or the ICC, and never signed on. . India and ICC . India is not a party to ICC. . For India, the decision was based on a number of principles. The major objections of India to the Rome Statute are: . The ICC is a criminal court, unlike the International Court of Justice (which adjudicates on civil matters), and arrogates to itself the right to prosecute matters against countries that aren’t even signatories. . Since ICC is subordinate to the UN Security Council (UNSC), permanent members are vested with unbridled powers. . India also objected to the omission of cross-border terror, use of nuclear arms and weapons of mass destruction from the areas the ICC would institute its investigations. . Way Forward . While the USA’s concerns about the ICC are shared by India and other countries that weren’t signatories, the USA action is seen as another blow to multilateralism. . In the last few years, the USA administration has walked out of several UN agencies and international agreements, including the Human Rights Council, UNESCO, the Paris climate change agreement and the Iran nuclear accord. . Particularly at a time the USA accuses China of disregarding international norms in the South China Sea and other areas, and of human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet, the USA’s pushback over the ICC’s case in Afghanistan seems counterproductive. . The independence of the ICC and its ability to operate without interference must be guaranteed so that it can decide matters without any influence or pressures. Further, there is a need for an independent expert review of its own functioning.

16 | Page MAGAZINE FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER – 2020 Methane Hydrates in KG Basin The researchers at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, a study on biogenic methane hydrate in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) Basin. Key Points  Biogenic Methane: It is the methane produced from the metabolic activities of living organisms. The research team has identified the methanogens that produced the biogenic methane trapped as methane hydrate, which can be a significant source of energy.  Methanogens: These are microorganisms that produce methane as a metabolic by-product in hypoxic (low levels of oxygen) conditions.  The ARI team has documented a predominance of genus Methanosarcina in the KG basin, followed by a few other genera Methanoculleus, Methanobacterium.  Methane hydrate is formed when hydrogen-bonded water and methane gas come into contact at high pressures and low temperatures such as in oceans. Significance of the Study:  Methane is a clean and economical fuel.  It is estimated that one cubic meter of methane hydrate contains 160-180 cubic meters of methane.  This study revealed maximum methanogenic diversity in the KG basin, which is one of the prominent reasons to confirm it to be the extreme source of biogenic methane in comparison to the Andaman and Mahanadi basins.  Even the lowest estimate of methane present in the methane hydrates in the KG Basin is twice that of all fossil fuel reserves available worldwide. Krishna-Godavari Basin  An extensive deltaic plain formed by two large east coast rivers, Krishna and Godavari in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining areas of Bay of Bengal in which these rivers discharge their water is known as Krishna-Godavari Basin.  The KG Basin is a large basin of continental margin located on the east coast of India.  Its land part covers an area of 15000 sq. km  The offshore part covers an area of 25,000 sq. km up to 1000 m isobath.  The basin contains about 5 km thick sediments with several cycles of deposition, ranging in age from Late Carboniferous to Pleistocene.  The major geomorphological units of the basin are upland plains, coastal plains, recent flood and delta plains.  The site is known for the D-6 block with the biggest natural gas reserves in India. The first gas discovery was made in 1983 by ONGC.  The basin is home to the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (IUCN Status: Vulnerable).

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Methane Hydrate  Methane hydrate is a crystalline solid that consists of a methane molecule surrounded by a cage of interlocking water molecules.  Methane hydrate is an "ice" that only occurs naturally in subsurface deposits where temperature and pressure conditions are favourable for its formation.  Difficult to handle: If the ice is removed from this temperature/pressure environment, it becomes unstable. For this reason, methane hydrate deposits are difficult to study and handle.  They cannot be drilled and cored for study like other subsurface materials because as they are brought to the surface, the pressure is reduced and the temperature rises.  This causes the ice to melt and the methane to escape.  Several other names are commonly used for methane hydrate. These include: methane clathrate, hydromethane, methane ice, fire ice, natural gas hydrate, and gas hydrate.  Most methane hydrate deposits also contain small amounts of other hydrocarbon hydrates. These include propane hydrate and ethane hydrate.

Promotion of Buddhist Sites Under its flagship schemes of Swadesh Darshan & PRASHAD the Ministry of Tourism has undertaken development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities at various Buddhist Sites in the country.

Key Points Steps Taken to Promote Buddhist Sites: o Swadesh Darshan Scheme: It has included Buddhist circuit and Spiritual circuit abong its 13 thematic circuits under which buddhist sites are being promoted. o PRASHAD Scheme: 30 projects for development of infrastructure have also been undertaken under the PRASHAD Scheme. o Iconic Tourist Sites: Buddhist Sites at Bodhgaya, Ajanta & Ellora have been identified to be developed as Iconic Tourist Sites (aimed at enhancing India’s soft power). o Buddhist Conclave: Buddhist Conclave is organised every alternate year with the objective of promoting India as a Buddhist Destination and major markets around the globe. o Diversity of Languages: Signages have been installed in Chinese language at buddhist monuments in Uttar Pradesh and in Sinhala language (official language of Sri Lanka) at Sanchi monuments in Madhya Pradesh. PRASHAD Scheme:

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o The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive’ (PRASAD) was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15 with the objective of holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations. o The name of the scheme was changed from PRASAD to “National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)” in October 2017. o After the discontinuation of the HRIDAY scheme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the development of Heritage destinations was included in the PRASAD Scheme, changing it to PRASHAD. o Implementation Agency: The projects identified under this scheme shall be implemented through the identified agencies by the respective State/ Union Territory Government. Objective: o Rejuvenation and spiritual augmentation of important national/ global pilgrimage and heritage sites. o Follow community-based development and create awareness among the local communities. o Integrated tourism development of heritage city, local arts, culture, handicrafts, cuisine, etc., to generate livelihood. o Strengthen the mechanism for bridging the infrastructural gaps. Swadesh Darshan Scheme o Swadesh Darshan, a Central Sector Scheme, was launched in 2014 -15 for integrated development of theme based tourist circuits in the country. o Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for infrastructure development of circuits. o This scheme is envisioned to synergise with other schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, Make in India etc. with the idea of positioning the tourism sector as a major engine for job creation, driving force for economic growth, building synergy with various sectors to enable tourism to realise its potential. Way Forward o India’s Buddhist heritage is not only important from the tourism point of view but is also a binding factor that strengthens its relationship with Asian countries, in line with its Act East Policy. o As peace and sustainable development are interlinked, the Buddha’s prism can be the guiding lights to every single stakeholder from local to global institutions and leaders, to work together for promoting dialogue, harmony, and justice based on compassion and wisdom.

Hybrid Warfare by China As per recent report the Chinese company Zhenhua Data Information Technology Co. Limited is monitoring over 10,000 Indian individuals and organisations in its global database of foreign targets, creating major concern in Indian security establishment.

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Key Points . Method: Zhenhua monitors the digital footprint of its targets using Artificial Intelligence tools across social media platforms, maintains an information library, which includes content not just from news sources, forums, but also from papers, patents, bidding documents, even positions of recruitment. . Database: The database of the company called Overseas Key Information Database (OKIDB) has entries from the USA, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, Germany and the UAE as well. . Targets: Its targets include individuals and institutions in politics, government, judiciary, art and sports, business, technology, media, and civil society. . Link to Chinese Government and Intelligence: The Company counts the Chinese government, intelligentsia and military among its clients. o However, the Chinese government has denied having asked the company to collect or provide data, information and intelligence stored within other countries’ territories for the Chinese government. . Implication: This information can be used for strategic and intelligence services of China for hybrid warfare. . Legal Aspects: The data monitoring by Zhenhua cannot be covered under the Information Technology Rules, 2011, under the IT Act, 2000, as it only covers personal data and not information available freely or accessible in the public domain. o These rules also do not impose any conditions on the use of personal data for direct marketing etc. o Though it emphasizes on data collection by consent which is not done by Zhenhua, the law is impossible to enforce in a foreign jurisdiction. o India is yet to have a data protection law for protecting the privacy of individuals and national security. . India-China Relations: The recent Indo-China conflict due to clashes at the Line of Actual Control and later banning of chinese apps by India has led to exponential increase in tension between the two countries. In this scenario, the information assets of Zhenhua can give a strategic leverage to China over India. Hybrid Warfare . About: It refers to using non-military tools to achieve dominance or damage, subvert or influence. These tools include information pollution, perception management and propaganda. . Background : o By China: In 1999, Unrestricted Warfare, a publication by China’s People’s Liberation Army, talked about hybrid warfare and the need for a shift in the arena of violence from military to political, economic and technological.  There have been many recent reports on China’s attempts to collect sensitive military, intelligence or economic information in the USA and Europe through social media. o Lebanon: Hybrid warfare was used in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon War by the Hezbollah group.  It employed a host of different tactics like guerilla warfare, innovative use of technology and effective information campaigning. o Russia: It was also used by Russia against Ukraine in the 2014 annexation of Crimea.  It involved a combination of activities, including disinformation, economic manipulation, use of proxies and insurgencies, diplomatic pressure etc. . Threats: o Cyber Attacks: This may include attacks on critical infrastructure like power grids, business systems, and defence systems. These may be used to disrupt economic activities, undermine institutions, and discredit political leadership and the intelligentsia. o Undermining Democracy: The foreign government may manipulate the data, spread propaganda and misinformation and influence democratic systems like elections through use of social media, websites, advertisements etc.  The 2016 election of the USA and UK Brexit vote are suspected to have been influenced through such interference by Russia. o Inciting Social Discord: The information may be used to plant disharmony and communal tensions within a society which is eventually a threat to the unity of the country. Way Forward . The governments should establish a process to develop a national approach of self-assessment and threat analysis. Institutionalizing a process regarding threat and vulnerability information will enhance hybrid warfare early warning efforts, assist resiliency efforts, and may even have a deterrent effect. . Hybrid threats are an international issue, so should be the response. National governments should coordinate a coherent approach amongst themselves to understand, detect and respond to hybrid warfare to their collective interests. Multinational frameworks should be developed to facilitate cooperation and collaboration across borders.

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expects the GDP to contract by 10.8% in 2020-21.  Earlier it had estimated the GDP to contract by 6.1%. BANKING & CARE Ratings projects India’s GDP to contact between 8-8.2% in FY21  Indian rating agency, CARE Ratings has projected the GDP of India to contract in the ECONOMY range 8 to 8.2% for 2020-21 (FY21). S&P Global Ratings Projects India’s GDP at -  This is more than its earlier projection of - 9% in FY21 & 6% in FY22 6.4%. The forecast for GVA growth in FY21  S&P Global Ratings has projected the GDP of is -7.7%. India to contract by 9% in the fiscal year 2020- s GDP at -11.5% for 21 (FY21), as against its previous estimate of a Moody’s forecasts India’ FY21, 10.6% for FY22 5% contraction, due to the impact of the  COVID-19 pandemic. Ratings agency Moody’s has projected the GDP growth rate for India to contract 11.5  For the Fy22 (2021-22), S&P expects GDP percent in the fiscal 2020-21 (FY21) due to the growth of 6%. coronavirus pandemic.  For the Fy23 (2022-23), GDP is projected at  For 2021-22 (FY22), Moody’s projected the 6.2%. economy of India to grow at 10.6 percent. Asian Development Bank projects Indian Crisil projects India’s GDP for FY21 at -9%; economy to shrink by 9% in FY21, grow by 8% For FY22 at 10% in FY22  CRISIL has projected India’s GDP rate for  The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has 2020-21 (FY21) at -9% estimated that the GDP of India is expected to  contract by 9 percent in the fiscal 2020-21 For FY22, Crisil has projected India’s GDP to grow at 10%. (FY21). This estimate is worse that ADB’s previous estimate of -4%.  For the next three years, between fiscals 2023 and 2025, CRISIL projects the Indian GDP to  However, for the FY22 (2021-22), ADB average a growth of 6.2% annually. expects India’s GDP at 8 percent. Fitch Ratings Projects Indian economy to  ADB also expects the gross domestic product contract 10.5% in FY21 (GDP) growth for developing Asia at – 0.7  In its September update of Global Economic percent in 2020, the first negative economic Outlook (GEO), the US-based Fitch Ratings growth since 1962. has sharply lowered the forecast for the gross Nomura Slashes India’s GDP at -10.8% in 2020- domestic product (GDP) growth of India for 21 the current fiscal 2020-21 (FY21) and now  Nomura has downgraded India’s economic expects the GDP to contract 10.5 percent. growth rate for current financial year and now

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 Earlier in June Global Economic Outlook, the suit Indian farming conditions, to offer higher rating agency has estimated 5 percent yields and enhanced quality. contraction for FY21. India’s GDP contracts by 23.9% in Q1 of FY21:  The downward revision comes after India’s NSO data GDP shrank by 23.9% year-on-year in the  As per the official data released by the April-June quarter, the worst performance in National Statistics Office (NSO), India’s GDP nearly four decades. has contracted by 23.9% in the first quarter  The rating agency has also revised its forecast (April-June 2020) for FY21. for global GDP and expects it to fall by 4.4  This is the first instance of an economic percent in 2020, which is a modest upward contraction for India in at least four decades. revision from the 4.6 percent contraction  It is also the first GDP decline since India expected earlier. began publishing quarterly numbers in 1996. Goldman Sachs predicts India’s GDP for FY21  Gross value added (GVA) for India declined at -14.8% by 22.8%.  Goldman Sachs has predicted India’s GDP for  All the sectors except agriculture witnessed FY21 at -14.8%. For Calendar Year 2020 it contractions during the April-June quarter of has projected a contraction of 11.1%. 2020-21.  For FY22, Goldman Sachs predicts India’s  The highest drop was witnessed by the GDP to grow at 15.7% and for Calendar Year construction industry of 50.3%. 2021 at 9.9%. India’s foreign exchange reserves surge by USD Reliance Industries becomes first Indian firm to 2.296 bn to USD 537.548 bn cross $200 bn m-cap  India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by  Reliance Industries (RIL) on September 10, 2.296 billion US dollar to reach 537.548 2020, became the first Indian company to billion US dollar in the week to August 21. cross $200 billion in market capitalization (m-  Foreign Currency Assets rose by 2.618 billion cap). dollars to 494.168 billion US dollar in the  The market capitalization of Reliance reporting week. Industries at the close of the stock market on  The country’s reserve position with the IMF September 10, 2020, was Rs 15.3 trillion also increased by 6 million to 4.634 billion US ($208 billion). dollar during the reporting week.  The second best after RIL is Tata Consultancy European Investment Bank to Invest € 650 Services (TCS) with an m-cap of Rs 8.75 Million in Kanpur’s 1st City Metro Line trillion, ($119 billion).  The European Investment Bank (EIB) will Infosys to hire 500 more tech employees under invest 650 million euro(€) in the construction ‘Reskill and Restart’ program of Kanpur’s(Uttar Pradesh) 1st city metro line.  Infosys plans to hire 500 additional tech  The 32.4 km urban rail line, with 18 elevated workers in Rhode Island, US by 2023. and 12 underground stations is EIB’s 2nd  New employees will work on a variety of tech- biggest operation outside the European Union focused roles, and its recently launched (EU) till date. ‘Reskill and Restart’ program will be among  It is the 2nd metro rail project supported by the the channels used to recruit and train EIB in Uttar Pradesh (UP). employees. Real GDP likely to contract by 10.9 per cent in  This new initiative, explicitly aimed at FY21: SBI Ecowrap reskilling workers who have been  After the country’s economy contracted by a economically impacted by the COVID-19 record 23.9 per cent in April-June quarter, real pandemic, begins with an aptitude and skills GDP for FY21 is expected to shrink by 10.9 assessment, followed by curated job-specific per cent, according to State Bank of India’s skills training, and culminates in matching research report – Ecowrap. them with available positions.  It had earlier estimated real gross domestic Mahindra launches new potato planting product (GDP) at (-) 6.8 per cent for the machine current fiscal.  Mahindra has launched a new potato planter  The first quarter GDP contraction compares under its Farm Equipment Sector (FES). with 3.1 per cent growth in the preceding  The new advanced Precision Potato Planting January-March quarter and 5.2 per cent machinery, the new ‘PlantingMaster Potato +’ expansion in the same period a year back. is designed and developed in collaboration Flipkart Group launches Flipkart Wholesale to with Europe-based partner Dewulf. connect local manufacturers with retailers  According to the Indian company,  Flipkart Wholesale, a venture of the PlantingMaster Potato + has been developed to homegrown Flipkart Group, launched its

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operations with an aim to connect local  With this, Razorpay aims to support manufacturers with retailers and bring the businesses with upto Rs 100 crores of credit by entire wholesale marketplace at their fingertips end of 2020. using technology. Axis Mutual Fund launches a global fund-of-  It is offering a one-stop solution for the retail fund ecosystem, which will offer Indian businesses  Axis AMC has launched Axis Global Alpha a wide selection of products at significant Fund of Fund. For its global product initiative, value, powered by technology and with an aim Axis AMC has tied up with Schroders. to grow their business.  Axis Global Equity Alpha Fund of Fund is the  The platform is currently available for fashion first dedicated global feeder fund launched by retailers, especially footwear and apparel, in the mutual fund house. Gurugram, Delhi and Bengaluru, with plans to  The Axis Global Equity Alpha Fund of Fund is expand to Mumbai as well. an open-ended fund of fund scheme that  By this year end, Flipkart Wholesale also plans invests in the Schroder International Selection to expand to 20 more cities and in categories Fund Global Equity Alpha. such as Home, Kitchen and Grocery.  Axis AMC has two other mutual fund schemes India Post launches Five Star Villages Scheme offering international exposure, which were for 100% rural coverage of postal schemes launched over the last couple of years — Axis  The Department of Posts has launched a new Growth Opportunities Fund and Axis ESG scheme called Five Star Villages, to ensure Equity Fund. universal coverage of flagship postal schemes Vodafone Idea re-brands itself as ‘VI’ in rural areas of the country.  India’s telecom service provider Vodafone  The scheme aims to bridge the gaps in public Idea Limited has announced that it has re- awareness and reach of postal products and branded itself as ‘VI’, to mark the completion services, especially in interior villages. of the largest telecom merger in the world and  The scheme was launched by the Union present itself as a merged entity. Minister of State for Communications, Shri  The announcement was made by company’s Sanjay Dhotre on 10 September 2020. MD and CEO Ravinder Takkar on 7th The schemes covered under the Five Star September 2020. scheme include:  Now all the products of the company will be  Savings Bank accounts, Recurrent Deposit available under the new unified brand identity Accounts, NSC / KVP certificates, and logo “VI”.  Sukanya Samridhi Accounts/ PPF Accounts, Apple’s first ‘floating’ store to be launched in  Funded Post Office Savings Account linked Singapore India Post Payments Bank Accounts,  Technology giant Apple Inc. has announced  Postal Life Insurance Policy/Rural Postal Life that it is going to open its first ever “floating” Insurance Policy and store, in Singapore on 10th September 2020.  Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana  The floating Apple Store, will be located at Account / Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Singapore’s posh Marina Bay Sands resort. It Yojana Account. will be the third retail store of Apple in  The scheme is being launched on pilot basis in Singapore. Maharashtra. 50 villages in each district of the  The first-of-its-kind store has a sphere-shaped state will be covered during 2020-2021. all-glass dome structure that is fully self-  The scheme will be implemented by a team of supported, and made up of 114 pieces of glass, five Gramin Dak Sevaks, headed by the held together by only 10 narrow vertical Branch Post Master of the concerned Branch mullions for structural connection. Office. India Ratings revises FY21 GDP growth Razorpay launches collateral free line of credit projection to negative 11.8 per cent for SMEs  Domestic rating agency India Ratings and  In a bid to rescue MSMEs and improve their Research on Tuesday revised the country’s cash flows, Razorpay has launched a collateral FY21 GDP growth forecast to (-) 11.8 per cent free line of credit called Cash Advance. from (-) 5.3 per cent earlier.  MSMEs can borrow working capital with a  The agency, however, expects India’s gross credit limit of Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 lakh, within domestic product (GDP) to rebound and grow 10 seconds through the Razorpay dashboard, at 9.9 per cent year-on-year in FY22 mainly depending upon the credit history of the due to the weak base of FY21. business.  India Rating’s FY21 GDP growth forecast of negative 11.8 per cent will be the lowest GDP growth in the Indian history (GDP data is

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available from FY-1951) and sixth instance of availing funds at the current repo rate of 4 per economic contraction, others being in FY- cent. 1958, FY-1966, FY-1967, FY-1973 and FY-  The last date for paying the second instalment 1980. of advance tax is September 15. India’s IT major HCL sets up first development Finance Minister launches Doorstep Banking centre in Sri Lanka Services by PSBs  India’s IT major HCL Technologies has set up  Union Minister of Finance, Smt. Nirmala its first development centre in Sri Lanka to Sitharaman launched the Doorstep Banking generate significant employment opportunities Services by Public Sector Banks (PSBs). for the youths.  The service aims to provide banking services Wipro plans to set up Digital Innovation Hub in to the customers of Public Sector Banks at Germany their doorstep via three modes-  Wipro plans to set up a Digital Innovation Hub  Call Centre (18001037188 or 18001213721) at Düsseldorf in Germany that will serve as the  Web Portal (www.psbdsb.in) IT services major’s flagship centre in Europe.  Mobile App (Doorstep Banking (DSB)  The proposed Digital Innovation Hub will  The targetted customers are- Senior citizens, offer digital transformation expertise to Defense personnel, CRPF, widows, Divyang companies in Germany, enabling organisations individuals, Students, Salaried employees, to cross skill and upskill besides supporting Corporate clients, Retail shopkeepers and talent development in local communities. street vendors.  Wipro will also collaborate with institutions  The service is available in 11 languages. and universities in the North Rhine-Westphalia  It aims to deliver the services in 3 hours. For state to develop tailored programmes and this 100 Doorstep banking centres have been career opportunities for young graduates in established across India. advanced digital skills and technologies.  All 12 Public Sectors banks have been covered Silver Lake to invest Rs 7,500 crore in Reliance in this scheme. Retail  Available Services: Services like-  Silver Lake Partners has picked up 1.75 per Cheques/DD/PO, New cheque book cent stake in the retail arm of Reliance requisition, 15G, 15H forms, IT Challan, Industries for Rs 7,500 crore. Standing Instructions request, A/c Statement,  This investment values RRVL at a pre-money Non-personalised Cheque Books, DD, PO, equity value of Rs 4.21 lakh crore. Silver Prepaid instrument/Gift card, TDS / Form 16 Lake’s investment will translate into a 1.75 per Certificate issuance, Term Deposit Receipt cent equity stake in RRVL on a fully diluted /Acknowledgement can be availed by the basis. customers at their doorsteps.  This marks the second billion-dollar RBI defines Role and selection criteria of Chief investment by Silver Lake in a Reliance Compliance Officer (CCO) in Banks Industries subsidiary after the USD 1.35  The Reserve Bank of India has released the billion investment in Jio Platforms announced guidelines to be followed by commercial earlier this year. banks for the appointment of Chief Compliance Officer (CCO).  Scheduled Commercial Banks (Excluding RBI IN NEWS RRBs), Local Area Banks, Small Finance RBI Announces Steps to Ease Pressure on Banks and Payment Banks have to appoint a Liquidity Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to have an  The RBI announced a host of steps, including effective compliance culture, independent term repo operations totalling Rs 1 lakh crore corporate compliance function and a strong in mid-September to ease pressure on the compliance risk management programme at liquidity and maintain congenial financial bank and group level. conditions with a view to ensuring sustainable  Here are some of the norms to be followed by recovery of economic growth. banks for the appointment of a CCO:  The RBI said that in order to reduce the cost of  Tenor for the appointment of CCO – minimum funds, banks that had availed of funds under fixed tenure of not less than 3 years. long-term repo operations (LTROs) may  Age Not more than 55 years; exercise an option of reversing these – transactions before maturity.  Experience – The CCO shall have an overall experience of at least 15 years in the banking  The banks may reduce their interest liability or financial services, out of which minimum 5 by returning funds taken at the repo rate years shall be in the Audit / Finance / prevailing at that time (5.15 per cent) and

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Compliance / Legal / Risk Management undertaking farming with assured marketing of functions; their produce at a pre-determined price.  Rank – The CCO shall be a senior executive of  Loan limits for renewable energy have been the bank, preferably in the rank of a General increased (doubled). from Rs 15 lakhs to Rs 30 Manager or an equivalent position (not below lakhs two levels from the CEO).  For improvement of health infrastructure, Digital Payments Index (DPI) will be launched credit limit for health infrastructure (including by RBI those under ‘Ayushman Bharat’) has been  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced doubled. on September 10, 2020 announced that a RBI announces OMO for sale, purchase of Digital Payments Index (DPI) will be government securities of Rs 10,000 crore launched.  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will conduct  The index will assess and capture the extent of simultaneous purchase and sale of government digitalisation of payments effectively. securities under the Open Market Operation  The DPI will be based on multiple parameters (OMO) for Rs 10,000 crore each on September  It is going to assess accurately about the 10. penetration and deepening of various digital  The RBI on August 31 had announced that it payment modes. would conduct special simultaneous purchase  It will help in bridging the gap of digital and sale of government securities under OMO divide. for an aggregate amount of Rs 20,000 crore in  It was recommended by a committee headed two tranches of Rs 10,000 crore each as part of by Nandan Nilekani on deepening digital its measures to foster orderly market payment. conditions. RBI ceased the Aditya Birla Idea Payments  “The first auction is scheduled for September Bank to be act as a banking company 10, 2020. It would be selling three securities  The Reserve Bank of India has issued a totalling Rs 10,000 crore and also purchasing notification to all banks on September 03, equal number of securities of the same 2020 stating that “Aditya Birla Idea Payments amount. Bank Limited” has ceased to be a banking RBI to set up innovation hub for finance sector company within the meaning of the Banking  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is in the Regulation Act, 1949 with effect from July 28, process of setting up an innovation hub which 2020. will focus on future technology in the financial  Apart from this, “Westpac Banking services space. Corporation” also ceases to be a banking  Innovation Hub is one of the things that we are company as announced by RBI. trying out where we are looking at actually RBI Releases Revised Priority Sector Lending creating ideation, creating ideas to evolve Guidelines technologies.  The Reserve Bank of India has reviewed the  The RBI has released a framework for setting priority sector guidelines to align it with up umbrella entities for operating pan-India emerging national priorities and bring a retail payments systems. sharper focus on inclusive development.  It has invited applications from eligible  Some new categories eligible for finance under companies by February 26, 2021. the priority sector have been added like- Bank  As per the framework, the companies with a finance to start-ups (up to Rs 50 crore); loans net worth of over Rs 500 crore will be eligible to farmers for installation of solar power plants to set up an umbrella entity which among other for solarisation of grid-connected agriculture things will be permitted to set up, manage and pumps and loans for setting up Compressed operate new payment systems in the retail Bio-Gas (CBG) plants. space comprising ATMs, White Label PoS,  To address regional disparities in the flow of Aadhaar-based payments and remittance priority sector credit, higher weightage have services. been assigned to incremental priority sector Banks sanction loans of Rs 1.61 lakh crore to credit in ‘identified districts’ where priority MSMEs under credit guarantee scheme sector credit flow is comparatively low.  Banks have sanctioned loans of about Rs  The targets prescribed for “small and marginal 1,61,017 crore under the Rs 3-lakh crore farmers” and “weaker sections” are being Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme increased in a phased manner. (ECLGS) for the MSME sector reeling under  Higher credit limit has been specified for the slowdown caused by the coronavirus Farmers Producers Organisations pandemic. (FPOs)/Farmers Producers Companies (FPCs)

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 However, disbursements against this stood at  The exhibition will digitally showcase real Rs 1,13,713 lakh crore till September 3. estate projects by renowned developers, across India.  The exhibition can be accessed SBI IN NEWS on www.homeutsavicici.com. SBI Modernizes its Payment Switching System  The exhibition can be accessed by both with ACI Worldwide Technology customers and non-customers of ICICI Bank.  ACI Worldwide, a global provider of real-time RBL Bank launches cardless cash withdrawal digital payment software and solutions, has facility through ATMs via MoBank app modernized payments infrastructure for ATM  RBL Bank has partnered with Empays and point-of-sale (POS) at State Bank of India Payment Systems to launch a cardless cash (SBI), the country’s largest bank with more withdrawal facility from ATMs by leveraging than 440 million account holders. the Instant Money Transfer (IMT) system.  Operating more than 58,000 ATMs, the bank  Customers can use RBL Bank’s MoBank app is a long-time ACI customer, utilizing its for this IMT function and initiate cash market-leading Retail Payments solution to withdrawal by either using his or her mobile acquire, authenticate, route, switch and number linked to the account or by following a authorize financial transactions across its few easy steps on the app. ATM, POS and eCommerce channels. BoI launched “Signature Visa Debit Card” on  The solution enables SBI’s ATM network to his 115th Foundation Day acquire Visa, Mastercard and RuPay cards, as  On the occasion of Bank of India (BoI)’s well as manage ATM/POS authorizations. 115th Foundation Day, BoI has launched an Transaction processing volumes frequently international contactless debit card, “Signature exceed 30 million transactions per day. Visa Debit Card” for high net worth SBI to launch loan product ‘SAFAL’ for individuals who are maintaining an average organic cotton growers quarterly balance of Rs 10 lakhs and above.  SBI managing director C S Setty has  This card will have a spending limit of up to announced that State Bank of India will launch Rs.5 lakhs on POS & e-commerce and Rs.1 a loan product, SAFAL, for organic cotton lakh on ATM. growers who don’t have any credit history. ICICI Lombard inks bancassurance tie up with  It stands for Safe and Fast Agriculture Loan Yes Bank (SAFAL).  ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company  SBI will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Ltd has entered into a bancassurance tie-up Machine Learning (ML) for this purpose. with Yes Bank for selling its insurance SBI Magnum Children’s Benefit Fund products. (Investment Plan)  The partnership will provide the bank’s  SBI recently launched a new investment plan diverse customer base access to the insurer’s named SBI Magnum Children’s Benefit Fund. portfolio and make insurance more accessible  SBI Magnum Children’s Benefit Fund to its customers across India. (Investment Plan) would look to invest at least  Bancassurance is an agreement between a 65 per cent in domestic stocks. bank and an insurer to sell its offerings to the  Your funds are locked-in for five years, or till lender’s customers. the child turns 18, whichever is earlier.  Through this tie-up, ICICI Lombard aims to  You can invest only in the minor’s name from offer innovative insurance solutions to Yes the minor’s bank account or from a joint Bank’s customers across 28 states and 8 union account with the minor. territories.  The fund already has an existing Savings Plan, Indian Bank announces cut of 5 basis points in which invests at least 75 percent in fixed MCLR for one-year tenure income securities. That plan was launched in  Indian Bank has announced a cut of 5 basis 2002. points in its marginal cost of funds-based lending rate (MCLR) for one-year tenure.  The bank has decided to reduce the MCLR for OTHER BANKS IN NEWS one-year tenure by 5 basis points to 7.30 per ICICI Bank launches ‘Home Utsav’, a virtual cent effective from September 3, 2020, Indian property exhibition Bank said in a regulatory filing.  ICICI Bank thas launched a virtual property HDFC Bank looks to increase number of exhibition under the name ‘Home Utsav’. banking correspondents to 25,000 by March  In a bid to expand its rural reach, the country’s largest private sector lender HDFC Bank is

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planning to more than double the strength of  The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its banking correspondents (BCs) to 25,000 by government of Bangladesh signed a 50- the fiscal-end. million-dollar loan agreement on Thursday to  At present, the bank has a network of 11,000 promote, fund and implement public-private banking correspondents. partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects in the  A customer will get all banking facilities from country. opening of an account, fixed deposit, to  The project will help Bangladesh to mobilise payment products and loan close to his house private investment, develop infrastructure in a rural area through the BC network, she projects and create jobs which will help said. accelerate the economic recovery process in  The bank is looking at its tie-up with the the aftermath of the Corona pandemic. government’s common services centres  the project will generate 3000 jobs in PPP (CSCs) to expand its BC network. projects supported by the Bangladesh  An agreement between the two aims to create Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) last-mile access points for financial services by 2024. across the country.  Further, the project will help the roll out of the  The bank appoints banking correspondents government’s PPP strategy. from the village level entrepreneurs associated with the CSC. ICICI Bank launches iStartup 2.0, dedicated FINANCIAL NEWS offering for start-ups Adani Green Energy nears Rs.1 trillion market  ICICI Bank has launched a new product capitalisation named iStartup 2.0, to cater to the banking  Adani Green Energy Ltd inched closer to Rs.1 needs of startups and entrepreneurs. trillion market capitalisation, becoming Adani  iStartup 2.0 is a startup bank account (in form Group’s most valued stock, piping Adan Ports of current account) that can be opened within and Special Economic Zone Ltd. 10 years of date of incorporation of the  The company will raise $1.8 billion for the business. There are three variants of this under construction and contracted portfolio of current account. 12 GW, which includes the country’s first  Eligibility: Partnership Firms and Limited manufacturing-linked solar power plant of 8 Liability Partnerships (LLPs) OR Private and GW. Public Limited Companies and One Person  In terms of market value, the Adani Group Companies (OPCs). firm has surpassed Bajaj Finserv, Hindustan  Apart from this, under the product, ICICI Zinc, Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd, Power Grid Bank will also provide services like- Company Corp, ONGC Ltd, NTPC, Britannia Industries Registration, ROC Filing & Compliance, GST/ Ltd and Dabur India Ltd. IT-Related Service, Property Registration,  Reliance Industries Ltd is India’s most Stamp Paper & Franking and more such valuable company with a market capitalisation services. of Rs.15.26 trillion, followed by TCS and HDFC Bank Ltd at Rs.8.75 trillion and Rs.6 trillion, respectively. WORLD ECONOMY ADB provides 50-million-dollar loan to Bangladesh for PPP infrastructure projects

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 TS Tirumurti, permanent representative of India to the United Nations shared the information. Bangladesh govt allows limited export of Hilsa INTERNATIONAL fish to India  Bangladesh Commerce Ministry of has given AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine trial paused special permission for traders to export Hilsa after participant falls ill fish to India on a limited scale in view of the  The last phase of clinical trials of the COVID- forthcoming Durga Puja. 19 vaccine developed by Oxford University  The Commerce Ministry has allowed nine and AstraZeneca has been put on hold after exporters to send a total of approximately one of the participants fell ill in the United 1,500 tonnes of Hilsa to India. The first Kingdom. consignment of Hilsa was reported to have  AstraZeneca described the pause as a “routine” been sent to India on Monday. The export will pause in the case of “an unexplained illness”. be allowed till 10th of October.  The AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID vaccine is  Bangladesh had imposed a ban on the export of one of the leading COVID-19 vaccine Hilsa in 2012. candidates, whose trials are being conducted in UK Enters into First Major Post-Brexit Deal multiple nations including India and the United with Japan States.  The UK has signed its first major post-Brexit  Subsequently the trial was again resumed even trade pact by signing a deal with Japan. in India.  The deal aims to boost trade between these two India becomes member of United Nation’s countries by about £15bn. Commission on Status of Women (UNCSW)  The deal would boost UK GDP by 0.07%,  India has been elected as a member of the though, it is just a fraction of the trade that was United Nation’s Commission on Status of lost with the European union (EU). Women (UNCSW).  This UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic  UNCSW is a body of the United Nations Partnership Agreement has a great significance Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and as now onward 99% of exports to Japan will be is responsible for promoting gender equality tariff-free. and the empowerment of women.  The deal secures new path for British  India will be a member of the UNCSW for businesses in manufacturing, food and drink, four years — from 2021 to 2025. Three and tech industries. countries, India, China and Afghanistan had contested the elections in which India and  The deal would be beneficial for automobile Afghanistan have been elected to UNCSW sector as well shoe factories. while China has failed to do so.  It would create new opportunities for people throughout UK.

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Israel, UAE education institutes ink agreement  Parachutist Raphael Domjan reached a speed on AI of 150 kilometres per hour during his jump,  The MoU between the United Arab Emirates’ landing near the project base in Payerne. Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Typhoon Haishen wreaks havoc in South Korea Intelligence and Israel’s Weizmann Institute of  A powerful typhoon Haishen damaged Science is the first agreement between the buildings, flooded roads and knocked out countries’ higher education bodies. power to thousands of homes in South Korea  The Mohamed Bin Zayed University of after battering islands in southern Japan and Artificial Intelligence was established in 2019. injuring dozens of people. India-China Five-Point Action Plan to resolve  Typhoon Haishen was passing waters off the Border Disputes eastern coastal city of Sokcho after barrelling  India and China, on September 11, 2020, through South Korea’s southern and eastern agreed on ‘five-point action plan’ so as to regions. quickly disengage troops along the Line of UNICEF to lead global procurement and supply Actual Control. of coronavirus vaccines  The External Affairs Minister of India S  The United Nations Children’s Fund Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang (UNICEF) has announced that it will be Yi to discuss the border tensions while he is on leading the global procurement and supply of his visit to Russia. the COVID-19 vaccine in order to ensure that Five-Point Action Plan all the countries have safe, equitable, and fast Two sides discussed on following 5 points: access to the initial doses when they are  Both sides agreed to take guidance from available. consensus of the leaders in order to develop  UNICEF is the world’s largest single buyer of India-China relations and neglect the vaccines for diseases like polio and measles differences to avoid disputes. and procures over 2 billion doses on behalf of  India and China agreed to continue their nearly 100 countries each year. dialogue on disengagement at the border, ease US President Donald Trump nominated for tension and maintain the status quo. 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for brokering peace deal  They also agreed to abide by all the existing between Israel and UAE agreements, protocols so as to maintain peace  The United States President Donald Trump has and tranquillity across the line of actual been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace control. Prize because of his efforts on brokering the  Both sides agreed to communicate through Israel-UAE Peace Deal. Special Representatives mechanism for  The nomination of Donald Trump for the consultation and coordination on border Nobel Peace Prize has been submitted by disputes. Tybring-Gjedde, a member of the Norwegian  They agreed to work on confidence building Parliament. measures.  Tybring-Gjedde specifically praised Trump for Singapore, Japan to launch green lane for his efforts towards resolving the protracted essential business, official travel conflicts worldwide.  Singapore and Japan are to launch a green lane Bangladesh launches campaign against fake on September 18 for essential business and information, rumours official travel for residents from both countries  The Bangladesh government has launched a in compliance with the COVID-19 related campaign named ‘AsolChini’ or ‘real-sugar’ to norms. fight fake information and rumour spreading  This Business Track arrangement is to help on social media. restore connectivity and support economic  The campaign aims to create digital literacy to recovery of both the countries. stop fake information and rumours. Parachutist makes world’s first jump from  The Digital Security Agency (DSA) of the solar-powered plane Information and Communication Technology  A parachutist completed the world’s first jump (ICT) Department and the LICT project of the from a solar-powered aircraft after the plane Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) will soared to a height of 1,520 metres (nearly jointly run the campaign to create awareness 5,000 ft) over western Switzerland. among people in the country in a three-month  The two-seater prototype plane made the test campaign. flight in good weather and to promote Germany launches Indo-Pacific strategy with renewable energy. ‘key role’ for India  Germany, current EU president and Europe’s biggest economy, has launched its Indo-Pacific

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strategy with India that is expected to play a assault rifles factory will be established at key role in Berlin’s outreach in the region Amethi. where China’s aggressive foreign policy has IIT Guwahati collaborates with university in rattled countries. Czech Republic for data protection project Highlights:  A team of researchers from Indian Institute of  The strategy released by German Technology Guwahati, in collaboration with Foreign Ministry has several indirect scientists from the University of Pardubice, references to Chinese behaviour that Czech Republic, is working towards challenged rules-based world order. developing indigenous algorithms that can  Berlin’s strategy also suggested protect the Nation’s digital data from cyber- opening dialogue with institutions attacks by advanced computers. where India plays a key role — Bay of  The team has also designed encryption Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral architectures that can be used to protect Technical and Economic Cooperation sensitive health data that is transmitted through and Indian Ocean Rim Associationp the internet. — in the areas of business and Chinese navy becomes world’s largest navy maritime safety, as well as disaster  China, home to the world’s largest navy, is risk management. looking to set up new PLA bases in the Indo-  The German government also Pacific region. announced that it will work to  This was revealed by the Pentagon in a maintain rules-based order together detailed report to the US Congress on with partners in the Indo-Pacific September 1, 2020. region.  The other nations reported to be on China’s SpaceX launches 60 Starlink satellites for faster radar include Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, internet the UAE, Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania,  SpaceX has successfully sent 60 Starlink Angola and Tajikistan. internet satellites aboard the Falcon 9 which is  China’s naval fleet comprises 350 warships lifted off from Launch Complex 39A (LC- and submarines including 130 major surface 39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. combatants.  The launch was Starlink’s first mission of the  The number is greater than the US Navy’s month. The Elon-musk owned space tech force-level of 293 warships, as per the company has conducted sixteen missions this Pentagon report. year. Mustapha Adib becomes new Prime Minister of  The satellites are meant to provide ‘cheaper Lebanon and faster’ internet to inaccessible areas.  Lebanon’s ambassador to Germany, Mustapha  The satellites in its initial tests had provided Adib was appointed prime minister in crisis-hit over 100 Mbps speeds. Lebanon. Wilmington as the first World War II Heritage  Adib was named by four former prime City ministers, including Hariri.  Donald Trump, President of the USA has  He had served as the ambassador of Lebanon announced Wilmington (located in southern to Germany from 2013 to 2020. US state North Carolina) as the first World Google partners with Bangladesh for flood War II Heritage City. forecasting  The announcement was made at a ceremony  Google has partnered with Bangladesh Water held to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of Development Board to bring the flood warning World War II. services to the country.  September 2, 2020 marks the 75th  Google currently covers more than 40 million Commemoration of the End of World War II. people in Bangladesh and it is working to Russia commits to policy of no arms supply to expand its coverage to the whole of the Pakistan, reiterates support to Indian security country. interests  Google is working to launch a new forecasting  Russia assured that it will follow a policy of model to double the lead time so that people ‘no arms supply to Pakistan’ following a have an extra day or so to prepare in case of request from India during Defence Minister impending floods. Rajnath Singh’s meeting with his Russian  It said the is available in Hindi, Bengali and counterpart Gen. Sergey Shoigu. seven other local languages.  India and Russia also agreed to increase the  The company uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) engagement of their defence industries and to analyse historical data to predict flood in the finalised a major deal, under which an AK203 river basins.

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 Google launched its flood forecasting pilot  The marketplace allows the farmers to bypass programme in Patna in 2018. intermediaries, optimising the supply chain and India, Japan, Australia agree to launch a ensuring traceability to create value for all resilient supply chain initiative in the Indo- stakeholders. Pacific region China launches advanced warship for Pakistan  Australia-India-Japan Economic Ministers’ Navy Joint Statement on Supply Chain Resilience  China has launched first of the four advanced was held on 1st September. naval warships at the HudongZhonghua  The virtual meeting comprised of India’s Shipyard in Shanghai. Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush  It is building for Pakistan, amid deepening Goyal, Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism defence ties between the two all-weather allies. and Investment, Senator Simon, and Japan’s  The Type-054 class, equipped with the latest Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, surface, subsurface, anti-air weapons, combat Kajiyama Hiroshi. management system, and sensors will be one  India-Japan-Australia has agreed to launch an of the technologically advanced surface initiative to build a resilient supply chain in the platforms of the Pakistan Navy fleet. Indo-Pacific region. First ever direct flight between Israel and UAE  The aim is to create a free and transparent lands in Abu Dhabi trade & investment environment.  The first commercial direct flight between Japan commits Rs 3,500 crore (approx.) as Israel and the UAE landed in Abu Dhabi after Official Development Assistance for health the two countries announced normalisation of sector to fight the COVID-19 crisis in India relations.  The Govt. of Japan has committed Official  The El Al airliner made the three-hour trip Development Assistance loan of an amount of carrying a top-level Israeli delegation led by JPY50 billion (approx. Rs. 3,500 crore) for the National Security Adviser Meir Ben Shabbat COVID-19 Crisis Emergency Response Support while the US delegation was headed by US to India. President Donald Trump’s adviser Jared  This programme loan aims to support India’s Kushner and US NSA Robert O’Brien. efforts in fighting COVID-19 and to prepare the  The flight was allowed to cross Saudi Arabian health system to manage future epidemics and airspace, normally blocked to Israeli air traffic. also to improve the resilience of India’s health Bangladesh declares one-day national mourning systems against infectious diseases. in honour of Pranab Mukherjee  Apart from this, Japan Government has given  The Bangladesh government has announced Grant Assistance of an amount of JPY 1 billion one-day national mourning in honour of former (= approx. Rs. 70 crore) to India for providing President of India Pranab Mukherjee. medical equipment to strengthen the public China constructs missile site at Kailash- health and medical system. Mansarovar amid the stand-off with India ‘Agriota’ e-market platform launched to bridge  China has built a surface-to-air missile near a the gap between Indian farmers, UAE food lake which is a part of Kailash-Mansarovar industry amid the rising border tensions with India over  The UAE has launched Agriota, an agri- the standoff in the Eastern Ladakh Sector. commodity trading and sourcing e-market  The development of the missile indicates the platform that will bridge the gap between rural continued provocation by the Chinese which farmers in India and the UAE’s food industry. can also further complicate the border tensions  The platform was launched by Dubai Multi between the two countries. Commodities Centre (DMCC) and the government of Dubai’s authority on commodities trade and enterprise.

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from Madhya Pradesh on 9 September 2020 through video conferencing.  The program was telecasted through webcasts. PM will interact with 3 beneficiaries from the NATIONAL state by connecting virtually with them from Vice President inaugurates 125th Birth their vending locations. Anniversary celebrations of Kavi Samrat Shri Prime Minister virtually inaugurates Patrika Viswanatha Satyanarayana Gate in Jaipur  Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu virtually  Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurating the 125th Birth Anniversary inaugurated the Patrika Gate in Jaipur, celebrations of the Kavi Samrat Shri Rajasthan through video conference on 8th Viswanatha Satyanarayana. September 2020.  He had highlighted the importance of  The Iconic Gate is built by the Rajasthan-based imparting learning in the mother tongue, Patrika Group of Newspapers on the preserving culture and protecting the nature. Jawaharlal Nehru Marg in Jaipur, to bring  He also called making nature’s protection a together the art, craft, and cultural heritage of people’s movement. all the regions of Rajasthan at one place. PM to hold SvanidhiSamvaad with street  Similar to Mumbai’s Gateway of India and vendors from Madhya Pradesh on 9 September Delhi’s India Gate, the Jaipur’s Patrika Gate  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will enhance the pride of the state and will also held‘SvanidhiSamvaad’ with street vendors

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be a Gateway of Rajasthan, besides marking Union Health Ministry’s ‘eSanjeevani’ the beginning of a new tourist destination. telemedicine service records 3 lakh tele-  During the launch ceremony, Prime Minister consultations Shri Modi also released two books written by  ‘eSanjeevani’ telemedicine service, the the Patrika Group Chairman, Shri Gulab platform of the Health Ministry providing tele- Kothari, which included ‘Sanvad Upanishad’ consultations, has completed 3 lakh tele- and ‘Akshar Yatra’. consultations. Logo for National Bamboo Mission released  The platform has registered double that  Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ number of consultations within a month since Welfare, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj then. Shri Narendra Singh Tomar has inaugurated 22 Highlights: bamboo clusters in 9 States.  One lakh of these tele-consultations was held  A logo for the National Bamboo Mission has in the last 20 days. also been released through a contest held  The platform had completed the first 1,00,000 earlier. consultations on 23 July 2020, and the  By the launch of logo, India is all set to subsequent 1,00,000 on 18 August 2020 within increase the export of bamboo products. a span of 26 days. Minority Affairs Ministry decides to resume  eSanjeevani platform supports two types of HunarHaat event on October telemedicine services viz. Doctor-to-Doctor  After a gap of 6 months, the HunarHaat event (eSanjeevani) and Patient-to-Doctor is to be restarted from October 9 to 18 at (eSanjeevani OPD) Tele-consultations. Prayagraj.  It aims to implement tele-consultation in all the  The theme of the crafts fair would be ‘Local to 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centres in a Global’, with the focus on indigenous Indian ‘Hub and Spoke’ model, by December 2022. toys.  States need to identify and set up dedicated  The fest enables local artisans and craftsmen to ‘Hubs’ in Medical Colleges and District showcase and sell their products. hospitals to provide tele-consultation services Centre claims 42 crore poor benefited from to ‘Spokes’, i.e SHCs and PHCs. PMGKY Country’s 2nd, South India’s first Kisan Train  According to the Central Government, over 42 flagged off crore poor people have received financial  The country’s second and South India’s first assistance of around Rs.68,000 crore under the Kisan Train was flagged off. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package. Highlights:  This initiative, launched in March, aims to  The train started at 11 A.M. and it will provide free food grains and cash to women, transport material from Anantapur in Andhra poor senior citizens and farmers – the most Pradesh to Adarsh Nagar Railway Station in vulnerable to the pandemic. Delhi. EPFO settles 94.41 lakh claims during pandemic  Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister since 1st April Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of State for  EPFO has been able to settle a staggering Railways Suresh C. Angadi and Chief Minister 94.41 lakh claims thereby disbursing about Rs of Andhra Pradesh Jaganmohan Reddy flagged 35,445 crore to its members during the period of the train through video link. of April-August, 2020.  The Kisan Rail will play a big role in doubling  During this period, EPFO has settled around the farmers’ income by 2022. 32% more claims as compared to  Kisan Rail was announced in the Union corresponding period of last year (April- Budget, for transportation of Agri Products. August, 2019) while the amount disbursed  The first Kisan train was flagged off on 7th of increased by around 13%. August this year and the train is running Union Education Minister E-inaugurates newly between Maharashtra’s Devlali and Bihar’s completed projects at Central University of Danapur Railway Station. Jammu CIPET to establish two new Centres for Skilling  Union Education Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal and Technical Support at Bhagalpur & ‘Nishank’, e-inaugurated (Lokaarpan) three Varanasi projects recently completed at Central  Central Institute of Petrochemicals University of Jammu. Engineering & Technology (CIPET) under the  The projects inaugurated are Dr.Syama Prasad Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers will be Mookerjee Hostel, Pandit Premnath Dogra shortly establishing two new Centres for Guest House and Brigadier Rajendra Singh Skilling and Technical Support- CSTS at Road. Bhagalpur (Bihar) and Varanasi (UP).

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 Technical Support Services offered by these Items by the Child Development Project Office centres will act as a catalyst for development Tai Suru. and growth of new and existing industries in  The Poshan Mela was inaugurated by the region. Councillor LAHDC Tai Suru Aga Syed Home Ministry grants FCRA registration to AbassRazvi. Golden Temple  He also flagged off two PoshanVahans which  The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has will sensitise the people of Tai Suru with approved registration of the Sri Harmandir Objectives of PoshanMaah. Sahib under the Foreign Contribution PM Modi to participate in ‘GrihaPravesh’ (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010 on 9 ceremony virtually September 2020.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate  Sri Harmandir Sahib is famous as Golden in ‘GrihaPravesh’ ceremony and virtually Temple in Amritsar. inaugurate 1.75 lakh houses in Madhya  The registration under FCRA 2010 will allow Pradesh. the Golden Temple to receive foreign funds.  Mr Modi will also talk to some of the  The FCRA registration will be valid for a beneficiaries. period of five years.  The house of Subhash and Sushila of Urdan  The funds received from global contributors village of Betul district of MP has been will be used for shrine activities besides completed recently under the Pradhan Mantri providing financial assistance to the poor, Awas Yojana. medical assistance to the needy and organise PM Modi launches projects worth over ₹20,000 langars (free community kitchens). cr in Bihar Atal Innovation Mission Launches  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE-ANIC Initiative launched fisheries and animal husbandry  Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog projects worth more than Rs.20,000 crore in has launched the Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE- Bihar, which goes to polls later this year. Atal New India Challenges to foster innovation  The projects launched virtually by Modi, who in Indian MSMEs and startups. gave the slogan Jai Kisan (farmers), Jai Vigyan  The programme will support research-based (science), Jai Anusandhan (research), included innovations by providing funding support to the Rs. 20,050 crore scheme Pradhan Mantri MSMEs and startups up to Rs 50 lakh. MatsyaSampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the e-  The programme will be driven by Atal Gopala mobile app. Innovation Mission (AIM) along with Indian  The PMMSY scheme, which is part of the Space Research Organization (ISRO) and four Rs.20 trillion stimulus package announced Government Ministries– Ministry of Defence; earlier this year, aims to improve availability Ministry of Food Processing Industries; of certified quality fish seed and feed, create Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; and critical infrastructure, including modernization Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. and strengthening of value chains to create job Gadkari approves proposal to construct opportunities for nearly 1.5 million. Munger-Bhagalpur-Tirpety-Kahalgaon concrete Amit Shah e-launches development projects road on NH80 in Bihar worth Rs 221 crore in Ahmedabad  Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin  Home Minister Amit Shah e-dedicated and e- Gadkari has approved a proposal to construct launched development projects worth Rs 221 the 120 kilometre Munger-Bhagalpur-Tirpety- crore in Ahmedabad district. Kahalgaon concrete road on national highway  electricity consumption, industrial production, 80 in Bihar. exports and startup statistics show that Gujarat  This will be a 2-lane road with paved is in the forefront in the nation in returning to shoulders, which will also be 4-lane wide at normalcy during the Unlock. certain stretches.  Gujarat has set a unique example for how to  Mr Gadkari has directed officials to begin return to normal life with people’s cooperation. work on this road within next three months.  The works e-dedicated by Union Home  He also ordered release of 20 crore rupees for Minister include Rs 130.91 crore pipeline immediate repair works on this section. network to carry water from Vaishnavdevi Poshan Mela organised at Tai Suru by ICDS in Circle to Shantipuraand Sarkhej along Ring Kargil Road, Rs 15 crore new water distribution  In Kargil Ladakh, a unique sensitisation station near APMC Yard in south-west zone, programme Poshan Mela was organised at Tai Rs 24.99 crore water distribution station near Suru by ICDS with display of Local Food Makarba Police Lines in Sarkhej ward and Rs 5.26 crore Chharodi village lake.

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 Other works include 240 housing units under  The Challenge will support cities across the BavlaNagarpalika under Pradhan Mantri country to develop a unified vision of streets AwasYojna at the cost of Rs 17 crore. for people in consultation with stakeholders PM Modi to dedicate to nation three key and citizens. projects related to Petroleum sector Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh virtually lays  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to foundation stone of Arun Jaitley Memorial the nation three key projects related to the Sports Complex in Jammu Petroleum sector in Bihar through video  The Union Minister of State, Development of conferencing. North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra  The projects include the Durgapur-Banka Singh along with Youth Affairs & Sports section of the Paradip-Haldia-Durgapur Minister Kiren Rijiju and Jammu and Kashmir Pipeline Augmentation Project and two LPG Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha laid the Bottling Plants. foundation stone for the construction of Arun  They have been commissioned by Indian Oil Jaitley Memorial Sports Complex at Hiranagar, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited- in Kathua district of Jammu & Kashmir HPCL, under the aegis of the Ministry of through video conferencing on 12 September Petroleum and Natural Gas. 2020.  The 193 kilometer long Durgapur-Banka  Arun Jaitley Memorial Sports Complex will pipeline section is a part of the Paradip-Haldia- spread over 270 kanals of land and is being Durgapur Pipeline Augmentation Project, for undertaken under the Prime Minister’s which the foundation stone was laid by the Development Package (PMDP) at an estimated Prime Minister on 17th February 2019. cost of Rs.58.23 crore.  Durgapur-Banka section is the extension of the  The State of Art Sports Complex will be first existing 679 Kilometer long Paradip-Haldia- of its kind sports complex in the Northern Durgapur LPG pipeline to the new LPG Region, having multiple sports facilities of bottling plant at Banka in Bihar. international and national standards in one Central govt pensioners can submit life place. certificate from Nov 1 to Dec 31  It will boost the overall Sports Infrastructure in  All Central Government pensioners can submit the UT of Jammu & Kashmir. Life Certificate from 1st November, 2020 to Government bans export of onions with 31st December 2020. immediate effect  Earlier this used to be only for the month of  The Union Government on September 14, November for maintaining continuity of 2020 banned the export of onions with Pension. However, the pensioners in the age immediate effect. group of 80 years and above, can submit Life  The order bans export of all varieties of onions Certificate from 1st October, 2020 to 31st except cut, sliced onions or onions broken in December, 2020. powder form.  Every Central Government pensioner has to  The ban also covers Bangalore Rose onions submit life certificate in the month of and Krishnapuram onions, which were free for November for further continuation of their export till now. pension.  A notification was issued in this regard by the Centre launches Climate Smart Cities Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Assessment Framework along with ‘Streets for Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. People Challenge’ Govt dismisses media report claiming ban on  Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep process of new recruitment Singh Puri launched the Climate Smart Cities  Union Government has dismissed a media Assessment Framework, CSCAF 2.0, along report claiming that process of new recruitment with the ‘Streets for People Challenge’ in a has been banned. virtual event.  Press Information Bureau said in a tweet that  The objective of CSCAF is to provide a clear the claim is misleading. roadmap for cities towards combating Climate  recruitment will continue normally through Change while planning and implementing their government agencies like Staff Selection actions, including investments. Commission and Union Public Service  CSCAF initiative intends to inculcate a Commission. climate-sensitive approach to urban planning BJP launches week-long ‘ SevaSaptah’ to mark and development in India. PM Modi’s 70th birthday  The Streets for People Challenge is the  BJP has launched a week-long campaign response to the need for making the cities more namely SevaSaptah to mark the 70th birthday walkable and pedestrian friendly.

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of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which falls  It means converting a subordinate office of on 17th this month. Ministry of Defence (MoD) into 100 per cent  Various social initiatives are being undertaken Government owned corporate entities. by the party leaders and workers across the  For this purpose, Government has created an country. Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM), that  Party national president J P Nadda launched will be chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath the campaign at Chhaprauli village in Uttar Singh. Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar district.  EGoM will oversee and guide the entire Bills Introduced in Lok Sabha to Transform the process including the transition support and Agriculture redeployment plan of employees.=  Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ India will be self-reliant in production of Welfare, Rural Development & Panchayati fertilizers by 2023 Raj, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar introduced –  Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister DV The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Sadananda Gowda has said that India will be Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm self-reliant in the production of fertilizers by Services Bill, 2020 and the Minister of State 2023. for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public  Under AtmaNirbhar Bharat programme new Distribution, Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve fertilizer manufacturing units are being setup introduced The Essential Commodities with an investment of 40 thousand crore rupees (Amendment) Bill, 2020 in the Lok Sabha on in the country to reduce dependency on import. September 14, 2020.  The Ministry is encouraging the production of  The bills are aimed at transforming the organic and Nano fertilizers in the country as agriculture besides raising farmers’ income they are 25 to 30 per cent cheaper and give 18 MoHUA launches Climate Smart Cities to 35 per cent higher yield. Assessment Framework (CSCAF 2.0) Govt urges seven big states to ensure adequate  The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs oxygen availability in all healthcare facilities (MoHUA) has launched the Climate Smart  Government has urged seven big states to Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF) 2.0. ensure adequate Oxygen availability in all  Objective: To provide a clear roadmap for Healthcare Facilities. These States are cities towards combating Climate Change Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, while planning and implementing their actions, Telangana, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya including investments. Pradesh.  The initiative was launched by Hardeep Singh  Union Health Ministry held a virtual meeting Puri, Minister of State (Independent Charge) in this regard. for Housing and Urban Affairs on 11  The aim of the meeting was to ensure adequate September in a virtual event organised by the Oxygen availability in all healthcare facilities Smart Cities Mission. in these States and unrestricted intra as well as  The framework comprise of 28 indicators inter State movement of oxygen. across five categories.  The States were specifically advised to ensure They are: hospital wise oxygen inventory management  Energy and Green Buildings, and advance planning for timely replenishment  Urban Planning, Green Cover and so that there are no stockout. Biodiversity,  They have been also asked to ensure that no  Mobility and Air Quality, restriction is imposed on the movement of  Water Management and Medical Oxygen between States and Union  Waste Management. Territories.  The CSCAF 2.0 initiative will be implemented Thaawarchand Gehlot launched 24×7 toll-free by the MoHUA, with support from the Climate Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline KIRAN Centre for Cities under National Institute of  Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister for Urban Affairs (NIUA). Social Justice and Empowerment virtually  CSCAF initiative will inculcate a climate- launched the 24×7 Toll-Free Mental Health sensitive approach to urban planning and Rehabilitation Helpline “KIRAN” (1800-500- development in India. 0019). Centre decided to corporatize the Ordnance  The aim is to provide relief and support to Factory Board persons with Mental Illness.  The government has recently decided to  The movement comes due to the growing corporatize the Ordnance Factory Board incidence of Mental Illness, particularly in the (OFB). wake of COVID-19 Pandemic.

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 Gehlot also released the poster, brochure, and Centre approved Khadi Agarbatti resource book on the Helpline. Aatmanirbhar Mission Toll Free Helpline:  Union Minister for MSME, Shri Nitin Gadkari  Toll Free Helpline will be operational 24 hours approved Khadi AgarbattiAatmanirbhar a day, 7 days a week with the Technical Mission. Coordination of BSNL.  It is a unique employment generation program  A total of 25 Institutions including 8 National proposed by Khadi and Village Industries Institutes are involved in this Helpline. Commission (KVIC).  The Toll-Free Helpline is backed by 660  It will India Aatmanirbhar in Agarbatti Clinical/Rehabilitation Psychologists and 668 production. Psychiatrists.  Khadi AgarbattiAatmanirbhar Mission  The 13 languages covered in the Helpline are  It aims at creating employment for Assamese, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, unemployed and migrant workers in different Malayalam, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, parts of the country and increasing domestic Kannada, Bengali, and Urdu. Agarbatti production substantially. Vice President suggests to include milk in Mid-  The scheme designed by KVIC on Public– day Meal Scheme private partnership (PPP) mode.  The Vice President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu  It requires a very less investment. has suggested that milk can be given either as  It will help private Agarbatti manufacturers to part of breakfast or the mid-day meal. scale up Agarbatti production without any  This will improve the nutritional levels of capital investment by them. children. Govt announces 3rd phase of ‘Back to Village’ Mid-day meal scheme programme from October 2 to 12 in J&K  The Mid-day Meal Scheme is a meal  In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, programme that has been formulated for taking the government announced the third phase of care of the nutrition among the of school-age ambitious Back to Village (B2V) programme children countrywide. from October 2 to 12, this year.  It supplies free lunch for children in primary  The announcement was made by Principal and upper primary classes in government and Secretary, Power Development and government aided centres. Information Departments, Rohit Kansal.  Mid-Day Meal Programme was first  The Phase-I of B2V was an introductory and introduced for disadvantaged children in interactive programme to understand the Madras Municipal Corporation in 1925. people’s grievances and demands. Government releases draft guidelines for ads  While Phase-II focused on the devolution of  The Consumer Affairs Ministry has come out powers to panchayats and tried to understand with a comprehensive set of draft guidelines on how these panchayats are functioning and what advertising. are the grievances and demands.  The guideline says, disclaimers in small font Government goes digital, stops printing of and which are not factual will be treated as diaries, calendars and greeting cards misleading ads.  The Union Government on September 2, 2020  The code has been drafted by the Central asked all ministries and departments to stop Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) under printing wall calendars, diaries, desktop the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. calendars and greeting cards in their physical  It is aimed at curbing unfair trade. forms to encourage shift to digital platform.  It holds manufacturers, service providers, and  The Ministry of Finance issued a statement advertising agencies accountable for any saying that there will be no activity of printing misleading claims. of wall calendars, desktop calendars, diaries Railway Ministry to run 80 new passengers’ and other such materials for use by any trains from September 12 ministry, department, public sector companies,  The Chairman of the Railway Board, Vinod state-run banks or other organs of the Kumar Yadav has informed that Indian government in the coming year. Railways will run 80 new special passenger Government asks Major Ports to use locally trains from September 12, 2020. built Tug Boats  The Railway Board also mentioned that the  The government has asked all major ports to passengers can start booking reservations in procure or charter tug boats that are made in the new trains from September 10. India to revive the Indian shipbuilding  These trains will be in addition to 230 trains industry. that are already in operation.  The proposal has been initiated by The Ministry of Shipping

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 Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya called programme. Sunil Arora is the present Chief it as a step towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Shipping’ Election Commissioner. under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ drive. New Cabinet approvals  The all procurement being done by major ports  The Union Cabinet headed by the Prime will now be carried out as per the revised Minister Narendra Modi approved the ‘Make in India’ order following:  Move is aimed at promoting Indian  MoU between India and Finland – for shipbuilding industry and for “Make in India cooperation in the field of Geology and shipbuilding”. Mineral Resources. CII to create a ‘National strategy for future  The MoU will enhance the cooperation in the business’ along with DPIIT field of geology and mineral resources between  Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry create a ‘national strategy for future of Mines, the Government of India (GoI), and businesses’ together with the Department for Geological Survey of Finland, Ministry of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Employment and the Economy, Finland. (DPIIT).  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed  The group will also provide policy inputs, between Textiles Committee, India, and M/s identify new growth segments and establish Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre, Japan. international partnerships with a focus on  The MoU was aimed to improve the quality growing such businesses. and testing of Indian textiles and Clothing for  CII also suggested that the government should the Japanese market. invite other nations to participate. Senior Union Cabinet approves J&K official languages business leaders were called upon to become Bill 2020 mentors, not only to their own family or  The Union Cabinet has approved J&K official businesses but also to the new age & young languages Bill 2020. According to the J&K entrepreneurs. official languages Bill 2020, Kashmiri, Dogri Sikkim & Delhi paired for cultural exchanges and Hindi along with Urdu and English, will under Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat programme be the official languages in the union territory  Sikkim is paired with Delhi under Ek Bharat of Jammu and Kashmir. Shresht Bharat for promoting greater mutual  The J&K official languages Bill 2020 will be understanding amongst them. introduced in Parliament in the upcoming  The Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat programme Monsoon Session. aims to actively enhance interaction between  This bill will include Dogri, Hindi and people of diverse cultures living in different Kashmiri as officials’ languages of the Union States and Union Territories in India. Territory. Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme: Goa Ladakh, Lakshadweep joins ‘One Nation-One paired with Jharkhand Ration Card’ scheme  Under Ek Bharat Shresht Bharat, Goa is paired  The Union Territories (UTs) Ladakh & with Jharkhand. Lot of exchange activities are Lakshadweep have been included in the ‘One happening on this front. Nation-One Ration Card’ scheme on  Lokotsav programmes held earlier in Goa in ‘Integrated Management of Public Distribution Panaji evoked good response. Stalls of System’(IM-PDS). Jharkhand displayed delicacies from that state  After the integration of these two UTs, a total and Goans enjoyed savouring the same. of 26 States /UTs Connected with the Scheme  Folk dances presented by Jharkhand artistes and will benefit about 65 crore people. Union also were appreciated by Goan artistes. Later Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Goan artistes also visited Jharkhand and Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan has recently presented Goan folk dances approved the integration of Ladakh and India’s First Regional Voters’ Awareness Centre Lakshadweep with the scheme in a review to Come Up in Jaipur meeting chaired by him.  Election Commission of India (ECI) will set up Defence Minister embarks on 3-day visit to the country’s first regional voters’ awareness Russia centre in Jaipur, Rajasthan.  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh embarked on  It will cater to four states — Rajasthan, a three-day visit to Russia on September 2, Haryana, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. 2020.  The centre will carry out various awareness  Singh will be attending the combined meeting activities under the Systematic Voters’ of Defence Ministers of the Shanghai Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Collective

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Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) & CIS  The Minister of State (IC) Power and New & members during his visit. Renewable Energy & Minister of State (Skill  The combined meeting of the Defence Development and Entrepreneurship), Shri R. Ministers of the eight SCO member nations is K. Singh, launched pan-India Green Term being held to commemorate the 75th Ahead Market (GTAM) in electricity through Anniversary of victory in World War II. video conference in New Delhi on 01 Jal Shakti Ministry launched ‘Water Heroes’ September 2020. Contest  The GTAM platform is the first Exclusive  The Department of Water Resources, River product for the renewable energy sector in the Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, world and is a step towards Greening the Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched the ‘Water Indian short term power Market. Heroes – Share Your Stories’ Contest.  The market would bring down the burden on  It aims to reach out to people on the important Renewable Energy (RE) rich States and subject of water conservation and incentivize them to develop RE capacity management. beyond their own Renewable Purchase  The contest hopes to encourage people and Obligations (RPO). collect best practices in water conservation  Green Term Ahead Market contracts will allow from across the country. additional avenues to the RE generators for the  For the contest, every month (from September sale of renewable energy; enable Obligated onward), entries would be invited for the entities to procure renewable power at awards. competitive prices to meet their RPO and  A maximum of 10 entries can be considered provide a platform to environmentally for the awards every month. All selected conscious open access consumers and utilities entries will be awarded a cash prize of Rs to buy green power. 10,000 and a certificate  This initiative will also help the Government Dept of Fertilizers to observe Swachhta of India to achieve its target of 175 GW RE Pakhwada from 1-15th September Capacity by 2022.  Union Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Govt. gives nod to 27 integrated cold chain Chemicals and Fertilizers, is observing development projects under PM Kisan SwachhtaPakhwada from 1st to 15th SAMPADA Yojana September 2020.  Government gave its nod to 27 projects today  All Public sector undertakings (PSUs) and under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA other Organizations under the Department are Yojana for development of integrated cold participating in the Swachhta Abhiyan. chains and value addition infrastructure in the  SwachhtaPakhwada initiative was launched to country. bring a fortnight of intense focus on the issues  The new integrated cold chain projects will and the practices of Swachhata by engaging generate direct and indirect employment for the Government of India over 16,000 people and benefit nearly 2,57,000 Ministries/Departments in their jurisdictions. farmers.  The Ministries/ Departments observing  The projects will help in streamlining the SwachhataPakhwada are monitored closely agricultural supply chain and generate direct with the help of the online monitoring system and indirect employment opportunities in rural of Swachhata Samiksha. areas. India to achieve 100 MT coal gasification target  These 27 new projects will leverage a total by 2030 year investment of Rs 743 crore for the creation of  Government of India is aiming for 100 million modern, innovative infrastructure and effective tonnes (MT) coal gasification by 2030. cold chain facilities for the food processing  The announcement was made by Pralhad Joshi, sector across various states including Andhra Union Minister of Coal and Mines at a webinar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, organized by the Ministry of Coal (MoC) in Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, New Delhi. Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.  To achieve the target, Centre is to invest over  85 Cold Chain Projects have also been Rs.4 lakh crores. considered for financial assistance under the  The aim of the revised target is to boost the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana. production of synthetic natural gas, energy Coal India to invest over Rs 1.22 lakh crore on fuel, urea for fertilizers, and the production of 500 projects by 2023-24 other chemicals.  Coal India Ltd (CIL) will invest over 1.22 lakh Centre launches pan-India GTAM in electricity crore rupees on development of nearly 500 to make Indian Power Market go Green projects related to coal evacuation,

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infrastructure, project development,  The RORO train will transport goods from the exploration and clean coal technologies in the Peenya industrial area. country.  Each truck will be loaded with 30 tonnes of  The investment aims at making India self- cargo. reliant in terms of coal and achieve the  It will cover a distance of 682 km, via production target of 1 billion tonnes by 2023- Dharmavaram, Guntakal, Raichur, and Wadi to 2024. reach Bale near Solapur in Maharashtra. India plans to release forensic accounting and  RORO is a concept of carrying road vehicles investigation standards loaded with various commodities on open flat  Indian government plans on coming up with railway wagons. forensic accounting and investigation standards “MEDBOT” medical trolley developed by (FAIS) as it aims at setting the basic quality Indian Railways parameters for conducting investigations.  Indian Railways has developed a remote-  A committee has been constituted by The controlled medical trolley named ‘MEDBOT’ Institute of Chartered Accountant of India to help deliver food and medicines to COVID- (ICAI) to deliberate on FAIS, which can be 19 patients. expected to be framed by the end of 2020.  During Corona crisis, apart from providing  Atul Kumar Gupta, President of the Chartered transport facilities and essential items like food Accountants body informed during a virtual grains to people, Indian Railways has also conference. provided facilities for COVID-19 patients. September to be observed as ‘Nutrition Month’:  It is providing service in the Central Hospital PM Modi of the Diesel Rail Engine Factory of Indian  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced Railways. that the month of September will be observed Regular International commercial flight as “Nutrition Month” in the entire nation. operations to remain suspended till September  PM made this announcement during his 30 monthly “Mann kiBaat” radio programme on  The international scheduled commercial flight 30 August 2020. operations will remain suspended till  During nutrition month, a food and nutrition September 30, 2020, as per the latest order by quiz will be organized on MyGov portal and the Director General of Civil Aviation there will be a meme competition. (DGCA).  PM Modi has appealed to the public to  All scheduled international commercial flight participate and motivate others too to take part operations were suspended on March 22, 2020, in it. when Janata Curfew was announced to contain Water Projects Worth Rs 10,000 Crore the spread of coronavirus. The flights have Sanctioned for Bundelkhand Region remained suspended ever since due to the  Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the pandemic. government is committed to the development Air India’s privatization process to be of drought-prone Bundelkhand region and completed within 2020 around 500 projects worth over Rs 10,000  The Union Civil Aviation Minister, HS Puri on crore have been sanctioned for improving August 30, 2020, informed that he is hopeful water availability. of completing Air India’s Privatization process  Both the Centre and the UP government are within 2020. committed towards development of  The government has now initiated the process Bundelkhand region and restore its historic of divesting its share from Air India airlines identity and past glory. and is now looking for suitable bidders.  Besides water projects, thousands of crores Qutub Minar lights up to celebrate solidarity worth of projects is being implemented in this movement region, including Bundelkhand Expressway  Marking 40th anniversary of the creation of and Defence Corridor, that will create job Solidarity movement, Embassy of Poland and opportunities. Polish Institute in Delhi illuminated Qutub CM Yediyurappa flags off First RORO Train Minar in Poland’s national flag colours, white from Bengaluru to Solapur and red.  Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa Parliament’s Monsoon Session from September flagged off the first ever Roll-On/Roll-Off 14 (RO-RO) train between Bengaluru  Parliament’s Monsoon Session was held from (Nelamangala) to Solapur (Maharashtra) September 14 to October 1, 2020 amid through video conferencing. COVID-19 pandemic.

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 The session will be held with strict observance  Ministry of Shipping has launched the with health safety norms including social SAROD-Ports’ (Society for Affordable distancing and wearing of masks. Redressal of Disputes – Ports) which is a  The session will continue till October 1 Dispute Redressal Mechanism for all kind of “subject to exigencies of business”. disputes of the maritime sector. Ministry of Shipping launches ‘SAROD-Ports’  The launch was done virtually by Union for disputes of maritime sector Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) Shri Mansukh Mandaviya.

 The scheme will also establish finfish hatcheries, biofloc ponds, ornamental fish culture units, ice plants, cages and fish feed plants. RECENT GOVT. Cabinet approved Mission Karmayogi  The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the launch of “Mission Karmayogi”, a National DEVELOPMENT Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB).  Mission Karmayogi is aimed to prepare the SCHEMES Indian Civil Servant for the future by making Prime Minister Narendra Modi launch Pradhan them more constructive, imaginative, creative, Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana innovative, proactive, progressive,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will digitally professional, energetic, transparent, and launch Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada technology-enabled. Yojana. Highlights:  He is also going to launch e-Gopala  The Capacity Building Commission was aimed application. to ensure a uniform approach in regulating and  The scheme will be launched for sustainable managing the capacity building ecosystem on a development of fisheries in India. It is going to collaborative and co-sharing basis. be implemented between 2020-21 and 2024-  The commission will assist the PM Public 25. Under the scheme, total funds allocations Human Resources Council in approving the to the fisheries sector is Rs 20,050 crores. Annual Capacity Building Plans. Features of the scheme  The commission will also coordinate and  The scheme will be a boost to double the supervise the implementation of the Capacity income of fish farmers. Building Plans with the stakeholder  It is aimed at increasing the fish production to Departments. 70 lakh tonnes by 2024-25.  It will also exercise functional supervision over  This is going to reduce the post-harvest losses all Central Training Institutions dealing with of fisheries sector to 10%. civil services capacity building.  It will also generate 55 lakhs direct and  It will make recommendations on the indirect employment in this sector. standardization of training and capacity building, pedagogy, and methodology. 42 | Page MAGAZINE FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER – 2020

 The Capacity Building Commission will set  Mission Karmayogi will be delivered by norms for common mid-career training setting up an (Integrated Government Online programs across all civil services. Training) iGOTKarmayogiPlatform.  The Capacity Building Commission suggests  The platform will evolve into a world-class policy interventions required in the areas of market place for content were carefully curated HR Management and Capacity Building to the and vetted digital e-learning material will be Government. made available. iGOT-Karmayogi platform:

operative Development Corporation (NCDC) at Krushi Bhawan for the promotion and management of Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO). AGREEMENTS  This MoU is based on Farmers Producer Organisation (FPO) Promotion and Management with central sector scheme.  Under this Central scheme, NCCD will be & MOU’S formed Farmer Producer Organisation (FPOs) Liberty General Insurance Partners with SpiceJet to and will impart training, proper guidance to the Offer Travel Insurance small and marginal farmers of Odisha to face  Mumbai-based Liberty General Insurance has various challenges in production, technical partnered with SpiceJet to offer Liberty Secure knowhow, quality of production, optimum Travel’ an insurance policy to consumers who price realisation, credit, seed production, book airline travel through SpiceJet’s website processing, utilisation and marketing. and mobile site. ADB, Suguna Sign $15 Million Deal to Sustain  Applicable across SpiceJet’s domestic Rural Livelihoods in India During Pandemic network, Liberty’s new zero-cancellation  The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has service offered under the Liberty Secure Travel signed an agreement for $15 million with Policy allows Passengers can claim a full Suguna Foods Private Limited (Suguna) to cancellation-fee reimbursement for a flight- help sustain poultry farming operations, as booking made in advance not beyond 90 days. well as rural livelihoods and food security in Odisha Govt signed MoU with NCDC for India during the coronavirus disease (COVID- Promotion and Management of Farmer 19) pandemic. Producer Organisation  ADB’s assistance will provide essential  An MoU has been signed between the liquidity support to Suguna’s operations during Government of Odisha and the National Co- Page | 43 MAGAZINE FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER – 2020

this COVID-19 crisis, help the company build Microsoft joins Nasscom to skill 10 lakh inventory buffers and make timely payments to students in AI by 2021 contract farmers and suppliers.  Microsoft joined hands with industry-driven Rajasthan Partners with SIDBI to develop learning ecosystem NasscomFutureSkills to MSMEs launch a nation-wide initiative that aims to  Industries Minister Parsadi Lal Meena said that skill 10 lakh students in Artificial Intelligence Rajasthan’s Department of Industries and Sidbi (AI) by 2021. partnered on September 12, 2020 to provide  This initiative called “AI Classroom Series” financial, technical, marketing and export will be paced in three modules. support to Micro, Small and Medium  The online classes will include live demos, Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state. hands-on workshops and assignments through India, U.S. and Israel collaborating in 5G tech self-learning, virtual instructor-led training,  India, Israel and the United States have begun and mentoring. collaboration in developmental area, and in  The partnership with NasscomFutureSkills is next generation of emerging technologies, an extension of Microsoft’s global skilling including a transparent, open, reliable and initiative to help 25 million people worldwide secure 5G communication network. acquire new digital skills, needed to thrive in a  It was announced at the virtual US-India-Israel digital economy. summit that focused on trilateral partnerships IIT Roorkee signs MoU with OUAT for in the strategic, technology and development cooperation in agricultural research and arenas. education  The branching out of this trilateral initiative in  IIT Roorkee signs MoU with OUAT for development and technological arena is a result cooperation in agricultural research and of the people-to-people collaboration, in education. Indian Institute of Technology particular those by Indian diaspora in the US Roorkee (IIT-R) has signed a Memorandum of and Israel, that was initiated by Prime Minister Understanding (MoU) with Odisha University Narendra Modi during his historic visit to of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Israel three years ago in July 2017. Bhubaneshwar. India and US review progress in bilateral ties in  Objective: to generate frontier technologies defence, security and foreign policy areas and produce quality manpower in the field of  India and the United States held a bilateral 22 agricultural research and education for Inter-sessional meeting at the official level in addressing the challenges faced by the rural virtual mode. communities and improving their quality of  Both sides reviewed the progress and life. developments in bilateral ties in defence,  The MoU was signed by Prof Ajit K security, and foreign policy areas since the last Chaturvedi, Director, on behalf of IIT Roorkee 22 Ministerial meeting held on 18th December and Dr Pawan Kumar Agrawal, Vice- last year in Washington DC. Chancellor, OUAT.  They explored opportunities for enhancing  The MOU empowers both institutions to ongoing cooperation in these fields based on establish mutual relations between their mutual interest. scientific and technical divisions and to set up  They also exchanged views about regional facilities for the exchange and proper developments and agreed to pursue their quest placement of scientific technologists and for a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and experts. prosperous Indo-Pacific. Vedanta Tied Up with SBI for Long Term ADB, ENGIE sign Rs.466-crore loan for Syndicated Loan of Rs.10000 Crore developing solar project in Gujarat  Vedanta announced it tie up for a long-term  The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and syndicated loan facility for Rs.10000 crore France’s ENGIE group have signed a long- with State bank of India (SBI). term loan of up to Rs. 466 crore for setting up  This loan increases the average debt maturity a 200-MW solar power project in Gujarat. profile of Vedanta limited and also improves  Electro Solaire Private Limited (ESPL), a the liquidity ratios as the near-term maturities special purpose vehicle owned by the ENGIE are replaced by a long-term loan. group, will implement the project. India, France discuss to provide Mission Alpha-  ESPL is collaborating with the Gujarat like equipment for Gaganyaan Mission government to construct the project and has  India and France are in discussions to provide signed a power purchase agreement for 25 Mission Alpha-like equipment to astronauts years with the State government. involved in the ‘Gaganyaan’ mission.

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 As per the National Centre for Space Studies 42% and Rosoboronexport will own 7.5% (CNES) of France, the discussions are in the stake. final stage.  The AK-47 203 Rifle of 7.62×39 mm will be  Mission Alpha is the name of French manufactured at Uttar Pradesh’s Korwa Astronaut Thomas Pesquet’s mission wherein Ordnance Factory that was inaugurated by PM he will be sent to International Space Station Modi in 2019. (ISS) on Crew Dragon spacecraft next year. Andhra Pradesh signs MoU with CSIR-IICT on Federal Bank partnered with Innoviti to provide Bulk Drug Park Affordable Options of Federal Bank Debit  The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Cards Corporation Ltd (APIIC) has entered into a  Federal Bank partnered with Innoviti to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with provide Affordable Options of Federal Bank Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Debit Cards through Innoviti Point of Sale Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (POS)terminals. (CSIR-IICT) as a step forward in the direction  Through this partnership customers can access of setting up a Bulk Drug Park (BDP) under a the credit, which can be repaid in convenient scheme by the Ministry of Chemicals and Equated Monthly Installments (EMIs) through Fertilisers, Department of Pharmaceuticals their Federal Bank Debit Card.  The objective of the MoU is to develop a MoU between India and Japan on cooperation collaborative partnership between the State in Textiles government and CSIR-IICT to establish Bulk  The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Drug Pharma park in the State Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved a  It seeks financial support from the Centre. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Rajasthan government signed a MoU with between Textiles Committee, India and M/s ShriVallabhPittie (SVP) International Group Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre, Japan  Rajasthan government signed a Memorandum for improving quality and testing of Indian of Understanding (MoU) with textiles and Clothing for the Japanese market. ShriVallabhPittie (SVP) International Group to  The MoU would enable Japan in assigning develop projects for textile, defence and Textile Committee as their cooperative Testing aerospace. and Inspection service providers in India for  Through this MoU, SVP will invest Rs 4000 Textiles & Apparel products including crore for the projects, which will create Technical Textiles and any other products for employment opportunities for about 4000 both domestic and overseas buyers. people. In US, Amazon granted approval to deliver SIDBI, Maharashtra Govt Inked Pact to packages by drones Develop MSME Ecosystem  The Federal Aviation Administration has  Small Industries Development Bank of India granted Amazon approval to deliver packages (SIDBI) has inked a Memorandum of by drones. Understanding (MoU) with the Government of  The online shopping giant has been working Maharashtra to develop the micro, small and on drone delivery for years. medium enterprise (MSME) ecosystem in the  Amazon unveiled self-piloting drones that are state. fully electric in 2019 which can carry 5 pounds  As a part of MoU, Project Management Unit of goods and are designed to deliver items in (PMU) will be deployed by SIDBI in 30 minutes by dropping them in a backyard. Maharashtra. India, Russia finalise deal to manufacture AK- WhatsApp Partners with CyberPeace 47 203 Rifles Foundation to create awareness on cyber safety  India and Russia on September 3, 2020 among students finalised a deal to manufacture AK-47 203  The Facebook-owned WhatsApp has entered rifles in India. into a partnership with the cyber security think  The deal was finalised during the ongoing visit tank CyberPeace Foundation to create of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Russia. awareness on cyber safety among students.  The AK-47 203 Rifles will be made in India  The awareness campaign has been launched under the joint venture Indo-Russia Rifles under the “e-Raksha” programme and will be Private Limited (IRRPL), which was implemented in phases. established between the Ordnance Factory  In the first phase 15,000 students will be Board (OFB), Rosoboronexport and the covered in five regions by the end of 2020. Kalashnikov Concern. They include Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar,  The OFB will own around 50.5% majority Jharkhand and Maharashtra. stake in IRRPL, Kalashnikov Group will own

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 The need for this awareness campaign was felt  These included the MoUs on mid-career as students spend more time online and so they training of Bangladesh civil servants, become more vulnerable to cyber threats such cooperation between AYUSH and the Ministry as cyberbullying, stumbling across child abuse of Health of Bangladesh in the field of material, cybercriminals disrupting online medicinal plants, and an MoU between Anti- classes, the spread of misinformation, privacy Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh issues etc. and CBI. IIT Roorkee signs MoU with NIUA for building  Another MoU was signed between accessible, safe Indian cities Hiranandani Group and Bangladesh Economic  The National Institute of Urban Affairs Zones Authority (BEZA) to facilitate (NIUA) has signed a Memorandum of investments in the Indian Economic Zone in Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute Mongla. of Technology (IIT) Roorkee for collaboration World Bank’s loan for Himanchal Pradesh State in areas of universal design principles and Roads Transformation Projects inclusive development in the backdrop of  World Bank and the government of Himachal ‘Building Accessible Safe Inclusive Indian Pradesh signed $82 million loan for the Cities’ (BASIIC) program. implementation of Himachal Pradesh State  The association will aim to leverage the Roads Transformation Project. technical capacities of both institutions, which The Himachal Pradesh State Roads will lead to creation and sharing of knowledge Transformation Project will finance initiatives and resources for devising strategies in making with following objectives: Indian cities more accessible, safe, and  To build climate and disaster-resilient roads. inclusive for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs),  To improve road safety along tourism corridors elderly, women, and children among others. in Himachal. AP signs MoUs with Dutch govt, 8 others in food  To enhance logistics along fruit belts. processing companies  To support the government’s initiative so as to  Andhra Pradesh Govt signed MoUs with eight create a corporate entity responsible for companies including the Netherlands ensuring well-performing roads. government in the food processing sector. ADB, India signed USD 500 Million Loan for  These MoUs will help the food processing Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor sector of various agricultural products,  The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the including bananas, tomatoes, mangoes, sugar, Government of India (GoI) signed a $500 chillies, vegetables, and aqua products. million loan on 8 September. AIM partnered with Freshworks to empower  The first tranche of a total $1 billion facility AIM Startup Innovators will be used to build a modern, high-speed 82  Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, Km Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit has partnered with Freshworks Inc., a System (RRTS) corridor. customer-engagement software company, with  It will improve regional connectivity and an aim to provide robust support to innovators mobility in India’s national capital region and entrepreneurs in India. (NCR).  It also aims to increase the efficiency of  The first tranche loan will support the several institutions and startups in the AIM construction of the first of three priority rail portfolio. corridors planned under the NCR Regional  It also aims to foster innovation and Plan 2021 to connect Delhi to other cities in entrepreneurship among startup innovators. adjoining states. India-Bangladesh to hold Joint Consultative  The project is aimed to provide better Commission meeting connectivity to allow other towns in the NCR  India and Bangladesh have agreed to hold the to develop as urban economic centres 6th meeting of the Joint Consultative surrounded by residential areas while easing Commission (JCC) later this month. the concentration pressure on Delhi.  The 5th meeting of the JCC was held in New TPT South Africa partners with TCS for Delhi in February last year between logistics supply chain transformation Dr.A.K.AbdulMomen and the then Minister of  Tata Consultancy Services has partnered with External Affairs Sushma Swaraj. Transnet Port Terminals in South Africa to  During the 5th JCC last year, three help the latter develop an integrated online MoUs/Agreements were signed to further marketplace platform by bringing together strengthen the existing multifaceted cargo owners, shipping lines, clearing and cooperation between the two countries. forwarding agents, and road/rail haulers.

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 A new platform named ‘Cargo Connect’,  This collaboration of ASRLM and NESFB will which will function as an online logistics cater to the financial needs of many SHG marketplace where customers can submit members, other higher-level federation like logistics related requests and allow service VOs, CLFs, Producer Groups, Producer providers to bid online. Collectives etc. to kick-start their dream  Customers will be able to select the preferred projects of livelihood enhancement. proposal and award the cargo contract to that STEPapp collaborates with the Tribal bidder. Development Department, Govt of India in CSIR-CMERI Durgapur and NISE, Gurugram bringing gamified learning to underprivileged sign an MoU as a Strategic Association to students bolster the Solar Energy Sector  STEPapp (Student Talent Enhancement  CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Program Application) has received a mandate Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur and from the Indian Ministry of Tribal Affairs to National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), implement its gamified learning app across all Gurugram joined hands by signing an online Tribal Schools in India in a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a development. ‘Strategic Association’ to bolster the Solar  This is the first time a government institution Energy sector across has tied up with an Indian EdTech startup on a  CSIR-CMERI has expertise in design and monetised project. development of various capacity Solar  This initiative will benefit more than 1.5 lakh Artifacts for multifaceted uses ranging from students from grades 1st-12th across the fulfilling localized energy demand to boosting country immediately and will expand the scope Agricultural sector for irrigation, solar in the coming years. powered agro dryer, de-centralized solar cold  Through this association, STEPapp will storage, charging of battery-operated enhance the students’ performance in school agricultural machineries etc. exams as well as in competitive exams. NSDC and LinkedIn partner to accelerate  This will also enable schools to measure the digital skills training for Indian youth students’ learning outcomes through  National Skill Development Corporation dashboards. (NSDC) and LinkedIn, the world’s largest  The content provided will be in the English online professional networks, have joined language. hands to provide access to free LinkedIn WE HUB & NutriHub partner to Scale-up Learning resources for digital skills. Agriculture Businesses  Under the partnership, 10 free LinkedIn  WE HUB, India’s first state-led incubator to Learning paths, consisting of 140 courses for a foster and promote women entrepreneurship to range of in-demand tech jobs, will be made start-up, scale-up and accelerate with global available for free on eSkill India digital market access, announced its partnership with platform until 31st March, 2021. NutriHub, first of its kind incubator to cater  The LinkedIn and NSDC collaboration aim to start-ups needs in the Nutricereals sector. enable a future-ready digital workforce.  The partnership will initiate virtual co-  Each learning path includes a series of video incubation for women-led start-ups in the content designed to help job-seekers develop agripreneurship space. the core digital skills needed for an in-demand  NutriHub, through its existing R&D facility, tech role, covering a broad range of skills from will support WE HUB start-ups with technical entry-level digital literacy to advanced advice, testing, product development, access to product-based skills. laboratories, equipment, and technical staff. Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission and  WE HUB and NutriHub will also collaborate NESFB sign MoU in conducting start-up related events,  Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission workshops, to generate interest among (ASRLM) signed a Memorandum of potential start-ups. Understanding (MoU) with North East Small  These programs will enable women, Finance Bank (NESFB) to work in cohesion in entrepreneurs to gain a deeper understanding support of Bank Linkage of the Self-Help of the industry landscape, hence helping them Groups (SHGs) and Producer Groups/ scale- up and sustain in the ecosystem. Enterprises under ASRLM. ICICI Prudential Life Insurance joins hands  ASRLM is the first amongst all the State with NSDL Payments Bank to offer insurance Livelihood Missions to initiate the signing of products MoU with the new generation small finance banks.

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 ICICI Prudential Life Insurance joined hands NSDL Payment Bank’s exhaustive point of with NSDL Payments Bank to provide its sale (POS) network, across the country. products to customers of payments bank. UNICEF India and Indian youth icon  These insurance products will enable NSDL Ayushmann Khurrana join hands to advocate Payments Bank customers to provide financial for Child Rights security to their families and help them achieve  UNICEF India announced popular Indian film their financial goals. actor and thought-leader, Ayushmann  Under this agreement, the private insurer will Khurrana, as its celebrity advocate for be able to cover the uninsured population of promoting rights #ForEveryChild. the country by offering its innovative and easy  Ayushmann Khurrana will support UNICEF to understand life insurance POS products on towards its work around ending violence against children.

 An aid of 45 lakh to one crore will be provided for developers to start new project or restore an existing heritage building. STATES IN NEWS  The restoration or expansion work should not Gujarat announces Heritage Tourism Policy be altering or damaging the existing original  The Heritage Tourism policy has been structure. announced by Gujarat Government. This is Odisha government unveils scheme for state’s first such policy. sanitation workers  The policy permits the use of pre-1950  The scheme ‘Garima’ was launched for historical buildings including heritage palaces institutionalising and regulating core sanitation and forts as heritage hotels, heritage museums, services to provide social security and financial heritage banquet halls and heritage restaurants. benefits for the sanitation workers and their  The step would attract tourism in the unused families. historical buildings.  With a the corpus fund of Rs.50 crore, the  State Government will provide five to ten crore statewide scheme will be implemented across rupees to new or existing heritage hotels for all urban local bodies. the purpose of renovation and expansion.

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Meghalaya launched India’s largest “Piggery  It is the first online grievance management Mission” system / Portal in the country that is linked  The state government of Meghalaya has with the Central government (at the top) and launched India’s Biggest “Piggery Mission” districts and even further downwards to the with an outlay of Rs 209 Crores. Tehsils and Blocks (at the bottom).  It is being launched under the aegis of  The new system is being launched on pilot Meghalaya Livestock Enterprises basis initially for three districts of Jammu, Advancement Society (MLEADS) and funded Srinagar, and Reasi and will gradually be by the National Cooperative Development rolled out in the remaining districts by or Corporation (NCDC). before 2nd October, 2020.  The main objective of the Piggery Mission is  It will replace the current Portal which was to reduce the annual import of Pork worth Rs launched by the government in 2018. 150 Crore and make Meghalaya self-sufficient Manipur CM hands over financial assistance of (“AatmaNirbhar”) in pork production over the over Rs 5.25 Cr to StartUp beneficiaries next 3 years.  Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh handed Tamil Nadu govt. embarks on programme to over a total monetary assistance of over 5. 25 provide laptops to Village Administrative crore rupees to 272 StartUp beneficiaries at the officers Manipur StartUp Conclave – 2020 held at  The Tamilnadu government has embarked on a Imphal. programme to provide laptops to Village  Those who received assistance included eight Administrative officers who work at grassroots beneficiaries in StandUp category, five in levels among the people. Revenue Stage and 259 in Idea Stage of the  He pointed out that the workings of E – Sevai scheme. Centres in rural areas will be linked with the  Manipur StartUp scheme was launched in Village Administration section to ensure 2017-2018 to build a strong eco-system for seamless delivery of services. nurturing startups with an aim to drive  The distribution of laptops to officials who sustainable economic growth and generate work directly with the people is expected to large scale employment opportunities. ensure that various services of the government PM Modi inaugurates & lays foundation stones for and issuance of various certificates for the seven projects related to urban infrastructure in Bihar people are being made easily available on the  Prime Minister Narendra Modi today internet. inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for  As a first phase the issuance of 22 certificates seven projects related to urban infrastructure in and 7 services have been programmed into the Bihar through video conferencing. laptops given to Village Administrative  Out of these, four projects are related to water Officers. supply, two to sewerage treatment and one to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha launches Jammu and riverfront development. The total cost of these Kashmir Integrated Grievance Redress and projects is Rs. 541 crore. Monitoring System Gujarat govt. orders Oxygen producing units to  Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha launched give first priority to medical oxygen supply the Jammu & Kashmir Integrated Grievance  Gujarat Government has ordered the Oxygen Redress and Monitoring System (JK- producing units to give first priority to medical IGRAMS). oxygen supply.  The Revamped System shall decentralize the  According to public notification issued, the handling and redressal of Public grievances by oxygen producing units can supply only 50 per making District Collectors /Deputy cent oxygen for industrial use. Commissioners as the primary level of  The first priority has to be given to medical receiving, disposing and monitoring oxygen during the urgency. grievances.  Breach of this notification will invite six  The Revamped System shall decentralize the months imprisonment and fine under section handling and redressal of Public grievances by 188 of IPC. making District Collectors /Deputy PM to inaugurate 1.75 lakh houses built under Commissioners as the primary level of PMAY-G in MP receiving, disposing and monitoring  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday grievances. will inaugurate 1.75 lakh houses built under  The existing Portal has now been integrated Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin downwards to the district level by mapping (PMAY-G) in the state of Madhya Pradesh. another nearly 1500 public offices in 20  The houses were built amid Covid-19. districts of the Union Territory.

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 This will be the second event in Madhya Kashmir who belong to families having an Pradesh that the PM will attend via video annual income of less than Rs 8 lakh and who conferencing this week. shall be admitted in the AlCTE approved  The housing for all mission is a flagship institutions for the session 2020-21. scheme of the National Democratic Alliance  Saksham scheme– This scheme provides (NDA). scholarships to all specially-abled students  So far 1.14 crore houses have already been with 40% disability and belonging to families built across the country under the programme. with annual income less than Rs 8 lakh. They MP govt starts ambitious Rs 5 thali under should be pursuing technical education at ‘Deendayal Rasoi Yojana’ degree or diploma level.  The Madhya Pradesh government is all set to Kerala to conduct genetic study of Covid launch Deendayal AntyodayaRasoi Yojana in patients its districts.  Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan said that a  The scheme named after late political leader state-wide genetic study on Covid patients will Deendayal Upadhyaya aims to provide food to be carried out. the poor in urban areas at a subsidised rate.  It has been decided that the genetic study of  The scheme involves opening of canteens that patients infected by the Covid 19 virus that will provide a full meal at Rs 5. was conducted in the northern districts of the  The meal would include four rotis, one sabzi, State in collaboration with the Institute of and dal. Genomics and Integrated Biology under CSIR,  The Thali would be made available from 11 will be extended across the State. am to 3 pm. 111th Birth Anniversary of 1st CM of Tamil Nadu C. N. Annadurai being celebrated  Aside from this, wheat and rice would also be th made available at the canteens at Rs one each  15 September is the 111th Birth Anniversary through fair price shops. of the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu C. N.  Local municipal bodies will ensure availability Annadurai, popularly known as Arignar Anna. of water and electricity completely free of cost.  He was also a Member of Rajya Sabha from Nagaland launches Naga Telehealth platform 1963 to 1967. Well known for his powerful  Bringing the healthcare facilities to the oratorical skills, Anna was a prolific writer too. doorsteps of people, the Nagaland health and  Subsidy mechanism for rice and two language family welfare department launched the Naga policy are some of his prominent Telehealth platform in Kohima. administrative innovations. Several functions  Naga Telehealth is a virtual platform where are being conducted in various parts of the patients can avail the services of doctors and state in memory of Arignar Anna today. specialists at the comfort of their home  The Tamil University in Thanjavoor has virtually without having to visit any health announced a 50 per cent discount sale of its centres. prestigious publications in connection with  It was launched keeping in view of the Anna Birth Anniversary today. difficulties faced by the patients in receiving J&K announces New Universal Health proper medical facilities owing to the ongoing Insurance Scheme COVID19 pandemic.  Recently, the Jammu & Kashmir government  Launched in partnership with USAID has announced a Universal health Insurance NISHTHA-Jhpiego, the platform is aimed at scheme on the lines of the Centre’s Ayushman ensuring that even the people living in the most Bharat. remote places have access to qualified medical  The scheme will cover the entire population of practitioners and specialists. the Union territory (UT).  Nagaland health minister S. PangnyuPhom  The annual expenditure of the scheme is Rs attended the virtual launch programme as the 123 crore. special guest.  The scheme was announced by Lt Governor Govt increases scholarship amount under Manoj Sinha ‘Pragati and Saksham’ schemes for J&K  It will cover all the residents of the Union students to Rs 50,000 Territory.  The central government has increased the  The scheme will provide universal health scholarship amount under ‘Pragati and insurance coverage to all the residents of the Saksham Scholarship Schemes’ for students of UT. Jammu and Kashmir from Rs 5,000 to Rs  There are around 218 public and private 50,000 per annum. hospitals empanelled in J&K where citizens  Pragati scheme- This scheme provides can avail the benefit. scholarships to the girls of UT Jammu and

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 The scheme will cover all-important life-  In 2020, the Onam festival began on 22 consuming diseases including cancer and August. kidney failure.  The main celebrations were held on 31 August  COVID-19 has also been covered in the on Thiruvonam Day or the Sacred Onam Day. scheme.  The festival ends on 2 September. The festival  The scheme will cover high-end is celebrated in Kerala. hospitalization expenses. History:  Three days of pre-hospitalization,  According to the Legends, the festival is hospitalization, 15 days of post-hospitalization celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose costs would also be paid by government. spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of  The scheme would also cover the diagnostic Onam. care and expenditure on medicine  Onam is celebrated as the festival of paddy Goa extends insurance cover for healthcare harvest. workers MP govt gears up to become self-reliant, woo  The insurance cover of Rs.50 lakh under investments, reduce imports from China Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana has been  Following the appeal of Prime Minister extended to all health workers in Goa. Narendra Modi to become self-reliant in  The scheme is implemented through the various businesses including toys, the Madhya National Disaster Response Fund implemented Pradesh government has started initiatives in by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. this direction. Gujarat government to provide interest-free  State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises loans to women Minister Omprakash Sakhalecha said that the  On September 17, the Gujarat government state government is trying to woo investments would be launching MukhyamantriMahila and to reduce imports from China. Kalyan Scheme, a special scheme to provide  The MP government is also working on a plan interest-free loans of Rs.1 lakh to promote self- to revive the state’s 1,000 sick units which employment among women in the time of have been shut down due to financial crisis, pandemic. production technology, market factors, labour UP govt to constitute special force issues and other reasons and now their owners  Uttar Pradesh government has decided to want to resume the work. constitute a special force. India’s first toy cluster to come up in Karnataka  It will provide security to the high court,  India’s first toy manufacturing cluster to come district courts, administrative offices and up at Koppal, Karnataka, has the potential to buildings, Metro rail, airports, banks, financial create 40,000 jobs in five years and attract over institutions, educational institutions and Rs 5,000 crore investment. industrial units.  With the eco-system to support toy cluster in  The state government has issued orders for the place, this 400 acres SEZ will have top-class constitution of the force and a roadmap in this infra and generate 40,000 jobs in 5 years. regard has been sought from the UP DGP. Seaplane service in Gujarat to start from 31  The basis of this force is an order of the High October Court, which had ordered that there should be  Seaplane service to provide air connectivity a specialised force for civil courts. from Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad to Tripura’s First Ever SEZ Statue of Unity in Kevadia in Gujarat is  First-ever Special Economic Zone (SEZ) was scheduled to start from October 31, the birth laid to foundation stone by the Chief Minister anniversary of Sardar Patel. Biplab Kumar Deb at Sabroom which is the  The service will be operated by Spicejet southernmost town of the state bordering Airline. Bangladesh. Nagaland to observe month long Rashtriya  It is around 120 km from Agartala Poshan Abhiyan  It would emerge as the commercial capital of  Nagaland is observing month long the Northeast. RashtriyaPoshan Abhiyan in the State.  SEZ would be set up at Jalefa in Sabroom  Celebrated in the month of September every subdivision, year since 2018, RashtriyaPoshan Abhiyan is  Total investment on the project is Rs 635 the Prime Minister’s overreaching scheme for crore. holistic nourishment. Onam Festival is celebrated in Kerala on 31st  PoshanAbhiyaan is a multi-ministerial August convergence mission to address malnutrition  Onam Festival is celebrated in Kerala on 31st with a targeted approach by 2022. August.

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 It aims to achieve improvement in the status of  This money will be used in the fight against nutrition of women and children. coronavirus. UP govt decides to set up exclusive anti- Uttarakhand, Karnataka paired under Ek electricity theft police stations in every district Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme  Uttar Pradesh government has decided to set  Uttarakhand and Karnataka are paired under up exclusive anti-electricity theft police Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme to stations in every district of state to address the promote national integration through mutual problem of frequent cases of power theft. understanding.  One police station dedicated to deal with the  Both the states have established relations issue of power theft will be opened in all 75 through sports, trade and culture. Uttarakhand districts out of which 63 has already started had inspired people in Karnataka in forest functioning. conservation.  The government has also raised the number of JK govt set up a 10-member council for the enforcement teams from 33 to 88 to launch a conservation of biological diversity crackdown against those involved in power  The Jammu & Kashmir government has set up pilferage. a 10-member council for conservation of  As many as 53 teams are already functioning. biological diversity and sustainable use of its Andhra Pradesh Government Receives Nod to components in the Union territory. form Crop Insurance Firm  As per an order issued by the General  The Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) Administrative Department (GAD), sanction received the nod from Insurance Regulatory has been accorded to constitute the Jammu and and Development Authority (IRDA) to form its Kashmir Biodiversity Council. Crop Insurance Firm Andhra Pradesh General  The Council will be headed by the Principal Insurance Company (APGIC). Chief Conservator of Forests as chairman of  Andhra Pradesh is among the few states like the 10-member panel. Bihar, West Bengal that has chosen to have  The council will constitute a fund known as their crop insurance schemes. “Jammu and Kashmir Biodiversity Council Madhya Pradesh govt launches ‘Gandagi Fund”. Bharat Chhodo’ campaign  The council will perform the functions within  Madhya Pradesh government has launched a the jurisdiction of the Union Territory of 15-day campaign named ‘Gandagi Bharat Jammu & Kashmir. Chhodo’.  The council will function upon the consultation  Under the campaign awareness programmes with the National Biodiversity Authority, were organized in seven thousand 178 notify the format and procedures for seeking settlements. approvals with regard to biodiversity issues.  About 35 lakh people from 378 urban bodies in Assam Assembly passes bill to protect state’s Madhya Pradesh took part in the campaign. heritage sites Madhya Pradesh govt instructs officials to  Assam Assembly passes bill to protect to establish Command Control Rooms to monitor protect various heritage sites of the state. people under home isolation  The Assam Heritage (Tangible) Protection,  Madhya Pradesh government has instructed Preservation, Conservation and Maintenance concerned officials to establish Command Bill, 2020 was passed by the state assembly to Control Rooms in each district. protect, preserve and restore tangible heritage,  These control rooms will monitor the people which are currently not covered under any who are under home isolation and home national or state law. quarantine.  The bill has been drafted by by the Directorate  Ambulance should also be kept ready in every of Archaeology, under the guidance of State command control room. Cultural Affairs (Archeology) Minister Keshab  At the same time, information about health of Mahanta. home isolation patients must be collected at Sikkim Celebrated Pang Lhabsol festival least twice a day.  Pang Lhabsol, a festival of cultural heritage Gujarat govt decides to cut down salaries of and historical importance is one of the most MLAs, ministers by 30% for one year historically and culturally significant festivals  Gujarat government has decided to cut down celebrated annually by Sikkim people. the salaries of MLAs and ministers by 30 per  The festival aims to pay tribute to Mount cent for one year due to COVID-19 pandemic. Khangchendzonga, the guardian deity of  Government will bring a bill to this effect in Sikkim which is believed to have been the upcoming session of the state assembly. protecting this sacred land since ages.

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Assam’s first Newspaper for Kids ‘The Young  The total cost of this project is Rs 600 crore. Minds’ launched  The World Bank will fund 70% of the project  Two Guwahati-based women entrepreneurs amount, which amounts to Rs 420 crore, have launched a newspaper specifically whereas, 30% of the expenses (Rs 180 crore) designed for kids, to promote creative thinking will be borne by the state government of among children and inculcate in them the habit Karnataka. to read and write.  The project will cover 50,000 hectares of  The newspaper named ‘The Young Minds‘is parched land with depleted groundwater table the brainchild of Neelam Sethia and Neha for watershed development in each of the 20 Bajaj. The first copy of The Young Minds is taluks to increase the groundwater table. scheduled to release in November  The taluks to be covered under the project are  The Young Minds, reportedly, will cater to Bagepalli, Challakere, Shikaripur, Gundlupet, kids of 4-14 years of age. Harapanahalli, Sira, Arsikere, Kadur, First-ever cannabis medicine project to come up Bailhongal, Athani, Hirekerur, Hungund, in Jammu Kundgol, Bagewadi, Ron, Jewargi,  Union minister Jitendra Singh announced that Basavakalyan, Manvi, Yelburga, and the first-ever cannabis medicine project will Shahapur. soon be set up in Jammu. Centre approves setting up of Medical college in  The cannabis medicine project will be set up Mon district of Nagaland with the collaboration of Canada at the Indian  The Central government has given approval for Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) in setting up a Medical college in Mon district of Jammu. Nagaland.  It is the first major foreign investment in  This will be the second medical college in the Jammu and Kashmir after it became a Union state, after the Medical College in Kohima Territory (UT). which is now under construction. Assam re-launches self-employment scheme  This landmark decision of the Union SVAYEM worth Rs 1,000 crore Government will boost the State Government’s  The state government of Assam re-launched an effort to revolutionise the state health sector. old scheme titled ‘Swami Vivekananda Assam Banks Sanctioned Rs 5,350cr to West Bengal As Youth Empowerment (SVAYEM)’ on 4 Emergency Loans September 2020, which aims to provide self-  Banks in West Bengal have sanctioned Rs employment to around 2 lakh youths of the 5,350 crore of loans till the last week of state. August to businesses to tide over liquidity  The SVAYEM scheme was launched by the woes amid the COVID-19 crisis. government in 2017-18.  Public and private sector lenders have  This is the biggest self-employment sanctioned the loans under the Centre’s programme launched by any government in Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme Assam since Independence. (ECLGS). At the national level, the amount  The scheme has been re-launched with a stood at around Rs 1.60 lakh crore budget of Rs 1000 crore. Delhi govt’s 10-week anti-dengue campaign  Under the scheme, the state government would begins from 6th September provide Rs 50,000 each as seed money to  The Delhi government’s 10-week anti-dengue selected youths to start business ventures. campaign started from 6th  The government will provide this money in the  The ’10 Hafte 10 Baje 10 Minute’ campaign next three months from its own revenue, seeks to build awareness about prevention of without any banking linkage. vector-borne diseases.  To avail the benefit of the scheme, the 2 lakh  Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that beneficiaries would have to be part of self-help like last time, two crore people of Delhi will groups, joint liability groups, etc. before join hands and work together to fight against September 1. dengue. Karnataka approves Rs. 600-cr watershed Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu selected as project ‘REWARD’ with World Bank assistance fully Digital Economy district  The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a project  Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, which titled ‘Rejuvenating Watersheds for houses a large number of small and medium Agriculture Resilience through Innovative enterprises, especially in the fire crackers and Development (REWARD)’. allied sectors, has been selected by the Central  The REWARD project is designed to ensure Government as the state’s first Fully Digital soil and water conservation in 20 taluks with Economy district. low groundwater levels in Karnataka.

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 All industrial units and commercial  The fruits and vegetables that are notified establishments in the district are at present includes -Apple, Almond, Pear, Capsicum, implementing various forms of cashless Carrot, Cucumber, Okra, Orange, Kinnow and transactions. Lemon.  These include widespread use of ATM debit  Union Food Processing Industries Ministry cards, increased usage of internet banking, will provide subsidy of 50% of the cost of widespread use of QR codes etc. transportation, under the scheme. Agriculture ministry approves Rs. 4 crores for Assam promotes nutritious food through up-gradation of soil testing labs in Kashmir Kitchen Garden as part of PoshanMaah  Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare  The Social Welfare Department in Assam has ministry has approved four crore rupees for up- taken steps to promote nutritious food through gradation of Soil Testing labs across the Kitchen Garden. Kashmir valley.  Kitchen Garden or nutri garden will be set up  For the quality control laboratory upgradation, at Anganwadi Centres and Government 40 lakh rupees have been earmarked during the Primary Schools across the state. current year, which will facilitate upgradation  The idea of the Kitchen Garden is to plant and strengthening of fertilizer quality control locally available nutritional food and lab. vegetables. Tamil Nadu releases new Electronic Hardware  The Health and Nutrition consultant of Poshan Manufacturing Policy 2020 Abhiyan in Assam, Dr.Gitali Borah said that  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister coverage with MGNREGA and the Agriculture EdappadiPalaniswamy on September 7, 2020 Department is also being emphasized to released the state’s new Electronic Hardware implement the Kitchen garden initiative. and Manufacturing Policy-2020. Justice Gita Mittal, CJ, J&K HC e-inaugurates  The policy is aimed at increasing the state’s ‘Ahata-e-Waqar’ at District Court Complex, electronics industry output to $100 billion by Samba 2025.  In Jammu and Kashmir, in a first of its kind  The policy envisages to make the state initiative in embracing technology as a contribute 25 percent of India’s total electronic medium for inauguration, Justice Gita Mittal, hardware export by 2025. Chief Justice, J&K High Court and Patron,  It aims to attract semiconductor fabrication J&K State Legal Services Authority, e- units to the state. inaugurated Ahata-e-Waqar (Day Care and  The policy will undertake skill training of over Recreation Centre for Senior Citizens), 100000 semi-skilled and skilled people by Vulnerable Witnesses Deposition Complex and 2024. Crèche facility at District Court Complex, Tamil Nadu’s new Electronic Hardware and Samba. Manufacturing Policy-2020 aims to provide:  The Ahata-e-Waqar Centre, established at Old  30-percent capital subsidy Court Complex Building, aims to serve as a  50 percent grant for taking land on lease place of pride for Senior Citizens where they  5-percent interest grant for term loans can spend their day in constructive and  Monthly financial aid for the first-time trainees recreational activities. in the sector for six months at the rate of Rs  The Senior Citizens can avail the facilities of 4,000 for men and Rs. 6,000 for women free Legal Aid and Police assistance from the Fruits & vegetables in J&K covered under Help desk established within the centre. ‘Operation Green’s TOP to TOTAL’ scheme Gujarat forms Task Force to study & implement  Centre has brought majority of fruits and NEP-2020 for school education vegetables grown in Jammu under a fresh  In Gujarat, the State Government has formed initiative of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. the Task Force to study and implement the  All the fruits and vegetables in J&K will be National Education Policy-2020 for school covered under the ‘Operation Green’s TOP to education. TOTAL’ scheme.  According to the State Education Department,  This step is aimed at supporting farmers of the State-level Task Force comprises 15 Fruits and Vegetables. members from politicians, administrative  It will prevent distress sales and Price officials and academicians. stabilization interventions.  This Task Force is expected to study NEP-  The scheme has been extended from Tomato, 2020, make changes suggested in the school Onion and Potato (TOP) to all fruits and education format and come up with the best vegetables (TOTAL) for a period of six implementation measures. months.

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NABARD organizes awareness cum SampoornaPoshanaPlus’ to provide nutritious sensitization programme for newly proposed food to pregnant women, lactating mothers and FPO in J&K children in the state.  In Jammu and Kashmir, an awareness cum  YSR SampoornaPoshana will cover the urban sensitization programme for newly proposed and rural areas lying in plain lands while YSR Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) was SampoornaPoshana Plus is intended to supply organized by NABARD in coordination with nutritious food exclusively in 77 Tribal areas District Administration in Anantnag. covering 8320 Anganwadi Centres.  The programme was organised to promote  Around 30.16 lakh women/mothers and sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural children will benefit from these two schemes. prosperity through effective credit support Karnataka CM inaugurates flyover named after related services, institutional development and Veer Savarkar other initiatives.  Karnataka Chief Minister, B.S. Yediyurappa Assam CM lays foundation stone & inaugurates inaugurated the ‘Veer Savarkar’ flyover in 329 schemes worth Rs 121 cr Bengaluru.  Assam Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal  The inauguration of the 400-metre long flyover lays foundation stone & inaugurates 329 built on Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Road in schemes worth Rs 121 cr. the city. UP govt decides to involve women SHGs in  The Bengaluru’s civic body Bruhat Bengaluru distribution of nutrition fortified food MahanagaraPalike (BBMP) built the flyover at  Uttar Pradesh government has decided to the cost of Rs 34 crore. involve women self-help groups in distribution  The project of constructing the flyover began of nutrition fortified food for children and in September 2017. pregnant ladies in state. First Air Ambulance in India: Karnataka  A Memorandum of Understanding has been  Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa signed between UP Rural Livelihood Mission unveiled the country’s first integrated air and UN World Food Programme for ambulance srvice jointly launched by the procurement and distribution of Take-home International Critical Air Transfer Team rations THR, which are energy dense foods (ICATT) and the Kyathi in the city. given to kids and pregnant ladies.  ICATT-Kyathi’s fixed wing aircraft is capable  This will ensure employment of at least one of long-distance emergency medical woman from every poor rural family. transportation, combined with helicopter and Mumbai International airport put in place QR land ambulance services providing last mile code-enabled check-in mechanism connectivity.  Mumbai International airport has put in place a  The fixed wing air ambulance will be stationed QR code-enabled contactless check-in at the HAL airport in Bengaluru. mechanism for the passengers.  The ambulance is equipped with state-of-the-  Mumbai International Airport Limited said that art German Isolation Pod. the touch less technology solution is a vital  ICATT-Kyathi will also enable safe step in reducing passenger contact with kiosk transportation for critical Covd-19 patients. surfaces and is in full compliance with the civil Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launches e-filing aviation ministry’s passenger processing consumer complaint system guidelines.  Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launches e-filing  The airport is focussed on delivering consumer complaint system to help Delhiites technology solutions that help customers during COVID-19 pandemic. quickly deliver a safe and smooth passenger  Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on (September journey. 8, 2020) inaugurated the Delhi government’s  The QR code-enabled contactless check-in e-filing consumer complaint system, which facility at Mumbai International Airport allows aims to help Delhiites during the coronavirus passengers to use their mobile phones to COVID-19 pandemic. remotely operate check-in and self-bag drop  Delhi’s Consumer Affairs Minister Imran kiosks for printing boarding passes and bag Hussain and top government officials of the tags. Consumer Affairs Department were present Andhra Pradesh CM launches ‘YSR during the inauguration of the E-filing SampoornaPoshana’ scheme to provide consumer complaint system. nutritious food to women, children Telangana Government and UK India Business  Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Council renew their MoU to strengthen the Mohan Reddy has launched two nutrition state’s industrial development schemes ‘YSR SampoornaPoshana’ and ‘YSR

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 Telangana Government and UK India Business business delegations to the State and a further Council renew their MoU to strengthen the delegation of leading UK universities. state’s industrial development, government of  These interactions boost business investment, Telangana. accelerate improvements in the ease of doing  This collaborative partnership between the business, facilitate UK-Telangana business UKIBC and the Government of Telangana is partnerships and expand higher education well-established and has already led to two UK collaboration.

 Corporatization is the process of transforming state assets, government agencies, or municipal organizations into corporations. NITI Aayog constitutes Multidimensional RECENT Poverty Index Coordination Committee (MPICC); Head- Ms Sanyukta Samaddar  NITI Aayog has constituted a Multidimensional Poverty Index Coordination COMMITTEES Committee (MPICC). GoI constitutes committee for assessment of  The MPICC is chaired by Ms. Sanyukta relief to bank borrowers Samaddar, Adviser (SDG)  Government of India has constituted an Expert  NITI Aayog is the nodal agency for the Global Committee for making an overall assessment Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and has of relief to bank borrowers related to waiver of been assigned the responsibility of leveraging interest and waiver of interest on interest on the monitoring mechanism for it and to drive the COVID-19 related moratorium. reforms.  State Bank of India will provide secretarial  Global MPI is an international measure of support to the committee. multidimensional poverty covering 107  The Committee may consult banks or other developing countries and was first developed stakeholders, as deemed necessary, for the in 2010 by Oxford Poverty and Human purpose. Development Initiative (OPHI) and United Govt Sets up Empowered Group of Ministers to Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for Oversee OFB’s Corporatisation; Head-Rajnath UNDP’s Human Development Reports. Singh KV Kamath committee recommends 26 sectors  Central Government has constituted an for Loan Restructuring Scheme Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) to  The Reserve Bank have accepted the oversee the process of the corporatisation of recommendations of the KV Kamath the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). Defence Committee on ‘Resolution Framework for Minister Rajnath Singh is the chairman of this Covid19-related Stress’ which was submitted EGoM. by panel on September 4, 2020.  The ordnance factories form an integrated base Findings for indigenous production of defence hardware  The sectors like textiles, wholesale trade, roads and equipment. and engineering are most-affected by pandemic.

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 The sectors undergoing the stress such as non-  The working group, to be led by Dinesh Pant, banking financial companies, real estate, steel appointed actuary of LIC of India, will prior to COVID-19 have been affected most. examine the need for such products in India  The food, agriculture, pharma and IT sectors and how they will better serve needs and hardly face the impact of COVID-19. interests of customers relative to traditional Recommendations: savings product.  It has recommended to keep the debt coverage MoD sets up a committee to review the AFHQ ratio to one and more than one. CS cadre  It suggests, lenders should consider total  The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has set up a outstanding liabilities, total debt, current ratio three-member committee to review the and the average debt service coverage ratio. effective utilisation of the Armed Forces  It recommends to the banks that they should Headquarters Civil Services (AFHQ CS) cadre. consider financial state of the company prior to  This step has been taken so as to enhance the the COVID-19 pandemic to restructure the military’s combat potential and also rebalance loan. defence expenditure, by optimising the civil  The committee also has recommended to make and military administrative appointments in the the Inter-Creditor agreement mandatory in service headquarters. cases involving multiple lending institutions.  It can help save an expenditure of almost Rs Irdai sets up panel to study index-linked 25,000 crore in defence expenditure over the products for life insurance companies next five years.  Insurance regulator IRDAI has constituted a  The committee will be headed by Lt General D six-member working group on index-linked B Shekatkar (Retd.). products following requests for permission  The other two members are R Chandrashekhar, from life insurers to introduce such products. a retired AFHQ cadre officer and AN Das from the MoD finance wing.

 The basic iRAD App has been developed. The app will be customized/integrated as per the requirements of concerned States/UTs.  The Mobile app of iRAD is currently available WEBPORTALS for the Android platform, and for other platforms like iOS will be available shortly.  The App will enable the stakeholders such as the Police, Transport, Health, etc to use their AND APPS mobile phones to collect accident data on the MoRTH organized the Orientation and spot. Training Programme of iRAD App  Integrated Road Accident Database Project  Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (iRAD) was proposed on the IT-based system conducted 2-days Orientation and Training for capturing the spot accident data using a programme on iRAD App on 7 & 8 September mobile app configured for this purpose. for the selected districts of Karnataka, and on 10th & 11th September 2020 for some districts  The data thus collected can then be utilized for of Uttar Pradesh. various purposes like finding the causes of the iRAD app: accidents and remedial measures to improve the road infrastructure, to record the accident

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data for the use of police, health services, and Odisha CM launched two Citizen-Centric other concerned departments. Mobile app – Ama Sahar And Swachha Sahar “AP Police Seva” mobile application Odisha on Local Self Government Day  The Andhra Pradesh police department has  Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha, come up with a unique service. launched two citizen-centric mobile  A citizen, using the “AP Police Seva” mobile applications Ama Sahar and Swachha Sahar application can put in a request asking the Odisha on the occasion of Local Self police department to monitor his/her house Government Day which was observed at the while the family is elsewhere. Lok Seva Bhawan over a virtual platform.  The mobile application is due to be launched  These apps enable the Urban Local Bodies by the CM of Andhra Pradesh on 17th (ULBs) to submit the utilisation certificates September. over online for the betterment of fiscal  In major towns and urban areas, the management. department will be setting up CCTVs and Punjab Govt Launches ‘I Rakhwali’ App To motion sensors at the residence of the citizen Make Citizens ‘Greenery Saviours’ filing the request.  To further strengthen its drive to preserve and  Citizens can avail 85 more such innovative maintain the environment in Punjab and make services through this mobile application. people stakeholders in the process, the State Haryana launches chatbot ”Apka Mitra” for Forest Department launched ‘I Rakhwali’ admission-related queries and online admission application to help netizens to become platform for UG courses ‘Greenery Saviours’.  The Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal  The application has been developed to ensure Khattar has launched an online registration greenery and to protect the environment in portal for admissions in undergraduate (UG) Punjab, and its main aim is to inspire people to programmes in government, aided and self- plant more trees. financed colleges for the new academic session  With this new initiative, the Punjab 2020-21. government aims to safeguard the state forest  This portal has been launched in wake of area by making people a stakeholder in this COVID-19 Pandemic, so that students can process. complete their entire admission process from  The new app will help common people with home. the geographical location of nurseries.  Besides, the registration and prospectus fee of Now-Pay-Later with UPI all undergraduate courses has also been  India’s leading online Instant Credit app waived. LazyPay has launched a digital credit card  CM Khattar also launched an educational facility called LazyUPI to offer easy access to WhatsApp chatbot ”Apka Mitra” to resolve credit across online and offline platforms. any admission-related queries of the students.  LazyUPI is a first of its kind digital credit card  Students can send a message on WhatsApp that combines the power of UPI and the Buy- chatbot number 7419444449 to get any Now-Pay-Later concept to enable users’ access information regarding admissions, scholarships to real-time credit using Unified Payments etc. Interface (UPI). ICICI Prudential Life Insurance introduces AI- Union Minister of Education launches mobile powered voice chatbot on Google Assistant app “EnglishPro”  Life Insurance on Monday launched an AI-  Union Minister of Education has launched a powered voice chatbot, LiGo, on Google free mobile app named as “EnglishPro“. Assistant as part of its customer service  The mobile application has been developed by initiative. the English and Foreign Languages University,  This new option will enable the policyholders Hyderabad under University Social to have their queries addressed by simple voice Responsibility (USR). commands.  The mobile application “EnglishPro” will help  Customers can use commands such as “Ok learners in developing Indian English Google, I want to speak to ICICI Prudential Pronunciation in the unique “Indian” way. Life LiGo” or “May I talk to ICICI Prudential PM Modi launches e-Gopala App Life LiGo.  The e-Gopala app is a comprehensive breed  Extending LiGo functionalities to Google improvement marketplace and information Assistant is part of the company’s strategy to portal for the direct use of farmers. be present on platforms preferred by customers  It will give all the information related to cattle and to offer them an immersive experience. care, from productivity to its health and diet.

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 The app will help the farmers to choose better middlemen, which will make it easier for cattle quality livestock without the help of owners to buy and sell animals.

Gujarat tops States Startup Ranking Results 2019; Andaman and Nicobar Islands tops in small state/UT category  Gujarat has topped the second edition of States RANKS AND Startup Ranking Results 2019 released by Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways Shri Piyush Goyal.  The States’ Startup Ranking Framework 2019 INDICES has ranked states based on 7 broad reform area, TCS Becomes Second Indian Firm to Cross Rs 9 Lakh consisting of 30 action points. In this 22 States Crore-market Valuation Mark and 3 Union Territories have participated. The  Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) became the ranking has been divided into two parts. second Indian firm to attain a market valuation  Category X: Consisting of all big states and of over Rs 9 lakh crore after Reliance Category Y: This group has all North-Eastern Industries Limited. States except Assam and all UTs except Delhi.  The compan y’s market valuation went past Rs  Gujarat is the Best Performer state in Category 9 lakh crore in early trade helped by a rally in X while Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the its share price. Best Performer in Category Y.  The stock of the software services firm gained  The ranking has been prepared by Department 2.91 per cent to Rs 2,442.80- its record high on for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade the BSE. (DPIIT) India is second-fastest-growing freelance market  States/UTs have been felicitated in 5 categories in the world India ranked 105th in Global Economic  India is the second-fastest-growing freelance Freedom Index 2020 market in the world with a massive increase in  India ranked 105th in Global Economic the number of freelancers this year, according Freedom Index 2020; Top- Hong Kong to a report on ‘Freelancing in 2020: An  India (Score- 6.56/10) has been ranked 105th Abundance of Opportunities’ by Payoneer. in the Global Economic Freedom Index 2020  Furthermore, India witnessed a 46 per cent released by the Fraser Institute, Canada. increase in new freelancers from Q1 to Q2, 2020 as per the report.  HongKong (Score- 8.94/10) has topped the ranking followed by Singapore at the second  Apart from India, other popular markets for gig spot. workers include the US, Pakistan, and Ukraine.  India has fallen 26 spots from 79th spot in last year’s ranking.

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 Venezuela has been ranked last among 162 survey which was conducted between 2017- countries. 2018.  The rankings are prepared based on the data of  The report shows that how digital divide have the year 2018. increased across States, cities and villages, and  The index measures the degree to which the income groups. policies and institutions of countries are Key Findings supportive of economic freedom.  Cities have 42% Internet-enabled homes while  The Index ranks countries based on five in rural India 15% are connected to the areas—the size of government, legal structure internet. and property rights, access to sound money,  Delhi has highest Internet access covering 55% freedom to trade internationally, regulation of of the households. credit, labour and business.  Kerala emerges to have least inequality where UNICEF report on Child Mortality Rate 39% of the poorest rural homes and 67% of the  ‘Levels and Trends in Child Mortality’ report richest urban homes have Internet. was published by United Nations (UN).  States including Karnataka and Tamil Nadu  As per the new estimate on mortality released have less than 20% penetration. by UNICEF, the World Health Organization  Odisha have lowest internet penetration with (WHO), the Population Division of the United one in 10 household have access to internet. Nations Department of Economic and Social  Himanchal Pradesh have highest internet Affairs and the World Bank Group, the under- penetration covering more than 70% five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) households. in India has declined to 34 in 2019 from 126 in  20% of Indians above the age of 5 years have 1990. basic digital literacy. Findings: ‘The State of Young Child in India’  India registered a 4.5 % reduction in under-five report released, Kerala tops mortality between 1990-2019 on yearly basis.  Kerala, Goa, Tripura, Tamil Nadu and  The number of under-five deaths in India have Mizoram are among the top five States for dropped from 3.4 million in 1990 to 824,000 in well-being of children, according to a report 2019. brought out by non-governmental organisation  The infant mortality rate in India declined from Mobile Creches and launched by Vice- 89 in 1990 to 28 in 2019. President Venkaiah Naidu.  India and Nigeria accounts for one-third of  It identifies eight States that have scores below under five deaths in 2019. the country’s average: they are Assam,  Child mortality deaths under five has dropped Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya from 12.5 million in 1990 to 5.2 million in Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. 2019,  The index is part of the ‘State of the Young  India have witnessed decline in neonatal Child’ in India report released the 50-year-old mortality rate from 57 in 1990 to 22 in 2019. NGO.  India accounts for around 22 million neonatal  The report has also developed another index deaths in 1990 which reduced to 522,000 in called the young child environment index to 2019. understand the policy and environment Bengaluru tops the list of cities for career in AI enablers that influence a child’s well-being.  Hyderabad is one of the top five cities in the  According to the environment index, Kerala, country to offer jobs in the field of artificial Goa, Sikkim, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh intelligence (AI), a latest report by job portal secured the top five positions. site Indeed has revealed. A report on ‘Household Social Consumption:  Bengaluru tops the list of destinations for a Education’: NSO career in AI, followed by Mumbai, Hyderabad,  A report on ‘Household Social Consumption: Pune, and Chennai. Education’ was published by the National  Job searches in the field have risen 106 per Statistical Office (NSO). cent in the past year (June 2019 to June 2020),  As per the report, smaller states have done and this has increased further by 20 per cent better than the developed ones. from March to July 2020, in line with the onset  Kerala topped the list while Andhra Pradesh of the pandemic. emerged as the least literate state, standing NSO’s Report on Digital Divide below Bihar.  National Statistical Organisation (NSO) Findings: recently published the report on ‘household  Average literacy rate of the country is 77.7% social consumption’ in its 75th round of the  Kerala scored 96.2% thus has the highest literacy rate among states.

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 Delhi stands at second position with 89%  The report has been prepared by Mobile literacy rate. Creches a policy advocacy organisation which  Uttarakhand is at number three with a literacy works with the underprivileged children across rate of 87.6% while Assam freezes at number India. four with 85.9% literacy rate.  for healthy development, children should grow  Andhra Pradesh ranked the worst with 66.4% up in an environment where their emotional, literacy rate. social, educational and other needs are fully  Karnataka and Telangana have a literacy rate met. lower than the national average.  Educated and healthy people with a good  The national gap between male and female foundation in the early years contribute to the literacy rate is 14.4%. financial and social wealth of their societies.  Gap between the male and female literacy rate  Out of the 159 million children aged below 6 is lowest in Kerala being 2.2%. years in India, 21 per cent are undernourished,  The male literacy rate is 84.7% while the 36 per cent are underweight and 38 per cent do female literacy rate is 70.3%, nationally. not receive full immunization.  The state of Kerala has the lowest gap between THE World University Rankings 2021 released the urban and rural literacy rates– 1.9%.  Times Higher Education (THE) World  Bihar and UP are among bottom 5 states with University Rankings 2021 has been released 70.9 % and 73.0% literacy rate respectively. and under the overall category, University of Andhra Pradesh tops Business Reform Action Oxford, United Kingdom, has topped the list. Plan (BRAP) ranking of states 2019  From India, the Indian Institute of Science  Andhra Pradesh has topped the 4th edition of (IISc), Bengaluru, has been placed in the 301- the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) 350 category in overall global rankings. ranking of states for 2018-19. Highlights:  It is also known as The Ease of Doing  The IISc Bengaluru has slightly improved its Business rankings. overall score, from 45.6 to 47.9.  The ranking was announced by Smt. Nirmala  The seven older IITs did not participate in the Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance and THE-World University Rankings 2020. Corporate Affairs.  The THE World University Rankings 2021  Uttar Pradesh is ranked second and Telangana includes more than 1,500 universities across 93 is ranked third in the ranking. countries and regions in 2020.  The lowest 3 ranks in the list belong to Odisha,  The participating universities are ranked based Sikkim and Tripura. on their performance in knowledge transfer,  Till date, State Rankings have been released teaching, research, and international outlook. for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017-18. India ranked 3rd in largest solar market in  The latest one is the fourth edition for 2018-19. 2019: Mercom global listing; Top- China  The ranking is done by the Ministry of  India has been ranked third in terms of the Commerce & Industry. The BRAP represents largest solar market in 2019 as per Mercer the Ease of Doing Business in any state. Global listing for 2019. India had 9% of the The top ten states under State Reform Action Plan world’s installed capacity. 2019 are  China has topped the ranking with 30 Gw 1. Andhra Pradesh (26% of world capacity). The US is on the 2. Uttar Pradesh second rank. 3. Telangana  Adani Green Energy has emerged as the top 4. Madhya Pradesh Solar Developer in 2019 with 12.3 Gw 5. Jharkhand capacity. 6. Chhattisgarh Isha and Akash Ambani included in Fortune 7. Himachal Pradesh Magazine’s list of most influential young leaders 8. Rajasthan  Isha and Akash Ambani, Ambani scions, and 9. West Bengal Jio Board directors have been included by 10. Gujarat Fortune Magazine in the ’40 under 40’ list of Vice President Releases ‘The State of Young the most influential young leaders for the year Child in India’ report under the technology section.  The Vice President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu  As per the US-based publication, after Akash released ‘The State of Young Child in India’ and Isha Ambani joined the Jio Board, the report, a comprehensive account of the valuation of the business rose to USD 65 challenges related to early child development billion. in India.

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 Recently, they both have helped in launching  India ranks in the top 15 in indicators such as Jio mart to challenge other online shopping ICT (Information and Communication markets. Technology) services exports, government DSCI and PayPal launched a report on ‘Fraud online services, graduates in science and & Risk Management in Digital Payments’ engineering, and R&D-intensive global  Data Security Council of India and PayPal companies. India, today released a study report on Fraud &  The 13th edition of the Global Innovation Risk Management in Digital Payments. Index (GII) 2020 has jointly released by the  The report attempts to discuss about the World Intellectual Property Organization sophisticated online payment fraud (WIPO), Cornell University and INSEAD mechanisms, threats in the payment ecosystem, Business School. incorporating better fraud prevention India’s Adani Green ranked as world’s No. 1 strategies, role of upcoming technologies, and solar firm recommendations for various stakeholders  Indian renewable energy company, Adani involved in the payment ecosystem. Green has been ranked as the world’s number  The e-commerce market in India is expected to 1 solar energy company in terms of capacity. grow to USD 200 bn by 2026 from USD 50 bn  The company is currently the world’s top solar in 2018. developer with around 2.3 GW of operational  UPI transactions in India have crossed 1.49 bn projects. in volume and USD 41bn in transaction value,  Adani Green Energy Limited has another 2 in July 2020. GW projects under construction and 8 GW of  The internet userbase is expected to grow to awarded projects (with contracted PPAs) for a 835 million by 2023 from 560 million in 2018. total capacity of 12.3 GW. “Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI)  The solar capacity of the company exceeds the 2019” Reports total installed capacity of the United States as  The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), of 2019. Ministry of Home Affairs released 53rd edition Swadeshi apps in top 10 on Play Store of a report titled “Accidental Deaths and  Information and Broadcasting Minister Suicides in India (ADSI) 2019”. Prakash Javadekar expressed happiness that  According to the report the variation Swadeshi apps are in top 10 on Play Store. percentage of accidental deaths and suicide  Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last during 2019 over 2018 are around 2.3% and ‘Mann Ki Baat’ episode has asked citizens of 3.4% respectively. the country to support indigenously developed  Delhi recorded the highest number of deaths apps, in a boost towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. due to dangerous driving and overall road  The Prime Minister had also cited a few accidents in 2019.In Chennai and Bengaluru, examples among these apps – the ‘Kutuki Kids 1,258 and 768 persons died in road accidents Learning app, Chingari App, Ask Sarkar App, respectively. Step Set Go App, among others.  Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest road crash Ease of Doing Business report suspended by deaths with 15% of total deaths followed by World Bank Maharashtra with 9.4% and Madhya Pradesh  World Bank has stopped the publication of its with 7.7%. “Doing Business” report to probe data India ranks 48th in Global Innovation Index collection irregularities in the annual ranking 2020 of countries’ business and investment climates.  India has joined the group of top 50 countries  According to World Bank “A number of in the global innovation index for the first irregularities have been reported regarding time, moving up four places to the 48th rank changes to the data in the Doing Business 2018 and keeping the top position among the nations and Doing Business 2020 reports, published in in central and southern Asia. October 2017 and 2019”.

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 Additionally, Adani will also acquire 23.5% stake of minority partners Airport Company of South Africa (ACSA) and Bidvest.  The acquisition will also give Adani’s ACQUISITION ownership of the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport in which MIAL holds 74% stake. L&T sells electrical and automation business to Schneider Electric AND MERGER  Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has completed the Infosys to acquire GuideVision for about 30 sale of its electrical and automation business to million euros Schneider Electric in an all-cash deal worth  IT services major Infosys will acquire Czech nearly Rs.14,000 crore. Republic-based GuideVision for up to 30  million euros (about Rs 260.4 crore). About 5,000 employees of L&T’s electrical and automation business will join Schneider  The acquisition is being carried out by Infy Electric. Consulting Company Ltd, a step-down subsidiary of Infosys Ltd. As per the regulatory Brookfield gets govt’s approval for purchase of Reliance telecom tower assets filing, the cost of acquisition is “up to 30  million euros including earn-out and bonuses. India’s government has approved Brookfield Asset Management Inc.’s proposal to acquire a  The acquisition is expected to close during the 252 billion rupees ($3.4 billion) stake in a trust third quarter of FY2021, subject to customary that manages the wireless infrastructure of the closing conditions, it added. nation’s biggest mobile-phone service provider  This acquisition is an important milestone in Reliance Jio InfratelPvt. through Tower our journey to build capabilities relevant to the Infrastructure Trust. digital priorities of Infosys clients.  The investment is in the form of over Rs 105  Infosys launched Cobalt in August 2020, crore in equity and the remainder as debt. which is a set of services, solutions, and Infosys to acquire US based engineering firm platforms to help its clients, mostly large ‘Kaleidoscope Communication’ enterprises, build new cloud-first capabilities.  Infosys to acquire US based engineering firm Adani Group buys 74% stake in Mumbai ‘Kaleidoscope Communication’ for $ 42 International Airport million (Rs 308 crore).  Adani Group has acquired 74% stake in  This is the second acquisition of Infosys after it Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) acquired Simplus, a Salesforce consulting and that operates Mumbai Airport. Mumbai Airport advisory firm for $250 million. is the second largest airport in India.  The acquisition of Kaleidoscope  Under this, Adani Group will acquire 50.5% Communication is expected to strengthen the stake of GVK group. firm’s health-tech vertical which witnessed a robust growth amidst the COVID pandemic. Page | 63 MAGAZINE FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER – 2020

IndiGrid completes acquisition of GPTL from Limited, wherein KKR and GIC jointly own 57 Sterlite Power per cent in the InvIT.  IndiGrid has completed the acquisition of  With this acquisition, IndiGrid’s AUM has Gurgaon Palwal Transmission Limited (GPTL) increased by 9% to INR 133 Bn (USD 1.80 from Sterlite Power for Rs.1,080 crore. Bn)dxz  IndiGrid, India’s first power sector InvIT, is managed by Sterlite Investment Managers

 The award is presented by ‘The International Federation of Film Critics, FIPRESCI (Federation Internationale de la Presse CInematographique). AWARDS AND West Bengal govt wins WSIS award 2020 for its SabujSathi scheme in WSIS Price Contest  West Bengal govt wins WSIS award 2020 for its SabujSathi scheme in WSIS Price Contest. HONOURS  After Kanyashree scheme, another West Aditya Puri conferred Lifetime Achievement Award Bengal government project has received a by Euromoney 2020 global prize.  Aditya Puri, MD of HDFC Bank has been SabujSathi scheme: conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by  The Project Started in 2015, bicycles are given Euromoney Awards of Excellence 2020. to students of state-run, state-sponsored, aided  He has been awarded for his skills in building schools and madrasas studying between classes a world-class bank in India at a time where 9 and 12 in a bid to reduce the issue of there were no similar institutions in existence. dropping out of school, especially in rural Indian Film ‘The Disciple’ by Chaitanya Bengal and also to ensure they continue school Tamhane wins Best Screenplay award at Venice education till at least class 12. Film Festival 2020  According to the state government, it has so far  The Marathi language feature film ‘The distributed cycles among 85 lakh students at an - Disciple’ written and directed by Mumbai estimated cost of over Rs 2,700 crore. based filmmaker Chaitanya Tamhane, has Startup India Awards 2020 Assam recognised bagged the prestigious FIPRESCI award for – as emerging Startup Ecosystem in India Best Screenplay at the 77th Venice Film  Assam recognised as emerging Startup Festival. Ecosystem in India.  The annual Venice International Film Festival  2020 was held from 2 to 12 September 2020. The ‘Startup India Awards 2020’ held at the National Media Centre in New Delhi.  The Disciple is the first Indian film to have  Assam has been recognised as an emerging been selected in a major competition category startup ecosystem in India for its relentless at a European festival in 20 years after Mira efforts to create a supportive startup ecosystem Nair’s Monsoon Wedding in 2001.

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in the state and encouraging the youths of  The 6-foot-3 guard is the second player to win Assam to take up entrepreneurship. the Rookie of the Year Award with the  Other states to receive the recognition include Grizzlies, joining Pau Gasol (2001-02). Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi,  Morant received 99 first-place votes from a Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil global panel of 100 sportswriters and Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. broadcasters and earned 498 total points. Kevin De Bruyne and Beth England win 2020  Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn finished in PFA player of the year awards second place with 204 points.  Kevin De Bruyne and Beth England win 2020  New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion PFA player of the year awards. Manchester Williamson received one first-place vote and City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was named finished in third place with 140 points. men’s Player of the year while Chelsea Agnikul Cosmos bags TiE50 Award forward Bethany England won the women’s  IIT Madras-incubated Agnikul Cosmos, which award, England’s Professional Footballer’s provides a dedicated launch vehicle for smaller Association (PFA). satellites at a lower cost, has been conferred  De Bruyne is Manchester City’s first male with TiE50 award. winner after he made a record-equalling 20  The award recognizes top technology and assists and scored 13 goals in the Premier technology-enabled start-ups across the world, League. who will be awarded at its flagship conference David Attenborough awarded the Indira TiECON 2020 at TiE’s Silicon Valley. Gandhi Peace Prize 2019 Rajiv Gandhi International Airport wins CII-  The Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust will present GBC ‘National Energy Leader’ award the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace,  The GMR led Rajiv Gandhi International Disarmament and Development for 2019 to Airport (Hyderabad International Airport) won renowned broadcaster Sir David Attenborough. the ‘National Energy Leader’ and ‘Excellent  The prize is awarded to him for a lifetime of Energy Efficient Unit’ awards at the 21st doing more to reveal the wonders of the natural National Awards for ‘Excellence in Energy world than perhaps any other individual. Management’.  The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, RPF personnel honoured with Jeewan Raksha Disarmament and Development was instituted Medals in the memory of the former prime minister by  Three RPF personnel was awarded Jeevan a trust in her name in 1986. Raksha Medals by President of India Ram  It consists of a monetary award of Rs 25 lakh Nath Kovind. along with a citation.  The honoured Railway Protection Force (RPF) Lifetime Achievements Award to Prof. Aditya personnel are Late Shri Jagbir Singh, Shri Prasad Padhi Shivcharan Singh, Shri Mukesh Kumar Meena.  Indian Chartered Accountancy Parivar and  Sanvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak (posthumous) Delhi University Ramanujan College Professor – Late Shri Jagbir Singh, Constable/Northern Aditya Prasad Padhi, former Vice – Chancellor Railway of Berhampur University has been honoured  Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak- Shri Shivcharan with “Lifetime Achievements Award” for his Singh, Constable/ Western Railway outstanding contribution to higher education in  Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak- Shri Mukesh India. Kumar Meena Head Constable/North Western Ja Morant wins 2019-20 Kia NBA Rookie of the Railway Year Award  The Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant has been named the 2019-20 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, the NBA announced.

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 Vinkesh Gulati, has been appointed as the 35th President of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA).  He succeeds Ashish Harsharaj Kale and will RECENT serve the role of president from 2020 to 2022.  The FADA is an apex national body representing automobile dealers of India. APPOINTMENTS Paresh Rawal becomes new chairman of Rajesh Khullar appointed Executive Director at World National School of Drama Bank  Former Lok Sabha MP and Bollywood actor, Sameer Kumar Khare has been appointed Paresh Rawal have been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Asian Development chief of National School of Drama by Bank (ADB). President Ram Nath Kovind. Yoshihide Suga of Liberal Democratic Party  In a career span of over three decades, Rawal (LDP) elected as Prime Minister-designate of has been acknowledged with numerous Japan, to succeed PM Shinzo Abe awards, including the prestigious National Harivansh re-elected as Deputy Chairman of Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in Rajya Sabha 1994. Paytm named Sachin Tendulkar as brand  He was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2014 ambassador for its gaming platform ‘Paytm for his contribution to the entertainment First Games’ industry. Jane Fraser named the first female CEO of Subhash Kamath elected ASCI chairman Citigroup  Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman appointed as elected Subhash Kamath as its chairman on its Chairman of Supreme Court Legal Services 34th annual general meeting of the body. Committee Anil Jain Set to be Elected New AITA President, Former health secretary Preeti Sudan appointed Anil Dhupar Secretary General WHO panellist  BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Anil Jain is set to  The World Health Organisation’s independent be elected as the new president of All India panel for pandemic preparedness and response Tennis Association (AITA) while Anil Dhupar appointed former health secretary, Preeti will take over as the secretary-general at the Sudan as one of its 11 panellists from across Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the the world. national federation.  The decision by the panel’s two heads, former  Jain, who is also the ruling party’s national New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clarke and general secretary, will replace Praveen former Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Mahajan as AITA president. Vinkesh Gulati appointed as new President of  The AITA will also elect four joint secretaries FADA and three of them would be Sunder Iyer (Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association), Prem Kumar Karra (Tamil Nadu Tennis

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Association) and Suman Kapur (Haryana V Rajasekhar as Additional Director – Director Lawn Tennis Association). (R&D). Playerzpot appointed Bhuvneshwar Kumar,  This comes after the Ministry of Defence on Smriti Mandhana as brand ambassadors July 6 appointed Rajasekhar as Director –  Playerzpot announced the signing of cricketers R&D vice Mahesh V, who has retired from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Smriti Mandhana as services on August 31 on attaining its brand ambassadors. superannuation.  The partnership will see the cricketers in the Charu Sinha becomes first woman IG to lead brand’s upcoming campaigns and promote CRPF in Kashmir Playerzpot through engagement activities.  IPS officer Charu Sinha has become the first  The duo will anchor the brand with their sports woman commander to head the Central charisma and help in creating a higher brand Reserve Police Force (CRPF) formation in the recall amongst the key target audience. Kashmir Valley. Raj Srivastava appointed as India’s  Sinha, a 1996-batch officer of the Telangana Ambassador to Republic of Croatia cadre, has been appointed as the Inspector  Raj Kumar Srivastava has been appointed as General (IG) of CRPF’s Srinagar sector that the next Ambassador of India to the Republic oversees the deployment of the paramilitary of Croatia. forces’ battalions in Srinagar city of the Union  He is an IFS officer of 1997 batch and is Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. presently serving as the Deputy Chief of  The officer was till now serving as the CRPF Mission in the Embassy of India, Tokyo. IG in Jammu. Maruti CEO Kenichi Ayukawa elected president  She earlier headed the CRPF formation in of SIAM Bihar that includes the deployment of the force  Maruti Suzuki MD and CEO Kenichi in anti-Naxal operations in that state. Ayukawa has been elected as the new BPCL Additional Charge of CMD: K Padmakar President of the Society of Indian Automobile  Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Manufacturers (SIAM). has been given additional charge to K  SIAM is the apex body of the Indian Padmakar, Director (HR) as the Chairman and automotive industry. Managing Director (CMD).  He will replace RajanWadhera and has been  He succeeds D Rajkumar who superannuated appointed for a term of two years. after attaining 60 years on August 31, 2020.  Vipin Sondhi, MD and CEO, Ashok Leyland,  Ramamoorthy(R)Ramachandran, director has been elected as the new vice president of refineries also stepped down with D Rajkumar SIAM. on the same day due to the same reason. Rajiv Lall resigns as chairman of IDFC First ITPO: One-year extension to L C Goyal as its Bank CMD  Rajiv B. Lall has resigned from his post of  India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) Part-Time Non-Executive Chairman of IDFC has approved the 1-year extension in the tenure First Bank. of L C Goyal, as the Chairman and Managing  He has cited prolonged personal health issues Director (CMD). as the reason for resignation.  Goyal will hold the position for the extended  Lall was the founder MD of the erstwhile period of 1 year from 1st September 2020 till IDFC Bank. 1st September 2021. Bajaj Allianz Life ropes in Ayushmann  He was appointed as the CMD of ITPO in Khurrana as its brand ambassador August 2015.  Private life insurer Bajaj Allianz Life has Myntra appoints Kiara Advani as brand appointed Bollywood actor Ayushmann ambassador Khurrana as its brand ambassador.  E-commerce website Myntra has appointed  Khurrana will promote the company’s products Kiara Advani as its brand ambassador. and digital services across offline and online  Actress Kiara Advani will be the brand mediums. ambassador and nationwide celebrity endorser  He will feature in the life insurer’s next for Myntra. campaign ‘Smart Living’ that encompasses its  Her mass appeal as an actor and fashion term plan Smart Protect Goal and the new trendsetter is poised to accelerate digital service – Smart Assist. conversations around Myntra’s apparel MV Raja Sekhar takes charge as director segments. (R&D), BEL Aveek Sarkar elected new Chairman of Press  The Bharat Electronics Ltd’s (BEL) Board of Trust of India Directors has approved the appointment of M

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 Aveek Sarkar has been elected as the Vindhyagiri, Rana, Krishna and Mysore in Chairman of the Press Trust of India. various capacities.  He replaces Vijay Kumar Chopra, Chief Editor S Krishnan becomes new MD & CEO of Punjab of the Punjab Kesari Group of newspapers. & Sind Bank  Aveek Sarkar is the Vice Chairman of the  Appointments Committee of the Cabinet Ananda Bazar Group of Publications. He was (ACC) has approved the appointment of S also the founding Managing Director of Krishnan as the Managing Director and Chief Penguin India. Executive Officer of Punjab & Sind Bank. Tamil Nadu Appoints India’s First-ever Woman  He will replace S Harishankar. Ambulance Driver  Earlier to this elevation, S Krishnan was as an  Tamil Nadu has appointed India’s first-ever Executive Director at Canara Bank. woman ambulance driver under a new Murali Ramakrishnan becomes new MD & initiative by CM Palaniswami. CEO of South Indian Bank  M Veeralakshmi was appointed driver of one  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved of the newly launched ‘108’ ambulances in the appointment of Murali Ramakrishnan as Tamil Nadu. Managing Director and CEO of the South  As per the Tamil Nadu government, this is the Indian Bank for a period of three years with first such instance in the country. effect from October 1, 2020. CBDT Chairman Pramod Chandra Mody gets  Ramakrishnan had retired from ICICI Bank as six-month extension Senior General Manager at Strategic Project  Pramod Chandra Mody was on Monday given Group on May 30, 2020, and joined the South a six-month extension till February next year Indian Bank as an advisor on July 1, 2020. as the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).  Mody, a 1982 batch Indian Revenue Service OBITUARIES (Income Tax cadre) officer, was appointed the  Veteran Congress leader and former CBDT chief in February 2019. Chhattisgarh minister Chanesh Ram Rathiya  He was in August last year re-appointed on the has passed away due to COVID-19. He was post for one year, till August 31, 2020, beyond 78. the date of his superannuation on August 31,  India-born renowned Pakistani Shia scholar 2019. AllamaZameer Akhtar Naqvi has died Rajiv Kumar took charge as Election following a heart attack. He was 76. Commissioner  Former MLA from Panaji Baban Naik died  Rajeev Kumar on September 1, 2020 took after suffering a heart attack in his home at the charge as the new Election Commissioner of age of 76. India.  Eminent litterateur and radio announcer Nadia Bihari Mohanty passed away due to Covid-19  He will be working alongside the Sushil at a private hospital in Cuttack. He was 90. Chandra, the Election Commissioner and Sunil  Former Union minister and veteran leader of Arora, the Chief Election Commissioner. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Raghuvansh  Kumar succeeds Ashok Lavasa, who resigned Prasad Singh has passed away after he earlier. developed post COVID-19 complications.. He Hemant Khatri assumed charge as CMD of was 74. Hindustan Shipyard Limited  Ram Shahaney, former Chairman of Ashok  Retired Commodore Hemant Khatri succeeds Leyland, passes away Rear Admiral L V Sarat Babu (Retd) and  Ram Shahaney, former Chairman of Ashok assumed charge as the Chairman and Leyland, passes away Managing director (CMD) of Hindustan  Veteran Telugu stage and film actor Shipyard limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, Jayaprakash Reddy died of heart attack at his Andhra Pradesh. residence in Guntur. He was 74.  Previously he was serving as the Director of  Senior BJD leader and former Rajya Sabha Strategic Projects HSL. MP from Odisha Narendra Swain died at a Vice Admiral S R Sarma assumes charge as private hospital in Cuttack. He was 81. Chief of Materiel of the Indian Navy  Liberation war fighter and a prominent public  Vice Admiral S R Sarma assumed charge as figure of Bangladesh Ziauddin Tariq Ali the Chief of Materiel of the Indian Navy. passed away in Dhaka.  Admiral Sarma during his illustrious career  Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver, a three-time spanning over three and a half decades has Cy Young Award winner and 12-time all-star, served onboard Indian Naval ships has died. He was 75.

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 Oscar-winning Czech director Jiri Menzel has  The former President of India, Pranab passed away after battling serious health Mukherjee, passed away at the age of 84 years. issues. He was 82.  Noted cardiologist Dr S Padmavati passed  Father of India’s Radio Astronomy, Dr. away at the age of 103 years due to COVID- Govind Swarup passed away yesterday at 19.She was the first female cardiologist of the Pune.He was 91. India and was popularly known as ”God  Veteran producer-director Johnny Bakshi has Mother of Cardiology”. passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest.  Veteran Congress leader, multiple term Bihar He was 82. MLA and former Lok Sabha member Ramdeo  PujyaKesavananda Bharati Ji, the pontiff of Rai, who had caused ripples in the 1980s when Edneer Mutt in Kasaragod district of Kerala, he defeated socialist heavyweight Karpoori whose property rights case in the Supreme Thakur in an electoral contest, died in Court in 1973 helped define basic rights under Patna.He was 81. the Constitution, has passed away.He was 79.  Katyayani Shankar Bajpai, a career diplomat  Former England all-rounder and legendary who served as India’s ambassador to the US, cricketer, David Capel passed away. China, and Pakistan, passed away. He was 92.

 Indian Police Officer, Poonam Khatri has claimed World Championship status after her silver medal at the Wushu World Championship last year has been upgraded to a SPORTS Gold medal. Poonam hails from Haryana’s  Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) has Jhajjar district. won the Formula One Tuscan Grand Prix 2020  Poonam had lost the final to Iranian opponent held on September 13, 2020. This was his 6th Mariyam in the Women’s 75 kg category but win of the season and 90th F1 win of his after Mariyam recently failed the dope test, the career. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-Finland) gold medal has been awarded to Poonam came second followed by Alexander Albon Khatri. (Red Bull – Thailand) at third place.  The information was clarified by Secretary-  Japan’s Naomi Osaka beats Victoria General of the Indian Wushu Association, Azarenka of Belarus to win US Open Suhel Ahmed. Tennis Tournament 2020. Pierre Gasly wins F1 Italian Grand Prix 2020  Austria’s Dominic Thiem defeated Alexander  Pierre Gasly (Scuderia AlphaTauri, France) Zverev to win the men’s singles title at the has won the Formula One Italian Grand Prix 2020 US Open tournament. 2020 held on September 06, 2020.  Kiren Rijiju to lay foundation stones for  This is his first Grand Prix win. various sports facilities in Leh  Carlos Sainz Jr. (McLaren, Spain) came Police Officer Poonam Khatri crowned Wushu second followed by Lance Stroll (Racing World Champion Point, Canada) in third place.

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 Lewis Hamilton ended at 7th place after he  West Indies cricket icon Dwayne Bravo has earned a 10-second stop and go penalty. Apart become the first cricket ambassador for from this, Charles Leclerc crashed out on the “SBOTOP” sportsbook brand. exit of Parabolica.  Isle of Man betting group Celton Manx has England cricketer Ian Bell announces appointed the West Indies cricketer as the retirement from professional cricket cricket ambassador for its flagship sportsbook.  Cricketer Ian Bell from England has Olympic Ski Racing Champion Viktoria announced that he will retire from all forms of Rebensburg announces retirement at 30 cricket at the end of the 2020 domestic season.  Olympic ski champion Viktoria Rebensburg of  Ian Bell, 38, retired from ODIs in 2015 to Germany has announced her retirement due to focus on Test cricket. injury caused during a race in February 2020,  He is a five-time Ashes winner and has spent which was keeping her from performing at her his entire career with Warwickshire. best. US Open 2020: Indo-Canadian pair of  The 30-year-old German ski racer won the Bopanna-Shapovalov enter men’s doubles gold medal in the giant slalom at the 2010 quarterfinals Vancouver Olympics.  The Indo-Canadian pair of Rohan Bopanna India’s P Iniyan wins World Open Online Chess and Denis Shapovalov have reached the Tournament quarterfinals of the ongoing US Open tennis.  Indian Grandmaster P Iniyan has won the  They defeated the German pair Kevin prestigious 48th Annual World Open online Krawietz and Andrea Mies in the second- chess tournament. round clash that had lasted for an hour and 47  He scored 7.5 points out of a possible 9 with minutes. six victories and three draws to finish on top. BCCI announces schedule for IPL 2020 to be  A total number of 120 players from 16 held in UAE countries participated in the event which  BCCI has announced the schedule for IPL included more than 30 Grandmasters. 2020 to be held in UAE. Sumit Nagal becomes 1st Indian to win grand  The evening matches of the tournament, which slam singles main draw match in 7 years will be played in the United Arab Emirates,  SumitNagal stormed into the second round of will start at 7:30 PM Indian time. the ongoing US Open Tennis last night. Nagal  There will be 10 double-headers, and the defeated Bradley Klahn of USA 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, afternoon matches will begin at 3:30 PM. 6-1 in the first round of the US Open to  Dubai will host 24 games; 20 matches will be progress further into the tournament. played in Abu Dhabi while the remaining 12  The 23-year-old Nagal has become the first matches are scheduled to be played in Sharjah. Indian to win a singles main draw match at a  The final of the tournament will be played on Grand Slam in the last seven years. November 10. Venues for the playoff and the Sports training camps in Uttar Pradesh to start final are yet to be announced. from 1st October T20 cricket tournament inaugurated at  In Uttar Pradesh, sports training camps will Kungamdora Pattan in J&K start from 1st October and will continue till  Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Dr G N Itoo March next year. in presence of District Youth Services and  The state Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sports Officer inaugurated T20 cricket Upendra Tiwari said that sports activities will tournament at KungamdoraPattan with strict be back on the track once the situation adherence of SOPs and guidelines. normalises. World Cup host Qatar set to play in Gold Cup  Those who are interested in participating in next year in US these training camps should register  World Cup host Qatar is set to play in the Gold themselves on Khelo India application. Cup next year in the United States after Jayanti Bahera, Deep Grace Ekka receive Biju accepting an invitation from soccer’s Patnaik Sports Award governing body for North and Central America  Jayanti Behera and Deep Grace Ekka received and the Caribbean. Biju Patnaik Sports Award for outstanding  The Asian Cup champion will participate in performance in sports and games. Both of the 2021 and 2023 Gold Cup tournaments as a them received Rs. 2 lakh cash award each. guest under a memorandum of understanding  Similarly, Biju Patnaik Bravery Award was signed in Bahrain in 2017. received by Purnima Giri and SabitaGiri who Dwayne Bravo becomes cricket ambassador for received cash award of rupees one lakh each, “SBOTOP” sportsbook brand medal and citation.

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 Biju Patnaik Sports Award for excellence in  Among others, Padmini Rout, Hupi Majhi, coaching went to Satya Ranjan Patnaik. Rajashree Mohapatra, Manisha Merel,  Besides Siba Prasad Das received a cash Pratyasha Ray also received cash awards. award of Rs.32,50,000 for coaching to sports persons with disability.

 The formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs or Deep Vein Thrombosis can lead to life threatening complications.  Ministry of Science and Technology in a SCIENCE AND statement said that scientists have come up with a device that can facilitate flow of blood from the veins in the legs thus preventing DVT. TECHNOLOGY IIT Bombay students launched Indian IPFT develops new Disinfectant Sprays alternative to Scanning Apps  Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology  Students from the Indian Institutes of (IPFT) has developed two new technologies Technology, Bombay (IIT-Bombay) has AIR face namely “Disinfectant spray for sur Scanner, a free-of-cost mobile application. application” and “Disinfectant spray for  It was developed by Rohit Kumar Chaudhary Vegetables & fruits” at a time when Covid-19 and Kavin Agrawal from IIT-Bombay. pandemic has created a lot of damage globally.  The mobile application falls in line with the  It contains ‘botanical anti-microbial substance’ AatmaNirbhar Bharat. which can be an effective formulation to prevent from diseases which are caused by  The innovation is aimed to help people in microbes, bacteria and virus. education.  The formulation is volatile in nature. AIR Scanner app:  The Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Reading  It evaporates after disinfecting the surface and Assistant & Document Scanner app can scan does not leave any stains and odour. documents. It can be used to read to users who SCTIMST develops device for prevention of have difficulty in reading English. Deep Vein Thrombosis  The document that is scanned using the mobile  Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical camera will be saved in PDF format and will Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum be stored in the device only. (SCTIMST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, has  The app will not collect any information about developed a device for the prevention of Deep the user and all the documents are stored in the Vein Thrombosis (DVT). phone’s local storage.  AIR Scanner app is free of cost and secure.

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 The AI feature of the app reads out the  It has been developed jointly by IIT Tirupati scanned pages. It also provides the meaning of (IITT) and IISER Tirupati the selected word to the user in 40 different  It provides efficient and rapid decontamination languages. of personal protective equipment (PPE) and World’s Largest Solar Tree set up at Durgapur other household items.  World’s Largest Solar Tree has been  It consisting of a UV radiation cavity, cold developed by the CSIR-CMERI. plasma, and H2O2spray  The solar tree has been installed at the JNCASR researchers develop diagnostic Residential Colony of CSIR-CMERI in therapy for Lung Cancer Durgapur, West Bengal.  Recently researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru  The solar tree has the annual capacity to Centre for Advanced Scientific Research generate 12,000-14,000 units of Clean and (JNCASR) have developed a theranostics Green Power while its installed capacity is (diagnostic therapy) drug candidate for lung above 11.5 kWp. cancer.  The Solar Tree has been designed in such a  The research work funded jointly by DST, way that it ensures maximum exposure of each BRICS Multilateral R&D Projects grant, and Solar PV Panel to Sunlight. SwarnaJayanti Fellowship Grant was  A single solar tree comprises of 35 Solar PV published in the journal Theranostics. Panels each having a capacity of 330 wp each. Minister of State for Space Dr Jitendra Singh: CSIR-CMERI develops Affordable Solar Chandrayaan-3 launch likely in early 2021 Powered Battery  Minister of State for Space Dr Jitendra Singh  CSIR-CMERI develops Affordable Solar has said that the launch of Chandrayaan-3 may Powered Battery based Sprayers to tackle now take place somewhere in early 2021. Water Crisis in Agriculture.  Chandrayaan-3 will be a mission repeat of  Apart from solar pumps, CSIR-CMERI is Chandrayaan-2 and will include a Lander and working on methods to reduce water Rover similar to that of Chandrayaan-2, but consumption required for irrigation. will not have an orbiter.  CSIR-CMERI has already developed solar tree IIT Guwahati in Collaboration with Workspace of capacity 1 Kwp, 3 kwp, 5 kwp, 6 kwp, 7.5 Metal Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Develops a First-of-its- kwp and 11.5 kwp, (which is now the Largest kind Self-Check Kiosk Solar Tree in the world).  Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati in IIT Delhi incubated startup launches collaboration with Workspace Metal Solutions ‘‘ChakrDeCoV’’ to decontaminate N95 masks Pvt. Ltd., Udaipur, has developed a first-of-its-  In our series on Atmanirbhar Bharat, IIT Delhi kind self-check kiosk. incubated startupChakr Innovation has  The small structure helps by streamlining the launched ‘ChakrDeCoV’ to decontaminate flow of people through the kiosk. N95 masks.  The Kiosk only takes about 30 seconds to  Designed in the shape of a cabinet, check whether the person safe to enter the ChakrDeCoV is built with an innovative premises or not. decontamination mechanism, which utilises  The cost of a self-check kiosk varies from 3.5 the high penetrability of Ozone gas for lakh to 7.5 lakh depending on the specification cleaning the pores of the N95 mask, ensuring and features. complete decontamination of its intricate  The product has already been commercialised. layers.  The Institute has also installed self-check Scientists have developed a portable sterilisation kiosk at its campus as well. unit  The team has also filed for a patent.  Scientists have developed a portable MoD developed Healthy Air, a Herbal-based sterilisation unit using a new technology called Immunity Boosting Room Freshener the hybrid sterilization system. It can  Defence Institute of Advanced Technology decontaminate personal protective equipment (DIAT), a Deemed to be University, Pune, (PPE) necessary for combating COVID 19, under Ministry of Defence has developed easily and rapidly, allowing them to be used “Healthy Air”, herbal-based immunity to boost multiple times. room freshener product. Highlights:  The product was developed with an aim to  It can be used by health professionals and contain the spread of the COVID-19. other COVID warriors for whom PPEs are Highlights: essential  Healthy Air has been developed by the  It can prevent generation of hazardous solid Department of Metallurgical and Materials waste from PPEs. Engineering.

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 The product consists of various extracts of India to Have 220 GW Renewable Energy herbal oils like Neem, Neelgiri, Camphor, Capacity by 2022, Says PM Modi Daalcheeni, Tulsi, Lemon, Turmeric, Laung,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi exuded Ajwain, Lavender, Elaichi, Turmeric, Natural confidence that India will increase its existing Vetiveru, Raimuniya, and Pine Oil. clean energy capacity of 134 GW to 220 GW  The product is herbal-based product is non- by 2022 and stressed on reducing tariffs mutagenic, non-carcinogenic, non-toxic. further through technological advancements.  The product purifies the air and makes it  Modi also mentioned the ‘One World, One breathable. Sun, One Grid’ project which is aimed at  The product is used in any room, conference renewable energy supplies across nations halls, at public places, hospitals, malls, cinema  It was announced by New and Renewable halls, waiting for lounges, rooms of Airports, Energy Minister RK Singh at the Virtual Railway Station etc. World Solar Technology Summit organised by  The product is packed in a container with a the International Solar Alliance. wick also will be loaded in a dispenser.

Heavy Drop System has been inducted in the Army. First batch of five Rafale aircraft formally inducted into Indian Air Force DEFENCE  The first batch of five Rafale fighter jets was DRDO develops P-7 Heavy Drop System formally inducted into the Indian Air Force capable of para dropping military stores (IAF) on 10 September 2020 at the Air Force  Defence Research and Development Station in Ambala. Organization, DRDO has developed P-7  They have been inducted in the Indian Air Heavy Drop System which is capable of para Force’s 17 Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’ based dropping military stores up to seven-tonne in Ambala. weight class from IL- 76 aircraft.  The first five Rafale aircraft had arrived from  It consists of a platform and specialized France on 27 July 2020. parachute system. The parachute system is a  The multi-role Rafale jets have been built by multi-stage system comprises of five Main French aerospace major Dassault Aviation. canopies, five Brake chutes, two Auxiliary  India had signed an inter-governmental chutes, one Extractor parachute and platform agreement with France in 2016 to procure 36 is a metallic structure made up of Aluminium of the aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore or steel alloys.  The delivery of all 36 aircraft is scheduled to  The system has been developed successfully be completed by the end of 2021. with 100 per cent indigenous resources. P-7

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 Out of 36 Rafale jets, 30 will be fighter jets  The primary aim of the two-day exercise is to and six will be trainers. further boost the inter-operability built up by It has two objectives: the two Navies over the years and enhance  Affordable and timely resolution of disputes in understanding and procedures for multi- a fair manner faceted maritime operations between the two  Enrichment of Dispute Resolution Mechanism Navies. with the panel of technical experts as  INDRA NAVY-20 would be undertaken in a arbitrators. ‘non-contact, at sea only’ format due to  SAROD-Ports will save a huge amount of restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 legal expenditure and time by resolving the pandemic. maritime disputes in a fair and just manner. Rajnath Singh launched “Chhavni COVID: DRDO successfully flight tests Hypersonic YodhaSanrakshan Yojana” Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV)  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched  Defense Research and Development “Chhavni COVID: YodhaSanrakshan Yojana” Organisation (DRDO) has successfully a group life insurance scheme through the Life demonstrated the hypersonic air-breathing Insurance Corporation (LIC), for more than scramjet technology with the flight test of the 10000 employees working in the 62 military Hypersonic Technology Demonstration cantonment areas across India. Vehicle (HSTDV) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam  The scheme will benefit the employees of all Launch Complex at Wheeler Island, off the the 62 cantonment boards and will provide a coast of Odisha on September 07, 2020. cover of Rs.5 lakhs each in the event of any  India has thus become the fourth country after fatal misfortune. the United States, Russia and China to develop Defence Ministry signs Rs. 2,580-cr deal for 6 and successfully test hypersonic technology. Pinaka rocket regiments  It will serve as the building block for next-  The Defence Ministry has signed a Rs.2,580- generation hypersonic cruise missiles. crore contract with Bharat Earth Movers Ltd 11th India-Russia biennial bilateral maritime (BEML), Tata Power Company Ltd (TPCL) naval exercise ‘INDRA NAVY’ organised in and Larsen & Toubro to equip the Army with Bay of Bengal six Pinaka rocket regiments.  The 11th edition of the biennial bilateral  It will consist of 114 launchers with automated maritime exercise INDRA NAVY between gun aiming and positioning system, 45 Indian Navy and Russian Navy has been command posts and 330 vehicles. organised from 4-5 September 2020 in the Bay  The new regiments will likely be operational of Bengal. by 2024.

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 A virtual meeting of G-20 Agriculture and Water Ministers was held.  The meeting was attended by Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and RECENT Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare ParshottamRupala.  The Jal Shakti Minister assured the forum of India’s commitment to contribute towards the SUMMITS objectives, goals and targets set by G-20. S Jaishankar co-chairs ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting with Thailand  Government of India is implementing the ‘Jal  The Union Minister of External Affairs S Jeevan Mission’ to provide household tap connections to 190 million rural homes, Jaishankar co-chaired the ASEAN-India thereby ensuring drinking water security. Ministerial Meeting on 12 September 2020, with his Thailand counterpart Don Virtual Buyer-Seller meet for carpet exports to Pramudwinai. commence from Sept 29  The Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC)  The virtual meeting saw the participation of has announced a three-day Buyer-Seller Meet Foreign Ministers of the 10 ASEAN Member in virtual mode with special focus on Australia States and India. and adjoining countries to ensure business  The new ASEAN-India Plan of Action for continuity amid COVID-19 pandemic. next five years (2021-2025) was adopted at the  The buyer-seller meet shall be held from 29th meeting. of September to 1st of October and with a  The meeting reviewed the status of ASEAN- limited number of virtual booths available, India Strategic Partnership in several areas only 50 exhibitors shall participate in the event including maritime cooperation, connectivity, on first-cum-first-serve basis. education capacity building and people-to-  India is the biggest exporter of handmade people contacts and also discussed ways to carpets to countries like Australia in the strengthen cooperation to fight COVID-19 Oceania Region. pandemic among other things. V Muraleedharan participates in 27th ASEAN  Carpet exporters can explore business regional forum opportunities by targeting new destinations Down Under to enhance export potential.  Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan participated in the 27th  The famed Kashmir carpet is the leading hand- ASEAN regional forum. made product exported to various overseas destinations like Europe, US and the Middle  During the 27th ASEAN regional forum, the East. minister shared India’s views on maritime security, counter terrorism as well as the  All carpet exporters interested in participation COVID-19 pandemic. in Buyer-Seller Meet have been advised to coordinate with the Directorate of Handicrafts  He also stated that India will co-chair ASEAN and Handloom, Kashmir, Kashmir Haat, Regional Forum (ARF) workshops on port Srinagar. security and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Jaishankar participates in inaugural session of Intra-Afghan negotiations in Doha Virtual meeting of G-20 Agriculture,Water Ministers held  External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar participated in the inaugural session of the

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Intra-Afghan negotiations held in Doha on  The conclave has been organised by Ministry Saturday via video teleconference. of Education as part of ShikshakParv 2020.  The Minister’s participation was in response to  ShikshakParv is being celebrated from 8th- an invitation extended to him by the Qatar’s 25th September, 2020 to felicitate the teachers Foreign Minister Mohammad bin and to take New Education Policy 2020 Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. forward.  He highlighted India’s role as a major  The conclave was addressed by the Prime development partner of Afghanistan with over Minister Shri Narendra Modi under the 400 projects completed in all the 34 provinces National Education Policy- 2020 (NEP-2020). of Afghanistan. India to host CHG meeting of SCO on 29-30 Health Ministry organises virtual conclave for November in New Delhi pvt hospitals providing COVID-19 treatment in  India is scheduled to host the meeting of country Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of  The Health Ministry organized a virtual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO on conclave for private hospitals providing 29-30 November 2020 in New Delhi. COVID-19 treatment in the country.  This will be the first Prime Minister level  It provided a platform for discussion of meeting to be hosted by India since its clinical protocols and best practices in elevation as a full-member of Shanghai COVID-19 management towards reducing Cooperation Organisation, SCO. avoidable deaths.  India hosted a Preparatory Seminar on Start-up  While COVID-19 has posed unprecedented Forum on 11 August and the first-ever meeting challenges to the country’s health care of Consortium of Economic Think-Tanks on systems, there have been proactive responses 21-22 August. from the government as well as the private  Both the events were attended by all the SCO industry. Member States through Video Conferencing.  The Ministry also encouraged the hospital  India will also be hosting two Ministerial-level representatives to share their key concerns and meetings of SCO Member States. challenges being faced while managing India-France-Australia holds first-ever COVID-19 in their facilities Trilateral Dialogue on Indo-Pacific Santosh Gangwar addresses Virtual Meeting of  India, Australia and France held their first-ever G-20 Labour and Employment Ministers Trilateral Dialogue on 9 September 2020, with  Labour and Employment Minister Santosh focus on enhancing cooperation in the Indo- Gangwar has called upon all G-20 members to Pacific region. continue to work together for finding solutions  The meeting was co-chaired virtually by Harsh to the common problems resulting from the Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary of India, COVID-19 pandemic. François Delattre, Secretary-General, French  Mr Gangwar was speaking at Virtual Meeting Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and of G-20 Labour and Employment Ministers Frances Adamson, Secretary, Australian last evening through video conferencing. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Health Minister Harsh Vardhan attends 73rd  Objective of this trilateral meeting was to session of WHO South East Asia Region strengthen the strong bilateral relations among  Health Minister Harsh Vardhan attends 73rd the three countries and synergize their session of WHO South East Asia Region. respective strengths to ensure a peaceful,  Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and secure, prosperous and rules-based Indo- Family Welfare attended the73rd session of Pacific Region. WHO South East Asia Region (SEARO)  The three sides agreed to hold the dialogue on through video conference. an annual basis.  This is the first time the two-day event is being Education Ministry organises 2 -day conclave held entirely through virtual platforms owing on School Education in 21st Century under to the COVID pandemic. ShikshakParv  The 73rd session is being hosted by the  Education Ministry is organising a two-day Government of Thailand (from Bangkok) conclave on School Education in 21st Century while the previous session was held in New under ShikshakParv through online medium. Delhi.  The focus will be on Principal and Teacher Conclave on “School Education in 21st practitioners, who will discuss how they have Century” begins already implemented certain themes of the  A two-day conclave on ‘School Education in NEP in creative ways. 21st Century’ commenced virtually.  ShikshakParv is being celebrated from 8th September- 25th September, to felicitate the

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Teachers and to take New Education Policy  The two days National Tribal Research 2020 forward. Conclave will be held virtually on 3rd and 4th 13th Aero India-21 to be held in Bengaluru in September 2020. Feb 2021  The Conclave Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri  The 13th edition of Aero India-21 is scheduled Arjun Munda will chair the two-day National to be held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Tribal Research Conclave. Bengaluru, Karnataka from 3 to 07 February  The Conclave is organized by the Ministry of 2021. Tribal Affairs and the Indian Institute of  Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh has Public Administration (IIPA). launched the website for Aero India 2021, so  This is the second workshop of its kind. that the exhibitors can register and book their  The first workshop was organized in January space online as well as Business and other 2020. visitors buy their tickets online to visit the  The themes of the conclave are Health, show. Livelihood, Education, digitalisation, water  Aero India is Asia’s largest air show and conservation, data sciences and development aviation exhibition held biennially in models for aspiration and model villages. Bengaluru since 1996. India to host SCO Council Summit of heads of CFI to host first-ever Cycling Summit in 2021 government on November 30  The Cycling Federation of India (CFI) is all set  A senior official in the Ministry of External to host the first-ever Cycling Summit in 2021, Affairs (MEA) has informed that India will with an aim to promote the culture of cycling host a summit of the council of heads of in the country. government of the Shanghai Cooperation  This one-day summit is designed to promote Organisation (SCO) on November 30, 2020. the culture of cycling and exchange knowledge  The focus of the summit will be on the with budding and professional cyclists. contribution to trade and the economic agenda  The Cycling Summit 2021 will be hosted in of the influential grouping. Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore and is expected  India has already been focusing on expanding to be a unique confluence of cycling its cooperation with SCO. enthusiasts, renowned athletes, and businesses Saudi Arabia hosts G20 Foreign Ministers’ from all over the country. Extraordinary Meeting Union Minister Piyush Goyal addresses US-  The G20 Foreign Ministers’ Extraordinary India Strategic Partnership Forum through Meeting held on 3rd September under the virtual conference current Chair, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush virtually. Goyal has invited the US business and  External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar industry to work with their Indian counterparts represented India. to take the bilateral trade to greater heights.  India proposed the setting up of voluntary  Both countries believe in free and fair trade, ‘G20 Principles on Coordinated Cross-Border and the US is India’s largest trading partner. Movement of People’.  The two nations can be the resilient trusted  This new set up will be based on following partners in the global value chain. three pillars: Third Annual Leadership Summit of the  Standardisation of testing procedures and USISPF is being held universal acceptability of test results  The Third Annual Leadership Summit of the  Standardisation of ‘Quarantine procedures’ US-India Strategic Partnership Forum  Standardisation of ‘movement and transit’ (USISPF) is being held from 31st August. protocols  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the Prahlad Singh Patel virtually attends BRICS Special Key Note Address at the USISPF 3rd Culture Ministers’ Meet Annual Leadership Summit through video  The 5th BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting conference. was held under the chairpersonship of Russian  The theme of the 5-day Summit is “US-India Federation. Navigating New Challenges.”  India was represented by Union Minister of  The theme will cover various subjects such as State (I/C) for Culture and Tourism Shri India’s potential in becoming a Global Prahlad Singh Patel in the 5th BRICS Culture Manufacturing Hub, Opportunities in India’s Ministers’ Meet. Gas Market, Ease of Doing Business to attract  The Minister of State for Culture addressed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India. participants of the meeting and presented Arjun Munda inaugurates the two-day National India’s perspective to strengthen the cultural Tribal Research Conclave cooperation within BRICS through alternative

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mechanisms of sharing and organizing cultural  The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum events in online format given the prevailing (USISPF) is a non-profit organization that pandemic situation. works for the partnership between India and India attends Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) the US. Meeting of BIMSTEC  The theme of the 5-day Summit that began on  India participated in the Senior Officials’ 31 August is “US-India Navigating New Meeting (SOM) of the regional grouping Challenges”. BIMSTEC on 2 September 2020 to discuss Keynotes ways to further expand cooperation among its  India’s potential in becoming a Global member nations to effectively deal with key Manufacturing Hub challenges including impact of the coronavirus  Opportunities in India’s Gas Market pandemic.  Ease of Doing Business to attract FDI in India  The key meeting of BIMSTEC was held under  Common Opportunities & Challenges in Tech the chairmanship of Sri Lanka. Space  The Indian delegation at the meeting was  Indo-Pacific Economic issues headed by Secretary (East) in Ministry of  Innovation in Public Health and others External Affairs Vijay Thakur Singh. Bangladesh to host FAO Asia Pacific Regional India to host QUAD meet and 2+2 dialogue Conference in 2022  India will soon be hosting the QUAD meet  Bangladesh will host the 36th Regional involving Australia, Japan and the United Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC) States and the 2+2 dialogue with the United of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture States. Organization (FAO), for the first time in 2022  The details are being worked out for the same. since joining the organization in 1973.  The information regarding the diplomatic  Due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, the 35th engagements was shared by the Ministry of FAO Asia-Pacific regional conference, External Affairs at the regular weekly briefing organised by Bhutan this year, was held on September 3, 2020. through video conference from September 1-4. 35th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the The regional conference of FAO is held every Pacific (APRC) held under the Chairmanship of two years. Bhutan India to host summit of SCO council of heads of  The 35th Session of the Food and Agriculture government on Nov 30, says MEA Organization (FAO) Regional Conference for  India will host a summit of the council of Asia and the Pacific (APRC 35), was held heads of government of the SCO on November from 01 – 04 September 2020, in virtual 30 with a focus on contributing to the trade format due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. and economic agenda of the influential  The Conference was held under the Chair of grouping. the Host Country, Bhutan.  The focus of the summit will be on the  The Union Minister of State for Agriculture contribution to trade and the economic agenda and Farmers Welfare ParshottamRupala of the influential grouping. represented India in the conference.  India has already been focusing on expanding  The conference focused on regional priorities its cooperation with SCO. and issues such as COVID 19, the state of Saudi Arabia chairs G20 Education Ministers agriculture, natural resources management, Meeting food security and nutrition.  The Education Ministers Meeting will take  Bangladesh will host the 36th Regional place as part of the Sherpa Track for the G20 Conference for Asia and the Pacific of the in Leaders Summit 2020, which is to be hosted 2022. by Saudi Arabia at the end of 2020.  It will be the first time that the country will  The Saudi Arabian Presidency has selected the host the event, ever since it joined the following theme for the G20’s 2020 activities: organisation in 1973. ‘Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century  The Regional Conference is held once every For All’. two years. The first regional conference was  The meet was chaired by Saudi Arabia’s held in Bangalore, India, in 1953. Education Minister Dr Hamad Al-Asheikh PM’s special keynote at 3rd Annual Leadership where India was represented by Union Summit Minister of Education, Ramesh  Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the PokhriyalNishank, in the virtual mode. Special Key Note Address at the USISPF 3rd First World Solar Technology Summit (WSTS) Annual Leadership Summit at 9 PM on 3 of ISA to be held September 2020, through video conference.

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 The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is going  The Ministry of Women and Child to organise the first World Solar Technology Development is organizing a series of Summit (WSTS) on September 8, 2020. webinars during the third PoshanMaah being  In the virtual summit, around 26,000 celebrated this month. participants have registered from 149  The first webinar on Best Practices and countries. Success Stories from POSHAN Abhiyaan was  The summit will focus on bringing the light on organized yesterday. affordable and sustainable clean energy.  The second webinar was held today on the  The Summit will be addressed by PM Modi. topic of Nutrient Requirement for Children The summit is going to launch 8 initiatives and and Mothers during the first 1000 days. guidelines, India-Angola Joint Commission meet held  Solar Photo-voltaic Technician Skill  India and Angola held their first joint development initiative. commission meeting on September 8, 2020.  ISA Cares Initiative.  In the meeting, the countries have decided to  Undergraduate Programme (UG) for small expand their trade relation. Island, Developing states and Least Developed  They held discussions in various sectors Countries. including Food processing, agriculture,  Price Exploratory Global bid for energy that defence, pharmaceuticals, health, digitization will provide access to 47 million households and telecom. through solar parks.  India’s dependence on Angola in oil sector  Advisory for manufacturers to produce solar have increased the trade deficit. kits-based ventilators.  India is Angola’s 3rd largest trading partner  Action plan to develop 20 GW of Solar parks. sharing about 10% external trade.  To make solar power bankable.  It mainly accounts for bulk crude oil purchase.  A new website for the ISA will be launched. India’s corporate sector see Angola as a land Second Webinar organized on topic ‘Nutrient of opportunity. Requirement for Children & Mothers during first 1000 days’

 Interior designer Gauri Khan has authored her first book titled “My Life In Design”, which will be published by Penguin Random House India in 2021. BOOKS &  Karan Johar pens his first children’s book titled ‘The Big Thoughts of Little Luv’  ‘The Commonwealth of Cricket: A Lifelong Love Affair with the Most Subtle and AUTHORS Sophisticated Game Known to Humankind’ by Ramachandra Guha

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 Actor Channing Tatum to release first  Delhi’s 9 years old AjnaaDvivedi launches children’s book, ‘The One and Only her book – ‘The Adventures of Anvi– not an Sparkella’ ordinary beginning’.  Pope Francis is set to release the book “Let Us  ‘Breaking the Cocoon @ 40’ book authored Dream” in December 2020. by Radha Nair  UN Environment Programme launches “The Little Book of Green Nudges”

will be named “S.S. Kalpana Chawla”, in memory of the mission specialist who died in 2003 with her six crewmates aboard the space MISCELLANEOUS shuttle Columbia. India’s First Airport Coronavirus Testing Bengaluru gets India’s first on-airport public Facility Launched In Delhi bonded warehouse  India’s first coronavirus airport testing facility  Bangalore International Airport Limited has been launched at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi (BIAL) announced the opening of a International Airport. warehousing facility covering an area of  Passengers can book the testing the slot an 10,000 square feet. hour before the time of arrival and around  The facility is claimed to be India’s first on- four-six hours before the departure flight. The airport public bonded warehouse. test results are available within four-six hours.  It is expected to help re-export of goods, long-  Passengers will have to provide their details term storage of bonded cargo, assist in partial such as name, contact details and valid ID clearances and allow labeling, packing and proof while applying online for this facility. repacking services. Spacecraft named after Kalpana Chawla – first Hubballi railway station to be renamed after woman of Indian origin to go to space Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji  Northop Grumman, an American global  Hubballi Railway Station in Karnataka will aerospace and defence technology company now be known as ‘Shree Siddharoodha has announced that its next Cygnus capsule Swamiji Railway Station.

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 Union government has approved long-pending  It is also working with two partners in demand of Hubballians of renaming the Myanmar to verify the official national Hubballi railway station. Facebook Pages of political parties. Apple develops special face masks for employees  It is limiting the Spread of Misinformation.  Apple Inc. has developed masks that the Kerala and West Bengal have identified company is beginning to distribute to ‘SystomusGracilus’, a New Species of corporate and retail employees to limit the Freshwater Fish from Ganga spread of Covid-19.  The researchers from Kerala and West Bengal  Apple told staff that the Face Mask was have identified Systomusgracilus,a new developed by the Engineering and Industrial cyprinid(family of freshwater fish) fish from Design teams, the same groups that work on Ganges River at Naihati of West Bengal. devices such as the iPhone and iPad.  The discovery was published as an article in  It is made up of three layers to filter incoming the ‘Journal of Experimental Zoology’. and outgoing particles. SpiceJet launches portable ventilator SpiceOxy  It can be washed and reused as many as five for patients with breathing issues times, the company told employees.  In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, the  the mask looks unique with large coverings on budget airlines SpiceJet introduced a portable the top and bottom for the wearer’s nose and ventilator for patients with mild-to-moderate chin. breathing issues. Dubbed as ‘SpiceOxy’, the  It also has adjustable strings to fit around a compact ventilator was designed by engineers person’s ears. of SpiceJet Technic, a subsidiary of SpiceJet. Reliance-backed Fynd launches mobile game to  This light weight device can be used at home, encourage social distancing in an ambulance, on hilly terrain like army  Reliance-backed eCommerce platform Fynd base camps, hospitals, and portable has launched a new hyper-casual game titled applications like wheelchairs and gurneys. ‘Social Doori’ to encourage social distancing  SpiceOxy is intended to provide non-invasive amid the Covid-19 pandemic. ventilator support to treat adult and paediatric  The hypercasual game is based on an Avatar patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) selected by the user. or respiratory insufficiency.  Being positioned in a public place, the Avatar PUBG, 118 other Mobile Apps Banned by would engage the player by guiding on various Indian Govt safety measures, including maintaining safe  The Ministry of Information and Technology social distance, among others. on September 2, 2020, banned PUBG and 118 13-million-year-old fossil ape discovered in other widely popular mobile applications. Uttarakhand  The latest ban by the government will be the  The fossil, which belongs to unknown species third hit for the app industry after the of Kapi ramnagarensis, is said to be the government had taken similar steps in the past earliest ancestor of the modern-day gibbon. by banning Tik Tok and other famous Chinese  The finding fills a major gap in the ape fossil websites. record and provides an important evidence  The move can be seen in the light of ongoing about the ancestor of gibbon that migrated tension between China and India in Eastern from Africa to Asia. Ladakh. Facebook Is Preparing for Myanmar’s 2020 Indian astronomers discover one of the farthest Election Star galaxies in universe  Facebook continues to focus on their  Indian astronomers have discovered one of the responsibility to ensure the integrity of farthest Star galaxies in the universe in a Myanmar’s election on their platform. landmark achievement.  Facebook also recognize Myanmar’s complex  India’s first Multi-Wavelength Space social and political context and are sensitive to Observatory ‘AstroSat’ has detected extreme- the tumultuous changes and the serious UV light from a galaxy located 9.3 billion violence that took place since the country’s light-years away from Earth. last election in 2015.  The galaxy called AUDFs01 was discovered  Facebook is using artificial intelligence by a team of Astronomers led by Dr Kanak technology to proactively identify hate speech Saha from the Inter-University Centre for in 45 languages, including Burmese. Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune.  It has also introduced more transparency when Jadavpur university to provide smartphones, it comes to issue, electoral and political ads, data pack to students going far beyond the standard in print and broadcast media.

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 Jadavpur University has formally decided to  They will provide them with good quality sets provide android handsets and data pack to compatible with net facilities, sharing, students, not having such facilities. uploading and downloading options and for  those students not having smartphones and net those needing good connectivity data pack and connectivity will be provided with the recharge for three months. handsets and data pack in arts, science and  Amitabh Bachchan has partnered with engineering streams very soon. Amazon and will lend his voice for a unique user experience on Alexa-enabled devices.

 National Hindi Day observed on 14 September  Hindi Divas is celebrated on 14 September because on this day in 1949, DAYS & DATES the Constituent Assembly of India had  National Engineer’s Day observed on15 adopted Hindi written in Devanagari September script as the official language of the  In India, the Engineer’s Day is Republic of India. celebrated on September 15 every  The language was adopted under the year, since 1968. Article 343 of the Indian Constitution.  The day marks the birth anniversary  The United Nations Day for South-South of the engineering pioneer of India, Cooperation is observed every year on Sir MokshagundamVishweshvaraya, September 12 since 2011, Theme for 2020 (popularly known as Sir MV). is “Pathways toward the SDGs through  Sir MV was regarded as the “Father of South-South solidarity beyond COVID- Modern Mysore”. 19.”  International Day of Democracy observed  World First Aid Day 2020 observed on 12 on 15 September September  World Lymphoma Awareness Day observed  World Suicide Prevention Day observed on on 15 September September 10 :The theme for 2020 World Suicide Prevention Day is ‘Working Together to Prevent Suicide’.

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 International Day to Protect Education  Teacher’s day is celebrated on September 5 from Attack observed on 9th September  In India, teachers’ day is celebrated on  International Literacy Day Observed on 8 September 5 every year since 1962, as it is the September :The theme of 54th International birth anniversary of the second President of Literacy Day is “Literacy teaching and India, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.”  World Coconut Day observed on 02  National Nutrition Week 2020- 1st September 2020 :World Coconut Day September to 7th September observed on 02 September 2020  International Day of Clean Air for blue  National Small Industry Day observed on skies observed on 7 September 30 August  The International Day of Charity is observed annually on 5 September

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