Important Current Affairs 10th October 2021

INTERNATIONAL

World Health Organization: World’s First Malaria Vaccine Approved

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

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

India, UK begin two-week military exercise in Uttarakhand

• The 6th Edition of India–UK Joint Company Level Military Training EXERCISE AJEYA WARRIOR has commenced at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. The exercise is part of an initiative to develop interoperability and sharing expertise with friendly foreign nations. Armies would familiarise themselves with each other’s weapons, equipment, tactics, techniques, etc.

• The troops of the two countries will also share the experiences that they have learnt during the conduct of several military operations in their respective countries and overseas engagements. The exercise will conclude with a gruelling 48 hours exercise to validate the performance of both armies in conducting joint military operations in a semi-urban environment.

India officially Joins HAC for Nature and People

• India officially joined the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, a group of more than 70 countries encouraging the adoption of the global goal to protect at least 30 per cent of the world’s land and ocean by 2030 (30×30). India is the first of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) bloc of major emerging economies to join the HAC.

• India’s announcement comes in the lead up to a high-level biodiversity meeting in China from October 11 to 15. India joining the High Ambition Coalition is a real game-changer and will boost our multilateral efforts. Stating that India is a major player for biodiversity protection, the French ambassador informed that this coalition aims to promote an international agreement to protect at least 30 % the of world’s land and ocean by 2030.

NATIONAL

Newest Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh approved by National Tiger Conservation Authority

• National Tiger Conservation Authority has approved the Chhattisgarh government’s proposal to declare the combined areas of the Guru Ghasidas National Park & Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve.

• It is located in the northern part of the state, bordering Madhya Pradesh & Jharkhand. This is the 4th Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh (Udanti-Sitanadi, Achanakmar, Indravati).

2021 State of the Education Report for India: UNESCO

• On the Occasion of the World Teachers’ Day (5th October), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched its 2021 State of the Education Report (SOER) for India: “No Teacher, No Class”. This publication is the annual flagship report of UNESCO New Delhi and it is based on extensive research. This third edition of the State of Education Report focused on the theme of teachers, teaching and teacher education. Access to the internet in schools is 19 per cent all over India.

• The Higher proportion of women teachers: Chandigarh, Delhi, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu

• The lower proportion of women teachers: Tripura, Assam, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Bihar.

Telangana: Bathukamma festival begins in the state

• The nine-day floral festival has begun in Telangana. The festival began with excitement as the women were dressed in traditional clothes and colourful processions were carried out in Telangana, the Bathukamma festival is celebrated during Durga Navratri.

• Bathukamma festival begins on the day of Mahalaya Amavasya and the festival continues till nine days, ending on the day of Durgashtami.

OBITUARY

85 year old, ‘Father of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb’ Abdul Qadeer Khan passed away

• Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, the man regarded as the “Father of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb”, has passed away, He was 85.

• The atomic scientist, Dr Khan was hailed as a national hero for transforming Pakistan into the world’s first Islamic nuclear power and for his contributions in enhancing the country’s defence capabilities.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Mental Health Day 2021: 10th October

• World Mental Health Day is observed every year on 10 October globally for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2021 is ‘Mental health in an unequal world’.

• World Mental Health Day was first observed on October 10, 1992, as an annual activity of the World Federation for Mental Health. The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

World Day Against the Death Penalty 2021: 10th October

• The World Day Against the Death Penalty is observed every year on 10 October. It is a day to advocate for the abolition of the death penalty and to raise awareness of the conditions and the circumstances which affect prisoners with death sentences. The theme for 2021 is “Women Sentenced to Death: An Invisible Reality.”

• The day was first organised by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty in 2003. 2021 marks the 19th World Day Against the Death Penalty.