National

Manoj Sinha launched ‘One Gram Panchayat-One DIGI-Pay Sakhi’

• In Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has launched a new mission called ‘One Gram Panchayat-One DIGI-Pay Sakhi’. The mission was launched at Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute, Pampore. He outlined that DIGI-Pay Sakhi has introduced financial inclusion within the UT’s Self Help Group (SHG) ecosystem, creating much needed financial access points with greater transparency even in the remotest of the areas.

• Initially, the DIGI-Pay facility will be provided in 2,000 remote villages of UT. In the first phase, 80 women from self-help groups from across the Jammu and Kashmir divisions have been selected as DIGI-Pay Sakhis.

• On the occasion, the Lt Governor distributed 80 Aadhaar Enabled Payment Systems (AEPs) among the DIGI-Pay Sakhis under the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM).

NITI Aayog Releases Report on ‘Reforms in Urban Planning Capacity in India’

• NITI Aayog has launched a report titled ‘Reforms in Urban Planning Capacity in India’ which presents measures to ramp up urban planning capacity in India. The report was released on September 16, 2021, jointly by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar, CEO Shri Amitabh Kant and Special Secretary Dr K. Rajeswara Rao.

• The report has made several recommendations that can unblock bottlenecks in the value chain of urban planning capacity in India. Some of them include programmatic Intervention for the Planning of Health, Re-engineering of Urban Governance, Revision of Town and Country Planning Acts.

• The report suggests that every city must aspire to become a ‘Healthy City for All’ by 2030.

• The report has also recommended a Central Sector Scheme named ‘500 Healthy Cities Programme’, for a period of 5 years. Under this priority cities and towns would be selected jointly by the states and local bodies.

Union Cabinet approved 100% FDI under automatic route in Telecom Sector

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a number of structural and process reforms in the Telecom sector, to provide relief to ailing telecom service providers, struggling with high levels of debt. A total of 9 structural and 5 process reforms have been approved by the Union Cabinet.

• The relief package is expected to protect and generate employment opportunities, promote healthy competition, protect the interests of consumers, infuse liquidity, encourage investment and reduce the regulatory burden on Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).

Union Cabinet approved Rs 26,058 crore production linked incentive Scheme 

• The Union Cabinet has approved a production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for auto, auto-components and drone industries to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities. The PLI scheme will incentivise the emergence of advanced automotive technologies’ global supply chain in India. Incentives worth Rs. 26,058 crore will be provided to industry over five years, the minister told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

• The PLI scheme for automobile and drone industries is part of the overall announcement of PLI schemes for 13 sectors made earlier during the Union Budget 2021-22, with an outlay of Rs. 1.97 lakh crore.

• The scheme for the auto sector envisages overcoming the cost disabilities to the industry for the manufacture of advanced automotive technology products in India.

• From the total budget of Rs 26,058 crores, an amount of Rs 25,938 crores has been sanctioned for the automobile industry and Rs 120 crores for the drone industry.

Prime Minister Modi launched Sansad TV along with LS Speaker Om Birla

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Sansad TV, which has been created by merging Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV, jointly with Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

• Sansad TV programming will touch upon the functioning of the Parliament and democratic institutions, governance and implementation of schemes and policies, history and culture of India and issues of interest to the common man. The new channel adds another important chapter in the country’s parliamentary system.

APPOINTMENT & RESIGNATION

Indu Malhotra appointed as DDCA Ombudsman

• Former Supreme Court judge, Justice (Retired) Indu Malhotra will be the new Ombudsman cum Ethics Officer of Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) for a period of one year was made. The DDCA’s general body, headed by its president Rohan Jaitley, decided on 65-year-old Justice (Retd) Malhotra’s appointment.

• In 2007, Malhotra was designated senior advocate by the Supreme Court and she became only the second woman to be designated by the apex court after a gap of three decades. She has been appointed amicus curiae by different benches of the Supreme Court in some matters. After serving as legal counsel in the Supreme Court for 30 years, she was unanimously recommended for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court.

OBITUARY

Eminent Writer Aziz Hajini passed away

• Noted writer and former secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Aziz Hajini passed away. Hajini, born as Abdul Aziz Parray in north Kashmir’s Bandipora, was appointed Secretary J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages in 2015. He has over twenty books in Kashmiri to his credit including poetry and criticism.

• Hajini won the Sahitya Akademi Award (criticism) in 2016 for his book ‘Aane Khane’ written in Kashmiri. He has also won the Sahitya Akademi Translation Award in 2013 for Za Gaz Zameen, Kashmiri translation of Abdul Samad’s Urdu novel Do Gaz Zameen.

Olympic Gold Medalist Yuriy Sedykh passed away

• Double Olympic hammer throw gold medallist Yuriy Sedykh, a Ukrainian track and field athlete who represented the Soviet Union until 1991, has passed away. He set the world record for the hammer throw with a throw of 86.74 metres at the European Championships in Stuttgart in 1986 which is still not broken.

• He won his first gold medal at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and his second gold at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Ayaan Shankta from Mumbai named as “2021 International Young Eco-Hero”

• A 12-year-old environmental activist from Mumbai, Maharashtra, Ayaan Shankta has been named as “2021 International Young Eco-Hero”.

• He won the 3rd prize under the Age Group: 8-14 for his project “Conservation and Rehabilitation of Powai Lake” and became one of the 25 global winners of the Young Eco-Hero Award 2021. The award presented by “The Action for Nature”, San Francisco based NGO, recognize young people (8 to 16 years old) for their environmental achievements.

NATIONAL

PM Narendra Modi lays foundation stone of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh University in Aligarh

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh State University at Aligarh, in Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh government is establishing the university in memory and honour of noted Jat figure, Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, the great freedom fighter, educationist and social reformer.

• The University will be spread over an area of over 92 acres at Lodha village and Musepur Kareem Jarouli village of Kol tehsil in Aligarh and will provide affiliation to 395 colleges of the Aligarh division.

India to hold Global Buddhist Conference in November 2021

• India is set to host the first-ever Global Buddhist Conference on November 19 and 20, 2021, in Nava Nalanda Mahavihara campus, in Nalanda, Bihar. The academic conference, being organised by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), will become an annual feature. Four regional conferences in India (Telangana, Saranath, Gangtok and Dharamshala) and abroad (Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Cambodia) will be organised, in the run-up to the conference. The reports of these regional conferences will be presented at the inaugural Global Buddhist Conference.

• Global Buddhist Conference focuses on making India the center of Buddhism, by promoting Buddhist activities, like academic, cultural, seminars, people travelling for festivals like Buddha Purnima, Vesak.

• As a part of the event, an award for the promotion of Buddhist studies, which will be given on November 21 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, carrying a cash reward of $20,000 (around Rs 14.7 lakh), a plaque, and a gold-plated medallion.

IIT Bombay launched AI-based translation 'Project Udaan'

• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has launched ‘Project Udaan’, a language translator, to break the language barrier in education, which hampers the flow of messages. The Project Udaan, a donation-based project, is an end-to-end ecosystem, which can translate scientific and technical content from English to Hindi and all other Indian languages.

• Project Udaan uses an AI-based translation software ecosystem, to translate engineering textbooks and learning materials, and all main streams of higher learning, in the desired language, in one-sixth of the time taken by a team of domain and linguistic experts working manually on it.

India to hold biennial defence dialogue with African nations

• The Government of India has proposed to institutionalise the India-Africa Defence Dialogue, as a regular event, to be held on the sidelines of the biennial DefExpo military exhibition. The first India-Africa Defence Ministers Conclave (IADMC) was held at DefExpo in February 2020 in Lucknow.

• Following this, second India – Africa Defence Dialogue will be held on the sidelines of the DefExpo, scheduled to be held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat in March 2022. The theme of the 2nd India Africa Defence Dialogue will be ‘India – Africa: Adopting Strategy for Synergizing and Strengthening Defence and Security Cooperation.

Peace Mission-2021: India takes part in SCO joint military exercise in Russia

• The Indian military contingent comprising of an all arms combined force of 200 personnel is participating in the Exercise PEACEFUL MISSION -2021, a Joint Counter Terrorism Exercise between Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states. The Exercise PEACEFUL MISSION- 2021 is being hosted by Russia in the Orenburg Region of South-West Russia from September 13 to 25, 2021. In 2021, the 6th edition of the biennial multilateral Exercise PEACEFUL MISSION is being undertaken.

• The aim of the exercise is to foster close relations between SCO member states and to enhance the abilities of the military leaders to command multi-national military contingents. The exercise will enable sharing of best practices between the Armed Forces of SCO nations. The exercise will also provide an opportunity to the Armed Forces of SCO Nations to train in Counter-Terrorism Operations in an urban scenario in a multinational and joint environment.

SPORTS

Zimbabwe’s wicket-keeper batsman Brendan Taylor announced retirement from International Cricket

• Former Zimbabwe skipper and wicket-keeper batsman, Brendan Taylor has announced his retirement from international cricket.

• He made the announcement while playing the third final ODI match on September 13, 2021, against Ireland. The 34-year batsman made his ODI debut for Zimbabwe in 2004 against Sri Lanka. He has scored 6677 runs from 204 ODI matches in his 17-year ODI career.

APPOINTMENT & RESIGNATION

Former Olympic shooter R. R. Singh appointed acting president of Olympic Council of Asia

• India’s Raja Randhir Singh has taken over as acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia as Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah appeals a guilty verdict in a Swiss forgery trial. A five-time Olympic shooter and an Asian Games gold medallist in 1978, Singh was promoted to the role from his position as an honorary life vice president.

• During the interim period, Raja Randhir Singh will carry out the duties and responsibilities of the OCA President, starting with the OCA Executive Board Meeting scheduled to be held on 13th September 2021.” Singh had been part of OCA as secretary-general for 24 years since 1991 and is the longest-serving executive board member. He is also an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2021 :16th September

• The International Day for the preservation for the Ozone layer (World Ozone Day) is observed annually on September 16 to spread awareness of the depletion of the Ozone Layer and search for solutions to preserve it. The ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet.

• The theme for 2021 World Ozone Day: ‘Montreal Protocol – keeping us, our food and vaccines cool.’

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Unesco awards NIOS for innovation in education

• National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), run by the education ministry, has bagged global recognition from UNESCO for its innovative approach towards education. The recognition is for educating differently-abled people through technology-enabled inclusive learning material. The NIOS move has a specific focus on Indian sign language-based content.

• By awarding NIOS the King Sejong Literacy Prize, the jury has recognized the value of providing for the unique educational and language needs of PwD learners by developing teaching content in sign language through digital mode. The award-winning programme focuses on the use of digital tools and local language to help persons with disabilities the option to access Indian Sign Language (ISL)-based content.

Florence Nightingale Award will be given to a nurse, Bhanumati Gheewala, from Sir Sayajirao General Hospital

• The Florence Nightingale Award will be given to a nurse, Bhanumati Gheewala, from Sir Sayajirao General Hospital, Gujarat. She has been in charge of C-19 positive pregnant women’s deliveries as well as infant care. She worked in the gynaecology department as well in the paediatric ward. In 2019, when the wards of the hospital were waterlogged due to flood. She carried her duty in the gynaecology department and the pediatric ward.

• The Florence Nightingale Award is given by the Indian Nursing Council. This is a statutory agency under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, to recognise the contributions of healthcare workers.

NATIONAL

Chhattisgarh launches 'Millet Mission' for farmers, hopes to become Millet hub of India

• Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has announced the launch of ‘Millet Mission’, which aims to provide proper price rates to farmers for minor cereal crops. The initiative is also a step towards the Chief Minister’s vision for the state to become India’s millet hub. To implement the mission, the state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR), Hyderabad and the collectors of 14 districts of the state.

• Other important benefits under the Millet Mission to farmers will include input assistance for millet, procurement arrangements, aid farmers in the processing of crops and ensure that the farmers get the benefit of the expertise of experts.

Haryana adjudged first in installation of solar pumps under PM-KUSUM

• Haryana has topped among all other states of the country in terms of installation of off-grid solar pumps under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahaabhiyaan (PM-KUSUM), as per the data by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Haryana has installed 14,418 pumps against 15,000 sanctioned pumps for the year 2020-21. Haryana was given a target of 15,000 pumps for the year 2020-21 with a total cost of Rs 520 crore.

• The centrally-sponsored PM-KUSUM scheme was launched in 2019 with the target to install 20 lakh standalone solar pumps.

• Under this scheme, farmers have to bear 40 per cent of the pump’s cost, while the central and state governments subsidize the remaining 60 per cent for solar pumps that have a capacity of up to 10 HP.

• However, Haryana and some other states have provided additional top-up on the subsidies, which has reduced the farmer’s share to less than 25 per cent.

Odisha: Nuakhai Juhar harvest festival celebrated in the state

• Nuakhai Juhar, the agrarian festival of Western Odisha, was celebrated with religious fervour and tradition. It is celebrated 1 day after the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi.

• Nuakhai is a crop festival celebrated by people of Western Odisha and Southern Chhattisgarh, to welcome the new rice of the season. Nua means new and khai means food. So, the festival of nuakhai is a festival to celebrate newly harvested food by the farmers.

SPORTS

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh becomes first golfer in world to be granted Dubai Golden Visa

• Star Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh has become the first professional golfer in the world to receive the prestigious 10-year Dubai Golden Visa in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the sport. The 49-year-old Jeev has had a long association with Dubai, having featured in several tournaments and making many friends in the city.

• During the 2001 Dubai Desert Classic, Jeev had established a world record at that time when he completed the four rounds with just 94 putts while finishing tied sixth. Jeev, winner of four titles on the European Tour, four on Japan Golf Tour and six on the Asian Tour, has received the 10-year ‘Gold card’ for being an elite professional athlete.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Skyroot Aerospace first spacetech startup to formally sign up with ISRO

• A Hyderabad-based Space technology startup, Skyroot Aerospace has become the first private company to formally enter into an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The Framework MoU will allow the company to undertake multiple tests and access facilities at various ISRO centres and avail the technical expertise of ISRO for testing and qualifying their space launch vehicle systems and subsystems.

• The agreement was signed by R Umamaheswaran, scientific secretary at ISRO and chairman at Interim IN-SPACe Committee, and Pawan Chandana, who is the CEO of Skyroot Aerospace.

APPOINTMENT & RESIGNATION

Prativa Mohapatra appointed as Vice President, Managing Director at Adobe India

• US tech giant Adobe has announced the appointment of Prativa Mohapatra as vice president and managing director for Adobe India. In this role, Mohapatra will lead Adobe’s India business across Adobe Experience Cloud, Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Document Cloud, reporting to Simon Tate, Adobe’s president for the Asia Pacific (APAC).

• Mohapatra’s career spans over 25 years in the technology industry. She joins Adobe from tech firm IBM, where she served as vice president of digital sales for APAC. Prior to that, she led sales for IBM India and South Asia where she was responsible for driving revenue for the company’s portfolio of solutions and services.

NCLAT gets third Acting Chairperson since Mar 2020

• Justice M. Venugopal has been named as the new Acting Chairperson of the appellate tribunal, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). This is the third time in a row that an Acting Chairperson is at the helm of the NCLAT, after the retirement of permanent Chairperson Justice S J . Mukhopadhaya on March 14, 2020.

• Justice Bansi Lal Bhat was the first Acting Chairperson from March 15, 2020, followed by Justice A I S Cheema from April 19, 2021, and subsequently Justice M. Venugopal from September 11, 2021.

• He is a former judge of the High Court of Madras. He had joined as a Sub-Judge in Tamil Nadu State Judicial Service on June 5, 1997, and later was elevated to Madras High Court in November 2007, where he had served for eleven-and-a-half years.

Aziz Akhannouch appointed as the new PM of Morocco

• Aziz Akhannouch has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Morocco by the country’s King Mohammed VI. Akhannouch’s National Rally of Independents (RNI) party secured 102 out of the 395 seats in the parliament election, held on September 10, 2021.

• Prior to this appointment, the 60-year-old was the Minister of Agriculture from 2007 to 2021.

• The announcement came after Akhannouch’s National Rally of Independents (RNI) party triumphed in Wednesday’s parliamentary polls. The pro-business RNI managed to secure 102 out of the 395 seats in parliament, toppling the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), which won a paltry 13 seats.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Hindi Diwas 2021:14th September

• Hindi Diwas or Hindi Day is observed every year on 14 September to mark the popularity of Hindi as an official language of India. The language was adopted under Article 343 of the Indian Constitution. The first Hindi day was celebrated on 14th September 1953.

• Later, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru announced this day to be celebrated as Hindi Diwas in the country.

• There are 22 Scheduled languages of India, of which, two are officially used at the Union government of India level: Hindi and English.

• Hindi is the fourth most spoken language in the world.

• Hindi Divas is celebrated on 14 September because, on this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India had adopted Hindi written in Devanagari script as the official language of the Republic of India.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Susanna Clarke wins Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021

• Author Susanna Clarke won the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021 for her novel ‘Piranesi’. Novelist and Booker-winner Bernardine Evaristo chaired the Women’s Prize judging panel this year.

• ‘Piranesi’ is narrated by a man living in a labyrinthine, statue-filled house — alone except for a visitor known as the Other — that comprises his whole universe. Susanna Clarke: English author known for her debut novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.

INTERNATIONAL

India-Australia holds inaugural 2+2 ministerial dialogue September 10-12

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External AFfairs Minister S Jaishankar with their Australian counterparts Peter Dutton and Marise Payne before the inaugural session of 2+2 ministerial dialogue in New Delhi on Saturday. UNI PHOTO-3U

• India and Australia are undertaking their first-ever 2+2 ministerial dialogue at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The high-level foreign and defence ministerial-level dialogue will further ramp up the overall defence and strategic cooperation between the two countries, including in the Indo-Pacific cooperation amid China’s increasing military assertiveness in the region.

NATIONAL

Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurated food processing unit Madhya Pradesh

• The Centre on Sunday inaugurated a food processing unit in Madhya Pradesh under Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana on the last day of the celebration of Food Processing week.

• To commemorate 75 years of India’s independence, the Government of India is celebrating the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.’ As a part of the celebration, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries is celebrating Food Processing Week from September 6-12 September under which the Ministry is organising various programmes.

• On the last day of the Food Processing Week, the Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Prahlad Singh Patel, inaugurated the Food Processing Unit of M/s Sahara Frozen Foods established in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, under the Cold Chain scheme of Central sector scheme – Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana.

India's largest open air fernery developed in Uttarakhand

• India is home to a plethora of plant and animal species. The geographical and weather condition of the country is apt for the growth and development of a variety of species. The natural forest of Uttarakhand has been known to host some of these. From unique black-bellied coral snakes to cryptogamic species, the forest is a secret hub for flora and fauna.

• In line with this, India’s largest open-air fernery was inaugurated today, September 12 in Uttarakhand’s Ranikhet. The fernery is home to a large number of fern species, some of which are endemic to the state, some hold medicinal value while some are threatened species that demand care and conservation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Sardardham Bhavan

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Sardardham Bhavan in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, via video conferencing. He also performed the “Bhoomi Pujan” of the Sardardham Phase-II Kanya Chhatralaya (girls’ hostel) project. Both these establishments are dedicated to the “Iron Man of India,” Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The project is developed by the Vishwa Patidar Samaj.

• The state-of-the-art Sardardham Bhavan provides separate hostel facilities to girls and boys from rural areas who aspire for better career prospects.

• Phase I of the Sardardham Bhavan project is built over an area of 11,672 square feet at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore, near the Vaishnodevi circle in the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar border area. It will house 1,600 students, including 800 boys and 800 girls.

• The Phase II of the Sardardham project is expected to house around 2,000 girl students. The project will be built at the cost of another Rs 200 crore.

SPORTS

Daniel Ricciardo wins Italian Grand Prix at Monza in McLaren

• Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren, Australian-Italian) has won the Formula One Italian Grand Prix 2021 title held at Autodromo Nazionale Monza track, Italy.

• This is the first victory for McLaren in 9 years. Lando Norris came second while Valtteri Bottas came third in the F1 race. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen crash out of Italian Grand Prix 2021 due to collision.

Daniil medvedev beats Novak Djokovic in 2021 US open Men's final

• Daniil Medvedev lifted his first Grand Slam trophy on Monday after defeating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and sixteen minutes in the US Open men’s singles final at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. 

• While Djokovic failed to become the third man after Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962, 1969) to sweep all four majors in the same year, Medvedev capped off a stellar US Open outing with a memorable win. 

APPOINTMENT & RESIGNATION

Bhupendra Patel is the new Chief Minister Gujarat

• Bhupendra Patel has been chosen as the new Chief Minister of Gujarat at the BJP legislature meeting. He is a BJP MLA from the Ghatlodia assembly seat in Ahmedabad. This comes after the resignation of Vijay Rupani from the post of CM of Gujarat.

• Bhupendra Patel holds a diploma in Civil Engineering and has held positions in Patidar trusts and organisations, including Sardar Dham and World Umiya Foundation, among others. He has been a standing committee chairman in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and chairman of the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA).

OBITUARY

Sahitya akademi winner Aziz Hajini passed away

• Eminent writer and former secretary of the Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages of Jammu and Kashmir, Aziz Hajini, died here late on Saturday night. He was 64 years old and had been ill for some time.

• Hajini, a resident of Sonwari in Bandipur district of North Kashmir, held several important positions besides secretary of the Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages of Jammu and Kashmir and wrote several books.

INTERNATIONAL

El Salvador becomes Worlds1st country to adopt Bitcoin as National Currency

• El Salvador has become the first country in the world to accept Bitcoin as legal tender. The government of El Salvador claimed that the move will give many citizens of the country access to bank services for the first time. In addition, trading in cryptocurrency will help the country save around $400 million in fees that is levied by banks and financial institutions on the money sent home by expats.

• The acceptance of Bitcoin as a legal currency by El Salvador follows a law approved by the country’s parliament in June. At the time, the country allowed Bitcoin to be accepted as tender for all goods and services. The bill was approved within 24 hours of being presented to Congress by President Nayib Bukele.

NATIONAL

NPCI and Fiserv launch RuPay credit card stack for fintechs and banks

• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in partnership with Fiserv Inc. to launch the plug-and-play RuPay credit card stack, ‘nFiNi’. nFiNi is a ready stack of services required for fintechs and banks to issue RuPay credit cards and will enable fintech to co-create bank-sponsored credit cards. It is a BaaS (banking-as-a-service) programme.

• The nFiNi platform will power RuPay cards (including National Common Mobility Card) by offering access to needed services through the NPCI network combined with FirstVisionTM cloud-based open API integrations from Fiserv.

• This will bring significant efficiencies for banking and fintech institutions at various levels in terms of operations and customer management. The programme will further enable these institutions to expand their market base to new-to-credit customers.

APPOINTMENT & RESIGNATION

Sardar Iqbal Singh Lalpura takes charges as the chairman of National Commission for Minorities

• Former IPS officer Iqbal Singh Lalpura has been appointed chairman of the National Commission for Minorities. He hails from Punjab and has authored several books on Sikh philosophy. He has also won several awards such as the president’s police medal, police medal for meritorious services, Shiromani Sikh Sahitkar Award and Sikh scholar award.

• Lalpura, during his tenure as IPS officer, served as SSP Amritsar, SSP Tarantaran, and Additional inspector general CID Amritsar. He joined BJP in 2012 after retirement. Lalpura has written nearly 14 books on Sikh philosophy and history, such as ‘Japji Sahib ek vichaar’, Gurbaani ek vichaar’, and ‘Raj Karega Khalsa’.

Vijay Rupani quits as Gujarat Chief Minister

• Vijay Rupani has resigned as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He submitted his resignation to governor Acharya Devvrat. The resignation comes following a flurry of developments in Gujarat following a meeting in Gandhinagar. He reached the Raj Bhavan shortly after PM Modi inaugurated Sardardham Bhavan in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad and performed ‘bhoomi pujan’ of Sardardham Phase-II Kanya Chhatralaya (girls’ hostel) through video conferencing.

• Mr Rupani is the fourth BJP chief minister to step down in recent months; in July BS Yediyurappa resigned as Chief Minister of Karnataka in July and the double whammy in Uttarakhand, where Tirath Singh Rawat quit barely four months after replacing Trivendra Rawat.

CAG of India gets elected as ASOSAI chairman

• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, GC Murmu was elected as the chairman of the assembly of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) for a period of three years from 2024 to 2027. Murmu was elected by the 56th governing board of ASOSAI and approval for the same was conveyed by the 15th assembly of ASOSAI. India will host the 16th assembly of ASOSAI in 2024.

• The CAG, as the chairman, will be the chief executive of ASOSAI and represent ASOSAI in its dealings with national and international organisations. After the election, the CAG assured the members that during SAI India’s three-year term as chair of the ASOSAI, they will focus on the areas of environmental audit and leveraging emerging technologies for audit.

• The ASOSAI is one of the regional groups of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) which aims to promote understanding and cooperation among member institutions through the exchange of ideas and experiences in the field of public audit.

IMPORTANT DAYS

United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation 2021: 12th September

• International Day for South-South Cooperation is observed globally on 12th September every year. The day celebrates the economic, social and political developments made in recent years by regions and countries in the south. It also highlights the UN’s efforts to work on technical cooperation among developing countries.

• The history of the South-South cooperation begins in 1949 with the establishment of the UN technical aid programme by the Economic and Social Council and the creation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1969. In the year 1978, the conference of the Global South on TCDC adopted the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA) for promoting and implementing technical cooperation among developing countries. This was one of the main pillars for South-South cooperation.

World First Aid Day: 11th September

• World First Aid Day is observed on the second Saturday of September every year. In 2021 the day is being observed on September 11, 2021. The day is an annual campaign aimed at promoting the importance of first aid training and increasing its accessibility to save more lives in a crisis. When a person suffers from minor or serious injury or illness, the first and immediate assistance given to the patient is termed as ‘First Aid’.

• The theme for World First Aid Day 2021 is ‘First aid and road safety’, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

• In 2000, World First Aid Day was established by the IFRC and for more than 100 years, this organisation has been providing first aid services to people. The history of this day dates back to 1859 when a young businessman, Henry Dunant, saw the carnage at the battle of Solfrino.

BOOKS & AUTHOR

Book “Bullets Over Bombay: Satya and the Hindi Film Gangster” written by Uday Bhatia

• A new book has titled “Bullets Over Bombay: Satya and the Hindi Film Gangster” authored by Uday Bhatia. The Book deals with the testimonies from Ram Gopal Varma, Anurag Kashyap, Manoj Bajpayee, Vishal Bhardwaj, Saurabh Shukla.

• Uday Bhatia is a film critic with Mint Lounge in Delhi. He has previously worked with Time Out Delhi and The Sunday Guardian. His writing has appeared in The Caravan, GQ, The Indian Quarterly, The Indian Express and The Hindu Business Line.

Book titled ‘Haryana Environment and Pollution Code’ by Smt. Dheera Khandelwal

• Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal released the book ‘Haryana Environment and Pollution Code’ compiled by former IAS officer and famous poet Smt. Dheera Khandelwal.

• The book will prove useful to the entrepreneurs, who were deprived of complete knowledge of laws and regulations related to the environment for setting up new ventures. Students, law researchers and practitioners will also benefit from this book.

INTERNATIONAL

In world first, Cuba starts Covid jabs for toddlers

• Cuba became the first country in the world to vaccinate children from the age of two against C-19, using home-grown jabs not recognised by the World Health Organisation. The communist island of 11.2 million people aims to inoculate all its children before reopening schools that have been closed for the most part since March 2020.

• Countries such as China, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela have announced they plan to vaccinate younger children, but Cuba is the first to do so. The Cuban vaccines, the first developed in Latin America, have not undergone international, scientific peer review.

China launched Earth observation satellite that can obtain radioactive data

• China successfully launched a new Earth observation satellite, Gaofen-5 02, into space, aboard a Long March-4C rocket, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in north China’s Shanxi Province. The Gaofen-5 02 satellite is the 24th in the series of Gaofen Earth-observation satellites of China, to monitor environmental protection efforts and boost its natural resources surveillance.

• Gaofen-5 02 is a hyperspectral satellite that will be used for comprehensive environmental monitoring, to improve the country’s hyperspectral observation capacity of the atmosphere, water and land.

World's Largest Carbon Capture Plant Opens in Iceland

• The world’s largest plant designed to capture carbon dioxide out of the air began its operations in Iceland. The plant is named Orca, which means ‘Energy’ in Icelandic word. It will suck out up to 4,000 tons of CO2 per year.

• The carbon dioxide captured directly from the air will be deposited underground at a depth of 1,000 metres, where it would be turned into rock.

• The facility has been developed by Icelandic carbon storage firm Carbfix, in partnership with Swiss start-up Climeworks AG, which specialises in capturing carbon dioxide directly from the air.

• The technology launched may become a major tool in the fight against climate change.

NATIONAL

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs 13th BRICS summit

• Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi has chaired the 13th BRICS Summit, through video conferencing. The theme of the India-led Summit was “BRICS@15: Intra-BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus.” The theme chosen by India reflects the fifteenth anniversary of BRICS, being observed in 2021. PM Modi called for enhanced BRICS cooperation under the motto of ‘Build-back Resiliently, Innovatively, Credibly and Sustainably’.

• The Summit concluded with the adoption of the ‘New Delhi Declaration’. This was the third time that India hosted the BRICS Summit. Prior to this India held the Presidency of the BRICS in 2012 and 2016. Also, this is the second time that Prime Minister Modi has chaired the BRICS Summit. He had previously chaired the Goa Summit in 2016.

Indian Air Force's first Emergency Landing Field on National Highway inaugurated in Rajasthan

• Union Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh and Union Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Emergency Landing Facility on a National Highway in Rajasthan. This emergency landing facility has been constructed on the Satta-Gandhav stretch of National Highway (NH) 925A in Barmer, Rajasthan. This is the first time that a national highway (NH-925) will be used for the emergency landing of IAF aircraft. The project will cost ₹765.52 crores under the Bharatmala Pariyojana.

• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has developed a 3-km section of the Satta-Gandhav stretch of NH-925A, as an emergency landing facility (ELF) for the IAF.

• It is part of a newly developed two-lane paved shoulder of the Gagariya-Bakhasar and Satta-Gandhav section having a total length of 196.97 km.

APPOINTMENT & RESIGNATION

President Ram Nath Kovind  Appointed new governors of Uttarakhand, Punjab, & Tamil Nadu

• President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, who retired as the deputy chief of Army, governor of Uttarakhand, a post which fell vacant after Baby Rani Maurya tendered her resignation. According to a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique, President Ram Nath Kovind accepted the resignation of Maurya and appointed Singh as the governor of the state.

• The President also appointed Banwarilal Purohit, currently the Governor of Tamil Nadu, as the Governor of Punjab.

• R.N.Ravi, presently the Governor of Nagaland, has been made the Governor of Tamil Nadu.

• Professor Jagdish Mukhi, Governor of Assam is appointed to discharge the functions of the Governor of Nagaland in addition to his own duties until regular arrangements are made.

• The President’s office, in an official release, mentioned that the new appointments will take effect from the dates they assume charge of their respective offices.

N. S. Rai Appointed as the new CMD of National Fertilizers Ltd

• State-owned fertiliser firm National Fertilizers Ltd (NFL) has Nirlep Singh Rai has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director of the company. In a regulatory filing, NFL informed that Nirlep Singh Rai, Director (Technical), has been appointed as Chairman & Managing Director, on the Board of the company with effect from the date of his assumption of charge.

• Rai, who was born in August 1962, is a B.E (Instrumentation & Control) from Thapar University. Prior to his appointment as Chairman & Managing Director, he was holding the position of Director (Technical) in NFL. Rai had also held the position of Chief Executive Officer at Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd and he had also headed the Nangal Unit of NFL as Chief General Manager.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Himalayan Day organized every year on 09 September

• The National Mission for Clean Ganga organized Himalayan Diwas on September 09, 2021, in association with Naula Foundation. This year’s theme is ‘Contribution of Himalayas and our responsibilities’. The event was part of the ongoing celebration of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.

• Himalaya Diwas is celebrated every year on 9th September in the state of Uttarakhand. It is celebrated with the aim to conserve the Himalayan ecosystem and region. It was officially declared as Himalaya Day in 2015 by the then Chief Minister.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Hyderabad: Trichy  Workshop bags best Energy Efficient Unit Award

• The Golden Rock Railway Workshop (GOC), Tiruchchirappalli has bagged 22nd National Award for Excellence in Energy Management from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for having adopted and implemented various energy conservation measures. GOC Workshop is the o¬nly workshop of Indian Railways to have received the award this year.

• The National Awards for Excellence in Energy Management is instituted by CII, to catalyze significant and innovative practices in the energy efficiency sector. CII conducts this annual event to recognize and award excellence in energy management among the industrial sector and railway workshops across the country and facilitate sharing of information o¬n best practices & technologies.

BANKING AND ECONOMIC

India, ADB sign $300 million loan to expand rural connectivity in Maharashtra

• The government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a USD 300 million loan as additional financing to scale up the improvement of rural connectivity to help boost the rural economy in the state of Maharashtra. This is in addition to USD 200 million financings, approved by ADB in August 2019.

• The additional financing for the ongoing Maharashtra Rural Connectivity Improvement Project will help improve an additional 1,100 rural roads and 230 bridges for a total length of 2,900 kilometres (km) in 34 districts. The ongoing project with $200 million financings, approved in August 2019, is already improving and maintaining the condition and safety of 2,100 km of rural roads across Maharashtra.

NATIONAL

Chandigarh railway station fifth to get 5-star 'Eat Right Station'

• The Chandigarh Railway Station(CRS) was awarded a 5 star ‘Eat Right Station’ certification for providing high-quality, nutritious food to passengers. The certification was awarded by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) upon the conclusion of the FSSAI-empanelled third-party audit agency. CRS was selected to upgrade on the pattern of the World Class Railway Station.

• The certification is part of the ‘Eat Right India’ movement- a large-scale effort by FSSAI to transform the country’s food system to ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food for all Indians.

• According to IRSDC, Eat Right India adopts a judicious mix of regulatory, capacity building, collaborative, and empowerment approaches to ensure that our food is suitable both for the people and the planet.

Ramesh Narayan to be inducted into AFAA's Hall of Fame at AdAsia 2021

• Indian advertising doyen Ramesh Narayan will be inducted into the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) Hall of Fame at AdAsia 2021. The AFAA Hall of Fame sets out to recognise the best of the very best. It’s for those who’ve defined a generation of advertising.

• Ramesh has been honoured with AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award, the International Advertising Association Global Champion Award, the Public Relations Society of India Special Award, the Association of Business Communicators of India Lifetime Achievement Award, and an induction into the Hall of Fame of the India chapter of the IAA.

APPOINTMENT & RESIGNATION

Ashoka Buildcon MD Satish Parekh Appointed

• Ashoka Buildcon Managing Director and promoter Satish Parekh has taken over as the president of the India Chapter of the International Road Federation (IRF). The governing council of the International Road Federation unanimously endorsed Satish Parakh as President, IRF-IC.

• He takes over from Subhmay Gangopadhyay, former director of Central Road Research Institute. The Geneva-based global road safety body IRF is working for better and safer roads worldwide.

OBITUARY

BBC's first Hindi news reader Rajni Kaul dies at 93

• Rajni Kaul who was the first News Broadcaster for BBC Hindi passed away in Faridabad, Haryana. She was 93.

• She was not only the first woman to join BBC Hindi as a staff member but she also became the first woman to read a news bulletin in Hindi on the network in 1961. She was well-known for her programme Indradhanush.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day to Protect Education from Attack 2021: 09 September

• International Day to Protect Education from Attack is observed globally on 9th September. In proclaiming the International Day to Protect Education from Attack to be celebrated for the first time in 2020. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness regarding the importance of safeguarding schools as places of protection and safety for students and educators and the need to keep education at the top of the public agenda.

• The day was established by a unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly, calling on UNESCO and UNICEF to raise awareness of the plight of millions of children living in countries affected by conflict. The resolution proclaiming the Day was presented by the State of Qatar and co-sponsored by 62 countries.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Author Namita Gokhale honoured with 7th Yamin Hazarika Woman of Substance Award at virtual event

• Writer Namita Gokhale has been chosen as the recipient of the seventh Yamin Hazarika Woman of Substance Award. She was conferred upon the honour recently in a virtual ceremony. She is a co-founder and co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival, Gokhale also mentors Himalayan Echoes and the Kumaon Festival of Literature and the Arts.

• The award was organised by a collective of women professionals from the year 2015, the annual award honours Yamin Hazarika, the first woman from Northeast India to be selected for DANIPS, a federal police service that administered Delhi and the Union Territories in 1977.

Indian biologist Shailendra Singh has been awarded the Behler Turtle Conservation Award

• Indian biologist Shailendra Singh has been awarded the Behler Turtle Conservation Award for bringing three critically endangered turtle conservation species back from the brink of extinction. Shailendra Singh was named to lead the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA)/ Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) India turtle programme.

• The award has been bestowed by several global bodies involved in turtle conservation such as Turtle Survival Alliance, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Turtle Conservancy, and Turtle Conservation Fund.

• The Behler Turtle Conservation Award was established in 2006 to recognise outstanding achievements, contributions and leadership excellence in international turtle conservation and biology.

BOOKS & AUTHOR

Book “Gita Govinda: Jaydeva’s Divine Odyssey” by Utpal K. Banerjee

• Union Minister of Culture Shri Kishan Reddy Gangapuram has launched a book titled “Gita Govinda: Jaydeva’s Divine Odyssey” authored by Dr Utpal K. Banerjee. The book is the first-ever fully-rhymed translation of the book GeetaGovindam by great 12th-century poet Jayadeva.

• Union Minister also launched a programme named ‘BujurgonkiBaat–DeshKeSaath’ that aims at enhancing the interaction between the youth and the elder persons who are 95 years and above and thus have spent around 18 years in India before independence.

BANKING AND ECONOMIC

HDFC Bank Signed A MoU With NSIC To Offer Credit Support To MSMEs

• HDFC Bank has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) for providing credit support to the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector. The branches of HDFC bank will extend support to the MSME projects in the areas they are located in and to other important industrial sectors across the country. Under this, the country’s largest private sector bank will also provide MSMEs with a set of specially-tailored schemes to enhance their competitiveness.

• National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), is an ISO 9001:2015 certified Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Karnataka Bank launches 'WisePOSGo' a new POS device in collaboration with Mswipe Technologies Pvt Ltd

• The Karnataka Bank has launched an all-in-one Point-of-Sales (POS) swiping machine dubbed as ‘WisePOSGo’, for its merchant customers to process business payments. The private sector lender has rolled out this POS device in collaboration with Mswipe Technologies Pvt Ltd. The introduction of ‘WisePOSGo’ is yet another step in the direction of expanding the digital payment infrastructure in the country and promote a cashless economy.

• WisePOSGo is a compact, lightweight and user-friendly device, designed to keep in view the specific cost-centric requirements of the bank’s MSME customers.

• Apart from processing payments, merchants can also make calls using the WisePOSGo swiping machine.

BOBaroda tops the MeitY Digital Payment Scorecard for 2020-21

• Bank of Baroda, announced that the bank has Ranked #1 with a total of 86% marks on the scorecard issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for the month of February and March 2021. The scorecard ranks 44 banks (Public Sector Banks, Private Banks, Foreign Banks, Payments Banks, Small Finance Banks) on various parameters on the digital business. In the same period last year, BOB was rated “Average” by Meity, which has now been upgraded as “Good”.

• The exceptional growth of digital payment transactions achievement (129% of 137 Cr. Digital transactions target)

• Achievement of 6 times the target for merchant acquiring in Rural geography target (16,100)

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NATIONAL

India’s first Dugong Sanctuary to be set up in Tamil Nadu

• Tamil Nadu state government has announced to set up India’s first dugong conservation reserve at the northern part of the Palk Bay. Dugong are commonly known as sea cows. According to Wildlife Institute of India (WII) estimates, only 200-250 Dugongs are left in the wild, of which 150 are found in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu.

• The reserve will span the northern part of the Palk Bay from Adiramapattinam to Amapattinam. The reserve will cover an area of more than 500 sq km.

• Marine biologists and conservationists have long demanded a reserve as the population of dugongs, as known as sea cows, in Indian waters has been dropping to dangerous levels.

• According to Wildlife Institute of India (WII) estimates, only 200-250 Dugongs are left in the wild, of which 150 are found in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu, among the last surviving natural habitats for dugongs in the world.

IAF chief attends three day-long Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium

• Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria attended a three-day-long Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium 2021 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. The event themed ”Enduring Cooperation towards Regional Stability” was attended by air chiefs from countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Bhadauria was nominated as the Dean for the symposium.

• India, the US, Australia, Japan and many other like-minded countries are working towards ensuring a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The symposium saw deliberations through panel discussions, tabletop exercises and keynote addresses on topics ranging from aspects of regional security to cooperation amongst air forces for humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

PM Modi inaugurates 'Shikshak Parv' conclave

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the “Shikshak Parv-2021” and addressed the inaugural conclave through a video conference. The theme of ‘Shikshak Parv-2021’ is “Quality and Sustainable Schools: Learnings from Schools in India”. The event was organised by the Ministry of Education, will continue to be celebrated from September 07 to 17, 2021.

• The objective of the Shikshak Parv-2021 is to encourage innovative practices to ensure not only continuity of education at all levels but to improve quality, inclusive practices and sustainability in the schools across the country as well.

• As a part of the event, PM launched five key schemes under the National Education Policy, NEP 2020.

Atmanirbhar Corner to be set up by TRIFED in 75 missions

• Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, is setting up an Atmanirbhar Bharat corner in 75 Indian Missions/ Embassies across the world in the next 3 months. The first such Atma Nirbhar Bharat corner was successfully inaugurated at Indian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand on August 15, 2021. Apart from this, TRIFED will also be establishing Atmanirbhar corners in 75 embassies of foreign countries set up in India.

• As India moves ahead with its strategy for India@75 and focuses on converting development into a mass movement, TRIFED is working with its roots in ground realities and emphasizing the welfare both in design and implementation. With the focus on “Vocal for Local” and building an “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, TRIFED is undertaking several activities, while re-dedicating its efforts towards tribal empowerment.

SPORTS

130th edition of Durand Cup kicks off in West bengal

• The 130th edition of the Durand Cup kicked off at the Vivekananda Yubabharati Krirangan in Kolkata. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee kicked the ball and inaugurated the tournament. 16 teams are playing in this edition of the oldest club football tournament in Asia while two clubs East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are not participating. The final match will be held on 3rd October.

• The Durand Cup is a prestigious football tournament. It was first held in 1888, at Dagshai in Himachal Pradesh. This tournament has been named after Mortimer Durand. He was the then Foreign Secretary in charge of India.

Puducherry ropes in former Australian pacer Shaun Tait as bowling coach 

• Former Australia pacer Shaun Tait has been roped in as the bowling coach of the Puducherry cricket team, sources in the Cricket Association of Pondicherry. Tait joins a coaching team that includes head coach Dishant Yagnik and manager and strength and conditioning coach Kalpendra Jha. The former Australia player had recently been appointed bowling coach of the Afghanistan team for a period of five months.

• Tait, who featured in three Tests, 35 ODIs and 21 T20 Internationals for Australia, had also turned out for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL during his playing career. The pacer had played a significant role in Australia’s World Cup triumph in the West Indies in 2007, claiming 23 wickets.

APPOINTMENT & RESIGNATION

Harsha Bhupendra Bangari appointed as MD- Exim Bank

• The government has appointed Harsha Bhupendra Bangari as the new Managing Director (MD) of the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank). Before this Bangari was posted as deputy managing director at EXIM Bank.

• She has been appointed for a period of three years or until further orders of the government. He will replace the incumbent MD David Rasquinha, who was appointed for five years on July 20, 2014.

S.L. Tripathy appointed as CMD of United India Insurance company Ltd

• The central government has selected S.L.Tripathy as the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of United India Insurance Company Limited.

• He is currently General Manager and Director at The New India Assurance Company Limited. He is appointed as CMD of United India from the date of assumption of charge of the office and up to the date of attaining the age of superannuation.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Literacy Day 2021: 08 September

• International Literacy Day is observed globally on 8th September every year. The day spread awareness about the importance of literacy for individuals, communities, and societies and the need for intensified efforts towards more literate societies. The theme of 55th International Literacy Day is Literacy for a human-centred recovery: Narrowing the digital divide.

• The 8th of September was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO in 1966 to remind the international community of the importance of literacy for individuals, communities and societies, and the need for intensified efforts towards more literate societies. It was celebrated for the first time in 1967.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

National Teachers' Award 2021: 44 unique teachers awarded by President

• National Teachers’ Award 2021 was awarded by President Ram Nath Kovind, September 5, 2021. President Kovind gave the awards to 44 finest teachers in the country for their dedicated contribution. The award is contributed to those who improve the quality of education for students and also inspire, enrich their lives. This year, the Ministry of Education released the name of 44 teachers, who would be conferred the National Teachers’ Award. Out of the total 44 teachers, 9 of the awardees are women.

• Due to the prevailing C-19 situation, President Kovind addressed the teachers virtually. While highlighting the role and importance of teachers in one’s life, President Kovind expressed his gratitude to all the teachers who received the awards. The award was also bestowed upon Pramod Kumar Shukla of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Chhattisgarh. It is the second award in a row for an EMRS established under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

NATIONAL

Manipur CM Launched 'Go to Hills 2.0' outreach campaign

• Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday launched an outreach programme “Go To Hills 2.0″ to ensure that people in remote places avail benefits of various welfare schemes at their doorsteps. The campaign was rolled out at a programme at Peace Ground, Tuibong in Churachandpur district.

• The launch of the initiative was marked by the inauguration of 30 projects worth Rs 37.34 crore under various departments such as works, tribal affairs and hills and health. “It gives me immense pleasure to officially launch the ‘Go To Hills 2.0’ today. In our effort to take governance further to the doorsteps, the mission aims to strengthen ties amongst our people through rigorous development,” the CM said on Twitter. Under the outreach programme, the state administration provided assistance and equipment worth Rs 51.52 crore for several departments such as agriculture, horticulture, health, social welfare and education.

28th edition of Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise

• The 28th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) took place from September 02 to 04, 2021. The SIMBEX-2021 annual bilateral maritime exercise was hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in the southern fringes of the South China Sea.

• The Indian Navy was represented by Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvijay with a shipborne helicopter, ASW Corvette INS Kiltan and Guided Missile Corvette INS Kora and one P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

• The exercise aimed to strengthen the bilateral defence ties between both countries. This year’s edition of SIMBEX is also a special occasion as it takes place during the ongoing celebrations of the 75th year of India’s independence.

• The success of SIMBEX-2021 is yet another demonstration of the mutual resolve on both sides to strengthen the bilateral partnership further in the years ahead.

Government launched AYUSH AAPKE DWAR

• As a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration, the Ministry of AYUSH has launched a campaign titled ‘AYUSH AAPKE DWAR’, which aims to distribute medicinal plant saplings to 75 lakh households in one year. The campaign was inaugurated by the Union Minister of AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal from Mumbai, during which he distributed medicinal plant saplings to citizens.

• Subsequently, the campaign was launched from more than 45 locations across the country. The medicinal plants being distributed include Tejpatta, Stevia, Ashoka, Giloy, Ashwagandha, Lemongrass, Tulsi, Sarpagandha and Amla. Under this campaign, it is proposed to undertake the cultivation of medicinal plants across 75,000 hectares in one year.

APPOINTMENT & RESIGNATION

Ashoka Buildcon MD Appointed as IRF India president

• Ashoka Buildcon Managing Director and promoter Satish Parekh has taken over as the president of India Chapter of International Road Federation (IRF).

• The governing council of the International Road Federation on September 4, 2021, unanimously endorsed Satish Parakh as President, IRF-IC.

• He takes over from Subhmay Gangopadhyay. former director of  Central Road Research Institute (CRRI).

Equitas Small finance Bank appoints Rani Rampal & Smriti Mandhana as brand ambassadors

• Equitas Small Finance Bank (ESFB) has roped in Indian women hockey player, Rani Rampal and cricketer Smriti Mandhana as the brand ambassadors of the company. The announcement was made during the 5th anniversary of the ESFB on September 5, 2021.

• Rampal holds the record for being the youngest player to play in the national hockey team while Mandhana was recognised as the Best Women’s International Cricketer by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Cyrus Poncha elected Asian Squash Federation vice-president

• Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) Secretary-General, Cyrus Poncha has been unanimously elected as Vice-President of the Asian Squash Federation (ASF), during the 41st annual general meeting of ASF. The Dronacharya Awardee has been elected for a period of the four-year term.

• David Mui of Hong Kong was elected unopposed as the President of ASF for a second term. Apart from Cyrus Poncha, Mr Fayez Abdullah S.Al-Mutairi of Kuwait and Tae-sook Hee of Korea have been also elected as the Vice-Presidents of ASF.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

India, US ink pact to develop air-launched

• The Ministry of Defence, the Government of India and US Department of Defence have signed a Project Agreement (PA) for Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (ALUAV). This agreement is signed under the Joint Working Group Air Systems in the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).

• The PA for ALUAV is part of the Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E) Memorandum of Agreement, which was first signed between the Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence, in January 2006 and renewed in January 2015. The RDT&E aims at deepening defence technology collaboration between the two nations through the co-development of defence equipment.

OBITUARY

Former France Footballer Jean-Pierre Adams Passes Away after 39 years in coma

• Former France footballer Jean-Pierre Adams, who had been in a coma for 39 years, has passed away. In 1982, Adams slipped into a coma following a medical error, during his routine knee surgery.

• He made a total of 22 appearances for the France National Football Team from 1972–1976. At club level, Adams played as a defender for Paris Saint-Germain, Nîmes and Nice.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Clean Air for blue skies 2021: 07th September

• The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is observed globally on September 07 to promote and facilitate actions to improve air quality. It is an UN-recognised day that aims to raise public awareness at all levels (individual, community, corporate and government) that clean air is important for health, productivity, the economy and the environment.

• The 2021 theme for the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet” which emphasizes the health aspects of air pollution, especially considering the C-19 pandemic. This year’s focus is on prioritizing the need for healthy air for all while keeping the conversation broad enough to encompass other critical issues such as climate change, human and planetary health as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. The day serves as a rallying call to action to align our efforts and claim our right to clean air. #HealthyAirHealthyPlanet.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

'Super 30' Founder Anand Kumar Gets Award

• ‘Super 30’ founder and mathematician Anand Kumar was conferred the ‘Sarabhai Teacher Scientist National Honorary Award 2021’ by the National Council of Teacher Scientist (NCTS) for making mathematics easy to learn and coaching the underprivileged students to succeed in the IIT exams, the organisers said here on Monday.

• Kumar, a native of Bihar, who has been coaching underprivileged students for nearly two decades for JEE-Advanced, the entrance exam for the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), was also awarded the life membership of the organisation during a virtual event held on the occasion of the Teachers’ Day on Sunday, NCTS Chairman Chandramouli Joshi said in a statement.

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NATIONAL

Mansukh Mandaviya participates in G-20 Health Minister Meeting 2021

• Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya participated in G-20 Health Ministers Meeting 2021 hosted by Italian Presidency on the theme – People, Planet and Prosperity. Yesterday during the meeting, he shared India’s response to monitor Global Health Impact of C-19 pandemic with a detailed assessment of its consequences in implementing Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.

• Mr Mandaviya is on a four day visit to Rome in Italy from 4th of this month to attend G- 20 Health Ministers’ meeting. In a tweet, Mr Mandaviya also said that he had an excellent discussion with Minister of Health for Brazil Marcelo Queiroga for better cooperation in healthcare. They also talked about One Health and the introduction of Nano-Urea for better results.

Delhi government declares Raj Kumar as 'Face of DoE'

• To honor Teacher’s day, the Delhi government decided to give a new face to the Directorate of Education (DoE). A music teacher from the Delhi government’s School Of Specialized Excellence will be the new ‘Face of Directorate of Education (DoE)’.

• The music teacher is Mr. Raj Kumar who was awarded Guinness World Record for playing Sitar for 32 hours.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman chairs 24th meeting of FSDC

• Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has chaired the 24th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC). Finance Minister is the chairperson of FSDC. It must be noted that FSDC Sub-Committee is chaired by the Governor, RBI.

• Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) is the apex level forum set up by the Government of India for strengthening and institutionalizing the mechanism for maintaining financial stability, enhancing inter-regulatory coordination and promoting financial sector development.

• The Council also, inter alia, discussed issues relating to the management of stressed assets, strengthening institutional mechanism for financial stability analysis, financial inclusion, the framework for resolution of financial institutions and issues related to IBC processes, banks’ exposure to various sectors and Government, data sharing mechanisms of government authorities, internationalisation of Indian Rupee and pension sector related issues.

India becomes first Asian nation to launch ‘Plastics Pact’

• India has become the first country in Asia to launch a Plastics Pact, a new platform to promote a circular system for plastics. The India Plastic Pact platform was launched on September 03, 2021, by the British High Commissioner to India, Alexander Ellis, at the 16th Sustainability Summit hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

• The new platform ‘India Plastic Pact’ is a joint effort of the World-Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF India) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and envisions to create a world where plastic is valued and does not pollute the environment.

• The Pact targets the businesses to transition towards a circular economy for plastics by 2030.

• The initiative is supported by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and WRAP, a global NGO based in the UK, and endorsed by the British High Commission in India.

APPOINTMENT & RESIGNATION

lovlina borgohain named brand ambassador of SSA Assam

• Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain has been roped in as the brand ambassador for Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) of Assam, state Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said on Sunday.

• “Her role as the brand ambassador is on a completely honorary basis at her insistence. It is a very good gesture on her part,” Korati said. The 23-year-boxer hailing from Golaghat district had scripted history at the Tokyo Games by becoming the first Assamese to win a medal in the Olympics when she had clinched the bronze medal in the women’s welterweight (64-69kg) category.

OBITUARY

Former President of International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge passes away

• Former President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge has passed away.

• He had spent 12 years as president of IOC, from 2001 to 2013, overseeing three summer Games and three winter Games, as well as creating the Youth Olympics. He was then succeeded by Thomas Bach. He was the 8th President of IOC.

BOOKS & AUTHOR

Book “A Rude Life: The Memoir” by Vir Sanghvi

• Vir Sanghvi, one of India’s most recognised journalists, has come out with a memoir titled A Rude Life. ‘A Rude Life: The Memoir’ has been published by Penguin Random House. Through this book, the author has shared his views and experience of the most eventful careers in Indian journalism, including his personal life, stories of and about celebrities and politicians, middlemen and behind-the-scene actors.

• Vir Sanghvi is an Indian print and television journalist, author, columnist and talk show host, who worked with Hindustan Times from 1999 to 2007, after which he continued at the paper as a columnist.

BANKING AND ECONOMIC

PhonePe launched digital payment interactive geospatial platform “Pulse platform”

• PhonePe has launched a platform named PhonePe Pulse. Pulse is India’s first interactive platform with data insights and trends on digital payments. The platform shows more than 2000 crore digital transactions by customers on an interactive map of India. PhonePe also launched the Pulse Report, an in-depth study on the evolution of digital payments over the past 5 years. The report also has insights about how digital payment adoption across India has evolved since 2016 and includes detailed geographical and category-specific trends.

• The insights on the website and in the report have been drawn from two key sources – the entirety of PhonePe’s transaction data combined with merchant and customer interviews.

• The report is available as a free download on the PhonePe Pulse website. This new product is relevant to multiple ecosystem stakeholders including the government, policymakers, regulatory bodies, media, industry analysts, merchant partners, startups, academic institutions and students.

• The rich data set along with insightful trends and stories can be used by these partners to understand consumer and merchant behaviour and identify new opportunities for growth.

LIC buys 3.9% stake in Bank of India 

• Life Insurance Corporation of India has bought 3.9 per cent (15,90,07,791 shares) of the Bank of India through open market acquisition. Before this acquisition, LIC held about 3.17 per cent stake in the Bank of India.

• After this acquisition, LIC now has 7.05 per cent, equivalent to 28,92,87,324 shares of Bank of India. This information was shared by the Bank of India to SEBI. As per SEBI guidelines, companies have to inform the stock exchanges when an entity holds more than 5 per cent shares in a listed company.