Current Affairs 29th October 2021| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Internet Day – Oct 29

• International Internet Day is marked annually on 29 October.
• The day commemorates the anniversary of the first message that was sent between two computers on 29 October 1969 through ARPANET, the predecessor of the Internet. 
• At that time the Internet was known as ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network).
• The first International Internet Day was celebrated on October 29, 2005 to celebrate this momentous event in the history of telecommunications and technology.
• Charley Kline, a student programmer at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), transmitted the first-ever electronic message ‘LO’ on October 29, 1969.
• The first International Internet Day was celebrated on October 29, 2005, to celebrate this momentous event in the history of telecommunications and technology.

World Psoriasis Day- Oct 29

• World Psoriasis Day on October 29th every year recognizes those who suffer from psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis.
• The day aims to increase awareness and improve access to treatment by the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA) to promote awareness, empowerment, and action for improving the quality of life for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
• The theme for 2021 World Psoriasis Day is “Uniting for action”.
• Psoriasis is a kind of skin disorder that reasons skin cells to multiply up to ten times faster. Psoriasis causes the skin to build up into bumpy red patches embraced with white scales.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Prime Minister has arrived in Rome to attend 16th G-20 Summit

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Rome, Italy to attend the 16th G-20 Summit. Modi has participated in the Summit at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
• The summit will be attended by Heads of State of G-20 Member Countries, the European Union, and other invited countries and International Organizations.
• During the first leg of his visit to Italy, Modi has held a joint meeting with President of European Council Charles Michel and President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
• During the second leg of his visit, Prime Minister Modi will leave for Glasgow to attend the World Leaders’ Summit of the 26th Conference of Parties (COP-26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• The high-level segment of COP-26 will be held on the 1st and 2nd of november. It will be attended by Heads of State of more than 120 countries.

Chennai-Mysore-Chennai Shatabdi Express becomes the first IMS certified train

• Chennai – Mysore- Chennai Shatabdi Express becomes the first Integrated Management Systems certified train of Southern Railway.
• The certificate has been given for maintenance and better use of environment-friendly resources and for offering travel comfort.
• This is also the first Shatabdi of Indian Railways and the second express train on Indian Railways to bag this certification.
• This certification has been granted by the certification agency after a comprehensive audit and duly verifying adherence by Railways to all laid down norms

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has launched 6th edition of National Formulary of India

• Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has launched the 6th edition of National Formulary of India to promote rational use of medicines in the country.
• Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission has published the National Formulary of India, NFI. Speaking at the event, Mandaviya appreciated the efforts of all the experts, doctors and researchers who contributed in the compilation of new edition.
• NFI, 2021 will act as a guidance document for all the healthcare professionals such as clinicians, pharmacists, nurses and dentists. It will play a crucial role in daily clinical practices.
• Medicines behave differently in different bodies and it is important to know about the content, impact and side effects of medicines. So that the NFI will be very beneficial for Clinicians and Healthcare professionals while prescribing the medicines to the patients.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has inaugurated 14th Urban Mobility Conference 2021

• Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has inaugurated the 14th Urban Mobility Conference 2021 through video conference.
• The main theme of this year’s conference is Mobility for All which focuses on providing equitable access and promote inclusive urban transportation.
• This session will focus on policies and practices for re-framing urban mobility so that no one is left behind.
• Hardeep Singh Puri has also present awards to the state and city winners for Excellence in Urban Transport.

Dharmendra Pradhan Launches Phase II of Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (2021-23)

• Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), launched the second phase of the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) for 2 years, 2021-2023 on October 25,2021. 
• MGNF Phase-II (National Roll Out) was launched on 25th October with 661 MGNFs who will be deployed across all districts of the country.
• 8 more IIMs have been on boarded taking the total to 9 IIMs (IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM-Jammu, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Lucknow, IIM Nagpur, IIM Ranchi, IIM-Udaipur and IIM Visakhapatnam).

Aim and Objective:

• It is a two-year fellowship to create opportunities for the youth and enhance skill development at the grassroots level along with the academic partner IIM (Indian Institute of Management) to conduct class sessions at the district level with vast experience in the field.
• Fellowship aims to identify barriers to and create credible plans to increase employment, economic output and promote livelihoods including global thinking and integrated local language in skill development efforts.
• National Education Policy 2020 creates convergence between education and skill which reflects the fellowship that creates employment opportunities based on skills.

Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh Launched India’s 1st Green Day Ahead Market

• The Union Minister of Power & New and Renewable Energy, R K Singh launched India’s 1st Green Day Ahead Market (GDAM) for the renewable energy (RE) to enable the electricity generation and distribution companies (Discoms) to trade (i.e., buy or sell) RE in the day-ahead market. 
• India is the only large electricity market in the world to implement a GDAM exclusively for RE.
• Objective is to reduce the dependency on imported sources of fossil fuel.

Narendra Modi launched Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission from Varanasi, UP

• The Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Damodardas Modi launched a pan-India scheme namely PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP).
• He also inaugurated various development projects worth around Rs 5200 crore for Varanasi.
• This mission is a part of the effort to achieve holistic health care that is affordable and accessible to all.
• In a separate event, PM inaugurated nine medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh worth Rs 2,329 crore to make UP a medical hub of India.

About Uttar Pradesh:

• Governor– Anandiben Patel
• Bird Sanctuaries– Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, Lakh-Bahosi Bird Sanctuary, Vijay Sagar Bird Sanctuary
• Festival– Taj Mahotsav

Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue begins   

• Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) is scheduled to be held as a three-day online event that commences on 27, 28 and 29 October 2021.
• It will focus on eight specific sub-themes under the broad theme of “Evolution in Maritime Strategy during the 21st Century: Imperatives, Challenges, and, Way Ahead”.

Aim :

• To review both opportunities and challenges that arise within the Indo-Pacific.

The eight sub-themes are:

1. Evolving Maritime Strategies within the Indo-Pacific: Convergences, Divergences,  Expectations and Apprehensions.
2. Adaptive Strategies to Address the Impact of Climate Change upon Maritime  Security.
3. Port-led Regional Maritime Connectivity and Development Strategies.
4. Cooperative Maritime Domain Awareness Strategies.
5. Impact of the Increasing Recourse to Lawfare upon a Rules-based Indo-Pacific  Maritime Order.
6. Strategies to Promote Regional Public-Private Maritime Partnerships.
7. Energy-Insecurity and Mitigating Strategies.
8. Strategies to Address the Manned-Unmanned Conundrum at Sea

About IPRD :

• Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) is the apex international annual conference of the Indian Navy.
• IPRD was first conducted in 2018.
• Through this annual dialogue, the Indian Navy and the National Maritime Foundation, continue to provide a platform for incisive discussions pertaining to the geopolitical developments affecting the maritime domain of the Indo-Pacific.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

AIIB, ADB to co-finance USD 2 billion loan for India’s fight against COVID-19

• China-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) along with the Asian Development (ADB) are currently processing a USD 2 billion loan for India to purchase COVID-19 vaccines.
• Of the USD 2 billion loan, the Manila-based ADB is expected to finance USD 1.5 billion and AIIB is considering providing USD 500 million,
• The ADB has agreed to finance USD 1.5 billion and AIIB will supplement with another USD 500 million
• The loan is under consideration from the AIIB board, India has applied for it three months ago. About 667 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were expected to be procured through the loan, according to the Bank.
• Significantly, the AIIB sponsored by China has not funded any projects under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) nor its flagship USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

I&B Minister of Bangladesh has inaugurated Bangabandhu Sambad Kendra at Kolkata Press Club

• The Information and Broadcasting minister of Bangladesh, Dr Hasan Mahmud has inaugurated Bangabandhu Sambad Kendra at the Kolkata Press Club.
• It was done on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the country’s independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in recognition of the significant contribution of the journalists of the Kolkata Press Club in the liberation war of Bangladesh. Five journalists were felicitated at the programme.
• Mahmud lauded the role of Indian journalists in his country’s freedom struggle. The friendship would be further strengthened through cultural exchange between the two countries.
• On the recent happenings in Bangladesh, he claimed that it was a political ploy to create anarchy and to destroy the communal harmony of the country.

WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia 2020: India Lost $87 Billion in 2020 due to Disasters Linked to Climate Change

• According to the State of the Climate in Asia 2020, a first of its kind multi-agency report published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), India has suffered an average annual loss (AAL) of around 87 billion USD due to tropical cyclones, floods and droughts.
• China experienced the highest ALL of around 238 billion USD followed by India and Japan (83 billion USD).
• The highest AAL was associated with drought.

State of the Climate in Asia 2020:

• The report provides an overview of land and ocean temperatures, precipitation, glacier retreat, shrinking sea ice, sea-level rise and severe weather.
• The report also examines the socio-economic impacts in a year when the region is also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The report covers every affected region of Asia, from the Himalayas to the Coastal areas, densely populated areas to deserts from the Arctic to the Arabian seas.

About World Meteorological Organization (WMO):

• WMO is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 193 Member States and Territories.
• Secretary-General– Petteri Taalas
• Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland

CAG, Auditor General of Maldives inked MoU to Strengthen Public Finance Audit

• Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and Auditor General of Maldives signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the audit process of public finance.

Signatories:

• It was signed by Girish Chandra Murmu, CAG of India and Hussain Niyazy, Auditor General of Maldives in Male, capital of Maldives.
• Both nations will also work towards Natural Resource Accounting (NRA), which provides an outline of resource bases, and embeds environmental aspects into the economic indices.
• India, a signatory to the Environmental Accounting efforts of the UN is committed to monitor 25 environment-related targets with particular attention being paid to target no 9 related with Environmental-Economic Accounting.
• Both institutions are the members of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) and the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).
• CAG is already supporting the Auditor General of Maldives and its staff by providing relevant training through its International Centre for Information Systems and Audit (iCISA) and International Training Centre for Environment Audit and Sustainable Development (iCED).

Singapore to Launch Guidelines for Renewable Energy Certificates

• Singapore plans to launch standardized guidelines for renewable energy certificates (REC) in an effort to decarbonise its power sector and develop a regional grid.

Key points of guidelines:

• Supports deployment of renewable energy in Singapore to develop regional grid which taps different types of low carbon energy sources in the region.
• This is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia which defines the types of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass that are eligible to generate RECs.

About Renewable energy Certificates (REC)

• The certificates are market-based instruments where their prices are determined by market demand contained between ‘floor price’ (Minimum price) and ‘forbearance price’ (maximum price) specified by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).
• One certificate represents one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity generated from renewable energy source and delivered to the grid.
• REC acts as a tracking mechanism for solar, wind, and other green energies as they flow into the power grid and named as green tag, Tradable Renewable Certificates (TRCs), Renewable Electricity Certificates, or Renewable Energy Credits.

About Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)

• Founded – 24 July 1998
• Headquarters – New Delhi
• Chairperson – P.K.Pujari

About Singapore:

• Capital – Singapore
• Currency – Singapore Dollar
• President – Halimah Yacob

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launches Go-Green scheme                                  

• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has launched a new scheme titled ‘Go-Green’, & its portal to provide electric two-wheelers at subsidised rates to construction and industrial workers of the state.

Aim :

• To reduce fuel bills as well as save the environment by curbing vehicular pollution.
• Under the scheme, the organised sector workers, such as an industrial labourer, would get a subsidy of 30 per cent on the vehicle’s price or Rs 30,000, whichever is less, on the purchase of battery-powered two-wheelers.
• For workers in the construction sector, the criteria is 50 per cent subsidy or Rs30,000, whichever is less.
• e-vehicle buyers of both industrial & Construction sector categories would get a one-time subsidy on RTO registration and road tax.

About the Scheme :

• In the initial phase, the state government aims to provide such battery-powered two-wheelers to 1,000 construction workers and 2,000 organised sector workers.
• Only government-approved Made in India vehicles will be considered eligible for the scheme.
• Moreover, only high-speed models capable of covering a distance of 50 kilometers in one charge are covered under the scheme.

About Gujarat :

• Capital: Gandhinagar
• Governor: Acharya Devvrat
• Chief minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel
• Wildlife Sanctuaries : Nal Sarovar Birds Sanctuary, Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Barda WS, Marine National Park, Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Shoolpaneshwar WS, Balaram Ambaji WS, Jambughoda WS, Barda Hills WS, Gaga WS, Mitiyala WS, Pania WS, Purna WS, Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND ECONOMY

India, ADB sign 251- million- dollar loan for integrated urban flood management in Chennai

• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank has signed a 251 -million-dollar loan for climate-resilient, integrated urban flood protection and management in the Chennai- Kosasthalaiyar basin to strengthen resilience of Chennai city to floods.
• The agreement was signed between, Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs and Takeo Konishi, Country Director of Asian Development Bank’s India Resident Mission.
• The project interventions will help reduce the vulnerability of Chennai-Kosasthalaiyar basin residents to frequent floods.
• The building disaster-resilient infrastructure will help communities cope with intensifying rainfall, a higher sea level rise, and a storm surge caused by cyclones and protect lives, economy and the environment.

Government, Tata Sons signed Rs 18000cr Share Purchase Agreement for Air India

• The Central Government signed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Tata Sons for sale (strategic disinvestment) of national carrier Air India for Rs 18,000 crore. 
• The information for the same was provided by Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey.
• The SPA was signed by Air India Director – Finance Vinod Hejmadi; and Civil Aviation Ministry Joint Secretary Satyendra Mishra and Suprakash Mukhopadhyay.

ICICI Lombard launches BeFit – Cashless OPD & Wellness Services to Customers

• ICICI Lombard General Insurance has launched a solution named ‘BeFit’ to provide benefits of OPD (Outpatient Department) services to its customers in a cashless manner.
• The OPD services include doctor consultation, pharmacy and diagnostics services, and physiotherapy sessions.
• BeFit was serviced by ICICI Lombard’s ILTakeCare app.

About ICICI Lombard General Insurance:

• Chief Executive Officer: Bhargav Dasgupta
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Founded: 2001

IndiGo Tie-up with KMB to Launch Co-Branded Credit Card ‘Ka-ching’

• IndiGo and Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) entered into a strategic partnership for the launch of a co-branded credit card named ‘Ka-ching’.

Features of Ka-ching:

• The credit card was launched under IndiGo’s 6E Rewards programme and linked with it to enable the members to earn rewards by using the card on IndiGo and other merchants.
• The co-branded card will be available in 2 variants such as 6E Rewards and 6E Rewards XL by offering exclusive travel benefits for domestic and international travel.
• The card was scheduled to be launched in November 2021 and with the card, the customers could access some special benefits on IndiGo.
• As the card is linked with the 6E Rewards Programme, the cardholders could earn additional 6E Rewards on shopping, transport, medical bill spending, utilities, fuel, etc.

About Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB):

• Establishment – 2003
• Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
• MD & CEO – Uday Kotak
• Tagline – Let’s make money simple

About IndiGo:

• As of August 2021, IndiGo is India’s largest passenger airline with a market share of 57 percent.
• Establishment – 2006
• Headquarters – Gurugram, Haryana
• Whole Time Director and CEO – Ronojoy Dutta

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATION

Shaktikanta Das has been reappointed as RBI Governor for three more years

• The government has approved the reappointment of Shaktikanta Das as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for a period of three years.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the reappointment of Mr Das. The re-appointment will be effective from 10th December this year or until further orders.
• He had assumed charge as the 25th governor of RBI effective December 12, 2018. Prior to his assignment at RBI, he was served as a member of the 15th Finance Commission.
• Earlier, he also served as secretary in the Department of Revenue and Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
• He was directly associated with the preparation of 8 Union Budgets.

Subhash Kamath has re-elected as ASCI Chairman

• The Advertising Standards Council of India’s (ASCI’s) board has elected Subhash Kamath for a second consecutive term as chairman.
• NS Rajan, Managing Director, Director, August One Partners LLP, was re-elected as the vice chairman of the board.
• The vote, which followed the 35th annual general meeting, ensured continuity for the several initiatives the advertising self-regulator had kickstarted over the past year.
• The ASCI board was expanded this year with the inclusion of members such as renowned academician and social activist Dr Ranjana Kumari, leading educationist Dr Indu Sahani, technology entrepreneur Rajesh Patel, and finance sector expert and former editor Rajrishi Singhal – strengthening governance through partnering with external stakeholders and civil society

Mukesh Ambani’s daughter Isha Ambani has appointed to board of trustees of Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art

• Isha Ambani has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of Simthsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, for a four-year term beginning September 23, this year, the National Museum of Asian Art.
• The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, based in the US.
• The Smithsonian’s 17-member Board of Regents consists of the Chief Justice of the US, the Vice President of the US, three members of the US Senate, three members of the US House of Representatives, and nine citizens
• Isha will be one of the youngest board members of the National Museum of Asian Art, which was the Smithsonian’s first dedicated art museum and opened as the Freer Gallery of Art in 1923.
• The appointees to the board come to the museum as it prepares for its centennial in 2023 – a milestone celebration and a springboard for the museum’s transformative vision for its next century, which will broaden and deepen the museum’s impact and reach, both onsite and online.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev won 2nd Term as President of Uzbekistan

• Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the incumbent President of Uzbekistan has won a 2nd five-year term as the President of Uzbekistan.
• He won the election with 1% of the vote where the total voter turnout was at 80.8%. 
• He is a member of the UzLiDeP(Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party). 
• The 2021 election marks the 6th election of Uzbekistan held since it became independent in 1991.
• Shavkat Mirziyoyev took office in 2016 following the death of Islam Karimov, the first post-independence president of Uzbekistan.

About Shavkat Mirziyoyev:

• Shavkat Mirziyoyev was born on 24th July 1957 in Zaamin District of Jizzakh Region, Uzbekistan.
• He was elected as the deputy of the Supreme Council of the republic in 1990 and served as Chairman of the Credentials Committee.
• He was appointed as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2003, 2005, 2010, and 2015.
• In 2016 he was elected as the President of Uzbekistan and assumed office on 14th December 2016.

About Uzbekistan:

• Prime Minister– Abdulla Aripov
• Capital– Tashkent
• Currency– Uzbekistani soʻm

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sarthak’ commissioned in Goa

• On Oct 28, 2021, the indigenously built Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarthak was dedicated to the nation.
• The indigenously built ship was commissioned by the Director General of Indian Coast Guard, K Natarajan, at Goa.

About ICGS Sarthak :

• ICGS Sarthak is fourth in the series of five Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) being built by Goa Shipyard Limited for the ICG.
• These OPVs are multi-mission platforms capable of undertaking concurrent operations.

Purpose :

• To boost the maritime safety and security of the nation.
• The 105-meter-long ship displacing 2,450 tons is propelled by two 9,100 kilowatt diesel engines designed to attain a maximum speed of 26 knots.
• ICGS Sarthak will be based at Porbandar in Gujarat & it is commanded by Deputy Inspector General MM Syed.
• Indian Coast Guard is a pioneer in inducting indigenous platforms and ICGS Sarthak is a glowing example of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

About Indian Coast Guard :

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Director General: Krishnaswamy Natarajan
• Founded: 1 February 1977
• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is a maritime law enforcement and search and rescue agency of India.
• It operates under the Ministry of Defence.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

PM Modi to attend 18th ASEAN-India summit virtually

• On Oct 28, 2021, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Summit
• The Summit was held under the Chairmanship of Sultan of Brunei.
• The latest edition was the ninth ASEAN-India Summit attended by PM Modi.
• The year 2022 will mark 30 years of ASEAN-India relations and it will be celebrated as ‘ASEAN-India Friendship Year’.
• The Heads of State and Government of the ASEAN Countries will also attend the Summit.
• In November 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended the 17th ASEAN-India Summit virtually.

Key Points :

• To review the status of ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership and progress made in key areas of Covid-19 & Health, Trade & Commerce, Connectivity, and Education & Culture.
• Important regional and international developments including post-pandemic economic recovery will also be discussed.

Note :

• ASEAN-India summits are held annually to engage at the highest level.
• ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership is aimed at sharing a strong foundation of shared historical, geographical, and civilizational ties.
• The first India-ASEAN Summit was convened in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in November 2002 & the Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee had attended the First India-ASEAN Summit.

Recent News :

• On October 27, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) through video conference & it was hosted under the Chairmanship of Brunei.

About ASEAN :

• ASEAN – Association of Southeast Asian Nations
• Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
• Founded: 8 August 1967, Bangkok, Thailand
• Secretary General : Lim Jock Hoi
• Members : 10 (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam).

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya addresses of CII Asia Health 2021 summit

• On Oct 28, 2021, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya addressed the inaugural session of CII Asia Health 2021 summit.
• The theme of the summit is ‘Transforming Healthcare for a better tomorrow’.
• The event was also attended by Dr. Vinod K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, Dr. R.S. Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority along with the key officials of CII.
• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has organised the summit.
• The government has launched various schemes such as Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana (health insurance scheme), Ayushman Health and Wellness Centres, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) for generic medicines, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission etc to make healthcare accessible and affordable.

About CII :

• President: V. Narendran
• Director General: Chandrajit Banerjee
• Founded: 1895
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group.

About Ministry of Health & Family Welfare :

• Founded: 1947
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Minister of State : Mansukh L. Mandaviya, Bharati Pawar
• Health Secretary : Rajesh Bhushan

CURRENT AFFAIRS : RANKING & INDEX

State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2020 : Karnataka tops 

• Karnataka has topped the State Energy Efficiency Index 2020 (SEEI) with a score of 70 points out of 100.
• Rajasthan has ranked second after Karnataka on the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2020 released by the Union Ministry of Power.
• The second-highest performer, Rajasthan, is the only state to have constituted an ECBC cell in its Public Works Department (PWD).
• The two most improved states in SEEI 2020 are Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
• In the SEEI 2019 ranking, Rajasthan was on top.

Top 10 most energy efficient states in the country :

1. Karnataka – with a score of 70
2. Rajasthan – 61
3. Haryana – 59.5
4. Punjab – 58
5. Maharashtra – 57.5
6. Kerala – 53
7. Tamil Nadu – 51.5
8. Andhra Pradesh – 50.5
9. Uttar Pradesh – 35.5
10. Gujarat – 34

About SEEI :

• The State Energy Efficiency Index 2020 has been developed by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE).

The SEEI assesses the states in four categories :

1. Aspirant (with a score below 30 points)
2. Contenders (with a score in the range of 30-50)
3. Achievers (with a score of 50-60)
4. Frontrunners (with above 60 points score).

• The 2020 Index has 68 indicators covering all demand sectors – buildings, industry, municipalities, transport, agriculture – and DISCOMs.
• Thirty-six states and union territories have been assessed in State EE Index 2020.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Renowned oncologist Dr M Krishnan Nair passes away

• On Oct 28, 2021, Renowned oncologist and founder-director of Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) Dr M Krishnan Nair Passed away.
• He was 81.

About Dr M Krishnan Nair :

• Dr M Krishnan Nair born in 1939 at Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• He was a director of the U.T. Institute of Oncology, and Trivandrum Cancer Center(TCC).
• He was known for establishing one of the largest comprehensive cancer centres in the country.
• He made pioneering contributions in Community Oncology, Pain and Palliative Care, and Paediatric Oncology.
• He was a member of the expert group that drew up the National Cancer Control Plan of India.
• He served the World Health Organization (WHO) for more than a decade in their Expert Advisory Panel on Cancer.

Awards & Honours :

• He received numerous awards, including the Pasupathy Nath Wahi Cancer Award in 1988, Vimala Shah Award instituted by the Banaras Hindu University in 1991 and the Bhishmacharya Award in 1993.
• The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian award of the Padma Shri, in 2001 for his contributions in the cancer care field.

About RCC :

• Located at : Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
• Director : Dr. Rekha A Nair
• Established : 1981

Daily CA On Oct 28 :

• International Animation Day is observed every year on October 28 to celebrate the art of animation and also recognize the artists, scientists and technicians behind animation.
• The Union Government has received a final dividend of six thousand 665 crore rupees from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) for the Financial Year 2020-21.
• Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has launched the operational guidelines of Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0 and AMRUT 2.0, in New Delhi.
• Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya released Krishi UDAN 2.0 which lays out the vision of improving value realization through better integration and optimization of Agri-harvesting and air transportation.
• Tamilnadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin has launched an unique academic scheme, Education at your doorstep, at Villupuram.
• The Karnataka Department of Collegiate and Technical Education signed an MoU with IT company Infosys in Bengaluru to facilitate blended learning that will prepare the students for the industry-specific courses and help them in their career growth according to the principles of the National Education Policy 2020.
• SBI General Insurance has collaborated with Google Pay to provide its General Health Insurance and government-based Arogya Sanjeevani to be purchased through the application.
• Government of India and Asian Development Bank, ADB has signed a 100 million US dollar loan to promote an agribusiness network to boost farm incomes and reduce food losses in the State of Maharashtra.
• Jana Small Finance Bank Limited has announced the appointment of Subhash C Khuntia as the part-time Chairman. 
• The country’s third largest private sector lender Axis Bank has announced that it will elevate Rajiv Anand as the Deputy Managing Director.
• Karnataka Bank is conferred with the prestigious ‘Top Organizations with Innovative HR Practices’ award at the 19th edition of Asia Pacific HRM Congress held at Bengalur
• Twitter has acquired a chat app called Sphere, which was co-founded by British serial entrepreneur Nick D’Aloisio.
• On Oct 27, 2021, India successfully test-fired a surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Agni-5, from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast.
• India ranks at the ninth spot globally for climate tech investment, with the country’s climate tech businesses receiving US$ 1 billion in venture capital funding between 2016 and 2021.
• Museum scientists from Indonesia and Germany have just discovered 28 new species of beetles named Trigonopterus corona from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
• Former Union minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ gifted a copy of his book titled Ek Jang Ladte Hue to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Netherlands all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate announced his retirement from international cricket after his side failed to qualify for the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup.

Daily CA On Oct 29 :

• International Internet Day is marked annually on 29 October.
• World Psoriasis Day on October 29th every year recognizes those who suffer from psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Rome, Italy to attend the 16th G-20 Summit. Modi has participated in the Summit at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
• Chennai – Mysore- Chennai Shatabdi Express becomes the first Integrated Management Systems certified train of Southern Railway.
• Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has launched the 6th edition of National Formulary of India to promote rational use of medicines in the country.
• Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has inaugurated the 14th Urban Mobility Conference 2021 through video conference.
• Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), launched the second phase of the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) for 2 years, 2021-2023 on October 25,2021. 
• The Union Minister of Power & New and Renewable Energy, R K Singh launched India’s 1st Green Day Ahead Market (GDAM) for the renewable energy (RE) to enable the electricity generation and distribution companies (Discoms) to trade (i.e., buy or sell) RE in the day-ahead market. 
• The Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Damodardas Modi launched a pan-India scheme namely PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP).
• Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) is scheduled to be held as a three-day online event that commences on 27, 28 and 29 October 2021.
• China-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) along with the Asian Development (ADB) are currently processing a USD 2 billion loan for India to purchase COVID-19 vaccines.
• The Information and Broadcasting minister of Bangladesh, Dr Hasan Mahmud has inaugurated Bangabandhu Sambad Kendra at the Kolkata Press Club.
• According to the State of the Climate in Asia 2020, a first of its kind multi-agency report published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), India has suffered an average annual loss (AAL) of around 87 billion USD due to tropical cyclones, floods and droughts.
• Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and Auditor General of Maldives signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the audit process of public finance.
• Singapore plans to launch standardized guidelines for renewable energy certificates (REC) in an effort to decarbonise its power sector and develop a regional grid.
• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has launched a new scheme titled ‘Go-Green’, & its portal to provide electric two-wheelers at subsidised rates to construction and industrial workers of the state.
• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank has signed a 251 -million-dollar loan for climate-resilient, integrated urban flood protection and management in the Chennai- Kosasthalaiyar basin to strengthen resilience of Chennai city to floods.
• The Central Government signed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Tata Sons for sale (strategic disinvestment) of national carrier Air India for Rs 18,000 crore. 
• ICICI Lombard General Insurance has launched a solution named ‘BeFit’ to provide benefits of OPD (Outpatient Department) services to its customers in a cashless manner.
• IndiGo and Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) entered into a strategic partnership for the launch of a co-branded credit card named ‘Ka-ching’.
• The government has approved the reappointment of Shaktikanta Das as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for a period of three years.
• The Advertising Standards Council of India’s (ASCI’s) board has elected Subhash Kamath for a second consecutive term as chairman.
• Isha Ambani has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of Simthsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, for a four-year term beginning September 23, this year, the National Museum of Asian Art.
• Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the incumbent President of Uzbekistan has won a 2nd five-year term as the President of Uzbekistan.
• On Oct 28, 2021, the indigenously built Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarthak was dedicated to the nation.
• On Oct 28, 2021, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Summit
• On Oct 28, 2021, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya addressed the inaugural session of CII Asia Health 2021 summit.
• Karnataka has topped the State Energy Efficiency Index 2020 (SEEI) with a score of 70 points out of 100.
• On Oct 28, 2021, Renowned oncologist and founder-director of Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) Dr M Krishnan Nair Passed away.