International Chef’s Day: 20 October
International Chefs Day is observed every year on 20 October. The day aims to celebrate and honour the noble profession and educate people around the world about eating healthy. It is also the day for experienced chefs to pass on their knowledge and culinary skills to the next generation with a sense of pride and commitment.
The theme of the International Chefs Day 2021 campaign is Healthy Food for the Future. International Chefs Day was created by Dr Bill Gallagher, a renowned chef and the former president of the World Association of Chefs Societies (World Chefs), in 2004.
Gulzar pens book titled “Actually… I Met Them: A Memoir”
Legendary Indian poet-lyricist-director Gulzar has come out with his new book title “Actually… I Met Them: A Memoir”. In a memoir published by the publishing group Penguin Random House India. In this book, Gulzar has shared many interesting unknown facts about legends like Kishore Kumar, Bimal Roy, Ritwik Ghatak, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Mahasweta Devi, among others.
India’s Bhavani Devi wins Charlellville National Competition in France
Fencer Bhavani Devi, who made history at the Tokyo Olympics by becoming the first Indian to compete in the sport at the Games, has won the Charlellville National Competition in France in the individual women’s sabre event. She is currently ranked 50th in the world and is the top-ranked fencer from India. She is eyeing a good show at the 2022 Asian Games and has started preparing for the multi-discipline sporting extravaganza.
India ranks 40th in 2021 Mercer CFS Global Pension Index survey
Mercer Consulting, a leading global management consulting firm, has released the 13th edition of the Mercer Global Pension Index (2021 MCGPI). India has been ranked at 40th position out of 43 countries in the 2021 Mercer CFS Global Pension Index survey. In 2020, India was ranked at 34th position out of 39 pension systems.
Iceland has topped this ranking with an index value of 84.2 followed by the Netherlands with 83.5 and Norway with 82.0. India had an overall index value of 43.3. Thailand had the lowest overall index value at 40.6. The 2021 MCGPI, has added 4 new retirement systems: Iceland, Taiwan, UAE and Uruguay.
About Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index(MCGPI):
i. MCGPI is an annual survey by Mercer Consulting, which aims to benchmark the retirement income system.
ii. MCGPI uses three sub-indices, adequacy, sustainability and integrity to measure each retirement income system against more than 50 indicators.
iii. The Index is published by Mercer, in collaboration with CFA Institute and the Monash Centre for Financial Studies.
Home Minister Amit Shah flags off ‘Modi Van’
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah has flagged off “Five Mobile Medical Vans” dubbed as Modi Van on October 19, 2021, in the Kaushambi district of Uttar Pradesh. These vans have been launched under the ‘Seva Hi Sangathan’ programme of BJP to commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing 20 years as the Head of Government.
The Five Mobile Medical Vans will operate in five Assembly Constituencies in Kaushambi. These vans will work under the aegis of Kaushambi Vikas Parishad run by BJP’s National Secretary Vinod Sonkar.
World Statistics Day: 20 October
World Statistics Day is celebrated around the globe every year on 20 October to highlight the achievements of the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. The celebration of World Statistics Day 2021 is a global collaborative endeavour, organized under the guidance of the United Nations Statistical Commission.
History of World Statistics Day:
The United Nations Statistical Commission proposed celebrating 20 October 2010 as World Statistics Day. The General Assembly adopted on 3 June 2010 resolution 64/267, which officially designated 20 October 2010 as the first-ever World Statistics Day under the general theme “Celebrating the many achievements of official statistics. In 2015, with resolution 96/282, the General Assembly decided to designate 20 October 2015 as the second World Statistics Day under the general theme “Better data, better lives,” as well as to celebrate World Statistics Day every five years on 20 October.
Significance of World Statistics Day:
The main significance of world statistics day is that statistics make things easier and faster. Also, it gives a clear glimpse of your past and present status. World statistics day is celebrated every five-year plays a significant role in growth and development in all aspects of a country and involves the collection, analyzing, and interpretation of large amounts of numerical data.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- United Nations Statistical CommissionFounded: 1947;
- United Nations Statistical Commission Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council;
- United Nations Statistical Commission Chair: Shigeru Kawasaki (Japan).
4th General Assembly of International Solar Alliance begins
The Fourth General Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) has been organised virtually between October 18 and 21, 2021. The Assembly will be presided over by President of the ISA Assembly RK Singh, who is also the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy.
The key initiatives that will be deliberated at the Fourth General Assembly of the ISA include:
- Operationalisation of the OSOWOG (One Sun One World One Grid) initiative, the $1-trillion Solar Investment Roadmap for 2030.
- Approval for a Blended Financial Risk Mitigation Facility.
- Strategic Plan of the ISA for the next five years.
- Country Partnership Framework.
- Strategy for Private Sector Engagement.
- Viability Gap Financing scheme to facilitate affordable finance for solar energy projects across ISA’s membership.
- Discuss partnership with Global Energy Alliance (GEA) to scale up technical and financial support to LDCs and SIDS.
Rajasthan launched ‘Prashasan Gaon ke Sang’ Campaign
Rajasthan Government has launched a mega campaign named ‘Prashasan Gaon Ke Sang’ till December 17, 2021, to provide local access to government services in the remotest villages of the state. Officials from 22 Departments of the local administration will reach out to the rural parts of every gram panchayat to offer on-spot solutions to the applicants.
About the campaign:
- The campaign will be conducted on the observation of the respective district collector, for on spot disposal of applications.
- While the campaign is intended to bring departments closer to residents, large-scale awareness efforts are being held ahead of time to guarantee that citizens can take full use of the services provided at the camps.
- The campaign is likely to be extremely beneficial to those who are unfamiliar with digital procedures as well as those who have difficulty travelling to government offices for physical verification.
- Along with services such as land deed allotment, land deed transfers, and the issuance of various certificates, the campaign will also include public health initiatives such as seasonal illness control and public awareness.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Chief Minister of Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot; Governor: Kalraj Mishra.
IndiaFirst Life Introduces ‘Saral Bachat Bima’ Insurance Plan
IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited (IndiaFirst Life), a joint venture of Bank of Baroda and Union Bank of India introduced “IndiaFirst Life Saral Bachat Bima Plan”. It is a savings and protection cover plan for the entire family. The plan includes paying for the short term and enjoying long term benefits and it will provide consistent protection through insurance cover.
Benefits of the plan:
- An amount equal to the Sum Assured on Death (SAD) will be paid in case of accidental death during the first policy year. In case of death of the life insured, an advanced payment by way of funeral cover. Flexibility to receive the death benefit as a lump sum or regular income for 5 years.
- Boost savings with guaranteed additional benefits of 4.75% to 6% per annum. Option to opt for Waiver of Premium Rider.
- No medical test and short application form.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- IndiaFirst Life MD & CEO: M. Vishakha;
- IndiaFirst Life Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
- IndiaFirst Life Founded: 16 November 2009.
Sahdev Yadav becomes new President of IWF
Sahdev Yadav, former Secretary-General of IWLF, was unanimously elected as the President of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF). The election also saw the appointment of S.H. Anande Gowda and Naresh Sharma as the new Secretary-General & Treasurer of IWLF. 10 new Vice Presidents, 4 Joint Secretaries & 7 executive committee members were also elected, in the election conducted by Returning Officer Narinder Paul Kaushik, Delhi District Court.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Indian Weightlifting Federation Headquarters: New Delhi.
Amit Rastogi appointed new Chairman & Managing Director of NRDC
Commodore Amit Rastogi (Retd) has been appointed as the new Chairman & Managing Director of the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC). Prior to this, he was the Director of Electrical Engineering at Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence for 5 years and Additional General Manager Tech Services at Naval Dockyard for 2 years. NRDC was established in India in 1953 to help develop and promote technologies developed at various national R&D institutions.
China and Indonesia won Uber Cup and and Thomas Cup Respectively
China beat Japan 3-1 in a thrilling Uber Cup final in Aarhus, Denmark, to reclaim the Uber Cup title. This is China’s 15th Uber Cup title win in 19 finals. The match pivoted on the longest match in the Uber Cup history when Chen Qing Chan and Jia Yi Fan won their doubles match. Indonesia lifted the Thomas Cup trophy for the first time since 2002 after defeating the defending champions China 3-0 in the final match held in Aarhus, Denmark.
Uber and Thomas Cup are the biennial international badminton championship played by the women and men’s national teams of the members of the Badminton World Federation.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Badminton World Federation Founded: 5 July 1934;
- Badminton World Federation President: Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen;
- Badminton World Federation Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A book ‘Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: Reason, Religion And Nation’ by Prof Shafey Kidwai
Sahitya Akademi awardee Professor Shafey Kidwai has authored a new book titled “Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: Reason, Religion And Nation”. The objective of the book is to analyse Sir Syed Ahmad Khan the founder of Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College that grew into Aligarh Muslim University.
The book is published by Routledge India. The foreword of the book is written by professor Irfan Habib. The book was released ahead of the 204th birth anniversary (17th October 2021) of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
RBI imposes fine of Rs 1.95 crore on Standard Chartered Bank
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a fine of Rs 1.95 crore on the Standard Chartered Bank for failing to report a cyber security incident within the prescribed time period, and failure to credit the amount involved in unauthorised electronic transactions, among other reasons. Standard Chartered Bank was penalised also for its non-compliance of RBI’s directions on customer protection.
Standard Chartered Bank had also allowed direct sales agents to conduct KYC verifications and failed to ensure the integrity of data submitted in the Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC).
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Standard Chartered Bank CEO: Bill Winters;
- Standard Chartered Bank Founded: 1969, London, United Kingdom.
Ayushmann Khurrana joins CoinDCX for ‘Future Yahi Hai’ campaign
Ayushmann Khurrana has become the latest celebrity to venture into the cryptocurrency space through his association with CoinDCX’s ‘Future Yahi Hai’ campaign. The CoinDCX ‘Future Yahi Hai’ Megadrive is directed towards addressing major questions and doubts and dispelling myths when it comes to crypto investments from the perspective of young India. CoinDCX is India’s largest cryptocurrency exchange valued at $1.1 billion.
The campaign, which eventually plans to rope in popular personalities from various spheres, aims to drive home a simple but engaging narrative that breaks through misconceptions surrounding crypto for both new and old investors and, consequently, increases participation in crypto-enabled financial services.
Khurrana joins A-listers like Amitabh Bachchan, Ranveer Singh and Salman Khan to be associated with various crypto exchanges and crypto trade platforms like Chingari and Coin SwitchKuber.
