World Day for Audiovisual Heritage: 27 October
The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is observed every year on 27 October. The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is a key initiative for both UNESCO and the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (CCAAA) to honour audiovisual preservation professionals and institutions that safeguard our heritage for future generations. The day was chosen to raise awareness of the significance and preservation risks of recorded sound and audiovisual documents.
The theme of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2021: “Your Window to the World”.
History of the day:
The 33rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference adopted 33 C/Resolution 53 to proclaim 27 October as World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, in commemoration of the adoption, in 1980 by the 21st session of the General Conference, of the Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- UNESCO headquarters: Paris, France.
- UNESCO Head: Audrey Azoulay.
- UNESCO Founded: 16 November 1945.
N. Sitharaman virtually attends 6th Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of AIIB
The Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman has participated in the 6th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) through a video conference from New Delhi. The theme of the Annual Meeting of AIIB was “Investing Today and Transforming Tomorrow”.
This year the meeting was jointly organized by AIIB in collaboration with the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The basic objective of the annual meet is to take key decisions on important matters relating to AIIB, and its future vision. The Finance Minister of India shared her thoughts on the theme “COVID-19 Crisis and Post-COVID Support”, during the Governor’s Roundtable Discussion.
Vigilance Awareness Week 2021: October 26 to November 01
The Vigilance Awareness Week 2021 has been organised by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) from 26 October to 01 November 2021. The annual event is celebrated during the week in which the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel falls, which is held on October 31. The theme of Vigilance Awareness Week 2021: ‘Independent India @75: Self Reliance with Integrity‘.
The week-long celebration aims to promote integrity, transparency and accountability amongst public servants and create awareness about the existence, causes and gravity of corruption and the threat posed by it to society as a whole.
India-UK conducts maiden Tri-Service exercise ‘Konkan Shakti 2021’
The Armed Forces of India and the United Kingdom (UK) are undertaking the sea phase of the maiden Tri-Service exercise ‘Konkan Shakti 2021’ off the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea from October 24 to 27, 2021. The harbour phase of the seven-day exercise was held in Mumbai from October 21 to 23, 2021. The exercise Konkan Shakti 2021 aims at further strengthening the cooperation between the two countries.
The two forces integrated within their groups with exercises such as replenishment at sea approaches, air direction and strike operations by fighter aircraft (MiG 29Ks and F35Bs), cross control of helicopters (Sea King, Chetak and Wildcat), transiting through war-at-sea scenarios, and gun shoots on expendable air targets. The simulated induction of Army troops was also undertaken and was followed by the setting up of a joint command operations centre. The two forces thereafter effected a rendezvous at sea with advanced air and sub-surface exercises.
Culture Minister G.K Reddy launches Amrit Mahotsav Podcast
The Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, G.K Reddy has launched the Amrit Mahotsav Podcast, as a part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration by the ministry. The Amrit Mahotsav Podcast series (Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani) is a tribute to the Indian National Army (persons and movements), which significantly contributed to India’s freedom struggle, some of which have remained untold and not found a place in the conventional storyline.
As an ode to the sacrifices made, it is only befitting to salute these heroes by recollecting their stories of courage and valour as part of commemorating 75 years of India’s independence.
India’s first Radio over Internet Protocol system inaugurated in Kolkata
The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SPM) in Kolkata has become the first Major Indian Port to get a Radio over Internet Protocol (ROIP) System. The ROIP was inaugurated by Vinit Kumar, Chairman of SPM, on October 25, 2021. SMP, Kolkata has been constantly maintaining its pivotal position in Indian Major Ports for the past 152 years.
ROIP system is a long-range marine communication solution, to aid especially during storms and inclement weather. Using the ROIP mode of communication, the vessels at Sandheads can be directly communicated via Radio, from Kolkata. The solution shall cover the entire Hugli River Estuary from Kolkata to Sandheads, and will have base stations at 4 Locations: Kolkata, Hugli point, Haldia and Sagar Pilot Station.
Goa became the 1st state to achieve ODF and Electricity for each household
Goa has achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) and Electricity for every household. The original ODF protocol was issued in the year 2016. According to it, a city or ward is notified as ODF city or ward if not a single person is found defecating in the open, at any point of the day.
Goa has also become the first state to provide tap water to every household under the “Har Ghar Jal Mission”. Apart from that, Goa achieved a 100 per cent target to provide free ration to the poor and needy. It has also completed 100 per cent first dose of covid-19 vaccination.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Goa Capital: Panaji;
- Goa CM: Pramod Sawant;
- Goa Governor: S. Sreedharan Pillai.
National Steering Committee for NIPUN Bharat Mission setup by govt
Department of School Education and Literacy has constituted the National Steering Committee (NSC) for the implementation of the NIPUN Bharat Mission. It seeks to develop a methodology of assessment to analyze the progress of education and provide feedback to States/UTs. To achieve the goal of universal proficiency in foundational literacy and numeracy for every child by end of Class 3 by 2026-27.
The Union Education Minister, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will be the Chairperson of the NSC and Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi will be the Vice-Chairperson.
Union Bank, CDAC join hands for cyber security
The Union Bank of India (UBI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Hyderabad to launch a 1st of its kind initiative on Cyber Security Awareness. CDAC will assist UBI in educating its employees & customers with awareness on Cyber Security & tips to protect themselves from Cyber fraud. The Bank has previously launched an e-book & an online game ‘Spin-N-Learn’, as a part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (October).
The association with CDAC, Hyderabad will help the bank in conducting online and offline sessions on cyber security awareness as well as mass campaigns and social media campaigns to educate the staff, customers besides preparation of information security material. As part of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the bank launched an e-book and Spin-N-Learn, an online game on its website besides conducting on Monday conclave.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Union Bank of India Founded: 1919;
- Union Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
- Union Bank of India MD & CEO: Rajkiran Rai G;
- Union Bank of India Tagline: Good People to Bank with.
Tsitsi Dangarembga receives Peace Prize of the German Book Trade 2021
The Peace Prize of the German Book Trade 2021 has been awarded to the Zimbabwean author and a filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga for a “new Enlightenment”, a work on violence in her country and all over the world by Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels, an association of German book publishers and booksellers.
Dangarembga is the first black woman to win the German Peace Prize. She has won the PEN Pinter prize 2021. Her debut novel, Nervous conditions were the first to be published in English by black women from Zimbabwe.
About German Peace Prize:
- Awarded by: Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels, the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, Germany
- Prize money: 25,000 euros
Fabio Quartararo wins the 2021 MotoGP World Championship
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo became the ‘’2021 MotoGP World Champion’’. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) secured second and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), finished third. Fabio Quartararo is the sixth-youngest rider to clinch a premier class world title, aged 22 years, 187 days on race day of the Emilia Romagna GP.
Quartararo became the first French rider to clinch a premier class world title and the seventh overall in GP racing along with Johann Zarco (2 titles), Mike Di Meglio (1), Arnaud Vincent (1), Olivier Jacque (1), Christian Sarron (1) and Jean-Louis Tournadre (1).
A new Book titled “Kamala Harris: Phenomenal Woman” by Chidanand Rajghatta
Renowned journalist and writer Chidanand Rajghatta have authored a new book “Kamala Harris: Phenomenal Woman”, a biography of Kamala Harris, the first women Vice President of the United States of America (USA). The book features the life incidents of Kamala Harris, a woman of mixed race (India and Jamaica) who has become the first Indian descent, the first woman to become the vice president of the USA.
Siddhartha Lal reappointed Eicher Motors MD for 5 years
Eicher Motors Ltd passed the resolution to reappoint Siddhartha Lal as the Managing Director of the company for five years, starting May 1, 2021. The board also approved a revised remuneration structure for the Managing Director, with a maximum cap of 1.5 per cent of profits as per Section 198 of the Companies Act. The proposal for reappointment was cleared with almost 93.8 per cent of the total 226 million votes casted going in favour of the resolution.
GAIL to build India’s largest green hydrogen plant
State-owned GAIL (India) Ltd will build India’s largest green hydrogen-making plant as it looks to supplement its natural gas business with carbon-free fuel. GAIL Chairman and Managing Director Manoj Jain said the company is looking at building a 10-megawatt (MW) electrolyzer capable of generating 4.5 tonnes of green hydrogen daily. The firm has already floated a global tender to buy the electrolyzer and is hoping to get delivery in 12-14 months. It will be double the size of the one announced by state electricity producer NTPC.
