Current Affairs: 11 October – 17 October, 2020
PM Modi launches physical distribution of property cards under ‘SWAMITVA’ scheme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the physical distribution of property cards under the Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas – SVAMITA (ownership) scheme on October 11, 2020. The scheme is intended to help villagers use property as a financial asset for taking loans and other financial benefits. It will also help in reducing disputes over land property.
International Girl Child Day 2020 observed
The International Girl Child Day was celebrated on October 11, 2020. The day is observed every year to empower women, especially in areas where they have been neglected. The day’s theme this year is “My voice, our equal future”. The day is celebrated to raise awareness about girls being equal in society.
Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic to win 13th French Open, ties with Roger Federer at 20 Grand Slams
Rafael Nadal (Spain) has beaten Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 in Paris to win the title of the 13th French Open in tennis. With this victory on October 11, 2020, Nadal is now equal to Roger Federer’s all-time record of winning 20 Grand Slams titles.
Bangladesh cabinet approves capital punishment for rape
Bangladesh Cabinet on October 12, 2020 approved a draft law to include the death penalty as the highest punishment for rape. The law amends the Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act-2000.
Railways to upgrade all non-AC sleeper coaches to AC for high-speed trains
Indian Railways has decided to upgrade all non-AC sleeper coaches to AC ones for high-speed trains. The Railways will upgrade all its trains capable of running at a maximum speed of 130 km per hour and beyond with special air-conditioned coaches. The Ministry of Railway said that the decision will only impact high-speed trains. The existing mail and express trains with a maximum speed of up to 110 km per hour will continue to ply with sleeper coaches.
FM Sitharaman announces LTC cash voucher, special festival advance scheme for govt employees to boost demand
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on October 12, 2020 announced an LTC cash voucher scheme and a special festival advance (Special Festival Advance Scheme) of Rs 10,000 to all government employees.
1. Leave Travel Concession (LTC) Cash Voucher scheme
Under LTC Cash Voucher Scheme, the government employees can opt to receive cash amounting to leave encashment plus 3 times ticket fare, to buy items that attract GST of 12% or more. However, only digital transactions will be allowed and GST invoice will need to be produced.
2. Special Festival Advance Scheme
Under this scheme, all central government employees will get an interest-free advance of Rs 10,000, in the form of a prepaid RuPay Card, to be spent by March 31, 2021. The interest-free advance will have to paid back in 10 instalments.
Nobel Prize 2020 in Economic Sciences awarded to Paul R Milgrom, Robert B Wilson
The 2020 Nobel Prize in Economics, also called the Memorial Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economics, has been awarded to a pair of Stanford professors – Professor Paul R Milgrom and Professor Robert B Wilson for coming up with improved auction theory and inventing new auction formats, benefiting sellers, buyers and taxpayers around the world. They invented new formats for auctioning off many interrelated objects simultaneously, for broad societal benefit rather than maximal revenue.
PM Narendra Modi releases ₹ 100 coin to commemorate 100th birth anniversary of Vijaya Raje Scindia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released Rs 100 commemorative coin in the honour of Vijaya Raje Scindia in a special programme on October 12, 2020, on the occasion of her 100th birth anniversary. Vijaya Raje Scindia, also popularly known as the Rajmata of Gwalior, was one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
PM Narendra Modi releases commemorative coin of ₹75 to mark 75th anniversary of FAO
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 16, 2020, released a commemorative coin of Rs. 75 denomination on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The coin marks the long-standing relation of India with FAO. On the occasion PM Narendra Modi also dedicated 17 recently developed biofortified varieties of eight crops to the nation.
The commemorative coins are not issued in general circulation but citizens can get them if they want. The first modern commemorative coin in India was issued in 1964 to commemorate India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s birth anniversary.
Bhanu Athaiya, India’s first Oscar-winning costume designer, passes away at the age of 91
The renowned designer, who won an Academy Award for best costume design for the 1983 classic movie ‘Gandhi’, passed away on the morning of October 15, 2020. She was 91.
Johnson & Johnson puts on hold COVID-19 vaccine trials after volunteer develops illness
Johnson & Johnson firm has stopped the COVID-19 vaccine ‘ENSEMBLE’ clinical trials after a volunteer developed unexplained illness during the trials. The physicians and the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) are currently reviewing the illness of volunteer.
World War II bomb explodes in Poland
A Massive World War II bomb nicknamed ‘Tallboy’ exploded underwater in Poland on October 12, 2020 near the Baltic Sea. The operation for diffusing this massive bomb was undertaken by the Polish Navy. For this operation, the navy evacuated hundreds of residents of the nearby area.
Former Jammu & Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti released from detention
Former Jammu & Kashmir CM and the Chief of PDP, Mehbooba Mufti was released from preventive detention on October 13, 2020. Mufti was placed under the preventive detention in August 2019 under the J&K Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978, after the Central Government revoked Article 370 and withdrew special status of J&K.
UNGA re-elects Pakistan & China to UNHRC
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) re-elected Pakistan and China to 15-member UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Both the countries will serve as UNHRC members for a period of three years with effect from January 1, 2021.
Government reopens Cinema halls, multiplexes & theatres with 50% capacity
The Cinema halls, multiplexes and theatres have been reopened across India from October 15, 2020. The Government has allowed theatres and halls to operate with only 50% seating capacity. However, halls and theatres of containment zones will remain closed.
Raksha Mantri Trophy awarded to Command Hospitals
The Raksha Mantri Trophy for the year 2019 has been awarded to the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS)’ Command Hospitals. The Defence Ministry has awarded Air Force Command Hospital of Bengaluru as the Best Command Hospital.
Gujarat Government to develop world’s biggest zinc smelter
Gujarat government will be developing the biggest zinc smelter of the world in Dosawada, Tapi district, Gujarat. The state government and Vedanta group’s Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard.
