1.National Affairs
Second sero-survey findings released
Second sero-survey findings were released by the Indian Council for Medical research (ICMR).
The Report stated that 1 in 15 individuals aged 10 years and above were estimated to be exposed to SARS-CoV2 by August.
Sero-survey tests the blood serum of a group of individuals to determine the presence of antibodies against that infection in them.
Report shows that a considerable part of the population is still susceptible to COVID-19.
The risk assessment in the report shows that the risk in urban slums was twice than that in non-slum urban areas and four times the risk in rural areas.
2.Miscellaneous
“Make Small Strong” campaign launched by Google India
“Make Small Strong” campaign launched by Google India across the country.
The campaign aims to help support small businesses and drive demand through customer support.
The campaign is meant to rally support from the citizens for small businesses.
This new initiative is based on feedback from Small and Medium sized Businesses (SMBs).
Quick Fact: The CEO of Google is Sundar Pichai
3.India and the World
NITI Aayog and Embassy of the Netherlands sign a Statement of Intent (SoI)
NITI Aayog and Embassy of the Netherlands signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) in order to support the decarbonization and energy transition agenda and to accommodate cleaner and more energy.
The signatories of the SoI were NITI Aayog CEO, Amitabh Kant and Ambassador of the Netherlands to India, Marten van den Berg.
The Primary aim of the partnership is to co-creating innovative technological solutions by leveraging the expertise of the two entities.
Quick Fact: The Prime Minister of the Netherlands is Mark Rutte.
4.National Affairs
National Institute of Nutrition increases Ideal weight for Men and Women
The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has increased the average body weight for Indians by 5kg.
The average weight for an Indian man has increased from 60kg in 2010 to 65kg now.
An Indian woman’s average weight has increased from 50kg in 2010 to 55kg now.
Along with the change in the average weight, the NIN has also revised the average height, For males it is 5.8 feet (177 cm) and for females it is 5.3 feet (162 cm).
Quick Fact: Dr. R. Hemlatha is the director of the National Institute of Nutrition.
5.Defence and Security
Brahmos Missile with an Indigenous Booster test fired
India has successfully test fired the surface-to-surface supersonic cruise missile BrahMos with an indigenous booster.
It was developed by Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) and the Federal State Unitary Enterprise NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM) of Russia.
It has a flight range of 300 km.
The test fire was performed at Balasore, Odisha.
Quick Fact: The BrahMos missile has been named after the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva.
6.National Affairs
MECL Starts exploring the Kolar Gold Fields
Union Minister for Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi has directed the Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) to start exploring the Kolar gold fields.
The Kolar Gold mine were closed on February 28, 2001 after the gold prices fell down.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) have declared the pyroclastic and pillow lava at Kolar Gold Fields as a National Geological Monument so as to protect, maintain and encourage geo-tourism.
Quick Fact: As per the World Gold Council, India has 10th largest gold reserve worldwide with capacity of 600 tonnes.
7.Miscellaneous
International Translation Day
International Translation Day is observed on 30th October
The day aims to celebrate and appreciate the work of language translation professionals.
This year the theme is “Finding the words for a world in crisis”.
The United Nations (UN) passed a resolution in 2017 to celebrate September 30 as the International Translation Day.
Quick Fact: September 30 marks the feast of St Jerome who translated Bible from Greek to Latin manuscripts for the first time on this day.
8.Defence and Security
Defence India Startup Challenge-4 launched
Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC 4) was launched by Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh.
The launch happened during the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) event.
Under the DISC 4, eleven challenges from Armed forces, OFB&DPSUs have been made open to startups, innovators, MSMEs in order to provide innovative ideas on technologies.
Launch of iDEX4Fauji initiative and Product Management Approach (PMA) also took place during this event.
Quick Fact: iDEX4Fauji has been launched to support the innovations identified by members of the Indian Armed Forces
