1.India and the World
India contributed 1 million USD to UNRWA for Palestine Refugees
India contributed one million USD to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East region.
The contribution will support UNRWA’s programmes and services including the education, health care, relief and social services.
Indo-Palestinian relations is mostly based on the independence struggle against British rule.
Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister of India to visit Palestine in 2018.
Quick Fact: India recognised the Palestine’s statehood for the first time on 18 November 1988.
2.National Affairs
STARS Project approved by the cabinet
The Union Cabinet has approved the World Bank-supported Strengthening Teaching- Learning and Results for States (STARS) project.
The project has been approved under the New Education Policy (NEP).
The project is to be implemented as a centrally sponsored scheme under the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education.
The implementation of the STARS Project will lead to strengthening of the education system of school and to provision of education to all.
Quick Fact: The STARS project will be benefiting the six states including Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.
3.Miscellaneous
World Students Day: October 15
The World Students Day is observed every year worldwide on 15th October.
The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
The United Nations had declared this day to be celebrated as World Students Day in 2010.
Dr Kalam served as the 11th President of India and was affectionately called as the “People’s President”. He was also known as the “Missile Man of India”.
Quick Fact: Theme for World Students Day 2020 is ‘Learning for people, prosperity and peace’.
4.India and the World
Re-election of India and France into ISA
India was been re-elected as President of International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Along with India, France was re-elected as Co-President of the alliance in the ISA’s Third Assembly.
The tenure for both the countries will be 2 years.
The Third Assembly of ISA was attended by 34 ISA Member Ministers, 53 member countries besides the 5 signatory and prospective member countries.
Quick Fact: RK Singh and Barbara Pompili represented India and France respectively at the ISA.
5.National Affairs
Microsoft collaborates with AICTE to empower students and educators
Microsoft and All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE) have collaborated to empower students and educators in new-age technologies.
The new age technology includes artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), data science and cloud computing.
Under this collaboration, over 1,500-course modules from Microsoft will be made available to students and educators free of cost through AICTE’s e-learning portal Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).
Microsoft also integrated its learning resource centre Microsoft Learn with the ELIS platform to provide access to personalised learning paths and resources for students and educators.
6.Miscellaneous
International Day of Rural Women: 15 October
The International Day of Rural Women is observed worldwide on 15 October every year.
The day aims to recognize the crucial role of women and girls in ensuring the sustainability of rural households and communities, improving rural livelihoods and overall well-being.
In India, the day is observed as the Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas since 2016 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The United Nations General Assembly established the day on 18 December 2007.
Quick Fact: The theme for International Day of Rural Women for the year 2020 is “Building rural women’s resilience in the wake of COVID-19,”
7.International Affairs
Central Banks Awards
The Central Banks Award 2020 was held virtually.
The Bank of Ghana won the Central bank of the year award 2020.
Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England has won the Governor of the year 2020.
Central Banking Awards is held every year to recognize excellence in the central banking community.
Quick Fact: This was the 7th edition of Central Bank Awards.
8.National Affairs
AI & ML Tools introduced to strengthen Champions Portal
The Ministry of MSME launched the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools so as to provide effective assistance and solutions to the issues of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The tools have been launched on the Single Window System called the ‘Champions’ portal.
Champions Portal is a multi-modal system which has a portal at the virtual level and technology-equipped physical control rooms.
The tools and the portal were launched during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to turn the disaster into an opportunity with futuristic interventions.
