1.Miscellaneous
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: 17th October
The United Nations observe International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17 every year.
The day was inspired from The Call to Action by Father Joseph Wresinski, who was born to immigrant parents in a poor neighbour of France and grew up under the chronic poverty.
He founded the International Movement ATD Fourth World.
The day is being observed this year under the Theme “Acting together to achieve social and environmental justice for all”.
Quick Fact: The World Bank defines poverty as the earning of less than $1.90 per day.
2.Conference and Summits
Ministers of Justice Summit of SCO
The Meeting of Ministers of Justice of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Member States was hosted on October 16, 2020.
This was the 7th edition of the meeting.
The summit was hosted by Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Law & Justice, Communication and Electronics & Information Technology.
As part of activities of the Justice Ministers’ Forum, the Indian Minister urged SCO Member States to promote exchange of ideas, best practices and experiences in identified areas.
Quick Fact: The SCO currently comprises eight Member States namely, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
3.India and the World
Global Hunger Index
The Global hunger index was released on October 16.
The index is jointly prepared by Welhunger life and Concern Worldwide.
This year, India has been ranked 94th Out of 107 countries with a score of 27.2
Among the neighbouring countries, Nepal has been ranked 73rd, Bangladesh has been ranked 75th while Pakistan has been ranked 88th this year.
The report ranks the countries on the basis of four indicators – undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting and child mortality.
4.India and the World
Global Tuberculosis Report, 2020
The World Health Organisation (WHO) released the Global Tuberculosis Report, 2020.
The report brings to light the impact of COVID-19 on Tuberculosis (TB) related deaths.
According to the report, India registered a decline in Tuberculosis cases by 85% in April 2020 after the lockdown was imposed.
India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Russia contribute to two-thirds of global TB cases.
Quick Fact: India accounts to 26% of total global TB cases which stands at the highest burden in the world.
5.Person in News
Vishal V Sharma: India’s next permanent representative to UNESCO
Vishal V. Sharma has been appointed as the next Permanent Representative of India to the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO.
UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Vishal Sharma will replace Jawed Ashraf.
UNESCO was founded on 16 November 1945.
Quick Fact: UNESCO headquarters is located in Paris, France and its current head is Audrey Azoulay.
6.International Affairs
BepiColombo Spacecraft crosses Venus
The BepiColombo Spacecraft crossed the Venus in its journey towards Mercury.
The spacecraft was launched by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in collaboration with European Space Agency in order to explore planet Mercury.
The BepiColombo was launched on the Ariane 5 rocket and is expected to reach Mercury in 2025.
This Mission is a part of the Horizon 2000+ Programme by the European Space Agency.
Quick Fact: The BepiColombo spacecraft has been named after the scientist Giuseppe BepiColombo.
7.National Affairs
Raising Day of National Security Guard (NSG)
The Raising Day of the National Security Guard (NSG) is observed on 16 October.
This year was the 36th raising day of the NSG.
The NSG plays a crucial role in India’s security apparatus and has always been associated with the utmost courage and professionalism.
The NSG is a Federal Contingency force to deal with anti-terrorist activities.
Quick Fact: The DG of National Security Guard: Anup Kumar Singh.
8.Miscellaneous
‘The Battle of Belonging’ authored by Shashi Tharoor to released in November
‘The Battle of Belonging’ which is authored by renowned politician and author, Shashi Tharoor, is all set to be released in November.
The book will be published under Aleph Book Company.
The book appears to be an extension of his previous book “Why I Am a Hindu”and provides the historical context to the ideas of nationalism, patriotism, humanism, democracy and their origins.
The book establishes the actual Indianism and what it means to be a patriotic and nationalistic Indian in the 21st century.
Quick Fact: Shashi Tharoor is serving as the Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Thiruvananthapuram.
