1.Miscellaneous
World Statistics Day: 20th October
World Statistics Day is observed globally on 20 October.
World Statistics Day 2020 is a global collaborative endeavour, organized under the guidance of the United Nations Statistical Commission.
The day every five years on 20 October.
This was the 3rd edition of World Statistics Day.
Quick Fact: Theme for World Statistics Day 2020 is “Connecting the world with data we can trust.”
2.Miscellaneous
ISA Solar Awards conferred
Since the inception of the framework agreement of ISA, the Solar Awards were presented for the first time this year.
The awards were presented during the third Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Three categories of awards were conferred which included: Visvesvaraya, Kalpana Chawla, Diwakar.
The winners were: Visvesvaraya award-Japan (Asia Pacific region) and the Netherlands for Europe and Others region. Kalpana Chawla awards: Dr Bhim Singh (India) and Dr Aaesha Alnuaimi (United Arab Emirates). Diwakar award: Arpan Institute (Haryana) and Arushi Society.
Quick Fact: ISA headquarters is in Gurugram, Haryana and it’s led by Upendra Tripathy.
3.India and the World
Asia Power Index 2020
Asia Power Index 2020 has been released by the Sydney-based Lowy Institute.
The Asia Power Index 2020 has ranked 26 countries and territories to assess the relative power of states in Asia.
According to the Index, India has been ranked at 4th position, with a score of 39.7 out of 100.
The annual Asia Power Index is an analytical tool that ranks countries in terms of what they have, and what they do with what they have (resources and influence) to have dominant power in Asia.
4.Business and Finance
IDBI Bank launched its banking services on WhatsApp
IDBI Bank has announced the launch of banking services on WhatsApp.
The WhatsApp Banking service will be offered through a dedicated WhatsApp verified number ensuring end-to-end encryption, the Bank stated.
The facility will enable IDBI Bank customers to avail various essential services via whatsapp.
Quick Fact: The headquarters of IDBI Bank is in Mumbai and its CEO is Rakesh Sharma.
5.Conferences and Summits
G20 Youth 20 Global Summit held virtually
The first-ever virtual G20 (Group of Twenty) Youth 20 (Y20) Global Summit was hosted virtually.
The conclave was virtually hosted from Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
The conclave was held for exchanging ideas and dialogues for the empowerment of youth Post COVID.
India was represented by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju.
Quick Fact: The theme of the Summit was “Government – Youth dialogue on post-COVID-19 opportunities”.
6.Defence and Security
Australian Navy will be participating in the Malabar 2020 Exercise
The Australian Navy will participate in the upcoming trilateral India-U.S.-Japan Malabar exercises.
The Malabar exercise is to be organised in the Indian Ocean.
This will be the first exercise to include all four Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or “Quad,” nations since 2017.
The Royal Australian Navy last participated in Malabar in September 2007.
Quick Fact: Malabar Exercise is an annual trilateral naval exercise between India, Japan, and USA and is held alternately in the Indian and the Pacific Oceans.
7.Defence and Security
SANT Missile successfully test-fired
Stand-Off Anti-Tank Missile abbreviated as SANT has been successfully test-fired.
The Missile will be inducted in the Indian Air Force.
The SANT missile has the capability of lock-on before launch and lock-on after launch.
The missile is a variant of NAG missile and an upgraded version of the HELINA.
Quick Fact: The missile is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and was test fired from the Chandipur test range.
8.National Affairs
India’s first ever multi-modal logistics park will be set up in Assam.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid down the foundation stone for India’s first multi-modal logistics park in Assam on October 20, 2020.
This multi-modal logistics park will have an estimated budget of ₹694 crore.
This multi-modal logistic park will be developed under the Bharatmala Pariyojna.
The project will be providing direct connectivity through air, road, rail and waterways to the people.
Quick Fact: The Bharatmala Pariyojana was announced by the union minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Mr.Nitin Gadkari in 2017.
