1.Miscellaneous
World Maritime Day
The World Maritime Day is observed on September 24 this year.
The day is celebrated on the last Thursday of September every year.
This year’s theme is Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet.
The day is celebrated worldwide by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Quick Fact: The World Maritime Day was celebrated for the first time in March 1978 to mark the IMO Convention.
2.National Affairs
Ten plastic parks to be set up in the country
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has given the approval to set up ten plastic parks in the country under the Plastic Park scheme
These parks are to be set up in Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand.
A plastic park is a dedicated zone for plastic and plastic related industries.
The plastic Park scheme was launched with the aim to increase the competition and to add value in the plastic processing industry.Â
Quick Fact: The Plastic Park scheme was launched in the year 2019.
3.Miscellaneous
Foundation Day of Central Pollution Control Board
The Central Pollution Control Board celebrated its foundation day on 23rd September.
This was the 46th foundation day of the central body.
On this occasion, the government organised a webinar.
Quick Fact: Central Pollution Control Board is a statutory organisation under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
4.Polity and Governance
Major Port Authorities Bill passed in the Lok Sabha
The Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020 was passed in Lok Sabha and will replace the Major Ports Act, 1963.
The bill aims to regulate, operate and plan major ports in India.
The bill will specifically deal with the major ports including the Vishakhapatnam, Paradip, Mormugao, V.O. Chidambaranar, New Mangalore, Kolkata, Kandla, Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Chennai and Cochin port.
The bill replaces Port Trusts with the Port Authority Board.
Quick Fact: The bill was introduced by Minister of State for Shipping (independent charge), Mansukh Madaviya
5.Miscellaneous
Launch of KRITAGYA Hackathon
Indian Council of Agricultural Research launched Kritagya (Krishi-Raknik-Gyan) Hackathon.
It was launched under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project.
The objective of the hackathon is to promote Farm Mechanisation specially women friendly equipment.
The hackathon is in line with the high-quality higher education that provides equity and ensures inclusion which is also the target of National Education Policy( NEP) 2020.
Quick Fact: The National Agricultural Higher Education project was launched in 2019 with the total project cost of Rs 1100 crores
6.Person in News
Australian cricketer Dean Jones passed away
Renowned Australian cricketer Dean Jones passed away in Mumbai at the age of 59
He died due to Cardiac arrest.
He was one of the great ambassadors of the game associating himself with Cricket development across South Asia.
Quick Fact: Dean Jones played in the 1987 World Cup-winning Australian team
7.National Affairs
NSS Awards for 2018-19 conferred
NSS Awards for 2018-19 was conferred virtually by President Ram Nath Kovind.
The NSS Award for the year 2018-19 was presented to 42 awardees in three different categories like University, NSS Units and their Programme Officers and NSS Volunteers.
The virtual ceremony was also attended by Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju.
NSS is a Central Sector Scheme with the primary objective of developing the personality and character of the student youth through voluntary community service.
Quick Facts: NSS stands for National Service Scheme and was established in the year 1969
8.Conference and Conclaves
Special meeting of Foreign Ministers of CICA was held virtually
CICA stands for Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.
Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar participated in it and underlined India’s commitment to a pluralistic cooperative security order in Asia through CICA.
He also reiterated India’s support for Afghan Peace Process.
Quick Fact: CICA was established on 14th September 1999 with its secretariat at Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
