1.Person in News
SP Balasubrahmanyam passes away
Music legend SP Balasubrahmanyam passed away on 25th September.
The musical Maestro had tested positive for COVID 19 and later tested negative but due to critical condition was put on ventilator support.
He has sung songs in multiple languages including telugu, tamil and hindi.
Quick Fact: He was popularly known as ‘Paadum Nila’ or the singing moon.
2.Miscellaneous
World Pharmacists Day
World Pharmacists Day is observed worldwide on 25th September.
The day was an initiative of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in order to create awareness about the role of a pharmacist in improving health.
Theme: Transforming global health
Quick Fact: The day was first celebrated in 2009.
3.National Affairs
National Medical Commission (NMC) becomes operational
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has come into force from September 25, 2020.
The commission replaces the Medical Council of India (MCI) which has now been dissolved.
The replacement of the MCI by the NMC was done on the recommendations of the NITI Aayog.
NMC is a regulatory body having 33 members and was earlier established for a period of 6 months by an ordinance in January 2019 which later became a permanent law passed by Parliament of India.
Quick Fact: The chairperson of the National Medical Commission is Dr. Suresh Chandra Sharma.
4.India and the World
Kerala Tourism’s campaign wins PATA Grand Award
Internationally-acclaimed Kerala tourism campaign, ‘Human by Nature’ has won the prestigious PATA (Pacific- Asia Travel Association) Grand Award 2020.
It has won the award in the category of Marketing.
The awards were announced virtually through a presentation ceremony in Beijing.
Quick Fact: The CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of PATA is Dr. Mario Hardy.
5.Conferences and Conclaves
Ministerial Roundtable Dialogue on Biodiversity held
Ministerial Roundtable Dialogue on Biodiversity was virtually hosted by China on September 24.
The topic of dialogue was ‘Biodiversity Beyond 2020: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth.’
India was represented by The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javdekar.
The dialogue was held a week earlier to the United Nations Summit on Biodiversity.
Quick Fact: United Nations Summit on Biodiversity is to be observed on September 30.
6.Defence and Security
Prithvi II missile successfully test fired
India has successfully test fired the indigenously developed Prithvi II missile.
Prithvi II is a single-stage liquid-fueled missile with a maximum warhead mounting capability of 500 kg.
The missile attained the range of 350 km which is the extended range compared to the previous range of 250 kms.
Quick Fact: The test fire was conducted at Chandipur Integrated Test Range, Odisha.
7.National Affairs
Faceless Income-tax appeals launched by the CBDT
The announcement of the Faceless Income tax appeals was made by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the birth anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay.
He made the announcement during the launch of Faceless Assessment and Taxpayers’ Charter under the “Transparent Taxation – Honoring the Honest” platform.
Under the new mechanism all appeals will be finalized in a faceless or electronic manner and there will be no physical communication between people, their counsel and the income tax department.
Quick Fact: The chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxation (CBDT) is Pramod Chandra Mody.
8.Miscellaneous
International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to be held in Goa
International Film Festival of India, IFFI for the year 2020, will be held from 16th to 24th January, next year in Goa.
It was earlier scheduled to be held from 20th November to 28th November 2020.
The festival will be conducted in a mix of virtual and physical format, all while following the COVID 19 protocols.
This will be the 51st edition of the IFFI.
Quick Fact: Goa is the permanent venue for IFFI and the infrastructure is provided by Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG)
