1.Miscellaneous
World Heart Day
World Heart Day is observed globally on 29th September.
It is an initiative by the World Heart Federation and was launched in 2000.
The aims at drawing people’s attention to heart ailments and the associated health issues.
Theme: Use Heart to Beat CVD
Quick Fact: The World Heart Federation is a non governmental organisation and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
2.Defence and Security
Capital acquisition of equipment worth Rs. 2,290 crores approved by DAC
Capital acquisition of equipment worth Rs. 2,290 crores approved by Defence Acquisition Council.
The approval was given by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The armed forces is to procure 72,000 assault rifles from the United States.
Procurement of SIG SAUER Assault Rifles at the cost of approx Rs. 780 crores was also approved by the DAC.
Quick Fact: The current Chief of Defence Staff of India is General Bipin Rawat
3.National Affairs
“Ganga Avalokan” museum inaugurated
Ganga Avalokan Museum, nation’s first museum on Ganga was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi.
The museum is located at Chandi Ghat, Haridwar.
The museum is dedicated to showcase the biodiversity, rejuvenation and culture in Ganga river.
6 other projects, under the Namami Gange mission were launched.
Quick Fact: The ‘Namami Gange’ mission is operated under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga.
4.India and the World
Amnesty International quits India operations
Amnesty International has halted all its operations in India.
The group had to cut off its staff since its accounts were frozen as per the direction of the government.
The group also said that it was being targeted over it’s adverse reports regarding the alleged Delhi Riots and aborgation of section 370.
The government responded that the group was receiving foreign funds illegally.
Quick Fact: Amnesty International was awarded the 1977 Nobel Peace Prize for its “defence of human dignity against torture” campaign.
5.International Affairs
120 million Rapid Diagnostic Tests for COVID-19 to be rolled out by WHO
120 million Rapid Diagnostic Tests for COVID-19 to be rolled out by WHO and its partners.
This allows the lower- and middle-income countries to fill in the testing gap with richer countries.
These antigen based rapid diagnostic test kits will be priced at 5 USD per piece.
Quick Fact: WHO headquarters is in Geneva and the current Director-General is Tedros Adhanom.
6.National Affairs
Additional 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to be produced by Serum Institute
Additional 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses will be produced by Serum Institute for India.
This takes forward the collaboration that was made between the Serum Institute of India, GAVI Vaccine Alliance and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
A total of 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines will now be delivered to India by 2021.
Quick Fact: Serum Institute is conducting the trials of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University Vaccine.
7.Person in News
PD Vaghela appointed as the new chairman of TRAI
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed P.D. Vaghela as the new chairman of the Telecom Regulatory of India (TRAI).
He will succeed RS Sharma, who headed the regulator for 5 years.
He is currently in the department of pharmaceuticals (DoP) under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Quick Fact: Telecom Regulatory of India was founded on 20 February 1997
8.Person in News
Amitabh Bachchan roped in for Customer Awareness Campaign
Amitabh Bachchan has been roped in for the Customer Awareness Campaign by the Reserve Bank of India.
The goal of the campaign is to prevent gullible account holders from being duped by fraudsters.
As part of the campaign, the regulator will keep informing customers about dos and don’ts to be followed by them to transact safely.
The campaign has been running for more than a year not only in English and Hindi but in various regional languages.
Quick Fact: RBI was founded in 1935, with its headquarters in Mumbai. The current governor is Shaktikant Das.
