Hello and welcome to exampundit.in. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 11th and 12th October 2020. These are important for the upcoming Exams. Candidates who were preparing for the examination can use these current affairs and also you can download the same as PDF.
Current Affairs Today – 11th and 12th October 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) observed the World Investors week from 5th-11th
- The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Day is celebrated on 9 October every year since 2011.
- Every year the World Day Against the Death Penalty is observed on 10 October.
- Every year the International Day of the Girl Child is observed on 11th October since 2012
- Every year the World Arthritis Day is Observed on 12th
- LIC Housing Finance Ltd (LICHFL) launched “Project RED” (Reimagining Excellence through Digital transformation) to improve efficiencies at every level of the organisation.
- A Website to promote R&D activities in coal sector is launched by the Secretary of Ministry of Cal sector Anil Jain.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release a commemorative coin of 100 rupees in honour of Vijaya Raje Scindia.
- With an aim to preserve trees for clean and green city, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has passed a first-of-its-kind in India ‘Tree Transplantation Policy.
- “Swa-nirbhar Naari:Atmanirbhar Asom” scheme is launched by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 44 bridges and laid the foundation stone of Nechiphu tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh.
- The Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh will invite private investors to work on the establishment of forest-based domestic industries.
- Manoj Sinha the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, inaugurated sports infrastructure worth Rs. 49.78 crore and laid foundation of various projects costing Rs. 10.5 Crore across the Union Territory in a function held at Pologround in Srinagar.
- The chief Justice of Madras High court shri. A.P Sahi inaugurated the Integrated court complex in Karaikal.
- The Government of India has donated 1.8 million N95 masks to the state of Philadelphia in United States.
- The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Principal Secretary Horticulture and Agriculture departments, Navin Kumar Choudhary inaugurated “Buyer-Seller Meet” in Srinagar.
- HDFC Bank and Apollo Hospitals have joined hands to launch The HealthyLife Programme, a holistic healthcare solution which makes healthy living accessible and affordable on Apollo’s digital platform, Apollo 24|7.
- Sarah Hall has become the first writer to win the BBC national short story award twice, with judges describing her as a virtuoso of the form.
- Bhuvan Bam appointed as the first digital brand ambassador of Fashion e-commerce platform Myntra.
- Lewis Hamilton has won the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix, held on 11 October 2020.
- The India’s first-ever homegrown professional badminton brand “Transform” appointed Commonwealth Games medallist in Badminton, Chetan Anand as the brand ambassador.
- This is Nadal’s 20th Grand Slam and 13th French Open title.
- Young Indian Chess player Nihal Sarin has been declared as a winner in the 2020 Junior Speed Online Chess Championship of Chess.com in Chennai.
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has test-fired indigenously developed Drone RUSTOM II in Karnataka.
- The former Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court Justice K K Usha has passed away at the age of 81.
- Veteran Marathi actor Avinash Kharshikar died due to a heart attack in Bethany Hospital, Thane.
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to open its facilities for the private sector.
- The first COVID-19 vaccine, COVAXIN is currently in phase II trials in the country.
NEWS IN DETAILS
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
World Investor Week observed from 5th-11th October
- International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) observed the World Investors week from 5th-11th
- The year 2020 celebrates 4th World Investor Week.
Objective:
- To raise awareness about the importance of investor education and protection.
Extra Shots:
IOSCO
- Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
- Founded: April 1983
- Secretary General: Paul P. Andrews
Indian Foreign Service Day observed on 9th October
- The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Day is celebrated on 9 October every year since 2011.
Objective:
- To commemorate the day when the IFS was created by the Indian Cabinet on 9 October 1946.
World Day Against the Death Penalty observed on 10th October
- Every year the World Day Against the Death Penalty is observed on 10 October.
Objective:
- To advocate for the abolition of the death penalty and to raise awareness of the conditions and the circumstances which affect prisoners with death sentences.
Theme:
- The theme for 2020 is “Access to counsel – A matter of life or death.”
History:
- The day was first organised by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty in 2003.
International Day of the Girl Child observed on 11th October
- Every year the International Day of the Girl Child is observed on 11th October since 2012.
Objective:
- To raise awareness of issues facing girls internationally surrounding education, nutrition, child marriage, legal and medical rights.
Theme:
- The theme for 2020 International Day of the Girl Child is “My voice, our equal future”.
World Arthritis Day Observed on 12th October
- Every year the World Arthritis Day is Observed on 12th
Objective:
- To raise awareness about arthritis, an inflammatory condition which causes pain and stiffness in joints which can worsen with age.
Theme:
- The World Arthritis Day theme 2020 is
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
LIC Housing launches ‘Project RED’ to improve efficiencies
- LIC Housing Finance Ltd (LICHFL) launched “Project RED” (Reimagining Excellence through Digital transformation) to improve efficiencies at every level of the organisation.
- The project will be implemented over next 21 months and the housing finance company has appointed Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as its consultant for the project.
Aim:
- To create value across the entire spectrum of stakeholders that includes employees, shareholders, business associates, existing and potential customers of LICHFL.
Extra Shots:
LIC Housing Finance Ltd
- CEO: Siddhartha Mohanty
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Parent organization: Life Insurance Corporation
- Founded: 19 June 1989
- Founder: Life Insurance Corporation
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Ministry of Coal launched a website for Coal sector
- A Website to promote R&D activities in coal sector is launched by the Secretary of Ministry of Cal sector Anil Jain.
- The Website was developed by Coal India R&D arm, Central Mines Planning & Design Institute Limited (CMPDI) has designed and developed this website.
- The website will provide the guidelines for implementing coal research project.
- To have transparency in the system, the website will contain a lists and outcomes of completed projects and ongoing research projects.
Extra Shots:
Ministry of Coal
- Union Minister: Pralhad Joshi
PM Modi to release Rs 100 commemorative coin in honour of Vijaya Raje Scindia
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release a commemorative coin of 100 rupees in honour of Vijaya Raje Scindia.
- The coin is being released in celebration of birth centenary of Vijaya Raje Scindia.
- The special commemorative coin was minted by the Finance Ministry as a part of these celebrations.
- This coin will be released by the Prime Minister on her birth anniversary.
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
First State/UT to launch Tree Transplantation Policy: Delhi
- With an aim to preserve trees for clean and green city, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has passed a first-of-its-kind in India ‘Tree Transplantation Policy.
Policy Detail:
- The trees which needs be felled due to any circumstances, like for constructions and other development projects, would not be cut but instead uprooted and transplanted somewhere else.
- The transplantation agency will need to ensure that 80 percent of transplanted trees survive.
“Swa-nirbhar Naari: Atmanirbhar Asom” launched by Assam govt
- “Swa-nirbhar Naari: Atmanirbhar Asom” scheme is launched by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Aim:
- To empower the economically disadvantaged women of the State in a programme organized by Panchayat & Rural Development Department at Chandrapur in Kamrup (Metro) district.
Extra Shots:
Assam
- Capital: Dispur
- Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
- Governor: Jagdish Mukhi
- National Park: Dibru-Saikhowa NP, Kaziranga NP, Manas NP, Nameri NP, Rajiv Gandhi Orang NP, Dehing Patkai
Rajnath Singh inaugurates 44 bridges and lays foundation stone of Nechiphu tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 44 bridges and laid the foundation stone of Nechiphu tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh.
- These bridges will prove immensely beneficial in terms of military and civil transport in the western, northern and north-eastern areas of the country.
Extra Shots:
Arunachal Pradesh
- Capital: Itanagar
- Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
- Governor: B.D Mishra
MP to invite investors to work on establishment of forest-based domestic industries
- The Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh will invite private investors to work on the establishment of forest-based domestic industries.
- The Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh has prepared an idea paper for this. Recently, this paper was discussed with Indian businessmen from home and abroad through webinar.
- 26 investors including the forest minister of the state took part in the discussion and showed enthusiasm to invest in Yajna.
Objective:
- To reduce the country’s dependence on imported forest, produce under the Indo-Self-Reliant India Campaign.
Extra Shots:
Madhya Pradesh:
- Statehood Day: November 1, 1956
- Capital: Bhopal
- Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chauhan
- Governor: Anandiben Patel
- National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP
J&K LG Manoj Sinha inaugurates sports infrastructure worth Rs. 49.78 crore
- Manoj Sinha the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, inaugurated sports infrastructure worth Rs. 49.78 crore and laid foundation of various projects costing Rs. 10.5 Crore across the Union Territory in a function held at Pologround in Srinagar.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sanctioned Rs. 200 crore under the PM’s Development Package for upgradation of sports infrastructure and encouragement of budding talent in the field in J&K.
- Apart from the projects inaugurated today, 81 other projects are already completed with a cost of Rs. 108 crore.
- Another Rs. 30 crores have been released by the Government for construction of a playground in every panchayat of the union territory.
Extra Shots:
Jammu & Kashmir:
- Capitals- Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
- Lt Governor- Manoj Sinha
- National Parks: City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baltal-Thajwas WLS, Changthang Cold Desert WLS, Gulmarg WLS, Jasrota WLS, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS etc
Madras High Court Chief Justice inaugurates integrated court complex in Karaikal
- The chief Justice of Madras High court shri. A.P Sahi inaugurated the Integrated court complex in Karaikal.
- The Integrated court complex has been built at the cost of 19.61 crore rupees.
- There are 7 fully AC halls, a Free Legal Aid Centre, A conference hall, A video conference room, Centralised record room and other sections has also been housed.
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
India donates N95 masks to US
- The Government of India has donated 1.8 million N95 masks to the state of Philadelphia in United States.
- The masks were donated based on the request made by the mayor of Philadelphia on October 5 2020.
- The masks are to be used by the Frontline health workers.
SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES
Horticulture & Agriculture Dept. inaugurates “Buyer-Seller Meet” in Srinagar
- The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Principal Secretary Horticulture and Agriculture departments, Navin Kumar Choudhary inaugurated “Buyer-Seller Meet” in Srinagar.
- It was organised by Department of Horticulture Kashmir in collaboration with Storage Owners Association Kashmir and Fruit & Vegetable Processing Association Kashmir
Aim:
- To popularize the consumption of local fruits among the locals in Kashmir besides making locals aware about different varieties of horticulture products.
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
HDFC Bank partners with Apollo Hospitals for holistic healthcare solution
- HDFC Bank and Apollo Hospitals have joined hands to launch The HealthyLife Programme, a holistic healthcare solution which makes healthy living accessible and affordable on Apollo’s digital platform, Apollo 24|7.
Extra Shots:
HDFC Bank
- CEO: Aditya Puri
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Founded: August 1994, India
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
Sarah Hall becomes first writer to win BBC National Short Story Award twice
- Sarah Hall has become the first writer to win the BBC national short story award twice, with judges describing her as a virtuoso of the form.
APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS
Bhuvan Bam appointed as the first digital brand ambassador of Myntra
- Bhuvan Bam appointed as the first digital brand ambassador of Fashion e-commerce platform Myntra.
- He will be responsible to strengthen its digital presence and engage with tech-savvy customers ahead of the festive season.
Extra Shots:
Myntra
- CEO: Amar Nagaram
- Founded: February 2007
- Founders: Mukesh Bansal, Ashutosh Lawania, Vineet Saxena
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Lewis Hamilton wins 2020 Eifel Grand Prix
- Lewis Hamilton has won the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix, held on 11 October 2020.
- Lewis Hamilton is Mercedes driver from Great Britain.
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands) came second followed by Daniel Ricciardo (Renault, Australia) at third position.
Brand ambassador of India’s first-ever Badminton Brand ‘Transform’: CWG medallist Shuttler Chetan Anand
- The India’s first-ever homegrown professional badminton brand “Transform” appointed Commonwealth Games medallist in Badminton, Chetan Anand as the brand ambassador.
- Transform Badminton is India’s 1st professional badminton brand.
French Open 2020 announced
- This is Nadal’s 20th Grand Slam and 13th French Open title.
Winner List:
- Men’s Single – Rafael Nadal (Spain) beat Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
- Women’s Single –Iga Swiatek (Poland) defeated Sofia Kenin (US)
- Men’s Double – Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies of Germany
- Women’s Double –Tímea Babos (Hungary)/ Kristina Mladenovic (France)
Nihal Sarin from India wins Junior Speed Chess Championship
- Young Indian Chess player Nihal Sarin has been declared as a winner in the 2020 Junior Speed Online Chess Championship of Chess.com in Chennai.
- The Indian teenager had beaten Australia’s Anton Smirnov, American Andrew Tang, and Armenian Haik Martirosyan en route the title.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
DRDO successfully test-fired RUSTOM II – Indigenously developed Drone
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has test-fired indigenously developed Drone RUSTOM II in Karnataka.
- The Rustom 2 is a surveillance Drone.
Extra Shots:
DRDO:
- Founded: 1958
- Headquarters: New Delhi
OBITUARY
KK Usha, Former Kerala High Court Chief Justice Passes Away
- The former Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court Justice K K Usha has passed away at the age of 81.
- She was the first woman to join the High Court Judiciary from the Bar and became a Chief Justice.
Veteran Marathi actor Avinash Kharshikar passes away
- Veteran Marathi actor Avinash Kharshikar died due to a heart attack in Bethany Hospital, Thane.
- Kharshikar started his career in the Marathi industry in 1978 with a role in a movie Bandiwan Me Ya Sansari.
MISCELLANEOUS
ISRO will open its facilities for private sector
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to open its facilities for the private sector.
- It was announced by the Minister of State in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh.
Extra Shots:
ISRO
- Founder: Vikram Sarabhai
- Founded: 15 August 1969
- Headquarters: Bengaluru
- Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan
COVAXIN to use Alhydroxiquim-II to boost Immune Response
- The first COVID-19 vaccine, COVAXIN is currently in phase II trials in the country.
- The vaccine is to use Alhydroxiquim-II to boost the immune system.
- COVAXIN has sought the approval of Drugs Controller General of India to begin phase III trials.
- The vaccine was jointly developed by Indian Council of Medical Research and Bharat-Biotech.
- The vaccine was tested in 12 hospitals on volunteers between ages 18 and 55 years.
- The trials were conducted in Hyderabad, Delhi, Kancheepuram, Rohtak, Patna, Goa and Bhubaneshwar.
