Hello and welcome to exampundit.in. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 17th 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 – 17th October 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- Every year 16th October is observed as the World Anaesthesia Day.
- Every year 17th October is observed as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
- The Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has virtually launched the campaign ‘KAPILA’, which stands for Kalam Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness campaign on 15th October 2020.
- India has decided to hand over INS Sindhuvir, a Kilo class submarine to the Myanmar Navy by the end of 2020.
- The Union Minister of State for Shipping, Mansukh L Mandaviya has declared that Director-General Shipping will be the final authority for various approvals that are required by the state governments and ship-recycling yard-owners.
- Union Cabinet approved the MoU signed with Australia for the various purposes and it mainly focuses on our sustainable growth.
- With an aim to give the awareness of sanitation practices “hath dhona, roke corona” campaign on the occasion of Global Handwashing Day of launched by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
- Karnataka State Government has launched My Family, My Responsibility campaign in Udupi District.
- Country’s First International Institute of Advanced Virology inaugurated in Kerala.
- On 15th October, a webinar held between India and Kazakhstan.
- Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shri Parshottam Rupala inaugurated the Two-day 4th India Agricultural Outlook Forum 2020.
- World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the State of Climate Services 2020 Report on October 13, 2020.
- Government of India (GoI) released Intellectual Property India annual report on October 15, 2020.
- Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan chaired over an inter-ministerial meet with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on October 15, 2020.
- Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Food Processing Industries, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj virtually inaugurated the India – International Food & Agri Week being organised from 16th to 22nd October 2020.
- Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2020 report released on 16 October 2020 in which India has been ranked at 94 among 107 countries
- In collaboration with HDFC bank, Apollo Hospitals initiated a program named ‘HealthyLife Programme’ for its customers.
- ” IKEA Family Credit Card by Citi” is launched by IKEA in collaboration with Citibank India and Mastercard.
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award conferred to Indian wildlife photography Aishwarya Sridhar.
- The Supreme Court has appointed Justice (retd) Madan B Lokur, a former judge of the apex court, as a one-man monitoring committee to prevent stubble burning in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which is the main source of pollution in Delhi-national capital region (NCR).
- NTPC has extended the tenure of Gurdeep Singh as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) till 31 July 2025.
- Romania’s 2008 Olympic champion Constantina Dita has been named an ambassador for the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships to be held in Gdynia.
- India has appointed Vice President of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Working group.
- Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, K.Shanmugam gets 3 month extension.
- Rajkiran Rai G, the Managing Director and CEO of Union Bank of India has been elected as the Chairman of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
- A handbook on “TB Harega, Desh Jeetega” is launched by the Nagaland Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr. S. Pangnyu Phom
- The famous Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri has passed away due to bad health condition at the age of 93.
- Kapil Deo Kamat has passed away due to coronavirus infection at the age of 69.
- Legendary Gujarati singer Kaumudi Munshi has passed away due to COVID-19 at an age of 93.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first drug for the treatment of Ebola on October 14, 2020.
NEWS IN DETAILS
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
16th October observed as World Anaesthesia Day 2020
- Every year 16th October is observed as the World Anaesthesia Day.
- This day is also known as the World Anaesthesia Day, National Anaesthesia Day or Ether Day.
Objective:
- to mark the first successful demonstration of diethyl ether Anaesthesia.
17th October observed as International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
- Every year 17th October is observed as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Objective:
- to raise awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution around the world, particularly in developing countries.
Theme:
- ‘Acting together to achieve social and environmental justice for all’
History:
- The first International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was held in Paris, France in 1987.
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
‘KAPILA’ Campaign on IP Literacy and Awareness
- The Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has virtually launched the campaign ‘KAPILA’, which stands for Kalam Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness campaign on 15th October 2020.
- The day was launched in honour of 89th birth anniversary celebration of former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
Objective:
- to promote awareness in the field, the Ministry has decided to celebrate the week from 15 to 23 October as ‘Intellectual Property Literacy Week’.
Extra Shots:
Education Ministry
- Union Minister: Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
- Minister of State: Dhotre Sanjay Shamrao
India to hand over its kilo-class submarine INS Sindhuvir to Myanmar
- India has decided to hand over INS Sindhuvir, a Kilo class submarine to the Myanmar Navy by the end of 2020.
- This initiative has been launched under the vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), to guarantee security for all maritime partners and is also in line with India’s commitment to build capacities and self-reliance in all its neighbouring countries.
- It is currently being modernized by the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Vizag, after which its service life will be extended by 10-15 years.
- It will then serve the Myanmar Navy till the 2030s.
Extra Shots:
Myanmar (Capital/Currency): Naypyitaw/ Burmese kyat
- President: Win Myint
Central Government declares Director-General Shipping as the National Authority for Ships Recycling
- The Union Minister of State for Shipping, Mansukh L Mandaviya has declared that Director-General Shipping will be the final authority for various approvals that are required by the state governments and ship-recycling yard-owners.
- The DG Shipping has been designated as the apex authority for the ship recycling industry of India under Section 3 of the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019.
Extra Shots:
Ministry of Shipping
- Union Minister: Mansukh L. Mandaviya
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Australia for collaboration in making impact for sustainable groundwater management
- Union Cabinet approved the MoU signed with Australia for the various purposes and it mainly focuses on our sustainable growth.
- The MoU between India and Australia focuses on various fields like research and development, capacity building and sustainable growth.
Extra Shots:
Australia (Capital/Currency): Canberra/ Australian dollar
- Prime Minister: Scott Morrison
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
“hath dhona, roke corona” campaign launched by Uttar Pradesh
- With an aim to give the awareness of sanitation practices “hath dhona, roke corona” campaign on the occasion of Global Handwashing Day of launched by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Extra Shots:
Uttar Pradesh:
- Statehood Day: January 26, 1950
- Capital: Lucknow
- Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
- Governor: Anandiben Patel
- Literacy Rate: 67.68%
- Nation Park: Dudhwa National Park
Karnataka launched My Family, My Responsibility – COVID19 Awareness campaign in Udupi District
- Karnataka State Government has launched My Family, My Responsibility campaign in Udupi District.
- The objective of the campaign is to give a sense of responsibility among the family members to be vigilant about the spread of Corona virus.
Kerala inaugurated India’s First Ever International Institute of Advanced Virology
- Country’s First International Institute of Advanced Virology inaugurated in Kerala.
- The State Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, inaugurated the operations of the first phase of the International Institute of Advanced Virology at the Life Science Park at Thonakkal in Thiruvananthapuram district.
Extra Shots:
Kerala:
- Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
- Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
- Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan
- Festivals: Onam, Vishu, Thrissur Pooram, Nehru Trophy Boat Race
- National Parks: Anamudi Shola National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park, Pambadum Shola National Park, Periyar National Park,Silent Valley National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Aralam WLS, Chimmony WLS, Idukki WLS, Periyar WLS, Wayanad WLS, Peppara WLS, Neyyar WLS, Kurinjimala WLS, Malabar WLS etc
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
A Webinar and Expo held between India – Kazakhstan Defence Cooperation
- On 15th October, a webinar held between India and Kazakhstan.
- The Theme of webinar was “Make in India For the World, India – Kazakhstan Defence Cooperation: Webinar and Expo”.
- It was organized under the aegis of Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence through FICCI.
- The webinar was attended by more than 350 participants and 39 virtual exhibition stalls, which includes 7 stalls from Kazakh companies have been set up in the Expo.
Extra Shots:
Kazakhstan (Capital/Currency): Nur-Sultan / Tenge
SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES
Two-day 4th India Agricultural Outlook Forum 2020 webinar was inaugurated
- Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shri Parshottam Rupala inaugurated the Two-day 4th India Agricultural Outlook Forum 2020.
- The 4th India Agricultural Outlook Forum 2020’ webinar started in Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
- The main objective is to strengthen all activities and services in horticulture, agriculture, and allied sectors through creation and development of agriculture infrastructure, micro food enterprises, value chains and logistics for fishery and animal husbandry, medicinal and herbal plants, and beekeeping.
WMO released 2020 State of Climate Services Report
- World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the State of Climate Services 2020 Report on October 13, 2020.
- The State of Climate Services 2020 Report was released on the occasion of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction by the UN- WMO.
- The report is prepared by 16 international agencies.
- This report contains 16 different case studies on various aspects like successful early warning systems for climate hazards including tropical cyclones and hurricanes, floods, droughts, heat waves, forest fires, sand and dust storms, desert locusts, severe winters and glacial lake outbursts.
- By 2030 the number of people using international humanitarian system could be increased by 50% at a cost of around US$ 20 billion a year.
Extra Shots:
WMO
- Headquarters location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Founded: 23 March 1950
- Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council
- Formation: 23 March 1950
- Heads: Gerhard Adrian, Petteri Taalas
- Secretary general: Petteri Taalas
Intellectual Property India annual report released by Government of India
- Government of India (GoI) released Intellectual Property India annual report on October 15, 2020.
- Intellectual Property India annual report released by GoI focuses on the patent for the inventions that are invented in India.
- Chandigarh University Gharuan topped the list by filing the highest number of 336 patents in a year.
- By the report released, it is known that 27 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT’s) have filed 557 patents totally.
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) took second place with 239 patent applications.
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) stands in third place with 202 applications.
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) placed at fourth position with 173 patent applications.
- By state wise Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh took the First, Second and third places respectively.
Dr Harsh Vardhan chairs Inter-ministerial Meeting
- Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan chaired over an inter-ministerial meet with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on October 15, 2020.
- Health minister emphasized on “Eat Right India” and “Fit India Movement” as they will be a game changer in the sector.
- FSSAI and senior officials to build a ‘Whole of Government’ approach to achieve ‘Vision 2050’ of the eat Right India Movement.
Extra Shots:
FSSAI
- Founded: August 2011
- Sector: Food safety
- Jurisdiction: India
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Chairperson: Rita Teaotia
Narendra Singh Tomar Inaugurates Food and Agri Week 2020
- Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Food Processing Industries, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj virtually inaugurated the India – International Food & Agri Week being organised from 16th to 22nd October 2020.
- The focus of this agro and food tech is the use of technology in the field of food and agriculture sector to increase the income of farmers.
Extra Shots:
Agriculture & Farmers Welfare:
- Union Minister: Narendra Singh Tomar
- Minister of State: Parshottam Rupala
RANKS AND INDICES
Global Hunger Index 2020
- Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2020 report released on 16 October 2020 in which India has been ranked at 94 among 107 countries
- It was jointly by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and Concern Worldwide.
- Objective: to measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels.
Extra Shots:
Welthungerhilfe
- Headquarters location: Bonn, Germany
- Founder: Heinrich Lübke
- Founded: 1962
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
Apollo Hospitals initiate ‘The HealthyLife Programme’ for its customers in collaboration with HDFC bank
- In collaboration with HDFC bank, Apollo Hospitals initiated a program named ‘HealthyLife Programme’ for its customers.
- The purpose of the programme is to make healthy living accessible and affordable while making the process convenient and easy for the customers.
- The initiative was launched digitally by Mr. Aditya Puri, Managing Director, HDFC Bank and Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group.
Extra Shots:
HDFC Bank
- CEO: Aditya Puri
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Founded: August 1994, India
IKEA launches” IKEA Family Credit Card by Citi”
- ” IKEA Family Credit Card by Citi” is launched by IKEA in collaboration with Citibank India and Mastercard.
- Objective: to make shopping at the Swedish furnishing company more affordable, convenient and rewarding.
Extra Shots:
IKEA
- Founder: Ingvar Kamprad
- Founded: 28 July 1943, Älmhult, Sweden
- Headquarters: Delft, Netherlands
- CEO: Jesper Brodin
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
1st Indian woman to win at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award: Aishwarya Sridha
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award conferred to Indian wildlife photography Aishwarya Sridhar.
- She is the youngest and first girl to win the coveted award from India in the Adult competition.
- The 56th Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards were announced by the Natural History Museum, London.
APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS
Former Justice M B Lokur as one-man panel to prevent stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and UP
- The Supreme Court has appointed Justice (retd) Madan B Lokur, a former judge of the apex court, as a one-man monitoring committee to prevent stubble burning in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which is the main source of pollution in Delhi-national capital region (NCR).
- The panel shall submit its report on stubble burning within 15 days to the apex court.
An extension of five years given to NTPC’s CMD Gurdeep Singh
- NTPC has extended the tenure of Gurdeep Singh as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) till 31 July 2025.
- His extended term will start from 4 February 2021 till 31 July 2025 which is the date of his superannuation.
Extra Shots:
NTPC
- Founded: 1975
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India
Dita named ambassador for Half Marathon Championships Gdynia 2020
- Romania’s 2008 Olympic champion Constantina Dita has been named an ambassador for the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships to be held in Gdynia.
India Appointed Vice President of OECD Working Group
- India has appointed Vice President of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Working group.
- Ekta Kapoor, Scientist E has been appointed as the Vice President of the OECD Working Group on GLP for 2021 and 2022.
Extra Shots:
OECD
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Founded: 30 September 1961
Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu gets 3-month extension
- Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, K.Shanmugam gets 3 month extension.
- His extension is approved by the Central Government.
Extra Shots:
Tamilnadu
- Capital: Chennai
- Chief Minister: Edappadi K.Palanisamy
- Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
- Chief Justice of Madras High Court: Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani
- National Park: Guindy NP,Gulf of Mannar Marine NP, Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) NP, Mudumalai NP, Mukurthi NP
Rajkiran Rai G elected as the Chairman of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA)
- Rajkiran Rai G, the Managing Director and CEO of Union Bank of India has been elected as the Chairman of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
- He succeeds Rajnish Kumar as the IBA Chairman after Kumar recently retired as SBI Chief.
Extra Shots:
IBA
- Headquarters location: Mumbai
- Founded: 26 September 1946
- CEO: Sunil Mehta
- Chairman: Rajkiran Rai G
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Nagaland Minister for Health & Family Welfare launches handbook on “TB Harega, Desh Jeetega”
- A handbook on “TB Harega, Desh Jeetega” is launched by the Nagaland Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr. S. Pangnyu Phom
- The National TB Elimination Programme, NTEP Nagaland is committed to reduce TB burden in terms of incidence, prevalence, morbidity and mortality to make the state free from tuberculosis.
OBITUARY
Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri passes away
- The famous Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri has passed away due to bad health condition at the age of 93.
- He was conferred with the 55th Jnanpith award in June 2020 and Padmashri in 2017.
Kapil Deo Kamat, a minister from Bihar passes away
- Kapil Deo Kamat has passed away due to coronavirus infection at the age of 69.
- He was serving as the Panchayati Raj Minister of Bihar.
‘Nightingale of Gujarat’, Kaumudi Munshi, passes away
- Legendary Gujarati singer Kaumudi Munshi has passed away due to COVID-19 at an age of 93.
- She is known to make ‘Sugam Sangeet’ popular among masses. Munshi was famously known as the ‘Nightingale of Gujarat’.
MISCELLANEOUS
First treatment for Ebola approved by USFDA
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first drug for the treatment of Ebola on October 14, 2020.
- FDA approved the first drug for the treatment of Ebola.
- It was tested during an outbreak in Congo that killed nearly 2,300 people before it ended in June.
- The drug, named Inmazeb (IN’-meh-zehb), dramatically increased survival, when compared to three other treatments.
Extra Shots:
FDA
- Commissioner: Stephen Hahn
- Jurisdiction: United States
- Founded: 30 June 1906
- Officeholder: Stephen Hahn (Commissioner)
