Hello and welcome to exampundit.in. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 25th September 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 – 25th September 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- The World Pharmacist Day is observed on September 25 annually to create awareness about the role of a pharmacist in improving health.
- United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a part of the United Nations Secretariat dealing with trade, investment, and development issues forecasted the India’s GDP Growth Rate at -5.9% per cent for the year 2020 and 3.9 per cent in 2021.
- On September 25, 2020, the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijili Har Ghar Yojana completed three years of success.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with fitness experts, citizens and influencers from across the country during a nation-wide online Fit India Dialogue on 24 September 2020, to mark the one-year anniversary of Fit India Movement.
- The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind conferred the National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards for the year 2018-19 trough videoconferencing from Rashtrapati Bhawan on 24 September 2020.
- The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued the Standards for Safety Evaluation of vehicles propelled by Hydrogen Fuel Cells.
- The Government of India formed five task forces in five different key areas to boost the MSME sector in the country.
- The Department of Biotechnology has launched the programme for “Strengthening Clinical Trial Research Capacity in Neighbouring Countries”.
- The Lower House (Lok Sabha) of the Indian Parliament has passed the Major Ports Authorities Bill.
- The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Ashok Gehlot has approved the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation’s scheme called ‘Moksha Kalash Yojana-2020’.
- The Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal launched the Mukhyamantrir Grammya Paribahan Achoni of the state transport department on 23 September 2020.
- India’s first Coast Guard academy will be established at Mangaluru
- In Kolkata, a unique tram library is being introduced by the WBTC, West Bengal Transport corporation.
- The 51st Edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is scheduled to be conducted from 16th to 24th January, next year in Goa.
- Israel’s Start-Up National Central and Ahmedabad-based iCreate inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for starting a programme to bring together Israeli and Indian entrepreneurs as well as startups to collaborate on innovative projects.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PM’s Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa is to hold a virtual bilateral summit on 26 September 2020.
- The Union Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar participated in the Special Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the CICA on 24 September 2020.
- The external Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation Foreign Ministers Informal meet virtually.
- Department of Higher Education and University Grants Commission have conducted a National Webinar on ‘Internationalisation of Higher Education’ under Shiksha Parv initiative.
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NITI Aayog will organize a Mega Virtual Summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI), RAISE 2020- ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020,’ from October 5-9, 2020.
- India and the United Kingdom held a virtual Water Partnership meeting on 22 September 2020 to discuss ways to work together on issues pertaining to water conservation and building better water infrastructure.
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Wipro GE Healthcare announced the inauguration of an advanced centre for innovation and research at the IISc campus in Bangalore- ‘WIPRO GE Healthcare – Computational and Data Sciences Collaborative Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence in Medical and Healthcare Imaging’.
- The 72nd Emmy Awards 2020 marks the beginning of Hollywood’s first major show in the times of COVID-19.
- Former bureaucrat Raghvendra Singh was appointed as the culture secretary in place of Anand Kumar, who has shifted as the secretary of the National Commission for Backward Classes, as part of a top-level bureaucratic reshuffle.
- India recently conducted the test fire of Prithvi II missile, developed indigenously and was successful.
- The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a unified portal called ‘U-Rise’ to guide students in learning, career counselling, and getting employment in the state. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the portal in Lucknow.
- Award-winning actor Neena Gupta will to come out with her memoir titled ‘Sach Kahun Toh’, talking about her personal and professional life.
- Former Australia cricket commentator, coach and legendary batsman Dean Jones has passed away on 24 September 2020 after suffering a heart attack. He was 59.
- The GMR Group-led Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has been granted the Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) by ACI, a worldwide association for the air transport industry, for the safety measures being taken at the aerodrome.
- Veteran playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam aka SPB, battling the novel coronavirus since last month, passed away on 25 September.
NEWS IN DETAILS
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
World Pharmacist Day Observed on 25 September
- The World Pharmacist Day is observed on September 25 annually to create awareness about the role of a pharmacist in improving health.
- 2020 Theme: “Transforming global health “.
- The day was designated in 2009 by the FIP Council (International Pharmaceutical Federation or Federation Internationale Pharmaceutique) at the World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Istanbul, Turkey
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
UNCTAD forecasts India’s GDP at -5.9% for 2020, 3.9% in 2021
- United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a part of the United Nations Secretariat dealing with trade, investment, and development issues forecasted the India’s GDP Growth Rate at -5.9% per cent for the year 2020 and 3.9 per cent in 2021.
- The Predicted report was made in UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Report 2020.
Extra Shots:
UNCTAD:
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Head: Mukhisa Kituyi
- Founder: United Nations General Assembly
- Founded: 30 December 1964
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
Saubhagya Scheme completes three years
- On September 25, 2020, the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijili Har Ghar Yojana completed three years of success.
- It was launched in 2017 to ensure electrification of all households in both rural and urban areas of the country.
- The scheme was begun with a budget of Rs 16,320 crores. Out of this, Rs 14,000 was allocated for rural households and the rest for the urban.
- The beneficiaries under the scheme are provided with LED lights, DC power plug.
- As of June, 2019, over 91% of Indian households have been electrified under the scheme.
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
PM Modi launches ‘Fit India Age Appropriate Fitness Protocols’ at Fit India Dialogue
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with fitness experts, citizens and influencers from across the country during a nation-wide online Fit India Dialogue on 24 September 2020, to mark the one-year anniversary of Fit India Movement.
- PM Modi also launched the ‘Fit India Age Appropriate Fitness Protocols’ during the event.
- Cricketer Virat Kohli, model, actor and runner Milind Soman, and nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar were among the various fitness influencers who participated in the event.
- The Fit India Dialogue is another effort to involve citizens of the country to draw out a plan to make India a Fit Nation.
- The Fit India Movement was envisioned and launched by PM Modi on August 29, 2019.
- This fitness protocols have been prepared with the help of fitness enthusiasts for fitness and good health.
It has been prepared for three age categories which includes:
- 5-18 years category
- 18-65 years category
- 65 plus age category
Extra Shots:
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
- Ministers of State: Kiren Rijiju
President Ram Nath Kovind confers NSS Awards for 2018-19 to 42 Awardees
- The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind conferred the National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards for the year 2018-19 trough videoconferencing from Rashtrapati Bhawan on 24 September 2020.
The 2018-19 NSS Award has been given to 42 awardees in three different categories which are:
- University
- NSS Units and their Programme Officers
- NSS Volunteers
- Inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, the NSS is a Central Sector Scheme which was launched in the year 1969 to develop the personality and character of the student youth through voluntary community service.
Extra Shots:
NSS Award
- The NSS Award is conferred every year by the Department of Youth Affairs to recognize and reward outstanding contributions towards voluntary community service such as literacy and education, health, family welfare and nutrition, environment conservation, social service programmes, rescue and relief during calamities.
Standards for Safety Evaluation of vehicles propelled by Hydrogen Fuel Cells
- The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued the Standards for Safety Evaluation of vehicles propelled by Hydrogen Fuel Cells.
- According to the new rules, the vehicles under Category M and N that are running on compressed hydrogen gas fuel cell are to be in accordance with AIS 157:2020.
- This is to be followed till notifications are released BIS Standard Act, 2016.
Extra Shots:
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
- Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways : Nitin Gadkari
GoI forms five task forces to revive MSME sector
- The Government of India formed five task forces in five different key areas to boost the MSME sector in the country.
- The task forces will make the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) future ready.
- It will create concrete strategies in making the country a lead exporter.
- The Task Forces are to work for a month and have been created under different ministries.
- One of the key areas identified is Industry 4.0 that includes elements such as virtual reality, 3D. Also, the task forces will work in making India a global leader of Industry 4.0.
- The second is Export Promotion and Import Reduction. This will focus on key manufacturing areas and will improve quality standards, designs, packaging and technology.
- The third is re-engineering. This is to be done horizontally and vertically in the existing cluster schemes. This will help assist micro level enterprises and grass root level enterprises.
- Fourth Task Force has been created on Integrating technology Centres
- The fifth task force will work on exploring intervention and align several modernisation schemes such as LEAN, ZED (Zero Defect and Zero Effect)
Extra Shots:
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
- Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises : Shri Kalraj Mishra
Department of Biotechnology launches Programme for Clinical Trial Research
- The Department of Biotechnology has launched the programme for “Strengthening Clinical Trial Research Capacity in Neighbouring Countries”.
- The programme will help neighbouring countries, and LMICs (Lowand Middle Income Countries) to build capacities for Covid-19 vaccine trials.
- Through this training program and knowledge sharing efforts, Government of India is fulfilling its commitment of building various technical capacities in its neighbouring countries.
Lok Sabha passes Major Ports Authorities Bill to regulate Major Ports
- The Lower House (Lok Sabha) of the Indian Parliament has passed the Major Ports Authorities Bill.
- The Bill seeks to provide for regulation, operation and planning of major ports in the country and provide greater autonomy to these ports.
- The Bill will replace Major Port Trusts Act, 1963.
Highlights:
- The legislation provides for the creation of a Board of Major Port Authority for each major port.
- These Boards will replace the existing Port Trusts.
- The bill will help the ports develop world class infrastructure and will also enhance transparency in their functioning.
- Recently Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched SAROD ports to resolve disputes in maritime sector.
Extra Shots:
Shipping Ministry
- Minister of State: Mansukh L. Mandaviya
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot Approves ‘Moksha Kalash Yojana-2020’
- The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Ashok Gehlot has approved the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation’s scheme called ‘Moksha Kalash Yojana-2020’.
- This Moksha Kalash Yojana aims to allow free bus travel to two members of the family of the deceased to immerse ashes of their loved ones in the Ganga in Haridwar.
- The state road transport corporation would be the nodal agency to run the scheme and the expenses would be borne by Devasthan Department.
- The scheme is open for all, except the income taxpayers and government employees.
- Following the social distancing norms, a maximum of 46 passengers in a bus would be allowed travel to Haridwar.
Extra Shots:
Rajasthan
- Statehood Day: 30 March 1949
- Capital: Jaipur
- Chief Minister: Ashok Gehlot
- Governor: Kalraj Mishra
Assam Government launches Mukhyamantrir Grammya Paribahan Achoni to improve rural connectivity
- The Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal launched the Mukhyamantrir Grammya Paribahan Achoni of the state transport department on 23 September 2020.
- Under the scheme Light Motor Vehicle Service would be launched in all the villages of the state to improve rural connectivity and generate employment in the villages.
- In the first phase of the scheme, 10,000 villages would be covered with financial outlay of Rs 100 crore.
- One vehicle would be provided to one beneficiary per village.
- The state government shall financially assist the eligible entrepreneurs with 25 percent of the cost of the vehicle or Rs 1 lakh, whichever is less.
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
India’s first Coast Guard academy to come up at Mangaluru
- India’s first Coast Guard academy will be established at Mangaluru, Defence Spokesperson (PRO) Bengaluru said
- Around 158 acres Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) land has been taken over for setting up ICG Academy.
WBTC introduces unique tram library in Kolkata
- In Kolkata, a unique tram library is being introduced by the WBTC, West Bengal Transport corporation.
- This Tram Library is a special tram with books, magazines, which can be read while travelling on the tram.
- this specially designed tram library will have books and magazines, including those on competitive examinations such as the civil services, WBCS, GRE, or GMAT in order to attract readers from various educational institutions along its route,
- In addition to the books, free Wifi Hotspot will be provided to passengers to read online books while traveling.
- The tram library, will travel regularly between Shyamazar and Esplanade, traversing 4.5 km through the city’s education hub — College Street
51st International Film Festival of India – Scheduled from 16th to 24th January next year in Goa
- The 51st Edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is scheduled to be conducted from 16th to 24th January, next year in Goa.
- Previously it was planned to be held from 20th November to 28th November, this year. But due to coronavirus pandemic the IFFI got postponed.
- The festival will be conducted in a Virtual and Physical format.
- The International Film Festival of India, founded in 1952, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia.
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Israel’s Start-up National Central, iCreate unite for innovative projects
- Israel’s Start-Up National Central and Ahmedabad-based iCreate inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for starting a programme to bring together Israeli and Indian entrepreneurs as well as startups to collaborate on innovative projects.
- Start-Up Nation Central and iCreate will initiate a unique online acceleration programme for market penetration to work with relevant technologies that match up with requirements originating from Indian corporations.
Extra Shots:
Israel (Capital/Currency): Jerusalem/ Israeli Shekel
- President: Reuven Rivlin
India, Sri Lanka to hold virtual bilateral summit on 26 September
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PM’s Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa is to hold a virtual bilateral summit on 26 September 2020.
- This summit will be the first official engagement after parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka.
Highlights:
- The virtual bilateral summit between India and Sri Lanka will provide an opportunity to the two leaders to comprehensively review the broad framework of the bilateral relationship.
- It is expected that the Leaders will discuss the implementation of developmental projects by India, trade, cooperation on counter-terrorism and defence matters, and the devolution of powers to Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority.
Extra Shots:
Sri Lanka (Capital/Currency): Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte/Sri Lankan Rupee
- President: Gotabaya Rajapaksa
- Prime Minister: Mahinda Rajapaksa
SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES
EAM Dr S Jaishankar attends Special Ministerial Meeting of FMs of CICA
- The Union Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar participated in the Special Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the CICA on 24 September 2020.
- CICA stands for the ‘Conference on Interaction & Confidence Building Measures in Asia’.
- CICA is an inter-governmental forum for enhancing cooperation towards promoting peace, security and stability in Asia.
- The Secretariat of CICA is based at Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.
- It has 27 member states including India; 8 observer states and 5 observer organizations.
India attends SAARC Foreign Ministers Informal Summit
- The external Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation Foreign Ministers Informal meet virtually. During the meet, it was highlighted that SAARC should overcome cross border terrorism, blocking of connectivity and obstruction in trade. These three are currently considered the three greatest challenges of SAARC grouping.
- The meet was hosted by the Nepalese Foreign Minister.
- During the meet, the external Affairs minister reaffirmed the following
- India has provided 200 million USD of financial help to Bhutan, 150 million USD to Maldives since 2020.
- SAARC has made progress towards collaboration, collective prosperity in the last 35 years.
- Currently, it is important for the members of SAARC to earn collective trust and confidence and evolve stronger in defeating terrorism
- India directly blamed Pakistan for stalling functioning of SAARC, blocking connectivity and for sponsoring terrorism.
Extra Shots:
SAARC
- Founded: 8 December 1985, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Headquarters: Kathmandu, Nepal
- Secretary general: Esala Weerakoon
National Webinar on Internationalisation of Higher Education, Conducted by DHE & UGC under Shiksha Parv
- Department of Higher Education and University Grants Commission have conducted a National Webinar on ‘Internationalisation of Higher Education’ under Shiksha Parv initiative. This Webinar was joined by academia, international organisations, industry and Higher Education Institutions.
- Recently, Indian Government has launched National Education Policy-2020 to promote education amongst India’s people.
- The policy covers elementary education to colleges in both rural and urban India.
Extra Shots:
Ministry of Education
- Union Minister: Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
- Minister of State: Dhotre Sanjay Shamrao
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the summit ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020 on 5th Oct
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NITI Aayog will organize a Mega Virtual Summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI), RAISE 2020- ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020,’ from October 5-9, 2020.
- RAISE 2020 will be a global meeting of minds to exchange ideas and chart a course for using AI for social transformation, inclusion and empowerment in areas like Healthcare, Agriculture, Education and Smart Mobility, among other sectors.
Extra Shots:
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology: Ravi Shankar Prasad.
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
India-UK sign MoU on Water Partnership through video conferencing
- India and the United Kingdom held a virtual Water Partnership meeting on 22 September 2020 to discuss ways to work together on issues pertaining to water conservation and building better water infrastructure.
- The programme was inaugurated by the Indian High Commissioner to UK, Gaitri Issar Kumar with the Ministry of Jal Shakti Secretary UP Singh.
- The delegations from both the countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strategic water partnership to develop better water infrastructure in India.
- Several issues which were discussed during the meeting included India’s water conservation schemes like Namami Gange programme, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Swachh Bharat Mission.
Extra Shots:
United Kingdom (Capital/Currency): London/ Pound sterling
- Prime Minister: Boris Johnson
Wipro GE Healthcare and Indian Institute of Science partner to set up a Healthcare Innovation Lab
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Wipro GE Healthcare announced the inauguration of an advanced centre for innovation and research at the IISc campus in Bangalore- ‘WIPRO GE Healthcare – Computational and Data Sciences Collaborative Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence in Medical and Healthcare Imaging’.
- The facility, located at the Department of Computational and Data Sciences (CDS) of IISc, Bangalore, will work on the next level of healthcare diagnostics with deep learning technology, artificial intelligence and future-ready digital interfaces, to provide highly sophisticated diagnostic and medical image-reconstruction techniques and protocols for faster and better imaging.
- This facility will work with over fifty students and three faculty members of IISc.
Extra Shots:
Wipro
- CEO: Thierry Delaporte
- Founder: M.H. Hasham Premji
- Founded: 29 December 1945, India
- Owner: Azim Premji (73.85%)
- Headquarters: Bengaluru
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
72nd Emmy award 2020
- The 72nd Emmy Awards 2020 marks the beginning of Hollywood’s first major show in the times of COVID-19.
- The ceremony was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel at an empty theatre in Los Angeles with cutouts of the nominees placed in the audience.
- Drama Series: Succession
- Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Julia Garner, Ozark
- Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Billy Crudup, The Morning Show
- Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: Succession
- Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: Succession
- Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Zendaya, Euphoria
- Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Jeremy Strong, Succession
- Limited Series: Watchmen
- Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie: Uzo Aduba, Mrs America
- Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen
- Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special: Unorthodox
- Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series: Watchmen
- Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True
- Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie: Regina King, Watchmen
- Comedy Series: Schitt’s Creek
- Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Annie Murphy, Schitt’s Creek
- Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek
- Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: Schitt’s Creek
- Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: Schitt’s Creek
- Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek
- Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek
- Competition Program: RuPaul’s Drag Race
- Variety Talk Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
- Outstanding Television Movie: Bad Education
APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS
Retd. IAS officer Raghvendra Singh appointed as Culture Secretary
- Former bureaucrat Raghvendra Singh was appointed as the culture secretary in place of Anand Kumar, who has shifted as the secretary of the National Commission for Backward Classes, as part of a top-level bureaucratic reshuffle.
- Singh, a 1983-batch (retired) IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre, is at present the Chief Executive Officer, Development of Museums and Cultural Spaces.
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
India successfully conducts testing of Prithvi II missile
- India recently conducted the test fire of Prithvi II missile, developed indigenously and was successful.
- The test was conducted at Chandipur Integrated Test Range, Odisha.
Prithvi Missile
- It is a short-range ballistic missile indigenously developed by India. The missile was developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme in 1983. It was the first missile developed by DRDO.
- The project was started under the leadership of the late Shri Abdul Kalam.
- Four main projects were conducted under the programme.
They were as follows
- Prithvi: Short Range Surface-to-Surface missile
- Trishul: Short Range Low-level surface to air missile
- Akash: Medium Range Surface-to-air Missile
- Nag: Third Range anti-tank Missile
Extra Shots:
DRDO
- Headquarters: DRDO Bhavan, New Delhi
- Founded: 1958
- Jurisdiction: India
- Subsidiaries: Gas Turbine Research Establishment, Defence Scientific Information & Documentation centre
WEBPORTALS & APPS IN NEWS
UP govt launches unified portal ‘U-Rise’
- The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a unified portal called ‘U-Rise’ to guide students in learning, career counselling, and getting employment in the state. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the portal in Lucknow.
- the programme would connect students with practical and technical knowledge.
- Uttar Pradesh was the first state to launch a unified portal along with the implementation of NEP.
- About 20 lakh students, getting vocational and technical education, and technical experts will benefit from this portal.
- The e-content, e-library, and online courses available on this portal will be accessible by students even in the most interior areas of the state.
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
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Neena Gupta’s memoir ‘Sach Kahun Toh’ to be out in 2021
- Award-winning actor Neena Gupta will to come out with her memoir titled ‘Sach Kahun Toh’, talking about her personal and professional life.
- The book will be published under Penguin ‘Ebury Press’ imprint and is scheduled to be out in 2021.
- The memoir will give detail about her life, from her childhood in Delhi’s Karol Bagh, to her time at the National School of Drama, to her move to Bombay in the 1980s, as well as her struggles to find work.
OBITUARY
Former Australian Cricket Legend Dean Jones passes away at 59 in Mumbai
- Former Australia cricket commentator, coach and legendary batsman Dean Jones has passed away on 24 September 2020 after suffering a heart attack. He was 59.
- Jones was in Mumbai as a commentator for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 and was in a bio-secure bubble in a seven-star hotel in Mumbai.
- Jones had represented Australia in 52 Tests and 164 ODIs.
- He was also part of Australia’s 1987 World Cup-winning squad.
Extra Shots:
Indian Premier League (IPL)
- Founded: 2008, India
- Founders: Board of Control for Cricket in India, Lalit Modi
Singer SP Balasubrahmanyam passed away
- Veteran playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam aka SPB, battling the novel coronavirus since last month, passed away on 25 September.
- He was 74.
MISCELLANEOUS
Hyderabad airport gets ACI health accreditation for safe travel
- The GMR Group-led Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has been granted the Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) by ACI, a worldwide association for the air transport industry, for the safety measures being taken at the aerodrome.
- It is among the first airports in Asia Pacific region to have received this coveted accreditation by the Airport Council International (ACI).
- The accreditation is the outcome of the rigorous assessment of the RGIA on the alignment of its health measures with the ACI Aviation Business Restart and Recovery guidelines and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) Recommendations along with industry best practices.
Extra Shots:
Airport Council International (ACI)
- Founded: 1991
- Subsidiary: Airports Council International-North America
