Hello and welcome to exampundit.in. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 9th 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 – 9th October 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- The United Nations celebrated the World Post Day every year on October 9.
- ‘MSME Prerana’ which is an online business mentoring programme for MSMEs launched by Indian Bank is recently launched by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
- Axis Bank has partnered with Vistara to launch a co-branded forex card ‘Axis Bank Club Vistara Forex Card’.
- IBM announced the creation of an AI centre of excellence in partnership with the government e-marketplace during the inaugural session of RAISE 2020 virtual summit.
- DigitX, India’s first business-to-business (B2B) cryptocurrency trading exchange, began its trading operations.
- According to World Bank forecast the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to contract by 9.6 per cent this fiscal.
- AMHUB is Advanced Manufacturing hub and is first of its kind in the country.
- The newly constructed buildings of four Kendriya Vidyalayas through video conferencing is inaugurated by the Union Minister for Education Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.
- Uttar Pradesh government will launch a special campaign on the safety of women and girls during the Navratri festival.
- Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani e-dedicated online e-Sanjeevani OPDs scheme across Gujarat through videoconferencing.
- The Kuwaiti government, headed by Prime Minister (PM) Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah submitted its resignation to Emir Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah.
- Prime Minister of India to address Invest India Conference in Canada.
- All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) which is a public Ayurveda medicine and research institution located in New Delhi signed agreement with Amity University (Private Research University) to Promote research in Ayurveda.
- Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited has signed MoUs with the corporate companies to develop upcoming metro stations.
- Infosys signed an agreement with Blue Acorn iCi to acquire a digital customer experience, commerce and analytics services provider for up to USD 125 million (about Rs 915 crore).
- A total of 38 startups were awarded, one in each of the 35 categories and 3 special categories in the 12 sectors.
- Nityanand Nayak, Odia Poet will be conferred the prestigious Sarala Puraskar for his poetry work ‘Setebelaku Nathiba’, published in 2017.
- 2020 Nobel Prize announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
- Arvind Hali has been appointed as the new Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Motilal Oswal Home Finance Limited (MOHFL).
- J Venkatramu appointed as the managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of India Post Payments Bank for the period of three year.
- Nilesh Shah has been re-elected as the Chairman of Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).
- The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode will be launching an e-learning hub and library soon as a pilot project for villagers in Mavoor.
- The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research transferred “High Flow Rate Fluoride and Iron removal” technology to a Howrah based private firm.
- Kisan Rath Mobile App launched by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to help farmers.
- Eddie Van Halen, the guitar virtuoso passed away due to cancer at the age of 65.
- Ram Vilas Paswan, Union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution passed away.
NEWS IN DETAILS
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
World Post Day observed on 9th October
- The United Nations celebrated the World Post Day every year on October 9.
- Objective: to commemorate the establishment of Universal Postal Union in October 9, 1874.
- Aim: to create awareness of the role of posts in everyday lives of the people.
BANKING & FINANCE
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched ‘MSME Prerana’ programme of Indian Bank
- ‘MSME Prerana’ which is an online business mentoring programme for MSMEs launched by Indian Bank is recently launched by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
- The programmed will be available in local languages and aimed at empowering entrepreneurs via skill development and capacity building workshops.
Extra Shots:
Indian Bank
- MD and CEO: Padmaja Chunduru.
- Tagline: Your Own Bank.
Vistara Partners with Axis Bank to Launch Co-Branded Forex Card For International Travellers
- Axis Bank has partnered with Vistara to launch a co-branded forex card ‘Axis Bank Club Vistara Forex Card’.
- This is also the first-ever collaboration by a bank and an Indian airline for a co-branded forex card.
Extra Shots:
Axis Bank
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- MD and CEO: Amitabh Chaudhry.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
IBM to set up centre of excellence for AI with government e-marketplace
- IBM in partnership with the government will create an AI centre of excellence e-marketplace during the inaugural session of RAISE 2020 virtual summit.
- The AI centre of excellence’s goal will be to apply the power of AI to improve usability and transparency and drive efficiency and cost savings in public procurement.
Extra Shots:
IBM
- CEO: Arvind Krishna
- Founder: Charles Ranlett Flint
- Founded: 16 June 1911, Endicott, New York, United States
- Headquarters: Armonk, New York, United States
India’s first B2B Crypto trading exchange DigitX launched
- DigitX, India’s first business-to-business (B2B) cryptocurrency trading exchange, began its trading operations.
- DigiX aims to deliver transparent and secure model with its network of trusted links in a first of its kind industry initiative to instill trust and confidence in its investors and traders of cryptocurrency.
According to World Bank Report India’s GDP likely to contract by 9.6 per cent
- According to World Bank forecast the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to contract by 9.6 per cent this fiscal.
- According to World Bank Regional growth is projected to rebound to 4.5 per cent in 2021.
Extra Shots:
World Bank
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
- Founded: July 1944
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
India’s first advanced manufacturing hub: AMHUB
- AMHUB is Advanced Manufacturing hub and is first of its kind in the country.
- AMHUB is jointly established by the World Economic Forum and Guidance the state of Tamil Nadu.
Highlights:
- It will help the state in the sectors of solar energy, electronics, electric mobility and textiles.
- It will help boost production sector of Tamil Nadu by identifying regional opportunities brought by Fourth Industrial Revolution.
It focuses on the following:
- Addressing Regional Opportunities
- Engaging regional production
- Challenges brought by Fourth Industrial Revolution
Union Education Minister inaugurates four Newly Constructed Buildings of Kendriya Vidyalayas
- The newly constructed buildings of four Kendriya Vidyalayas through video conferencing is inaugurated by the Union Minister for Education Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.
- The four KV buildings inaugurated in three states are KV Nayagarh (Odisha), KV Mahuldiha, Rairangpur (Odisha), KV Hanumangarh (Rajasthan) and KV No. 3 Faridabad (Haryana).
- The total cost of the construction is total cost of about Rs. 70 Crores.
Extra Shots:
Ministry of Education
- Union Minister for Education: Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
UP govt to launch special campaign on safety of women & girls during Navratri festival
- Uttar Pradesh government will launch a special campaign on the safety of women and girls during the Navratri festival.
- State government will also identify the Hot spots where complaints of harassment are frequent and will deploy extra force there.
- CM directed to run a special campaign in which a special police team will be deployed for the safety of women.
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
Gujarat e-dedicates online e-Sanjeevani OPDs scheme
- Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani e-dedicated online e-Sanjeevani OPDs scheme across Gujarat through videoconferencing.
- e-Sanjeevani OPDs scheme is the central scheme and now the people of Gujarat will get its benefits.
Objective:
To provide medical facilities online to the patients for common diseases at their homes.
Extra Shots:
Gujarat:
- Capital: Gandhinagar
- Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
- Governor: Acharya Devvrat
- State formed on: 1 May 1960
- Literacy Rate: 79.31%
- National Park: Vansda NP, Blackbuck NP, Gir Forest NP, Marine NP, Gulf of Kutch
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Kuwait Prime Minister Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah Resigns
- The Kuwaiti government, headed by Prime Minister (PM) Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah submitted its resignation to Emir Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah.
Extra Shots:
Kuwait (Capital/Currency): Kuwait City/Kuwaiti dinar.
SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES
Invest India Conference to be held in Canada
- Prime Minister of India to address Invest India Conference in Canada.
- The Conference for the year 2020 is being held in Canada.
Objective of the Conference:
- To give Canadian business community a first-hand perspective of the opportunities to invest in India and showcase India as an investment destination.
Extra Shots:
Invest India
- Founded: 2009
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
AIIA & Amity University sign MoU to Promote research in Ayurveda
- All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) which is a public Ayurveda medicine and research institution located in New Delhi signed agreement with Amity University (Private Research University) to Promote research in Ayurveda.
Extra Shots:
AYUSH Ministry
- Union Minister: Shripad Yesso Naik
BMRCL signs MoUs with corporate companies to develop upcoming metro stations under CSR funds
- Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited has signed MoUs with the corporate companies to develop upcoming metro stations.
- Metro line between Electronic city and Bangalore International airport will now get CSR funds for the development and maintenance of metro stations.
- Infosys foundation has come forward to pay Rs. 200 crore for the construction of Konappana Agrahara metro station near the Electronic city.
- Biocon Foundation will be funding Rs. 65 crore for the construction of Hebbagodi Metro station.
- A realtor Embassy Group has signed an MoU for the construction of Bettahalasuru Metro station with a funding of Rs. 140 crore.
ACQUISITION & MERGER
Infosys to acquire Blue Acorn iCi for up to about Rs 915 crore
- Infosys signed an agreement with Blue Acorn iCi to acquire a digital customer experience, commerce and analytics services provider for up to USD 125 million (about Rs 915 crore).
- This acquisition will help Infosys’ end-to-end customer experience offerings.
Extra Shots:
Infosys
- Founded: 7 July 1981, Pune
- CEO: Salil Parekh
- Headquarters: Bengaluru
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
National Startup Awards 2020 announced
- A total of 38 startups were awarded, one in each of the 35 categories and 3 special categories in the 12 sectors.
- The winning startup founders will get a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh and an opportunity to present their solutions to relevant public authorities and corporates.
- Incubators and accelerators will get Rs. 15 lakhs as the winning amount.
List of National Startup Awards 2020:
Agriculture
- Allied Areas: Cornext Agri Products Pvt Ltd
- Farmer Engagement and Education: Mandya Organic
- Post-Harvest: Intello Labs
- Productivity: Nava Design Innovation & Innovation
Education
- Access to Institutional Education: Robotguru Education Technologies
- Access to Open Education: Kickhead Softwares
Energy
- Clean Energy: Aloe E-Cell
- Energy Efficiency: Esyasoft
Enterprise Technology
- Enterprise Solutions: Unnati Online
Fintech
- Finance: BharatPe or Resilient Innovations
Food
- Access to Food: Food Cloud
- Food Processing: God’s Own Food Solutions
Health
- Access to Healthcare: Wellthy Therapeutics
- Diagnostics: Niramai Health Analytix
- Life Sciences: Bonayu Lifesciences
- Medical Devices: Innaumation Medical Devices
Industry 4.0
- Big Data: Uptimeai Tech
- Internet of Things: Minionlabs India
- 3D Printing: Fabheads Automation
- Augmented Reality Products/Wearables: Scapic Innovations
- Robotics: Planys Technologies
- Computer Vision: Gingermind Technologies
Security
- Citizen Security Solutions: Staqu Technologies
- Cyber Security: Lucideus Tech
Space
- Launch Vehicles: Skyroot Aerospace
- Satellite Technology: Dhruva Space / Bellatrix Aerospace
Tourism
- Hospitality: Feeinsta Consulting & Services
- Travel Planning and Discovery: Param People Infotech
Urban Services
- Construction Development Monitoring Solutions: SnPC Machines
- Traffic Management: Wickedride Adventure Services
- Waste Management: Sukriti Social Foundation
- Water and Water Networks: Taraltec Solutions
Other Winners
- Top Incubator: Villgro Innovations Foundation
- Top Accelerator: Brigade Real Estate Accelerator Program (REAP)
- Campus Initiated Startups: Genrobotic Innovations
- Startups Having a Rural Impact: Bodhami
- Women-Led Startups: Azooka Labs
Nityananda Nayak, Odia Poet to receive Sarala Puraskar
- Nityanand Nayak, Odia Poet will be conferred the prestigious Sarala Puraskar for his poetry work ‘Setebelaku Nathiba’, published in 2017.
- Two other eminent personalities from the State – Ranjit Kumar Nag and Shyamsundar Pattanaik will be felicitated for their contribution to fields of music and art respectively.
- They will be awarded with a cash award of `5 lakh and a citation.
Nobel Prize 2020 announced
- 2020 Nobel Prize announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
2020 Nobel Prize in Literature
| Winner | Reason | Country |
| Louise Glück | “for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal” | American |
2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
| Winner | Reason | Country |
| Harvey J Alter + Charles M Rice + Michael Houghton | for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus.
|
2020 Nobel Prize in Physics:
| Winner | Reason | Country |
| Roger Penrose | for the discovery that black hole formation is a robust prediction of the general theory of relativity | UK |
| Reinhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez | For the discovery of a supermassive compact object at the centre of our galaxy | USA |
2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry:
| Winner | Reason | Country |
| Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna | “for the development of a method for genome editing.” | France and America |
APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS
Arvind Hali appointed as new the MD & CEO of Motilal Oswal Home Finance
- Arvind Hali has been appointed as the new Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Motilal Oswal Home Finance Limited (MOHFL).
- It has also appointed Amar Bahl as the Deputy Managing Director & COO of the company.
Extra Shots:
MOHFL
- Founded: 1987, Mumbai
- Headquarters: India
- Founders: Motilal Oswal, Raamdeo Agrawal
- MD & CEO: Arvind Hali
- Deputy Managing Director & COO: Amar Bahl
J Venkatramu appointed as the MD, CEO of India Post Payments Bank
- J Venkatramu appointed as the managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of India Post Payments Bank for the period of three year.
- Venkatramu will take over the post of Suresh Sethi who had served as founder MD and CEO of the payment’s banks till March, much before his tenure ended.
Extra Shots:
IPPB
- Headquarters location: New Delhi
- Founded: 1 September 2018
- MD: J Venkatramu
Nilesh Shah re-elected as Chairman of AMFI
- Nilesh Shah has been re-elected as the Chairman of Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).
- He was earlier elected as the Chairman for 2019 – 2020.
Extra Shots:
AMFI
- CEO: C. V. R. Rajendran
- Chairman: Nilesh Shah
- Founded: 1995
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
An E-Learning hub and Library for villagers in Mavoor launched by IIM Kozhikode
- The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode will be launching an e-learning hub and library soon as a pilot project for villagers in Mavoor.
- Objective of the Programme:
- To create a virtuous cycle between society and academic system by providing knowledge and practices for the emerging professions.
CSIR-CMERI transfers technology of community level Water Purification
- The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research transferred “High Flow Rate Fluoride and Iron removal” technology to a Howrah based private firm.
- The technology is used for community level water purification.
- It uses commonly available raw materials such as gravel, sand and adsorbent materials.
- The technology comprises of three stage purification process that purifies water according to standards set.
Extra Shots:
CSIR-CMERI
- Director: Harish Hirani
- Founded: 26 February 1958
WEBPORTALS & APPS IN NEWS
Kisan Rath Mobile App launched by Assam Govt.
- Kisan Rath Mobile App launched by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to help farmers.
- This App will facilitate timely selling of Agriculture products.
- The App was designed by National Informatics Centre which is an office under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in the Indian government.
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
OBITUARY
Rock Legend Eddie Van Halen passes away
- Eddie Van Halen, the guitar virtuoso passed away due to cancer at the age of 65.
- He was famous for what became known as “finger tapping” playing the guitar with two hands, like a piano.
Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan passes away
- Ram Vilas Paswan, Union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution passed away.
- Ram Vilas Paswan started his political career as a member of Samyukta Socialist Party.
- He was also the president of the Lok Janshakti Party, eight-time Lok Sabha member and current Rajya Sabha MP.
