Daily Current Affairs and GK | 2 and 3 October 2020

1. 151^st Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi /Gandhi Jayanti: 2 October

• Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, was a lawyer, political ethicist, activist, and writer.
• He was an ardent follower of Satyagraha and Ahimsa. 
• The day is marked as ‘Gandhi Jayanti’ in India and the ‘International Day of Non-violence’ worldwide.
• Notable Works: Hind Swaraj, My Experiments with Truth, Harijan (Gujarati Newspaper), Young India (English Newspaper)
• He founded the Harijan Sevak Sangh in 1932.
• Times Magazine named Mahatma Gandhi as the Man of the Year in 1930.
• Mahatma Gandhi:
  • His full name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
  • He was born in Porbandar, Gujarat on 2^nd October 1869.

2. International Day of Non-Violence: 2 October

• On 15 June 2007, UNGA passed a resolution to mark 2^nd October as International Day of Non-Violence to disseminate the message of non-violence through education and public awareness. 
• "Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man". – Mahatma Gandhi

3. Birth Anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shashtri: 2 October

• Lal Bahadur Shashtri was born on 2 October 1904 in Mughalsarai.
• He was the second Prime Minister of India.
• He also served as the Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Home Affairs, and Minister of Railways. 
• He gave the famous slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” in 1965.
• He promoted the white revolution to increase the production of milk in the country.
• He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1966 and became the first person to be awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously.
• Many important institutions are named after him, such as Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, etc.

4. World Nature Day: 3 October

• World Nature Day is observed each year on 3 October.
• This day was observed first on 3 October 2010. World Nature Organization (WNO) founded the World Nature Day.
• World Nature Organization is an intergovernmental organization that works for the protection of environment.
• The day aims to create awareness regarding the state of nature- the challenges being faced due to climate change.

5. Crime in India 2019 report published by NCRB.

• National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has released the annual Crime in India 2019 report. The report is being published since 1953.
• This year it is the 67^th edition of this report.
• Highlights of the Report:
  • There has been an increase in crime against Scheduled Castes (over 7%) and Scheduled Tribes (over 26%) in 2019 compared to 2018.
  • Uttar Pradesh has topped in terms of the highest number of crimes against SCs, followed by Rajasthan and Bihar.
  • Madhya Pradesh topped in terms of the highest number of crimes against STs, followed by Rajasthan and Odisha.

(Source: The Hindu)

• • Atrocities against women:
    • Crimes against women have shown an increase of 7.3% in 2019 compared to 2018.
    • Rajasthan has recorded the highest number of rape of women belonging to SCs in 2019, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
    • The highest number of rape cases of ST women was registered in Madhya Pradesh, followed by Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
    • Majority of crimes against women were registered under Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives, Assault on Women with Intent to Outrage her Modesty, Kidnapping & Abduction of Women, and Rape.
  • Cybercrimes in India increased by 63.5% in 2019 compared to 2018. The motives behind cybercrimes were fraud, sexual exploitation and causing disrepute.
  • Cognizable crimes increased by 1.6% in 2019, which comprise the Indian Penal Code crimes and Special and Local Laws crimes.

• National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB):
  • It was established in 1986.
  • It works under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.
  • In 2017, NCRB launched the National Digital Police Portal.
  • Current Director: Ram Phal Pawar
  • Annual Reports published by NCRB:
    • Crime In India
    • Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India
    • Prison Statistics in India

6. Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030) launched on International Day of Older Persons.

• On the International Day of Older Persons (1 October), Minister for Health Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030).
• The initiative aims at mainstreaming the problems related to the elderly and finding ways to ensure quality delivery of services.
• In February 2020, the 73^rd World Health Assembly decided to launch the Decade of Healthy Ageing.
• Healthy Ageing is developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age.
• According to Census 2011, there are 10.38 crores of people aged 60 years and above in India (8.57% of the total population).
• The old-age population in the world is expected to increase from 1 billion in 2019 to 1.4 billion by the end of 2030.

7. World Postcard Day: 1 October

• The first World Postcard Day was celebrated on 1 October 2020.
• The first postcard recommended by Dr. Emanuel Herrmann started on 1 October 1869.
• Celebrations in India:
  • On this occasion, the Chief Postmaster General of Odisha Circle released a picture postcard named “Jau Kandhei”.
  • Similarly, Maharashtra circle of India Post released picture postcard named “Sawantwadi Toys”.
  • Theme in India: Tradition Toys of India. The theme aims to promote the artisans making traditional toys in India.
  • Jau Kandhei or Jou Kondhei is a traditional terracotta doll made in Balasore, Odisha. These are usually gifted t newlyweds couple.
  • Sawantwadi Toys are the handmade wooden toys crafted by the Chittari community in Sawantwadi, Maharashtra.
• Deltiology: Collection and study of postcards

8. Exercise Bongosagar: Indian and Bangladesh Navy Bilateral Exercise

• Exercise Bongosagar, a bilateral naval exercise between India and Bangladesh, has commenced in the Bay of Bengal.
• It is the second edition of this bilateral exercise. The first edition was held in 2019.
• The objective of this exercise is to develop interoperability and joint operation skills between the navies of the two countries.
• INS Kiltan and INS Khurki will participate from India along with Bangladesh Naval Ship Abu Bakr and BNS Prottoy.
• This edition is significant because it is being held during the 100^th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Father of the Nation in Bangladesh).
• Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first President of Bangladesh and also served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
• The third edition of Indian and Bangladesh Navy Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) in Northern Bay of Bengal will be held from 4-5 October. During this exercise, the units will conduct joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line.

(Source: News on AIR)

9. Prime Minister inaugurates world’s longest highway tunnel: Atal Tunnel.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the longest road tunnel of the world at an altitude of above 3000 meters, Atal Rohtang Tunnel, in Himachal Pradesh.
• Atal Tunnel:
  • It is a 9.02 km long all-weather tunnel that connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley.
  • It is horseshoe-shaped, single tube double lane tunnel that is built with ultra-modern specifications.
  • It is the highest altitude tunnel in the world.
  • It is built in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas at the height of 10,00 feet from the mean sea level.
  • It will reduce the road distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km.
  • The construction of this tunnel started on 3 June 2000 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister of India.
•  SAIL has supplied the majority of steel (9000 tonnes) used in the construction of the Atal Tunnel.
• Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL):
  • It is the largest steel producing company in India.
  • It is a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Steel.
  • Its current Chairman is Anil Kumar Chaudhary.
  • Headquarters: New Delhi

(Source: News on AIR)

10. Ms. S Aparna appointed as Secretary in the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

• Ms. S Aparna has been appointed as Secretary in the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
• She is a 1988 batch IAS Officer of Gujarat cadre.
• She replaced Dr. P D Vaghela who has been appointed as the Chairman of TRAI.
• She had worked in the various departments of center and state on several important posts.
• She also worked in on the Post of Executive Director in World Bank in 2017.
• She also served as the Principal Secretary of Gujarat CM.
• Department of Pharmaceuticals:
  • It was established in 2008.
  • It works under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
  • It works for the growth of the high potential Pharmaceutical industry in India.
  • Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers: D.V. Sadananda Gowda

(Source: PIB)

11. Air Marshal RJ Duckworth assumed charge of Air Officer in charge Personnel (AOP) at Air Headquarters.

• Air Marshal RJ Duckworth has taken charge of AOP at Air Headquarters Vayu Bhawan.
• He was commissioned as a fighter pilot in IAF on 29 May 1983.
• He has flying experience of MiG-21 and MiG-29 fighter aircraft.
• He was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2008.
• Indian Air Force:
  • It was established on 8 October 1932 and hence, Air Force Day is celebrated every year on 8 October.
  • The President of India is the Supreme Commander of Indian Air Force.
  • The Chief of the Air Staff is Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.
  • 1^st Chief of the Air Staff is Sir Thomas Walker Elmhirst.

12. Major General Sonali Ghosal took over as Additional Director General Military Nursing Service.

• Major General Sonali Ghosal has taken over as the Additional Director General Military Nursing Service.
• She was commissioned in 1981.
• She is also an alumnus of the School of Nursing, Indian Naval Hospital Ship Asvini, Mumbai.
• She had worked on the post of Principal Matron of Army Hospital, Research & Referral, and Delhi Cantt.
• She served the wounded soldiers during the Operation Blue Star and Operation Sadbhawana.
• She was awarded the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Card in 2014.

13. Shri Apurva Chandra appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment.

• Shri Apurva Chandra, a 1988 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre, has taken over as Secretary in the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
• Before this posting, he served as Special Director General, Defence Acquisition in the Ministry of Defense.
• He played a key role in contributing to AtmaNirbhar Bharat in terms of greater defence acquisition from the domestic market.
• He has also served in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas in the Government of India.
• He has worked as the Principal Secretary in the Government of Maharashtra.
• He worked for the first smart industrial township under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).

(Source: PIB)

14. India-Russia organized a Webinar on Use of Natural Gas as a Motor Fuel

• A first ever webinar was organized between India – Russia on the use of natural gas as motor fuel.

• This was organized under the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• An MoU is signed between the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for the use of Natural Gas in the transportation.
• It has two Technical sessions on the:
  • LNG as Transport Fuel  
  • CNG as Transport Fuel
• The webinar will act as a catalyst for the future use of LNG and CNG as a transport fuel.
• Russia:
  • It is the world's largest country in terms of area.
  • It ranks sixth in terms of population.
  • Currency: Russian ruble
  • Capital: Moscow
  • President: Vladimir Putin

15. Ministry of Jal Shakti presented Swachh Bharat Awards-2020.

• Swachh Bharat Awards-2020 was given to States, Districts, Blocks, and Village Panchayats by Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
• The awards were given in two categories:
  • Drinking water
  • Cleanliness
• The Union Government launched the three missions- Swachh Sundar Samudayik Shouchalaya, Samudayik Shouchalaya Abhiyan and Gandagi Mukth Bharat.
• Awards for three Mission:
  • 1^st position in Swachh Sundar Samudayik Shouchalaya:
    • State level: Gujarat
    • District Level: Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu got the Award for cleanliness.
    • Block Level: Khachrod in Ujjain
    • Village: Chinnaur Village in Tamil Nadu
  • Samudayik Shouchalaya Abhiyan:
    • State level: Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh were the best performing states.
    • District level: Prayagraj and Bareilly were the best performing districts.
  • Gandagi Mukth Bharat Mission:
    • State level: Haryana and Telangana were the best performing states.
    • District level: Moga, Punjab
• Swachh Bharat Mission:
  • It is an initiative by the Government of India to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management.
  • It was started in 2014.
  • It has two components
    • Swachch Bharat Abhiyan- Urban
    • Swachch Bharat Abhiyan- Gramin

(Source: News on AIR)

16. Cabinet Committee on Security approved proposal for ASCON Phase IV Network.

• The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the establishment of Army Static Switched Communication Network phase IV.
• It will be implemented by M/s ITI in a span of 36 months from the date of signing of the contract.
• Indian Telephone Industries Limited (ITI Ltd) is a PSU that manufactures telecom equipment. It is owned by the Central Government.
• It will upgrade the existing Asynchronous Transfer Mode Technology to Internet Protocol, Multi-Protocol Label Switching Technology.
• Optical Fibre Cable, Microwave Radio, and Satellite will be used for communication.
• It will enhance the communication network in the area of International Border, Line of Control, and Line of Actual Control.
• It will extend the high bandwidth communication to the remote operational areas in the Central and Eastern Sectors.
• As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan initiative, approximately 80 percent parts of this network will be indigenous.