Daily Current Affairs and GK | 27 October 2021

Topic: Defence

1. UK and Indian Armed Forces have started their first-ever bilateral tri-service exercise at Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea.

• The UK and Indian Armed Forces have started their maiden bilateral tri-service exercise 'Konkan Shakti-2021' on the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea.
• The aim behind the exercise is to "draw mutual benefit from each other's experiences and demonstrate the continued cooperation between the two countries."
• Both the countries have conducted the maritime component of the exercise on the west coast of India in two phases.
• The Harbor Phase was held in Mumbai from October 21 to October 23, and the Sea Phase will conclude on October 27.
• The Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet has led one force, which included flagship INS Chennai, other warships of the Indian Navy and HMS Richmond, a Type-23 frigate of the Royal Navy.
• The UK Carrier Strike Group operated other forces, which include the aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, other UK and Netherlands naval ships and Indian warships.

Topic: Important Days

2. Vigilance Awareness Week is being celebrated from 26 October with the theme 'Independent India @ 75: Self-reliance with Integrity'.

• Vigilance Awareness Week is celebrated every year. It coincides with the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• This year, Vigilance Awareness Week is being celebrated from 26 October to 1 November.
• The objective of observing Vigilance Awareness Week is to create awareness among the public at large about the ill-effects of corruption.
• The theme of this year’s Vigilance Awareness Week is "Independent India @ 75: Self Reliance with Integrity."
• Central Vigilance Commissioner Suresh Patel administered the oath of integrity to the officers and employees of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

3. Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2021 is being organized from 27 to 29 October 2021.

• Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2021 is being organized as a three-day online event on 27, 28, and 29 October 2021.
• IPRD 2021 will focus on the theme 'Evolution in Maritime Strategy during the 21st Century: Imperatives, Challenges and Way Ahead'. It will focus on eight specific sub-themes.
• The National Maritime Foundation is the Indian Navy’s knowledge partner for IPRD 2021. It is also the Indian Navy’s chief organiser for IPRD 2021.
• Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) is the apex international annual conference of Indian Navy. It was first conducted in 2018.
• IPRD aims to review both opportunities and challenges that arise within the Indo-Pacific.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

4. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav addressed Middle East Green Initiative Summit-2021.

• Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav has addressed Middle East Green Initiative Summit-2021 in Riyadh.
• While speaking at the summit, he said that that it is now or never for concrete global actions to address climate change.
• He said that Indian government endeavours to address all the three dimensions of sustainable development - social, economic and environmental.
• He also highlighted the steps taken by India to combat climate change. He was in Riyadh to participate in the Middle East Green Initiative Summit.
• PM Modi will travel to Rome, Italy and Glasgow, United Kingdom from 29 October 2021 to 2 November 2021 to attend the 16th G-20 Summit and the World Leaders Summit of COP 26 respectively.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Important Days

5. Indian Army’s 75^th Infantry Day: 27 October.

• Indian Army is celebrating the 75^th Infantry Day on 27 October.
• The day is observed as a remembrance of the first military event of independent India.
• On 27^th October 1947, the Indian Army repelled the first attack on Indian soil in the Kashmir valley.
• The personnel of the First Battalion of the Sikh Regiment accomplished the victory over the attack.
• Director-General of Infantry Lieutenant General A. K. Samantara complimented the Infantrymen for their selfless devotion to duty and professionalism.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

6. India and Kyrgyzstan hold first strategic dialogue.

• First India-Kyrgyzstan Strategic Dialogue between the National Security Council Secretariats held on 26 October in New Delhi.
• National Security Adviser Ajit Doval led the Indian side. Kyrgyz side was led by Secretary of Security Council Lieutenant General Marat Imankulov.
• Two sides discussed threats and challenges facing both countries. They also discussed the regional security environment with special reference to Afghanistan.
• They agreed upon steps to enhance bilateral security cooperation in the fields of counter-terrorism, combating radicalisation, narcotics control and defence.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Indian Economy

7. National Skill Development Corporation launched India's first 'Skill Impact Bond'.

• The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) launched the first-of-its-kind 'Impact Bond' for skilling youths in India.
• It has been launched in collaboration with global partners comprises HRH Prince Charles's British Asian Trust, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF), The Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), etc.
• The Skill Impact Bond (SIB) is the first bond that has the involvement of the public, private partners and a public-private partnership organization.
• It will help in providing skills to 50,000 young people in India over four years. The main focus of the initiative will be to impart vocational training and employment-related training to women and girls.
• The training will be imparted through NSDC's affiliated training partners.
• India has the lowest female labour force participation in South Asia. Out of every 100 women enrolled in skilling programmes only about 10 women stay after 3 months or more.

Topic: State News/ Mizoram

8. India and Asian Development Bank signed a project readiness financing (PRF) loan agreement to improve urban mobility in Mizoram.

• Indian Government and Asian Development Bank signed a $4.5 million project readiness financing (PRF) loan agreement to improve urban mobility in Mizoram.
• It will support project preparation and design activities to improve urban mobility in Mizoram.
• The PRF will develop a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for Aizawl. Under this scheme, a strategy will be prepared for the development of urban transport.
• Urban mobility projects will reduce traffic congestion on narrow roads and improve the movement of people and goods.
• The PRF will conduct feasibility studies for prioritized projects identified in the CMP, and prepare detailed project reports.
• It will help in improving the institutional capacity of the state’s Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department.

Topic: National News

9. Minister of AYUSH to inaugurate Incubation Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at All India Institute of Ayurveda.

• As a part of the celebrations of 6th Ayurveda Day, Minister of AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal will inaugurate Incubation Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at All India Institute of Ayurveda.
• All India Institute of Ayurveda has set up an Incubation and Innovation Centre on its campus to promote entrepreneurship leveraging academic knowledge.
• Besides, a national seminar on "Start-ups in Ayush Sector- Scope and Opportunities” (AYUR-UDYAMAH) will be also organized on 30th October.
• The incubation center will be set up under the mandate given to AIIA to promote entrepreneurship leveraging academic knowledge.
• The event will also include the launch of Qualification Packs for AYUSH Sub Sector Skill Council under the Health Sector Skill Council (HSCC).
• During the event, an immunity-boosting 'Bal Raksha Kit' for children up to the age of 16 years will be also launched.
• AIIA has been recognized as Host Institute (HI) under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

10. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched knowledge App and platform CUNSULT.

• Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has launched a knowledge App and platform CUNSULT.
• It has been launched to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, science technology, research, and skill.
• CUNSULT app will act as a forum for mentors to share their life experiences. It is the first such global facility that will provide information, advice, counsel, and guidance by experts in multiple sectors.
• CUNSULT app uses the framework of context and convergence to instantly connect knowledge seekers and knowledge givers.
• Through this app, people can get information on 65 topics related to agriculture, economic information, women empowerment, social science, sports, health, literature, insurance, army, security, energy, environment, food, human resource, Indian history, and railways.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

11. India and Sweden celebrated 8^th Innovation Day.

• India and Sweden celebrated the 8^th Innovation Day on 26^th October.
• An Online event themed 'Accelerating India Sweden’s Green Transition' was hosted by India Unlimited in association with the Embassy of India in Sweden, Sweden-India Business Council, and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• India Unlimited was founded in 2013 to strengthen the cultural ties between India and Sweden. It works in association with the Embassy of India in Sweden and the Sweden-India Business Council.
• On this occasion, both sides discussed various aspects of climate change and the possible solutions to bring green transition.
• In the last seven years, India Unlimited organization has hosted a number of events in Stockholm and Gothenburg to showcase the diversity of Indian culture.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Appointments

12. Indian-origin Canadian Anita Anand appointed as Defence Minister of Canada.

• Indian-origin Canadian politician Anita Anand has been appointed as Defence Minister of Canada. She will be part of Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet.
• She also led the procurement effort of the vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic and was the procurement minister of the country.
• She has taken place of Harjit Sajjan as the Defence Minister.

Topic: State News/ Gujarat

13. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched a scheme to promote electric two-wheelers.

• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched a 'Go-Green' scheme and its portal to provide electric two-wheelers at subsidized rates to construction and industrial workers of the state.
• Under the scheme, a worker of the organised sector would get a subsidy of 30 percent on the vehicle's price or Rs 30,000 whichever is less, on the purchase of electric two-wheelers.
• Workers in the construction sector would get a subsidy of 50 percent on the vehicle's price or Rs 30,000 whichever is less.
• In the first phase, the state government would provide two-wheeler electric vehicles to 1,000 construction workers and 2,000 organized sector workers.
• Only high-speed models capable of covering a distance of 50 kilometers in one charge will be covered under this scheme.
• Eligible workers can use the portal to select and book electric two-wheelers by uploading required documents.