05 SEP 2020

 

International Day of Charity: 05 September

The International Day of Charity is an international day observed annually on 5 September.

• It was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012.
• The date of 5 September was chosen in order to commemorate the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
• The prime purpose of the International Day of Charity is to raise awareness and provide a common platform for charity related activities all over the world for individuals, charitable, philanthropic and volunteer organizations for their own purposes on the local, national, regional and international level.

Bangladesh govt extends suspension of jail term of former PM Khaleda Zia for 6 months

Government of Bangladesh has suspended the jail sentence of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for six more months on health grounds.

• The decision has been taken so that the 75 year old leader can receive necessary medical treatment, reports the official news agency BSS.
• Former Prime Minister and leader of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Khaleda Zia was released on March 25 for six months after suspending her sentence for six months on health grounds.
• BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was serving jail sentence since February 2018 after the court sentenced her to five years imprisonment in 2017 in connection with the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
• The High Court enhanced her imprisonment to 10 years in 2018.

National Teacher's Day: 05 September

People across India celebrate Teachers’ Day on September 5.

• The day is dedicated to teachers, mentors, and gurus who guide us to be a better human being as well as make us a learned student.
• The day is observed on the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, an exemplary teacher and former President of India.
• The tradition to celebrate Teachers’ Day started from 1962 and to honour him and the teachers across the country.
• In 1947, when India achieved its independence, Dr Sarvepalli represented India at UNESCO (1946–52) and was later declared Ambassador of India to the Soviet Union, from 1949 to 1952.
• He was also elected to the Constituent Assembly of India.
• He was awarded Bharat Ratna in 1952.
• In 1952, Dr Sarvepalli was appointed as the first Vice President of India.
• Then, in 1962, he was appointed as the President of free India.

Germany launches Indo-Pacific strategy with ‘key role’ for India

Germany, current EU president and Europe's biggest economy, has launched its Indo-Pacific strategy with India.

• It is expected to play a key role in Berlin’s outreach in the region where China’s aggressive foreign policy has rattled countries.
• Berlin’s strategy also suggested opening dialogue with institutions where India plays a key role -- Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation and Indian Ocean Rim Association -- in the areas of business and maritime safety, as well as disaster risk management.
• The German government also announced that it will work to maintain rules-based order together with partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

11th INDRA NAVY

The 11th edition of exercise INDRA NAVY, a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between Indian and Russian Navy begins in the Bay of Bengal.

• Initiated in 2003, Exercise INDRA NAVY epitomises the long-term strategic relationship between the two Navies.
• The primary aim of exercise INDRA NAVY-20 is to further consolidate inter-operability built up by the two Navies.
• Due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, INDRA NAVY-20 would be undertaken in a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ format.
• The Indian Navy will be represented by guided missile destroyer Ranvijay, indigenous frigate Sahyadri and fleet tanker Shakti, along with their integral helicopters.

15th Finance Commission holds discussions with its Economic Advisory Council

The Fifteenth Finance Commission held discussions with its Economic Advisory Council.

• The meeting discussed a range of issues around GDP growth, tax buoyancy of the Centre and the States, GST compensation and fiscal consolidation.
• The meeting was chaired by N. K. Singh, Chairman of Fifteenth Finance Commission.
• The Advisory Council felt that the Finance Commission is faced with an unprecedented situation of uncertainties and will have to take a nuanced approach towards tax devolution to the States.

600 acres land in Aarey Colony to be reserved as forest

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced that a 600-acre land parcel in the Aarey Milk Colony near Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) would be reserved as a forest.

• The area of the reserved forest excludes the land on which the controversial car shed for the 33.5-km-long underground Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro Line 1 corridor is to come up.
• The government had decided to invoke Section 4 of the Indian Forest Act in respect of 600 acres in the over 3,000-acre Aarey Milk Colony.
• Section 4 of IFA means the government intends to declare the land as reserve forest by appointing a forest settlement officer (FSO).
• The officer will inquire into and determine the existence, nature and extent of any rights of any person on the said land after seeking suggestions and objections from residents. Suggestions and objections also have to be invited from people, giving 45 days’ time for such responses after initiating the process.

Andhra government moves SC against HC order on scrapping English medium in schools

The Supreme Court issued notice to the respondent on an appeal filed by the Andhra Pradesh government, whose order mandating English medium from Class I to VI in government schools, was struck down by the High Court.

• A bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Dr DY Chandrachud issued notice to the respondent and one individual named Srinivas Guntapalli seeking his response in the matter.
• The Andhra Pradesh High Court had quashed the government orders to introduce English as a medium of instruction for state-run schools in the state on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by an Eluru-based petitioner Dr Srinivas Guntupalli.
• The court quoted Section 29 of the Right to Education Act, 2009.
• According to the section, the medium of instruction should be in the child’s mother tongue.

Madhya Pradesh paired with Manipur and Nagaland under 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat'

The 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat' programme aims to actively enhance interaction between people of diverse cultures living in different States and Union Territories in India, with the objective of promoting greater mutual understanding amongst them.

• Under 'Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat', Madhya Pradesh is paired with Manipur and Nagaland.
• The Madhya Pradesh Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation is planning to open its showrooms in several states of the Northeast under the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' campaign.
• The corporation will also work with Manipur for the development and expansion of handicrafts and handlooms.
• Madhya Pradesh is famous for its handicrafts and handloom products including Chanderi, Maheshwari and Bagh prints.
• Sarees of Madhya Pradesh are quite famous in the country and abroad.
• At the same time, the handloom industry of Manipur is also famous for its artistic products. These products are also in great demand.

Krishnan appointed as MD & CEO of Punjab & Sind Bank

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has given its approval for the appointment of S Krishnan as Managing Director and CEO of Punjab & Sind Bank.

• Prior to this elevation, Krishnan was an Executive Director at Canara Bank, a State-owned Bank.
• He will replace S Harishankar, the current MD and CEO of Punjab & Sind Bank.
• The ACC has granted permission for Harishankar to retire on voluntary basis with effect from the date of notification of the acceptance.
• Punjab & Sind Bank is among the few state-owned banks that had not been brought into the bank consolidation efforts of the Central Government.

Hyderabad International Airport wins CII-GBC 'National Energy Leader' award

The Hyderabad International Airport has won the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) - Godrej Green Business Centre (GBC) 'National Energy Leader' and 'Excellent Energy Efficient Unit' award.

• The GMR led Hyderabad International Airport was awarded at the 21st National Awards for 'Excellence in Energy Management" organized by CII and GBC.
• The ‘National Awards for Excellence in Energy Management’ is instituted by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Godrej Green Business Centre (GBC) to recognize significant and innovative practices of the energy efficiency sector, for the energy-efficient and sustainable growth of the Indian industry.

NTPC emerges winner at AIMA - Chanakya National Management Games

Team NTPC overcame a stiff challenge to emerge as winner at the recently concluded All India Management Association (AIMA) - Chanakya (Business Simulation Game) National Management Games 2020.

• The victory was also significant since NTPC won the prestigious National Management Games for the first time in five years.
• AIMA Chanakya National Management Games is an online Business Simulation Game which is conducted every year.
• The championship aims to ensure that executives participating in the event get the onboard experience about the complexities of running an organisation and gain expertise and skills from this event.
• It also enables the Corporate Managers to face the thrill of Managing Business in a competitive mode.