10 SEP 2020

 

World Suicide Prevention Day: 10 September

The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) observes World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) on 10 September every year.

• The purpose of this day is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented. 
• 2020 theme ‘Working Together to Prevent Suicide’.
• According to WHO, nearly eight lakh people die by suicide every year. Furthermore, for each suicide, there are more than 20 suicide attempts.
• The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) is a Non-Governmental Organization dedicated to preventing suicide and suicidal behaviour, alleviating its effects and providing a forum for academics, mental health professionals, crisis workers, volunteers and suicide survivors. 

Bangladesh launches campaign against fake information, rumours

The Bangladesh government has launched a campaign named ‘Asol Chini’ or ‘real-sugar’ to fight fake information and rumour spreading on social media.

• It is very difficult to find out the truth in the whirlwind of fake information and rumours on the online media.
• It can cause social unrest and loss of property and life.
• The project is aimed to stop rumours and fake information to spread. The campaign aims to create digital literacy to stop fake information and rumours.
• A digital platform Durbar21.org has been created for this purpose.

DRDO develops P-7 Heavy Drop System capable of para dropping military stores

Defence Research and Development Organization, DRDO has developed P-7 Heavy Drop System which is capable of para dropping military stores up to seven-tonne weight class from IL- 76 aircraft.

• It consists of a platform and specialized parachute system.
• The parachute system is a multi-stage system comprising five Main canopies, five Brake chutes, two Auxiliary chutes, one Extractor parachute and platform is a metallic structure made up of Aluminium or steel alloys.
• The system has been developed successfully with 100 per cent indigenous resources. P-7 Heavy Drop System has been inducted in the Army.

First India-France-Australia Trilateral Dialogue held virtually

The first India-France-Australia Trilateral Dialogue was held virtually.

• The focus of the dialogue was on enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The outcome oriented meeting was held with the objective of building on the strong bilateral relations that the three countries share with each other.
• The three sides agreed to hold the dialogue on an annual basis.
• The three sides discussed economic and geostrategic challenges and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and domestic responses to it. Cooperation on Marine Global Commons and potential areas for practical cooperation at the trilateral and regional level were also discussed, including through regional organisations such as ASEAN, IORA and the Indian Ocean Commission.

1st batch of five Rafale aircraft formally inducted into Indian Air Force

The first batch of five Rafale aircraft was formally inducted into Indian Air Force at a special function held at Air Force Station, Ambala.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French Counterpart also witnessed the air display of Rafale fighter aircraft flanked by SU-30 and Jaguar aircraft in arrow formation.
• An air show was held by daredevils of the Air Force by flying the indigenous aircrafts Tejas while Sarang Helicopter Aerobatic team also participated in the airshow.
• Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria are also present on the occasion.
• These aircraft will be part of 17 Squadron, the Golden Arrows.
• The first five Rafale aircraft had arrived at Air Force Station, Ambala from France on 27th of July this year.

Water cannon salute was given to the Rafale fighter aircraft at the airbase.

PM Modi digitally launches Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana & e-Gopala App

Prime Minister Narendra Modi digitally launched the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

• Mr Modi also inaugurated the e-Gopala App, a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers.
• Matsya Sampada Yojana focuses on value addition and upgradation of critical infrastructure. Mr Modi said, the scheme will also boost welfare of those associated with fishing and create employment.
• The PMMSY is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country with an estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crore.
• The investment of Rs. 20,050 crore under PMMSY is the highest ever in the fisheries sector.
• Mr Modi also announced the establishment of a fish brood bank at Sitamarhi and an aquatic disease referral laboratory at Kishanganj.
• The PMMSY is aimed at enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024-25, increasing fisheries export earnings to one lakh crore rupees by 2024-25, doubling the incomes of fishermen and fish farmers.

Telangana, Haryana states take several activities under Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat programme

Under the Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat programme, Telangana and Haryana States have achieved synergy and artists, students and literary personalities learnt arts, language and culture of each other to a large extent.

• Telangana and Haryana states have taken up several activities under the Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat programme and achieved the objective to a large extent during the past few years.
• Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, the programme provided the two states a perfect platform to promote the spirit of national integration and learn each other’s language, art, culture, literature and know largely about the way of life of each other.

Karnataka CM Yediyurappa inaugurates Veer Savarkar flyover

Despite opposition from the Congress and JD(S), Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa inaugurated and named a flyover in Yelahanka after Veer Savarkar.

• The 400-metre flyover was scheduled to be unveiled by Yediyurappa on May 28 this year, the birth anniversary of Savarkar, but Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) called off the ceremony at the last moment citing Covid-19 lockdown.
• The project of constructing the flyover began in September 2017 on the Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Road linking Yelahanka New Town with Vidyaranyapura area in North Bengaluru.

EPFO decides to pay 8.5% interest during 2019-20

The Labour and Employment Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar chaired the 227th Meeting of the Central Board of Trustees of Employees' Provident Fund.

• In view of the exceptional circumstances arising out of Covid-19, the Central Board has recommended the same interest rate at 8.50 per cent to the Central Government.
• It would comprise 8.15 per cent from debt income and balance 0.35 per cent capital gain from the sale of Exchange Traded Funds, ETFs subject to their redemption by 31st December this year.
• The Central Board accorded approval for an Amendment to Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976 to enhance the maximum assurance benefit to 7 lakh rupees from the present maximum assurance benefit of 6 lakh rupees.

SBI planning to launch loan product ‘SAFAL’ for organic cotton growers

State Bank of India is planning to launch a loan product, SAFAL.

• The product Safe and Fast Agriculture Loan (SAFAL) is primarily focussed on organic cotton growers who don’t have any credit history.
• SBI will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for this purpose.

Bank of Baroda tops EASE 2.0 Index by IBA

Bank of Baroda has topped the EASE Banking Reforms Index 2.0.

• EASE (Enhanced Access and Service Excellence) reform index is prepared by the Indian Banking Association (IBA).
• The Index measures the performance of the Public Sector Bank on more than 120 objective metrics based on six themes.
• State Bank of India and erstwhile Oriental Bank of Commerce are second and third respectively.
• The aim of this index is to bring fruitful change in the PSBs by brining in healthy competition among these PSBs and by encouraging them to learn from each other.

Anil Jain Becomes Tennis Association President

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) elected BJP Rajya Sabha member Anil Jain as its new president.

• Anil Jain will replace Praveen Mahajan as AITA president.
• Also, Anil Dhupar was chosen as its secretary general during the national federation's Annual General Meeting in New Delhi.
• India's Davis Cup captain Rohit Rajpal was elected as the treasurer for a four-year term till 2024.
• All the office bearers as well as the new executive committee members were elected unopposed.