Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel remembered on his 141st birth anniversary
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Home Minister of India and former Deputy Prime Minister, was in news on 31 October 2016.
The Iron Man of India came into news on his 141st birth anniversary.
His birth anniversary is celebrated as National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas).
The theme for the 2016 Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was Integration of India.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the digital exhibition “Uniting India: Sardar Patel” at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
PM Modi also launched the “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” initiative, to promote greater awareness among people of various States about one another, hence promoting the spirit of Unity in Diversity.
October 31: Rashtriya Ekta Diwas
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) is observed across India on 31 October to commemorate birth anniversary of Independent India’s first Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel.
It provides an opportunity to re-affirm inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand actual and potential threats to unity, integrity and security of our country.
The theme of this year is “Integration of India”.
Besides, Run for Unity was organised in New Delhi.
The idea of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was mooted by PM Narendra Modi in October 2014 to mark the birth anniversary of country’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
October 31: World Cities Day
The World is observing Cities Day globally on 31st October to work together for a planned and sustainable urban life in the wake of rapid growth of population and problems.
The day aims to promote international community’s interest in global urbanization, push forward cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities and addressing challenges of urbanization, and contributing to sustainable urban development around the world.
It highlights the role of urbanization as a source of global development and social inclusion.
The general theme of World Cities Day is Better City, Better Life, to promote successes of urbanization and address specific challenges resulting from urbanization.
EU, Canada sign CETA
The European Union (EU) and Canada have signed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a landmark trade deal.
The deal was signed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and top European Union officials in Brussels, Belgium.
Now all 28 European Union states are required to endorse it.
CETA is a free free-trade agreement (FTA) between Canada and the EC.
It aims to revoke roughly 9,000 tariffs, covering many industrial goods and agricultural and food items.
It links single European Union market with Canada, world’s 10th largest economy.
It will add around €11.6 billion to the EU economy and around €8.2 billion to Canada’s economy.
First meeting of NCTF held in New Delhi
The first meeting of National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) was held in New Delhi to discuss ways for developing roadmap for implementation of WTOs trade facilitation agreement.
It was headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha and was attended by all 24 members along with secretaries of various ministries and departments like Home, Shipping, Civil Aviation.
The NCTF is a mandatory requirement under the WTOs Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
It is a national level body to facilitate domestic co-ordination and implementation of TFA provisions.
It aims to develop the pan-India road map for trade facilitation.
It will have three tier structure with main national committee for monitoring implementation of TFA.
Fishing cat sighted in Andhra Pradesh
A fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) was sighted in the moderately dense mangrove surrounding of the Gilalakalandi harbour near Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
The movement of the fishing cat was sighted moderately dense mangrove area which is home for Asian sea bass fish species seed.
The fishing cat is a medium-sized wild cat of South and Southeast Asia.
It is the state animal of West Bengal.
They live foremost in the vicinity of wetlands, along rivers, streams, oxbow lakes, in swamps and mangroves.
International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified it as ‘vulnerable’ species and is protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
Daughters of Mother India wins at CAM International Film Festival
Indian National Award winning documentary ‘Daughters of Mother India’ won the first prize in the Documentary Film category at the sixth CAM International Film Festival in Cairo, Egypt.
The CAM International Film Festival was organised by Arabic Egyptian Society for Culture, Media and Arts (CMA).
The fest was held from 8 October to 13 October 2016.
The fest is organised annually to promote cinema as a means of combating ignorance, poverty and terrorism.
India was the Guest of Honour in the film gala with 12 entries.
