The International day of Older Persons (IDOP) was observed every year on Oct 01 by United Nations.
It aims to raise awareness about issues affecting the elderly and to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society.
2017 Theme: “Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society.”
The theme of the 2017 is about enabling and expanding the contributions of older people in their families, communities and societies at large.
It focuses on the pathways that support full and effective participation in old age, in accordance with old persons’ basic rights, needs and preferences.
3rd Edition of Women of India Organic Festival held at Dilli Haat
The third edition of Women of India Organic Festival was held at Dilli Haat in New Delhi.
The 15-day festival aimed at promoting women entrepreneurs and farmers in the organic sector.
The theme of the festival this year was Good for Women, Good for India, Good for You.
It was inaugurated by Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi.
India, EU to hold 14th summit talks on October 6
India and the European Union will hold the 14th summit on Oct 06.
Both sides are expected to discuss a host of key issues including ways to remove hurdles for the long pending free trade agreement.
The president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and the president of the European Commission, Jean—Claude Juncker, will visit from October 5—7 for the summit.
The EU is India’s largest regional trading partner with bilateral trade in goods at $88 billion in 2016.
The EU is also the largest destination for Indian exports and a key source of investment and technologies.
The 13th India-EU Summit was held in Brussels on March 30 last year during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.
US fines HSBC $175 mn for lax forex oversight
The US central bank fined global banking giant HSBC $175 million for failing to oversee foreign exchange traders who misused confidential client information and colluded with traders at competing banks.
Between 2008 and 2013, the bank failed to detect misconduct by senior traders, including its global head of foreign exchange cash trading.
The enforcement action comes two months after the Fed also fined BNP Paribas USD 246 million over similar violations.
HSBC was one of six major US and European banks fined a total of $4.2 billion by global regulators in a November 2014 crackdown for attempted manipulation of the foreign exchange market.
RCom, Aircel call off merger talks
Reliance Communications and Aircel have called off talks for a possible merger of their respective mobile service operations.
RCom and Aircel Limited had signed binding agreements in September 2016 for the merger of RCom’s mobile businesses with Aircel.
The merger with Aircel was part of RCom’s strategy to reduce debt.
The lenders had agreed to give time for the companies to complete the deal by December.
It will evaluate opportunities for monetisation of its spectrum holding through trading and sharing arrangements.
BSNL, Aeris Communications partner for IoT solutions
State-run telecom firm Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd announced agreement with IoT solutions provider Aeris Communications to jointly tap the Internet of Things market in India.
Under the agreement, both the companies will offer packaged IoT solutions and services to enterprises, small and medium businesses and public sector undertakings, among other segments in India.
BSNL will provide bandwidth for IoT products, which are devices that can be connected and controlled over internet, that Aeris will provide in India.
Austria’s ‘burka ban’ comes into force
A ban on full-face coverings, which includes Muslim veils such as those worn in burkas, comes into force in Austria as anti-immigration parties look poised to win national elections later this month.
The new law states that faces must be visible from hairline to chin in public places and includes off-slope ski masks and surgical masks outside of hospitals.
Austrian police are allowed to use force to make people show their face and can impose fines of €150 (£132).
Austria’s ban comes after France and Belgium bans in 2011 and the Dutch parliament also debating a similar law.
President declares urban Maharashtra open defecation free
President Ram Nath Kovind declared urban Maharashtra open defecation free (ODF) under the Swacch Bharat Mission at the event held in Mumbai.
This decision was made after all 384 urban local bodies (ULB) comprising 27 municipal corporations , 256 municipal councils and 101 nagar panchayats in Maharashtra were declared ODF.
Maharashtra is third big state after Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh to become Open Defecation Free in urban areas.
President Ramnath Kovind inaugurates Shirdi airport in Maharashtra
President Ramnath Kovind inaugurated Shirdi airport in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra and also flagged off inaugural flight of Alliance Air from Shirdi to Mumbai.
The new airport will slash travel time between Mumbai and Shirdi, around 240 km apart, to barely 45 minutes from existing six hours.
President also inaugurated Centenary Celebrations of Samadhi of Shri Saibaba at famous Sai Mandir at Shirdi.
Shirdi is small town in western Maharashtra.
It is world-famous pilgrim spot for ‘samadhi’ temple of 20th century saint, known as Saibaba, who is revered by all communities.
Govt opens two border crossing points with Myanmar, Bangladesh
The Union Home Ministry has opened two Zorinpui and Kawrpuichhuah immigration check posts along borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The Zorinpui landcheck post is located in Lawngtlai district of Mizoram.
It was designated as authorised immigration check post for entry into or exit from India withvalid travel documents for all classes of passengers to or from Myanmar.
Indian entrepreneur Birendra Sasmal wins UK business award
Ghana-based Indian entrepreneur Birendra Sasmal won International Business Person of Year at Asian Achievers Awards in London.
Sasmal CEO of Subah, bagged this award for turning his company into a thriving IT, telecoms and manufacturing success story with operations across West Africa.
