1. Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurates air pollution mitigation devices in Delhi
The Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has inaugurated the air pollution control device WAYU (Wind Augmentation Purifying Unit) for traffic junctions at ITO intersection and Mukarba Chowk in Delhi.
The air pollution control device 'WAYU' has been developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) and funded by the Department of Science and Technology.
It consumes only half a unit of electricity for 10 hours of running and has a maintenance cost of only Rs. 1,500 per month, can purify the air in 500 square meters area.
Note:
The device equipped with two ultraviolet lamps and a half kilogram of activated carbon coated with special chemical Titanium Dioxide, also removes poisonous gases such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon monoxide.
2. Defense Acquisition Council approves procurement of one thousand engines for T-72 tanks
Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved procurement of 1,000 engines for fitment in T-72 tanks of the Army at an approximate cost of over 2,300 crore rupees.
The engines will enhance mobility, agility, and acceleration of T-72 tanks making them more versatile and effective in the battlefield.
The DAC has also approved several amendments to Defence Procurement Procedure 2016, the manual governing the defense procurements.
The significant changes include limiting the time period for executing Repeat Order to five years after the date of completion of warranty of final delivery in the previous contract.
3. Finance Ministry launched mobile app ‘Jan Dhan Darshak’
The union finance Ministry has launched Mobile Application ‘Jan Dhan Darshak’ as a Part of Financial Inclusion (FI) initiative.
This app will act as a guide for the common people in locating a financial service touch point at a given location in the country.
Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance and National Informatics Centre (NIC) have jointly developed this app as a part of the financial inclusion initiative.
While over 5 lakh FI touch points (Bank branches, ATMs, Post Offices) have been mapped on this App, approx. 1.35 lakh Bank Mitras would be on-boarded by 01.12.2018.
Note:
Jan Dhan Darshak app will be in a unique position to provide a citizen-centric platform for locating financial service touch points across all providers such as banks and post office.
4. ADB approves USD 500 mn for Tamil Nadu water supply, sewerage, drainage infra
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved financing of up to USD 500 million for a multi-tranche financing facility (MFF).
It will develop climate-resilient water supply, sewerage, and drainage infrastructure in at least 10 cities in Tamil Nadu.
The country's first solar-powered sewage treatment plant on a pilot basis will also be part of the programme.
The ADB programme will provide direct assistance in these areas as part of its support to the state's Vision Tamil Nadu 2023 to provide universal access to water and sanitation and to develop world-class cities in high-performing industrial corridors.
5. NITI Aayog to Organize Conference on Empowerment of Women SHGs
Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Jual Oram has inaugurated a Conference on Empowerment of Women SHGs & Organic Farmers Co-operatives from Dantewada, Bastar Region.
NITI Aayog has Organized Conference in collaboration with the Tribal Affairs Ministry and Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
The conference is a part of the visit of the team of entrepreneurs from Dantewada to New Delhi to identify markets opportunity for their products in urban areas.
6. SC constitutes committee over prison reforms
The Supreme Court (SC) has constituted a three-member committee headed by the apex court's Justice (retd.) Amitava Roy to look into the problems in prisons across the country and suggest measures to tackle them.
The Government officials will also assist the committee and submit a report before the top court in a stipulated time period.
7. India ranks 96th on Economic Freedom Index; HK, Singapore retain top spot
According to the Centre for Civil Society (CCS) in conjunction with Canada’s Fraser Institute, India’s rank was still placed 96th (last year 98th) among 162 countries in this year’s report on Economic Freedom in the World.
Hong Kong and Singapore again topped the index, Russia (87th) and South Africa (94th) are ahead of India while China (108th) and Brazil (144th) are behind.
India improved its score on parameters such as legal system and property rights, access to sound money, freedom to trade internationally and regulation of credit, labour, and business.
According to research in top peer-reviewed academic journals, people living in countries with high levels of economic freedom enjoy greater prosperity, more political and civil liberties, and live longer.
Obituaries
8. Hindi commentator Jasdev Singh passes away
Renowned Hindi commentator Jasdev Singh(87-year) passed away after the prolonged illness.
He started his career in All India Radio in 1955 at their Jaipur station.
He also did commentary for the Republic Day celeb for 48 long years (from 1963).
Mr. Singh covered 9 Olympics, 6 Asian Games & countless Independence Day & Republic Day broadcasts.
Jasdev was conferred with the Padma Shri (in 1985) and the Padma Bhushan(in 2008).
Note:
Mr. Jasdev Singh was born on 18th May 1931 at Bonli village in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan.
International Affairs
9. Nepalese celebrate Indra Jatra festival
The famous Indra Jatra festival (eight-day long) is being celebrated with gaiety and religious fervor in Kathmandu (Nepal).
President Bidya Devi Bhandari and thousands of people attended the Indra Jatra celebrations.
The annual festival Indra Jatra is observed to worship the god Devraj Indra, the lord of rain and good harvest.
Indra Jatra is mainly celebrated by the Newar community of Kathmandu valley and some other parts of the country.
10. ‘India - Uzbekistan: Dialogue of Cultures’ exhibition inaugurated in New Delhi
Shri Arun Goel (Secretary, Ministry of Culture) has inaugurated the exhibition “India - Uzbekistan: Dialogue of Cultures” at National Museum in New Delhi (till 24th October).
The exhibit will showcase ancient Uzbek manuscripts for onlookers to delve into the historical legacy of the two great nations.
The Exhibition was dedicated to the state visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Republic of India.
