Current Affairs 4 & 5 October 2020

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 4 & 5 October 2020, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2020 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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Top 20 Current Affairs of 4 & 5 October 2020

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 comes into effect from September 29, 2020 

i.The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has redefined guidelines on how non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can accept, transfer and utilise foreign donations and contributions by amending the provisions of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA) with Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 which has come into force w.e.f. September 29, 2020.
ii.The decision regarding its commencement was taken by the Centre in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 (33 of 2020) to maintain transparency in NGOs.
iii.Notably, the amendment in Section 13 of FCRA empowers the MHA to freeze the FCRA Bank account in case of any contravention of the FCRA law and can also suspend FCRA registration of an organization up to 360 days from current 180 days (6 months).
About Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA):
Union Minister – Amit Anilchandra Shah
Minister of State (MoS) – Gangapuram Kishan Reddy, Nityanand Rai.
<<Read Full News>>

PM Inaugurates ‘Atal Tunnel’- World’s Longest Highway Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh

On October 3, 2020 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Atal Tunnel’ – World’s Longest Highway Tunnel in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.  The 9.02 Kilometre Long Tunnel has been constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at a cost of INR 3, 300 crores. It connects Manali and Lahaul-Spiti Valley.
i.The Tunnel is built in the Pir Panjal Range of Himalayas at an altitude of 3000 Meters (10, 000 Feet) from the Mean Sea Level (MSL). 
ii.Prior to construction of Tunnel, Lahaul-Spiti valley was cut off for 6 months due to heavy snowfall. 
iii.The Tunnel is 9.02 Kilometres Long and connects Manali and Lahaul-Spiti Valley all over the year. 
iv.Prior to construction of Tunnel, Lahaul-Spiti valley was cut off for 6 months due to heavy snowfall. 
About Himachal Pradesh:
Chief Minister – Jai Ram Thakur
Governor – Bandaru Dattatraya
<<Read Full News>>

Narendra Modi inaugurated Virtual Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV )

i.On October 2, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a virtual summit of overseas and resident Indian Researchers and Academicians namely “Vaishvik Bharatiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit 2020” via video conferencing which will continue till October 31, 2020 i.e.Sardar Patel Jayanti. During the summit he encouraged indigenous vaccine production.
ii.Aim: To bring Indian origin experts in academic institutes and R&D organizations across the world on a single platform to debate upon collaboration mechanisms to strengthen academic and S&T (science &  technology) base in India for global development.
<<Read Full News>>

SUNIDHI Project Launched to Digitise CMPFO Services

On the occasion of 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi i.e. On October 2, 2020, the Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation (CMPFO) launched the information technology (IT) project Superior New-generation Information and Data Handling Initiative (SUNIDHI) to digitise its entire provident fund and pension related activities.
CMPFO is a statutory body under the coal ministry which administers different schemes of provident fund, pension and deposit linked insurance for coal mine workers.
The project was inaugurated in the virtual presence of Coal Secretary Anil Kumar Jain and Coal India (CIL) Chairman Pramod Agrawal, among others.
About Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation (CMPFO):
Commissioner– Animesh Bharti
Headquarters– Dhanbad, Jharkhand
<<Read Full News>>

Union Minister launches ‘Tribes India E-Marketplace’, Largest Market of Tribal Products & Tribal Entrepreneurship Development Programme

On the Occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi (October 2, 2020), Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda virtually launched ‘Tribes India E-Marketplace’ (market.tribesindia.com). It is India’s largest handicraft and organic products marketplace.
i.It is an initiative of Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
ii.Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda virtually launched Tribal Entrepreneurship Development Programme, it will implement projects related to socio-economic development of Tribals.It has been developed by Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) under its Centre of Excellence initiative.
About Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
Union Minister – Arjun Munda
Minister of State (MoS) – Renuka Singh Saruta
<<Read Full News>>

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union Minister Smriti Irani addresses ‘India-Bangladesh Virtual Conference on Textiles and Apparel Sector’

On September 30, 2020 Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani addressed the inaugural session of ‘India-Bangladesh Virtual Conference on Textiles and Apparel Sector’ organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of commerce and Industry (FFBCCI). 
Golam Dastagir Gazi, Minister of Textiles and Jute, Bangladesh, Ravi Capoor, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, India were present in the virtual conference.
About Bangladesh:
Prime Minister – Sheikh Hasina
Capital – Dhaka 
Currency – Bangladesh Taka
<<Read Full News>>

BANKING & FINANCE

BOB Financial Solutions Limited partners with Mastercard to Launch Four New variants of BOB Credit Cards

Bank of Baroda Financial Solutions (BFSL), a subsidiary of Bank of Baroda (BoB) has partnered with Mastercard to launch four new variants of BOB Credit Cards. 
The credit cards will serve customers across different economic segments including affluent customers, first-time credit card owners, two variants exclusively for Chartered Accountants, and Cost & Management Accountants.
Key Points:
The four new variants of 
i.‘Eterna’ – For Affluent Customers of Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), it will be offered to customers who are part of the Radiance program of Bank of Baroda.
ii.‘Swavlamban’ – An ‘Invitation only’ card, which targets low-income employees of select corporates and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises having a banking relationship with BoB. 
iii.Two co-branded cards in partnership with Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI), which will be offered exclusively to Chartered Accountants, Cost & Management Accountants.
About Bank of Baroda (BoB):
Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Sanjiv Chadha
Headquarters – Vadodara, Gujarat

Narendra Singh Tomar Launched PNB’s Financial Inclusion Initiative Gram Sampark Abhiyan

To commemorate the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi i.e. on October 2, 2020, Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched a 3 months long nationwide campaign of financial inclusion and literacy initiative “Gram Sampark Abhiyan”. It was launched by Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar on the lines of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.

• The campaign is centered on four key themes viz. digital, credit, social security and financial literacy.
• This campaign will culminate on December 31, 2020 covering 526 districts in 24 states.

PNB’s 3,930 rural and 2,752 semi-urban branches will aim to reach 526 districts during the campaign, with two camps per branch every month.
About Punjab National Bank (PNB):
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– SS Mallikarjuna Rao
Headquarter– New Delhi
Tagline– The name you can bank upon

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

CSC Partners with HelpAge India to Afford Digital Literacy to Rural Elderly Citizens

i.On 1st October 2020, Common Services Centre(CSC), e-Governance Services arm is a Special Purpose Vehicle (CSC SPV) of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology(MeitY) partnered with HelpAge India, a nonprofit organisation focused on the concerns of elders. CSC Academy, the education arm of CSC and HelpAge India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) under the project of “Aalambana” of HelpAge India which will be implemented for a period of 1 year, to offer digital literacy to the rural elderly citizens of India (above the age of 55).
ii.CSC Academy, the education arm of CSC and HelpAge India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) to offer digital literacy to the rural elderly citizens of India.
iii.Under this MoU CAS will provide digital literacy to around 1500 elderly citizens, above the age of 55, in the three “aspitational districts” of Karauli in Rajasthan, Birbhum in West Bengal and Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu.
About CSC E-Governance Service India Limited:
CEO– Dinesh Kumar Tyagi
Headquarters– New Delhi
About Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology(MietY):
Union Minister– Ravi Shankar Prasad
Minister of State– Sanjay Dhotre
<<Read Full News>>

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS        

Activists from Belarus, Iran, US and Nicaragua Won the 2020 Right Livelihood Award

On 1st October 2020, the Right Livelihood Award Foundation announced the four winners of the 2020 Right Livelihood Award which is also known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize”. The four activists Ales Bialiatski of Belarus, Nasrin Sotoudeh of Iran, Bryan Stevenson of the United States(US) and Lottie Cunningham Wren of Nicaragua shared the 2020 award for their contribution towards equality, democracy, justice and freedom.
About Right Livelihood Award:
i.The Right Livelihood Award was created by Swedish-German philatelist Jakob von Uexkull in 1980 after the Nobel foundation refused to create an award for the efforts in the field of environment and international development.
ii.The award comprises a cash prize of 1 million Swedish Kronor (around Rs. 82 lakhs) for each laureate to support their works.
Key Points:
i.Nasrin Sotoudeh of Iran received the award for her fearless activism, at great personal risk, to promote political freedoms and human rights in Iran.She is the first Iranian Right Livelihood Laureate.
ii.Ales Bialiatski of Belarus and the non-governmental organisation Human Rights Centre “Viasna” received the award for their resolute struggle for the realisation of democracy and human rights in Belarus.They became the first Belarusian recipients of the Award.
iii.Bryan Stevenson, a US civil rights lawyer, received the award for his efforts to reform the criminal justice system and the advance racial reconciliation in the US.
iv.Lottie Cunningham Wren received the award for her contribution in protecting indigenous lands and communities from exploitation.

CII Foundation Receives UNSDG Action Award 2020 for its Work on Crop Residue Management: 3rd Edition of UNSDG Action Awards

i.On 29th September 2020, at the 3rd edition of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) Action Awards 2020, The Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) Foundation received the UNSDG Action Award from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Government of Punjab for their work on crop residue management. CII received the award under the category of “Integration, Convergence, Joint Action and holistic Solution Approach – Industry”.
ii.Along with CII Foundation, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)’s underground pipeline(UGPL) project for improving irrigation system, the rural education through value based system initiative of the Kalgidhar Trust and Sewa Bharat’s Punjab team for empowering women by securing employment and self-reliance also won the award under the same category.
iii.The Special Humanitarian Action Award was conferred upon Action Sonu Sood and SPS Oberoi, Dubai based businessman and philanthropist over a virtual ceremony presided by Vini Mahajan, Chief Minister of Punjab.
About Confederation of Indian Industry(CII):
President– Uday Kotak
Director General– Chandrajit Banerjee
Headquarters– New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS        

GIC, TPG to invest about $1 billion in Reliance Retail

i.The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), and United States based Texas Pacific Group (TPG) will invest a combined USD 1 Billion (INR 7, 350 Crores) in Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL).
ii.GIC will invest INR 5, 512 Crore for 1.22% stake while TPG Capital Management will invest INR 1, 838 Crore to own 0.41% equity stake in RRVL.
iii.The investments value the company at a pre-money equity value of INR 4.285 trillion (USD 58.47 Billion).
About Reliance Industries Limited (RIL):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) –  Mukesh Ambani
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
<<Read Full News>>

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ICMR, Biological E Developed Purified Equine Antiserum to Treat COVID-19

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Hyderabad based Biological E Limited have developed highly purified ‘equine antisera’ for prophylaxis and treatment of the COVID-19. It was isolated by the ICMR-led National Institute of Virology, Pune (Maharashtra). The pre-print version of this study has been posted on Research Square platform

• This antisera is prepared by injecting inactivated Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 10 healthy horses and after 21 days of immunization, plasma samples were tested which indicated presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG (Immunoglobulin G) antibodies.
• Antisera are blood serum high in antibodies against specific antigens and are injected in humans to help the immune system in fighting specific infections.

Points to be noted:
–Antibodies from horses, known as equine antisera.
–Biological E. Limited is one among the listed entities, which have been allowed by theCentral Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to manufacture the vaccines for limited use.  Other such entities are Serum Institute of India (SII), Cadila Healthcare, Bharat Biotech International Limited, Biological E Limited, Reliance Life Sciences Pvt Limited, Aurobindo Pharma Limited, and Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Limited.
About Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR):
Secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR)-Ministry of Health & Family Welfare & Director General– Prof. Balram Bhargava
Headquarter– New Delhi

NASA Launched SS Kalpana Chawla Cargo Spacecraft Carrying 8000 Pound Stuff to ISS

i.On October 1, 2020, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched the Northrop Grumman Cygnus resupply spacecraft named “SS Kalpana Chawla” after its astronaut Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born woman to enter space and was one of the seven crew members who died in the Space Shuttle in Columbia disaster when the spacecraft disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere in 2003. 
ii.The spacecraft was launched on an Antares rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, United States (US) to deliver nearly 8,000 pounds (approximately 3,630 kilograms) of scientific investigations, technology demonstrations, commercial products, and other cargo to the International Space Station (ISS).
About National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):
Administrator– James Frederick Bridenstine or “Jim” Bridenstine
Headquarters– Washington, United States of America (USA)
<<Read Full News>>

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia Launched a Coffee-table Book “Bapu – The Unforgettable”

On 2nd October 2020, on the occasion of the 151st Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Manish Sisodia, the Deputy Chief minister of Delhi launched the coffee-table book titled “Bapu – The Unforgettable” over a virtual event organised by the Delhi Archives & Department of Art, Culture and Language, Government of Delhi.Hindustan Times also partnered with these organization to organize the event.
About the book:
i.The book “Bapu – The Unforgettable” will make the readers think and provide a glimpse of the ideology and philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi.
ii.The book also holds several untouched aspects of history, rare photographs, epigraphs and other details about Delhi.
Other events:
i.The department also organised a webinar on “Footprints of Gandhi Ji in Delhi”.
ii.The key speakers of the webinar includes Manisha Saxena, Secretary of the department of A/ACL, Mohammad A Abid, Special Secretary (A/ACL) and Professor Sucheta Mahajan, Jawaharlal Nehru University.
iii.The department is also set to organise events that showcase unseen events of Gandhi’s life.

Anand Neelakantan’s First Kid’s book: “The Very, Extremely, Most Naughty Asura Tales for Kids”

Anand Neelakantan, the author of Baahubali series, authored this first kid’s book titled “The Very, Extremely, Most Naughty Asura Tales for Kids”, published by 
Puffins Publishers Private Limited under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
About The book:
i.The book narrates the story of the asura twins Kundakka and Mandakka who hate to go to school, troublesome Bhasma and per pig Nakura, brothers Atapi and Vatapi and others.
ii.This book introduces the Indian Puranas to the kids who are indulged in electronic gadgets.
iii.The illustrations of the book are made by Subhadeep Roy and Shiladitya Bose.
About Anand Neelakantan:
i.Anand Neelakantan made his debut with his book titled “Asura Tale of the Vanquished” in 2012.
ii.He invented the new gener “The counter telling of Mythology” in Indian writing.
Books:
i.His other works include the Baahubali trilogy, the prequel to the film Baahubali directed by SS Rajamouli.
ii.The series of Ajaya-Roll of the Dice, Rice of Kali the books based on Mahabharata from the perspective of the Kauravas.
Screenwriting:
He wrote the screenplay of Siya ke Ram, Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat, etc.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Day for Farmed Animals 2020 – October 2

i.World Day for Farmed Animals is annually celebrated on 2nd October to enhance the needs to treat the farm animals as sentient beings and the importance of farm animal welfare. The International Animal’s Welfare Organisation, World Animal Protection in association with Asia for Animals(AfA) coalition celebrates this day. 
ii.AfA coalition is made of 23 well known animal welfare organisations which are focused on improving the welfare of animals in Asia.
iii.The events of World day for Farmed Animals began on 28th September and various events and activities like webinars, quizzes, were organised.
About World Animal Protection:
Interim Chair International Board– Nesta Hatendi
Headquarters– London, United Kingdom
<<Read Full News>>

STATE NEWS

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh Launches Construction of 750 Rural Stadiums 

i.On October 2, 2020 Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh virtually launched the construction of 750 Rural Stadiums and Playgrounds in Punjab. The stadium will facilitate youths to channelize their energy in a constructive manner.
ii.It is being built at a cost of INR 105 Crores under Punjab’s ‘Rural Transformation Strategy’ and ‘Tandarust Punjab Mission’. 
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Local Government Department, Punjab and Centre for Policy Research (CPR), Odisha for the implementation of Punjab Slum Dwellers Proprietary Act, 2020.
About Punjab:
Wildlife Sanctuary – Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary, Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary, Bir Bhadson Wildlife Sanctuary, Bir Dosanjh wildlife sanctuary, Bir Gurdialpura Wildlife Sanctuary, Bir Mehaswala Wildlife Sanctuary, Bir MotiBagh Wildlife Sanctuary
Festivals – Baisakhi, Lohri
<<Read Full News>>

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar Launched ‘Gram Darshan’: 6,197 Gram Panchayats to Go Digital 

i.On 2nd October 2020, Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana launchd “Gram Darshan ” a platform aimed to enable the digital accessibility of data of 6197 gram panchayats of Haryana and to ensure that every village has their own website. Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala was also present at the digital launch.
ii.Gram Darshan is launched to ensure that villagers should have digital access to the details of various development schemes and projects of their village so that they can put forth their demands to the government of Haryana.
About Haryana:
Chief Minister– Manohar Lal Khattar
Governor– Satyadeo Narain Arya
Capital– Chandigarh
<<Read Full News>>

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