IMPORTANT DAYS

World Mental Health Day observed on 10th October

 World Mental Health Day was observed across the world on 10th October with the objective of raising
awareness on mental health issues. The day is observed to gain support on initiatives related to mental
health and well-being.
 This year, world mental health is more significant because Covid-19 has majorly impacted the mental
health of people.
 This year’s theme is ‘mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality’.

INDIAN AFFAIRS
India’s first mobile-based e-voting system developed in Telangana
 Telangana announced that it has developed India’s first smartphone-based-e-voting solution, in the face of
the Coronavirus pandemic that has rushed the entire world into all-digital operations.
 The solution has been successfully developed and tested while a dry run, in the form of a dummy
election, is being conducted in the Khammam district in the state. TSEC eVote Android app, which is to
be used for the dry run, is a security-hardened mobile app to prevent tampering.

Indian Railways launched two long haul freight trains 'Trishul', 'Garuda'
 The Indian Railways has launched two long haul freight trains "Trishul" and "Garuda” which are twice or
multiple times longer than the normal composition of freight trains.
 These long haul trains provide a very effective solution to the problem of capacity constraints in critical
sections. Trishul is South Central Railway (SCR)'s first long haul train comprising three freight trains, i.e.
177 wagons.

Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees for 2021-2022 reconstituted

 Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees for 2021-2022 has been reconstituted with
effect from 13th September 2021. Rajya Sabha member V. Vijayasai Reddy has been appointed as the
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce.
 Dr. Vinay P. Sahasrabuddhe has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Education,
Women, Children, Youth, and Sports.

Civil Aviation Minister flagged off the Doon Drone Mela

 Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia has flagged off the Doon Drone Mela 2021 in
Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Minister flagged off the event with a paragliding demonstration and also
interacted with the drone companies exhibiting their prototypes at the Doon Drone Mela.
 The day marked the demonstration of the Drone & Aerosports Demonstrations that included a
paragliding demonstration by the Border Security Force, a Paramotor demonstration by Harsh Sachan,
and an agriculture spraying drone demonstration by IoTechWorld Aviation & Dhaksha.

Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh started e-FIR service

 Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan started it by launching the Citizen Portal at a function organized on
the occasion of 20 years of Public Welfarel and Suraj.

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  Optional facility to register FIR in the form of e-FIR has been provided to common citizens by Citizen
Portal. With this, citizens can file an e-FIR in relation to the incident to the concerned Police Station
online.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
United Nations declared access to a clean environment a human right
 The United Nations Human Rights Council recognized access to a clean and healthy environment as a
fundamental right. The move by the global body has added its weight to the global fight against climate
change as well as its devastating consequences on humans.
 The vote was passed in UNHRC with overwhelming support, despite the criticism in the lead-up from
some of the nations, notably the United States and Britain, the highly-developed countries in the world.

BANKING AND FINANCE

PNB launched '6S Campaign' under customer outreach programme
 Punjab National Bank (PNB) launched '6S Campaign' under customer outreach programme to extend
financial services at concessional rate during the festival season. The '6S Campaign' encapsulates different
schemes such as – Swabhiman, Samruddhi, Sampark and Shikhar, Sankalp and Swagat.
 The objective is to drive special awareness campaign for development of financial services in the country
and to accelerate credit growth, improve penetration of social security schemes and drive digital banking
push.

Bank of Maharashtra launched the digital lending platform for retail loans
 Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has launched a Digital Lending Platform which will enable its current and
prospective customers to avail home and car loans through a paperless process at the convenience of
their place and time of choice.
 The platform is capable of validating KYC, CIBIL and financials of the applicant and provides in-principle
approval in hassle free manner. The bank has currently waived processing fee on housing and car loans
for its customers to benefit them in the ongoing festive seasons.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

FICCI projected 9.1% GDP growth for FY-22
 India’s GDP is expected to grow at 9.1% in 2021-22 as the economic recovery, post the second wave of
the pandemic, seems to be holding ground.
 The survey was conducted in September 2021 and drew responses from leading economists
representing the industry, banking and financial services sector.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Reliance New Energy Solar acquired Norway-based REC Solar for $771 million
 Reliance New Energy Solar (RNESL) announced that it has acquired 100% stake in Norway-based REC
Solar Holdings AS (REC Group) from China National Bluestar (Group) Company Limited for a value of
$771 million.

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  Reliance New Energy Solar Limited (RNESL) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd
(RIL). The acquisition follows RIL's announcement that it would invest about $10.1 billion in clean energy
over three years in a drive to become net carbon zero by 2035.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Eric Braganza appointed as the President of CEAMA
 The Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) have appointed Eric
Braganza as its President for a two-year term.
 Braganza, who heads Haier Appliances India, succeeds Godrej Appliances Business Head and Executive
Vice-President Kamal Nandi for the CEAMA chair. Established in 1978, CEAMA represents the consumer
electronics and home appliances industry.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

NMPB collaborated with Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology
 National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) has signed a MoU with the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource
Technology to promote the production of quality planting material of medicinal plants.
 Both will facilitate the development of Quality Planting Material (QPM) of medicinal plants and herbs
identified by NMPB. It will also help in the establishment of their nurseries for QPM development.

SPORTS
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur launched Delhi Hockey Weekend League 2021-22
 Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur today launched the Delhi Hockey Weekend League
2021-22 which is taking place at the iconic Major Dhyanchand National Stadium.
 The success of the Men's team and Women's team in the Tokyo Olympics has given a new lease of life to
Hockey as a sport in India. He said that there is no dearth of talent in the country.

Valtteri Bottas won Turkish Grand Prix 2021

 Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas won a wet Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday while Red Bull's Max Verstappen
finished second to take back the Formula One world championship lead and move six points clear of
seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.
 This is his first title of this season. Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands) came second while Sergio
Perez (Mexico- Red Bull) finished third. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton finished fifth.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

Former SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar authored Book Titled ‘The Custodian of Trust’
 A New Debut Book Titled ‘The Custodian of Trust’ authored by former Chairman of State Bank of India
(SBI) Rajnish Kumar. The Book is published by Penguin Random House India (PRHI) under Penguin’s
‘Viking’ imprint.
 Book deals with Rajnish Kumar’s journey in 40 years with SBI & it talks about how banks have played a
critical role in the fight against poverty.

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