1) International Day for Disaster Reduction: 13 October
•The United Nations International Day for Disaster Reduction is observed globally on 13th October. The day is celebrated to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction and also celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face.
2) PM Modi releases Rs 100 commemorative coin to honour Vijaya Raje Scindia
•Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released a commemorative coin of Rs 100 to mark the birth centenary of Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia, one of the founder member of the ruling BJP, through a virtual ceremony. The special coin has been minted by the Ministry of Finance. Vijaya Raje Scindia, who dedicated her life to poor people, is also popularly known as the Rajmata of Gwalior.
3) Kerala becomes 1st state to have completely digital, hi-tech classrooms
•Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan has declared the state public education sector completely digital as Kerala has become the first state in the country to have high-tech classrooms in all its public schools.
•The high-tech classroom project was implemented by Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) with financial assistance from Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). MP and MLA funds, local self-government institutions fund were also utilised for setting up the classrooms.
4) Goa Govt ties up with India Post to get farmers enrolled in PM-KISAN scheme
•The Goa Government has tied up with India Post to get 11,000 farmers enrolled in the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sanman Nidhi scheme. This is the first such exercise in India to enrol farmers in the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, whereby the postman will be utilised to benefit farmers.
•All 255 post offices in Goa and 300 staff are involved in this initiative. This PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme where the farmers directly received direct benefit transfer of Rs 2,000 in three instalments every year, is for the economically weaker farmers.
5) India Ranks 129 in CRI Index released by Oxfam
•India has been ranked 129 among 158 countries in the 2020 Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index. The third edition of the index focuses on Fighting Inequality in the time of COVID-19. The 2020 CRI index has been topped by Norway. South Sudan is the lowest ranking country in the index at 158th position.
6) ADB approves 300 million US dollar loan for Rajasthan’s water supply
•India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a 300 million US dollar loan to finance inclusive and sustainable water supply and sanitation infrastructure and services in 14 secondary towns of the state of Rajasthan. The project aims at providing better quality and more sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) services in the project towns. it will improve quality of life in these towns, including for the poor and vulnerable after signing the loan agreement.
7) Prince William launches “Earthshot Prize” to boost climate innovation
•Britain’s Prince William and Naturalist David Attenborough have launched an “Earthshot Prize”, with an aim to encourage change and support to repair the planet. The Earth shot Prize aims to “incentivize change and help to repair our planet over the next 10 years,” and “turn pessimism into optimism” by rewarding innovative solutions to environmental problems.
