1) International Day of Sign Languages: 23 September
•The International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is celebrated annually across the world on 23 September. This day is celebrated to raise awareness of sign languages and strengthen the status of sign languages. The theme for the 2021 International Day of Sign Languages is “We Sign For Human Rights” highlighting how each of us – deaf and hearing people around the world – can work together hand in hand to promote the recognition of our right to use sign languages in all areas of life.
2) Vanijya Saptah being celebrated from 20-26 September
•The Commerce Ministry has decided to celebrate ‘Vanijya Saptah’ from 20 to 26 September. In this Saptah, many programmes and events will be organized to showcase India’s rising economic force across the country. Five national seminars will be organized by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in five regions of the country.
•The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) also launch the Industrial Park Rating System. Industrial Park Rating System will recognize the performance of the Industrial park. It will also assess the performance of private industrial parks and SEZs.
3) PM Modi departs for 3-day visit to US
•Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a three-day visit to the United States. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation consisting of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and senior officials including Harsh Vardhan Shringla. This is Prime Minister Modi’s first visit abroad beyond the neighbourhood since the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.
PM Modi, Joe Biden meeting at White House:
•Biden will host PM Modi at the White House on September 24.
•This is going to be the first in-person meeting between the two leaders after Biden took over as the US President on January 20.
•PM Modi and President Biden are expected to discuss ways to stem radicalisation and combat terrorism. They are also expected to discuss ways to bolster defence, trade ties, security collaborations and clean energy partnerships among others.
•PM Modi and Biden will discuss the current regional security situation following the recent developments in Afghanistan. PM Modi will also hold business interactions during his US visit from September 22-25.
PM Modi will address the UN General Assembly:
•PM Modi will address the General Debate of the High-Level Segment of 76th Session of UN General Assembly (UNGA) on September 25 in New York.
•The theme for this year’s general debate is building resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainability, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people and revitalise the United Nations.
Bilateral meetings:
•Prime Minister’s visit would be bilateral meetings with our close partners Japan and Australia where he will hold several bilateral meetings including with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
4) UN chief appoints Kailash Satyarthi as SDG Advocate
•Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi has been appointed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Advocate in the 76th UN General Assembly. Guterres appointed Satyarthi, STEM activist Valentina Munoz Rabanal, Microsoft President Brad Smith and K-pop superstars BLACKPINK as new SDG Advocates. With this, the UN now has total of 16 SDG Advocates.
5) Union Minister Piyush Goyal Launches National Single Window System
•The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal has launched the ‘National Single Window System (NSWS)’, for investors and businesses. NSWS is a single-window portal that will act as a one-stop shop for investors or entrepreneurs, to get approvals and clearances needed from Government. It shall give freedom from the legacy of running to government offices for approvals and registrations needed by investors, entrepreneurs, and businesses in India.
6) Bangladesh’s PM Hasina receives SDG Progress award
•Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been conferred with the SDG Progress award for Bangladesh’s steady progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the UN-sponsored Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). Prime Minister Hasina is currently visiting the US to attend the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
7) ADB cuts India’s GDP forecast for FY22 to 10%
•The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised downwards India’s economic growth forecast for the current fiscal, 2021-22 (FY22) to 10 per cent. Earlier this was projected at 11 per cent. The Manila-based multilateral funding agency ADB has predicted the GDP growth for fiscal 2022-23 (FY23) to 7.5 per cent.
•The growth forecast for India in the fiscal year 2021 (ending in March 2022) was revised down, as the spike in COVID-19 cases during May dented the recovery, the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
8) Bangladeshi Fairooz Faizah Beether gets 2021 Changemaker Award
•Fairooz Faizah Beether of Bangladesh has been chosen for the 2021 Changemaker Award for her work promoting good health and well-being by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The award celebrates an individual who has inspired change using personal experience or from a position of leadership.
9) Beijing 2022 Launches Official Slogan: “Together for a Shared Future”
•The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics unveiled its official motto, “Together for a Shared Future”, during a ceremony at the city’s Capital Museum. The motto was chosen after a lengthy process that included a total of 79 different proposals. This motto embodies the Olympic spirit, the Chinese way of revealing the Olympic spirit.
•That’s because ‘together’ embodies a type of unity, cohesion and a way of overcoming difficulties. The Games will be held from February 4-20, with Beijing set to become the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
10) Pankaj Advani wins his 24th world title in Doha
•Star Indian cueist Pankaj Advani has grabbed his 24th World title when he triumphed at the IBSF 6-Red Snooker World Cup with a victory over Pakistan’s Babar Masih in the final. Advani, who won his 11th Asian title last week, started the final with a comfortable 42-13 win in the opening frame.
•The 36-year-old won the third and fourth in quick succession to go 3-1 up. The Pakistani cueist, in no mood to play second fiddle to his worthy opponent, crafted a wonderful 56 break to bridge the gap.
