Daily Current Affairs 21 October 2019 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.
NATIONAL NEWS
Rajnath Singh inaugurates strategic bridge in eastern Ladakh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated ‘Col Chewang Rinchen Setu’, India’s highest altitude all-weather permanent bridge, over Shyok river in Ladakh region. The bridge has been built by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and connects Durbuk and Daulat Beg Oldie in Eastern Ladakh.
- Sandwiched between strategic Karakoram and Chang Chenmo ranges, the bridge is 430-metre long at an altitude of about 15,000 feet and has been constructed using micro piling technology. The construction has been completed in record 15 months.
Defence Ministry clears Rs 3,300 crore acquisitions including anti-tank missiles
The Defence Ministry cleared acquisitions worth over Rs 3,300 crore for the Indian Army including Made in India anti-tank guided missiles for taking out enemy tanks.
- The defence acquisition council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved three projects to design, develop and manufacture defence equipment by private companies in India in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s flagship initiative — ‘Make in India’.
In a first, PMJAY rewards 3 hospitals with ‘gold certificate’ for quality culture
In a first in India, three hospitals have been rewarded by the government with ‘gold certificates’ for bringing in quality culture in providing healthcare services to the patients under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
- These hospitals are UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre based at Ahmedabad, Cygnus Super Speciality Hospital in Haryana and Spine Institute of Orthopaedic in Ahmedabad.
Telangana tops in capex on irrigation during 2015-19: Study by CARE Ratings
According to a study by CARE Ratings, Telangana was ranked first in terms of expenditure incurred on capital outlay/asset creation (capex) by State governments during 2015-2019 on irrigation in India.
Ghaziabad’s Loni town is India’s most polluted city; CPCB’s AQI figures at 358
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India, Loni rural (Dehat) of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh emerged as the most polluted city in India with the Air Quality Index (AQI) figures at 358. Strict measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) were implemented in the city to tackle air pollution.
World Animal Protection launches city wide campaign on Better Dairy
International animal welfare organisation – World Animal Protection launched their city-wide ‘Better Dairy’ campaign in New Delhi.
- The campaign includes a unique ice cream cart that depicts the cruelty and suffering faced by these animals in urban and peri-urban dairies.
Debayan Saha, IIT Kharagpur graduate invents “PM 2.5” device to curb air pollution
Debayan Saha, a mechanical engineering graduate from IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Kharagpur has invented a device called “PM 2.5” when fitted near the silencer pipe in vehicles will curb air pollution. 1 car fitted with the device can neutralise the pollution emitted from 10 cars in its vicinity.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Bajaj Allianz Life launches video calling service ‘i-SERV’ to enhance customer service experience
Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has taken yet another step towards digital disruption by launching i-SERV, a first-of-its-kind video calling service within the life insurance industry.
- i-SERV is designed to enhance the customer experience and provide swift resolutions to their queries. Once a customer walks into a branch all they need to do is head to the video booth (kiosk) and connect with a Bajaj Allianz Life customer service representative on a video call.
PayPal & Synchrony tied up to launch co-branded Venmo’s first credit card
PayPal Holdings Inc and Synchrony partnered to launch co-branded Venmo’s first credit card. Synchrony will become the exclusive issuer of a Venmo co-branded consumer credit card in the United States (US). It is expected to be launched in the second half of 2020.
SPORTS
Kuhoo Garg-Dhruv Rawat pair wins Egypt International mixed doubles title
Kuhoo Garg and Dhruv Rawat win the badminton mixed doubles title at the Egypt International 2019 in Cairo, Egypt.
- The unseeded Garg and Rawat held their nerves for a tight 21-16, 22-20 victory over the third seeds Utkarsh Arora and Karishma Wadkar in an all-Indian final.
Rajasthan Royals appoints Andrew McDonald as new head coach
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals have appointed Australian coach and cricketer Andrew Barry McDonald as new head coach for a tenure of three years.
Great Britain wins 9th Edition of Sultan of Johor Cup hockey Tournament 2019
Great Britain defeated India in the finals by 2-1 in the 9th edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup 2019, an international men’s under-21 field hockey tournament, was held at Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It was their 3rd title.
APPOINTMENTS
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo sworn in for final term
Faced with a string of fresh challenges including security, corruption and economic slowdown, Indonesia‘s popular President Joko Widodo was sworn in for a second and final five-year term.
- Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, took oath at a ceremony in the capital Jakarta, which was attended by various politicians and foreign dignitaries.
BOOKS
PM Modi releases book titled ‘Bridgital Nation’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a book titled ‘Bridgital Nation’ in New Delhi. The book has been authored by N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons and Roopa Purushothaman Eminent industrialist.
- The book presents a powerful vision of the future where technology and human beings co-exist in a mutually beneficial ecosystem.
- The cutting edge digital tools can act as a bridge between aspirations and achievements – hence the term ‘bridgital’.
OBITUARIES
Oracle co-CEO Mark Hurd passes away
Former Co-Chief executive Officer(CEO) of Oracle Mark Hurd, passed away. He was previously served as chairman, CEO, and president of Hewlett-Packard (HP).
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Statistics Day
World Statistics Day was an international day celebrated for the first time on 20 October 2010 worldwide. World Statistics Day is celebrated every five years. The day acknowledges the fundamental importance of sustainable national statistical capacity.
- The 2019 World Statistics day theme is “Better Data, Better Lives”.
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