Current Affairs: 25 October – 31 October, 2020
ISRO to launch EOS-01 satellite on November 7
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will be launching Earth Observation Satellite EOS-01 along with 9 customer satellites on November 7, 2020. The EOS-01 satellite will support applications related to agriculture, forestry and disaster management. This will be ISRO’s first launch since the COVID-19 lockdown came into force in March.
India’s Bharat Biotech to file for COVAXIN approval by June 2021
India’s leading vaccine manufacturer, Bharat Biotech aims to file for regulatory approval of its COVID-19 vaccine “COVAXIN” by June 2021. The company will begin phase 3 trials of its vaccine by November 2020. The trials are expected to involve over 26,000 volunteers. If the trial results look promising, the company will file for vaccine approval.
International flights suspended till 30th November
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended suspension on regular International flights to and from India till November 30, 2020. The International flights were earlier suspended till October 31, 2020. However, flights under India’s Air Bubble arrangement will continue to operate. The scheduled commercial and cargo flights will also continue to operate.
India-US sign BECA agreement
India and the United States signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for Geo-Spatial Cooperation on October 27, 2020. The agreement was signed during the third India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. It will enable the militaries of the two countries to have access to accurate geospatial data and classified satellite data on defence issues.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launches Green Delhi app
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched the Green Delhi app on October 29, 2020. People will be able to use the app to inform the government regarding polluting activities in the city such as the burning of waste or industrial pollution.
Former Gujarat CM Keshubhai Patel passes away
Keshubhai Patel, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, passed away at the age of 92 years on October 29, 2020. The veteran BJP leader had been admitted to a hospital in Ahmedabad after he complained of difficulty in breathing and chest pain. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 in September. Keshubhai Savdasbhai Patel served as Chief Minister of Gujarat for a few months in 1995 and then from March 1998 to October of 2001, succeeded by Narendra Modi. In 2012, Mr Patel quit the BJP to form the Gujarat Parivartan Party, which later merged with the BJP.
Export of onion seeds banned in India
India has banned the export of onion seeds with immediate effect amid concerns regarding the shortage of seeds. The Director-General of Foreign Trade made the decision following the rise in onion prices in the domestic market.
France Terrorist attack condemned by World leaders
World leaders came together to condemn the gruesome terror attack that took place at the Notre-Dame Basilica of Nice, France on October 29, 2020. Two women and one man were killed in a fatal knife attack by a Tunisian migrant, who was reportedly carrying a Quran. Several others were injured in the tragic attack.
Indian Railways launches Meri Saheli initiative
Meri Saheli initiative has been launched by the Indian Railways to focus on the safety of women passengers across all the zones. The initiative was initially launched in the South Eastern Railway in September as a pilot project.
Male Government employees entitled for childcare leave
The Government recently announced Child Care Leave (CCL) policy for male government employees who are single parents. The change was announced by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Indian organisation wins UN Global Climate Action Award to combat climate change amid COVID-19 pandemic
The Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) has won the prestigious 2020 UN Global Climate Action Award for its efforts to tackle climate change amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
GHE is an Indian organization that leverages technology and tourism in order to help remote communities access solar energy. The recipients of the UN award have brought focus to the examples of what people have been doing across the globe to fight climate change in a year that cast darkness on many.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), stated that GHE is among the world’s first outfit to use tourism and technology to bring solar energy to the remote communities as recognized by UNWTO- United Nations World Tourism Organisation and WTTC- World Travel and Tourism Council.
NASA’s SOFIA detects and confirms water molecules on sunlit surface of moon
SOFIA – The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy of NASA has detected water on the moon’s sunlit surface. This latest discovery indicates that water may be distributed across the moon’s surface and is not just limited to shadowed, cold places. The water molecules were detected in Clavius Crater, which is also one of the largest craters visible from the Earth, by SOFIA. The crater is located in Moon’s Southern Hemisphere.
Sean Connery, who embodied James Bond and more, passes away at the age of 90
Scottish movie legend Sean Connery, who shot to international stardom as the suave, sexy and sophisticated British agent James Bond and went on to dominate the silver screen for four decades, passed away at the age of 90 on October 31, 2020. Connery, who was awarded a knighthood in 2000 for his contribution to the arts, played the British spy in seven movies, beginning with “Dr. No” in 1962, the first of the Bond movies.
