1.RBI to conduct first-ever Open Market Operations (OMO) Purchase of State Government Securities worth Rs. 10,000 crores:-
Reserve Bank will conduct Open Market Operations (OMOs) in State Developments Loans (SDLs) of total amount of Rs. 10,000 crores on October 22, 2020.This is the first ever OMO purchase of State Developments Loans (SDLs).RBI may enhance the size of auction in the subsequent auctions depending on market response.
2.India ranks 94 among 107 Countries in Global Hunger Index 2020:-
India has been ranked at 94 among 107 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2020 report released on 16 October 2020.With a score of 27.2, India has been placed in the “serious” category in the GHI scale.The index is published jointly by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and Concern Worldwide, to measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels.
3.Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath launches Mission Shakti for security of women in the state:-
The Uttar Pradesh government administered by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched ‘Mission Shakti’ programme on 17 October 2020, which also marks the first day of the Shardiya Navratri festival across the country. The six-months long ‘Mission Shakti’ campaign aims to ensure the security of women in the state, by training women to become self-reliant and to sensitise people to respect them.In the first phase, the campaign will run from 17 to 25 October 2020.The campaign will continue in phases till the ‘Chaitra Navratri’ in April 2021.Under the campaign, various awareness programmes will be organised to make women and children aware of the security measures to keep them safe and to sensitise them to speak out when they are victimised.
4.J&K LG Manoj Sinha launches ‘My Town My Pride’ Campaign to provide doorstep governance in urban areas:-
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced an initiative called ‘My Town My Pride’ to provide governance at the doorstep in urban areas. This programme is in line with the “Back to Village programme” launched for rural population.The two-day long programme will be held on 19th and 20th October 2020.The Urban Local Bodies will reach out to urban population living in towns, to providegovernance at their doorsteps and ensure on spot redressal of their issues andgrievances.It includes time-bound delivery of documents like domicile,SC/ST/RBA/ALC/OBC certificates; revenue services besides ensuring benefits under various welfare schemes including pensions, scholarships, PMAY, KCC, Health Golden Cards, Ladli Beti, among others.The main objectives of this programme is public outreach in towns, strengthening grassroots democracy and service delivery at doorsteps.
5.India conducts successful night trial of nuclear-capable Prithvi-2 missile off Odisha coast:-
India successfully conducted the night trial of its nuclear-capable Prithvi-2 missile on 16 October 2020 from Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near Balasore, off Odisha coast.The user flight trial was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command of the armed force under the watch of DRDO scientists as part of a training exercise. The state-of-the-art missile is India’s first indigenous surface-to-surface strategic missile, developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.The 9-metre tall liquid-propelled Prithvi-2 has a range of 250 km and can carry a 1 tonne warhead.
6.Jacinda Ardern wins second term as New Zealand’s Prime Minister:-
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, won a landslide victory in the country’s general election on 17 October 2020, to be elected as the PM for the second consecutive three-years term.Ardern’s centre-left Labour Party won 49.2% of the total 83.7% votes counted in the 120-member parliament.The 40 year-old is serving as the 40th Prime Minister of the country since 26 October 2017.
7.Union Bank of India MD & CEO Rajkiran Rai elected as IBA Chairman:-
Rajkiran Rai G, the Managing Director and CEO of Union Bank of India has been elected as the Chairman of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) for the term 2020-21.Rai succeeds Rajnish Kumar as the IBA Chairman after Kumar recently retired as SBI Chief.Apart from this, Dinesh Kumar Khara, the Chairman of State Bank of India has been elected as the deputy chairman of the association.
8.International Weightlifting Federation appoints Britain’s Michael Irani as interim President:-
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has announced the appointment of Michael Irani as its interim President. Britain’s Michael Irani is the third interim President within three days to be appointed by the IWF Board. The 71-year-old Irani is chair of the IWF Medical Committee and a former chair of the IWF Anti-Doping Commission.
