Pranab Mukherjee releases book ‘Reset: Regaining India’s Economic Legacy’

1.Saudi Arabia abolishes abaya rule and announces new visa scheme

Saudi Arabia announced new visa scheme for 49 countries across the globe as part of its efforts to boost the Kingdom’s tourism sector.The Kingdom has also appealed to foreign companies to invest in a sector it hopes will contribute 10 percent of gross domestic product by 2030.The Kingdom’s president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Ahmed Al Khateeb, has said that abayas will not be mandatory for women tourists, including public beaches.Access to the Muslim holy cities of Makkah and Medina is restricted.Currently, only citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE can travel freely to the country.

2.INDO-KAZAKHSTAN Joint Military Exercise KAZIND – 2019

Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2019 between India and Kazakhstan will be conducted at Pithoragarh from 02 to 15 October 2019.The exercise will comprise of nearly 100 soldiers from both Indian and Kazakhstan Army who would be sharing their experience gained during conduct of various counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations in the past.Exercise KAZIND-2019 is the fourth edition of an annual event which is conducted alternatively in Kazakhstan and India.The aim of this exercise is to conduct company level joint training with emphasis on counter terrorism operations in mountainous terrain.

3.India rises 4 places to 44th rank in world digital competitiveness rankings

India has advanced four places to 44th position in terms of digital competitiveness in the world.The country has made improvements in terms of knowledge and future readiness to adopt and explore digital technologies.The US was ranked as the world’s most digitally competitive economy, followed by Singapore in second place.

4.IATA launches gender diversity campaign for balanced workforce

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the 25by2025 Campaign – an airline industry initiative to advance gender diversity in the airline industry by 2025.It is a voluntary commitment by participating IATA member airlines aimed at increasing the number of women in senior positions by either 25 per cent against currently reported metrics or to a minimum representation of 25 per cent by 2025.IATA member airlines who have already signed up to the 25by2025 Campaign include China Eastern, Lufthansa Group and Qatar Airways.

5.JNU and IIT Delhi sign MoU to promote research, technology development

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.The MoU will benefit teaching, research and technology development in various disciplines.The main objectives of signing this MoU between the two institutions is to recognise each other’s strengths and cooperate in research, education and technology developments in the disciplines of science, engineering, management and social sciences.The collaboration will provide the two institutions access to each other’s libraries and central research facilities to intensify joint research projects and other related academic activities.

6.Yogi government announces Rs 6,000 annual aid for triple talaq victims

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on announced an annual assistance of Rs 6,000 to the victims of triple talaq till their rehabilitation.They will also get free legal aid from the state government.The chief minister interacted with the victims of triple talaq under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK).

7.Infosys wins UN Global Climate Action Award for ‘carbon neutral now’ category

Digital services and consulting major Infosys has won the United Nations Global Climate Action Award in ‘carbon neutral now’ category.It became the only Indian corporate to earn the recognition for its efforts to combat climate change.The award will be presented to Infosys at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP25) at Santiago in Chile during December.Infosys began its action to combat climate change in 2008 with an assessment of its carbon footprint.

8.Deepti Sharma creates history, becomes 1st Indian cricketer to bowl 3 maidens in T20Is

All-rounder Deepti Sharma had an extraordinary outing in India’s first T20I against South Africa in Surat.She ended with figures of 4/8 with three of the four overs to lead India to victory.If that was not enough she bowled three maidens and made her way into the record books.This is the first time that an Indian has bowled as many maidens in a T20I match.

9.Pranab Mukherjee releases book ‘Reset: Regaining India’s Economic Legacy’

Former president Pranab Mukherjee released a book  ‘Reset: Regaining India’s Economic Legacy’ written by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy.The book tracks the country’s economic development over the years and offers solutions for future growth.The former president also acknowledged the Swami’s input on liberalising trade when the latter was the commerce minister in the short-lived Chandra Shekhar government in 1990-91.