Sachin Tendulkar gets most effective Swachhata Ambassador award

1.President Kovind to confer Vayoshreshtha Samman-2019

President Ram Nath Kovind will today confer the Vayoshreshtha Samman-2019 on the eminent senior citizens and institutions in recognition of their services towards the cause of the elderly persons. The award will be given a function in New Delhi.

The Vayoshreshtha Samman is a Scheme of awards instituted by the  Social Justice and  Empowerment  Ministry  and gradually upgraded to the status of National Awards for institutions involved in rendering distinguished service for the cause of elderly persons. These awards are presented as part of the celebration of the International Day of Older Persons on 1st October.

The  awards are intended to show-case the government’s concern for senior citizens and its commitment towards them with the aim of strengthening their legitimate place in the society. It is also intended to provide an opportunity to the younger generation to understand the contribution of the elderly in building of the society and the nation.  The recipients are drawn from diverse fields.

2.PM Modi writes op-ed in New York Times on 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written an op-ed in the New York Times on the 150th birth anniversary of the Mahatma Gandhi. In his op-ed, Mr Modi talked about how his government is trying to fulfill Bapu’s dreams and why India and the world needs Mahatma Gandhi.

The op-ed talks about the ideals epitomised by Mahatma Gandhi and how he is “the best teacher to guide us”. The op-ed begins with a reference to Martin Luther King Jr., the great American leader who led the civil rights movement in the United States. PM Modi noted Martin Luther King Jr.’s remark on a trip to India: “To other countries I may go as a tourist, but to India I come as a pilgrim.” “The guiding light whose inspiration got Dr. King to India was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the Mahatma, the Great Soul,” Mr Modi wrote. The op-ed also talks about Gandhi’s “unique ability to become a bridge between some of the greatest contradictions in human society”. The op-ed ends with a call to the world to work shoulder to shoulder to end hate, violence and suffering.

3.Sachin Tendulkar gets most effective Swachhata Ambassador award

President Ram Nath Kovind today presented the most effective Swachchta Ambassador award to cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Addressing the India Today Safaigiri Summit in New Delhi, he said, in the past five years, the sanitation drive launched in the country had truly become a mass movement.

He said everyone from the Prime Minister to Gram Pradhan participated directly or indirectly in the cleanliness campaign to make it a success. He said this historic success could not have been achieved without the participation of every citizen.

Referring to India being declared as open defecation free, Mr. Kovind said, it is a real tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He pointed out that the United Nations has set sustainable development goals to be achieved by 2030, but India would be achieving them 11 years ahead of the schedule.

4.Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju flags off ‘Fit India Plog run to mark Gandhi Jayanti

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju today flagged off ‘Fit India Plog run at Indira Gandhi stadium in New Delhi to mark Gandhi Jayanti.

Member of Parliament and Singer Manoj Tiwari, Wrestler Bajrang Punia, Poet Ashok Chakradhar among others were present on the occasion.

Plogging is a concept brings together fitness and cleanliness as participants pick up plastic and other waste from the road while jogging. The run is being organised at over two thousand places all over the country including 225 places in the national capital.

5.Rajnath Singh launches the website of DefEXpo

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the website of 11th edition of DefEXpo, to be held in Lucknow from 5th to 8th February 2020.The website, www.defexpo.gov.in provides online services to exhibitors, besides hosting informative content about the product profile of Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Ordnance Factories.Exhibitors can avail early bird discounts by booking space on the website before the 31st of next month.

6.Kerala leads the School Education Quality Index

The School Education Quality Index, SEQI prepared by NITI Aayog was launched by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman and CEO in New Delhi.Kerala has bagged the number one rank followed by Rajasthan in overall performance.In incremental performance ranking, Haryana is number one followed by Assam and Uttar Pradesh.In small states category, Manipur has claimed the top spot followed by Tripura and Goa in overall performance.

7.Planet named after Pandit Jasraj

Pandit Jasraj has been bestowed with a surreal, rare and a universal honour from International Astronomical Union (IAU).Minor Planet 2006 VP32 discovered on November 11, 2006, has been named as ‘Panditjasraj’.The planet, Panditjasraj is in our Solar System and is situated between Mars and Jupiter.This is a proud moment for India as Pandit Jasraj, with this honour, is the 1st Indian Musician, to join the galaxy of immortal composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Tenor Luciano Pavarotti.Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj is an exponent of Indian classical vocal music.Jasraj is the recipient of numerous awards, honours, and titles, including the prestigious Padma Vibhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.