Current Affairs Daily Digest – October 21 2019
1. World Iodine Deficiency Day is observed on 21 October
World Iodine Deficiency Day is observed on 21 October. The aim of the Day is to create awareness of the adequate use of iodine among the people. The day also highlights the consequences of iodine deficiency. Recently, disorders caused due to iodine deficiency have become a major public health problem worldwide.
It was observed that almost one-third of the world population is at the risk of iodine deficiency disorders. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 54 countries are still iodine deficient.
2. Abu Dhabi archaeologists discovered the oldest known natural pearl in the world
Abu Dhabi archaeologists discovered the oldest known natural pearl in the world while working at a Neolithic site on Marawah Island, the coast of Abu Dhabi. The Pearl is dubbed as the Abu Dhabi Pearl.
Abu Dhabi Pearl-
♦ The Pearl was found below layers that have been radiocarbon dated to 5,800-5,600 BCE, during the Neolithic period. The discovery of the oldest pearl is proof that pearls and oysters were being used in the UAE nearly 8,000 years ago. It also represents the earliest known evidence for pearling yet discovered anywhere in the world.
3. Dutee Chand won the Vogue award for Sportsperson of the Year
Odisha sprinter Dutee Chand won the Vogue award for Sportsperson of the Year 2019.
Dutee Chand:
Dutee Chand holds the national record in women’s 100m. She has brought many laurels to the country and state. In October, she clocked 11.22 seconds in the semi-final of women’s 100m event at the 59th National Open Athletics Championships 2019 in Ranchi. With this score, she broke the own previous national record of 11.26 seconds. She aims to win the gold medal for India in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
4. Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo sworn in for second term
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo popularly known as Jokowi has been sworn into office for his second and final five-year term. The 58-year-old Jokowi took oath at a ceremony in Indonesian capital, Jakarta. The ceremony was attended by politicians and many foreign dignitaries.
5. Col. Chewang Rinchen Setu inaugurated in Ladakh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Col. Chewang Rinchen Setu (Bridge) in Ladakh. It is named in honor of Colonel Chewang Rinchan who was one of the highly decorated officers in Indian Army from Ladakh. He was also a Maha Vir Chakara awardee (1952).
About Col. Chewang Rinchen Setu
The bridge has been constructed at an altitude of 14,650 feet in forward area of Ladakh region. It has been built on strategically important road Durbuk Shyok Daulat Beg Oldie in sub sector north in eastern Ladakh. It is 45 km east of Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
6. G20 Health Ministers Meeting
The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare attended the G20 Okayama Health Minister Meeting that was held between October 19 and October 20, 2019. It was held under the Presidency of Japan.
7. Qantas sets record with nearly 20-hour commercial flight from New York to Sydney
Australia’s Qantas on Sunday completed the first non-stop commercial flight from New York to Sydney, which was used to run a series of tests to assess the effects of ultra long-haul flights on crew fatigue and passenger jetlag.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner touched down in Sydney early Sunday morning after a flight of 19 hours and 16 minutes — the world’s longest.
8. PM Modi releases book titled ‘Bridgital Nation’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that positivity, creativity and constructive mind-set is essential for fast growing aspirational India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that positivity, creativity and constructive mindset can lead to solutions of the problems. Releasing a book titled ‘Bridgital Nation’ in New Delhi, Mr Modi said that positivity, optimism and faith in talent and resources is the thought of New India.
9. M Venkaiah Naidu presents Most Eminent Senior Citizen Award to K Parasaran
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu presented Most Eminent Senior Citizen Award to legal luminary and former Attorney General K. Parasaran at a function in New Delhi. Mr Parasaran was honoured with the award on the occasion of the Elder’s Day celebration of Age Care India, an organization working for the welfare of the elderly.
10.Prahlad Singh Patel to inaugurate CCRT e-portal and YouTube Channel
Union Minister of state for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel will inaugurate e-portal of Centre for Cultural Resources and Training and YouTube Channel in New Delhi with an aim to take India to a newer digital pinnacle and to promote Indian culture. He will attend the “Digital Bharat – Digital Sanskriti” program organised by Rashtriya Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, CCRT of the Ministry of Culture.
11. National Police Day – October 21
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the valour of police personnel who perform duty under trying circumstances. On Police Commemoration Day, the prime minister saluted police forces and their families.
12. Kuhoo Garg-Dhruv Rawat pair wins Egypt International mixed doubles title
Kuhoo Garg and Dhruv Rawat put up a brilliant effort to win the mixed doubles title at the Egypt International 2019 in Cairo. 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.
13. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath to launch integrated emergency number 112
The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is all set to launch a new integrated emergency number 112 for police, medical and fire emergencies and also the women helpline 1090.
The new number 112 will replace the earlier 100 number. The single number for emergency services is similar to ‘911’ in the US.
