Notes:
In Madhya Pradesh, the 10th edition of the Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav-National Cultural Festival is being organized by the Union Ministry of Culture from 14th to 21st of October under the ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ campaign in Jabalpur, Sagar and Rewa. The fest  will display diverse forms of folk, art and culture of 22 states. It will showcase the cultural heritage of India through performances of art, folk music, dance, handicrafts and cuisines of Leh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and West Bengal.

Notes:
The World Bank has recently released its report titled ‘South Asia Economic Focus, Making (De) Centralization Work’. As per report, Bangladesh has become the 2nd fastest growing economy in south Asia after Bhutan. The report point out that Bangladesh’s economy is likely to maintain growth above 7% i.e. supported by a robust macroeconomic framework, political stability, and strong public investments. However, the report stated that the financial sector vulnerability, fiscal pressures and loss of external competitiveness pose challenges to its growth rate.

Notes:
American artistic gymnast Simone Biles broke the all-time record for most medals by any gymnast at the world championships by winning the balance beam competition at the 2019 World Gymnastics Championship in Stuttgart, Germany. She surpassed Belarusian Vitaly Scherbo’s record 23 world medals by winning her 24th and 25th world medals (both gold).

Notes:
The International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated on every year on 11th of  October to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls’ face. It aims to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. The 2019 theme is “GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable”. The day also reflects the successful emergence of girls and young women as a distinct cohort in development policy, programming, campaigning and research.

Notes:
The 10th edition of the joint military exercise “Vajra Prahar” between India and the United States gas started at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Seattle on October 13 & will last till October 28. It  is a Special Forces joint training exerciseconducted alternately in India and the US.