Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2021

Notes:
Every year, October 10th is observed as the World Mental Health Day by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This day is celebrated to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilise support in this regard.
This year’s October 10 is observed under the tagline “Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality”.

Notes:
Darwin’s ground sloth (Mylodon darwinii), lived in South America between 1.8 million years and 12,000 years ago.
Though the six living sloth species are relatively small and herbivorous tree-dwellers, some species roamed from Alaska to South America. As per findings of a recent study, the extinct species was between 3 and 4 m long and weighed between 1 and 2 tons. The study also contradicts that all sloths were necessarily herbivores.

 

Notes:
Under the Italy’s G20 Presidency, an Extraordinary Leaders’ Summit has been convened, to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. The meeting would be held in a virtual format.
India has been invited by Italy, to take part in the meeting for discussing the humanitarian needs in Afghan and to review the livelihood requirement in the country.

Notes:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has kept India’s growth forecast for 2021-22 unchanged at 9.5%, in its latest World Economic Outlook report.It also projected India’s economy to grow 8.5% in FY23.
In July, IMF had slashed India’s growth forecast for FY22 to 9.5% from earlier projection of 12.5%. It has lowered the global growth projection marginally to 5.9% from 6% earlier. Supply disruptions in advanced economies and worsening pandemic impact in developing countries are the reasons.

Notes:
The Malabar series of exercises, which began as an annual bilateral naval exercise between India and the US in 1992.
The Indian Navy is set to participate in the Second Phase of Multilateral Maritime Exercise Malabar along with the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Australian Navy and the United States Navy. It is being conducted in the Bay of Bengal from 12 – 15 Oct 2021. First Phase of the exercise was conducted in the Philippines Sea in August.

Notes:
The ‘International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction’ is observed every year on October 13. The 2021 edition of the day will focus on “International cooperation for developing countries to reduce their disaster risk and disaster losses”.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was started in 1989, after the United Nations General Assembly declared the day to promote a global culture of risk awareness and disaster reduction.

Notes:
Jaishankar arrived in Armenia on the last leg of his three-nation tour to Central Asia. This is also the first-ever visit by an External Affairs Minister to Armenia.
He proposed that the strategic Chabahar Port in Iran be included in the North-South Transport Corridor, to enhance the connectivity. The Minister’s tour is aimed at further expanding bilateral ties and discussing regional issues including the developments in Afghanistan.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh Government has directed all state secondary schools to set up ‘Arogya Vatikas’ on school premises. Vatikas or Gardens would be used to grow medicinal plants.
Arogya Vatika will be set up in all secondary schools of the state. As per the state government, it will help conserve the environment as well as boost the immunity and well-being of students. The order also states that all students should be made aware of the medicinal values of the plants.

Notes:
The Tawang Ganden Namgyal Lhatse (Tawang Monastery), which is the second largest monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, is located in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
India strongly rejected China’s objection to a recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh by Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu. China has been objecting to visits of Indian leaders to Arunachal Pradesh, citing it as a part of South Tibet. Tawang provides a strategic entry into India’s northeastern region and is a critical point in the corridor between Tibet and Brahmaputra Valley.

Notes:
The President of India Ram Nath Kovind has awarded President’s Tatrakshak Medal (PTM) and Tatrakshak Medal (TM) to Indian Coast Guard personnel.
The awards are being given to the personnel of Indian Coast Guard on Republic Day and Independence Day every year, since 26 Jan 1990. The awards are given for their act of exemplary gallantry and meritorious service on the occasion of the Republic Day 2021.