Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2021

Notes:
Punjab National Bank, the country’s second largest Public Sector Bank, has launched a “6S Campaign” including different schemes such as – Swabhiman, Samruddhi, Sampark and Shikhar, Sankalp and Swagat.
The objective is to drive awareness campaign for development of financial services in the country. It aims to create awareness on credit growth, social security schemes and drive digital banking push, especially credit outreach for the agricultural sector.

Notes:
Amoria is a genus of marine gastropods (snails and slugs). These predatory creatures are found in onshore and offshore waters around the entire coast of Australia. Some species extend into waters of southern Indonesia.
Named Amoria thorae, the species is very rare and scientists have not seen a live specimen yet. The newly-identified species can be distinguished from other Amoria species by the combination of small shell size, shape, high spire, equal-sized thick plaits among others.

Notes:
India’s rank has slipped by six places from last year to 90 on the Henley Passport Index, which lists the world’s most travel-friendly passports.
The index ranks the passports of countries according to the number of destinations their holders can visit without a prior visa. The rankings are based on the analysis of data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Japan and Singapore hold the first rank on the passport index, while the second position is shared by South Korea and Germany.

Notes:
The Union Home Ministry began tripartite talks with Gorkha representatives from the Darjeeling Hills, Terrai and Dooars region and the Government of West Bengal.
The talks were held with the objective of resolving the demand of statehood in the North Bengal region. The talks were chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah. The second round of talks with the officials of the Government of West Bengal is scheduled in November 2021.

Notes:
As per the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), India’s consumer price inflation fell sharply to 4.35% in September from 5.3% in August.
This five-month low inflation is due to a favourable comparison with last year and moderating food prices, which offset a rise in the cost of crude oil and fuel. This also marks the third consecutive month within the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) tolerance band of 2%-6%.

Notes:
Paralympian Deepa Malik – Indian athlete and a silver-medallist at the 2016 Paralympics has been appointed as the independent director of the Hospitality firm Oravel Stays Ltd (OYO), in its board.
OYO is an organisation which brings travellers and hotels / homes on a single platform.

Notes:
As per the International Monetary Fund’s ‘Fiscal Monitor’ Report, the global debt has jumped to a new high of USD 226 trillion. Advanced economies and China contributed more than 90 per cent to the accumulation of world-wide debt in 2020.
India’s debt increased from 68.9 per cent of its GDP in 2016 to 89.6 per cent in 2020. It is projected to jump to 90.6 per cent in 2021. The debt of governments, households and non-financial corporations added up to USD 226 trillion in 2020.This is the highest increase on record.

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:
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has launched “U Fill” which is an automated fueling technology at the fuel outlets.
The technology is said to eliminate manual intervention during vehicle fueling enhance the customer experience. The company has launched the technology in 65 cities.

Notes:
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh recently launched the “Chief Minister’s Health for All”. Under the scheme, Door-to-door health screening will be conducted across the State and Jan Aushadhi medicines will be provided to patients free of cost for primary health care.
The Chief Minister Gi Hakchel Gi Tengbal (CM Health Care Scheme) and Ayushman Bharat health cards will be issued to the patients having severe and chronic illness.  During the campaign, screening will be done using a hand-held device known as ASHA Plus for 10 non-communicable diseases.