Current Affairs

Date: 21 September 2020

Self-reliance for self-esteem | IndExp

“Vocal for Local” - not only to buy and use local products, but to also take pride in promoting them.
Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (ANBA)
Self-reliance as a synonym for self-esteem.
A content nation
COVID-related pressures + border tensions with its largest import partner, China
Opportunity to embark on the self-reliance drive

Madras High Court - not to pursue the ill-conceived attempt to initiate action against film actor Suriya for contempt of court.
In a detailed order, the Court has rightly noted that “it is not the job of a constitutional court to use a sledgehammer for avoidance of something which can be perceived to be not capable of even being propped up as contempt, much less debated to the level of criminal contempt”.
Court’s 29-page order lays much emphasis on the idea that criticism about the judiciary should be restrained, lest the line of fair comment be crossed.
As long as there is no effort to obstruct the course of justice, criticism, whether fair or unfair, does not warrant initiation of contempt proceedings.

September 21- The International Day of Peace
Prevalence of war, violence and insecurity in many parts of the world.
World Population Review: in the last calendar year, eight countries suffered at least 1,000 deaths each (mainly civilians) through militarised attacks and battles
If one includes the Maghreb and Sahel regions of North and West Africa, over 25 countries are being ravaged by deadly wars today.

UN Refugee Agency: 79.5 million were displaced at the end of 2019
The countries that are escalating violence - great powers with military + economic might
UNSC: U.S., Russia and China
These 3 UNSC permanent members fuel instability or have a finger in the pie of most ongoing wars.
War is at once a geopolitical game and big business.
Chinese small arms enable ethnic violence and extreme human rights abuses in South Sudan, Myanmar, DR Congo, Pakistan

The UN as well as regional organisations like the African Union and the European Union are trying to negotiate cessation of hostilities in various war zones.
Altering the structure and nature of world politics is not child’s play. But we must strive for it.
Intellectuals, social movements and responsible states should prioritise struggling for an equitable world order.
Nothing less will suffice to silence the guns.

Total 9 people arrested by NIA from WB & Kerala, having links with Al-Qaeda
These people were part of an inter-state module.
India cannot let its guard down against terrroism sponsored from across the border.
States should conducte a well-planned and coordinated campaigns to create awareness in youth
The module was engaged in fund raising – this also indicates that India has successfully blocked the channels of terror funding.
The catched terrorists were going to use crude weapons and potassium chlorate from firecrackers.
This indicates that their handles were not able to suppy them with shopisticated weapons.
Use of social media to brain wash youth – who are ready to use whatever is available.

PM Modi to lay foundation stone for nine highway projects worth over Rs 14,000 Cr in Bihar through video conference today
Govt says Minimum Support Price for farmers will continue
Railways starts running 40 clone trains with higher speed and fewer stops
Many states to partially reopen schools for students of classes 9-12 from today as per Unlock 4 guidelines
Sikkim govt imposes complete lockdown in Gangtok municipal area till Sept 27
Review of proceedings in Rajya Sabha
Review of proceedings in Lok Sabha
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi attacks Opposition over ruckus in Rajya Sabha during passage of farm bills
Lok Sabha takes up discussion on COVID 19 pandemic
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020 introduced in Lok Sabha
India extends 250 million dollars support to Maldives to overcome economic impact of Covid-19
Bangladesh maritime ports hoist warning signal 3 as low pressure forms over Bay of Bengal
Cargo plane crashes at Aden Adde International Airport in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu
50th meeting of border guarding forces of India and Bangladesh concludes in Dhaka
Shooting at a backyard party in New York leaves 2 people dead and 14 injured