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- India 9th most valuable nation brand in the world
India ranked one of the 10 most valuable nation brands in the world.
- In Brand Finance’s annual Nation Brands report, India was ranked 8th last year but slipped by a spot to the 9th rank.
- India’s brand value is $2,159 billion in 2018.
- Topping the list and maintaining its lead is US with a brand value of $25,899 billion.
- 3rd Himachal Pradesh Science Congress begins in Mandi
In a bid to give a major boost to rural innovation sector, two-day 3rd Himachal Pradesh Science Congress began at IIT, Mandi.
- During the event, scientists and researchers will discuss recent progress and future trends in technologies/ products relevant for rural transformation.
- The event was jointly organised by Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology, and Environment and IIT, Mandi on the theme “Rural Upliftment through Science and Technology Interventions”.
- President in Maharashtra; inaugurates Vishwashanti Ahimsa Sammelan
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the Vishwashanti Ahimsa Sammelan at Mangi Tungi, Nasik, Maharashtra.
- The event is being organised by the Bhagwan Shri Rishabhdev 108 Feet Vishalkai Digambar Jain Murti Nirman Committee.
- Speaking on the occasion, the President said that in the Jain tradition, the principle of ‘Ahimsa Paramodharma’ is distinguished for human welfare and compassion – not just for the absence of physical violence.
- “Harit Diwali-Swasth Diwali” campaign launched by Ministry of Environment
Keeping in view the detrimental effects and also the importance of the festival, Ministry has initiated a “Harit–Diwali” campaign.
- This campaign was initiated in 2017-18 wherein large number of school children especially from eco-clubs participated and took pledge to minimize bursting of crackers and also discouraged the neighborhood and their friends from bursting of crackers.
- During this intensive campaign, the children were advised to celebrate Diwali in an environment-friendly manner.
- First India-China High Level Meeting on Bilateral Security Cooperation
Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh co-chaired the first India-China High Level Meeting on Bilateral Security Cooperation with Mr. Zhao Kezhi, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China in New Delhi.
- During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest,
- Other issues including bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation were also discussed and welcomed increased cooperation between India and China in the area of security cooperation.
- Women of India Organic Festival to be held at IGNCA, New Delhi
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is organizing the 5th edition of the Women of India Organic Festival from 26thOctober to 4th November, 2018 at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Janpath Road, New Delhi.
- This is aimed to boost organic culture and promote Women Organic Farmers and Entrepreneurs.
- Being the country’s largest organic festival, it bears witness to the fact that women are the torchbearers of the nation’s organic movement.
- “The WOI Festival has given a successful platform to empower women farmers and entrepreneurs in a festive and fruitful manner for the past 4 years” said the Minister of Women & Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi.
- Bank of India shuts down operations in Jersey
State-run Bank of India has closed down its operations at Jersey in the Channel Islands with effect from October 18.
- Earlier, the bank had also closed down its operations in Yangoon, Bostwana and Dubai.
- As per the BoI website, it has overseas operations in Japan, Singapore, the UK, Vietnam, France, Kenya, the US, Uganda, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Tanzania and South Africa.
- The closure of overseas branches is part of the public sector banks’ efforts to wind up the unviable operations as per the instructions of the Finance Ministry.
- Nasscom, Dubai Internet City sign MoU to attract Indian enterprises
The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Internet City (DIC) to facilitate expansion of Indian businesses in the Middle East.
- The agreement, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, is aimed at attracting Indian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- US-based Dalit Writer Sujatha Gidla Wins Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize
A New York subway conductor’s story of growing up in a Dalit community in India won the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2018.
- Fifty-five-year-old Sujatha Gidla’s “Ants among Elephant: An Untouchable Family and the Making of Modern India”, published by HarperCollins India, beat five other titles in the shortlist to claim the prestigious award.
- Instituted in memory of editor Shakti Bhatt, the prize honours first-time writers for an outstanding work of fiction or non-fiction.
