1. Government to set up 100 5G labs to boost innovation
Tags: National Economy/Finance National News
Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on 2 October that the government plans to set up 100 labs for 5G technology across India and at least 12 of them will be used to train students and conduct experiments.
Important facts
The minister also asked companies participating in the Indian Mobile Congress to provide their inputs for the new telecom bill, through which the government aims to simplify the licensing regime.
He said that the government is working significantly towards simplifying the licensing regime for all telecom companies.
Indigenous telecom gear maker HFCL announced the launch of 5G Lab-as-a-Service to accelerate the rollout of 5G solutions and services.
It will provide an automated testing environment for the private sector, academia and the government to work together on innovations.
2. India joins the group of countries providing 5G telephony services
Tags: National National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 5G services in the country at the 6th India Mobile Congress in New Delhi on 1 October. India now joined the select group of countries that provide 5G telephony services.
Important facts
Airtel has launched 5G services in 8 cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Varanasi, while Reliance Jio will launch it by Diwali.
Vodafone Idea will also start 5G roll out soon. After the introduction of 5G, people will be able to experience 10 times faster internet speed than 4G.
Telecom operators have promised to roll out 5G services in every corner of India by December 2023.
Countries currently offering 5G services
Countries where 5G has been recently launched include Argentina, Bhutan, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Malta and Mauritius.
China has rolled out the most comprehensive 5G network. It is followed by South Korea, United States of America, Spain, United Kingdom, Canada, Finland.
According to a report published by OpenSignal (Benchmarking the Global 5G Experience) in June 2022, South Korea topped the list of countries with the highest 5G download speeds, crossing 400 Mbps.
Malaysia and Sweden are ranked second and third with download speeds of 382.2 Mbps and 333.9 Mbps respectively.
What is 5G technology?
The fifth generation mobile network is called 5G.
The 5G network will operate in the millimeter-wave spectrum (30-300 GHz) which can send huge amounts of data at very high speeds.
It is the newest upgrade in Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband networks.
Internet speeds in the high-band spectrum of 5G have been tested to exceed 20 Gbps (gigabit per second).
3. 129 football fans dies in a stampede at football match in Indonesia
Tags: Sports International News
At least 129 people were killed and dozens injured in a stampede after violence broke out at a football match held on 1 October 2022 in Indonesia. The incident occurred during a football match of Indonesian top league BRI Liga 1 at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang Regency in East Java.
According to the police, supporters from the losing side Arema FC invaded the pitch following a match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya, leading to a stampede and cases of suffocation.
The league has suspended games for a week following the riot and the Arema FC team has also been prohibited from hosting any matches for the rest of the competition this season.
Indonesia
It was earlier known as Dutch East Indies (Netherland East Indies) and it became Independent from the Netherlands on 17 August 1945.
It is the world's largest archipelago consisting of 17,500 islands.
Borneo island of Indonesia is the third largest island in the world after Greenland and New Guinea.
There are more than 100 active volcanoes in the country and the most famous being Krakatoa and Mount Merapi.
It has the world’s largest Muslim population.
Capital: Jakarta
Currency: Rupiah
President: Joko Widodo
4. Burkina Faso leader Damiba deposed in a military coup
Tags: International News
A group of Burkina Faso army soldiers announced on 30 September 2022 that they have removed Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba from the post of President, who himself came to power through a military coup.
The soldiers introduced Captain Ibrahim Traore as the new leader of the country.
Traore said Burkina Faso's government and constitution had been dissolved.
Leaders of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), the political and economic union of fifteen countries in the region, condemned the coup.
Burkina Faso
It is a landlocked country in West Africa. It was earlier called the Upper Volta.
It was a French colony which gained its independence in 1964.
Capital: Ouagadougou
Currency: CFA franc
5. Union Minister Anurag Thakur launches Swachh Bharat 2022 at Prayagraj
Tags: National National News
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur launched a month-long nationwide 'Swachh Bharat 2022' at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh on 1 October.
Important facts
The objective of Swachh Bharat 2022 program is to organize cleaning of public places and houses in all the districts of the country from 1st October to 31st October 2022.
He said that 'Swachh Bharat' will lead to 'Swasth Bharat' and youth will play an important role in this campaign.
He appealed to the public to contribute to saving the resources of the country and contribute to nation-building.
He told that Prayagraj stood first in the Indian Sanitation League organized in 1850 cities of the country.
Swachh Bharat 2022 programme is being organised in six Lakh villages of 744 districts across the country through the network of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) affiliated Youth Clubs and National Service Scheme Affiliated Institutions.
Swachh Bharat 2022 is not just a program but a serious effort to make people realize the importance of cleanliness.
It will also contribute to the Happiness Index of the country.
6. Directorate General of Training (DGT) launches Bharatskills Forum
Tags: National National News
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The Directorate General of Training (DGT) on 30 September launched Bharatskills Forum.
Important facts
It allows sharing of books, notes, videos, question bank, etc., and other relevant skill-related content for learners.
The facility will act as a digital repository for the skilled community by facilitating sharing of content in various forms like handwritten notes, PDFs, scanned copies or recorded video messages of trainers or trainees in any language.
Bharat Skills
In Oct 2019 DGT launched an online learning platform called the Bharatskills (https://bharatskills.gov.in ).
It is a central digital repository for skills for trainees and trainers of the ITI ecosystem, providing easy access to updated syllabus, e-books, question banks, mock/practice papers, learning videos etc. for courses under Craftsman Training.
The platform provides unparalleled access to a centralized, scalable and thriving ecosystem through its industrial partners for students and faculty who can now learn new age (Industrial Revolution 4.0) skills to meet the demands of the industry.
7. China Withdraws Proposal Against AUKUS Nuclear Submarines Plan At IAEA
Tags: International News
India's diplomatic prowess at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) forced China to withdraw its proposal against AUKUS (United Group of Australia, Britain and America) on 30 September.
Important facts
China tried to get the resolution passed at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) general conference held in Vienna from 26 to 30 September 2021.
The AUKUS (Australia, UK and US) Security Partnership had announced that it would facilitate Australia to acquire technology to build nuclear-powered submarines.
On 30 September, China argued that the initiative violated its responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It also criticized the role of the IAEA in this respect.
India's well-considered role helped many countries to take a clear stand on the Chinese proposal.
The Indian Mission to the IAEA in Vienna worked closely with many IAEA member states in this regard.
When China realized that its proposal would not get majority, it withdrew its draft resolution on 30 September.
AUKUS Alliance
In September 2021 Australia, United States and United Kingdom (AUKUS) made an announcement to develop hypersonic missiles.
They will work together through a security alliance called AUKUS to develop hypersonic missiles.
The move comes amid growing concerns from the US and allies about China's growing military influence in the Pacific.
8. PFRDA observe 1 October as the National Pension System Diwas
Tags: Economy/Finance Important Days National News
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) is observing 1st October as the National Pension System Diwas (NPS Diwas) to promote pension and retirement planning among the citizens of India.
Important facts
PFRDA is promoting this campaign on its social media platforms.
PFRDA is organizing this campaign under 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'.
The objective of the pension regulator, PFRDA is to encourage every citizen, be it working professionals or self-employed professionals, to plan for building a pension corpus after retirement to ensure a financially sound future.
NPS subscribers will get the benefit of tax deduction on their contributions and regular income after retirement.
About PFRDA
It is the regulatory body under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India for overall supervision and regulation of pension system in India.
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act was passed on 19 September 2013 and was notified on 1 February 2014.
It regulates the National Pension System (NPS), subscribed by employees of Govt of India, State Governments and by employees of private institutions/organizations and unorganized sectors.
As on 24 September, 2022, total number of subscribers under NPS is 571.86 lakhs (5.72 crores) and total Assets Under Management (AUM) is 7,99,467 crore (7.99 trillion).
9. India abstains on UNSC resolution condemning Russia’s ‘referenda’ in Ukraine
Tags: International News
India abstained from voting on a draft resolution tabled by the US and Albania at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on September 30 that condemned Russia's illegal referendum and its occupation of Ukrainian territories.
Important facts
The resolution demanded that Russia immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine.
15 Security Council countries were supposed to vote on this resolution, but Russia used a veto against it, due to which the resolution could not be passed.
10 of the 15 Security Council countries voted in favor of the resolution, while China, Gabon, India and Brazil did not participate.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the occupation of another country's territory by threat or use of force is a violation of the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law.
India's position has been clear and consistent from the very beginning of this conflict.
She said that the global order is based on the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of all states. Rhetoric or escalation of tension is not in anyone's interest.
On 30 September, Russian President Putin submitted his claim to the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya.
It was also decided by the Security Council that Russia "immediately, completely and unconditionally" withdraw all its military forces from the territory of Ukraine.
About UNSC :
It was established in 1945 by the United Nations Charter.
It is one of the six major organs of the United Nations.
The other 5 organs of the United Nations are - the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat.
It has five permanent members - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, collectively known as the P5.
India is currently a non-permanent member of the UNSC for a two-year term, which expires in December.
Any one of them can veto a resolution.
Headquarters - New York
10. AFSPA extended to 6 months in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
Tags: National National News
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The Central Government has extended the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) for another 6 months in the disturbed areas of 12 districts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
Important facts
According to the notice issued by the Union Home Ministry, AFSPA will be fully implemented in 3 districts of Arunachal and 9 districts of Nagaland.
Nagaland’s nine districts where AFSPA will be implemented from October 1 - Dimapur, Niuland, Chumukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Zunheboto - and 16 police stations in four other districts - Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng and Wokha.
In Arunachal Pradesh, AFSPA will be applicable in three districts - Tirap, Changlang and Longding and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai and Mahadevpur police stations in Namsai district.
Nagaland has 16 districts, Arunachal Pradesh has 26.
These areas of the states were removed from AFSPA
AFSPA was completely withdrawn in Tripura in 2015, Meghalaya in 2018 and Mizoram in the 1980s.
Due to the improvement in the security situation, AFSPA was removed completely in 23 districts of Assam and partially in one district with effect from April 1, 2022.
What is AFSPA?
Armed Forces Special Powers Act, (AFSPA),1958, gives armed forces the power to maintain public order in “disturbed areas.”
It came into force decades ago in the context of insurgency in the northeastern states.
It provides "special powers" to the army, air force and central paramilitary forces.
The Act provides that if "reasonable suspicion exists", the armed forces may also arrest any person without warrant; May enter or search premises without warrant and prohibit possession of firearms.
What are the Disturbed Areas?
A disturbed area means which is declared by notification under Section 3 of the AFSPA.
A region may be disturbed because of differences or disputes between members of different, racial, religious, language or regional groups or castes or communities.
The Central Government or the Governor of the State or administrator of the Union Territory have power to declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a disturbed area.
