current affairs 20 October 2021 (In English)

NITI Aayog joins hands with ISRO to launch Geospatial Energy Map of India.

• NITI Aayog has launched Geospatial Energy Map of India which will provide a holistic picture of all the energy resources of the country.
• The comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS) Energy Map of India was jointly launched by Dr Rajiv Kumar (Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog), Dr V K Saraswat (Member, NITI Aayog), and Shri Amitabh Kant (CEO, NITI Aayog) on 18 October 2021.
• The map has been developed by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Power Ministries of the Government of India.
• The map will help in identifying and locating all primary and secondary sources of energy and their transport/transmission networks to provide a comprehensive view about energy production and distribution in a country, which would further help in planning and making investment decisions.

ICC and UNICEF partnership to campaign on mental health issues among children and adolescents.

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) and UNICEF have announced their partnership to raise awareness about mental health issues and wellbeing among children and adolescents.
• Under this partnership, the ICC will promote UNICEF's #OnYourMind campaign in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021, starting October 17, 2021.
• The ICC will use its global platforms, including its broadcast and digital channels, to support UNICEF's work and urge for greater commitment, connection and dialogue about mental health and physical well-being.

Amit Rastogi appointed as Chairman & Managing Director of National Research Development Corporation.

• Commodore Amit Rastogi (Retd) has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of National Research Development Corporation on October 18, 2021.
• He has served 34 years in the Indian Navy.
• NRDC DSIR is an enterprise of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
• It is engaged in the development, promotion and transfer of technologies emanating from various national R&D institutions.

Indian entrepreneur's agricultural waste project "Takachar" wins Prince William's inaugural "Eco-Oscar" award.

• New Delhi-based 17-year-old entrepreneur Vidyut Mohan is among five global winners for the inauguration of the Earthshot Prize, also known as the Eco-Oscars, which honors people trying to save the planet.
• The Eco-Oscars is an environmental award instituted in 2020 by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and renowned British historian David Attenborough, to be presented annually to 5 winners from 2021 to 2030.
• Vidyut has been awarded in Clean our Air category, for his technology called Takachar, a small and portable device that uses crop residue to convert it into bio-products like fuel and fertilisers to reduce smoke emissions and combat air pollution.
• Each of the five winners will receive £1 million for their project.
• The awards were announced in five categories: Protect and restore nature, Clean our air, Revive our oceans, Build a waste-free world and Fix our climate.

RBI imposes Rs 1 crore penalty on State Bank of India for non-compliance with the aforesaid directions.

• The penalty has been imposed for non-compliance with the directions contained in RBI (Frauds classification and reporting by commercial banks and select FIs) directions 2016.
• The penalty has been imposed in the exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of section 47A (1) (c) read with sections 46(4)(i) and 51(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.