The Daily Brief – 30th October 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29^th October, 2019 held extensive talks with the Saudi Arabia’s top leadership during which a Strategic Partnership Council was established to coordinate on important issues. Both the countries signed over a dozen agreements in several key sectors including oil and gas, defence and civil aviation to bolster their ties. Mr. Modi is on a two-day visit to the Gulf Kingdom to attend the Future Investment Initiative and held talks with King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

A special commemorative coin launched on Paramahansa Yogananda

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has released a special commemorative coin on Paramahansa Yogananda to mark his 125^th birth anniversary on 29^th October, 2019. He founded the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India in 1917 andthe Self-Realization Fellowship in 1920 in USA. In 1977, India released a commemorative stamp to honour Yogananda. On 7^th March 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released another commemorative postage stamp honouring the 100^th anniversary of the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India.

Union Human Resource Development Minister, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ will inaugurate Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat Parv, being organized by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) under the Ministry of Human Resource Development at the India Gate in New Delhi from 31^st October to 3^rd November, 2019. This event is primarily meant to showcase the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat’ and also to promote the communication and artistic skills of students through various competitions. Begun in 1963, the KVS is one of the world’s largest chains of schools.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu unveiled a 15-point reform charter for a new political normal to enable effective functioning of the Parliament and State Legislatures. He urged parties to ensure attendance of at least 50% of their legislators all through the proceedings of the House by adopting a roster system. He also called for a thorough review of the anti-defection law in view of its shortcomings.

President Ram Nath Kovind appointed Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) on 29^th October, 2019. He will take oath as the 47^th Chief Justice of India on 18^th November, 2019. Justice Bobde, the second senior-most judge in the apex court, will succeed incumbent Ranjan Gogoi, who will demit office on 17^th November. The 63-year-old judge is expected to retire on 23^rd April, 2021. He was part of a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court, which in August 2017 declared the right to privacy as a fundamental right of an individual.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Riyadh on 28^th October, 2019 on a two-day visit, during which he will attend the third edition of Saudi Arabia’s annual financial conference-‘Future Investment Initiative’ and hold bilateral talks with King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. The two countries would also sign an agreement to establish a Strategic Partnership Council to coordinate on key issues. The council will be headed by Prime Minister Modi and the Crown Prince and it will meet every two years.

The National Corporate Social Responsibility Awards (NCSRA) 2019 was presented to 19 companies by President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi. Instituted in 2017 by the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the award seeks to recognize corporate initiatives in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development. These awards are the highest recognition given by the Government of India in the domain of CSR.

Exercise Shakti-2019, a joint military exercise of the Indian and French troops is going to be held between 31^st October and 13^th November, 2019 at the Foreign Training Node at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan. It will focus on counter-terrorism operations in a semi-desert terrain under the United Nations Mandate. Started in 2011, Shakti is a biennial exercise conducted alternately in India and France