World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is observed on 10 September every year, to reinstate our worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world since 2003. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) to host World Suicide Prevention Day.

The themes given by WHO for the last two years was “working together to prevent suicide” has gained even more prominence this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The current novel, ambiguous and uncertain situation has yet again made us think globally, plan nationally and act locally. The mantra during current times is building resilience, overcoming stigma about mental illness and restoring hope through connect, communicate and care.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today inaugurated Doorstep Banking Services by Public Sector Banks and participated in the awards ceremony to felicitate best performing banks on EASE Banking Reforms Index.

As part of the EASE Reforms, Doorstep Banking Services is envisaged to provide convenience of banking services to the customers at their doorstep through the universal touch points of Call Centre, Web Portal or Mobile App.  Customers can also track their service request through these channels. The services shall be rendered by the Doorstep Banking Agents deployed by the selected Service Providers at 100 centres across the country.

At present only non-financial services like pick up of negotiable instruments, new cheque book requisition slip, 15G / 15H forms, IT / GST challan, issue request for standing instructions, request for account statement are available to customers.  Financial services shall be made available from next month.

The services can be availed by customers of Public Sector Banks at nominal charges.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will digitally launch the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) today.
 
Mr Modi will also inaugurate the e-Gopala App, a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers. 
 
The Prime Minister will also launch several other initiatives in the fisheries and animal husbandry sectors in Bihar. 
 
In a tweet, Mr Modi said, the PMMSY will transform the fisheries sector and add strength to the efforts of building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
 
Prime Minister said, PMMSY addresses critical gaps in fisheries sector and infuse latest technology into it.
 
He said, Matsya Sampada Yojana focuses on value addition and upgradation of critical infrastructure. Mr Modi said, the scheme will also boost welfare of those associated with fishing and create employment.

The PMMSY is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of fisheries sector in the country with an estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Patrika Gate in Jaipur through video conference.

The Iconic Gate is built by the Patrika Group of Newspapers on the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg in the Pink City.

Prime Minister Modi also released two books written by the Group Chairman on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that opening of patrika gate is an attempt to bring together the art, craft, and cultural heritage of the state and will boost tourism.

The Prime Minister said that the enlightened section of the society, and writers are like guides and teachers of society.

He emphasized that Books and authors play a major role and culture is not limited in the scope of any one language.

Prime Minister said that learning never ends and it is a continuous process.

Father of India's Radio Astronomy, Dr. Govind Swarup passed away yesterday at Pune. He was 91. He was admitted to a local hospital due to ill health a few days ago. Dr. Swarup is known not only for his many important research contributions in several areas of astronomy and astrophysics, but also for his outstanding achievements in building ingenious, innovative and powerful observational facilities for front-line research in radio astronomy.

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) was established at Narayangaon near Pune was established under Dr. Swarup's able guidance. He was awarded Padmashree, Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award, H. K. Firodia award and many international awards. Senior Scientist Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar has condoled the death of Dr. Swarup. He said that Dr. Swarup was an institution in himself and his work will always remain with us.

A powerful typhoon damaged buildings, flooded roads and knocked out power to thousands of homes in South Korea today after battering islands in southern Japan and injuring dozens of people.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said typhoon Haishen was passing waters off the eastern coastal city of Sokcho today  after barrelling through South Korea's southern and eastern regions.

The typhoon was weakening, with its maximum winds measured at 108 kilometres per hour after blowing at 144 kilometres in the morning, and it was forecast to be downgraded to a tropical storm within 12 hours.

Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said at least 38 people were injured, five of them seriously, after Haishen lashed southwestern Japan over the weekend with strong winds and rain. Schools and departmental stores were closed in Hiroshima and other cities in the country's southwest.

Countries across the world celebrate International Literacy Day today. International Literacy Day-2020 will focus on Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond with a focus on the role of educators and changing pedagogies. The theme will highlight literacy learning in a life-long learning perspective and  mainly focus on youth and adults.

This day was declared International Literacy Day by UNESCO on 26th October 1966 at the 14th Session of UNESCO's General Conference. It was celebrated for the first time in 1967 and its main aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

Despite progress made, literacy challenges persist with at least 773 million adults worldwide lacking basic literacy skills today. According to the UNESCO’s ‘Global Monitoring Report on Education for All’ (2006), South Asia has the lowest regional adult literacy rate, at 58.6 per cent and the causes for this illiteracy range from severe poverty and the prejudice against women.

BCCI has announced the schedule for IPL 2020 to be held in UAE. The season will kickstart on 19th September in Abu Dhabi with a blockbuster clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. The action will shift to Dubai for the second game where Delhi Capitals will face Kings XI Punjab September 20. SunRisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore will also compete in Dubai on September 21, while Rajasthan Royals will host the three-time IPL champions CSK in Sharjah on September 22.

The evening matches of the tournament, which will be played in the United Arab Emirates, will start at 7:30 PM Indian time. There will be 10 double-headers, and the afternoon matches will begin at 3:30 PM.

Dubai will host 24 games, 20 matches will be played in Abu Dhabi while the remaining 12 matches are scheduled to be played in Sharjah.

The final of the tournament will be played on November 10. Venues for the playoff and the final are yet to be announced.

Metro services resumed this morning in different cities across the country after a gap of more than five months. These cities are Delhi, Lucknow, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.

Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Durga Shankar Mishra said that passengers will have to follow preventive measures against COVID-19 by maintaining social distance and wearing face masks.

In the first stage, Delhi Metro will operate in two shifts 7 AM to 11 AM and 4 PM to 8 PM. Normal operations will start from the 12th of this month. Metro Stations and entry-exit gates in containment zones will be closed. Only asymptomatic persons will be allowed to travel after thermal screening at entry into the stations. Sanitizers will be made available at entry points of stations for use by passengers.

In Chennai, the Metro Rail Services resumed this morning. Tamil Nadu Industries Minister MC Sampath inaugurated the services at 7 am by travelling by a train on Airport to Washermanpet route.

Teachers' Day is being celebrated throughout the country  today. The day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of educationist and former President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

President Ram Nath Kovind will virtually confer National Awards to Teachers in New Delhi today. AIR Correspondent reports that Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre will also be present on the occasion.

The national level awards are given to teachers on Teachers' Day to celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country. President will honour 47 teachers, who through their commitment have improved the quality of school education.

The selected awardees have also enriched the lives of their students and community through various activities like improving enrolment and reducing dropouts, adopting joyful and experiential teaching-learning practices, promotion of nation building and national integration.

National Awards to Teachers will be broadcast live on AIR News, DD News and streamed live on https://webcast.gov.in/mhrd.