21 September 2017 - Current Affairs

International Day of Peace observed today

  • The International Day of Peace is observed around the world annually on 21st September.
  • It is dedicated to world peace and specifically the absence of war & violence such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access.
  • The theme for 2017 is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety, and Dignity for All.”
  • In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had designated 21st September as the International Day of Peace.

Centre to start Helicopter & smaller aircraft services to hilly areas

  • The Union govt. is planning to start helicopter and smaller aircraft services to hilly areas north-east, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, under UDAN scheme (in the second phase).
  • Under the first round, the government able to add around 30 new airports.
  • Last month, the government had announced increasing viability gap funding for helicopter operators and allowing smaller planes, among other concessions, under the regional air connectivity scheme.
  • The second phase of UDAN seeks to connect unserved and under-served airports as well as make flying more affordable with fares capped at Rs. 2,500 (one-hour flights).

Cabinet approves additional investment of Rs 12,000 cr towards supplementary nutrition for children

  • The Union Cabinet has approved the increase of cost norms for supplementary nutrition provided in Anganwadis and for out of school adolescent girls under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
  • It will involve an additional investment of 12 thousand crore rupees over the next three years.
  • Now, the revised cost norms for children up to 6 years will be Rs. 8 eight, for adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, it will be Rs. 9.50 and for severely malnourished category Rs. 12 will be given.
  • Under the ICDS, children between six months to three years are entitled to a morning snack as well as a hot-cooked meal at an Anganwadi center.
  • While pregnant women, lactating mothers, and severely malnourished children, who can't walk to the center, are entitled to take home ration.

Govt. to introduce 'Food Street' at global food fair in New Delhi

  • The Union Govt. will introduce a curated food experience zone 'Food Street' at the global food fair (November) in New Delhi.
  • It will provide a platform to investors to taste the foods and then take a call on investing in India under the ‘make in India’ programme.
  • This will bring together culinary practices, flavors, fragrances form cuisines across the world.
  • Chef Sanjeev Kapoor will be the brand ambassador of the event.
  • Last year union govt. has allowed 100% FDI for marketing through e-commerce of food products, manufactured and produced in India.

Haryana constitutes screening committee on anti-profiteering

  • The Haryana state govt. has constituted a Screening Committee on anti-profiteering to ascertain whether reductions in tax rates post rollout of GST have been passed on to consumers.
  • It is mandatory (under section 171 of GST Act.) to pass on the benefit to the customer.
  • If a person is not getting the benefit of reduction in tax, he/she can send the grievance to the steering committee.
  • The Steering Committee would send the consumer complaints to the Standing Committee which will examine the prima facie evidence within two months.

W Bengal govt. announces constitution of a panel to oversee the administration of Darjeeling hills

  • The West Bengal govt. has constituted a panel to oversee the administration of Darjeeling hills.
  • The state govt. has decided to form a nine-member board of administrators (BoA) which will enjoy the same powers as members of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).
  • Binay Tamang has been appointed as the chairman and Anit Thapa as vice chairman of the Board.
  • The panel would replace the GTA which was earlier controlled by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).
  • The new administration would continue to oversee the development work in the hill areas till the time the situation became conducive to holding elections to the GTA.

Bollywood actress Shakila passes away

  • Bollywood actress Shakila (82 -year) passed away due to the heart attack at her residence in Mumbai.
  • She was best known for her roles in Guru Dutt's films, Aar Paar (1954) and C.I.D. (1956).
  • The famous song ‘baabuujii dhiire chalanaa’ from ‘Aar Paar’ was filmed on her.

Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code to evolve to its full potential: IBBI Chairman

  • According to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) Chairman ‘MS Sahoo’, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) will evolve gradually to its full potential.
  • Its main objective is to maximize the value of assets of corporate borrowers.
  • Under this new law, employees, creditors, and shareholders have been given powers to initiate winding up process at the first sign of financial stress such as serious default in repayment of bank loans.
  • IBBI was set up last year to regulate the functioning of insolvency professionals and other related entities under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

Zannah Mustapha wins UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award

  • A Nigerian lawyer teacher & peacemaker ‘Zannah Mustapha’ has won the 2017 UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for his work opening school amid conflict in north-eastern Nigeria.
  • Mustapha founded a school 10 years ago in Maiduguri (the capital of Borno State) which is the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency.
  • The school has stayed open throughout violence, persecution, and abductions which have left over 20,000 killed and millions more displaced.
  • The school provides free education, as well as free meals, uniforms, and health care, to children affected by violence.
Note:
  • UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award is an annual prize which recognizes individuals, groups or organizations with outstanding dedication and service to the displacement cause.

India wins one gold, two bronze medals in Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games

  • India added one gold and two bronze medals to their kitty on the 5th day of the 5th Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games at Ashgabat in Turkmenistan.
  • Ajay Kumar Saroj has won the gold in men's 1500m race, clocking 3 minute and 48.67 seconds.
  •  Neha Solanki bagged a bronze (+87kg category) and Jyoti ( -87kg category).
Note:
  • India are being represented by more than 200 athletes in 15 sports disciplines in the Games, touted as the second biggest multi-sporting event of the continent after the Asiad.

BCCI nominates MS Dhoni for Padma Bhushan award

  • The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has nominated ‘Mahendra Singh Dhoni’ (India's most successful captain) the ‘Padma Bhushan’ for his contribution to the game.
  • Dhoni is already a recipient of the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and the Padma Shri award.
  • The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri.
  • As of 2017, the award has been bestowed on 1231 individuals, including 19 posthumous and 92 non-citizen recipients.

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