17 October 2019 - Daily Current Affairs

17 October 2019 - Daily Current Affairs

1. President Kovind embarks on a two-nation visit to Philippines and Japan

• President Ram Nath Kovind has left for a two-nation visit to the Philippines and Japan.
• The president will hold delegation-level talks with his Filipino counterpart Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Manila and attend business and community events ((17th to 21st October).
• Mr Kovind is visiting Japan (from 21st to 23^rd October) to attend the enthronement ceremony of the Emperor of Japan Naruhito.

Note:

• The Philippines (world's 5th largest island country) is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia.
• Capital of Philippines: Manila, Currency: Philippine peso
• Japan (world's 4th largest island country) is an island country in East Asia, Located in the Pacific Ocean.
• Capital of Japan: Tokyo, Currency: Yen

Source: DD News

2. India-Bangladesh rail links closed after 1965 war with Pakistan will reopen

• Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has announced that all the rail links with India closed after the 1965 war will be reopened.
• Trains from Bangladesh to Darjeeling via Siliguri operated till 1965.
• Earlier, PM Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the first intercity train between Dhaka and Kurigram.
• The first rail line between India and Dhaka was opened in 2008 when Maitree express between Dhaka and Kolkata was started.
• In 2017 Bandhan express was also started between Kolkata and Khulna.

Note:

• At present, there are four operational rail links between India and Bangladesh.
• Two more rail links namely Karimganj/Mahisasan in India to Shahbazpur in Bangladesh and Haldibari in India to Chilhati in Bangladesh are being revived to connect West Bengal and Assam with Bangladesh.

3. Indian artists perform Mahatama Gandhi's favourite Bhajan in Sharjah

• Indian artists performed Mahatma Gandhi's favourite Bhajan “Raghupati Raghav Rajaram” on occasion of 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Bapu in Sharjah.
• The function, which was organised by the Indian Association in Sharjah, was attended by Minister of State for External Affairs V Murleedharan among others.
• Mr Murleedharan is on a two-day visit to the UAE to attend the 5th Abu Dhabi Dialogue.

Important days

4. 17th October: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

• The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is an international observance celebrated on 17th October throughout the world.
• The main objective of this day is to raise awareness about the efforts being made to eradicate poverty in the world community.
• The theme of 2019 is ‘Acting together to empower children, their families and communities to end poverty’.

Source: UN.Org

National Affairs

5. Tunnel on NH 44 in J&K to be named after Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee: Gadkari

• Chenani- Nashri Tunnel on NH 44 (in Jammu & Kashmir) will be named after Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.
• According to Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, it is the humble homage to Mukherjee whose battle for Kashmir, One Nation One Flag.
• Syama Prasad Mukherjee was an Indian politician, barrister and academician, who served as the Minister for Industry and Supply in Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet.
• With the help of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(RSS), Mr Mukherjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor to the Bharatiya Janata Party (in 1951).

Source: News 18

6. FSSAI launches Food Safety Mitra Scheme

• FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) has introduced a new scheme ‘Food Safety Mitra (FSM)’ to engage motivated individuals with the food safety ecosystem at ground level.
• The ‘FSM’ scheme has been launched by Dr Harsh Vardhan (Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare).
• Food Safety Mitra (FSM) is an individual professional certified by FSSAI who assists in compliances related to FSS Act, Rules & Regulations.
• They will be available in three avatars- Digital Mitra, Trainer Mitra and Hygiene Mitra depending upon their respective roles and responsibilities.
• The scheme will open opportunities for youths in the area of online licensing and registration of food businesses, food safety training and hygiene auditing.

Source: AIR News

7. GOAL: Digital Skill Training Programme for Tribal Women

• Arjun Munda (Union Minister of Trible Affairs) has announced the 2nd phase of programme GOAL (Going online as leaders) for tribal women.
• The objective of this GOAL program is to digitally mentor 5000 young women in India’s tribal-dominated districts.
• Ministry of Tribal Affairs partners with Facebook and Niti Aayog are running GOAL for tribal women.
• The GOAL program will give technical support to the socially and economically marginalized women for their needs to succeed, using the technology they may otherwise have not had access to.

Source: PIB

State Affairs

8. Shirui Lily Festival inaugurated in Manipur

• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism & Culture Prahlad Singh Patel has inaugurated ‘2019 Shirui Lily Festival’ (3rd) at Shiru Vangayan Ground of Ukhrul in Manipur.
• The festival featured demonstrations of the age-old traditions and culture of the inhabitants of the district of Ukhrul.
• This initiative will provide an opportunity to youth outside the region to develop a positive perception of North-East.
• Mr Patel along with N. Biren Singh (Manipur Chief Minister) jointly inaugurated the Strength of Unity Statue as a mark of opening the third edition of the four-day state festival. 

Source: AIR News

9. Andhra Pradesh CM launches 'YSR Rytu Bharosa - PM KISAN' scheme

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has launched 'YSR Rytu Bharosa - PM KISAN' in Nellore.
• Under the scheme, farmers will get financial assistance of Rs 13,500 per annum in three instalments.
• The State Government contributing Rs 7,500 and the Centre Rs 6,000.
• Andhra Pradesh Government allocated budget of Rs 5,500 crore for the scheme and the number of beneficiaries is initially put at roughly Rs 40 lakh.

Source: Hindu Business line

Science & Defence

10. NASA unveils spacesuits to be worn by the first woman on the moon

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has unveiled its next-generation space suits for upcoming Artemis programme, which aims to land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024.
• The garment, known as the exploration extravehicular mobility unit (xEMU).
• The xEMU suits will allow astronauts to move more freely on the moon and during spacewalks.
• The suit has been designed for exploring the lunar surface, specifically the south pole – the target for Nasa’s next crewed lunar landing.

Source: The Guardian

11. India-Japan joint Air Force Exercise ‘Shinyuu Maitri’ in West Bengal

• The Indian Air Force and Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) has carried out the annual joint military exercise ‘Shinyuu Maitri’ at Air Force Station, Arjan Singh, Panagarh, West Bengal (17 to 23^rd October)
• C-130 J aircraft of the Special Operations Squadron of IAF and C-130 H of Tactical Airlift Squadron of JASDF is participating in the exercise.
• The focus of the exercise, to undertake Joint Mobility and Tactical interoperability among the two forces.

Source: First Post

Banking & Finance

12. RBI guidelines for ‘on tap' payment systems

• Reserve bank Of India (RBI) has issued some instructions and guidelines 'on tap' authorisation of payment systems.
• The RBI has been decided to offer on-tap authorisation for Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit (BBPOU), Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) and White Label ATMs (WLAs).
• The payment system operators should ensure interoperability among different retail payment systems.
• As per the guidelines, interested entities should have a minimum of 100 crore rupees net worth and should always be maintained.
• TReDS scheme is to facilitate the financing of invoices and bills of MSMEs drawn on corporate buyers by way of discounting by financiers.
• White Label ATMs are set up by non-bank entities.

Source: Economics Times

13. Mastercard launches an initiative to promote digital payments in India

• Mastercard has tied up with Indian Cricketer M.S. Dhoni (brand ambassador of Mastercard) to launch a nationwide initiative to accelerate the acceptance and adoption of digital payments in India.
• The initiative dubbed as ‘Team Cashless India‘.
• The objective of this initiative to bring consumers and merchants to the “forefront of the digital payments dialogue”.
• Mastercard will work together with Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), acquirer banks and financial technology companies to support nominated merchants to deploy digital payments acceptance infrastructure.

Note:

• To take part in ‘Team Cashless India’, anyone can either nominate merchants online or give a missed call to 9016861000.
• Team Cashless India’ is an important step towards Mastercard’s goal to equip 10 million merchants in India with digital payments acceptance capabilities by 2020.

Source: Hindustan Times

Sports

14. Mumbai's Yashasvi Jaiswal, youngest cricketer to score 200 in One Day cricket

• Mumbai teenager Yashasvi Jaiswal (17 years- 192 days) has become the youngest cricketer in the world to score a double century in One Day Cricket.
• Playing in his debut Vijay Hazare season, Yashasvi Jaiswal (left-handed batsman) scored 203 runs (in 154 balls-12 sixes and 17 fours) against Jharkhand at Alur, Karnataka.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal became the seventh Indian batsman to score a double century in List A cricket and fourth to achieve it in the domestic circuit.
• Riding on Jaiswal's quickfire double hundred, Mumbai posted 358 for 3 in 50 overs and bowled out the opposition for 319.

Source: AIR News

16 October 2019 - Daily Current Affairs

16 October 2019 - Daily Current Affairs

1. World Food Day being observed today

• The ‘World Food Day’ is observed every year on 16th October globally to mark the foundation of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.
• The theme of World Food Day 2019 is “Our Actions Are Our Future. Healthy Diets for A #ZeroHunger World".

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO):

• Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that works towards defeating hunger via international efforts.
• The objective of ‘FAO’ to achieve food security for all and to make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active healthy lives.
• It has 194 member states and it works in over 130 countries in the whole world.

Appointment

2. J.P.S. Chawla takes over as the Controller General of Accounts (CGA)

• Government of India has appointed Shri J. P. S. Chawla (Indian Civil Accounts Service Officer-1985 batch) as the new Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure.
• He will replace Girraj Prasad Gupta.
• Shri J. P. S. Chawla has been officiating as CGA with effect from 1^st September 2019.
• Earlier, Mr. Chawla served as Principal Chief Controller of Accounts, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) where he was instrumental in the finalisation of the accounting procedure and operationalisation of GST Network (GSTN) before the national rollout of GST.
• Shri Chawla is a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in mechanical engineering from the Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi.
• He has also served on deputation with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and served as Director (Finance) in the Indraprastha Power Generation Company Limited (IPGCL) and Pragati Power Limited (PPL).

Note:

• CGA works under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
• The Principal Advisor on Accounting matters to the Union Government
• The responsibility of establishing and maintaining a technically sound management accounting system rests with the CGA.

Source: The Time of India

3. Conservative academic Kais Saied elected president of Tunisia

• A former professor of constitutional law, Kais Saied (61-years) has been elected new President of Tunisia after a landslide victory in the 2019 presidential election.
• He will succeed Mohamed Ennaceur who is currently the interim President of Tunisia since July 2019 following the death of President Beji Caid Essebsi.
• Mr. Saied will assume the office on 30^th October 2019 as the 6th President of Tunisia.

Note:

• Tunisia is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa, bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east.
• Capital: Tunis
• Currency: Tunisian dinar (TND)

National Affairs

4. India ranked 102 in Global Hunger Index 2019

• India ranked 102 (last years- 103rd) position among 117 countries on the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2019 report released by Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
• India is ranked below many neighbouring countries, including China (25th spot), Nepal (73th), Myanmar (69th), Sri Lanka (66th), Bangladesh (88th) and Pakistan (94th).
• The report warned that the progress towards a 2030 zero hunger target that was agreed upon by leaders across the words was “under threat”.
• GHI is a multidimensional measure that describes a state of hunger situation on regional, national and global level.
• It is published annually by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) since 2006.

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is based on four parameters:

1. The proportion of undernourished as a percentage of the population.
2. The proportion of children under five years of age suffering from wasting.
3. The proportion of children under five years of age suffering from stunting.
4. The mortality rate of children under the age of five years.

5. Govt. to set up 14 World Skills India Training Centres across 9 cities

• According to Mahendra Nath Pandey (Union Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister), Govt. is planning to set up 14 Authorized World Skills India Training Centres across 9 cities in the country for media and entertainment sector.
• The new institutes will be set up for advanced skill training of candidates in the media and entertainment sector and to further develop skilling eco-system for training candidates for the international market.
• Nine Cities are Chennai, Trivandrum, Chandigarh, New Delhi, Indore, Pune, Mumbai, Shillong and Hyderabad.
• The centres will offer (9 to 36 months duration) certification courses on 3D digital game, graphic design technology, and print media technology.

6. J&K govt to set up 50 PCOs in each district of Kashmir division

• Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) government will set-up 50 Public Call Offices (PCOs) in each district of Kashmir Division soon in order to provide free of cost calling facilities to the general public.
• According to Baseer Ahmad Khan (Divisional Commissioner Kashmir), locations and other modalities have been finalized.
• General Public will avail calling facilities in these PCOs free of cost.

7. Delhi LG launches an online module for sanction of building plans

• Anil Baijal (Delhi Lieutenant Governor) has launched an online module for sanctioning building plans for plots up to 500 square metres on self-certification basis by municipal corporations.
• The process will require an architect to file the case online for obtaining the sanction of a building plan certificate.
• The submitted case will be scrutinised automatically by the rule engine of the Online Building Plan System (OBPS) module.
• Thereafter, in case of any shortcoming, an error report will be generated by the system.

Source: AIR News

Banking & Finance

8. ICICI Bank introduces an FD with free health insurance

• ICICI Bank has announced to launch a new Fixed Deposit (FD) scheme ‘FD Health’ that will offer the dual benefit of an FD along with free critical illness coverage with a sum assured of Rs 1 lakh.
• The customers will be offered the insurance cover free of cost for the first year and thereafter, they can renew it.
• This first-of-its-kind offering in the industry provides the customer with a complimentary critical illness cover of Rs. 1 lakh from ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company on opening an FD of Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 3 lakhs for the tenure of at least two years.
• This offering is a first in the industry and provides the advantage of safety and growth of a fixed deposit along with protection of critical illness cover which will provide financial help if needed.
• List of critical illnesses under the policy includes specified severities related to cancer, lung disease, kidney failure, liver disease and benign brain tumour, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Source: ICICI Bank

9. IMF cuts GDP growth forecast to 6.1% for 2019-20

• As per the World Economic Outlook released, the IMF (International Monetary Fund) cut its forecast for GDP growth for the financial year 2019-20 to 6.1% (in July 2019 - 7% growth).
• IMF revises GDP growth rate prediction for 2019 at 6.1% and for 2020 at 7.0%
• GDP Prediction of India in 2019: 6.1%
• GDP Prediction of India in 2020:  7.0%

Note:

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.
• IMF consisting 189 countries working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world while periodically depending on World Bank for its resources.

Honour & Awards

10. India wins four 2019 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation

• UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2019 has been announced at a ceremony in Penang, Malaysia.
• Indian bagged four awards in three categories.
• India’s Flora Fountain and three other landmarks in Mumbai are among the four sites that have been chosen from India.

A complete list of winners

Award of Distinction	New Design in Heritage Contexts	Honourable Mention	Award of Merit
Vikram Sarabhai Library, IIM (Ahmedabad) India	Dry Pit Latrine in Jiaxian Ancient Jujube Garden (Shaanxi) China	Flora Fountain (Mumbai) India	Our Lady of Glory Church (Mumbai) India
Keyuan Garden (Suzhou) China	Joan Sutherland Theatre Passageway and Lift (Sydney Opera House) Australia	Westpac Long Gallery (Sydney) Australia	Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue (Mumbai) India
Nelson School of Music, (Nelson) New Zealand	The Mills (Hong Kong SAR) China	The 5s Classroom (Kew) Australia	Tseto Goenpa (Paro) Bhutan
		Liddell Bros. Packing Plant (Wuhan) China	Guyue Bridge (Zhejiang) China
			Lyttelton Timeball Station (Christchurch) New Zealand

 11. HCL’s Shiv Nadar tops EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2019

• Shiv Nadar (HCL founder and chairman) has achieved the top rank in the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2019.
• Mr Nadar made the highest contribution of Rs 826 crore (between April 2018 and March 2019) towards philanthropic causes.
• Azim Premji (Wipro) has been ranked second with total donations worth Rs 453 crore during the qualifying period.
• Mukesh Ambani (Chairman, Reliance Industries) came third with a total contribution of Rs 402 crore.

Note:

• The list has been compiled by the EdelGive Foundation and Hurun Research Institute.
• It ranks individuals from India who donated Rs 5 crore and above between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019, towards philanthropic contributions.

Books & Author

12. Abhijit Banerjee & Esther Duflo’s new book to release in November

• Nobel 2019 Laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo have penned a book together titled 'Good Economics for Hard Times – Better Answers to our Biggest Problems'.
• The book talks about the pressing issues of our times and tries to find solutions to these questions.
• The book is published by Juggernaut and set to release on November 2019, 

Sports

13. Sourav Ganguly set to be new BCCI President

• Former Indian cricket Captain Saurabh Ganguly (47-years) unanimously nominated as the new President of the Board of control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
• Jay Shah (son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah) has been unanimously selected as Secretary and Arun Dhumal (younger brother of MoS Finance Anurag Thakur) as Treasurer.
• All these candidates are expected to be elected unopposed at the Board's Annual General Meeting to be held on 23rd October 2019.
• Currently, CK Khanna is the acting president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
• Saurabh Ganguly (President, Cricket Association of Bengal) was the chairman of the BCCI technical committee and has been a media personality for many years.

Note:

• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the national governing body for cricket in India.
• It is a consortium of state cricket associations and the state associations select their representatives who in turn elect the BCCI Chief.
• Headquarter: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

14. Zimbabwe, Nepal readmitted as ICC members

• The International Cricket Council has readmitted Zimbabwe (suspended from July 2019) and Nepal (from 2016) as ICC members in a meeting held in Dubai.
• Zimbabwe Cricket had been suspended from membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC) with immediate effect in July this year.
• In 2016, Nepal had been banned for “governmental interference”.
• Now, Zimbabwe will be able to take up their place in the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in January and the ICC Super League later in 2020.

Source: BBC

13-14 October 2019 - Daily Current Affairs

13-14 October 2019 - Daily Current Affairs

1. Chandi Prasad Bhatt to get Indira Gandhi award for national integration

• The 31st Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for the years 2017 & 2018 will be awarded to Chandi Prasad Bhatt (85-years), the pioneer of the ‘Chipko Movement’.
• The award will be presented to Mr. Bhatt for his services in promoting and preserving the national integration.
• Chandi Prasad Bhatt has received the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1982), Padma Shri (in 1986), Padma Bhushan (2005) and the Gandhi Peace Prize (in 2013).
• The award will be given to Mr. Bhatt by the Congress President Sonia Gandhi on 31^st October 2019 (death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi) in a function at Jawahar Bhawan.

Source: India Today

2. Indian nun Mariam Thresia, four others declared Saints

• Indian nun Mariam Thresia (from Kerala) and four others were declared Saints by Pope Francis in a grand ceremony at St Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
• Mariam Thresia was canonised along with John Henry Newman (English Cardinal), Marguerite Bays (Swiss laywoman), Dulce Lopes (Brazilian Sister) and Giuseppina Vannini (Italian Sister).
• Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan led the Indian delegation at the ceremony.
• Mariam Thresia founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family in Thrissur in May 1914.
• Sister Thresia (in her short lifespan of 50 years) worked for the good of humanity becoming a noble example for the entire world.

Source: DD News

Important Days

3. 13^th October: International Day for Disaster Reduction

• International Day for Disaster Reduction is being observed annually on 13th October to encourages every citizen and government to take part in building more disaster-resilient communities and nations.
• The 2019 Theme: ‘Reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services’.
• This includes disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

Note:

• The International Day for Disaster Reduction was started in 1989, after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction.

Source: UN.Org

Banking & Finance

4. World Bank cuts growth forecast to 6% from 7.5%

• As per reports on South Asia, The World Bank (WB) has sharply lowered India's economic growth projection for FY 20 to 6%. (earlier estimate -7.5%).
• The report identified softening consumption due to slow growth in rural incomes, domestic demand and credit from NBFCs as a key challenge.
• Structural factors behind the weak investment were the other concern flagged by the World Bank.
• Bangladesh (this fiscal year-7.2%) has become the second-fastest growing economy in South Asia after Bhutan.

India’s Growth forecast:

Major credit rating agencies	GDP growth (now)	GDP growth (earlier)
Moody’s	5.8	6.8
OECD	5.9	7.2
World Bank	6.0	7.5
RBI	6.1	7.2
ADB	6.5	7.2

Note:

• A credit rating agency rate a debtor's ability to pay back debt by making timely principal and interest payments and the likelihood of default.

Source: The Times of India

National Affairs

5. Netherlands King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima arrive in New Delhi

• The Netherlands King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima arrived in New Delhi on a five-day visit to India.
• King Willem-Alexander's trip will be his first state visit to India, following his ascension to the throne in 2013.
• The King and Queen will visit New Delhi, Mumbai and Kerala during their visit.
• The visit is expected to boost economic and political cooperation between the two countries.

6. India, ADB sign agreement for road connectivity in Rajasthan

• India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed 190-Million-dollar loan agreement for improving road connectivity in Rajasthan.
• According to the Finance Ministry, the agreement was signed to upgrade 754 kilometres of state highways which will benefit about 26 million people in 14 districts of Rajasthan.
• The project provides for constructing more than 200 bus stops and 2 kilometres of raised sidewalk on project roads for the benefit of commuters and pedestrians, particularly women and children.

Source: AIR News

International Affairs

7. Super Typhoon ‘Hagibis’ hits Japan

• Typhoon 'Hagibis' triggered floods and landslides as it battered Japan with wind speeds of 225km/h.
• More than 100 people were injured across the country after typhoon Hagibis made landfall on Japan's main island of Honshu.
• Bullet trains were also seen engulfed by floodwater at East Japan Railway Co's Railyard near Nagano Station.
• Now, the typhoon has weakened to an extra-tropical cyclone off Japan's northeastern coast.

Source: BBC

8. ‘SARAS Aajeevika’ Mela underway at India Gate Lawns in New Delhi

• The SARAS Aajeevika Mela (organised by the Ministry of Rural Development) is underway at India Gate Lawns in New Delhi (till 23^rd October 2019).
• It was formally inaugurated by Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
• The objective of this Mela to bring the rural women Self Help Groups formed with the support of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission, under one platform to showcase their skills, sell their products and help them build linkages with bulk buyers.
• Rural SHG craftswomen from 29 States and UTs will show-case a varied range of products like handicrafts, handlooms, natural food products and a food court with regional cuisines.

9. Mobile App, ‘mHariyali’ Launched for ‘Environment Protection in Government Colonies’

• Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep S Puri has launched the mobile app, ‘mHariyali’ to encourage Public engagement in planting trees and other such Green drives.
• Now, People can upload information/photos of any plantation done by them, which is linked to the app and will be displayed on the website www.epgc.gov.in.
• The App provides for automatic geotagging of plants.
• This app will also enable nodal officers to periodically monitor the plantation.

10. PM Modi launches commemorative stamp to honour Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released a commemorative stamp in honour of Marshal of the Indian Air Force late Arjan Singh.
• Arjan Singh (Chief of Air Staff - August 1964 to July 1969) is an icon of Indian military history and the best remembered for providing excellent leadership to a young IAF during the 1965 war.
• In January 2002, Government of India designated him as the Marshal of the Air Force.
• Mr. Singh remains the only officer of the IAF to be given a Five-Star rank.

Banking & Finance

11. GeM signs MoU with Union Bank of India (UBI)

• Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Union Bank of India (UBI).
• Through this partnership, UBI will be able to offer an array of services including transfer of funds through GeM Pool Accounts (GPA), advising of Performance Bank Guarantees (e-PBG) and Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) to the registered users on the GeM portal.
• The MoU will facilitate a cashless, paperless and transparent payment system on the portal and will create an efficient procurement system for government entities.

Note:

• Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is an initiative of the Government of India offering one-stop platform facilitating online procurement of common use goods and services required by various government departments, organisations, Public Sector Units.

Books & Author

12. Bill Gates’s new book on climate change to be released in 2020

• UK-based publishing house Allen Lane has announced, American philanthropist Bill Gates’ (founder of Microsoft Corporation) will release a new book titled ‘How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need’.
• The book will be released in June 2020.
• Gates will explain why he cares so deeply about climate change and what makes him optimistic that the world can prevent the worst impacts of the climate crisis.
• The author’s interest in climate change is a natural outgrowth of the efforts made by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to reduce poverty and disease.

Sports

13. Dutch Open: Lakshya Sen wins maiden BWF World Tour title

• Rising Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen (18-year-old from Almora) clinched his maiden BMF World Tour title by winning the Dutch Open men’s singles at Almere in the Netherlands.
• Lakshya defeated Japan’s Yusuke Onodera 15-21,21-14,21-15 in the final.
• The Dutch Open is a BWF World Tour Super 100 tournament.
• Earlier, Lakshya had won the Belgian Open, Asian Junior Championships, a silver medal at Youth Olympic Gamers and a bronze medal at the world Junior Championship 2018.

Note:

• The 2019 Dutch Open was a badminton tournament which took place at Topsportcentrum in Almere, Netherlands.
• The total prize money for this tournament was USD 75,000.

Source: India today

14. Simone Biles breaks the record for most world medals won by any gymnast

• American artistic gymnast Simone Biles (22-years) captures all-time medal record at the World Gymnastics Championship.
• Biles surpassed Belarusian Vitaly Scherbo's record 23 world medals (won in the 1990s), winning “her 24th and 25th world medals (both gold) at the World Championship competition in Stuttgart.
• Now, Simone Biles holds the record for the most World Championship medals (25), as well as the most gold medals (19) in World Championship history for an athlete of any gender.

Source: AIR News

15. Dutee Chand breaks her own national record

• Star sprinter Dutee Chand (23-years) smashed her own national record in the women’s 100 m semi-finals at the National Open Athletics Championships in Ranchi.
• She surpassed her previous timing of 11.26 second (clocking -11.22 seconds) which she had set at the Asian Championships in April this year.
• Dutee clocked 11.25 seconds in the final to claim the gold, leaving Archana Suseendran and Himashree Roy behind.

16. Manju Rani settles for silver medal in World Women's Boxing C'ships

• Sixth-seeded Manju Rani settled for silver medal in World Women's Boxing Championships at Ulan-Ude in Russia.
• Russian Ekaterina Paltceva defeated Rani 4 -1 in 48 kilograms category in the final match of the tournament.

17. Kings XI Punjab appoints Anil Kumble head coach for IPL season 2020

• Former India leg-spinner Anil Kumble (48-year) has been appointed the head coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kings XI Punjab for the 2020 edition.
• Kumble is also being put in charge of "all cricket-related affairs" of the team for the foreseeable future, co-owner of the franchise Mohit Burman has confirmed.
• The appointment makes Kumble the only Indian coach in the IPL.
• Earlier, Kumble served as a mentor for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), whom he also led to the IPL final in 2009, as captain.

18. Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge becomes first to run the marathon in under two hours

• Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge (34-years) has successfully completed the first-ever marathon under two hours in Vienna’s (Austrian capital).
• Eliud Kipchoge (Olympic marathon champion and world record holder) completed a course around Vienna's Prater Park in 1 hour 59 minutes and 40 seconds (42- kilometres).
• During the race, Kipchoge followed behind a car and was assisted by an army of 30 pacemakers.
• Kipchoge has won 10 of his 11 marathons, holds the official world record of 2:01:39 since shattering the previous best mark by 78 seconds in Berlin last year.

12 October 2019 - Daily Current Affairs

12 October 2019 - Daily Current Affairs

1. Amit Shah inaugurates 14th Annual Convention of CIC

• Home Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated the 14th annual convention of the Central Information Commission (CIC) in New Delhi.
• All the present and former Chief Information Commissioners, Information Commissioners of the Central Information Commission, State Information Commission, RTI activists and NGOs associated with the implementation of the RTI Act will attend the Convention.

The convention have three sessions:

1. Gandhian thought and RTI,
2. RTI as a tool for effective governance, and
3. challenges ahead

Note:

• The Central Information Commission (CIC) is the authorised body (established in 2005), under the Government of India to act upon complaints from those individuals who have not been able to submit information requests to a Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer.
• The Chief Information Commissioner of India: Sudhir Bhargava

Source: PIB

2. Power Minister inaugurates Conference of Power & Renewable Energy Ministers of States and UTs

• Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy (I/C) Shri RK Singh inaugurated the two-day ‘Conference of Power and Renewable Energy Ministers of States and UTs’ at Tent City, Narmada, Gujarat.
• The Conference is being attended by the Energy Ministers and top officials of energy departments of the States.
• The Conference will see deliberation over a range of issues pertaining to power and renewable energy sector such as – 24/7 power supply for all, Ease of doing business, Sanctity of contracts, regulatory issues, implementation of various schemes.
• Power Finance Corporation (PFC) a PSU under the Ministry of Power has appointed ICRA and CARE as the designated credit rating agencies for carrying out the rating exercise.

Source: PIB

3. Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates first-ever ‘India International Cooperatives Trade Fair’

• Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar has inaugurated the first-ever ‘India International Cooperatives Trade Fair’(IICTF) at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
• This unique three-day forum aims to promote cooperative-to-cooperative trade within India and abroad leading to enhanced rural and farm prosperity.
• It also provides an opportunity for participating countries to showcase their products in the Indian market.

Source: DD News

4. Railway police’s website & mobile app “Sahyatri” launched

• Union Minister Nityanand Rai has launched a Government Railway Police’s website “railways.delhipolice.gov.in” and a mobile application “Sahyatri”.
• The database of criminals, including their photographs, active in railways’ jurisdiction all over India would be uploaded on the Railway police’s website.
• It will also have the facility to scan and read QR codes and make an emergency call.
• The 'Sahyatri 'app will help railway passengers find out the jurisdiction of a police station and the details of GRP officials by geotagging with Google Maps.
• It will also help the railway police in addressing complaints of passengers from across India and crime detection by integrating the criminal database online.

Source: The Hindu

5. Govt collaborates with IIM Bangalore to launch Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship

• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) announced its partnership with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore to launch a new programme 'Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship'.
• The two-year Fellowship programme will be delivered by IIMB’s Centre of Public Policy (CPP).
• The programme will be launched on a pilot basis in Gujarat, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• Those who have a graduate degree from a recognised university and are citizens of India in the age group of 21-30 years will be eligible to apply for it.

Source: Hindu Business line

6. PM Modi’s new aircraft with missile defence systems will land in June 2020

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two brand-new special aircraft that will reach India next year may be placed under the Indian Air Force rather than Air India.
• The two long-haul Boeing 777-300ER aircraft are being customised at Boeing’s Dallas facility and are expected to arrive in New Delhi on June 2020.
• Missile defence systems that will make the aircraft as secure as the Boeing 747-200B used by US President Donald Trump.
• It will be India’s first dedicated aircraft for the three dignitaries - the President, Vice President and Prime Minister.

Source: Hindustan Times

7. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board organizes City Walk Festival in 11 cities

• Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has organized a month-long City Walk Festival in 11 cities (from 12^th October to 10th November).
• The City Walk Festival organized in Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Panna, Vidisha, Khajuraho, Chanderi, Jabalpur, Burhanpur and Orchha.
• In a unique way to promote tourism, local, national and international tourists of all age groups is participating in the festival.
• More than 100 city walks organized during the festival on subjects including art, culture, heritage, food, textile, photography and spiritualism.
• In this festival, the tourists will be acquainted with the rich heritage, natural beauty, glorious history, traditions and ancient heritage of the Madhya Pradesh.

Source: AIR News

Honour & Awards

8. Abiy Ahmed Ali win 2019 Nobel Peace Prize

• The Nobel Peace Prize 2019 was awarded to Abiy Ahmed Ali "for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea.
• Current, Abiy Ahmed Ali is the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (since 2 April 2018).
• He was awarded for his work in ending the 20-year stalemate between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Note

• The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes (Chemistry, Physics, Physiology or Medicine, and Literature) established by the will of Swedish industrialist, inventor, and armaments manufacturer Alfred Nobel.

9. Health Minister gives Kayakalp Awards to hospitals

• Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan gave away Kayakalp Awards to different Central Government institutions, district hospitals, community health centres and private hospitals for their work in maintaining high standards of sanitation and hygiene in public health facilities.
• In the Central Government institutions, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi bagged a cash prize of three crore rupees,
• While, Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry received a cash award of 1.5 crore rupees.

Source: AIR News

10. Ashleigh Barty wins ‘The Don’ Award

• Ashleigh Barty has been awarded Australian sport’s highest individual honour ‘The Don’ Award at the annual Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
• Now, she has joined legends like Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe in lifting the prestigious prize.
• Barty was the first Australian to win the French Open in 46 years and is now aiming to become the first Australian woman to end the season with the No.1 ranking since Margaret Court in 1973.

Source: The Hindu

Important Days

11. 12th October: World Migratory Bird Day

• World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2019 is being observed on 12th October (second Saturday of October).
• The WMBD is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.
• The theme for 2019: Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution!

International Affairs

12. The 2019 C40 World Mayors Summit in Copenhagen

• Copenhagen is hosting the C40 Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark. (9th October to 12th October 2019)
• The main objective of the summit is to show how cities are delivering their strong commitments for healthier, sustainable, resilient and inclusive future.
• The 2019 summit in specific aims to build a global coalition of cities, citizens and businesses that rallies around ambitious climate action that the earth needs right now.
• The 2019 marks 14 – year establishment of C40 Leadership group.

Science & Defence

13. NASA launches a satellite to explore where air meets space

• The NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) launched a satellite called ‘Icon’ to explore the mysterious, dynamic region where air meets space.
• The satellite ‘Icon’ is short for Ionospheric Connection Explorer- rocketed into orbit following a two-year delay.
• It was dropped from a plane flying over the Atlantic off the Florida coast.
• Five seconds after the satellite's release, the attached Pegasus rocket ignited, sending Icon on its way.

Source: AIR News

Banking & Finance

14. Moody’s cuts India’s GDP growth forecast to 5.8% for FY20

• US-based Major credit rating agency Moody's Investors Service estimated that the Indian economy expected to 5.8% from 6.2%. in the financial year 2020.
• It stated that the Indian economy is experiencing a pronounced slowdown partly due to long-lasting factors.

Major credit rating agencies of the world:

• Moody's Investors Service was established in 1909, headquarters in New York, USA.
• Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC: was founded in 1860, headquarters in New York, USA, subsidiary of S&P Global.
• Fitch Ratings: was founded in 1914, headquarters in New York City and London.

Source: The Economics Times

Sports

15. Mary Kom settles for bronze at World Women’s Boxing Championships

• Mary Kom Settles for Bronze (in 51-kg division) medal after Losing Intense Semi-final at Women's World Boxing Championships 2019 in Russia.
• She lost her semi-final bout against Turkey's Buse naz Cakirogllu.
• The 2019 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships are held in Ulan-Ude, Russia.

Source: Indian Express

IBPS PO Prelims Exam Analysis: 12 October 2019 (Shift 3)

IBPS PO Prelims Exam Analysis: 12 October 2019 (Shift 2)