16 September 2017 - Current Affairs

Unstoppable: My Life So Far authored by Maria Sharapova

  • The book titled ‘Unstoppable: My Life So Far’ authored by Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova.
  • The book talks about Sharapova’s rise from nowhere to tennis stardom and the unending fight to stay on top.
  • She became the world No. 1 for the first time at the age of 18-year (22nd August 2005).

International Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer observed today

  • The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is observed every year on 16th September for the preservation of the Ozone Layer.
  • The Ozone layer is a fragile shield of gas which protects the Earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun and thus helping preserve life on the planet.
  • This year, the theme for the Day is 'Caring for all life under the sun'.
Note:
  • The day marks the commemoration of the date of signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987 on substances that deplete the Ozone layer.
  • The principal aim of Montreal Protocol is to protect the ozone layer by taking measures to control total consumption of these chemicals.

Dr. Mahesh Sharma inaugurates Aizawl Circle of Archaeological Survey of India

  • Today, the Minister of State for Culture, EF & CC Dr. Mahesh Sharma has inaugurated the Aizawl Circle of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Mizoram.
  • The Aizawl Circle of ASI will cover Mizoram, Manipur & Tripura.
Note:
  • The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the premier organization for the archaeological researches and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
  • Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance is the prime concern of the ASI.

Assam passes PRANAM (Parents Responsibility and Norms for Accountability and Monitoring) Bill

  • The Assam assembly (126-member) passed a bill seeking to deduct a fraction of the salary of state govt. employees for the benefit of their parents or differently abled siblings (If they do not want to support them).
  • The Assam Employees’ Parents Responsibility and Norms for Accountability and Monitoring Bill-2017 – better known as the Assam Employees PRANAM Bill – is aimed at ensuring that employees do not neglect their loved ones in times of need.
  • The bill has provisions for deducting 10% of an employee’s pay and transferring it to the account of the relative concerned.
  • Another 5% would be deductible if the employee has a differently abled sibling.

Andhra Pradesh Govt. fixes target of constructing more than 5 lakh houses for urban poor

  • Andhra Pradesh Govt. has fixed a target of constructing 5 lakhs 39 thousand houses in the next 15 months for the urban poor in the state under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
  • Construction of one lakh and 30 thousand houses is underway and the remaining houses will be grounded soon.
  • AP Township and Infrastructure Development Corporation have been chosen as the nodal agency for construction of these houses.
  • The government has chosen “sheer wall technology” to ensure high quality in the construction.
  • Both central and state governments will provide a loan of one and a half lakhs to the beneficiaries of the houses.

Devendra Fadnavis launches 'Maharashtra Mission 1 Million' initiative

  • Chief Minister of Maharashtra ‘Devendra Fadnavis’ has launched the ‘Maharashtra Mission 1 Million’ initiative to support the FIFA U17 World Cup (first-ever in India).
  • Under the initiative, the state govt. aims to ensure that children come out in open spaces and play football.
  • The state govt. also distributed 1 lakh footballs in more than 30000 schools.
  • The under-17 football world cup kick off in October 2017. (Total 52 matches).
  • The mission will not only create football players and lovers of the game but will also help in overall development of the state.

Jaipur's National Institute of Ayurveda enters Guinness Book

  • On the second day of National Ayurveda Yuva Mahotsav, National Institute of Ayurveda of Jaipur has entered the Guinness Book for 'Most people receiving Nasya Panch Kararma simultaneously'.
  • 733 Ayurvedic practitioners performed Nasya Karma, which has been registered in the Guinness Book of records.
  • Total of 1466 people attended this Karma, completed in eight minutes. Observer of the Guinness Records was also present on this occasion.
  • The Nasya Karma is beneficial in all diseases related to the brain.
  • Three thousand youth Ayurveda students and doctors from across the country are participating in the three-day National Ayurveda Youth Festival.

‘Salman Khan received’ a Global Diversity Award at Britain’s House of Commons

  • Today, The Bollywood star ‘Salman Khan’ has received the ‘Global Diversity Award’ from Keith Vaz (longest-serving Asian MP) at Britain’s House of Commons.
  • The Global Diversity Award is given to people of immense stature in terms of what they have done for diversity in the world.
  • Salman Khan was honored for his contribution to the Indian film industry as an actor, producer, television personality, singer, and philanthropist.

Swami Bhaskar Das passes away

  • The major litigant in Ayodhya's disputed structure case ‘Swami Bhaskar Das’ (89-years) passed away due to cardiac arrest in Uttar Pradesh.
  • He was the Chief of Nirmohi Akhara and main priest of Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya.
  • Swami Jee has challenged the Allahabad High Court verdict of 2010 in the Supreme Court claiming ownership of Akhara over entire campus of the disputed structure.
  • He will be given Jal Samadhi this afternoon in the river Sarayu at Ayodhya as per tradition.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon tabbed for IOC ethics chair

  • Former Secretary-General of United Nations (UN) ‘Ban Ki-moon’ has been elected as Chair of Ethics Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the four-year term.
  • He succeeds Youssoupha Ndiaye of Senegal.
  • Mr. Moon was the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations (Jan 2007 - Dec 2016).

India's exports rise to 10.29 percent in August

  • According to commerce ministry data, India's exports have recorded growth of 10.29% during August this year due to rise in shipments of chemicals, petroleum and engineering products.
  • India exported goods worth 23.81 billion US dollars in August this year against 21.59 billion dollars in the same period last year.
  • Exports grew 8% in May and 4.39% in June this year.
  • Imports also rose by 21.02% to 35.46 billion dollars in August from 29.3 billion dollars in the corresponding period last year.
  • The trade deficit widened to 11.64 billion dollars in the month under review from 7.7 billion dollars in August 2016, due to increase in gold imports.

India Signs 76 Million Dollar with JICA to Upgrade Alang-Sosiya Shipyards

  • India has signed a loan deal of 76 million dollars with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a project to upgrade the environment management plan at Alang-Sosiya ship recycling yards.
  • The total cost of the project will be 111 million dollars and executed by Gujarat Maritime Board (completed by 2022).
  • The project will help the Alang-Sosia ship-recycling yards to comply with international safety and environmental regulations.
  • The project will also help in safeguarding the marine and coastal environment.
  • The use of advanced decontamination technology will rule out the possibility of fire accidents in oil and chemical tankers, thereby ensuring workers safety.
  •  The project is expected to result in an increase in direct employment from 50 thousand to 92 thousand people and in-direct employment from 1.5 lakhs to 3 lakh people

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