World Science Day for Peace & Development being observed today
The World Science Day for Peace and Development (WSDPD) is annually held on 10th November across the world to raise awareness of benefits of science worldwide.
The day highlights the important role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues.
The theme of 2017 is ‘Science for Global Understanding’.
Delhi Govt signs twin City agreement with Seoul Mayor
The Delhi govt has signed a twin city agreement with the Seoul (South Korea) Metropolitan Govt for strengthening cooperation in the fields of e-governance, climate changes smart city and transportation.
The agreement has been signed between Park Won Soon (Mayor of Seoul Metropolitan Government) and Arvind Kejriwal (Chief Minister of Delhi) referred to as ‘Establishment of Friendship City Relationship’.
The agreement now needs the Union governments approval to come into effect.
Radha Mohan Singh inaugurates the Organic World Congress – 2017
The Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh has inaugurated the three-day ‘Organic World Congress -2017’ (19th edition) at India Expo Centre in Greater Noida.
The Organic World Congress (OWC) is organized once every three years in a different country.
In 2014, the last edition of the Organic World Congress took place in Istanbul, Turkey.
1,400 representatives from 110 countries and 2000 delegates from India is participating in the OWC 2017.
Around 55 seeds group from 15 Indian states will showcase 4,000 varieties of seeds in the Congress.
President Kovind to begin his two-day Madhya Pradesh visit today
Today, President Ram Nath Kovind has arrived in Bhopal on a two-day visit to Madhya Pradesh.
President attended the Kabir Pragatotsav programme organized at Lal Parade Ground and release a book on the 15th-century mystic poet which is published by the state government's culture department
He has also unveiled the statue of Veerangana Jhalakari Bai at GTB Complex, Tatya Tope Nagar in Bhopal.
He will attend the Second Convocation of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University tomorrow.
Full GST council meets in Guwahati today
Today, the full GST council headed by Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley meet in Guwahati and review the impact of the new tax regime in the first quarter of its implementation.
The meeting is very important as it will review the progress of the new tax regime three months after it was rolled out.
Besides the rate fitment committee, there is a Group of Ministers headed by Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam Finance Minister) is working on making the GST composition scheme more attractive.
Exemption to small traders, issues related to MRP and the impact of the new tax regime on the small-scale industry are among the issues likely to be taken up at the meeting.
Price Stabilization Fund Management Committee decides to import onions through govt agency
Price Stabilization Fund Management Committee (led by the Consumer Affairs Ministry) has decided to import onions through govt agency to augment the availability of onions in the market and moderate prices.
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) will procure 10 thousand tonnes & the Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) two thousand tonnes of onions from producing areas.
They supply it to consuming areas to enhance its availability.
RBI asks banks to provide doorstep banking facilities to senior citizens & divyangs
The Reserve bank of India (RBI) has asked banks to provide doorstep banking facilities to senior citizens (above 70 years) and differently-abled persons by December 2017.
Banks have been directed to provide basic services pick-up of cash and instruments against receipt, delivery of cash against withdrawal from accounts, delivery of demand drafts, submission of Know Your Customer (KYC) documents and Life Certificates at the premises or residence of such customers.
Banks have also been advised that a fully KYC compliant account should automatically be converted into a 'Senior Citizen Account' based on the date of birth available in the bank's records.
The RBI asked banks to provide a minimum of 25 cheque leaves every year for a savings bank account free of charge.
HDFC bank launches ‘SmartUp Zone’ in Kochi
HDFC Bank has announced the launch of its SmartUp Zone ( the exclusive area inside the branch dedicated for start-ups) in Kochi.
The objective is to harness the potential of the startup and fintech eco-system using a multi-pronged approach.
SmartUp Zones will be launched in over 65 branches in 30 cities across India.
Emirates NBD bank begins operations in India
UAE’s Emirates NBD has started operations in India by opening a branch in Mumbai.
This branch is Emirates NBD’s fifth international branch outside of its UAE, offer a range of services to corporate, institutional clients and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
The bank has planned to invest USD 100 million capital into its Indian operations over a period of time.
India re-elected member of UNESCO's executive board
India has been re-elected as the member of the UNESCO's executive board.
The election was held at the 39th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in Paris.
The General Conference consists of the representatives of the States Members of the organization and each country has one vote, irrespective of its size or the extent of its contribution to the budget.
UNESCO's executive board meets every two years and is attended by the Member States and Associate Members, together with observers for non-Member States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Hong Kong becomes World’s top city for International Visits
According to the Euromonitor International, Hong Kong remains the world’s most visited city by international travelers.
The report on top 100 city destinations was published by market research firm Euromonitor International.
25.7 million arrivals are expected in Hong Kong this year, Bangkok (Thai capital) retains second place, London (Europe’s top city) in third place with 19.8 million arrivals.
The report was authored by Wouter Geerts (Euromonitor’s senior travel analyst) on top 100 city destinations.
