29-30 September 2019 - Daily Current Affairs

1. Rajnath Singh commissions INS Khanderi into Indian Navy

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the ‘INS Khanderi’ into the Indian Navy in the presence of Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh.
On the same occasion, the Defence Minister also inducted P-17 Shivalik-class frigate Nilgiri and the aircraft carrier drydock into the Indian Navy.
INS Khanderi (67.5 metres long and 12.3 metres tall) has been built at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai.
INS Khanderi comprises a set of missiles and torpedoes along with a sonar suite that helps the submarine to detect the enemies from a long distance and classify its targets.
The name ‘Khanderi’ is inspired by the dreaded ‘Sword Tooth Fish’ a deadly fish known to hunt whilst swimming close to the bottom of the ocean.

Note:

A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater.

Source: The Times of India

2. International Astronomical Union names asteroid after Pandit Jasraj

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named a minor planet after Indian classical singer Pandit Jasraj.
The asteroid (located between Mars and Jupiter) was discovered on 11^th November 2006, by the Catalina Sky Survey, whose telescopes are based in Arizona in the United States.
As of September 2019, there are 5,41,131 numbered minor planets of a total of 7,97,078 observed bodies, with the rest being unnumbered minor planets.
Pandit Jasraj is the recipient of numerous awards, honours, and titles, including the prestigious Padma Vibhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Note:

All names proposed are judged by the 15-member Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (CSBN) of the IAU, comprising professional astronomers with research interests in minor planets and/or comets from around the world.

Source: The Hindu

Important Days

3. International Translation Day being observed today

International Translation Day is celebrated every year on 30th September on the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator who is considered the patron saint of translators.
International Translation Day is meant as an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals.
The celebrations have been promoted by FIT (the International Federation of Translators) ever since it was set up in 1953.

Note:

On 24 May 2017, the General Assembly adopted resolution 71/288 on the role of language professionals in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development, and declared 30th September as International Translation Day.

Source: UN.Org

4. 29th September: World Heart Day

World Heart Day (WHD) is celebrated on 29th September every year to create awareness about heart disease and stroke prevention.
The causes for such diseases are alcohol abuse, tobacco consumption, leading an unhealthy lifestyle with irregular sleep, unhealthy food and sedentary lifestyle.
The theme for the World Heart Day 2019 is “My Heart, Your Heart”.
The World Heart Federation created this global campaign in the hopes of uniting people all around the world to encourage heart-healthy living across the globe.

Note:

In May 2012, world leaders committed to reducing global mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025.

Source: UN.Org

Art & Culture

5. ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ starts at Expo Centre Noida

Smt. Renuka Singh (Minister of State for Tribal Affairs) has inaugurated the 11-day ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ at Expo Centre, Noida (UP).
Artists and artisans from as many as 20 states of the country are a part of this mega cultural razzmatazz and showcase their traditional art, craft and culture.
Aadi Mahotsav (Tribal Festival) organized by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The festival will continue from 11 am to 8.30 pm, daily till 8th October 2019.
The traditional tribal jewellery, rare of the rarest craft items and artefacts will be a huge attraction for the inquisitive buyers.

Source: PIB

6. Ten-day Mysuru Dasara festival inaugurated in Karnataka

Kannada novelist Dr. S L Bhyrappa has inaugurated the ten-day Mysuru Dasara festival by offering floral tributes to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari atop Chamundi Hill.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.
The festival will be marked by cultural programmes, sports events, wrestling competition, film and food festival, book exhibition, flower shows.
The festivities will culminate with the grand elephant procession on Vijayadashmi day.
The birth centenary celebration of the erstwhile ruler of Mysore Jayachamaraja Wadiyar is included in the Dasara festival this year.

Source: AIR News

Appointment

7. Suresh Chitturi appointed Chief of International Egg Commission

India’s Suresh Chitturi has been appointed as chairman of the International Egg Commission (IEC) for next two years.
He will be the first chair from Asia in the history of the International Egg Commission (IEC).
Currently, Mr. Chitturi is the Vice Chairman and Managing Director (MD) of India’s leading poultry firm ‘Srinivasa Farms’.
The appointment was made at the IEC Global Leadership Conference in Copenhagen in Denmark.

Note:

The International Egg Commission (IEC) is a membership organisation (over 80 countries) dedicated to the global egg industry.
The IEC was established in 1964 at the second International Egg Conference held in Bologna, Italy.

Source: Outlook India

International Affairs

8. Nepal Rastra Bank issues commemorative coins on 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev

To celebrate 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev the Nepal Rastra Bank has issued commemorative coins of 2500, 1000 and 100 Nepali rupees.
Dr. Chiranjibi Nepal (Nepal Rastra Bank Governor) and Manjeev Singh Puri (Indian Ambassador) released commemorative coins.
Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee President Sardar Gobind Singh Longowal, Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Harpreet Singh and many other prominent Sikh leaders from Punjab also joined the launching ceremony.
On this occasion, a book "Sikh Heritage of Nepal" was also released.
The book published by Indian Embassy highlights Nepal's Sikh connection which dates back to Guru Nanak Dev, who travelled through Nepal during his third Udasi.

Source: DD News

Obituaries

9. Viju Khote, Kalia of 'Sholay' passes away

Bollywood actor Viju Khote (77-years) passed away in Mumbai due to multiple organ failure.
Mr. Viju Khote was best known for his role in the blockbuster film 'Sholay' in which he starred as dacoit Kalia.
The actor had been working in the film industry (Hindi and Marathi films- over 300) since 1964.

Source: The Times of India

10. Former Foreign Secretary of India K P S Menon (Junior) passes away

Former Foreign Secretary of India K P S Menon (Jr.) (90 -years) passed away at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Mr. Menon (Indian Foreign Service-officer-1951) had served as the Foreign Secretary of India from 1987 to 1989.
KPS Menon (junior) was best known for his services as an ambassador to various countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Japan and China.
K P S Menon (Junior) was the son of first Foreign Secretary of independent India K P S Menon (senior).

Source: The Hindu

Honour & Award

11. Cochin International Airport wins an award for passenger satisfaction

As per the annual Airport Service Quality survey (conducted by the ACI), Airport Council International has recognised Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) as the best airport in terms of services offered to passengers.
CIAL was ranked amongst the best airports in the 5-15 million categories in the Asia Pacific region for the year 2018.
The award was presented to the authorities of Cochin International Airport at the second Annual ACI Customer Experience Global Summit held at Bali, Indonesia.

Note:

ACI ASQ survey is world-renowned and established airport service quality benchmarking programme measuring passengers’ satisfaction.

Source: Business Standard

National Affairs

12. 7th World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) 2019 held in Mumbai, Maharashtra

The 7th annual World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) 2019 held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The theme of (WHEF) 2019 was “Prosperous Society: Stronger Society”.
The World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) describes itself as an independent international organization committed to making Hindu society prosperous through the creation and sharing of surplus wealth.
Earlier, The World Hindu Economic Forum has been organised in London, Chicago, Losa Angeles, Hong Kong, and Nairobi.

Source: Business Standard

13. India ranked 44th in world digital competitiveness rankings

India has moved up by four places to be ranked 44^th (in 2018- 48th) in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019, produced by the IMD World Competitiveness Center.
The US was ranked as the world’s most digitally competitive economy, followed by Singapore (2^nd) and Sweden (3rd),
India’s biggest improvement in 2019 was in the technology sub-factor level, where it held the first position in telecommunications investment.

Note:

The centre measured the capacity and readiness of 63 nations to adopt and explore digital technologies as a key driver for economic transformation in business, government and wider society.

To evaluate an economy, WDCR examines 3 factors:

Knowledge: The capacity to understand and learn new technologies.
Technology: The competence to develop new digital innovations.
Future readiness: The preparedness for the coming developments.

Top 5 countries in World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019
1^st: USA
2^nd: Singapore
3^rd: Sweden
4^th: Denmark
5^th”: Switzerland

Sports

14. Deepti Sharma becomes 1st Indian cricketer to bowl 3 maidens in T20Is

India’s all-rounder Deepti Sharma (22-years) had an extraordinary outing in India’s first T20I against South Africa in Surat.
Deepti Sharma gave away runs only off the 19th ball that she bowled in the India Women vs South Africa Women match
She ended with figures of 4/8 with three of the four overs to lead India to victory.
This is the first time that an Indian has bowled as many maidens in a T20I match.

Source: The Hindustan Times.

15. Sumit Nagal wins men's singles title of ATP Challenger Tournament

Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal (22-year) has won the men's singles title of ATP Challenger Tournament at Buenos Aires in Argentina.
He defeated local favourite Facundo Bognis in straight-sets 6-4, 6-2 to claim the 54,160 US dollars prize money.
Last month, Nagal grabbed headlines after he made his Grand Slam debut and produced a spirited fight against the legendary Roger Federer in the first round of the US Open.

Source: The Hindu

16. India defeats Bangladesh, clinches SAFF U-18 C’ship title

India defeated Bangladesh by 2-1 in the final of SAFF Under-18 Football Championship 2019 to lift the maiden title in Kathmandu.
India's Ninthoinganba Meetei was declared Most Valuable Player of the championship.
Earlier, Host Nepal had lifted two editions of the Championship but could not qualify for semi-finals this time.

Note:

The SAFF U−18 Championship is a football championship for male footballers under the age of 18 and is organized by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF).

Source: AIR News

17. Lewis Hamilton wins 2019 Russian Grand Prix

British racing driver Lewis Hamilton (for Mercedes) has won the Russian Grand Prix 2019.
This was Hamilton’s 9th win of the season.
Finland’s Valtteri Bottas (for Ferrari) was in second, with Monaco’s Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) was third.
The 2019 Russian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at the Sochi Autodrom in Sochi, Russia.

Top five positions:

Position	Driver/Constructor	Driver Points
1^st	Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)	322
2^nd	Valtteri Bottas (Ferrari)	249
3^rd	Charles Leclerc (Red Bull Racing-Honda)	215
4^th	Max Verstappen (McLaren-Renault)	212
5^th	Sebastian Vettel (Renault)	194