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Indian Affairs
India, Sri Lanka hold ministerial level talks in New Delhi
On September 9,2017, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Sri Lankan counterpart Tilak Marapana held wide-ranging talks to deepen bilateral relationship between the two countries. It is Marapana’s first overseas visit after assuming charge as foreign minister on 15th August. Marapana also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluding the official part of his three-day visit.
Issues discussed : –
i. Talks on the plight of fisherman issue was discussed from both sides, the talks are going on for the past one year in Columbo to arrive at a permanent solution.
ii. Wide range of co-operation in the areas of trade and investment.
iii. Faster implementation of bilateral projects like finalising the Mattala airport project near Hambantota as well as a container terminal at the Colombo Port.
Srilanka Quick facts : –
Capital : Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte(Administrative)
Colombo (Commercial)
Currency : Sri lankan Rupee
President : Maithripala Sirisena
Prime Minister : Ranil Wickremesinghe
Government to launch Project Insight
On 11th September 2017, The Union Finance Ministry, has announced that is has planned to launch ‘Project Insight’ from October, 2017, in a move to restrict black money holdings and transactions.
Project Insight:
i.The Government has signed a contract with L&T Infotech Ltd., regarding ‘Project Insight’.
ii.The aim of this project is to observe and check high value transactions, and track tax evaders with the help of technology to restrict black money holdings.
Puropose of Project Insight :
i.The linking of PAN (Permanent Account Number) with Aadhaar will help identify and analyze the transactions of tax payers.
ii.This Information Technology method is non-intrusive. Whereas, the earlier method was search and seize, which was highly intruding the tax payers… Read More Details
Venkaiah Naidu lays foundation for first Greenfield smart city project in Ranchi
On September 9,2017 Vice president M.Venkaiah Naidu laid the foundation stone for the first and only greenfield smart city project, in Ranchi coming up on the HEC land.
i. It is his maiden visit to Jharkhand after becoming vice president.
ii. He also laid the foundation stone for an urban civic centre, a convention centre and an urban planning and management institute.
iii. The smart city is coming up on 656 acres of HEC land which would be fully wi-fi, carbon free, garbage free locality with modernised housing, traffic management system, education hub and equipped with facilities like round the clock power and water supplies.
West Bengal cabinet approves changing state’s name to Bangla
On September 8,2017, The West Bengal government cleared a proposal to rename the state as ‘Bangla’ and sent a proposal to the Centre for approval. The Mamata Banerjee government had earlier too sent a proposal for the change of name, but it was rejected by the central government.
i. The earlier proposal had three different names for the state – Bangla in Bengali, Bangal in Hindi and Bengal in English.
ii. In order to avoid the confusion the government decided to send another proposal to change it to only ‘Bangla’ in all three languages including Hindi, English and Bengali.
iii. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wants to rename West Bengal because the name of the state appears at the bottom of lists prepared in alphabetical order in any official circular of the central government. Also, it will help MPs from the state in the Parliament to raise issues in the first half of session. Last year, Mamata Banerjee during an Inter State Council meeting in New Delhi, had expressed annoyance because she was made to speak at the end due to the state’s 28th alphabetically.
iv. If the Parliament clears its, then West Bengal’s position will be raised to four from 28 currently.
Assam to provide skill training to 30,000 surrendered militants
On 11th September 2017, Assam government announced that it would provide skill development training to 30,000 surrendered militants.
About the skill development training:
i. Mission Director of Assam Skill Development, Mr.A.P.Tiwari said that the skill development training would be given to 30,000 surrendered militants and jail inmates, during an AIR (All India Radio) talk show.
ii. He said that the Assam Skill Development Mission would provide skill training in 40 sectors.
iii. The training would start by the end of September, 2017.
iv. Training centres are to be set up at the Block level.
v. Chief Project Manager of the Mission Mr.N.Dhiraj Singha said that nine Centres of Excellence would also be set up in Assam.
vii. Cost of the skill development training would be taken care by the state and the centre.
viii. In addition, 24,000 youth in Assam would be trained under the Prime Minister Kaushal Vikash Yojna.
About Assam:
i. Capital – Dispur
ii. Chief Minister – Mr.Sarbananda Sonawal
iii. Governor – Mr.Banwarilal Purohit
iv. Official languages – Assamese, Bodo and Bengali
Kochi to host summit on coastal shipping and waterways
Kochi will host the 5th edition of the ‘Coastal Shipping and Inland Water Transportation Business Summit 2017’ on 22nd of September at Hotel Crowne Plaza announced on 10th of Sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.Kerala Governor P Sathasivam will present the India Seatrade Award for Excellence in Coastal Shipping & Inland Water Transportation.
ii.The summit will be an initiative to explore the potential of coastal shipping and waterways.
iii.It will also help to build a shared commitment and decode the role that each stakeholder will have to play in integrating the coastal and waterways transport infrastructure.
iv.The summit will create a platform to discuss various topics such as Indian Coastal Shipping & Inland Water Transport.
v.It includes several sub-topics like:
(a) Policies, Current Updates & Vision
(b) IWAI’s perspective to forward trade and economic growth with focus on Kerala
(c) Understanding the cargo owners’ perspective on a commitment towards an instant modal shift
(d) Reviving coastal shipping
(e) call to move and handle domestic cargo on coastal waters and river-borne trade
The traditional Bonderam festival started in Divar Island of Goa
The traditional Bonderam festival has started in Divar Island of Goa on 9th September 2017.
Key Points:
i.The word “Bonderam” originated from the involvement of flags. This festival starts with a flag which is accompanied by the brass band.
ii.The festival is a memoir to the dispute and the fury of the Villagers over the Portuguese system of resolving the disputes.
iii.Bonderam is a very popular monsoon festival in Goa and it draws huge crowds from all parts of Goa and world over.
iv.On this day a carnival ambiance is created. Each section of the village has a float at the parade.
v.Melodious music could be heard throughout the village.
About Goa
Capital: Panaji
Governor: Mridula Sinha
CM: Manohar Parrikar
International Affairs
Asian Development Bank to provide $152 million to Nepal to enhance power transmission
On 10th September 2017, Asian Development Bank announced that it would provide $152 million loan to Nepal, to enhance power transmission, in Kathmandu.
About the loan details:
i. The loan agreement was signed between Nepal’s Finance Secretary Mr.Shanta Raj Subedi and Officer-in-charge of the ADB’s Nepal Resident Mission Mr.Sharad Bhandari, in Kathmandu.
ii. The loan amount would be utilized to implement the Power Transmission and Distribution Efficiency Enhancement Project (PTDEEP).
iii. This project aims to build electricity transmission lines and upgrade power sub-stations at Barhabise, Laphsiphedi, Khimti and Chapagaun areas, and enhance the capacity of distribution systems.
iv. This project would take 4-5 years for completion.
v. ADB has also agreed to provide a $21 million policy-based loan to the government of Nepal.
vi. This loan would be utilized in the implementation of South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation’s (SASEC) customs reforms and modernization of trade facilitation programme.
vii. An agreement for this loan was signed between Mr.Baikuntha Aryal, Head of the International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division at the Ministry of Finance, and ADB’s Officer-in-charge Mr.Bhandari.
viii. This loan amount has to be utilized within August 2021.
About Nepal:
i. Capital – Kathmandu
ii. Currency – Nepalese rupee
iii. President – Ms.Bidhya Devi Bhandari
iv. Prime Minister – Mr.Sher Bahadur Deuba
v. Official language – Nepali
Ms.Sushma Swaraj attended Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia
On 5th September 2017, External Affairs Minister Ms.Sushma Swaraj arrived at Vladivostok, in Russia on a three day visit till 8th September, 2017.
Eastern Economic Forum:
i. The Eastern Economic Forum is considered as the biggest international communication platform for co – operation between businesses leaders and senior government representatives from Russia, the Pacific Region and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
ii. Ms.Sushma Swaraj visited Russia at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Mr.Yury Trutnev.
iii. She attended the 3rd Eastern Economic Forum from 6th – 8th September 2017.
iv. Delegates from 24 countries including the US, Japan, China, Australia, Canada, Britain and Germany attended the forum.
v. In the forum, important issues related to global trade were discussed.
vi. Ms.Swaraj attended the India-Russia Business Dialogue at the forum.
vii. She said that India was interested in its economic ties with Russia’s resource-rich Far East.
viii. Ms.Swaraj said under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Start-up India’ programmes the Indian government has made immense efforts to attract technology and investments from various countries of the world.
ix. Ms.Sushma Swaraj met Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov. She told him that the relationship between India and Russia are as solid as rock. They discussed issues regarding trade, investment and defence co – operation.
x. She held bilateral talks with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mr.Yury Trutnev, and Governors of some of the Far Eastern Regions.
About Russia:
i. Capital – Moscow
ii. Currency – Russian ruble
iii. President – Mr.Vladimir Putin
iv. Prime Minister – Mr.Dmitry Medvedev
v. Official language – Russian
Second Indian Worker’s Resource centre inaugurated in UAE
On 10th September ,2017 , Indian Ambassador in UAE Navdeep Singh Suri inaugurated its second Indian Worker’s Resource Centre (IWRC) in Sharjah ,UAE to provide support and counselling to Indians particularly blue collar workers in distress on legal, personal and financial matters, free of cost.
70 per cent of Indians in UAE are blue collared workers, who are at times faced with issues involving salaries, fake employment visas or job offers or even matters pertaining to registration of marriages etc.
core activities of IWRC: –
i) Manage a 24X7 toll free help line – 800 INDIA (80046342).
ii)Receive, register and monitor grievance petitions and provide clarification to queries.
iii) Conduct workers awareness campaigns across the UAE.
iv) working with help groups, individuals, social workers and related bodies to offer assistance to Indian community members.
v)Verification of genuineness of job offers.
Pakistan PM inaugurates China-backed fifth nuclear power plant
On September 8,2017 Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated the China-backed 340 MegaWatt (MW) nuclear power plant in its Punjab province. The fifth nuclear C-4 plant is located at Chashma in Mianwali district of the Punjab province.
i. This nuclear power plant will address the issue of power shortage and it is also a source of cheap energy. Abbasi already promised that there would be no power shortage after November.
ii. Chashma already has three nuclear power plants known as C-1, C-2 and C-3 which are contributing to the national grid along with a similar plant in Karachi.
iii. Pakistan is also building two more nuclear power plants in Karachi known as K-2 and K-3 aimed to give a major boost to civil nuclear energy after completion.
Pakistan and China ties : –
i. Pakistan and China are actively cooperating in many other areas, including construction of roads, motorways, airports and upgradation of Pakistan Railways.
ii. Many projects were initiated under the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Adopt tailored solutions to eliminate TB by 2030: WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has given the message to the South East Asian countries toassimilate their national plans and mobilise and utilise resources efficiently to reach the Tuberculosis elimination target of 2030.
Key Points:
i.The five-day 70th Regional Committee Session of WHO South East Asia Region concluded in Male on 10thof Sept. 2017.
ii.The WHO South East Asia Region includes India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, North Korea, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
iii.According to the global health body there is a need for countries to identify the package of interventions best suited to their challenges.
iv.It means to focus on strengthening TB services, accelerating case detection or investing in research and development.
v.The global health body suggests countries across the Southeast Asia Region can lift TB’s significant burden and end the disease as a public health threat once and for all by planning effectively and making smart, high-impact interventions.
About WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO is a member of the United Nations Development Group.
Director General: Tedros Adhanom
Hurricane Irma – World’s longest storm to bear 185 mph winds in 30 years
Hurricane Irma has become the first storm in the world to sustain winds of 185 miles per hour for more than 24 hours. It’s the longest storm to sustain this speed since the 1970s.
Key Points:
i.The hurricane, which has already devastated several islands in the Caribbean, is headed toward south Florida, where the National Hurricane Center has issued evacuation orders.
ii.It has thrashed several smaller islands with tree-snapping winds, drenching rains and pounding surf on a collision course with Florida.
iii.The tiny island of Barbuda, which has a population of 1,800 was devastated.
iv. It’s already one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic and part of a trio of hurricanes that are building in the region.
China, Pakistan air forces launch joint exercise
The air forces of China and Pakistan has begun a joint training exercise and deployed their latest fighter jets and AWACS aircraft.
Key Points:
i.The exercise will run until September 27 in China.
ii.China has dispatched J-11 fighters, JH-7 fighter-bombers, KJ-200 AWACS aircraft and ground forces including surface-to-air missile and radar troops.
iii.AWACS is Airborne Warning and Control System, a mobile, long-range radar surveillance and control centre for air defence.
iv.The Chinese navy’s aviation troops are also participating in the training.
v.Pakistan has sent JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and early warning aircraft to join the exercise, named “Shaheen VI”.
vi.The Chinese air force will increase international exchanges and sharpen its combat effectiveness.
vii.The “Shaheen” joint training between the two militaries which maintain close relations was launched in March 2011.
About China
Capital: Beijing
President: Xi Jinping
Currency: Renminbi
Appointments & Resigns
Pat Hickey resigns from International Olympic Committee Board after ticket-selling scandal
On 10th September 2017, Mr.Pat Hickey resigned from the International Olympic Committee Board.
About the resignation:
i. Mr.Pat Hickey has resigned from his member position in the International Olympic Committee Executive Board after he was accused in a ticket selling scandal in Rio Olympics 2016, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ii. He was arrested by Brazilian police during the Rio Olympics 2016 and was held in jail.
iii. He was later released on bail.
iv. He has claimed innocent of his charges till date.
v. Mr.Hickey has stated in the letter that once he proves his innocence against all charges he wishes to rejoin the committee as a member.
About International Olympic Committee:
i. Motto – Faster, Higher, Stronger
ii. Headquarters – Lausanne, Switzerland
iii. Official languages – French and English
iv. President – Mr.Thomas Bach
Awards & Recognition
Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling honoured at international event for work in organic farming
During a ceremony at Germany’s Lagau on the occasion of the One World Festival Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was honoured for his pioneering work in the field of organic farming.
Key Points:
i.Chamling was conferred the Grand Prix Award during the One World Award ceremony on 8th September.
ii.The award was given by Gerd Muller, the Federal Minister of Bavaria, and Joseph Wilhelm, German Organic Pioneer and Managing Director of Rupenzel.
iii.The event was attended by nearly 700 guests who had arrived from different countries.
iv.The OWA Grand Prix was conferred on representatives of the United World Colleges (UWC) from Freiburg (Germany) and Pune (India).
v.Each of the two winners received prize money of 15,000 Euro and an OWA statue created by Vietnamese-German artist Dao Droste.
vi.The award is presented every three years by Rapunzel and IFOAM – Organics International to people and initiatives that have an outstanding impact on the international organic movement and its ideas.
vi.This year the winners were from India, Palestine, Azerbaijan, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Germany.
About Sikkim
Capital: Gangtok
CM: Pawan Chamling
Governor: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil
Prince Charles Becomes the longest-serving Prince of Wales
On 9th September 2017, Prince Charles became the longest-serving Prince of Wales in history.
About Prince Charles:
i. Prince Charles has broken the record of Edward VII who held the title for more than 59 years before becoming king.
ii. Prince Charles was designated the Prince of Wales when he was nine years old, on 26 July 1958.
iii. Prince Charles is the 21st Prince of Wales in the current line.
iv. Prince Charles is also the longest-serving heir in the British history.
v. Prince Charles is now 68 year old.
vi. The Prince of Wales is the title given to the heir to Britain’s throne.
About the United Kingdom of Great Britain:
i. Capital – London
ii. Official language – English
iii. Currency – Pound sterling
iv. Prime Minister – Ms.Theresa May
v. President – Mr. David Neuberger
Science & Technology
Reliance Energy launched digital assistance robot-ELEKTRA
Reliance Energy has launched a digital assistance robot named ELEKTRA. This system provides automated responses to customers for their queries and requests.
Key Points:
i.It is powered by Artificial Intelligence.This robot comes into action whenever a customer logs in to Reliance Energy’s Facebook page or website.
ii.This digital assistance robot takes help of SCADA and GIS systems to provide real-time responses to the customers.
iii.The introduction of this digital assistance robot has made bill payments, registering complaints and requests for new connections quick and hassle free.
iv.During peak hours, consumers will get an immediate response to their queries from ELEKTRA without any waiting time.
v.Integration of CRM and ERP also facilitates commercial interactions with customers in real-time.
vi.It also prohibits human error and saves time.
vii.ELEKTRA is serving 500 customers with 3,000 interactions per day and is very well appreciated for its prompt responses.
Environment
3,500-Year-Old Royal Tomb Discovered in Egypt
On 9th September 2017, Egypt announced the discovery of a tomb belonging to a royal goldsmith who lived more than 3,500 years ago, in Luxor, Egypt.
About the discovery:
i. The tomb was discovered by Egyptian archaeologists.
ii. The tomb is located on the west bank of the river Nile in Draa Abul-Naga, a cemetery where noblemen and top government officials were buried.
iii. The tomb belongs to a royal goldsmith named Amenemhat.
iv. He lived during the 18th dynasty (about 1567 B.C. to 1320 B.C.).
v. He had dedicated his work to to Amon-Re, an Eqyptian God.
vi. The tomb had statues of Amenemhat and his wife seated on chairs.
vii. One statue showed her wearing a long dress and wig.
viii. A smaller statue, discovered between the couple, depicted one of their sons.
ix. Mummies of a woman and her two children were found.
x. The woman appeared to have died at the age of 50 and tests showed she had suffered from a bacterial bone disease.
xi. The chamber also contained – pottery, wooden funerary masks, Ushabti figurines, 150 small funerary statues carved in wood, clay and limestone.
xii. Figurines are small blue, black or white statues that ancient Egyptians placed in tombs to serve the dead in the afterlife.
About Egypt:
i. Capital – Cairo
ii. Official Language – Arabic
iii. President – Mr.Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
iv. Prime Minister – Mr.Sherif Ismail
v. Currency – Egyptian pound
Sports
Joyciline Jepkosgei smashes 10 km road world record
On 9th September 2017, Joycilline Jepkosgei of Kenya broke her own 10 km road world record, in Prague, Czech Republic.
About the record:
i. Joycilline Jepkosgei is a 23 year old Kenyan runner.
ii. She has become the first woman to run 10 km distance under 30 minutes on road.
iii. She ran for 29 minutes 43 seconds at the Birell Prague Grand Prix and broke her previous record of 30 minutes 4 seconds.
iv. Track and road racing records are maintained separately by the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations)
v. Jepkosgei has broken a total of five records this year.
She has set new marks for the 10km, 15km, 20km and half-marathon.
About Kenya:
i. Capital – Nairobi
ii. Official languages – English, Kiswahili
iii. Currency – Kenyan shilling
iv. President – Mr.Uhuru Kenyatta
BWF World Senior Badminton Championships begins in Kochi
Kochi is all set to host the BWF World Senior Badminton Championships from September 11 to 17 2017. The championship will be held in India for the first time. The week-long tournament will see a total of 665 players from 40 countries battle it out in eight different age groups — plus-35, plus- 40, plus-45, plus-50, plus-55, plus-60, plus-65 and plus-70 and will be played in all the five categories.
A total of 175 players will represent India including Olympians — Abhinn Shyam Gupta, Nikhil Kanetkar and V Diju — along with three times Asian Games team bronze medallist Partho Ganguly and 1982 Asian Games bronze medallist Leroy D’sa.
The Indian contingent will also have Arjuna awardee and Kerala player George Thomas and Commonwealth medallist and former India doubles players Sanave Thomas and Roopesh Kumar.
Obituary
Former Odisha Health Minister Syed Mustafiz Ahmed passes away
On September 11,2017, Former Odisha Health Minister Syed Mustafiz Ahmed (76) passed away today following a prolonged illness. A popular leader, Ahmed had served as health minister between 1990 and 1995 when Biju Patnaik was the chief minister. Patnaik described Ahmed as “a simple man who stood by the people through thick and thin”. He was an able organiser and social worker. He had played a significant role for the development of Cuttack.
