Current Affairs April 9 2019

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

President Ramnath Kovind Released NIRF, ARIIA 2019 Rankings : IIT Madras ranked No.1
On 8th April 2019,President Ramnath Kovind Published National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2019 and Atal Ranking of Institutions for Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2019 ranking for higher educational institutes in India at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

The rankings are as follows:

i.The first NIRF ranks were released in 2016.
ii.This is the fourth edition of the NIRF rankings.
iii.The parameters for the ranking  were Teaching, Learning and Resources,Graduation Outcomes, Research and Professional Practices, Outreach and Inclusivity, and Perception.
About ARIIA rankings 2019:
♦ This is the first edition of ARIIA Ranking.
♦ IIT Madras was the best institute among top 10 government institutes.
♦ The parameters are based on Infrastructure and awareness, Budget and Funding support, ,Promotion and supporting Entrepreneurship, Awareness and Promotion of idea generation, Intellectual Property Generation, Learning methods, and Governance.

NGT forms a new body to examine alleged erosion of Yamuna floodplain in Sonipat
On 8th April 2019, National Green Tribunal established a committee to examine the alleged erosion of Yamuna floodplain due to movement of heavy vehicles in Sonipat district in Haryana.
i. NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel constituted a three person body, comprised of director of the Mines and Geology Department,member secretary of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board and principal secretary of the Haryana Irrigation.
ii. A Haryana resident, Krishnen Chander, filed a plea that allowing heavy vehicles in the embankments of the Yamuna river ruining the ecology in Sonipat district.
About NGT:
♦ Established: 2010
♦ Enacted by: Parliament of India
♦ composition Method : Environmental law Tribunal

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

17^th MENA World Economic Forum held In Jordan
On 6^th April 2019,17^thedition of World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) was held at Dead Sea,Jordan.Over 1000 representatives from more than 50 countries participated in the meeting.It is the 10^th meeting in Jordan and 17^th meeting in the MENA region.

Key Points:   
i. More than100 start-ups from Arab region have participated in the ceremony and discussed with industry and government leaders about the future of their industries during the two-day event.
ii. The event witnessed a lot of effective talks on projects to improving social as well as economic life of 400 million population of the MENA region.
About World Economic Forum:
♦ Headquarters :Cologny,Switzerland
♦ Chairman : Klaus Schwab

India, Sri Lanka agree to Strengthen Bond in Security and Defence Spheres
India and Sri Lanka have agreed to enhance collaboration in security and defence spheres in several fields, including regional security, controlling drug smuggling and human trafficking.
i. Defence Secretary of India Sanjay Mitra and  Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena‘s meeting in Colombo resulted in this agreement.
ii. Sirisena requested to expand the number of trainers from India and Defence Secretary agreed to look into the probability of intensifying training facilities.
About Sri Lanka :
♦ Capitals: Colombo, Sri JayawardenepuraKotte
♦ President: Maithripala Sirisena
♦ Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
♦ Prime minister: Ranil Wickremesinghe

London becomes first city to implement 24×7 pollution charge zone
On 8th April, 2019, London became the first city in the world to implement a Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) for 24×7 hours a week, inside which vehicles will have to meet tough emissions standards.

Key points:
i. This zone aims to reduce toxic air pollution and protect public health.
ii. Motorists who drive into the zone in a vehicle that does not meet the new emission standard will have to pay a daily charge.
About UK
♦ Capital: London
♦ Currency: Pound Sterling
♦ PM: Theresa Mary May

BANKING & FINANCE

Reserve Bank of India gave some guidelines for banks to set up new currency chests
On 8^th April 2019, The Reserve Bank of India gave some guidelines for banks to set up new currency chests, including a minimum area of 1,500 square feet for strong room and should have a processing capacity of 6.6 lakh pieces of banknotes per day.
Key Points:
i. The guidelines are based upon the recommendations of the “Committee on Currency Movement” (CCM) chaired by DK Mohanty, which was constituted by RBI in 2016.
ii. In this guideline, those who situated in the hilly areas should have a processing capacity of 2.1 lakh pieces of banknotes per day.
iii. The new chests shall maintain Chest Balance Limit (CBL) of Rs 10 billion or Rs 1,000 crore.
About Reserve Bank of India
♦ Governor: Shaktikanta Das
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai
♦ Subsidiary: National Housing Bank

To strengthen the Startups platform, BSE signed an agreement with HDFC Bank
On 8^th April 2019, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Asia’s oldest exchange has signed an agreement with HDFC Bank to spread more awareness about the benefits of listing startups as well as to strengthen BSE startup platform.

Key Points:
i. On 22^nd December 2018, BSE had launched the startup platform to encourage entrepreneurs to get listed and raise equity capital for their growth, expansion, and for trading in equities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
ii. HDFC Bank is India’s largest private sector bank with 43 million customers, 5,000 branches and 13,160 ATMs across 2,727 Indian towns and cities.
About Bombay Stock Exchange
♦ Founded: 9^th July 1875
♦ Location:Mumbai, Maharashtra
♦ Chairman: S Ravi
About HDFC Bank
♦ CEO: Aditya Puri
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai
♦ Founded: August 1994

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

India retains top spot with largest remittances globally, amounting to $79 in 2018: World Bank
i. According to World Bank’s Migration and Development Brief; with the Indian diaspora sending 79$ billion back to their home country, India retained its position as the world’s top recipient of remittances in 2018.
ii. India was followed by remittances of:

• China: 67$ billion
• Mexico: 36$ billion
• Philippines: 34$ billion
• Egypt: 29$ billion……………………………….Click here to Read more

Centre meets Fiscal Deficit of 3.4% in 2018-2019
India has met the revised fiscal deficit target of 3.4% of gross domestic product in fiscal year 2018-2019. Target has been achieved by cuts in state spending and higher borrowings from small savings funds.
Key points
i. Centre has missed the tax collections target by over 1 trillion rupees which includes around 500 billion rupees shortfall in income tax receipts.
ii. GST collections has touched Rs 1.06 lakh crore in March and the gross GST revenues has achieved the target of Rs 11.47 lakh crore.

PFS in a joint venture with USICEF finances solar projects in India
PTC India Financial Services (PFS) an Infrastructure finance company has partnered with the US-India Clean Energy Finance (USICEF) to leverage funds for solar projects in India.
i. PFS Managing Director and CEO Pawan Singh stated that this innovative venture can contribute to achieve India’s distributed energy target of 40 GW (gigawatt) by 2022.
ii. PFS has sanctioned 3 distributed solar power projects with a total debt of Rs 242 crore.
iii. Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) manages USICEF that was founded in partnership with the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, OPIC (Overseas Private Investment Corporation), IREDA (Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd.)  and leading U.S. Foundations in 2017.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

AIMA awards 2019 held on 8th April 2019 at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi

• The All India Management Association (AIMA) Managing India Awards 2019 was held on 8th April, 2019 at Durbar Hall, Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi.
• Under Lifetime Contribution to Media category, Mahendra Mohan Gupta was awarded. He is the Chairman & Managing Director of Jagran Prakashan Ltd and Editorial Director of Dainik Jagran.
• The Lifetime Contribution Award was also awarded to Azim H Premji, Chairman, Wipro Limited………………………………Click here to Read more

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Vikramjit Sing Sahney, SUN Group Chairman, elected as the President of ICC India
On 8^th April 2019, Vikramjit Singh Sahney,Chairman of SUN Group,elected as the President of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – India.
On coming May ICC India going to conduct a Mega-Project in Paris. He will succeed Jawahar Vadivelu.
About ICC:
♦ Nickname : The world Business Organization
♦ Headquarters: Paris
♦ Motto : We make business work for everyone,everyday, everywhere.
♦ Formation: 1919
♦ Founded at : Atlantic City

Australian Olympian,Graham Reid  Appointed as Indian Men’s Hockey Team Chief Coach
On 8th April 2019, former Australia Coach, Graham Reid was appointed as the Chief Coach of Indian men’s hockey team. Reid’s occupancy as the coach of Indian men’s hockey team is till the end of 2020.He, 54, is succeeding Harendra Singh,former Indian Hockey player.
Key Points:
i. Reid’s tenure can be stretched till 2022 FIH World Cup depending upon his achievements.
ii. Reid’s first task will be India’s tour of Australia in May and then  FIH Men’s  Series Final in Bhubaneswar in June.
About Graham Reid:
i. Reid had a perfected playing career as defender and midfielder for the Australian national team and was part of the team at  1992 Barcelona Olympics.
ii. Likewise, Reid was the part of the Australian unit that won back-to-back Champions Trophy titles in 1984, 1985 and 1989, 1990.
iii. He was served as Australia’s Assistant coach in 2009.
iv. He supervised the Australian team to their fifth consecutive Champions Trophy title in 2012.
v. He was inducted into the Queensland Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

IIT Madras tied up with GE to set up India’s first ‘Cold Spray’ SMART Lab
American conglomerate, General Electric in association with IIT Madras,established India’s first ‘Cold Spray’ SMART (Surface Modification and Additive Research Technologies) Laboratory in the institution.And thereby IIT-M became the only academic institution with High-Pressure Cold Spray(HPCS) facility in India.
i. The High-Pressure Cold Spray machinery has been carried from Plasma Giken, Japan.
ii. GE India Technology Centre CEO Alok Nanda and IIT Madras Director BhaskarRamamurthi inaugurated the laboratory on 5^th April 2019
iii. The project is sponsored by “Uchchatar Avishkar Yojana(UAY) Scheme” of GOI to boost collaboration between academia and private sector.
About GE:
♦ Founded:April 15,1892
♦ Headquarters: Boston,Massachusetts,United States
♦ Fields: Aviation, Healthcare, Power, renewable energy, digital industry, additive manufacturing, venture capital and finance, lighting, Oil and Gas.

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SPORTS

Dream11 becomes India’s first billion-dollar gaming Startup
Dream11 has just become a Unicorn, that is a billion-dollar startup. Few exciting developments have made Dream11 to be the India’s first gaming startup to join the elite club of privately-held startups. The term “Unicorn” refers to the tech startups with the market valuation of $1 billion.

Key points
i. It has achieved this feat after getting the investment of $60 million from Steadview Capital of London and Hong Kong. While, Kalaari Capital, Multiples Alternate Asset Management and Think Investments had sold their existing equities in the company.
ii.  Headquartered at Mumbai, Dream 11 is founded by Bhavit Sheth & Harsh Jain in 2008.

Spain’s Garbine Muguruza claimed Monterrey Open title
The 2019 Monterrey Open aka 2019 Abierto GNP Seguros was the 11th edition of Monterrey Open, held at Monterrey in Mexico. It was a women’s tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. The prize money of the tournament was $250,000.
Key points
i. Garbine Muguruza of Spain successfully claimed back-to-back Monterrey Open title on 7th April, 2019, as Victoria Azarenka succumbed to injury in the final, the score was 6-1 3-1 at that time.
ii. Asia Muhammad & Maria Sanchez of USA has claimed womens doubles title in Monterrey Open by defeating Monique Adamczak and Jessica Moore of Australia.

Dave Bautista retires from Wrestling
Dave Bautista has officially retired from wrestling aftermath of a defeat at the WWE’s (World Wrestling Entertainment) Wrestlemania event on 7th April, 2019.
Key points
i. The Guardians of the Galaxy star, Dave Bautista has focused on his film career in recent years, but returned to the WWE promotion.
ii. Dave will be seen reprising his role as Drax the Destroyer in “Avengers: Endgame“, which he will follow up with “Stuber”.
iii. Dave Bautista was born on 18th January 1969 in Virginia, USA

OBITUARY

James Bond Actress Nadja Regin passed away aged 87
On 8^th April 2019, the Serbian actress Nadja Regin passed away at the age of 87.
Key Points:
i. She appeared in two Bond films “From Russia with Love” and “Goldfinger,”.
ii. She was born on 2^nd December 1931 in Belgrade, Serbia.
iii. She wrote a novel, named ‘The Victims and the Fools’, which was published under her full name Nadja Poderegin.
About Serbia
♦ Capital: Belgrade
♦ Currency: Serbian dinar
♦ Prime minister: Ana Brnabic

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Rwanda Genocide observed on April 7, 2019 marked the 25th commemoration of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide
Since 2004, April 7 has been observed as the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide by United Nations (UN). The day commemorates the slaughter of 800,000 people (where Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by members of the army, militias, and civilians of the Hutu community) for a period of 100 days during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda in central Africa.
i. The Day of Remembrance is an official UN observance day and not a public holiday.
ii. Paul Kagame, The 61-year-old Rwandan president (since 2000), who led a rebel force that ended the genocide, began the ceremony by lighting a remembrance flame at Kigali. The flame will burn for 100 days, thus commemorating the entire period of the mass-murder. He then delivered a speech at the Kigali Convention Centre.
iii. At the Amahoro National Stadium in Gasabo district of Kigali, Rwanda, the president led a vigil. This stadium was used by UN officials to protect Tutsis during the killings.
iv. Around  2,000 people marched together on a walk of commemoration and remembrance from the parliament to the National Stadium..
v. To commemorate its 25th anniversary, the round table entitled “Memory, research and transmission” was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Also exhibition “Upright Men” by Bruce Clarke, and the Shoah Memorial exhibition “The Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda” was displayed.

54th Valour Day observed on 9^th April
On 9^th April 2019, 54^th Valour Day of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was observed to Pay Tribute to Martyrs of police at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi.

Key Points:
i. On this day, President Ram Nath Kovind launched Veer Parivar App for assistance to the next of kin of the CRPF martyrs.
ii. History of Day:  on April 9, 1965, a small contingent of 2nd Battalion of CRPF successfully fought against Pakistani Brigade at Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.

STATE NEWS

Kannada writer B. A. Sanadi passed away aged 86
On 31^st March 2019, Kannada poet Dr. B A Sanadi passed away at the age of 86 years at his residence near Herevatta region of Kumta Taluka.
Key Points:
i. He was born on 18^th August 1933 at Shindalli village of Belagavi district, Karnataka.
ii. He was honoured with several awards including Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award, Kavyananda Puraskara Award, Shreshta Horanada Kannadiga Award, Kannada Rajyotsava Awards, S.N.Bhoosanuramata Award, Goruru Sahitya Award, Gurunarayana Award, and Pampa award.
About Karnataka
♦ Chief Minister: D. Kumaraswamy
♦ Governor:Vajubhai Vala
♦ Capital: Bengaluru
♦ National Parks: Anshi National Park, Bandipur National Park, Bannerghatta National Park, Kudremukh National Park, Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) National Park

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