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INDIAN AFFAIRS
PM Modi inaugurated Krishi Kumbha 2018 in Lucknow
On October 27, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three-day long Krishi Kumbh 2018 in Lucknow through video conferencing.
To enable technology driven solution to farmers and double their income.
Key Points:
i. Krishi Kumbh is having:
- Haryana and Jharkhand as partner states and
- Japan and Israel as partner countries.
ii. Under this, the Government is providing 50 to 80 per cent discount on machineries to stop farmers from stubble burning.
iii. In addition to setting up of solar pumps in farms sectors across the country, Rice Research Centre will be set up in Varanasi.
iv. He also called upon agriculture scientists and experts to use this event to find technology-related solution so that farmers and environment both are benefited.
Uttar Pradesh:
♦ Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath.
♦ Governor: Ram Naik.
♦ National Parks: Dudhwa National Park, Philibit Tiger Reserve , Sandi Bird Sanctuary.
♦ Uttar Pradesh has 23 wildlife sanctuaries across 27 districts covering over 5,000 sq km.
♦ UNESCO Heritage Site: Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri.
10th Edition of BIOFACH INDIA inaugurated by Union Minister Suresh Prabhu
On October 27, 2018, Union Minister Suresh Prabhu inaugurated the 3-day 10th Edition of BIOFACH INDIA, the largest show on the “Organic Sector” in India, at Pragati Maidan.
ii. The theme of the BIOFACH INDIA conference being “Enhancing export of organic products trade from India – strategies and synergies”.
iii. An organic Theme Pavilion was set up by APEDA having direct display of items and direct business opportunity to Indian organic food product producers was provided.
iv. 150 exhibitors, 150 conference delegates and more than 60 international buyers from 15 countries participated in the exhibition cum international conference and buyer-seller meet.
v. Indian organic products including tea, spices, honey, basmati rice, coffee, cereals, dry fruits, vegetables, processed foods and medicinal plants were showcased and discussed about.
About BIOFACH:
BIOFACH INDIA is also part of the BIOFACH WORLD forum, which includes events in Germany, USA, China, Japan, Thailand, Brazil organized by Nuernberg Messe Germany. The event has been successful in highlighting INDIA’s presence on the world map in the topic of “Organic Farming”.
India ranks first in terms of total number of organic producers and 9th in terms of world’s organic agricultural land.
Ministry of Commerce:
♦ Union Minister: Shri. Suresh Prabhu.
♦ Minister of State: Shri. C R Chaudhary.
2-day 22nd National level meeting held between India and Myanmar
On October 26, 2018, the two day 22nd National Level Meeting between India and Myanmar concluded in New Delhi.
i. In the meeting:
- The Indian delegation was led by: Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gaubaand
- The Myanmar delegation was led by: Deputy Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs, Major General Aung Thu.
ii. The following was discussed in the meeting:
- Cooperation in preventing smuggling of wildlife and narcotic drugs,
- Cooperation on international border management,
- Action against insurgent groups operating within their territories,
- Construction of subsidiary pillars to better demarcate the border.
Background:
Naga rebel outfit NSCN (Khaplang), an insurgent group said to be operating from camps across the border in Myanmar, had killed 18 Army personnel in an ambush in Manipur.
Myanmar:
♦ Capital: Naypyidaw.
♦ Currency: Burmese kyat.
2018 edition of India-EU dialogue on cooperation in the field of Digital Communications held in New Delhi
On October 27, 2018, India and European Union (EU) decided to cooperate on Digital communications, Digital economy and society.
i. This decision was taken by:
The Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) Government of India, Mr Manoj Sinha and
the H.E. Mr Andrus Ansip, European Commissioner for Digital Single Market and Vice President of the European Commission in their meeting in New Delhi.
ii. Under this, technical cooperation will take place between:
The Indian and European Telecom Standardization Development Organizations – TSDSI (India) and
ETSI (European Union).
iii. This was a part of annual India-EU co-operation dialogue on Digital Communications set up in 2011. The next India-EU dialogue on cooperation in the field of Digital Communications will be held in the first half of 2019.
Indian Railways to build world’s highest railway line in Ladakh region
On October 26, 2018, Indian railways announced the world’s highest railway line that will run along the India-China border.
i. The rail line will have a highest road point of 5,360 metres above mean sea level.
ii. The estimated cost to build this 465 km-line will be Rs 83,360 crore.
iii. It will consist of 74 tunnels, 124 major bridges and 396 minor bridges and 30 stations.
iv. Keylong station on the route will be build inside a tunnel at a height of 3,000 metres, a first in India.
v. More than half of the train route will be covered in tunnels, longest being 27 km, and the total length of the tunnels would be 244 km.
vi. It will reduce the time to connect New Delhi with Ladakh region from currently 40 hours to 20 hours, through building strategically-important Bilaspur-Manali- Leh line along the Indo-China border.
vii. It will give quick all-weather access to the armed forces and boost tourism.
Ministry of Railways:
♦ Union Minister: Piyush Goyal.
♦ Minister of State: Manoj Sinha and Rajen Gohain.
Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries launched by Meghalaya
On October 26, 2018, Meghalaya launched the flagship scheme “Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries”.
i. For this, the Central Government has sanctioned 51 crore rupees.
ii. This would enable self-sufficiency in fish production.
The 5-days extravaganza ‘Experiencing North East’ festival began in New Delhi
On October 27, 2018, the 5-day ‘Experiencing North East’ festival was launched at India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi which will continue from 27th-31st October, 2018.
It was inaugurated by Shri N.N. Vohra, Former Governor and President, IIC.
i. It was organized by North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) in collaboration with India International Centre.
ii. It is a part of Destination North East series.
iii. The festival will showcase art, handicraft, handlooms, tourism, food, culture etc. of the North-East.
iv. 5 workshops focusing on various themes like Adventure Tourism in NER, Science & Technology Interventions in North East Region (STINER), Act East & NER will be constructed.
v. A Festival of Films from the region will also be organised on the occasion.
Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER):
- Minister of State (I/C): Dr. Jitendra Singh.
TAG index: Kerala & Mumbai the best State & city for teenage girls in India
On October 27, 2018, according to survey findings of The Teen Age Girls (TAG) Report, conducted by Project Nanhi Kali, Kerala topped the TAG index, which compares the performance of each State based on the status of their teenage girls.
i. This is the nation’s first report on what it means to be a teenage girl in India.
ii. This report was Compiled and published by the Naandi Foundation, with grant support from Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
About the survey:
i. It was conducted by an all-women team of 1000 surveyors, covering over 74,000 girls across the country and traversed 30 States and 600 districts.
ii. The parameters for the measurement of the TAG index were:
- Current enrolment in educational institutions,
- Child marriage,
- Open defecation,
- Hygienic menstrual practices,
- Level of haemoglobin and body mass index,
- Age appropriate schooling,
- Ownership of phones and access to the internet,
- Ease of going to a police station and filing an FIR, and
- The ease of living and travelling alone.
Findings of the Survey:
i. According to the report, there are 80 million teenage girls in the country at present.
ii. The positive results show:
- 81 per cent of teenage girls are currently studying,
- 96 per cent of them are unmarried,
- 70 per cent of the girls wish to pursue higher studies,
- 74 per cent wish to work after their studies, and that
- 73 per cent wish to marry only after 21 years of age.
iii. The Negetive results show:
- One in every two teenage girls is anaemic,
- One in every two has a low BMI,
- 46 per cent use unhygienic materials during menstruation and
- 40 per cent of them still have to defecate in the open.
State Standings:
i. Kerala topped the charts followed by Mizoram, Sikkim, Manipur and Himachal Pradesh.
ii. While the top three cities were found to be Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru.
About Naandi Foundation:
♦ CEO: Manoj Kumar.
♦ Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana.
Government to set up National Sports Stadium for differently-abled in Meghalaya
On October 25, 2018, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot announced the construction of the international standard Stadium for differently-abled in Shillong, Meghalaya.
i. It would be constructed at the cost of over Rs 200 crore and the state would provide 50 acres of land for the project.
ii. It will be one of the five National Sports Stadiums of international standard for differently-abled sportspersons, under the Assistance to Disabled Person scheme.
iii. It should come up before National Games 2022 in Meghalaya enabling it to host Olympics for the differently-abled.
iv. He also announced that the central government will also set up a Composite Regional Centre in the state.
Meghalaya:
♦ Chief Minister: Conrad Sangma.
♦ Governor: Tathagata Roy.
♦ National Parks: Balpakhram National Prak , Nokrek National Park.
Two day Children’s Film Bonanza held in Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh
On October 26, 2018, two-day Childrens Film Bonanza concluded at Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh.
i. It was organized by the Children’s Film Society of India, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh Information and Public Relations department.
Arunachal Pradesh:
♦ Chief Minister: Pema Khandu.
♦ Governor: B.D. Mishra.
♦ Capital: Itanagar.
♦ National Parks: Namdapha National Park, Mouling National Park.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
UN human rights prize 2018 announced
On October 27, 2018, the United Nations announced the winners of the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights 2018.
ii. The awardees would be conferred in this year’s award ceremony which will be held in UN Headquarters in New York, USA on Human Rights day on December 10, 2018.
iii. The awardees are as follows:
| Name of the awardee | Country | Reason for consideration |
| Asma Jahangir | Pakistan | advocating for issues such as women’s rights and discrimination against minorities. |
| Rebeca Gyumi | Tanzania | Fighting for girls’ right to education. |
| Joenia Wapichana | Brazil | |
| Front Line Defenders (Charity) | Ireland | Supports to human rights defenders whose lives and health are at risk through advocacy, grants, security and training |
About the Awardees:
i. Asma Jahangir was the first woman to serve as the president of the Supreme Court Bar association of Pakistan.
ii. She is the 4th Pakistani woman to receive this prestigious award.
iii. Gyumi is the founder of Msichana Initiative in Tanzania, a local NGO that caters to girl’s right in education.
iv. She also won the UNICEF Global Goals award in 2016 and was named the Woman of the Year by New African Women Magazine.
v. Wapichana became the 1st indigenous woman to be elected to the Congress in Brazil.
vi. Front Line Defenders is a Ireland-based charity that was founded in Ireland’s Dublin in 2001.
UN:
♦ Headquarters: New York.
♦ Founded: 24, October 1945.
Sakharov prize awarded to jailed Ukrainian filmmaker Sentsov
On October 27, 2018, the European Parliament awarded the prestigious Sakharov human rights prize to jailed Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov.
About The Sakharov Prize:
♦ Set up in 1988.
♦ Named after: Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov.
♦ Purpose: Awarded every year to individuals or organizations that “have made an important contribution to the fight for human rights or democracy.
♦ Last Year winner in 2017: The democratic opposition in Venezuela.
Tamil Nadu creates record by opening over 16 lakh postal savings accounts under Sukanya Samridhi Yojana
Tamil Nadu has created a national record by opening over 16 lakh postal savings accounts under the Sukanya Samridhi Yojana.
Key Points:
i. Tamil Nadu’s Chief Postmaster General (CPMG) M Sampath made this announcement in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, on 26th October 2018.
ii. The Chief Postmaster General (CPMG) also inspected the Vaalavanthankottai rural branch post office in Trichy to assess the progress of the Digital Advancement of Rural Post Offices in New India – Darpan scheme.
iii. He stated that over 1500 post offices, out of the total 6717 post offices in Tamil Nadu have already migrated to the Darpan system.
About DARPAN (Digital Advancement of Rural Post Office for A New India) scheme:
♦ Launched – December 2017
♦ Aim – to improve the quality of service, add value to services and achieve financial inclusion of un-banked rural population
BEML received Top Challengers Award 2018 & Best Mining Equipment Seller Award
Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) won ‘Top Challengers Award 2018’ for excellent performance during financial year 2017-18 and Best Seller in Crawler Equipment- Dozers and Rigid Dump Truck segment for mining sectors.
Key Points:
i. Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) is a Mini Ratna Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence.
ii. CMD of BEML Deepak Kumar Hota received the award from Construction Economist Mr. Graham D Robinson, at an event held in Delhi.
iii. The award is instituted by ASAAP Information Global Group. It is awarded based on the performance evaluation that grew top line and bottom line, stayed profitable and managed to keep financial health within defined limits.
About Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML):
♦ CMD – Deepak Kumar Hota
♦ Corporate Office – Bengaluru
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Former SBI chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya appointed as independent director of Wipro
On October 24, 2018, Wipro announced appointment of former State Bank of India chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya as an independent director.
i. Her term will begin from January 1, 2019.
ii. The tenure of her term is for a period of five years.
iii. She recently also joined Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) as an independent director.
Wipro:
♦ Headquarters: Bengaluru.
♦ Chairman: Azim Premji.
Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa sworn in as Prime Minister
On 26th October 2018, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena appointed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
i. Mahinda Rajapaksa replaces Ranil Wickremesinghe. Following tensions in relationship between with Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maithripala Sirisena’s United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) withdrew the coalition with Ranil Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP).
ii. Ranil Wickremesinghe lost majority in the Parliament. Then, President Maithripala Sirisena appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
iii. Sri Lanka follows a semi-presidential mode of government.
About Sri Lanka:
♦ Capital – Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (Administrative), Colombo (Commercial)
♦ Currency – Sri Lankan rupee
♦ Official languages – Sinhala, Tamil
♦ President – Maithripala Sirisena
♦ Prime Minister – Mahinda Rajapaksa
IRS officer Sanjay Kumar Mishra appointed as Enforcement Directorate (ED) chief
On 27th October 2018, Government appointed Sanjay Kumar Mishra as chief of Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Key Points:
i. Sanjay Kumar Mishra is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the Income Tax cadre of 1984 batch.
ii. He has been appointed as principal special director in the Enforcement Directorate and has been given additional charge of the post of Director for a period of 3 months or till the appointment of a regular incumbent.
iii. He replaces Karnal Singh whose term as ED director ended on 26th October 2018. He is an Indian Police Service Officer (IPS) of 1984 batch of Union Territories cadre.
About Enforcement Directorate (ED):
♦ Type – a specialized financial investigation agency under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance
♦ Enforces – Foreign Exchange Management Act,1999 (FEMA) & Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA)
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Portal to promote Odia language, literature inaugurated: Odisha
On October 27, 2018, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched a new web portal of ‘Odia Virtual Academy’ to promote the Odia language and literature.
i.The portal is: (www.ova.gov.in).
ii. This is a result of 3 MOUs signed by the State Government with the University of Chicago library, CDAC and Centre for Internet and Society, Bengaluru for digitization and development of Odia software.
iii. This will be helpful in the promotion of Odia language at the international level, especially for the Non Resident Odias (NROs).
iv.So far, as many as 170 books of Odia literature have been placed in the Academy website.
v. Upcoming projects of the Academy are:
- To digitize 2000 rare and copyright free Odia books,
- Establish free digital library and digitize various Odia dictionaries,
- Promote Odia unicode font faces,
- Digitise and preserve Odia lexicon, ancient magazines and journals, traditional music, ancient documents etc.
Odisha:
♦ Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik.
♦ Governor: Prof. Ganeshi Lal.
♦ Lakes : Chilika Lake, Kanjia Lake, Anshupa Lake, Balimela Reservoir.
♦ Dams: Rengali Dam, Kala dam, Pitamahal Dam, Kansbahal Dam, Tikhali Dam, Deras Dam, Salia Dam, Ghodahada Dam, Kuanria Dam.
♦ Festivals: Kalinga Mahotsav, Chandan Yatra, Durga Puja, Konark Dance Festival, Rath Yatra, Deepabali, Kumar Purnima.
First Pakistan astronaut will go into space in 2022 with China’s help
On 25th October 2018, Pakistan announced that it would send a human to space for the first time in 2022 with the help of China.
Key Points:
i. This announcement was made by Pakistan’s Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.
ii. Pakistan’s first space mission has been planned for 2022. This plan was approved at the federal Cabinet meeting chaired by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on 25th October 2018.
iii. An agreement has been signed between Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and a Chinese company.
iv. In early 2018, Pakistan had launched 2 indigenously built satellites into orbit, using a Chinese launch vehicle.
About Pakistan:
♦ Capital – Islamabad
♦ Currency – Pakistani rupee
♦ Official languages – English, Urdu
♦ President – Arif Alvi
♦ Prime Minister – Imran Khan
SPORTS
Wheelchair shuttler Sanjeev Kumar wins two gold medals at Denmark Open
Wheelchair shuttler Sanjeev Kumar has won two gold medals and a bronze medal at the Denmark Open held in Odense, Denmark recently.
i. Sanjeev Kumar is an international para shuttler from Punjab. He won a gold medal in the men’s singles event, a gold medal in the men’s doubles event, and a bronze medal in the mixed doubles event.
ii. He defeated Luca Olgiati 21-18, 21-11 in the men’s singles WH1-WH2 category. In the men’s doubles, along with Marcelo Alves of Brazil he defeated Israeli pair Amir Levi and Mosha 21-16, 19-21, 21-16.
Sourav Kothari wins 2018 WBL World Billiards Championship title in Leeds, England
On 26th October 2018, India’s Sourav Kothari won the 2018 WBL World Billiards Championship title in Leeds, England.
i. Sourav Kothari defeated Peter Gilchrist of Singapore 1134-944 in the final and won the 2018 WBL World Billiards Championship title.
ii. Sourav Kothari is a former national and Asian Billiards champion.
FIFA announces increased prize money for women’s World Cup
On 26th October 2018, FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) announced that, it doubles the prize money for the women’s World Cup with 2019 tournament in France from June 7 to July 7.
i. This announcement was made by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, at FIFA Council meeting, in Kigali, Rwanda.
ii. Overall contribution will be $50 million for the 24 participating nations. This is more than 3 times the amount paid in 2015.
iii. This a 100 % increase in prize money from $15 million to $30 million.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Animation Day – October 28
On 28th October 2018, International Animation Day was celebrated all over the world.
i. When: In 2002, ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation or International Animated Film Association) declared 28 October as International Animation Day.
ii. This day commemorates the first public performance of Charles-Émile Reynaud’s Théâtre Optique at the Grevin Museum in Paris, on 28th October 1892, considered as the birth of animation.
iii. Why: This day highlights and celebrates the art of animation. Every year, ASIFA invites an important animator to create the poster for International Animation Day.
iv. The 2018 International Animation Day poster was created by René Castillo of ASIFA Mexico and his studio of animators.
About ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation or International Animated Film Association):
♦ Established – 1960
♦ President – Ed Desroches
