Current Affairs October 9 2019

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Cabinet approvals on October 9, 2019

• Approval was given for the relaxation of the mandatory requirement of Aadhaar seeded data as a pre-condition for release of funds to the beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme till 30th November, 2019.
• Approval was given to the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed between India and Foreign Broadcasters in the field of radio and television.
• Approval was given for the apprise of the progress under the National Health Mission (NHM) and its decisions of the Empowered Programme Committee (EPC) and Mission Steering Group (MSG) of the NHM.
• On the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC), an approval was given to release an additional installment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners with effect from 01.07.2019 representing an increase of 5% over the existing rate of 12% of the Basic pay/Pension to 17%, to compensate for price rise.
• Approval was given for the inclusion of 5,300 Displaced Persons (DP) families of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)- 1947 who initially opted to move outside the state of J&K but later on returned and settled in the state of J&K, in the Rehabilitation Package approved by the Cabinet on 30.11.2016 for Displaced Families PoJK and Chhamb under the Prime Minister’s (PM) Development Package 2015 for J&K…………………Click here to Read more

EAM minister S Jaishankar inaugurated e-Vidyabharti, e-ArogyaBharti for African countries during 55th anniversary of ITEC in New Delhi
On October 7, 2019 the External Affairs Minister(EAM) Shri Subrahmanyam Jaishankar inaugurated e-Vidyabharti (tele-education) and e-ArogyaBharti(Tele-Medicine) projects for all the 54 African countries in New Delhi on the 55th anniversary of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation(ITEC) which is India’s flagship capacity building programme. These are e-learning platforms to ease the delivery of online education. It will serve as a digital bridge between India and Africa. These will be delivered by Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL).
Key points
i. Other initiatives launched: Capacity building initiatives like e-ITEC and ITEC executive were launched to meet the demand for innovative courses for users and professionals.
ii. The projects will enhance access to Indian education and offer medical expertise to African students and doctors respectively.
iii. Members present: Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State(MoS) for defence; V.Muraleedharan, MoS for external affairs; Economic Trade secretary TS Tirumurti and other officials were present during the event.
About ITEC:
♦ It is a bilateral assistance programme run by the Indian government. It offers 12,000 scholarships to professionals across fields like Information Technology(IT), Agriculture etc.
♦ Over 200,000 government officials and professionals from 160 partner countries have been trained under ITEC.
♦ Launched- 15 September 1964.

India’s first special Aircraft  to serve Prez, Vice Prez, & PM will arrive by June 2020
India’s first dedicated two long-haul special Boeing 777-300ER aircraft equipped with missile defence systems that will serve Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu is likely to reach New Delhi, India by June 2020. As per the proposal, It will be kept under control by Indian Airforce (IAF) rather than Air India. If IAF got the charge of plane then the name also changes from Air India One to Air Force One.
Key points:
i. The aircraft equipped with Special Protection Suite that can jam enemy radar frequencies, divert heat-seeking missiles and intercept advanced intermediate range missile systems without intervention by the crew.
ii. An agreement of about US $ 190 million has been made to deploy anti-missile technology in the new aircraft. About Boeing : Founded :July 15,1916 Headquarters : Chicago, U.S.

Environment ministry approves Rs 1,400 crore airport project in Kutch, Gujarat
On October 7, 2019, the union environment ministry has given its approval for developing a commercial airport in Kutch, Gujarat worth 1,400 crores. This proposed project which is expected to be commissioned in 2021-22, is to be developed by Mundra International Airport Pvt Ltd, Gujarat. As a part of the project, the existing airstrip in Mundra will be developed into a full-fledged commercial airport serving Boeing 747-400 category aircraft.
Key points
i. An aerospace manufacturing facility will also be part of the project. The project developers were asked to obtain clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for safety and project facilities.
About Gujarat:
♦ Capital- Gandhinagar.
♦ Chief minister- Vijay Rupani
♦ Governor- Acharya Devvrat.

First government-operated daycare recreation centre for senior citizens inaugurated in Leh 
On October 9, 2019, Supreme Court judge, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer inaugurated the first Government-sponsored and operated day-care cum recreation centre for senior citizens in Leh, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)  in presence of Chief Justice J&K, Gita Mittal. It is co-sponsored by Government and the District Legal Service Authority of J&K.
i. It is a one-stop-shop for entertainment, medical services and legal aid for the aged people of the region.

MSDE along with IIM Bangalore to launch  Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF)
On October 9, 2019, The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in partnership with the Indian Institute of Management- Bangalore (IIMB) will launch a new 2-year program called ‘Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship’ (MGNF). It will be delivered by IIMB’s Centre of Public Policy (CPP).
Key Points:
i. Objective: To identify and train a group of young, committed and dynamic individuals.
ii. Coverage: It will be launched on a pilot basis in 6 states namely Gujarat, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
iii. Eligibility: Graduates from a recognized university and Indian citizens in the age group of 21-30 years will be eligible to apply.
iv. The MSDE for their skill components would support a total of 75 districts.

About MSDE:

♦ Headquarters: New Delhi
♦ Minister Incharge: Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey (Constituency: Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh)
♦ Secretary: KP Krishnan

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India ranks 68th in WEF’s 2019 Global Competitiveness Index, Singapore tops the list
On October 8, 2019 the World Economic Forum(WEF) released its report on 2019 Global Competitiveness Index 4.0. In the index, India was ranked 68th in the list, which is down by 10 places from its previous rank of 58 in 2018. The index was topped by Singapore as the world’s most competitive economy by replacing the United States in second place. Key points
i. Other reports on India: India is ranked at 15th place in terms of corporate governance, second globally for shareholder governance, and third in terms of the market size. In terms of healthy life expectancy, India is ranked 109th out of total the 141 countries surveyed for the index by WEF.
ii. Other reports: Vietnam is the most improved country in 2019 at rank 67. Asia-Pacific is the most competitive region in the world in 2019.
Ranks:

About Global Competitiveness Index(GCI):
The Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), which was launched in 1979, maps the competitiveness landscape of 141 economies through 103 indicators organised into 12 pillars for the year 2019. The index is built on four decades of experience in benchmarking competitiveness, thus it is Global Competitiveness Index 4.0.
About WEF:
♦ Headquarters-Cologny, Switzerland.
♦ Founded- January 1971.
♦ Founder- Klaus Schwab.

BANKING & FINANCE

Bengaluru-based fintech startup Shubh loans receives RBI’s NBFC licence
On October 8, 2019, Shubh Loans, a Bengaluru-based fintech sector start-up, has received a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through its subsidiary ‘Ekagrata ‘of its parent company Datasigns Technologies.
Key points:
i. It has raised series A2 funding of Rs 34 crore (USD 4.8 million) already from Omidyar Network India.
ii. Shubh loans customers will benefit greatly from the new license given by the Reserve Bank. Through the NBFC license, it will be able to provide loans to the deprived areas.
About NBFC:
It is a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 engaged in the business of loans and advances.It cannot accept demand deposits & do not form part of the payment and settlement system and cannot issue cheques drawn on itself.
About Shubh Loans:
♦ Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
♦ CEO & Founder: Monish Anand
About RBI:
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
♦ Formation: 1 April 1935
♦ Governor: Shaktikanta Das

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

WB released a report titled “WDR 2020: Trading for Development in the Age of Global Value Chains”
On October 8, 2019, World Bank (WB) released a report titled “World Development Report (WDR) 2020: Trading for Development in the Age of Global Value Chains”. According to the report, Global value chains (GVCs) can help the developing economies to enhance growth. GVC describes the people and activities involved in the production of a good or service and its supply, distribution, and post-sales activities when activities must be coordinated across geographies.
i. The reforms can help developing countries expand from commodity exports to basic manufacturing.
ii. GVCs account for nearly 50% of trade worldwide………………Click here to Read more

BSE ties up with FICCI to promote MSME
On October 7, 2019, In order to promote the micro, small and medium industries (MSME) and startups, BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange ) has organized a discussion session in collaboration with FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) in New Delhi. The purpose of this session was to identify shortcomings in existing policies and suggest good policies. Key points:
i. Apart from this, the session was also organized to promote initiatives like Udyam Saathi and Udyam Sakhi to promote the MSME sector. MSMEs were invited to present their views and suggestions in this session. At the same time, issues related to their concerns were also discussed at the level of the ministry.
ii. About 40 stakeholders, including 20 MSMEs, participated at the event.
About FICCI:
♦ Founded: 1927
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi
♦ President: Sandip Somany
About BSE:
♦ Formation: 1875
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
♦ MD and CEO: Ashishkumar Chauhan

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

John B Goodenough, M Stanley whittingham and Akira yoshino received 2019 Nobel prize in Chemistry
On October 8, 2019, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences  (RSAS) has awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in the field of chemistry to John B Goodenough (97), M Stanley Whittingham (77) and Akira Yoshino (71) for their pivotal role in making lithium-ion batteries. The trio shares the prize money of 9 million kronor (£738,000).Key points:
i. Akira Yoshino is a Japanese chemist and professor at Meijo University. He is also the inventor of the lithium ion batteries.
ii. John Bannister Goodenough is a German American professor at the University of Texas at Austin, US. He becomes the oldest winner of a Nobel prize. The previous record-holder was Arthur Ashkin, who won the Physics Nobel in 2018 at 96. Goodenough doubled the lithium battery’s potential, creating the right conditions for a vastly more powerful and useful battery.
iii. In addition Michael Stanley Whittingham is a British–American chemist and currently a professor at Binghamton University, New York, US (United States). He eliminates pure lithium from the battery.
About Nobel Prize:
It is a set of annual international awards bestowed for outstanding work in the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, economics, and the promotion of peace.
History of Nobel prize in the field of chemistry
♦ A total of 110 awards were given in the field of chemistry from 1901 to 2018. Of these, 181 people were given this award.
♦ Madame Marie Curie became the first scientist to receive two Nobel Prizes (1903 Nobel Prize in Physics and the 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry).

Salford University of England honors senior playback singer Asha bhosle with an honorary doctorate
On October 7, 2019, the University of Salford in Greater Manchester, England honored Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle (86) with an honorary Doctorate of Arts degree in recognition of her contribution to the field of music & her role in inspiring future generations to participate in the arts and media. She was awarded a doctorate degree by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford, Jo Purves, at the award ceremony at the Saint Regis Hotel in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Key points:
i. Bhosle has earned the distinction of being one of the most famous Bollywood singers in her career that spans seven decades, performing with a variety of smash hits like ‘Parde Mein Rehne Do’, ‘Piya Tu Ab To Aaja’.
ii. She has also made it to the Guinness Book of Records in 2011, has sung in more than 20 languages. She also has been a recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.
iii. In 1997, the British indie rock band Cornershop composed the song ‘A Brim Flower of Hope’ for her contribution to the field of music and her work as a source of inspiration for the British Asian community.

SPORTS

XLIX World Artistic Gymnastics Championships for 2019 held in Stuttgart, Germany
XLIX (49th) World Artistic Gymnastics Championships for 2019 are being held at the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle in Stuttgart, Germany from October 4- 13, 2019.  They are organized by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and the German Gymnastics Federation (GGF). These are held annually in the non-Olympic years. Key Points:
i. 548 competitors from 92 nations participated in the event.
ii. It was held for the third time in the city of Stuttgart and fifth time in Germany.
iii. Indian team: Indian team consisted of 6 members namely – Ashish Kumar, Yogeshwar Singh, Aditya Singh Rana in the men’s team and Pranati Nayak, Pranati Das, Aruna Budda Reddy in the women’s team.
iv. 50th Edition: The 2021 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships (50th Edition) will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark on October 18-24, 2021.
About FIG/Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique :
♦ Founded: 23 July 1881
♦ Headquarters: Avenue de la Gare 12, Lausanne, Switzerland

India maintained second position in latest ICC women’s ODI rankings, Australia tops the list
On October 7, 2019 in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) women’s One Day International (ODI) rankings, India has maintained its second position and has also increased it points lead over England which is ranked at the 3rd position. The list was topped by Australia.
Key points
i. In the women’s T20I (twenty-twenty international) rankings, India currently ranks at the 5th spot and the list is topped by Australia. England and New Zealand rank 2nd and 3rd respectively.
About ICC:
♦ Formation- 15 June 1909.
♦ Headquarters- Dubai, United Arab Emirates(UAE).
♦ Chairman-  Shashank Manohar.
♦ CEO- Manu Sawhney.

Germany’s Bastian Schweinsteiger retires from football at the age of 35
On October 8, 2019, German footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger from the Germany national football team, has announced his retirement from the game at the age of 35. Schweinsteiger earned 121 caps for his country, scoring 24 goals. He also led his team to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil by defeating Argentina.About Germany:
♦ Capital- Berlin.
♦ Currency- Euro.
♦ President- Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

FIFA bans former Salvadorean football association president, Reynaldo Vasquez
On 7 October 2019, The international governing body of association football, FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) has banned former chief of the Salvadorean Football Association (FESFUT), Reynaldo Vasquez (elected in June 2009) from all football-related activities for life & and imposed 475,000-euro ($522,000 or Rs 3,70,73,871) fine after a corruption investigation. He had breached art. 27 (Bribery and corruption) of the 2019 edition of the FIFA Code of Ethics.
Key points:
i.  In March 2017, he was sentenced to 8 years in jail on charges of embezzlement by a Salvadoran court.
ii. Uruguayan former football boss Eugenio Figueredo, Juan Angel Napout, former president of the Paraguayan football association, and Colombian Enrique Sanz, the former secretary-general of CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football), North American football’s governing body were also banned by FIFA.
About El Salvador:
♦ Capital: San Salvador
♦ Currency: United States Dollar
♦ President: Nayib Bukele
About FIFA:
♦ Motto :For the Game, for the world
♦ Headquarters :Zurich, Switzerland
♦ President: Gianni Infantino

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Book “Carpenters and Kings: Western Christianity and the Idea of India” by Siddhartha Sarma released
Book titled “Carpenters and Kings: Western Christianity and the Idea of India” written by Siddhartha Sarma was released. It is published by Penguin Hamish Hamilton India. It examines the history of Christianity in India in the context of local and global events.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Breast cancer awareness month observed from October 1-31, 2019
The Breast Cancer Awareness month is observed annually from October 1 till October 31 in order to raise awareness about the disease and also to raise funds for its research, diagnosis, prevention, etc.PV Sindhu launched AR app
On October 7, 2019, Indian shuttler PV Sindhu launched the world’s first ‘Life-size Augmented Reality'(AR) technology in the “ABC of breast health” app. It is an initiative of the Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, to create awareness and also help in the early detection of breast cancer. The AR feature will be operational in a month in the app.
Key points
i. The World Health Organisation(WHO) promotes breast cancer control programmes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the WHO in 2018, estimated 2.1 million new cases of breast cancer and 627 000 deaths from breast cancer globally.
ii. Recently in September 2019, American breast cancer survivor Sarah Thomas became the first person to swim across the English Channel four times non-stop in a 54-hour feat of endurance.
iii. A pink ribbon is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness.
About WHO:
♦ Founded- 7 April 1948
♦ Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland.
♦ Director General(DG)- TedrosAdhanom.

World Post Day observed on October 9, 2019 
World Post Day is observed annually on October 9 by the United Nations(UN) commemorating the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union(UPU) in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland. The day was mooted by an Indian, Anand Mohan Narula, during the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. It was formed under the resolution (UPU/1969/Res.C.11). Key points
i. This day is celebrated to create awareness of the day to day role of the postal sector everyone’s life and its contribution to the social and economic development of countries.

STATE NEWS

Goa government replaces traditional ‘dial 100’’ with new integrated emergency number ‘dial 112’
On October 9, 2019, the government of Goa replaced the traditional ‘dial 100’ with new integrated emergency number ‘dial 112’ for police, fire and medical emergencies with the help of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The new Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) was launched by the Goan Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Along with the dial number 100 (Police), it also replaced dial number 101(Fire) and 108 (Ambulance Services).
Key Points:
i. In the first phase, the dial ”112” service will cover only police department and in the second phase, fire and medical services will be brought under the new dial number. 2 centres are set up at Panaji and Margao as a part of the new integrated service.
ii.  20 Police Control Room (PCR) vehicles have been fitted with Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) for immediate dispatch.
iii. To ensure women’s safety, a ‘SHOUT’ feature has been introduced in ‘112 India’ mobile app to seek immediate assistance.
iv. Himachal Pradesh was first state to implement ERSS while Nagaland is the first amongst the North-Eastern States.
About Goa:
♦ National Parks: Bhagwan Mahavir (Mollem) National Park
♦ Wildlife Sanctuaries: Bondla WLS, Chorao Island (Dr.Salim Ali) WLS, Cotigaon WLS, Madei WLS, Bhagwan Mahavir (Mollem) WLS, Netravali WLS

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