Current Affairs September 20 2019

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

16th Session of the Joint Economic Commission 2019 between India and BLEU held in  New Delhi
On September 17, 2019, The 16th Session of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) 2019 between India & Belgium -Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) was held in New Delhi with the aim to improve bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries
i. The importance of JEC between India and BLEU was reiterated & both sides negotiate cooperation on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, such as, transportation and logistics, renewable energy, aerospace and satellites, audio and visual industry, agro and food processing industry, life sciences, ICT(Information and communications technology), traditional medicine, Ayurveda and yoga, and tourism .
ii. The bilateral trade between India-Luxembourg was $ 161.98 million in 2018-19 & $ 17.2 billion between India-Belgium in 2018-19…………………..Click here to Read more

NASSCOM’s DSCI, MeitY and Google India launched a nationwide ‘Digital Payment Abhiyan’
The National Association of Software and Services Company’s (NASSCOM) Data Security Council of India (DSCI), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and Google India had collaborated together to launch a nationwide awareness campaign ‘Digital Payment Abhiyan‘. The campaign was launched by the Communications and Electronics & Information Technology (IT) Minister Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad on September 19, 2019 at the Google for India event in New Delhi.
i. Google launched an integrated payments, jobs app and Google Research India- an artificial intelligence (AI) research lab in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
ii. Google partnered with National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) and Skill India to introduce the job-centric Spot codes to offline locations and NSDC centres…………………Click here to Read more

Beneficiaries under PMMVY scheme crossed 1 crore
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) achieved a mark of reaching 1 crore (1,00,11,200) beneficiaries in India. The total amount disbursed under the scheme crossed Rs. 4,000 crores.
Key Points:
i. Top 5 states: Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Rajasthan are the top 5 states/ union territories (UTs) in the implementation of scheme.
ii. Odisha and Telangana have not implemented the scheme.
iii. Its implementation is monitored by the central and state governments through a web based software application named PMMVY-CAS.
About PMMVY:
It is a flagship scheme of the Government for Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM). It is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme under which PW&LM receive a cash benefit of Rs. 5,000 in three installments on fulfilling certain conditions. The eligible beneficiaries also receive cash incentive under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). Thus, on average, a woman gets Rs. 6,000.

HRD ministry announces National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) Scheme for Higher Education learning outcomes
On September 19, 2019 the Union Ministry of Human Resource & Development (MHRD) has announced a new scheme named National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) for better learning outcomes in higher education and is expected to be operational in early november 2019. The main objective of this scheme is to use Artificial Intelligence(AI) in making personalized learning and will be developed through Public-private partnership (PPP) model. AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) will be the implementing agency of this scheme.
Key points
i. EdTech(Education Technology) companies will be responsible for managing the learners’ registration though the NEAT portal.

Open defecation decreased by 47 % between 2000 – 2017 in India: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report 2019
As per the WHO/UNICEF (World Health Organization/United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene, report 2019, “Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2000-2017: Special focus on inequalities”, the open defecation practices in India between 2000 and 2017 has decreased by 47 % & 43 % of Indian people have gained access to basic sanitation facilities.
Key points:
i. Development: The report highlights that one-third of the population of Nepal and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, more than half of the population of Cambodia and Ethiopia, and nearly half of the population of India have stopped open defecation practices since the year 2000.
ii. Global report:  A total of 91 nations decreased open defecation by a total strength of 696 million people, with Central and Southern Asia witnessing for three-quarters of this reduction from 2000-17. 2.1 billion people gained access to at least basic services with Central and South Asia (807 million) and in Eastern and South-Eastern Asia (698 million).
iii. Initiatives:  The Indian Government has launched Swachh Bharat Mission on 2^nd October 2014 (by Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi) to achieve a clean and open defecation free India by October 2, 2019. It consists of two sub-missions Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)-(SBM-G) and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).The Mission has got global recognition as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Washington, U.S) will give its Global Gatekeeper Award 2019 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 24, 2019 his work under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) Mission.
About WHO:
♦ Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
♦ Founded: 7 April 1948
♦ Director-General: Tedros Adhanom
About UNICEF:
♦ Headquarters: New York, United States
♦ Founded: 11 December 1946
♦ Executive Director: Henrietta H. Fore

Indian Army conducted ‘Chang Thang’ exercise in Eastern Ladakh 
On September 18, 2019 the Indian army conducted massive integrated exercise named ‘Chang Thang’ in the Eastern Ladakh region bordering China in a very high altitude area in order to test and improve its capabilities in war fighting. The exercise involved all the arms of the Indian army like T-72 tanks, artillery guns and helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles etc. The exercise was monitored by Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command.
Key points
i. Reason for the exercise: The exercise which happened first time in the region came from the backdrop of a scuffle (a short struggle/fight) between India and Chinese troops on the northern bank of Pangong Tso (Tso denotes lake) in Ladakh amid China feeling uneasy of the article 370 abrogation that provided special status to Jammu & Kashmir and as Union territories(UT) bifurcation.  The Indian Air Force participated in the exercise that also involved parajumping of troops.
ii. Him Vijay: The army will also conduct another major exercise Him Vijay in next two months. The exercise will be conducted in Arunachal Pradesh to test new fighting formation, Integrated Battle Group in mountain warfare.
About Indian Army:
♦ Founded- 1 April 1895.
♦ Headquarters- New Delhi.
♦ Motto- “Service Before Self”.
♦ Commander-in-Chief- President Ram NathKovind.

Ayushman Bharat signs MoU with Ola to extend healthcare benefits for its driver-partners and families
On September 19, 2019 the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme which is the world’s largest healthcare scheme signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with mobility platform Ola whereby the scheme would provide health insurance to 2 million driver partners of Ola. The MoU was signed between Vijay Ghadge, Vice President(Operations) of Ola and Dr. Praveen Gedam, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AB-PMJAY and National Health Authority(NHA) in presence of Dr. InduBhushan, CEO, AB-PMJAY and NHA.
Key points
i. This MoU would extend the benefits of the healthcare scheme in providing healthcare to secondary and tertiary driver partners. The MoU was also signed by a representative from Common Service Centres (CSC) under the Electronics and Information Technology (IT) ministry as part of the third party administrator.
ii. First phase: The first phase of this partnership will be rolled out in Delhi as a pilot project after which it will be extended to other states.
iii. AB card: All Ola employees and eligible driver-partners can avail the AB card at a cost of Rs.30.
About PMJAY:
♦ It is a flagship health scheme launched after the recommendation by National Health Policy 2017 to achieve Universal Health Coverage(UHC).
♦ The scheme provides health insurance of Rs 5lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
♦ Launched- 23 September 2018.

Indian Railways for the first time installed PET bottle crush machine in Mumbai Rajdhani express
For the first time in India, Indian Railways installed Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottle crush machine in Mumbai Rajdhani Express which runs between Mumbai Central and New Delhi. It was implemented by the Western Railways as part of the Indian Railways’ Swachh Bharat and Go Green missions associated with the ban of single-use plastic imposed by the Centre.Key Points:
i. This machine can crush up to 3,000 bottles per day, enable recycling of 90% PET waste bottles from 200 ml-2.5 litre size, reduce carbon footprint by 100% recycling and avoid littering in landfill from bottle waste.
ii. It has an internal storage bin of approx 20 litres which is equivalent to 1500 bottles.
iii. Western Railways has set up selfie points at Churchgate and Andheri stations, Mumbai to raise awareness on plastic ban.
About Western Railways:
♦ Headquarters: Churchgate, Mumbai
♦ General Manager: Shri Anil Kumar Gupta

BANKING & FINANCE

Till March 31, 2020, Banks to not declare stressed assets of MSMEs as NPAs: Sitharaman
On September 19, 2019, After meeting with the heads of public sector banks(PSB)  to discuss various issues, including follow up on transmission of monetary policy rates, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that in order to overcome the slowdown in the economy and increase business activities, the government asked banks not to declare stressed loans of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as Non Performing Assets (NPAs) until  March 31, 2020.Key points:
i. Public Sector Banks will also hold an open meeting with NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Companies) and retail borrowers in 200 districts before September 29, 2019 with the intention of giving loans to farmers, retail loan creditors , loans for housing, vehicles and other purposes. In the second phase, such meetings named “Shamiana meetings” will be held in 200 other districts from October 10 – October 15, 2019. That is, there will be meetings of this kind in 400 districts in total. They will focus on ‘RAM’ category – retail, agriculture and MSMEs.
ii. On September 5, 2019,  Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has asked banks to link all new types of floating-rate loans (home, auto loans & and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME)) to external benchmark like repo rate from October 1, 2019 for the welfare of the consumers.
About Stressed assets:
♦ Stressed assets = NPAs + Restructured loans + Written off assets.
♦ NPAs: It means a loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained overdue for a period of 90 days.
♦ Restructured loans: The assets of the loan which got an extended repayment period, reduced interest rate, converting a part of the loan into equity, providing additional financing, or some combination of these measures.
♦ Written off assets : A write off is the process of removing assets from the accounting records and financial statements of the bank, which tend to write off assets because the assets are no longer available or valid.

Reserve Bank bars unregulated fintech firms from accessing the consumer credit data
On September 16, 2019, The country’s central Bank, Reserve Bank Of India(RBI) has directed the  banks and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) to stop sharing the pattern of consumer’s credit information held by credit information companies (CICs) with analytics firms , IT (Information Technology) companies, institutional agents and unregulated parties. The banking bodies have been given 15 days time period to implement the measure.Key points:
i. The report by RBI highlights that such data sharing actions are against the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (CICRA) and any further default will face strict actions and penalties.
ii. The data will be provided by Banks & NBFCs to 4 consumer credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian , TransUnion CIBIL ( Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited) and CRIF High Mark  and it will be confidential manner.
iii. The decision will strongly affects digitally lending institutions that rely on their partner banks & NBFCs to get access consumer data by using  credit companies.
About RBI:
♦ Formation: 1 April 1935
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai
♦ Governor: Shaktikanta Das

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Overview of Taxation Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2019
On September 20, 2019, Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt Nirmala Sitaraman in a Press Conference in Goa notified that Taxation Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2019 was introduced to make certain amendments in the Income-tax Act 1961 and the Finance (No. 2) Act 2019.

• The new provision gives any domestic company an option to pay income-tax at the rate of 22% subject to the condition that they will not avail any exemption/incentive.
• Any new domestic company incorporated on or after October 1, 2019 making fresh investment in manufacturing was given an option to pay income-tax at the rate of 15%.
• The total revenue foregone for the reduction in corporate tax rate and other relief was estimated at Rs. 1,45,000 crore………………..Click here to Read more

SEBI sets up committee to suggest structure and norms for social stock exchanges
On September 19, 2019 Capital market regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has formed a 15-member committee headed by Ishaat Hussain, Director at State Bank of India(SBI) Foundation and former Tata Sons Director, to suggest possible measures and regulations in creating the ‘social stock exchanges’. The formation of this committee comes after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s maiden union budget speech to take the capital markets closer to inclusive growth and financial inclusion.
Key points
i. Committee’s work: The work of the committee is to examine and make recommendations for the social stock exchanges within the securities market domain in order to facilitate the fund raisings by social enterprises and voluntary organizations.
ii. Committee members:  The committee members include T V Mohandas Pai (Chairman of Manipal Global Education and former director of Infosys), RoopaKudva of Omidyar Network India, Amit Chandra of Bain Capital, Saurabh Garg (Principal Secretary to Odisha government), Shamika Ravi (Brookings India Director of Research and member of PM’s Economic Advisory Council), Vineet Rai of Aavishkaar Venture and Girish G Sohani of BAIF Development Research Foundation and other members from stock exchanges, corporate and economic affairs.
About SEBI:
♦ Founded- 12 April 1992.
♦ Headquarters- Mumbai.
♦ Chairperson- Ajay Tyagi.

OECD lowers India’s economic growth forecast for 2019-20 to 5.9% from 7.2%
On September 20, 2019, As per the intergovernmental economic organisation, OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ) latest “Interim Economic Outlook” with title “Warning: Low Growth Ahead”, India’s GDP (gross domestic product) growth expected to grow by 5.9 per cent for 2019 (FY-Fiscal Year 2020) and 6.3 % in 2020 (FY21).
Key points:
i. Scaling down:  It cut its forecast for FY20 to 5.9 % by 1.3 percentage points & for FY21 to 6.3 %  by 1.1 percentage points ( which is higher than projected for china-5.7%) due to a broad-based slowdown in consumption and investment demand in India.
ii. Global Growth: OECD also predicted the global growth to 2.9 percent for 2019 & 3 % growth for the 2020 due to trade war between the US (United States) and China that affects global growth momentum toward the low point last seen during the financial crisis.
iii. India is one of the  7 nations whose economic growth projections are slashed down by the OECD by more than 0.6 % points. The other countries are Argentina, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Australia.
iv. Other ratings: For FY 20,The  World Bank (WB) projected India’s GDP growth rate remained at 7.5%,IMF (International Monetary Fund) -7%, ADB(Asian Development Bank)-7%, Economic Survey of the finance ministry -7%, Reserve BankIndia(RBI)-6.9%.
About OECD:
♦ Headquarters: Paris, France
♦ Founded: 30 September 1961
♦ Secretary-General: José Ángel Gurría

32 FMCG companies launched “Karo Sambhav”-packaging waste management venture aims to mobilise Rs.1000 cr
On September 18, 2019, To address the growing concern of plastic wastes 32 leading Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies like Coca-Cola India, PepsiCo India, and Bislerietc are to jointly launch first-of-its-kind packaging waste management venture named Karo Sambhav in the country that aims to create an ecosystem for post-consumer packaging collections and optimization of material recycling processes.
Karosambhav developed by Packaging Association for a Clean Environment (PACE), an industrial body, over the past year, also ensures no recyclable packaging material end up in landfills by 2025 by mobilising and converging assets and resources of over Rs. 1,000 crores.
Key points
i. Lead: The setup of this venture is to be led by Pranshu Singhal who will be responsible in creating partnerships with stakeholders and others for developing India-wide ecosystem for plastic waste management.
ii. Committed companies: Other leading companies committed in this venture are Diageo, Parle Agro, Manjushree, Reliance Industries, SC Johnson, Varun Beverages Ltd , Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd etc.
iii. Plans: these FMCG companies have decided to set up collection systems with 125 material recovery systems that would 2500 aggregators for the next three years
iv. The FMCG companies states that it recycles nearly 90% Polyethylene terephthalate(PET) bottles and has alsobeen pushing for the 200ml bottles out of the likely to be banned products.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi confers the National Geoscience Awards for 2018 in Delhi
On September 19, 2019 the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines, Shri Pralhad Joshi conferred The National Geoscience Awards for the year 2018 in New Delhi to  22 scientists for their outstanding contributions in geoscience fields, mining and allied areas in the country.
i. The awards were given in 10 disciplines covering the areas such as Mineral exploration, Groundwater exploration, mining technology, Mineral beneficiation, Sustainable mineral development, Basic and applied geosciences, Geo-environmental studies and Natural hazards investigation………………….Click here to Read more
ii. Awards:

Rajnath Singh becomes first Indian defence minister to fly in home-built LCA Tejas from the HAL Airport, Bengaluru
On September 19, 2019, Defence Minister of India, Mr Rajnath Singh became the first Indian defence minister to fly (for 30 minutes) the indigenously-built light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport, also known as Hindustan Airport, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.Key Points:
i. He was accompanied by Air Vice Marshal N Tiwari, who is also the Project Director, National Flight Test Centre (NFTC), Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Bengaluru.
ii. The minister also participated in an exhibition of the products of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) which was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
iii. The use of indigenous technology in armed forces will be 75% by 2029-30.
iv. Tejas is the smallest lightweight, multi-role, single-engine tactical fighter aircraft.

ISB Hyderabad ranked 7th globally & 1st in Asia in Forbes “Best International 1-Year Business Schools 2019” rankings; IMD Tops
The Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad, Telangana whose another campus is in Mohali (Punjab), was ranked 7th globally and 1st in Asia in the Forbes’ “Best International 1-Year Business Schools 2019” rankings. The annual Forbes’ list ranked the schools on their 5-year MBA (Master of Business Administration) gain.
Key Points:
i. ISB had participated in the ranking for the first time .
ii. ISB’s Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) is currently ranked 24 worldwide as per the Financial Times’ “Global MBA Rankings 2019”.
iii. Forbes surveyed more than 100 schools.
Top 5 schools:

About Forbes:
♦ It is an American business magazine published bi-weekly.
♦ First published: September 15, 1917
♦ Editor in Chief: Steve Forbes

Bollywood actor Neena Gupta wins two awards at Indian International Film Festival  2019 of Boston at Massachusetts, US
Indian actress and television director, Neena Gupta (60) of Delhi has won the two awards namely, Best Actress award for the film ‘Badhaai Ho’  & her film “ Last Color” has won the Best Feature Film award at Indian International Film Festival of Boston(IFFB) 2019 in John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Massachusetts, US(United States).Key points:
i. The film ‘The Last Color’ is based on the widowed women in Vrindavan and Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in India. It is directed by famous chef Vikas Khanna.
ii. The first look of the film was revealed in Cannes Film Festival. It then appeared in several film festivals around the world including the New York Indian Film Festival 2019 and the Indie Mem Film Festival 2019.

IR’s Secunderabad station becomes 1st station to get IGBC green platinum rating
On September 18, 2019, the Secunderabad railway station of Indian Railways (IR) became the first station awarded with green ‘Platinum rating’ by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) under the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) for its energy conservation initiatives and modern passenger amenities inclusion. C Shekar Reddy, Chairman, IGBC Hyderabad, presented the IGBC plaque and certificate to Vinod Kumar Yadav, General Manager at Secunderabad railway station in presence of PiyushGoyal, Union Minister for Railways.
Key points
i. The station has been awarded the Indian Standard Organisation (ISO) 14001-2015 Certificate- Environmental Management system. It received the National Tourism Award 2016-2017. The station comes under Secunderabad division of the South Central Railways (SCR) zone.
ii. Major initiatives of this railway station are Air-conditioned waiting halls equipped with CO2(carbon dioxide) sensors, solar panel installations, station beautification, and waste management etc.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Indian Air Force appoints Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria as the 26th Chief of Air Staff
On September 19, 2019, the Indian Air force (IAF) has appointed Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria to take over as the next and 26th chief of air staff. Currently serving as the Vice Chief of the IAF, Bhadauria will replace incumbent Chief BS Dhanoa who will be superannuated on September 30, 2019.Key points
i. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy commissioned to IAF in 1980, Bhadauria headed the Cost Negotiation Committee (CNC) for the Rafale deal.
ii. Service chiefs have either 3 year tenure or tenure until 62 years of age, whichever comes first.
About IAF:
♦ Founded- 8 October 1932.
♦ Headquarters- New Delhi.

Samuel Joseph Jebaraj appointed as DMD of IDBI Bank for 3 years
The Board of Directors (BoD) of Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI Bank) approved the appointment of Samuel Joseph Jebaraj as Deputy Managing Director (DMD) for a period of 3 years with effect from September 19, 2019, succeeding KP Nair. This is the first major appointment on the Bank’s Board after Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) acquired a majority stake of 51% (January 2019) in the bank.
i. He currently serves as Chief General Manager of the Loan Administration and Human Resources Management Groups of the Bank.
About IDBI Bank:
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai
♦ Tagline: Aao Sochein Bada

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd delivered second Scorpenesubmarine“KHANDERI” to Indian Navy in Mumbai
On September 19, 2019 India’s biggest warship builder Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd(MDL), delivered the second of the 6 scorpene class submarine, Indian Naval Ship (INS) khanderi to the Indian Navy in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The submarine will be commissioned at Naval dockyard by the Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh on September 28, 2019.The ship is designed by French company Naval Group (earlier known as DCNS)Key points
i. The acceptance document was signed by Rakesh Anand, Chairman & Managing Director(MD) of MDL and Rear Admiral B Sivakumar, Chief of Staff Officer (Tech), Western Naval Command.
ii. The first of the scorpene submarine named INS Kalvari, was commissioned in the year 2018. The last of the submarine is expected to be delivered by 2022.
iii. Khanderi name: The submarine Khanderi is named after wide snouted Sawfish, which is a deadly sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

ENVIRONMENT

74-year-old museum specimen-species of giant salamander becomes the world’s largest amphibian
On September 19, 2019, researchers from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and London’s Natural History Museum discovered a new species of giant Chinese salamander is now considered to be the world’s largest amphibian. The study of this species is mentioned in the journal “Ecology and Evolution” and its scientific name is Andrias sligoi.
Key point
It is described in this journal that there are 3 distinct species of Chinese salamanders which are now considered as critically endangered species. Apart from Andrias sligoli, the other salamander species is named as Andrias davidianus while the third is yet to be named.

SPORTS

Former South African cricketer Kyle Abbott creates history with a total of 17 wickets in 120th Specsavers County Championship 2019
Former South African cricket team fast bowler Kyle Abbott has created history in first-class cricket by taking 17 wickets against Somerset in a match playing for Hampshire (the best figures in first-class cricket for 63 years ) in the 120th Specsavers County Championship 2019 held at Ageas Bowl Cricket ground in West End, England.Key point:
Kyle took 17 wickets for 86 runs. The record for best bowling in first-class cricket is for England spinner Jim Laker, who took 19 wickets for 90 runs in 1956 against Australia.
About County Championship:
It is the domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales and is organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). From 2016, the Championship has been sponsored by Specsavers, who replaced Liverpool Victoria.

OBITUARY

Former Tunisia president Zine el-Abidine Ben passed away at the age of 83 in Saudi Arabia 
On September 19, 2019, former president of Tunisia Zine el-Abidine Ben has died in exile at the age of 83 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He was ousted from power in 2011 at the start of the Arab spring movement in which many leaders were swept from power.Key point:
Born on September 3, 1936 in Hammam Sousse, French Tunisia, Ben ruled Tunisia as president from 1987 until he was ousted in 2011 due to suppressed political freedom in the country.

Former Dutch football international Fernando Ricksen passes away
Former Rangers football player Fernando Ricksen of Netherlands has passed away in St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland after a 6-year battle with motor neuron disease. He was 43.i. Born on 27 July 1976 in Hoensbroek, Limburg, Netherlands, earned 12 caps for the Netherlands between 2000 and 2003.
ii. In six years(2000-2006) with the club of Rangers (Glasgow, Scotland), he won 2 Scottish Premier League titles, 2 Scottish Cups and 3 Scottish League Cups.
iii. In 2006, he shifted for Russian football club, Zenit Saint Petersburg and won honours including the UEFA(Union of European Football Associations) Cup and UEFA Super Cup in 2008.

Famous filmmaker Shyam Ramsay passes away at Mumbai, Maharashtra
Bollywood’s famous horror film producer Shyam Ramsay (one of the seven Ramsay Brothers) has passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra after suffering from pneumonia. He was 67.i. Born on 17 May 1952, Shyam Ramsay has made a tremendous identity in Hindi cinema through horror films such as,Purana Mandir (1984), Andhera (1975), saboot (1980), Purani Haveli (1989), and  Dhund: The Fog (2003) during his career. He also made films like Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh” (1954) and “Rustom Sohrab” (1963).
ii. Ramsay Brothers (Kumar, Tulsi, Shyam, Keshu, Kiran, Ganguly and Arjun)came to Mumbai from Karachi after partition and decided to get into the business of film production.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu released ‘Himalayan Odyssey’ book by MP Veerendra Kumar in New Delhi
On September 19, 2019, the Vice President of India Shri Venkaiah Naidu released the book in New Delhi named ‘Himalayan Odyssey’ written by Member of Parliament (MP) Veerendra Kumar. The book is an English translation of the Kendra Sahitya Akademi and Kerala Sahitya Akademi award-winning Malayalam original ‘Haimavathabhuvil’ by Veerendra Kumar, who is also the Chief Managing Director(CMD) of Mathrubhumi.Key point:
Other Awards: The other awards for this book are MoorthideviPuraskar, Dr. ShivramKaranth award, Vayalar award and Amrita KeerthiPuraskaram.

Book titled ‘Turbulence & Triumph: The Modi Years’, jointly authored by Rahul Agarwal and Bharathi S Pradhan set to release
The pictorial biography of PM Narendra Modi titled ‘Turbulence & Triumph: The Modi Years’ jointly authored by Rahul Agarwal and Bharathi S Pradhan is set to release in October 2019. It is published by Om Books International. It depicts the journey of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from this young days to becoming 14th prime minister of India. The book also has photographs sourced from public and private archives.

A book on Gandhi titled “Being Gandhi” by Paro Anand set to release
A new book titled “Being Gandhi” written by award-winning author Paro Anand will be released on September 21, 2019. It marks the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The book, published by Harper Collins Children’s Books, explores the life events of Gandhiji.

STATE NEWS

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launched ‘champions campaign’ against dengue
On September 19, 2019, The Chief Minister of Delhi, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched “champions campaign” in the fight against dengue.
i. Earlier, he had also launched 10Hafte 10Baje 10Minute campaign. He had urged the Delhi residents to give 10 minutes every Sunday from September 1- November 15, 2019, to check the surroundings to prevent the breeding of dengue-carrier mosquitoes.

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