Current Affairs Today June 26 2018

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 INDIAN AFFAIRS

3,000 Van Dhan Kendras to come up under Van Dhan scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
On June 26, 2018, The Government proposes to set up 3000 Van Dhan Kendras involving 30,000 SHGs across the country under the Van Dhan Scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
About Van Dhan Scheme:
i. The Prime Minister launched the Van Dhan Scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED on 14th April, 2018 during the celebrations of Ambedkar Jayanti at Bijapur Chattisgarh.
ii. This initiative has an estimated value: Rs.2 Lakh Cr. per year. 
iii. Under Van Dhan Scheme, 10 Self Help Groups of 30 Tribal gatherers each have been constituted at Bijapur, Chhattisgarh.
iv. The workers are trained by TRIFED and are provided with working capital to add value to the products, which they collect from the Jungle.
v. Working under the leadership of Collector, these groups can then market their products not only within the States but also outside the States.
About Van Dhan Kendra:
i. Tribal community owned Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (the Kendra) constitutes of 10 tribal SHGs, each comprising of upto 30 tribal NTFP gatherers or artisans i.e. about 300 beneficiaries per Kendra.
ii. It would be set up in predominantly forested tribal districts.
iii. It would provide  traditional knowledge & skill sets of tribals by adding technology & IT for value addition.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
♦ Union Minister: Jual Oram
♦ Minister of State: Jasvantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor.
Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited  (TRIFED):
♦ Under Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt of India.
♦ Established : 1987.
♦ Head Office: New Delhi.

Committee to study for 1000MW floating solar power plant in Ujani Dam: Maharashtra government
On June 26, 2018, The Maharashtra government set up a committee to study issues related to the development of a 1,000-MW floating solar power plant at Ujani dam in Solapur district of Maharashtra.
i. Director (Commercial) of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL), Satish Chavan, has been appointed as the head of the committee.
ii. The committee will study the environmental impact of the project and monitor the month-wise water level of the dam.
iii. It will study the possibilities of using the water bed of the Ujani Dam for the floating solr power plant due to unavailability of large lands.
iv. It  will study the water levels of Ujani dam every month, total fluctuation in its water levels and obtain necessary permissions required for the project
About Ujani Dam:
i. Ujani, located in Madha taluka of Solapur, around 300 kms from Mumbai, is among the largest dams in Maharashtra.
ii. The dam was built on a flat land and is easily accessible from all sides, which is an advantage as the solar panels required to be monitored.
iii. Ujani dam has a total capacity of 110 TMC and compared to other dams in the state, it has been constructed on a flat land with less depth.

Ministry of Health signs a MoU with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
On 25^th June 2018, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed a MoU with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to expand the short term healthcare courses through its available robust platform.

Ministry of Health signs a MoU with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU):
i. The signing ceremony was presided over by J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Human Resource Development and Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
ii. As per this MoU, curriculum for 10 courses particularly designed for the health sector, will offer over 14 lakh trained manpower by 2025.
iii. Aim of this MoU is to expand the health programs to develop trained personnel in the healthcare sector and to set up a dedicated cell for developing, implementing and certifying the skill based programs at IGNOU.
iv. A robust monitoring and assessment framework will be developed according to the MoU to make sure that Ministry of Health and Family Welfare standards are followed.
v. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will offer financial assistance to IGNOU to implement the structure and initiating the programs. The courses will be initiated in phases by IGNOU throughout India.
vi. Initially four courses will be launched: Home Health Aide, Geriatric Care Assistant, Phlebotomist and General Duty Assistant.
vii. Six skill-based curriculum standardized by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:  Diabetes Educator, Dietetic Aide, EMT-Basic, Dispensing Optician/VT and Medical Equipment Technology Assistant, will be launched later.
viii. Signing of this MoU is under the existing framework of ‘Skills for Life, Save a Life’ initiative. Under this, 10 short term course curricula were released in June 2017 by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
ix. Through this, training and monitoring network at District Level integrating the tertiary, secondary and primary health care institutions, will be developed.
x. This MoU will handle large scale training in a time-bound manner at an affordable cost.

 ‘Women in Prisons’ : Report on regulations for challenges faced by women in prison launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
On June 25,2018, The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has launched  its report titled ‘Women in Prisons’ . This report would now be shared with the Ministry of Home Affairs for issuing advisory to the States for implementation of the recommendations made in the Report.
Objective:
It aims to build an understanding of the various challenges faced by women in prisons and their resolutions.
About the Report:
i. It is a comprehensive list of 134 recommendations for improving the lives of women under incarceration, addressing a wide range of issues pertaining to pregnancy and childbirth in prison, mental health, legal aid, reintegration in society and their care giving responsibilities among others.
ii. Changes in the National Model Prison Manual 2016 have also been suggested.
iii. In case of women with care-giving responsibilities must be allowed to make arrangements for their children, and a reasonable suspension of detention may also be provided for this purpose. If the child (above 6 years of age)has no guardian then he must be placed in a Child Care Institution.
iv. Bail should be granted to those under-trial women who have spent one-third of their maximum possible sentence in detention.
v. A separate accommodation for mothers in post-natal stage to maintain hygiene and protect the infant from contagion, for at least a year after childbirth has been made.
vi. Legal consultations must be conducted in confidentiality and without censorship.
vii. A comprehensive after-care programme to be put in place, covering employment, financial support, regaining of child custody, shelter, counselling, continuity of health care services etc.
viii. Prison authorities should coordinate with local police to ensure released prisoners are not harassed by them due to the attached stigma.
ix. Prisoners must also be given the right to vote.
x. A robust grievance redressal system must be made in prisons so that apart from the prisoner herself, her legal adviser or family members should be allowed to make complaints regarding her stay in prison.
xi. Inmates should have access to female counsellors/psychologists at least on a weekly basis or as frequently as needed by them.
Minister of Women and Child Development :
♦ Union Minister: Maneka Gandhi.
♦ Minister Of State: Krishna Raj.

Two-day training workshop on cyber crime targeting children begins in New Delhi
On 26^th June 2018, a two-day training workshop on cybercrime targeting children started in New Delhi.
Two-day training workshop on cybercrime targeting children:
i. The workshop is organized by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) along with Police Bureau of Research and Development (PBR&D) and UNESCO.
ii. The workshop aims to offer professional training to the investigators who handle crime against children.
iii. Police investigators from all states are taking part in this workshop. Stuti Kacker is the Chairperson of NCPCR.
iv. Earlier, NCPCR had opened-up POCSO e-box to tackle cybercrime targeted on children.

 ‘Paani Bachao, Paise Kamao’ campaign launched aimed at checking depletion of underground water in Punjab
On 25^th June 2018, a campaign to encourage farmers to voluntarily adopt a new scheme ‘Paani Bachao, Paise Kamao’, for checking depletion of underground water, was launched in Jalandhar, Punjab.
Paani Bachao, Paise Kamao:
i. Punjab government had proposed to launch this scheme at two clusters/feeders: Bambiwal and Nawajipur on a pilot basis.
ii. 178 farmers from Bambiwal feeder and 231 from Nawajipur will be motivated to adopt the scheme.
iii. Through this scheme, farmers will receive monetary benefit for less use of tube well.
iv. This scheme aims to make sure that farmers utilise the power with restraint to pump out water from ground.
v. Details related to the use of power and money transferred into account of farmers will be provided to them on phone.
vi. Initially farmers for Bambiwal, Khusropur, Kukar Pind, Aladinpur and Kot Khurd village of Bambiwal feeder and Malsian, Dabri, Lasuri, Nawajipur, Mullewal Khaira and Mulewal Gharnian under Nawajipur feeder were entitled for Paani Bachao, Paise Kamao.
Some important dams in India:
♦ Pong Dam – Beas River
♦ Jamrani Dam – Gola River
♦ Karjan Dam – Karjan River

Haryana village panchayat passes ‘No toilet, no bride’ resolution
The Godikan panchayat in Haryana has become the first panchayat in India to pass a resolution to marry girls only to families that have a toilet in their house.
‘No toilet, no bride’:
i. This move of the Godikan panchayat has been inspired by Bollywood movie Toilet- Ek Prem Katha.
ii. The Godikan panchayat has passed this resolution in a motive to ensure the safety and well-being of women.
iii. Posters and banners reading “Beti wahin byahenge, jis ghar me shauchalaya payenge” (will marry off our daughters to households where we find a toilet) will be put for display soon.
iv. Godikan panchayat has already been declared an Outdoor Defecation Free panchayat.
Some wildlife sanctuaries in Haryana:
♦ Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
♦ Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary
♦ Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary

4th National Review & Consultation on Swachh Iconic Places began in Hyderabad
On June 25,2018, The 4th National Review and Consultation on Swachh Iconic Places began in Hyderabad.
Objective:
This has been held to review the progress of maintaining and cleaning the Iconic Places.
Key Points:
i. The two-day consultation and review was inaugurated by Director General Special projects under the Ministry of Drinking Water Supply, Mr. Akshay Rout .
ii. Discussion on better coordination between local and state Governments in implementing SIP Strategies were held.
About Swachh Iconic Places:
The Swachh Iconic Places is an initiative under the Swachh Bharat Mission. It is a special clean-up initiative focused on selecting 100 iconic heritage, spiritual and cultural places in the country. The initiative is being coordinated by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in association with the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and the concerned State governments. So far 30 Swachh Iconic places has been identified in 3 phases.

GOAMILES: App-based taxi service to be launched by Goa Tourism Department in July  
On June 26, 2018, The tourism department of the state of Goa announced that it will launch app-based taxi services in the state called : ‘GOAMILES’ in July 2018.
Objective:
It would help in curbing fleecing by the taxi drivers and easy facilitation  for the passangers.
Key Points:
i. It has more than 2,800 licensed taxi drivers partnering with the app.
ii. It aims to boost the digital economy, enable ease of travel for tourists and give taxi drivers better income.
iii. The key features of the initiative would be modest pricing and convenience to the traveller.
iv. As a part of the programme the taxi drivers would be trained in etiquette as well as knowledge of tourism related sites in Goa.
v. They will be given courses in etiquette, knowledge of tourist places, basic first aid, knowledge of culture and traditions of Goa.
GOA:
National Parks and Bird Sanctuaries :
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary.
Waterfalls :
Dudhsagar Falls, Netravali Falls, Sada Waterfalls

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India most dangerous country for women due to high risk of sexual violence: survey
On 26^th June 2018, a Thomson Reuters Foundation survey stated that, India is the world’s most dangerous country for women due to the high risk of sexual violence.
India most dangerous country for women due to high risk of sexual violence:
i. India is followed by war affected Afghanistan and Syria. Somalia and Saudi Arabia are ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
ii. The Thomson Reuters Foundation survey involved around 550 experts on women’s issues.
iii. The poll of 548 people was held online, by phone and in person from 26^th March and 4^th May 2018. It was performed in Europe, Africa, America, South East Asia, South Asia and the Pacific.
iv. The only Western country in the top 10 was the US, which ranked joint third. The survey asked which five of the 193 UN member states they thought were most dangerous for women, which country was worst in terms of healthcare, economic resources, cultural or traditional practices, sexual violence and harassment, non-sexual violence and human trafficking.
v. India is also ranked the most dangerous country for women in terms of human trafficking, sex slavery, domestic servitude, forced marriage, stoning and female infanticide.
About Thomson Reuters Foundation:
♦ CEO – Monique Villa
♦ Founded – 1982

15th Session of the India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission co-chaired by Suresh Prabhu was held in Canberra, Australia
On June 25, 2018, Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation of India, Suresh Prabhu co-chaired the 15th Session of the India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission with the Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo was held  in Canberra, Australia.

Objective:
Discussion on two-way trade and investment.
Key Points:
i. Discussions on India’s reform journey, including GST implementation, competition policy, insolvency and bankruptcy acts, and ease of doing business initiatives were held and India’s contribution to Australia’s economy.
ii. The critical role of the private sector andthe importance of Australian and Indian businesses engaging directly for practical solutions.
iii. The success of Australian Business Week in India (ABWI) in connecting Australian businesses with contacts in India.
iv. The Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to a high quality and balanced Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between the two countries.
Other meetings of Suresh Prabhu with different dignitaries:
With the PM of Australia Mr. Malcolm Turnbull:
Suresh Prabhu met the PM of Australia Mr. Malcolm Turnbull and discussed transfer of technology and expertise related to solar power generation and storage and utilization of power. He also discussed about the reforms like : Goods and Services Tax and JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhar and Mobile connectivity).
With the Treasurer, Government of Australia, Scott Morrison:
They discussed tax reforms and issues arising out of the digital modes of payment.
With the David Littleproud, Australian Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources:
i. They shared information about respective agricultural development initiatives and of investments by Australia in the area of agriculture related infrastructure.
ii. Shri Prabhu also had bilateral meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop.
Australia:
♦ Capital: Canberra.
♦ Currency: Australian Dollar.
♦ Prime Minister: Malcolm Turnbull.
♦ National Animal : Kangaroo.
♦ National Bird: Emu.

BANKING & FINANCE

Establishment of independent Board of Management for urban co-operative banks for daily up keeping of business: RBI
On June 26, 2018, RBI has proposed to set up a board of management for the urban co-operative banks. The guidelines have been recommended by committee headed by former deputy governor of RBI R Gandhi.
Objective:
The objective of the board is to oversee daily business operations
Key Points:
i. The board should have well qualified members who do not have any business relation with the bank.
ii. Regulatory approvals such as expansion of area of operation and opening of new branches may be allowed only for UCBs that have made such a provision in their law.
iii. The board of management may be appointed by the board of directors whose term end at the same time as the board of directors.
iv. RBI shall have powers to remove any member of BoM and/ or the CEO if the person is found to be not meeting the eligibility criteria prescribed by RBI.
v. Board of directors would be responsible for the general direction and control of a UCB.
About the eligibility criteria of the BOM:
At least half the members of the board should have specialized qualification in finance, economics, law or IT.
Responsibilities of the BOM:
Key responsibilities of BoM will include credit management, risk management and liquidity management.
RBI :
♦ Established in 1935.
♦ According to RBI ACT 1934.
♦ Nationalised in 1 January 1949.
♦ Based on recommendation of Hilton-Young Commission.
♦ 24th RBI governor : Dr.Urjit Patel.

Bajaj Finance overtakes Axis Bank in market cap : BSE Data
On June 22,2018, Bajaj Finance overtook Axis Bank in market capitalization ranking according to BSE. It was a surge of 3% .
i.The m-cap of Bajaj Finance was of Rs 1,345.85 billion
ii.Bajaj Finance has outperformed the market by surging 33% as compared to 4% rise in the S&P BSE Sensex.
iii.Bajaj Finance stood at number 6^th position in overall market-cap ranking.
iv.Other companies it surpassed was : Power Grid Corporation, Asian Paints, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, UltraTech Cement, Vedanta, HCL Technologies, Tata Motors, Hindustan Zinc, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and Wipro during the period.
v.It had a net profit of Rs 7.21 billion in March quarter (Q4FY18).
About Axis Bank’s performance:
i.M-Cap of Axis Bank was Rs. 1,340.18 billion.
ii.It has underperformed the market by falling 8% during the period of 2018.
iii.Axis Bank was down 5%, after the bank reported its first net loss of Rs 21.8 billion for Q4FY18.
The Overall Ranking of the Top 10 Companies in the list is as follows:

Bajaj Finance:
Headquarters: Pune.
Chairman: Rahul Bajaj.
Axis Bank:
Headquarters: Mumbai
Tagline: Badhti ka Naam Zindagi.
CEO and Managing Director: Shikha Sharma.
BSE:
Headquarters: Mumbai.
The Bombay Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in Asia.

Airtel retains BBB- rank : Fitch
On June 26, 2018, International rating agency Fitch ranked Bharti Airtel at BBB-.
About the success of Bharti Airtel:
i. It gave a BBB- ratings on the bonds issued by its subsidiary Bharti Airtel International Netherlands.
ii. Bharti will increase its home market mobile revenue market share to 35-36 per cent, on completion of its acquisition of Tata Tele.
iii. After the merger of Vodafone and Idea, Bharti Airtel will be pushed to the No 2 slot both in terms of revenue and number of subscribers.
iv. The operating revenue contribution from its African and non-mobile businesses in the home market has steadily increased to 22 per cent and 28 per cent, respectively, in FY18, from 15 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, in FY17.
v. Bharti’s revenue is likely to increase by 1-2 per cent in FY19, driven by a growth in digital TV, tower and enterprise business segments.
Bharti Airtel:
♦ Chairman: Sunil Mittal.
♦ MD & CEO: Gopal Vittal.
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Second tranche of Bharat-22 ETF receives bids worth Rs 15,436 crore
On June 25,2018, The Further Fund Offer (FFO) of BHARAT 22 ETF was subscribed approximately 2.57 times the initial issue size and received Rs 15,436 crore in four day FFO period.
i. The Anchor investor category subscribed 3.44 times raising approx. Rs 5,163 crore and Non-anchor investors raised approx. Rs 10,273 crore.
ii. It attracted approximately 1.2 lakh applications, oversubscribed across all the categories.
iii. The government had a target to raise Rs 6,000 crore through the second tranche of Bharat 22 ETF.
iv. It plans to raise Rs 80,000 crore in the current fiscal from disinvestment, lower than over Rs 1 lakh crore raised last year.
About Further Fund Offer (FFO) of BHARAT 22 ETF:
i. The fund is a part of the Government of India’s divestment programme.
ii. It is managed by ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund.
iii. The state-owned companies that are part of the ETF include ONGC , IOC, SBI, BPCL, Coal India and Nalco. 
iv. The other central public sector enterprises on the list are Bharat Electronics, Engineers India, NBCC, NTPC, NHPC, SJVNL, GAIL, PGCIL and NLC India 
v. Only three public sector banks – SBI, Indian Bank and Bank of Baroda feature in the Bharat 22 index.

Saudi ARAMCO and ADNOC to act as overseas partners for the Ratnagiri Refinery project in Maharashtra
On June 25,2018, Saudi Aramco and ADNOC signed an MoU today to jointly develop and build an integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex as overseas partners at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra.

About the MOU:
i. The project will cost around Rs.3 lakh crore (USD 44 billion).
ii. It will be implemented by Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. (RRPCL). 
iii. The MoU was signed between Saudi Aramco President and CEO, Amin H. Nasser and H.E.Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State & ADNOC Group CEO and Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India.
iv. The signing was witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
v. Saudi Aramco has earlier joined the project by signing an MoU with the Indian consortium on 11^th April 2018 on the sidelines of the 16 International Energy Forum Ministerial. But now they will co-invest in the project as overseas partners.
vi. This will be single largest overseas investment in the Indian refining sector.
Benefits of the MOU
i. RRPCL which is promoted by a consortium of India PSUs consisting of IOCL, BPCL and HPCLwill now have Saudi Aramco & ADNOC as overseas strategic partners.
ii. It will be set up as a 50:50 joint partnership (50:50) between the consortium from India and Saudi Aramco and ADNOC.
iii. The strategic partnership brings together crude supply, resources, technologies, experience and expertise of these multiple oil companies.
iv. The mega refinery will be capable of processing 1.2 million barrels of crude oil per day (60 million metric tonnes per annum) with a range of refined petroleum products, including petrol and diesel meeting BS-VI fuel efficiency norms.
v. RRPCL will rank among the world’s largest refining & petrochemicals projects and will be designed to meet India’s fast-growing fuels and petrochemicals demand.
About Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. (RRPCL):
It is a JVC, was formed on 22^nd September,2017 between IOCL,BPCL& HPCL with equity participation of 50:25:25 respectively. This is to implement a 60 MMTPA (1.2 MMBD) Integrated Refinery & Petrochemicals Project at Ranagiri, Maharashtra. The expected Petrochemical production is likely to be around 18 MMTPA. This would potentially be one of the largest Projects in the world. It is expected that it will contribute to a GDP improvement of around 2% nationally and about 12% to the state of Maharashtra.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

President of India presents the National Awards for Outstanding Services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism & Substance (drug) abuse
On 26^th June 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind presented the “Fourth National Awards for outstanding services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse” at an event in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Fourth National Awards for outstanding services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse:
i. Awards were given to both institutions and individuals on the occasion of ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ (26 June).
ii. The function was organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. President Ram Nath Kovind said that our geographical location between Myanmar-Laos-Thailand’s ‘Golden Triangle’ and Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan’s ‘Golden Crescent’, makes the Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking issue more severe.
iii. Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot, said that, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has created a National Toll Free Drug De-Addiction Helpline Number-1800110031 to help the victims of drug abuse, their family and society. It functions 24×7.
iv. The Government instituted a Scheme of the National Awards for outstanding services in the field of prevention of Alcoholism & Substance (Drug) Abuse in 2013.
v. Earlier, the Awards were conferred annually till 2014. Now the Awards are conferred biennially.
vi. The Scheme is applicable to Institutions and individuals working in the field of Prevention of Drug and Alcoholism Abuse.
vii. Following is the list of awardees:

• Best Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) for providing rehabilitation services to alcoholics and drug users – Tapovan Nashamukti Evam Punarwas Sansthan, Rajasthan
• Best Panchayati Raj or Municipal Body working for prevention of alcoholism and substance (drug) abuse – Lariapali Gram Panchayat, Odisha
• Best Educational Institution doing outstanding work in awareness generation and prevention of alcoholism and substance (drug) abuse – Punjab Institute of Medical Science, Punjab
• Best Non Profit Institution, other than S. No.1, 2, and 3, with outstanding contribution in Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse – Nashabandi Mandal, Mumbai
• Best Research or Innovation – Drug De-addiction and Treatment Centre (DDTC), Chandigarh
• Best Awareness Campaign – State Literacy Mission Authority (SLMA), Patna
• Outstanding achievement by an Individual – Dr. R.C. Sahni, Dr. Rajesh Tukaram Patil, L.R. Madhujan

Some important museums in India:
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives – Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh
Shivalik Fossil Park – Saketi, Himachal Pradesh

World Food Prize 2018 awarded to Lawrence Haddad and Dr. David Nabarro
On 25^th June 2018, it was announced at an event in the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, that the World Food Prize 2018 will be awarded to Lawrence Haddad and Dr. David Nabarro.

World Food Prize 2018:
i. Lawrence Haddad is a British economist and food policy researcher. Dr. David Nabarro has worked with the World Health Organization and United Nations on health and hunger issues.
ii. Lawrence Haddad and Dr. David Nabarro have been recognized for their work to improve nutrition for mothers and children from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday.
iii. They have contributed in helping to reduce the world’s number of children stunted from malnourishment from 2012 to 2017.
iv. Lawrence Haddad lives in England. He is the executive director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition. It is a Swiss-based non-profit launched at the United Nations that works to reduce malnutrition.
v. Dr. David Nabarro retired from the United Nations a year ago. He is currently a professor at the Institute of Global Health Innovation at London’s Imperial College.
vi. He is setting up 4SD, a social enterprise in Switzerland. It is focused on mentoring the next generation of leaders in global sustainable development.
vii. The foundation that awards World Food Prize is based in Des Moines, Iowa. Lawrence Haddad and Dr. David Nabarro will receive the prize at an event in October 2018 at Des Moines. The prize money is $250,000 (U.S.)
About World Food Prize:
♦ Created by – Nobel Peace Prize laureate Norman Borlaug
♦ Created in – 1986
♦ Objective – to recognize people who have improved the quality and availability  of food

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

S Ramesh appointed chairman of CBIC
S Ramesh has been appointed the chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

S Ramesh – chairman of CBIC:
i. S Ramesh will replace Vanaja N Sarna. Vanaja N Sarna will superannuates on 30^th June 2018.
ii. S Ramesh is a 1981 batch officer of the Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise). He is currently a member in the board of CBIC.
iii. He has been made the chairman of CBIC with the status of special secretary to the central government.
iv. Raj Kumar Barthwa, a Senior IRS (Customs and Central Excise) officer, has been named as new member in the CBIC in place of S Ramesh.
About Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC):
♦ Functions under – Finance Ministry
♦ Maximum members – 6

SPORTS

World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Tunisia from June 22-24, 2018
From 22^nd to 24^th June 2018, the 12th Tunis International Meeting was organized by the National Paralympic Committee of Tunisia, in Tunisia.
12th Tunis International Meeting:
i. 17 countries participated in the 2018 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Tunisia. 20 athletes from Iran participated.
ii. Iran won a total of 23 medals. The final Grand Prix of the 2018 season will be held in Berlin, Germany next week.
India’s Amit Kumar Saroha wins gold at World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Tunisia:
i. India’s Amit Kumar Saroha won gold medal in the men’s club throw F51 event. He is a wheelchair-bound athlete.
ii. He made the season’s best performance of 29.42m. In the men’s shot put F57 Kuniya Puyil Sujith threw 11.47m with teammate Bhagat Singh (11.19m) in second place.
Some Highlights:
i. Morocco’s Fouzia El Kassioui created a new world record in the discus F32. He made a throw of 13.97m and broke the record set by Algerian Mounia Gasmi in 2017.
ii. Tunisia’s Samar Ben Koelleb won the women’s shot put F41. Iran’s Mohsen Kaedi won the men’s javelin F33/34. Shahla Hadidi won the women’s discus F54. Mahdi Olad won the men’s discus F11. Mehdi Alizadeh won the shot put F33. Siamak Saleh Farajzadeh won gold medal in the men’s shot put F34.
About Paralympic Committee of India:
♦ President – Rao Inderjit Singh
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi

OBITUARY

South African Indian cinema mogul Moosa passes away
On 24^th June 2018, South African Indian cinema star Moosa Aboobaker Moosa died due to heart attack, in South Africa.
Death of Moosa Aboobaker Moosa:
i. Moosa Aboobaker Moosa was 75 years old. He is said to be the longest-serving cinema group executive in the world.
ii. In 2007, he was awarded the South African Film and Television Industry Lifetime Achievement Award.
iii. He took over the family cinema business of the Avalon Group, started by his father, which is said to be the first and still only Indian-owned cinema group in South Africa.
Tag lines of Some banks:
Allahabad Bank – A tradition of trust
Andhra Bank- Where India Banks
Bank of Baroda – India’s International Bank

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – 26 June
On 26^th June 2018, International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed all over the world.

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking:
i.In 1987, the UN General Assembly declared 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
ii. This day was coined to enhance efforts to achieve an international society free of drug abuse.
iii. This day aims to create awareness of the problems caused by illicit drugs to the society.
iv. The theme for International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2018 is: “Listen First – Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe.”
Some important lakes in India:
♦ Prashar Lake – Himachal Pradesh
♦ Renuka Lake – Himachal Pradesh
♦ Rewalsar Lake – Himachal Pradesh

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture – 26 June
On 26^th June 2018, International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was observed all over the world.
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture:
i. In 1997, the UN General Assembly declared 26 June as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
ii. This day aims to achieve total eradication of torture experienced by victims throughout the world.
iii. The UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture that is administered by the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva is a victim-focused mechanism that provides assistance to victims of torture and their families.
About United Nations Human Rights Council:
♦ President of the Human Rights Council, Twelfth Cycle (2018) – Vojislav ŠUC
♦ Members – 47 United Nations Member States