Dear Readers, We cover some important news in Current Affairs Today Section, which are not covered in Daily Detailed News, More Current Affairs coverage will help you to Score Good Marks in Competitive Exam.
Indian Affairs
- Government Approves Eleven Proposals of FDI
- Amendments to Tax Avoidance Pacts with Israel, Vietnam
- Rail Coach Interiors: Innovation, Safety, Comfort – International Technical Conference
- National Watershed Management Project – Neeranchal
Dr. D. P. Rastogi Central Research Institute for Homeopathy in Noida
Dr. D. P. Rastogi Central Research Institute for Homeopathy has been instigated by Shri Shripad Yesso Naik (Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health and Family Welfare) in Noida, Uttar Pradesh for carrying out advanced research in homeopathy.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Institute has a facility of 50 bedded IPD and can consider 600 OPD patients per day. It also provides all kinds of investigation facility like X-Ray, Ultrasound, blood tests, ophthalmology, ENT, physiotherapy, etc.
- Under Swasthya Raksha Programme (AYUSH Ministry initiative as a part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan) D. P. Rastogi Central Research Institute has adopted 5 villages aimed to prevent, identify and treating the diseases related to poor hygiene and sanitation.
- “Homoeopathy for Healthy Child” programme aimed to deal with conditions such as diarrhea, respiratory infections, dental conditions, skin conditions etc. through Homeopathy.
PUBLICATIONS BY COUNCIL OF HOMEOPATHY
- Booklet on “Guidelines for Homeopathic Practitioner for clinical management of Dengue fever”
- Booklet on “Dant nikalne ke dauraan homeopathy ke saath swashyavardhan” for ASHAs and Anganwadi Workers“Homoeopathy for Healthy Child Programme: Ministry of AYUSH”
Govt approves formation of Indian Skill Development Service
Government has given nod to the formation of Indian Skill Development Service (ISDS) as a technical body under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSD&E). It aims to improve the skill development administration in the country.
ISDS is a new name of Directorate General of Employment and Training under the Ministry of Labour Employment
- ISDS will be a Group “A” service consists of cadre of officers that will implement various skill and apprenticeship schemes directed by the ministry.
- Personnel will be selected through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) along with civil service examination in 2016.
- Officers of ISDS will have the same ranks and profile as other Group “A” services of Indian Revenue Service, Indian Audit and Accounts Service and Indian Railway Service.
India targets to skill 500 million people by 2022 in both organized and unorganized sectors to improve economic growth of India.
India to be in Top-3 pharma manufacturing countries by 2020
- In accordance with the TechSci Research Report by Assocham India is anticipated as the top three pharmaceutical manufacturing countries with revenue of $55 billion by 2020.
- Report was released at the Assocham and Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers conference on intellectual property rights (IPR) in pharmaceuticals in Ahmedabad
- Government already has approved setting up of six new pharmaceutical parks with outlay of $26.9 million as a part of support given to SMEs in pharmaceutical manufacturing through Cluster Development Programme for Pharma Sector (CDP-PS).
Indian Air Force celebrated 83rd anniversary
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated its 83rd anniversary on 8th October 2015 with a large parade and air display at the Hindon air base, Ghaziabad.
- IAF was established on 8th October 1932.
- The event was attended by President Pranab Mukherjee, PM Narendra Modi, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh, Naval Chief Admiral R.K. Dhowan and the Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who became the first sportsperson to be a honourary Group Captain in the Indian Air Force.
HIGHLIGHTS
– Re-constituted Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) which showcased for the first time as it was disbanded four years ago due to shortage of aircraft.
– The parade was marked by a fly past of the ENSIGN formation comprising of three Mi-17 V5 helicopters in VIC formation. It was followed by Chakra formation comprising of three Mi-35, Jaguar and SU-30.
Induction of women in fighter aircraft stream: IAF Chief Arup Raha
On the occasion of 83rd celebration of IAF, Chief Arup Raha has announced the planning to induct women into the fighter aircraft stream. Two defence panels has recommended against this induction.
- If the proposal once cleared it take three years of training for women to actually fly fighter jets.
- Currently air force has about 1500 women on its rolls of which 94 are pilots and 14 navigators.
- Induction of women in combat duties has not been recommended by the studies carried out by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQIDS) in 2006 and High Level Tri-Services Committee in 2011 Pilatus and Hawk trainers.
SC Refuses to Modify Order Restricting Use of Aadhaar Cards
- The plea of the Centre, RBI, SEBI, IRDA, TRAI, Pension Fund Regulatory Authority, Gujarat and Jharkhand for voluntary use of Aadhaar cards for providing benefits of various schemes apart from public distribution system (PDS) and LPG schemes to aged people and the weaker sections is refused by the apex court.
- Decision is taken by Justice J Chelameswar and has made the announcement that applications seeking “modification, clarification and relaxation” will be heard by larger constitution bench.
- Earlier in August also the apex court has mentioned that government and the authorities will not use Aadhaar card for the purposes other than PDS and LPG distribution system.
ABOUT UIDAI
- It is established by UPA-2 in 2009.
- Under the programme, every citizen is to be provided with a 12-digit unique identification number for which biometric information is collected.
UD Ministry approved 673 crore for Andhra Pradesh towns
As a part of AMRUT scheme Andhra Pradesh has intended a plan for 31 cities and towns to meet the prescribed norms of urban area at an estimated cost of over Rs 28,756 crore. It also includes new capital city Amaravati.
Under this SAAP (State Level Annual Action Plan) Union Urban Development Ministry has sanctioned 673 crore for 2015-16 for providing facilities of water supply, sewerage and public transport in 31 towns.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS OF STATE GOVERNMENT
- Improving urban transport
- Development of 336.50 km of pathways at a cost of Rs 178.10 crore
- 232 km of cycle tracks at a cost of Rs 11.50 crore
- 215 km of BRTS (Bus Rapid Transport Systems) corridors at a cost of Rs 702 crore
- Procurement of 710 buses at a cost of Rs 376 crore.
International Affairs
- 14 Indian kinsfolk glittered in Forbes 50 Asian Richest Families list
- India signs prisoner exchange agreement with Hong Kong
IMF World Economic Outlook – India’s growth forecast dropped
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slits the global GDP growth forecast for the year from 3.3% to 3.1%
- India’s GDP forecast also slipped down from 7.5% to 7.3% which is lower than the forecast of Govt at 7.6% and of RBI at 7.4%. Instead of this fall down India is growing at double pace competing with the global economies.
- This slowdown may have adverse impact on emerging and developing economies whose growth sinked for the consecutive years unlike developed economies whose forecast have shown the positive recovery.
- It is also expected that both advanced and developing economies will move up the global economy with 3.6% by 2016.
Banking & Finance
RBI CBS to be payment aggregator for GST
According to the finance Ministry Report Reserve Bank of India (RBI) can act as the aggregator of payments by using RBI’s core banking solution e-Kuber for the upcoming GST that is expected to be rolled out in April 1, 2016.
- This will facilitate participation of larger number of banks in GST receipts which will enhance convenience for the tax payers,single source of information and simplifying accounting and reconciliation tasks.
- Report also suggested that internet banking, over the counter payment and NEFT and RTGS should be extensively used to facilitate payments.
- The portal will be backed by integration with the respective IT systems of the Centre and states.
Business
Indian solar investments teamed up Abraaj and Aditya
India’s Aditya Birla Group has announced its partnership with Dubai-based private equity firm Abraaj Group who will jointly infuse in renewable energy manifesto by building and operating new solar power plants in India on sidelines of solar energy target to 100 Gigawatt by 2022.
- Aditya Birla Group will invest through Aditya Birla Nuvo (ABNL) with 51% stake and Abraaj will also invest through its affiliate with 49% stake.
- These Solar power plants that will provide clean and cost-effective electricity to national grids.
Awards & Honours
Imprisoned Raif Badawi honoured with PEN Pinter prize
Raif Badawi who was sentenced with 1000 lashes in 2014 with 10 years of prison and fined more than $250,000 has honoured as the co-winner of PEN Printer Prize. He shared prize with British poet and literary critic James Fenton (former Oxford University professor).
- Badawi also named as the 2015 International Writer of Courage Award.
- Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales accepted the award on the behalf of Badawi.
- Badawi was arrested in 2012 on the charge of setting up a blog called the Saudi Arabian Free Liberals Forum which advocated free speech and insults Islam. In 2013 he was sentenced for 7 years and 600 lashes then in 2014 he was again resentenced.
ABOUT PEN PINTER PRIZE
- Instituted in 2009 in the memory of British playwright and Nobel Prize winner Harold Pinter.
- Awarded annually to a U.K. writer who demonstrates a “fierce intellectual determination to define the real truth of our lives and our societies”.
Iconic A.R. Rahman named Cultural Ambassador for Seychelles
48 years old Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman full name Allah-Rakha Rahman has been named the Cultural Ambassador for Seychelles for giving contribution in the enhancement of Seychelles’ Art and Development.
- Rahman has won two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe besides the national recognition.
- In 2014 He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music.
Appointments
Hoesung Lee elected as Chairman of IPCC
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has designated South Korean Hoesung Lee as its fourth chairman during the 42nd session of IPCC summit in Dubrovnik, Croatia. He was elected by 78 votes. Earlier also he was involved with IPCC like in the Second Assessment Report of 1992 he Co-Chair Working Group III.
He will succeed Indian Rajendra Pachauri who resigned in February facing allegations of sexual harassment.
IPCC also 3 appointed Vice- Chairperson – Ko Barrett from the USA, Thelma Krug from Brazil and Youba Sokona from Mali
ABOUT HOESUNG LEE
- Mr. Lee is an economist specialising in climate change, an advocate of carbon pricing and founder of the Korea Energy Economics Institute,
- He served International Association for Energy Economics as its President.
- He was the member of the Asia Development Bank President’s advisory board.
ABOUT IPCC
- It was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- Headquarters – Geneva
Volkswagen designated Hans Dieter Poetsch as BOD’s Chairman
“Diesel Dupe” German Car Company Volkswagen has appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Hans Dieter Poetsch as a chairman of Board of Directors. He will replace Ferdinand Piech who resigned in April.
Frank Witter will succeed his CFO position who was a former CEO of the Volkswagen Financial Services unit.
- His status has been criticised to be able to deal with the adverse situation of scandal but he retained the backing of major shareholders who have a majority of voting share through a holding company.
Acquisitions & Mergers
Gannett Co acquired Journal Media for $280 million
Owner of USA TODAY, Gannett Co has announced to acquire Newspaper Company Journal Media Group for about $280 million by which Media Company will get control of publications in more than 100 local markets of US.
- Currently Journal Media Group owns 17 small- and medium-sized newspapers in nine US states and 18 weekly publications.
- This deal will promptly move up earning of Gannett by 10 cents to 15 cents per share in the first full year and 20 cents to 25 cents in the second year and will grew with $450 million revnues.
Sports
Deborah creates history at Taiwan Cup
During Taiwan Cup Track International Classic event Indian cyclist 20 years old Deborah created history by winning five medals, including gold which she bagged by defeating Malaysian rider.
She became the first ever Indian cyclist to achieve top honors in women elite section by bagging gold, 3 silver medals and a bronze.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- International events are UCI Class I event in Bangkok from October 9-11
- Track Asia Cup, New Delhi from November 18-20
- Asian Track Cycling Championship in the last week of January 2016 in Japan
Important Days
World sight day 2015
World sight day is observed on 8 October 2015. It is observed every year on the second Thursday of October.
- Theme: Eyes care for all
- It is celebrated since 2002 by IAPB (International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness) in cooperation with World Health Organization and also promote vision 2020: The Right to sight
- It aimed to bringing together of governments and non-governmental organisations to banish causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment.
