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Indian Affairs
Government to grant citizenship to Chakma, Hajong refugees
On September 13,2017, the centre announced that will soon grant citizenship to nearly one lakh Chakma Buddhists and Hajong Hindu refugees, who came from the erstwhile East Pakistan(Bangladesh) five decades ago and are living in camps in the northeast.This announcement came on the situation when centre is planning to deport Rohingya people to Myanmar.
Who are Chakmas and hajongs?
i. Chakmas and hajongs are native people of Bangladesh. They fled to India in the 1960s to escape religious persecution in Chittagong Hill area of Bangladesh and Kaptai dam project.
ii.The Chakmas, who are Buddhists, and the Hajongs, who are Hindus, came to India through the then Lushai Hills district of Assam (now in Mizoram). Later, Union Government had shifted majority of them to Arunachal Pradesh.………Click here for more detail
Government launches Operation Insaniyat to help Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
On 14th September ,2017, Ministry of External affairs launched operation Insaniyat to help the Rohingya refugees staying in Bangladesh. This move will enhance India-Bangladesh ties.
Operation Insaniyat:-
i. Bangladesh is facing humanitarian crisis due to mass influx of refugees from Myanmar. Bangladesh is suffering from shortage of resources.
ii. India is sending basic amenities that the refugees are in urgent need of at the moment. These things include rice, pulses, sugar, salt, cooking oil, tea, ready to eat noodles, biscuits, mosquito nets etc.
iii. The first tranche will be brought to Chittagong by an Indian Air Force (IAF) plane on 14th September 2017.
Two-Day Regional Conference on Good Governance and Replication of Best Practices begins in Goa
On September 14th ,2017 the two-day Regional Conference on ‘Good Governance and Replication of Best Practices’ began in Goa. It was organised Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Government of India. It was presided over by dignitaries from 25 states and UT’s .
The two-day Conference is an effort to create a common platform to share experiences in the formulation and implementation of citizen centric governance, improved public service delivery through e-Governance, transparent, accountable and citizen friendly effective administration.
Highlights of the conference :-
i. Good governance is an aid to ensure speedy delivery of services to the people. So bureaucracy must change its mindset for effective good governance.
ii. To encourage the works of bureaucrats civil service day is celebrated that gives recognition to best bureaucrats in the country .
iii. To enhance the performance of bureaucracy, a Group of Secretaries has been formed to decide on the Good Governance Index. The Centre for Good Governance, Hyderabad has been roped in as knowledge partner. So, Good Governance Index is going to become a reality very soon
iv. By implementing Good Governance Index, there will be a healthy competition among the States for reforms.
v. e-governance is a best way to ensure good governance . The success of various e-government was discussed in the conference
Kiren Rijiju inaugurates first National Conference on “Uniformed Women in Prison Administration” in NewDelhi
On September 14,2017, The Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the Conference. Ms. Lalitha Kumaramangalam, Chairperson, National Commission for Women (NCW) addressed the Valedictory Session. She insisted on improving the prison infrastructure and 50% reservation for women in recruitment in prison and correctional services.
Details discussed in the conference:-
- Bangkok Rules and Role of Woman Prison Officers( The United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders are called Bangkok rules)
- Role of Woman Prison Officers in Rehabilitation of Prisoners.
- Gender Neutrality among Prison Officers -A Woman’s Perspective
- Prisoners with Special Needs (Juvenile, Transgender and Senior Citizen):
- It advocated separate toilets and changing rooms, creches and child support facilities and appropriate accommodation in prison premises.
- flexibility of working hours was recommended for pregnant women officers and in other special cases.
- The syndicate group on Training recommended detailed SOPs for handling emergency situations, like – Medical emergency, Escape, Murder, Riot, Hunger Strike etc.
90 delegates from all across the country attended the conference and actively participated in discussions on themes including Difficulties in balancing family and work environment of Woman Prison Officers. Training needs of Woman Prison Officers and Correctional Staff. Etc
Home Minister launches “Swachhta Hi Sewa” campaign
On september 15,2017 ,The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh launched the “Swachhta Hi Sewa” campaign of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), at ITBP campus, Tigri. ITBP( Indo Tibetian Border Force) officers and jawans participated in cleanliness drive around the campus. A Swachhta demonstration by ITBP’s women personnel was presented. Theme song created and composed by ITBP personnel on cleanliness was also presented.
Highlights :-
i. This campaign will fulfill Prime Minister’s vision of making India Open Defecation Free (ODF) by October, 2019,toilet facility will ensure safety and dignity of women.
ii. Swachhta Hi Sewa’ campaign will help in improving nutrition and productivity of our children.
iii. The use of technology for creating wealth from waste is Government’s priority.
iv. The Government is implementing Rs 12,000 crore Action Plan through 76 ministries for various cleanliness initiatives.
NRDC, Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society (APIS) ink pact for start-up
The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) has signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society (APIS) announced on 14th of Sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.The pact has been signed to encourage start-up in the manufacturing & technology driven sectors.
ii.The fair was organised by IIA in collaboration with APIS and International Federation of Inverters’ Associations (IFIA).
iii.The APIS has created four ‘plug & play’ technology business incubators in Visakhapatnam, Tirupathi, Anantapur and Kakinada to promote innovation and start-ups.
iv.The total cost allotted will be Rs. 100 crore to create a separate fund to support aspiring entrepreneurs.
v.It mark the conclusion of three-day Indian Innovators’ Association (IIA) International Innovation Fair.
vi.The fair saw participation by 30 foreign countries and display of about 300 innovations by Indian and overseas participants.
Rajasthan announces farm loan waiver of up to Rs 50,000
After a two-week-long protest by farmers the Rajasthan government has announced a Rs 20,000 crore farm-loan waiver.
Key Points:
i.The government has agreed to waive loans for farmers up to Rs 50,000.
ii.The farmers were demanding waiver of all loans amounting to Rs49,500 crore but the government was firm that as per records, the loans amounted to Rs19,700 crore.
iii.After three rounds of talks through the day, the two sides finally reached an agreement.
iv.According to the reports, Rajasthan has now become the fifth state, after Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka to waive farm loans.
v.Farmers were assured that the government would purchase crops at minimum support price (MSP), increasing farmers’ pension from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000, removing the ban on the sale of cattle imposed by the state government and implementation of the Swaminathan commission recommendations.
About Rajasthan
Ranthambore National Park
Keoladeo National Park
Sariska Tiger Reserve
International Affairs
2017 Global least and most stressful cities: Stuttgart, Germany at the top, Bangalore 130th
On 13th September 2017, Global ranking for the least and most stressful cities of the world was released, by a firm called Zipjet, in London. Stuttgart,Germany is at the top ,Bangalore 130th and, New Delhi 142nd.
Global ranking for stressful cities and stress-free cities 2017:
i.The ranking was done based on the following factors:
Density, Green Spaces, Public Transport, Traffic, Perception of Security, Sunshine Hours,Air Pollution ,Noise Pollution, Light Pollution, Unemployment ,Debt per Capita ,Social Security ,
ii.Family Purchase Power ,Mental Health ,Physical Health ,Gender Equality ,Race Equality.
iii.500 locations were studied and 150 cities were ranked.
vi.Indian cities, Bangalore in the 130th position and Delhi in the 142nd position managed to get a place at the bottom of the list.
V.Delhi ranks number 8 in the most stressful cities list..………Click here for more detail
China displays its first unmanned attack helicopter
On 15th September 2017, China displayed its first unmanned combat helicopter AV500W for foreign buyers in the northeastern Tianjin city, China.
China’s first unmanned helicopter:
i. Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), state-owned aircraft manufacturer, displayed the military observation cum combat helicopter at the fourth China Helicopter Expo, in China.
ii. This has been done in a move to enlarge its market of military drones abroad.
iii. The AV500W was designed and produced by AVIC Helicopter Research and Development Institute in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province of China.
iv. The aircraft’s length is 7.2 meters.
v. Its maximum take-off weight is 450 kg.
vi. It can carry 120 kg of weapons and equipment.
vii. Its maximum speed is 170 km per hour.
viii. It has a flight ceiling of 4,000 meters.
ix. It can stay in observation mode for 8 hours in the air.
x. Whereas in observation cum combat mode it can fly up to 4 hours.
About China:
i. Capital – Beijing
ii. Currency – Renminbi
iii. Official language – Standard Chinese
iv. President – Mr. Xi Jinping
German Nationality Ranked Highest in the World
According to the Henley & Partners – Kochenov Quality of Nationality Index (QNI) Germany’s quality of nationality is ranked first in the world. It was launched in London on 13th of Sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.Germany scored 82.7% out of a possible 100% on the index while Afghanistan sitting at the bottom of the index with a score of 14.6%.
ii.India was ranked 101 among 159 countries.
iii.The index takes into account various factors including the country’s economic growth and level of human development.
iv.Behind Germany are France and Denmark who secured second place on the index with a score of 82.4%.
v.Iceland ranks third overall at 81.3% and the US ranked only 29th on the QNI with a score of 68.8%.
About Germany
Capital: Berlin
Chancellor: Angela Merkel
President: Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Currency: Euro
“Sweden hosts huge war games exercise “Aurora” with NATO
Sweden hosts huge war games exercise with NATO. It is biggest military exercise in more than 20 years with support from NATO countries.
Key Points:
i.Sweden is not a member of NATO but the exercise, called “Aurora”, involves 19,000 troops and will replicate an attack from the east on the Baltic island of Gotland, near the Swedish mainland.
ii.Around 1,500 of the military personnel are from the United States, France, Norway and other NATO allies.
About Sweden
Capital: Stockholm
PM: Stefan Lofven
Currency: Swedish Krona
Third meeting of India–Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation held in Kuwait
From 18th September to 20th September 2017, the Third Meeting of India–Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, would be held in Kuwait.
About the meeting:
i. Mr.M.J.Akbar, Minister of State for External Affairs would lead an Indian delegation for the Meeting in Kuwait.
ii. This is his first official visit to Kuwait.
iii. He is leaving to Kuwait at the invitation of the Kuwait Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mr. Anas Khaled Al-Saleh.
iv. During the meeting bilateral discussions would be carried on and priorities would be decided for future cooperation.
v. The relation between India and Kuwait has been maintained through such regular visits.
vi. These visits have been helpful in sorting out political, commercial, energy and diaspora related issues.
vii. Kuwait is an important trading partner for India.
About Kuwait:
i. Capital – Kuwait City
ii. Currency – Kuwaiti dinar
iii. Official language – Arabic
iv. Prime Minister – Mr.Jaber Mubarak al-Sabah
Banking & Finance
India’s GDP growth likely to slip below 7 % this fiscal year: DBS
On 15th September 2017, a report by DBS, a multinational banking and financial services corporation, said that India’s GDP growth is likely to reduce below 7 % this financial year.
Predicted fall in India’s GDP:
i. According to DBS, two main reasons for the downfall are demonetisation in November 2016 and GST implementation in July 2017. These added to the already slow growth in manufacturing and investment sectors.
ii. Also note ban reduced cash availability, affecting heavily the cash sensitive businesses like construction, logistics, and small and medium size enterprises.
iii. The report also said that, the second half of this financial year is expected to see an improvement in trend growth. As a result of demonetisation’s impact slowing fading out.
iv. This GDP downfall would be the lowest in three years.
v. Recovery would be gradual. Much of recovery could not be expected in 2017 and 2018.
vi. Government investment on infrastructure and capital expenditure is necessary to bring back the GDP above 7 %.
About DBS:
i. Type – multinational banking and financial services corporation
ii. Headquarters – Singapore
iii. Chairman – Mr.Peter Seah Lim Huat
HSBC in tie-up with Sa-Dhan to develop digital ecosystem for India’s unbanked segment
HSBC Bank has entered into an agreement with Sa-Dhan to develop ecosystem for the unbanked segment in the country.
Key Points:
i.HSBC Bank is providing technology expertise to train and educate micro-finance consumers at grass-root level and introduce digital banking.
ii.It has to be undertaken in West Bengal, Punjab, Karnataka and Maharashtra and it is expected to benefit 1,200 consumers.
iii.The pilot will be creating digital hubs with POS machines and internet connectivity.
About HSBC
Founder: Thomas Sutherland
HQ: HSBC Tower London England UK
Group Chief Executive: Stuart Gulliver
Business
Force Motors ties up with Rolls Royce to set up engine plant
Commercial vehicle maker Force Motors has tied up with Rolls Royce Power Systems announced on 13th of Sept. 2017. It is a joint Venture to produce engines for multiple applications like railways and power generation.
Key Points:
i.Rolls Royce Power Systems has decided to partner with Force Motors for manufacture of engines for their rail and power generation systems.
ii.Under the partnership, the Pune-based firm will set up a manufacturing facility which will meet the standards and specifications laid down by Rolls Royce at Chakan near Pune.
iii.The companies will produce complete power generation systems including associated spare parts for Indian as well as global markets.
iv.Force Motors is the only company in the world that produces engines for two of the leading European premium car makers Mercedes and BMW.
About Rolls Royce Power Systems
Rolls Royce Power Systems portfolio includes high speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, power generation, heavy land, rail and defense vehicles.
The company has customers in more than 150 countries, including 400 airlines, 160 armed forces, 70 navies and more than 4,000 power and nuclear customers.
Appointments & Resigns
UN chief appoints Peter Thomson as first UN envoy for oceans
On September 13,2017 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed the outgoing president of the General Assembly Peter Thomson as the first special envoy for the oceans. This action will stimulate the efforts to protect world’s oceans.
i. Peter Thomson played a lead role at the first-ever UN conference on oceans in June.
ii. The 193 UN member states issued an urgent call for action to reverse the decline in the health and productivity of the world’s oceans.
iii. In Thomson’s view the major challenge threatening the oceans is the climate change , which affects the seas and the air that all people breathe.
About UN :-
Headquarters: New York, United States
Secretary general: António Guterres
Harsh Kumar Jain appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Slovak Republic
On 14th September 2017, Mr.Harsh Kumar Jain was appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Slovak Republic, in New Delhi.
About the appointment:
i. Mr.Harsh Kumar Jain, Indian Foreign Service, of batch 1993 is currently the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
ii. He has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Slovak Republic.
iii. He will join his new post soon.
About:
i. Capital – Bratislava
ii. Currency – Euro
iii. Official language – Slovak
iv. President – Mr.Andrej Kiska
v. Prime Minister – Mr.Robert Fico
Awards & Recognition
Vijaya Bank bags Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar award
On 14th September 2017, Vijaya Bank was awarded the first prize under the Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar (Region C) for the year 2016-2017.
Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar:
i. Vijaya Bank was given this award to honour its work in implementing Hindi as a language in its day-to-day activities.
ii. President Mr.Ram Nath Kovind handed the award to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Vijaya Bank, Mr.R.A.Sankara Narayanan.
iii. Home Minister Mr.Rajnath Singh, Minister of state for Home Affairs Mr.Kiren Rijiju, Minister of state for Home Affairs Mr.Hansaraj Gangaram Ahir and few others were present during the occasion.
About Vijaya Bank:
i. Type – Public Sector Bank
ii. Headquarters – Bengaluru
iii. MD & CEO – Mr.A.Sankara Narayanan
Science & Technology
First global map of water on Moon created
On September 14,2017 scientists from Brown University have created the first map of water and its chemical building blocks trapped in the uppermost portion of the Moon’s soil.The research was funded by the NASA Lunar Advanced Science and Exploration Research Program. The study was published in Science Advances journal.
Details and findings from the map :
i. It is built on the initial discovery in 2009 of water and a related molecule hydroxyl, which consists of one atom each of hydrogen and oxygen in the lunar soil.
ii. It also used a new calibration of data taken from NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper,which flew abroad India’s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft.
iii.The water concentration reaches a maximum average of around 500 to 750 parts per million in the higher latitudes. That is less than what is found in the sands of Earth’s driest deserts.………Click here for more detail
Uttar Pradesh tax department launches webpage for GST related complaints
On September 14,2017 ,The Uttar Pradesh tax department has launched a web page to allow traders and others to submit their complaints and feedback related to the GST.
About the page comtax.up.nic.in/feedback.htm.:-
i. It facilitates uploading of supporting documents for any complaint and will help the tax department to address GST related issues.
ii. Traders can raise queries related to migration, registration, return, payment/challan, composition scheme, backend issue, connectivity, eway Bill.
Uttar Pradesh:-
Capital Lucknow
Governor Ram Naik
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
Sports
14 year old Indian Rishabh Shah wins two bronze medals at Western Asia Youth Chess Championship
On 13th September 2017, Rishabh Shah of Mumbai, bagged two bronze medals in the Under-14 Rapid and Blitz formats of the 2nd Western Asia Youth Chess Championship in Sri Lanka.
Bronze medal winner:
i. The 2nd Western Asia Youth Chess Championship was held from 4th September 2017 to 11th September 2017 in Sri Lanka.
ii. Rishabh Shah, 14 year old chess player from Mumbai, with rank 3, scored 5 points and 4.5 points respectively in Rapid format and Blitz format and won two Bronze medals in the under 14 category.
iii. Rishabh trains at trains at the South Mumbai Chess Academy.
iv. Gold medal was won by GMH Thilakarathne, a Srilankan player.
v. Silver medal was won by Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Bangladesh.
About 2nd Western Asia Youth Chess Championship:
i. Conducted by – Chess Federation of Srilanka
ii. Venue – Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka
iii. Date – 04.09.2017 to 11.09.2017
Devendra Fadnavis launches ‘Maharashtra Mission 1 Million’
On 15th September 2017, Maharashtra Chief Minister Mr.Devendra Fadnavis launched the ‘Maharashtra Mission 1 Million’ initiative through which 10 lakh (1 million) students across the state would play football, in Mumbai.
About Mission 1 Million:
i. The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 is to happen for the first time in India and in Maharashtra.
ii. In a move to support it, Mission 1 Million was planned by Maharashtra Sports Minister Mr.Vinod Tawde.
iii. During the launch, Mr.Fadnavis played football for a short while in the Bombay Gymkhana.
iv. Also school students including visually challenged kids played football.
v. This mission would not only create football players, but also help in the overall development of Maharashtra.
About FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017:
i. Host country – India
ii. Date – 6.10.2017 to 28.10.2017
iii. Venues – Kolkata, Kochi, New Delhi, Navi Mumbai, Guwahati, Margao
Obituary
Veteran actor and ‘Sopranos’ mobster Frank Vincent dies at 80
On 13th September 2017, Frank Vincent, an American actor died in New Jersey, United States.
About Frank Vincent’s death:
i. American veteran actor Frank Vincent died peacefully at the age of 80 on 13th September 2017, in New Jersey.
ii. He has played numerous roles throughout his career. Out of which, many were tough guy characters.
iii. One of his famous roles is mob boss Phil Leotardo on “The Sopranos” television series.
iv. He has played dominant roles in many HBO series.
About Frank Vincent:
i. Occupation – Actor, musician, author
ii. Lived – 1976 – 2017
iii. Nationality – American
Important Days
International Day of Democracy – September 15, 2017
On september 15,2017, The international day on democracy was celebrated on United Nations Headquarters on new York, US. It was Organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union of UN. This year’s theme is “Democracy and Conflict prevention”
The discussed details at the forum
i. To set an international standard to guide governments, parliaments and citizens through today’s many challenges to democracy around the world.
ii. To explore various hindrances of democracy and discussing concrete ways to support democracy.
Engineers Day – September 15, 2017
Engineers day was celebrated all over India on 15th september every year by engineering community. It is celebrated as a tribute to the greatest Indian Engineer Bharat Ratna Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. This year’s theme is “Role of Engineers in a devolping India”
Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya:-
i. He is India’s most renowned civil engineer, dam builder, economist, statesman.
ii. After topping the Poona College of Engineering recruited by Government of Bombay as Assistant Engineer in Public Works Department.
iii. He created automatic sluice gates which was later reused for Tigra Dam (in Madhya Pradesh) and KRS Dam(in Karnataka) as well.
iv. In Hyderabad, he improved the drainage system.In Bombay, he introduced block system of irrigation and water weir flood gates.In Bihar and Orissa, he was a part of the building railway bridges project and water supply schemes. In Mysore, he supervised the construction of KRS dam, the then Asia’s biggest dam.
v. He became Dewan of Mysore in 1908. Under his Dewanship Mysore saw major transformation in the realms of Agriculture, Irrigation, Industrialization, Education , Banking and Commerce.
vi. He was conferred with India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna in 1955 for his contribution towards engineering.
