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Indian Affairs
NITI Aayog launches National Nutrition Strategy
On 5th September 2017, Leader of the Green Revolution Dr.M.S.Swaminathan and Padma Shri Dr.H.Sudarshan launched the National Nutrition Strategy, along with Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog Dr.Rajiv Kumar and Member of Niti Aayog Dr.Vinod Paul.
Aim of the National Nutrition Strategy:
The National Nutrition Strategy aims to ensure that every child, adolescent girl and woman attains optimal nutritional status by 2022.
National Nutritional Strategy:
On 5th September 2017, Leader of the Green Revolution Dr.M.S.Swaminathan and Padma Shri Dr.H.Sudarshan launched the National Nutrition Strategy, along with Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog Dr.Rajiv Kumar and Member of Niti Aayog Dr.Vinod Paul.
Aim of the National Nutrition Strategy:
The National Nutrition Strategy aims to ensure that every child, adolescent girl and woman attains optimal nutritional status by 2022.
National Nutritional Strategy:
2.
The National Nutrition Strategy lays
out a framework that will focus on improvement in health, food, drinking water,
sanitation, income and livelihoods. Currently50% of pregnant women and 60%
of children in the country are estimated to be anaemic.
Union council of ministers and
Portfolios after reshuffle
On 3rd September 2017, the list of new Union Ministers after the reshuffle was announced by Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The promoted ministers are Mr.Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Mr.Dharmendra Pradhan, Mr.Piyush Goyal and Ms.Nirmala Sitharaman. Ms.Nirmala Sitharaman has become the second woman defence minister of Indiaafter Ms.Indira Gandhi.
The revised portfolios of ministers are as follows:
Cabinet Ministers:
On 3rd September 2017, the list of new Union Ministers after the reshuffle was announced by Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The promoted ministers are Mr.Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Mr.Dharmendra Pradhan, Mr.Piyush Goyal and Ms.Nirmala Sitharaman. Ms.Nirmala Sitharaman has become the second woman defence minister of Indiaafter Ms.Indira Gandhi.
The revised portfolios of ministers are as follows:
Cabinet Ministers:
1.
Mr.Rajnath Singh: Minister of Home
Affairs.
2.
Ms.Sushma Swaraj: Minister of
External Affairs.
3.
Mr.Arun Jaitley: Minister of Finance;
Minister of Corporate Affairs.
4.
Mr.Nitin Jairam Gadkari: Minister of
Road Transport and Highways; Minister of Shipping; Minister of Water Resources,
River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
India hands over off-shore patrol vessel Varuna to
Sri Lanka
On 5th September 2017, India handed over an off-shore patrol vessel, Varuna, to Sri Lanka as a part of stepping up co-operation between the two coast guards.
Handing over of the off-shore patrol vessel:
On 5th September 2017, India handed over an off-shore patrol vessel, Varuna, to Sri Lanka as a part of stepping up co-operation between the two coast guards.
Handing over of the off-shore patrol vessel:
1.
The ship (Varuna) was decommissionedwith
traditional honours on August 23 to facilitate the handing
over at Kochi.
2.
The ship has been allocated pennant
number SLCG-60 by Sri Lanka Coast Guard and will be commanded
by Captain Neville Amara Ubayasiri.
3.
Prior to the ship’s departure to Sri
Lanka, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard crew will be imparted familiarisation and on
the job training by Indian Coast Guard workup team on ship handling, bridge
navigation, engine room controls and machineries.
4.
Rear Admiral SS Ranasinghe, Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Navy was also present during the ceremony.
Similar hand-overs by India in the
past:
1.
Handing over ships, patrol vessels,
interceptor boats to littoral states in the Indian Ocean like the Seychelles,
Maldives, Mauritius and helping them in capacity-building has been a vital
element of the Indian diplomacy.
2.
India has earlier handed over two OPVs
of the Indian Coast Guard,Varaha in April 2006 and Vigraha in August
2008.
About Srilanka:
1.
Capitals – Colombo, Sri
Jayawardenepura Kotte
2.
Currency – Sri Lankan rupee
3.
President – Mr.Maithripala Sirisena
4.
Official languages – Sinhala, Tamil,
English
Gujarat government launches ‘Gyankunj Project ‘in
schools
Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has launched “Gyakunj e-class project” from Shahpur primary school in Gandhinagar announced on 4th Sept 2017.
Key Points:
i.Under this initiative, interactive e-class will be launched with smart board.
ii.In the first phase, 550 schools will be covered under the ‘Gyankunj Project’ and gradually standard 5th to 9th of every schools of the state will cover under the project.
iii.’Gyankunj Project’ covers under total worth of Rs. 35.85 crore.
iv.The objective of the project is to produce world-class students. The project is launched at expenditure of Rs. 222,000/- per school.
v.The state govt. has also mentioned that 1609 govt. primary schools are provided laptop, projector, infrared camera, smart board, speaker and with router facilities for 3173 class rooms of standard 7th and 8th.
vi.It is also noted that 10000 tablets are to be given to standard 7th and 8th students across 100 schools for free.
vii.Education for all courses in standard 5th to 8th will be given through e-content and internet.
About Gujarat
Capital: Gandhinagar
Governor: Om Prakash Kohli
CM: Vijay Rupani
Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has launched “Gyakunj e-class project” from Shahpur primary school in Gandhinagar announced on 4th Sept 2017.
Key Points:
i.Under this initiative, interactive e-class will be launched with smart board.
ii.In the first phase, 550 schools will be covered under the ‘Gyankunj Project’ and gradually standard 5th to 9th of every schools of the state will cover under the project.
iii.’Gyankunj Project’ covers under total worth of Rs. 35.85 crore.
iv.The objective of the project is to produce world-class students. The project is launched at expenditure of Rs. 222,000/- per school.
v.The state govt. has also mentioned that 1609 govt. primary schools are provided laptop, projector, infrared camera, smart board, speaker and with router facilities for 3173 class rooms of standard 7th and 8th.
vi.It is also noted that 10000 tablets are to be given to standard 7th and 8th students across 100 schools for free.
vii.Education for all courses in standard 5th to 8th will be given through e-content and internet.
About Gujarat
Capital: Gandhinagar
Governor: Om Prakash Kohli
CM: Vijay Rupani
Odisha CM inaugurates fourth Govt medical college
in koraput
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated the Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) in the tribal-dominated district of southern Odisha on 4th Sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.With its inauguration, it became the fourth State-run medical college and hospital and the total number of MBBS seats in the State has gone up to 850.
ii.The admission process in SLNMCH is already completed. A total number of 100 students have been admitted to the first year MBBS course and the classes for the commencement of its first academic session began from the day of inauguration.
iii.It will cater to the healthcare needs of the citizens of undivided Koraput and Mayurbhanj districts respectively.
iv.The SLNMCH in Koraput has been established at a cost of Rs. 192 crore.
v.The MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur was the last government medical college to be set up in the State in 1963.
About Odisha
Capital: Bhubaneswar
Governor: S.C. Jamir
CM: Naveen Patnaik
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated the Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) in the tribal-dominated district of southern Odisha on 4th Sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.With its inauguration, it became the fourth State-run medical college and hospital and the total number of MBBS seats in the State has gone up to 850.
ii.The admission process in SLNMCH is already completed. A total number of 100 students have been admitted to the first year MBBS course and the classes for the commencement of its first academic session began from the day of inauguration.
iii.It will cater to the healthcare needs of the citizens of undivided Koraput and Mayurbhanj districts respectively.
iv.The SLNMCH in Koraput has been established at a cost of Rs. 192 crore.
v.The MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur was the last government medical college to be set up in the State in 1963.
About Odisha
Capital: Bhubaneswar
Governor: S.C. Jamir
CM: Naveen Patnaik
Assam govt sets up DBT cell for implementation of
Direct Benefit Transfer scheme
In Assam, the state govt. has set up a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Cell for implementation of DBT across schemes in the Country. It helps in coordinating efforts at the State Level in taking the DBT initiative forward with immediate effect.
Key Points:
i.The Cell will Coordinate with Central Ministries & circulate the directives to the respective Departments in States.
ii.It will closely monitor & evaluate the progress of various Departments on DBT related indicators.
iii.The cell will play a key role in finding possibilities of using various technologies in order to provide better service delivery in the state.
iv.It will also advice the state government and monitors their efficacy.
About Assam
Capital: Dispur
Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
CM: Sarbananda Sonowal
In Assam, the state govt. has set up a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Cell for implementation of DBT across schemes in the Country. It helps in coordinating efforts at the State Level in taking the DBT initiative forward with immediate effect.
Key Points:
i.The Cell will Coordinate with Central Ministries & circulate the directives to the respective Departments in States.
ii.It will closely monitor & evaluate the progress of various Departments on DBT related indicators.
iii.The cell will play a key role in finding possibilities of using various technologies in order to provide better service delivery in the state.
iv.It will also advice the state government and monitors their efficacy.
About Assam
Capital: Dispur
Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
CM: Sarbananda Sonowal
Assam to upgrade employment exchanges to Modern
Career Centres
Assam government will upgrade employment exchanges to Modern Career Centres announced on 6th of Sep. 2017
Key Points:
i.A pilot project of two district employment exchanges in Guwahati and Jorhat will be upgraded as modern career centres.
ii.All modern facilities including counselling will be provided at the proposed career centres.
About Assam
Kaziranga National Park
It is considered a haven for a wide variety of wild flora, fauna and avifauna. This national park holds about two-third of the total world population of the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceroses.
Digboi Oil Refinery
Asia’s first oil refinery, which is the second in world, is in Digboi. The oil town not only has refinery, which is over 100 years old but also has number of tea gardens.
Assam government will upgrade employment exchanges to Modern Career Centres announced on 6th of Sep. 2017
Key Points:
i.A pilot project of two district employment exchanges in Guwahati and Jorhat will be upgraded as modern career centres.
ii.All modern facilities including counselling will be provided at the proposed career centres.
About Assam
Kaziranga National Park
It is considered a haven for a wide variety of wild flora, fauna and avifauna. This national park holds about two-third of the total world population of the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceroses.
Digboi Oil Refinery
Asia’s first oil refinery, which is the second in world, is in Digboi. The oil town not only has refinery, which is over 100 years old but also has number of tea gardens.
International Affairs
Arun Jaitley visit to Japan 2017
On 4th September 2017, Mr.Arun
Jaitley left to Japan for a two day visit.
This is his last visit to Japan as a defence minister as Ms.Nirmala
Sitharaman has been appointed as the new defence minister of
India. The new defence minister should have gone for the visit but due to
logistical constraints Mr.Arun Jaitley went for it.
Arun Jaitley’s meeting with Japanese
Defence minister:
1.
Mr.Arun Jaitley met Japanese
Defence minister Mr.Itsunori Onodera as a part of the India-Japan
annual defence ministerial dialogue in Tokyo.
2.
During the meeting issues relating to
the US-2 amphibious aircraft were also figured out.
3.
The two sides also agreed to commence
technical discussions for research collaboration in the areas of Unmanned
Ground Vehicles and Robotics.
4.
India plans to buy the US-2
ShinMaywa aircraft from Japan for its navy. Last year, China had
reacted angrily to reports that Japan plans to sell weapons to India at cheaper
prices, saying that such a move is disgraceful.
5.
Seeking to further intensify naval
cooperation, Mr.Onodera expressed his intention to have state-of-the-art
Japanese assets, including P-1 maritime patrol aircraft to participate
in next year’s trilateral Malabar naval exercise which also involves
the US Navy. About Japan:
1.
Capital – Tokyo
2.
Currency – Japanese Yen
3.
Prime minister: Mr.Shinzo Abe
4.
Defence minister – Mr.Itsunori
Onodera
5.
Official language – Japanese
UJALA scheme launched in Melaka, Malaysia
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under Ministry of Power, Government of India has launched UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable Lighting for All) Scheme in the State of Melaka, Malaysia on 6th of Sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.The Scheme was launched by Chief Minister of Melaka Idris Haron.
ii.UJALA’s impact in Malaysia will bring about clean energy, contribute to climate change targets and save the already dwindling energy resources.
iii.Under this scheme, each household in Melaka will get 10 high quality 9-watt LED bulbs at a cost of only RM 10, which is almost half of what in being offered in the market.
iv.Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) plans to distribute about 1 million 9W LED bulbs, which will replace 18W CFLs.
v.The price of each bulb will be way lesser than global average price of the LED bulbs, which still swings between 3-5 USD.
vi.Each bulb that is being provided by EESL under the UJALA scheme in Melaka comes with a 3-year free replacement warranty against any technical defects.
vii.It will benefit the environment and also foster new avenues of economic growth in the region.
viii.This scheme has been launched with an aim to reduce the annual household electricity bills by approximately 10.22 million RM every year.
ix.Melaka will also be able to reduce carbon emissions by around 19,000 tonnes per year.
x.Currently, over 25-crore LED bulbs have been distributed under the UJALA scheme in India, which are resulting in 33,828 mn kWh of energy savings per year.
About Malaysia
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
PM: Najib Razak
Currency: Ringgit
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under Ministry of Power, Government of India has launched UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable Lighting for All) Scheme in the State of Melaka, Malaysia on 6th of Sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.The Scheme was launched by Chief Minister of Melaka Idris Haron.
ii.UJALA’s impact in Malaysia will bring about clean energy, contribute to climate change targets and save the already dwindling energy resources.
iii.Under this scheme, each household in Melaka will get 10 high quality 9-watt LED bulbs at a cost of only RM 10, which is almost half of what in being offered in the market.
iv.Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) plans to distribute about 1 million 9W LED bulbs, which will replace 18W CFLs.
v.The price of each bulb will be way lesser than global average price of the LED bulbs, which still swings between 3-5 USD.
vi.Each bulb that is being provided by EESL under the UJALA scheme in Melaka comes with a 3-year free replacement warranty against any technical defects.
vii.It will benefit the environment and also foster new avenues of economic growth in the region.
viii.This scheme has been launched with an aim to reduce the annual household electricity bills by approximately 10.22 million RM every year.
ix.Melaka will also be able to reduce carbon emissions by around 19,000 tonnes per year.
x.Currently, over 25-crore LED bulbs have been distributed under the UJALA scheme in India, which are resulting in 33,828 mn kWh of energy savings per year.
About Malaysia
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
PM: Najib Razak
Currency: Ringgit
Banking & Finance
SBI Launches SBI Intelligent Assistant (SIA) –
Chatbot For Customer Care
i.State Bank of India (SBI) is the latest to get smitten by the Artificial Intelligence and Automation. They have launched their first ever chatbot called SBI Intelligent Assistant or SIA, which would be powered by AI, and designed to assist customers.
ii.After ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank adopted automation in banking, SBI’s move towards AI is seen as a major leap for Indian banking.
iii.This special chatbot has been created & developed by Allincall, which is a startup from Mumbai, and backed by startup cell of IIT Bombay. As per the details available, Allincall has used machine learning, and bot experience to create an AI powered chatbot, which will respond to customer’s query, and provide them solution.
i.State Bank of India (SBI) is the latest to get smitten by the Artificial Intelligence and Automation. They have launched their first ever chatbot called SBI Intelligent Assistant or SIA, which would be powered by AI, and designed to assist customers.
ii.After ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank adopted automation in banking, SBI’s move towards AI is seen as a major leap for Indian banking.
iii.This special chatbot has been created & developed by Allincall, which is a startup from Mumbai, and backed by startup cell of IIT Bombay. As per the details available, Allincall has used machine learning, and bot experience to create an AI powered chatbot, which will respond to customer’s query, and provide them solution.
Banks without Aadhaar enrolment centres face
Rs.20,000 fine from October
On 5th September 2017, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) CEO Mr.Ajay Bhushan Pandey said that the UIDAI has given banks one more month to open Aadhaar enrolment centres in a stipulated 10 per cent of branches and will impose Rs.20,000 as fine per uncovered branch after 30th September 2017.
Earlier Instructions from UIDAI:
On 5th September 2017, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) CEO Mr.Ajay Bhushan Pandey said that the UIDAI has given banks one more month to open Aadhaar enrolment centres in a stipulated 10 per cent of branches and will impose Rs.20,000 as fine per uncovered branch after 30th September 2017.
Earlier Instructions from UIDAI:
1.
Aadhaar, the 12-digit biometric
identity number, is required for opening of bank accounts and
financial transactions of Rs.50,000 and above. Existing bank account holders
are also required to furnish the Aadhaar number byDecember 31, 2017.
2.
UIDAI CEO Mr.Ajay Bhushan Pandey said
“Aadhar enrolment facility in bank premises was done for convenience of people.
Given the requirement of linking Aadhaar with existing bank account and for new
bank accounts, having the enrolment and updation facilities within the branches
(10 per cent) will ensure that people do not face any difficulty.”
3.
In July, UIDAI had askedprivate as well as public banks to open Aadhaar enrolment and
updation facility in one out of 10 branches by the end of August.
Extension of time provided by UIDAI:
1.
Extension of one month has now been
granted as many banks asked for additional time from the authority for setting
up such facility on their premises.
2.
The PSU and private banks have been
informed about the extension. There are 1,20,000 bank branches in the country
and with this move, 12,000 Aadhaar enrolment and updation centres will have to
be set up in those branches. Many banks are already registrars, but they do not
have enrolment centres inside the bank premises today.
3.
Failure to open the stipulated
facility even after expiry of theSeptember 30 deadline would mean that the
bank will have to pay a penalty of Rs.20,000 per uncovered branch in the first month. Similarly, the penalty will be imposed in
subsequent months also.
About UIDAI:
1.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) –
Dr.Ajay Bhushan Pandey
2.
Chairman – Mr.J.Satyanarayana
Business
NHAI awards first international project in Myanmar
to Punj Lloyd-Varaha
On 6th September 2017, the National Highway Authority of India awarded its first international project in Myanmar to a joint venture of Punj Lloyd-Varaha.
About the Myanmar Project:
On 6th September 2017, the National Highway Authority of India awarded its first international project in Myanmar to a joint venture of Punj Lloyd-Varaha.
About the Myanmar Project:
1.
Project details:
Purpose – This project is for the upgradation
of the Yagyi–Kalewa section in Myanmar to two lanes with
earthern shoulder in the engineering, procurement, and construction mode.
Project length – 120 km
Estimated cost – Rs.1,177.02 crore
Estimated completion time – 36 months
Project length – 120 km
Estimated cost – Rs.1,177.02 crore
Estimated completion time – 36 months
2.
Punj Lloyd-Varaha’s bid was
identified as the most competitive among four qualified bidders. It was
at Rs.1,177 croreor 0.0017 per cent lower than the estimated cost.
About NHAI:
1.
National Highway Authority of India
(NHAI) is an autonomous agency of the Government of India, responsible
for management of a network of over 70,000 km of National Highways in India.
2.
Headquarters: New Delhi
3.
Chairman – Mr.Yudhvir Singh Malik
About Myanmar:
1.
Capital – Naypyidaw
2.
Currency – Burmese kyat
3.
President – Htin Kyaw
4.
Official language: Burmese
Acquisitions & Mergers
HCL acquires UK-based data management platform
Datawave
On 5th September 2017, HCL Technologies announced the acquisition of automation–driven data management platform Datawave to accelerate data integration and migration for their clients.
About the acquisition:
On 5th September 2017, HCL Technologies announced the acquisition of automation–driven data management platform Datawave to accelerate data integration and migration for their clients.
About the acquisition:
1.
HCL has announced that it has agreed
to buy Datawave a business unit of ETL Factory Limited, a UK–based
company.
2.
HCL Technologies did not
provide any financial details of the acquisition.
3.
Datawave has created an innovative
data automation platform which enables enterprise customers to execute large
scale, complex data–migration and data–integration projects in a leaner, faster
and smarter way.
4.
Datawave won the Informatica
Innovation Awardand is also extendable to other platforms,
including big data.
5.
“The acquisition of Datawave and its
suite of products bolsters HCL’s capabilities to collaborate with clients on
their mission–critical data transformation projects, incorporating a culture of
DevOps and continuous integration,” saidMr.Rahul Singh, President and Head –
Financial Services, HCL Technologies. He also added that Datawave also
brings in significant banking industry expertise.
6.
“In a recent market study done by
HCL, 81% of organizations said they were overwhelmed with the volume and
variety of data needed to drive digital transformation”, saidAnand Birje,
Corporate Vice President and Head – Digital & Analytics, HCL Technologies.
He added “Datawave’s automation solutions will significantly help our clients
accelerate their digital journey through a robust data architecture.”
7.
“The synergies between Datawave’s
customer-centric, enterprise data integration platform and HCL’s technology
leadership and deep engineering capabilities will deliver unparalleled value to
our clients,” saidMark Butterworth, CEO of Datawave.
About HCL:
About HCL:
8.
Country’s fourth largest software
services firm
9.
Headquarters – Noida
10.
Founders – Mr.Shiv Nadar and Mr.Arjun
Malhotra
11.
CEO – Mr.C.Vijayakumar
12.
President and Head of Financial
Services – Mr. Rahul Singh
13.
Corporate Vice President and Head of
Digital & Analytics – Mr.Anand Birje
Appointments & Resigns
Sankara Narayanan takes charge as MD and CEO of
Vijaya Bank
R A Sankara Narayanan appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Vijaya Bank announced on 6th sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.He has replaced Kishore Sansi, who retireCoal Indiad on 31st August 2017.
ii.He joined Bank of India as a direct recruit officer in 1983 and has headed various branches.
About Vijaya Bank
Founded: 1931
Founder: A.B. Shetty.
HQ: Bengaluru
Tagline: A friend you can bank on
R A Sankara Narayanan appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Vijaya Bank announced on 6th sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.He has replaced Kishore Sansi, who retireCoal Indiad on 31st August 2017.
ii.He joined Bank of India as a direct recruit officer in 1983 and has headed various branches.
About Vijaya Bank
Founded: 1931
Founder: A.B. Shetty.
HQ: Bengaluru
Tagline: A friend you can bank on
Gopal Singh is new CMD of Coal India
The Ministry of Coal has appointed Gopal Singh as CMD, Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL), additional charge as CMD of Coal India Ltd.
Key Points:
i.Singh has taken charge effective from 1st September 2017.
ii.He has replaced Sutirtha Bhattacharya on attaining superannuation effective August 31, 2017.
The Ministry of Coal has appointed Gopal Singh as CMD, Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL), additional charge as CMD of Coal India Ltd.
Key Points:
i.Singh has taken charge effective from 1st September 2017.
ii.He has replaced Sutirtha Bhattacharya on attaining superannuation effective August 31, 2017.
Awards & Recognition
N R Narayana Murthy and Mumbai-born scientist Veena
Sahajwalla receives PLuS Alliance Prize
Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy and Mumbai-born Scientist Veena Sahajwalla has granted the PLuS Alliance Prize. It is a prestigious honour that recognises Research Innovation, Education Innovation, Global Leadership and Global Innovation.
Key Points:
i.The Prize of USD 50,000 was awarded in two categories; Education Innovation and Research Innovation.
ii.They were recognised for the development and implementation of innovative solutions to significant global issues.
iii.Murthy was presented the PLuS Alliance Prize for Global Leadership.
iv.Professor Sahajwalla was awarded the PLuS Alliance Prize for Research Innovation for her project ‘The new science of green manufacturing’.
About PLuS Alliance
i.The PLuS Alliance is an international collaboration between Arizona State University, King’s College London, and UNSW Sydney.
ii.The ceremony was held at the T-H-E World Academic Summit in London.
iii.It was launched in February 2016 and enables research-led solutions to global challenges while expanding access to world-class learning.
iv.The awards were presented to Murthy, Sahajwalla and the other winners by Professor Sir Malcolm Grant, Chairman of NHS England and Chair of the PLuS Alliance Advisory Board.
Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy and Mumbai-born Scientist Veena Sahajwalla has granted the PLuS Alliance Prize. It is a prestigious honour that recognises Research Innovation, Education Innovation, Global Leadership and Global Innovation.
Key Points:
i.The Prize of USD 50,000 was awarded in two categories; Education Innovation and Research Innovation.
ii.They were recognised for the development and implementation of innovative solutions to significant global issues.
iii.Murthy was presented the PLuS Alliance Prize for Global Leadership.
iv.Professor Sahajwalla was awarded the PLuS Alliance Prize for Research Innovation for her project ‘The new science of green manufacturing’.
About PLuS Alliance
i.The PLuS Alliance is an international collaboration between Arizona State University, King’s College London, and UNSW Sydney.
ii.The ceremony was held at the T-H-E World Academic Summit in London.
iii.It was launched in February 2016 and enables research-led solutions to global challenges while expanding access to world-class learning.
iv.The awards were presented to Murthy, Sahajwalla and the other winners by Professor Sir Malcolm Grant, Chairman of NHS England and Chair of the PLuS Alliance Advisory Board.
Science & Technology
Whatsapp launches new tool for business-‘whatsapp
business’
WhatsApp is launching a new app to help businesses communicate with their customers announced on 6thsept 2017.
Key Points:
i.WhatsApp Business gives users a verified green checkmark badge next to their names.
ii.Secondly, businesses will be able to create a company profile with information such as address, business hours, description of product or service offered.
iii.Thirdly, WhatsApp Business will help to manage consumer chats.
iv.It is building and testing new tools via a free WhatsApp Business app for small companies and an enterprise solution for bigger companies operating at a large scale with a global base of customers, like airlines, e-commerce sites and banks.
v.It will allow customer to communicate with firms via WhatsApp messages instead of email or phone calls.
WhatsApp is launching a new app to help businesses communicate with their customers announced on 6thsept 2017.
Key Points:
i.WhatsApp Business gives users a verified green checkmark badge next to their names.
ii.Secondly, businesses will be able to create a company profile with information such as address, business hours, description of product or service offered.
iii.Thirdly, WhatsApp Business will help to manage consumer chats.
iv.It is building and testing new tools via a free WhatsApp Business app for small companies and an enterprise solution for bigger companies operating at a large scale with a global base of customers, like airlines, e-commerce sites and banks.
v.It will allow customer to communicate with firms via WhatsApp messages instead of email or phone calls.
APEDA develops mobile app for farm registration,
certification
According to the Commerce Ministry, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority(APEDA) has developed a mobile app “Hortinet” for farmers to facilitate registration, testing and certification of certain fruits and vegetables.
Key Points:
i.The app “Hortinet” is an integrated traceability system developed by APEDA for providing internet-based services to the stakeholders.
ii.The app will facilitate “farm registration, testing and certification of grape, pomegranate and vegetables for export from India to the European Union in compliance with standards.
iii.The app would also help to assist state horticulture and agriculture departments to capture real time details of farmers, farm location, products and details of inspection.
iv.It will help to increase the accessibility and reach of the traceability software system among farmers and other stakeholders.
v.Through the new technology tool APEDA would help in enrolling larger number of farmers and exporters.
According to the Commerce Ministry, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority(APEDA) has developed a mobile app “Hortinet” for farmers to facilitate registration, testing and certification of certain fruits and vegetables.
Key Points:
i.The app “Hortinet” is an integrated traceability system developed by APEDA for providing internet-based services to the stakeholders.
ii.The app will facilitate “farm registration, testing and certification of grape, pomegranate and vegetables for export from India to the European Union in compliance with standards.
iii.The app would also help to assist state horticulture and agriculture departments to capture real time details of farmers, farm location, products and details of inspection.
iv.It will help to increase the accessibility and reach of the traceability software system among farmers and other stakeholders.
v.Through the new technology tool APEDA would help in enrolling larger number of farmers and exporters.
Sports
AIBA world boxing championships 2017
On 25th August 2017, the 2017 edition of AIBA world boxing championships started. This event was hosted by Hamburg, Germany. The event lasted till 2nd September 2017. The best 280 boxers in world competed for one of the most decorated boxing titles in the word.
Gaurav Bidhuri Clinches Bronze Medal at World Boxing Championships:
On 25th August 2017, the 2017 edition of AIBA world boxing championships started. This event was hosted by Hamburg, Germany. The event lasted till 2nd September 2017. The best 280 boxers in world competed for one of the most decorated boxing titles in the word.
Gaurav Bidhuri Clinches Bronze Medal at World Boxing Championships:
1.
On 31stAugust 2017, 24
year oldIndian boxer Gaurav Bidhuri and 19 year old American
boxer Duke Ragan fought in the semi-finals of
the bantamweight (56 kilogram) category.
2.
Gaurav Bidhuri lost 0-5 to Duke Raganand clinched the Bronze medal.
i.Amit Phangal (49kg) and Kavinder Bisht
(56kg) had bowed out in the quarterfinal stage
ii.Shiva Thapa, Manoj Kumar out in first round AIBA
iii. Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak wins Best Boxer, Cuba win Best team and USA’s Billy Walsh wins Best Coach.
ii.Shiva Thapa, Manoj Kumar out in first round AIBA
iii. Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak wins Best Boxer, Cuba win Best team and USA’s Billy Walsh wins Best Coach.
Official song of FIFA U-17 World Cup launched
The official song for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup football tournament was launched by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) on 4th of Sept 2017.
Key Points:
i.The official song called “Kar Ke Dikhla De Goal”and the song has been written by lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya and composed by Pritam.
ii.The song features a host of well-known music artists that include Sunidhi Chauhan, Neeti Mohan, Babul Supriyo, Shaan, Papon, Mika along with a rap performance by actor Abhishek Bachchan.
iii.The colourful music video for the song celebrates diversity and ends with Sachin Tendulkar welcoming all with a Namaste.
iv.The music video of the song will be broadcasted on SonyPN’s on-air and digital platforms across genres.
About FIFA
The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is a private association which describes itself as an international governing body of association football.
FIFA is responsible for the organization of football’s major international tournaments.
Formation on 21st May 1904
HQ: Zurich Switzerland
President: Gianni Infantino
The official song for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup football tournament was launched by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) on 4th of Sept 2017.
Key Points:
i.The official song called “Kar Ke Dikhla De Goal”and the song has been written by lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya and composed by Pritam.
ii.The song features a host of well-known music artists that include Sunidhi Chauhan, Neeti Mohan, Babul Supriyo, Shaan, Papon, Mika along with a rap performance by actor Abhishek Bachchan.
iii.The colourful music video for the song celebrates diversity and ends with Sachin Tendulkar welcoming all with a Namaste.
iv.The music video of the song will be broadcasted on SonyPN’s on-air and digital platforms across genres.
About FIFA
The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is a private association which describes itself as an international governing body of association football.
FIFA is responsible for the organization of football’s major international tournaments.
Formation on 21st May 1904
HQ: Zurich Switzerland
President: Gianni Infantino
Star India wins IPL media rights for next five
years
Star India bagged the IPL media rights for TV and digital broadcast for a consolidated sum of Rs.16, 347.5 crore ($ 2.55 billion) for a period of five years.
Key Points:
i.It will start from the 11th edition of IPL 2018 for five years. It pipped Sony to acquire the rights from 2018 to 2022.
ii.Total of 24 companies had picked up the Invitation To Tender (ITT) to bid for the broadcast and digital rights.
iii.However, only 14 of the 24 names turned up with their respective bids.
iv.The bids were invited for seven categories — India television, India digital, US, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and rest of the world.
v.Star India was the only company to bid for all markets in the event that took place at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.
vi.Star India, through its wholly owned subsidiary Novi Digital Entertainment Private Limited, owned the digital rights of IPL.
vii.Until the 2017 edition, Sony held the broadcast rights of the IPL after it paid Rs 8,200 crore for a 10-year deal in 2008.
viii.Star India chairman and CEO is Uday Shankar.
Star India bagged the IPL media rights for TV and digital broadcast for a consolidated sum of Rs.16, 347.5 crore ($ 2.55 billion) for a period of five years.
Key Points:
i.It will start from the 11th edition of IPL 2018 for five years. It pipped Sony to acquire the rights from 2018 to 2022.
ii.Total of 24 companies had picked up the Invitation To Tender (ITT) to bid for the broadcast and digital rights.
iii.However, only 14 of the 24 names turned up with their respective bids.
iv.The bids were invited for seven categories — India television, India digital, US, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and rest of the world.
v.Star India was the only company to bid for all markets in the event that took place at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.
vi.Star India, through its wholly owned subsidiary Novi Digital Entertainment Private Limited, owned the digital rights of IPL.
vii.Until the 2017 edition, Sony held the broadcast rights of the IPL after it paid Rs 8,200 crore for a 10-year deal in 2008.
viii.Star India chairman and CEO is Uday Shankar.
Lewis Hamilton wins Italian Grand Prix, takes lead
title from Sebastian Vettel
Lewis Hamilton has won the Italian Grand Prix 2017 to take lead in Formula-1 title race announced on 3rd sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.Hamilton now has 238 points, three more points than Vettel.
ii.Hamilton finished nearly five seconds ahead of Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.
iii.Sebastian Vettel came third in his Ferrari, more than half a minute behind.
iv.Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo finished fourth in the Formula-1 title race while Kimi Raikkonen crossed fifth.
About Italian Grand Prix
The 2017 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 3 September 2017 at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, Italy.
Winners List:
First: Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
Second: Valtteri Bottas Mercedes
Third: Sebastian Vettel Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton has won the Italian Grand Prix 2017 to take lead in Formula-1 title race announced on 3rd sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.Hamilton now has 238 points, three more points than Vettel.
ii.Hamilton finished nearly five seconds ahead of Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.
iii.Sebastian Vettel came third in his Ferrari, more than half a minute behind.
iv.Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo finished fourth in the Formula-1 title race while Kimi Raikkonen crossed fifth.
About Italian Grand Prix
The 2017 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 3 September 2017 at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, Italy.
Winners List:
First: Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
Second: Valtteri Bottas Mercedes
Third: Sebastian Vettel Ferrari
Obituary
Journalist Gauri lankesh shot dead in Bengaluru
Senior journalist, editor and activist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead by unidentified mugger at the entrance of her home in Bengaluru West on 5th of Sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.She was shot dead outside her home in Bengaluru last night by attackers who fired seven times at close range.
ii.Gauri Lankesh was the editor of weekly Kannada tabloid magazine Lankesh Patrike, columnist in newspapers, a panelist on TV channels besides being an activist.
Senior journalist, editor and activist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead by unidentified mugger at the entrance of her home in Bengaluru West on 5th of Sept. 2017.
Key Points:
i.She was shot dead outside her home in Bengaluru last night by attackers who fired seven times at close range.
ii.Gauri Lankesh was the editor of weekly Kannada tabloid magazine Lankesh Patrike, columnist in newspapers, a panelist on TV channels besides being an activist.
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