09 January 2018 Current Affairs
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9 January: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated every year on January 9 to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India. This year’s PBD celebrated ASEAN-Indian partnership and was themed Ancient Route, New Journey: Diaspora in the Dynamic ASEAN INDIA Partnership. This year marks 25 years of ASEAN-Indian Partnership which is based on centuries-old cultural, religious and human links, forged on an ancient route of commerce.
A R Rahman named brand ambassador of Sikkim
Music maestro A R Rahman was named the official brand ambassador of Sikkim at the ceremony of the Sikkim Red Panda Winter Carnival in Gangtok. He is also referred to as the “Mozart of Madras”. This is the first time that the Himalayan nation has chosen someone to become the brand ambassador of the state.
France to confer ‘Legion de Honour’ on actor Soumitra Chattopadhyay
France will confer its highest order of merit, the ‘Legion of Honour’ on legendary film and theatre actor Soumitra Chattopadhyay at the 42nd International Kolkata Book Fair. The honour will be bestowed on the actor who starred in many of Satyajit Ray’s iconic films by french culture and communication minister Francoise Nyssen in Kolkata. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner Chattopadhyay, 82, acted in several of Ray’s films, including Apur Sansar, Abhijan, Charulata, Aranyer Din Ratri, and Sonar Kella.
Gujarat tops Logistics Performance Index Chart
Gujarat has topped the logistics index chart, according to a Report released by Union Minister for Commerce & Industry Suresh Prabhu in New Delhi. The chart is an indicator of the efficiency of logistical services necessary for promoting exports in particular and economic growth in general. Among 22 states, Gujarat is followed by Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra on the index. The ranking is based on the analysis of perception with regard to eight parameters, including infrastructure, services, regulatory process and safety of cargo. Among the Union Territories, Daman & Diu occupied the top slot followed by Delhi and Chandigarh. As regards the hilly states, Tripura was on top followed by Mizoram and Meghalaya.
Iran bans teaching of English language in primary schools to block cultural invasion
Iran has banned the teaching of English in primary schools after Islamic leaders warned that early learning of the language opened the way to a Western “cultural invasion”. According to the Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, it does not mean opposition to learning a foreign language, but a promotion of a foreign culture in the country and among children, young adults, and youths. The teaching of English in Iran usually starts between the ages of 12 to 14 but some primary schools below that age also hold language classes.
Peter Sutherland, 1st WTO Director-General passes away
Peter Sutherland, the first Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has passed away in Dublin, Ireland. He was 71. Mr Sutherland became Ireland’s Attorney General in 1981 and served as the European Commissioner for Competition from 1985 to 1989. He left the WTO in 1995.
PM Modi inaugurates 1st PIO Parliamentary Conference in Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the first Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Parliamentary Conference in Delhi on the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. The day is celebrated every year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community in the development of India. It also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Mumbai on 9 January 1915. In the Conference, the biggest delegation was from Guyana with 20 members of parliament and three mayors. Established in 2003, and sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is held from 7-9 January every year.
Bihar government bans electronic cigarettes in state
Bihar government has banned manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, display, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes in the state. Anyone violating the ban will attract a jail term of up to 3 years, the government notification stated. E-cigarettes are smoked through electronic nicotine delivery system, which uses liquid nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerine, and water among other substances.
Yusuf Pathan suspended for 5 months for doping
Indian all-rounder Yusuf Pathan has been suspended for five months for failing a dope test during a domestic match last season. The Baroda all-rounder had inadvertently ingested a prohibited substance – Terbutaline, which can be commonly found in cough syrups.