17 October 2014 Current Affairs
India Successfully Test-Fires Nuclear Capable Cruise Missile Nirbhay
India on 17 October 2014 successfully test-fired indigenously developed N-capable sub-sonic long-range cruise missile ‘Nirbhay,’ capable of striking targets more than 700 kms away, from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Balasore district of Odisha. It is the second test of the sub-sonic long range cruise missile ‘Nirbhay’ from the ITR. Its first test on 12 March 2013, failed with the missile being terminated after launch as it deviated from its flight trajectory. India has the 290 km range supersonic “BrahMos” cruise missile, which is jointly developed by India and Russia, but ‘Nirbhay’ with long range capability is a different kind of missile being developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
‘International Day For The Eradication Of Poverty’ Observed On 17 October 2014
‘International Day for the Eradication of Poverty’ was observed across the world on 17 October 2014. The 2014 theme is: “Leave no one behind: think, decide and act together against extreme poverty”. The 2014 theme recognizes and underscores the demanding challenge of identifying and securing the participation of those experiencing extreme poverty and social exclusion in the “Post-2015 Development Agenda” that will replace the Millennium Development Goals. The annual day, in observance since 1993, is celebrated to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries.
Arvind Subramanian Appointed As Chief Economic Adviser
US-based economist Arvind Subramanian was appointed as Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) in the Union Finance Ministry. He will be serving at this post for three years. Arvind Subramanian, who is alumnus of St Stephens College, Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad is an expert of the economics of India, China and changing balance of global economic power and his is academic work has focused on trade and its effect on developing countries.
Indian-born Scientist Sanjaya Rajaram Received World Food Prize 2014
Eminent Indian scientist Dr Sanjaya Rajaram received the World Food Prize 2014 for his scientific research. He was awarded this prize for his scientific research that led to a prodigious increase in world wheat production by more than 200 million tons building upon the successes of the Green Revolution.Dr Rajaram has helped secure a 1.3 percent rise in global wheat production per annum during the last four decades.