18 August 2017 Current Affairs
NHAI launches MyFASTag and FASTag Partner mobile apps
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched two mobile Apps – MyFASTag and FASTag Partner in to facilitate the availability of FASTags for Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) project. The mobile apps will ease the process, making it possible to buy or recharge FASTags easier using mobile button. MyFASTag is a consumer application that will facilitate consumer to purchase or recharge FASTags on it. It also helps to keep track of transactions and provides for online grievance redressal. FASTag Partner is a merchant application. it will allow agencies like Common Services Centre (CSC), banking partners and vehicle dealers to sell and enroll FASTag.
Veteran Photographer S Paul passed away
Veteran Photographer S Paul passed away in New Delhi. He was 88. Paul was a self-taught photographer who discovered his passion for the art as a teenager. He joined The Indian Express in the 1960s and retired in 1999. He was the first Indian to win the Nikon International Photo Contest in 1971. Famous B&W Magazine of US had described him as ‘The Henry Cartier-Bresson of India’.
Govt launches Harit Diwali, Swasth Diwali Campaign
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Harsh Vardhan has launched the “Harit Diwali, Swasth Diwali” campaign. The Ministry also administered a pledge or a Green and Healthy Diwali to the gathering of students. The pledge will be widely circulated to the schools, colleges and other educational institutions. The Ministry launched the campaign while addressing a gathering of about 800 children from schools of Delhi and NCR.
Vishal Sikka resigns as Infosys CEO, Pravin Rao appointed interim chief
Vishal Sikka has resigned as Managing Director and CEO of Infosys. The board has accepted his resignation with immediate effect. Infosys in a notice stock exchanges said Sikka will remain with Infosys as executive vice-chairman. The position is a newly created position at Infosys. Infosys, second largest software exporter of India, has appointed chief operating officer UB Pravin Rao as interim managing director and CEO.
Sohail Mahmood- Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India
Sohail Mahmood has assumed the charge of Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India in New Delhi. Mahmood, who joined foreign service in 1985, was earlier deputed in Turkey as Ambassador of Pakistan. He replaced Abdul Basit after his premature retirement.
5 Indian-Origin Persons in Fortune’s Annual ’40 Under 40′ List
Five Indian-origin persons, including Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, have featured in Fortune’s annual list of 40 young and influential people in the field of business. Fortune’s 2017 ‘40 Under 40’ list is an annual ranking of the most influential young people who are under 40 in business. The list has been topped by 39-year-old French President Emmanuel Macron “France’s youngest leader since Napoleon”. The Indian-origin persons on the list are 26-year-old Divya Nag, who oversees Apple’s ambitious ResearchKit and CareKit programmes, Rishi Shah, 31, and Shradha Agarwal, 32, 31-year-old Leila Janah. The list also includes Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg on the second spot.
Navika Sagar Parikrama: Indian Navy’s all-woman team to circumnavigate globe
A six-member all-woman team of the Indian Navy will set sail to circumnavigate the globe on the sailing vessel INSV Tarini. This is the first-ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-woman crew. The expedition has been aptly titled ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’ with an aim to promote women empowerment in the country and ocean sailing by the Indian Navy.
Lakshya Sen Wins Bulgaria Open International Series
Young Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen clinched the Bulgaria Open International Series title after notching up a hard-fought win over Croatia’s Zvonimir Durkinjak in the men’s singles final in Sofia, Bulgaria. The 16-year-old shuttler defeated second seed Zvonimir 18-21 21-12 21-17 in a 57-minute match.
Government to Conduct ‘World’s Largest Sample Survey’ for Students
The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has announced November 13 as the date for conducting its National Assessment Survey (NAS) for the students of class 3, 5, and 8. So far, during several rounds of the survey, a total of 4.45 lakh students have been tested for various learning outcomes. This time, approximately 30 lakh students will be assessed in the year 2017-18 making it the world’s largest sample survey of student learning achievement.
Scientists develops artificial womb to save premature babies
Scientists have developed an artificial womb that can be used in future to save the lives of extremely premature human babies. It was successfully used to incubate healthy baby lambs for a week. The research showed that preterm lambs were successfully maintained in a healthy, infection-free condition with significant growth, for a period of one week using ex-vivo uterine environment (EVE) therapy.
Emma Stone named as 2017’s Highest-Paid Female Actor
Emma Stone has been named Hollywood’s best-paid female actor in Forbes annual list of top earners. The 28-year-old made $26m in the last 12 months, the majority of which was earned from her Oscar-winning performance in the musical romance La La Land. The film made over $445m worldwide.