22 September 2016 Current Affairs

Afghanistan signs peace deal with militant group Hezb-e-Islami

Afghanistan has signed a peace agreement with one of the country’s largest militant groups Hezb-e-Islami led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. This agreement paves the way for Hekmatyar to make a political comeback. As per the agreement, Hekmatyar will be granted amnesty for his offences and the prisoners of Hezb-e-Islami will be released by the government.


Childhood cancer awareness exhibition at Taj Mahal from Sept. 25

The first-of-its-kind exhibition on childhood cancer awareness was held at the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra from September 25 to 27, 2016. The exhibition ‘CanKids-Kidscan’ was organised by National Society for Change for Childhood Cancer in India. The exhibition includes ‘Chalo Chalein Taj programme’ under which around 1,500 cancer-affected children and their families has visited the Taj Mahal.


TN government for Thaaliku Thangam scheme under marriage assistance programme

Tamil Nadu government has allotted Rs 204 crore towards the implementation of the enhanced gold scheme under a marriage assistance programme. Rs 204 crore has been allotted for ‘Thaaliku Thangam’ (Gold for Mangalsutra) scheme for the year 2016-17 to benefit 12,500 women. The scheme involves providing marriage assistance and gold for daughters of poor parents and widows among others to make ‘thaali.’ The assistance of Rs 25,000 for beneficiaries who have passed Class X and Rs 50,000 to those with an undergraduate degree or diploma is also given as part of the scheme.


Syrian aid group White Helmets wins Right Livelihood Award

Syrian aid group White Helmets has won the prestigious Right Livelihood Award which is also known as ‘alternative Nobel’ prize. The White Helmets also known as the Syria Civil Defence is a Syrian civil organisation of emergency responders in rebel-held areas. It has been honoured for their outstanding bravery, compassion and humanitarian engagement in rescuing civilians from the destruction of the Syrian civil war. The White Helmets will share the prize with Russian activist Svetlana Gannushkina, Egypt’s feminist leader Mozn Hassan and leading independent Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet.


Navtej Sarna appointed Ambassador to the US

India’s High Commissioner to UK Navtej Sarna was appointed as Ambassador to the US. Sarna, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 1980 batch, was serving as secretary (West) in the ministry of external affairs before he was posted in London in January. He succeeds Arun Singh, who is due for retirement. Mr Sarna is also a prolific author of many fiction and non-fiction books, the most recent being ‘Second Thoughts: On Books, Authors and the Writerly Life’ that was released last year.


Visaranai to take a shot at Oscar nomination

Visaranai, the Tamil docu-drama crime thriller, has been chosen India’s official entry to Best Foreign Language Film category at the 89th Academy Awards to be held in 2017. The national award-winning film, directed by Vetrimaran, and produced by actor Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films, documents four migrant workers who suffer police brutality and corruption after being jailed on false charges.


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