06 September 2017 Current Affairs
Narayana Murthy receives PLuS Alliance Prize
N R Narayana Murthy and Mumbai-born scientist veena Sahajwalla have been conferred the PLuS Alliance Prize – a prestigious honour that recognises research Innovation, Education Innovation, Global Leadership and Global Innovation. Both winners were recognised for the development and implementation of innovation solutions to significant global issues. Murthy was presented the PLuS Alliance Prize for Global Leadership while professor Sahajwalla was awarded the PLuS Alliance Prize for Research Innovation for her project.
Noted Journalist Gauri Lankesh shot dead in Bengaluru
Noted journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead. She was shot down from close range by unidentified persons at her rsidence at Bengaluru’s Rajarajeshwari Nagar. Gauri Lankesh was the editor of puopular Kannada tabloid Lankesh Patrike founded by her father and well-known writer P Lankesh. Gauri Lankesh was also part of a panel formed by State government to help Surrender Naxals to reform.
9th BRICS summit held in Xiamen, China
The 9th Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) summit was held in Xiamen, China. The summit is hosted by China for the second time after the 2011 Summit.The theme of the 2017 BRICS Summit is “BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future”.
The four documents were signed in the presence of BRICS Leaders and they are:
- Strategic Framework of BRICS Customs Cooperation
- BRICS Action Plan for Innovation Cooperation(2017-2020)
- BRICS Action Agenda on Economic and Trade Co operation.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BRICS Business Council and New Development Bank on Strategic Cooperation.
Jharkhand Governor gives assent to Religious Freedom Bill, 2017
Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Jharkhand Religious Freedom Bill, 2017. The state government will now issue notification on the Religious Freedom Bill, after which it will become an Act. With this Jharkhand, become seventh state in the country to have anti-conversion law. Other six states with similar law are Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
Trump revokes Obama’s amnesty programme, 7000 Indian Americans to be affected
US President Donald Trump has scrapped an amnesty programme introduced during Obama’s term that granted work permits to immigrants who arrived in the country illegally as Children. The move is likely to impact over 800,000 undocumented workers including more than 7000 Indian-Americans. The announcement was made by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who said that the programme known as DACA (Deferred Action for Children Arrival) that was effectuated under the Obama Administration is being withdrawn.
NITI Aayog launches the National Nutrition Strategy
To make sure that malnutrition (Kuposhan) bids a good bye to India, NITI Aayog has launched the National Nutrition Strategy aimed at Kuposhan Mukt Bharat. Under the strategy, the problem of malnutrition will be eradicated in a phased manner. The strategy intends at bringing nutrition to the center-stage of the National Development Agenda. The strategy was launched jointly by the leader of the Green Revolution, Cr. M S Swaminathan, Padma Shri H Sudharshan and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Dr. Rajiv Kumar and Member Dr. Vinod Paul in New Delhi.
List of MoUs signed during Visit of PM Modi to Myanmar
After attending the BRICS Summit in China, PM Modi left for his three-day visit to Myanmar. He was received by the Myanmar President Htin Kyaw. Following set of agreements were signed between the two nation.
- MoU on Maritime Security Cooperation
- Cultural Exchange Programme for the year 2017-2020.
- MoU on Enhancing the Cooperation of the Upgradation of the Women’s Police Training Centre at Yamethin, Myanmar.
- MoU for Sharing White Shipping Information between the Indian Navy and Myanmar Navy
- Technical Agreement for providing Coastal Surveillance System
- MoU between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry Of Health and Family Welfare of the Republic of India and Food and Drugs (FDA), Ministry of Health and Sports of Myanmar on Cooperation in Medical Products Regulation.
- Exchange of Letter for Extension of MoU on the establishment of MIIT
- Exchange of Letter for Extension of MoU on the establishment of India-Myanmar Center for Enhancement of IT-Skill
- MoU in the field of elections between the Election Commission of India and The Union Election Commission of Myanmar.
- MoU on Cooperation between Myanmar Press Council and the Press Council of India.
N Baijendra Kumar CMD of National Mineral Development Corporation
N Baijendra Kumar, the IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre take charge as Chairman-Cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the state-run National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC). He was additional chief secretary to the Chhattisgarh chief minister and held the charge of power, commerce & industries.
Vice President honours 219 teachers with National award
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu gave away the National awards for teachers on Teachers day Function. A total of 219 teachers, including 124 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teachers, were awarded. He also launched DIKSHA, a national digital infrastructure for teachers. DIKSHA is a customisable national digital infrastructure that states, Teacher Education Institutions (TEI) and private entities can use for their respective teacher-centric initiatives.
Sushma Swaraj arrives in Russia for third Eastern Economic Forum
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in Russian port city of Vladivostok on a three-day visit to attend the third Eastern Economic Forum which will deliberate on pressing issues relating to global trade. She holds bilateral talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov during which various issues relating to trade, investment, and defense cooperation. The Eastern Economic Forum is considered as the biggest international communication platform for cooperation between businesses leaders and senior government representatives from Russia, the Pacific Region and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
NHAI Awards First International Project in Myanmar to Punj Lloyd-Varaha
The National Highway Authority of India has awarded its first international project in Myanmar to a joint venture of Punj Lloyd-Varaha. This is for the upgradation of the Yagyi-Kalewa section in Myanmar to two lanes with earthern shoulder in the engineering, procurement, and construction mode. The 120-km-long project was estimated to cost Rs. 1,177.02 crore and is to be completed within 36 months. Punj Lloyd-Varaha’s bid was identified as the most competitive among four qualified bidders. It was at Rs. 1,177 crore.
UNESCO announces winners for Girl’s and Women’s Education Prize 2017
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO) in Sepetmebr 2017 announced the winners of 2017 edition of the UNESCO Prize for Girl’s and Women’s Education. UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova announced the names of the two laureates from Peru and Thailand recommended by an International Jury. Each of the two organisations was honoured with the prize money of USD 50000 at an official ceremony held in Xiamen, People’s Republic of China.
RBI releases 2017 list of Domestic Systemically Important Banks
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its 2017 list of the Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs). The list identies private sector lender HDFC Bank Ltd as a D-SIB. With this, inclusion in the list, the HDFC has joined State Bank of India (SBI) and ICICI bank Ltd, which has been tagged as D-SIBs or too-big-to-fail for the consecutive third year.