08 September 2017 Current Affairs
8 September: International Literacy Day
The International Literacy Day (ILD) is being observed every year on 8 September to emphasize the importance of literacy to individuals, society and communities. The day was established in 1966 by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This year it is 51st International Literacy Day. The theme announced by UNESCO for this year is `Literacy in a digital world’. In India to observe this day, several functions were organised by the National Literacy Mission Authority. It included distribution of Saakshar Bharat Awards to best performing States, Districts, Gram Panchayats and NGOs. Government uses occasion of ILD for raising public awareness to eradicate illiteracy and create environment in favour of adult education programmes.
Viveck Goenka elected as chairman of Press Trust of India
Viveck Goenka, chairman and managing director of Express Group was unanimously elected as Chairman of Press Trust of India (PTI). N Ravi, former editor-in-chief of The Hindu was elected vice-chairman. They were elected at meeting of board of directors of PTI following the company’s 69th annual general meeting. Goenka who was earlier vice-chairman, will succeed Riyad Mathew of Malayala Manorama group.
India refuses to sign Bali Declaration over Rohingya issue
India has refused to be a part of Bali Declaration adopted at conclusion of World Parliamentary Forum on Sustainable Development held in Bali, Indonesia to show of solidarity with Myanmar. It was not adopted because it carried “inappropriate” reference to violence in Rakhine State from where 1,25,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh and was not in line with agreed global principles of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Nestle sets up First Food Safety Institute in India
The new FSSAI CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal inaugurated the Nestle Food Safety Institute in Manesar, Gurugram. It will provide guidance and training on food safety. The FSSAI has been working with Nestle India for setting up the institute at Manesar. While this is the first such institute in India, Nestle already runs a similar Institute each in China and Lausanne, Switzerland.
India’s Sonam wins Gold in Cadet World Wrestling Championship
India’s Sonam 43 kilogram weight category wins Gold in Cadet World Wrestling Championship. Wrestler Neelam also bagged Bronze Medal in the 43-kilogram weight category. Meanwhile, Four other wrestlers Simran, Manisha, Minakshi, Karuna will also fight for Bronze Medal in different weight categories.
Pakistan’s Habib Bank to pay $225-mn New York fine for compliance failures
The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) announced a fine of USD 225 million on Pakistan’s Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and its New York branch for failure to comply with New York laws and regulations designed illicit financial transactions. Earlier, the bank facing a possible $630 million fine over compliance failures by its New York branch. The bank also announced that it would close its branch in New York after the United States financial regulator imposed a penalty of nearly USD 630 million.
Amazon’s Largest Fulfilment Center in Hyderabad
American e-commerce company Amazon opened its largest fulfillment center (FC) in the country at the GMR-led Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad. The new facility has a carpet area of around 4 lakh square feet, along with a storage space of close to 2.1 million cubic feet. Amazon’s fifth fulfillment center in Telangana, thereby increasing the firm’s overall storage capacity to 3.3 million square feet in the state.
Johnson & Johnson India introduces paternity leave
Johnson & Johnson India has announced that new and adoptive fathers would be entitled to eight weeks of paid leave during the first year of birth or adoption. For new mothers, the company has been offering up to 26 weeks of maternity leave for the past six years.
South Asian Women Development Forum to organize summit at Kathmandu
The South Asian Women Development Forum (SAWDF) would be organising ‘Across Barriers-International Business Women’s Summit’ on 11th & 12th September 2017 at Kathmandu, Nepal. The two-day event aims to encourage partnerships between women entrepreneurs from the SAARC and ASEAN member countries and China. The Ministry of Agriculture, US Embassy in Nepal and the Department for International Development (DFID), UK would be providing financial support to the event.
Indian Army to induct women in military police
The Indian Army has finalised plan to induct women in military police. The plan is seen as major step towards breaking gender barriers in force. Under this plan 800 women will be inducted initially with yearly intake of 52. The decision to induct women in Corps of Military Police will help in investigating allegations of gender specific crimes. Currently, women are allowed in select areas such as medical, educational, legal, signals and engineering wings of Indian Army.