Daily Current Affairs Updates–20th October 2016:
Daily Current affairs News Updates about the National and International events were listed here. Candidates those who are preparing for IBPS/SBI/PO/Clerk exam and all other competitive exams can use this.
President to inaugurate 28th Accountants General Conference today
i. President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the 28th Accountants General Conference in New Delhi today. The Accountants General from various places of the country will participate in the conference and will review the international 'best practices' prevalent in audit and accounting.
ii. Finance Ministry, in a release said, the conference offers a forum for exchange of ideas, grappling with evolving issues and experience sharing. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Public Accounts Committee Chairman, Prof KV Thomas and Comptroller and Auditor General Shashi Kant Sharma will also address the Conference.
iii. On the second day of the conference tomorrow, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will address the officers. The two-day conference is being organized by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
PMUY, DBT for subsidised kerosene launched in Jharkahnd
In Jharkahnd, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) and 'Direct Benefit Transfer' (DBT) for subsidised kerosene were launched in Ranchi yesterday. Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das inaugurated the two schemes in the presence of Union Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister said that the state is the first to adopt a scheme of Direct Transfer of Subsidies on kerosene through banks, which will enable state to save 7,000 crore rupees annually due to removal of corruption in this scheme.
He said while the PMUY scheme to provide free LPG connections along with accessories and stoves to the BPL famillies, has been launched for entire Jharkhand, the DBT transfer of subsidised kerosene has been introduced in Chatra, Hazaribagh, Jamtara and Khunti districts in the first phase.
Paswan inaugurates Consumer Mela 2016 in New Delhi
Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today inaugurated Consumer Mela 2016 at Connaught Place in New Delhi. The mela has been organised to bring consumers, companies, regulators and Department of Consumer Affairs on one platform for Consumer Awareness and possible grievance redressals, and on the spot registration of grievances.
The Consumer Counseling Mechanism will educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities, and the procedure for seeking Grievance Redressal. It would also register on the spot grievances, if any. The Consumer Awareness Week was also launched today which will be observed throughout the country.
NEEPCO to commission 2 power projects in Arunachal Pradesh
In a bid to make the North East a power surplus region, the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) will commission two power projects of 710 megawatt in Arunachal Pradesh next year.The five megawatt capacity projects are being set up at Kopili and Lanka. The North Eastern states required 2,700 MW power to meet their demand.
The generation of 710 MW hydro electricity is expected to improve the power scenario of the region. On the other hand, the Assam Gas Based Power Plant of NEEPCO at Bokuloni generates 200 MW as of now.
Though the plant has 291 MW production capacity, due to the lack of sufficent gas supply it is lagging behind. The Assam Gas Based Power Plant at Bokuloni is the first venture of NEEPCO in the field of gas based thermal sector.
Make in Odisha Conclave: CM Patnaik to meet foreign envoys
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will hold a meeting of the ambassadors of at least 20 different countries in New Delhi today on Make in Odisha Conclave, which is going to be held in Bhubaneswar from November 30 to December 2.
Odisha government hopes to place the state on a road map of sizeable investments and great possibility of employment in coming days. The meeting will be held at Jawahar Bhawan in New Delhi.
Maharashtra launches Kaushalya SETU initiative
Maharashtra Government on 19 October 2016 launched Kaushalya SETU (Self-Employment and Talent Utilisation) initiative. The initiative, which is a skill development programme for students, is likely to generate employment for as many as 7.5 lakh people in state.
For the purpose of employing skilled people, the state also signed 22 MoUs with various industries. The best part of the initiative is that it would help in bridging the gap between education and employment.
Vadodara gets India's second eco-friendly airport
Vadodara in Gujarat has got India's second eco-friendly airport which is located on the outskirts of the city. The facilities of the airport have also been rated by Green Ratings of International Habitat Assessment, the highest national rating for green buildings conceived by The Energy and Resources Institute. Constructed at a cost of 160 crores, it has 18 check-in counters.
Haryana increases retirement age of doctors to 65 yrs
To address the shortage of doctors in the state, the Haryana government has decided to increase the retirement age of doctors from 58 to 65 years. It had earlier sent a proposal to the Centre to increase the age to 62 years. However, after the Centre increased the retirement age of doctors to 65 years, Haryana made a similar revision.
Rajasthani, Bhojpuri languages to get official status
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Wednesday said that three languages, including Rajasthani and Bhojpuri, would soon be given official recognition under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Last year, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje had flagged off a “Rajasthani Rath Yatra”, demanding official status for Rajasthani. As of now, 22 languages are recognised under Eighth Schedule of Constitution.
INTERNATIONAL
India, China hold joint army exercise in Ladakh
India and China on Wednesday carried out a joint army exercise in eastern Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir. During the day-long exercise on Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR), a fictitious situation of an earthquake striking an Indian border village was simulated. Thereafter joint teams carried out rescue operations, evacuation and rendering of medical assistance.
India calls for global action against chemical weapons
India has voiced deep concern over terror groups acquiring chemical weapons, asserting that the international community must take urgent measures and decisive actions to prevent possibility of any future use of such weapons. India's Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, Geneva, D B Venkatesh Varma, said this at a debate on weapons of mass destruction in United Nations yesterday
Russia launches 'closed' internet for data exchange
Russian defence forces have reportedly launched an independent electronic communication system called 'Closed Data Transfer Segment' that is independent and protected from unlicensed connections. This system is aimed at enabling fast and safe transfer of classified information. The heavily restricted servers of the network will be located in every Russian military unit, reports said.
Typhoon Haima Hits Philippines
Super Typhoon Haima has hit the Philippines, damaging crops and houses, and forced more than 90,000 people to flee to safer ground. Haima hit the northern Philippines with destructive 225 kmh (140 mph) winds and heavy rain.
Haima is the 12th typhoon to hit the Philippines this year. It comes just days after Typhoon Sarika also slammed into the northern provinces, damaging 3 billion pesos ($63 million) worth of crops.
BANKING NEWS
SBI declares Silchar as its 5th zone in North East
The State Bank of India (SBI) has declared Silchar as its 5th zone in North East after Guwahati, Shillong, Dibrugarh and Jorhat, which will cater to the banking needs of the people of Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur along with the Barak Valley.
Earlier, Silchar was under Guwahati zone and it was tough on the part of the bank to address the complaints and issues of the customers with such a difficult terrainSBI also opened its administrative office at Silchar. PVSLN Murty, Chief General Manager, North East Circle said that this office shall facilitate banking issues for the customers of the region.
On the other hand, a donation of Rs 11 lakh was handed over to Dr Ravi Kannan, Director Cachar Cancer Hospital Silchar by the Chief General Manager for setting up an oxygen unit at the hospital as a part of the bank’s CSR activity.
BUSINESS NEWS
Wipro Acquires Appirio for $400 mn
Wipro, an International IT company has acquired US-based consultancy firm Appirio.Appirio is a services firm with a large offshore firm that helps corporates implement cloud applications such as SalesForce.
Appirio was founded by Chris Barbin, Mike O’Brien, Glenn Weistein and Narinder Singh in 2006. The nearly decade-old firm had revenues of $200 million in 2015. Appirio has an India offshore base in Jaipur, where the majority of its 1,200-strong workforce is located.
AGREEMENTS & MoUs
Railways, Urban Development Ministries sign MoU to redevelop stations under smart city plans
Ministry of Urban Development and the Ministry of Railways on Wednesday signed an MoU under which railway stations and adjoining areas will be redeveloped on smart city lines for enhancing passenger amenities, easy access to stations, enabling optimal utilisation of land at railway stations.
Initially 10 cities have been identified for the redevelopment viz. Sarai Rohilla (Delhi), Bhubaneshwar, Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaipur, Kota, Thane, Margao(Goa), Tirupati and Puducherry.
APPOINTMENTS
Indian-American appointed to US Homeland Security's council
An Indian-American academic, Renu Khator, has been appointed as a member of the US Department of Homeland Security's Academic Advisory Council. Khator, who also serves as the President of the University of Houston, will serve a four-year term on the council. She was selected based on her expertise in higher education leadership.
Indian Naval Academy Gets New Chief
Vice Admiral SV Bhokare, YSM, NM took over charge as the Commandant of Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala.He is a specialist in Navigation and Direction and a Graduate of National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Tamil Nadu.
He attended the Higher Command Course at Army War College, Mhow and holds a Master Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Australian Defence College, Canberra.
The officer belongs to the elite submarine arm of the Indian Navy. In his illustrious career spanning 32 years, he commanded three frontline Submarines, INS Sindhughosh, Sindhudhvaj and Sindhushastra, as well as Guided Missile Frigate INS Beas and Submarine base INS Vajrabahu.
International Prize in Statistics awarded to Sir David Cox
Noted British statistician Sir David Cox on 19 October 2016 was named the inaugural recipient of the International Prize in Statistics. He is honoured for Survival Analysis Model Applied in Medicine, Science, and Engineering.
The International Prize in Statistics Foundation is recognizing Cox specifically for his 1972 paper in which he developed the proportional hazards model that today bears his name.
India 137th in Latest FIFA Rankings
The Indian football team achieved its best FIFA ranking in over six years. It has now jumped 11 places to be 137th in the latest list. India, who defeated 114th ranked Puerto Rico in an International Friendly in Mumbai in September, garnered 230 points for the month.In August 2010, India were ranked 137th which stayed India’s best ever FIFA Ranking since then.
India Wins Medals at Astronomy Olympiad
Indian students won two silver and one bronze medals in the 21st International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO) held at Pamporovo, Bulgaria. India finished among the top four out of the 16 participating nations.
M S Wajid from Hyderabad and Prashant Gokhale from Mumbai won silver medals, and Harshit Khandelwal from Indore secured the bronze medal in the event that took place from October 5 to 13.
Gujarat girl obtains flying license at 16
Varija Shah from Baroda, Gujarat, who aspires to join the Indian Air Force has obtained a student pilot license at the age of 16. She had joined the Gujarat flying club a year ago and enrolled her name in a flying course. The class 11 student flew the Cessna 152 aircraft as a co-pilot.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NICPR, AYUSH join hands for cancer prevention, research
The National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), and All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) have joined hands for cancer prevention and research. An MoU to this effect was signed by Prof. Ravi Mehrotra, Director- NICPR and Prof. Abhimanyu Kumar, Director- AIIA in New Delhi.
The MoU aims at setting up a Center of Integrative Oncology at NICPR-Noida as joint venture of Ministry of AYUSH and Department of Health Research for collaboration in the areas of cancer prevention, research and care.
A Web portal on Network for AYUSH Cancer Care was also launched. The portal will help collect the national data of experts, scientists, institutes, universities located across the country and engaged in cancer care and research.
Hydrogen Map of Milky Way Created
A team of scientists from Australia and Germany have created the most detailed hydrogen map ever produced of the Milky Way. The map was pieced together using data collected over the past 10 years by two radio telescopes.
Astronomers used the two telescopes — in Parkes, New South Wales and Effelsberg, Germany — to study neutral hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe. The map, produced by a survey named the HI4PI, shows the Milky Way’s finer details, including the boundaries of super shells created by giant explosions.
INDIAN NAVEY
Naval, Coast Guard ships commissioned
Fast patrol vessel ICGS Gaidinliu, named after Naga freedom-fighter and leader Rani Gaidinliu, was commissioned by Director-General Rajendra Singh of the Coast Guard. The vessel was built by Hindusthan Shipyard Ltd (HSL)
INS Tihayu, a fast attack craft, was commissioned by Vice-Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC). The ship was built by the Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. Named after one of the Nicobar islands, the Tihayu is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 35 knots.
SPORTS NEWS
U-17 World Cup: Kochi first Indian city to get FIFA nod to host tournament
Kochi became the first Indian city to be officially declared as one of the venues for hosting the 2017 Fifa U-17 World Cup after it received a green signal from a high-level delegation of football's world body.
After visiting the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium earlier, a 23-member high-level delegation comprising experts from Fifa and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) ratified Kochi as the venue for next year's mega event.
FIFA committee ratified the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Mumbai as a venue for the U-17 World Cup, to be hosted by India next year. Navi Mumbai became the second venue to be approved after Kochi got the green light to host next year’s marquee youth tournament.
Asian Champions Trophy men's hockey tournament starts in Malaysia
Asian Champions Trophy men's hockey tournament starts in Kuantan, Malaysia today. In this six nations tournament, Asian Games gold medalists India is a hot favourite. Indian team coach Roelant Oltmans has implored his side for positive results in this outing.
By virtue of their Asian Games gold medal, India were the only Asian team to feature in the Olympic Games and their preliminary pool victory over eventual Olympic gold medalists Argentina was the spotlight for PR Sreejesh-led side.
In the opening day matches today India will open its campaign against Japan while Malaysia play defending champions Pakistan.
Indian Railways wins World Railway Shooting Championship Cup
Indian Railways have won the World Railway Shooting Championship Cup held at Saint Mandrier, France. This is the first time that Railways have won this competition. Last year they were the runners up team.
Indian Railways team won a total 10 medals - 5 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze to bag the Overall Championship at the 15th USIC- International Shooting World Championship. The Western Railways members along with Coach Anuja Tere Jung represented Team India. The team won Gold in 50 Meter Rifle Event, defeating Germany and France.
Swapnil Kusale and Tejaswini Muley won Gold and Silver medal respectively. In Air Rifle Ayonika Paul won Gold by defeating France and Norway while Suma Shirur won silver and Gurjit won Bronze.
In Air Pistol, all three Indian shooters Jitendra Vibhute, Sumedh Devlaliwala and Vipin Rana won Gold, Silver and Bronze respectively. The purpose of USIC is to encourage the practice of amateur sport among railway employees all over the world.
Kumble, Sehwag launch book on Virat Kohli
Former cricketers Anil Kumble and Virender Sehwag launched a book on India's Test captain Virat Kohli in New Delhi on Tuesday. Written by journalist Vijay Lokapally, the book, 'Driven: The Virat Kohli Story', features anecdotes on the cricketer's rise at the international level. The event was attended by Ravi Shastri, Ajay Jadeja and Kapil Dev, among others.
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