Top Current Affairs of the Week: 29Th September – 5Th October 2019 1. Rajnath Singh Commissions INS Khanderi Into Indian Navy

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Top Current Affairs of the Week: 29th September – 5th October 2019

1. Rajnath Singh commissions INS Khanderi into Indian Navy

• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the ‘INS Khanderi’ into the Indian Navy in the presence of Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh. • On the same occasion, the Defence Minister also inducted P-17 Shivalik-class frigate Nilgiri and the aircraft carrier drydock into the Indian Navy. • INS Khanderi (67.5 metres long and 12.3 metres tall) has been built at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai. • INS Khanderi comprises a set of missiles and torpedoes along with a sonar suite that helps the submarine to detect the enemies from a long distance and classify its targets. • The name ‘Khanderi’ is inspired by the dreaded ‘Sword Tooth Fish’ a deadly fish known to hunt whilst swimming close to the bottom of the ocean.

Note:

• A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater.

2. International Astronomical Union names asteroid after Pandit Jasraj

• The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named a minor planet after Indian classical singer Pandit Jasraj. • The asteroid (located between Mars and Jupiter) was discovered on 11th November 2006, by the Catalina Sky Survey, whose telescopes are based in Arizona in the United States. • As of September 2019, there are 5,41,131 numbered minor planets of a total of 7,97,078 observed bodies, with the rest being unnumbered minor planets. • Pandit Jasraj is the recipient of numerous awards, honours, and titles, including the prestigious Padma Vibhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Note:

• All names proposed are judged by the 15-member Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (CSBN) of the IAU, comprising professional astronomers with research interests in minor planets and/or comets from around the world.

3. International Translation Day being observed today

• International Translation Day is celebrated every year on 30th September on the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator who is considered the patron saint of translators. • International Translation Day is meant as an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals. • The celebrations have been promoted by FIT (the International Federation of Translators) ever since it was set up in 1953.

Note:

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• On 24 May 2017, the General Assembly adopted resolution 71/288 on the role of language professionals in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development, and declared 30th September as International Translation Day.

4. 29th September: World Heart Day

• World Heart Day (WHD) is celebrated on 29th September every year to create awareness about heart disease and stroke prevention. • The causes for such diseases are alcohol abuse, tobacco consumption, leading an unhealthy lifestyle with irregular sleep, unhealthy food and sedentary lifestyle. • The theme for the World Heart Day 2019 is “My Heart, Your Heart”. • The World Heart Federation created this global campaign in the hopes of uniting people all around the world to encourage heart-healthy living across the globe.

Note:

• In May 2012, world leaders committed to reducing global mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025.

5. ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ starts at Expo Centre Noida

• Smt. Renuka Singh (Minister of State for Tribal Affairs) has inaugurated the 11-day ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ at Expo Centre, Noida (UP). • Artists and artisans from as many as 20 states of the country are a part of this mega cultural razzmatazz and showcase their traditional art, craft and culture. • Aadi Mahotsav (Tribal Festival) organized by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), Ministry of Tribal Affairs. • The festival will continue from 11 am to 8.30 pm, daily till 8th October 2019. • The traditional tribal jewellery, rare of the rarest craft items and artefacts will be a huge attraction for the inquisitive buyers.

6. India ranked 44th in world digital competitiveness rankings

• India has moved up by four places to be ranked 44th (in 2018- 48th) in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019, produced by the IMD World Competitiveness Center. • The US was ranked as the world’s most digitally competitive economy, followed by Singapore (2nd) and Sweden (3rd), • India’s biggest improvement in 2019 was in the technology sub-factor level, where it held the first position in telecommunications investment.

Note:

• The centre measured the capacity and readiness of 63 nations to adopt and explore digital technologies as a key driver for economic transformation in business, government and wider society.

To evaluate an economy, WDCR examines 3 factors:

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• Knowledge: The capacity to understand and learn new technologies. • Technology: The competence to develop new digital innovations. • Future readiness: The preparedness for the coming developments.

Top 5 countries in World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019

1st: USA

2nd: Singapore

3rd: Sweden

4th: Denmark

5th”: Switzerland

7. Deepti Sharma becomes 1st Indian cricketer to bowl 3 maidens in T20Is

• India’s all-rounder Deepti Sharma (22-years) had an extraordinary outing in India’s first T20I against South Africa in Surat. • Deepti Sharma gave away runs only off the 19th ball that she bowled in the India Women vs South Africa Women match • She ended with figures of 4/8 with three of the four overs to lead India to victory. • This is the first time that an Indian has bowled as many maidens in a T20I match.

8. Sumit Nagal wins men's singles title of ATP Challenger Tournament

• Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal (22-year) has won the men's singles title of ATP Challenger Tournament at Buenos Aires in Argentina. • He defeated local favourite Facundo Bognis in straight-sets 6-4, 6-2 to claim the 54,160 US dollars prize money. • Last month, Nagal grabbed headlines after he made his Grand Slam debut and produced a spirited fight against the legendary Roger Federer in the first round of the US Open.

9. India defeats Bangladesh, clinches SAFF U-18 C’ship title

• India defeated Bangladesh by 2-1 in the final of SAFF Under-18 Football Championship 2019 to lift the maiden title in Kathmandu. • India's Ninthoinganba Meetei was declared Most Valuable Player of the championship. • Earlier, Host Nepal had lifted two editions of the Championship but could not qualify for semi-finals this time.

Note:

• The SAFF U−18 Championship is a football championship for male footballers under the age of 18 and is organized by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF).

10. Lewis Hamilton wins 2019 Russian Grand Prix

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• British racing driver Lewis Hamilton (for Mercedes) has won the Russian Grand Prix 2019. • This was Hamilton’s 9th win of the season. • Finland’s Valtteri Bottas (for Ferrari) was in second, with Monaco’s Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) was third. • The 2019 Russian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at the Sochi Autodrom in Sochi, Russia.

Top five positions:

Position Driver/Constructor Driver Points 1st Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 322 2nd Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 249 3rd Charles Leclerc (Ferrar) 215 4th Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing-Honda) 212 5th Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 194

11. INDO-KAZAKHSTAN Joint Military Exercise ‘KAZIND – 2019’

• India and Kazakhstan will conduct Joint Military Exercise ‘KAZIND-2019’ at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand (2nd to 15th October 2019). • The exercise will comprise of nearly 100 soldiers from both Indian and Kazakhstan Army. • Exercise KAZIND-2019 is the fourth edition of an annual event which is conducted alternatively in Kazakhstan and India. • The aim of this exercise is to conduct company level joint training with the emphasis on counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain.

12. DRDO test-fires BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

• DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization) successfully test-fired a land- attack version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from Chandipur coast in Odisha’s Balasore district. • BrahMos is the world’s fastest supersonic missile, which can fly at almost three times the speed of sound. • It has been fitted with increased indigenous equipment and is a version used by the Army. • On 11th March 2017, the first extended version of the missile was successfully tested.

Note:

• The BrahMos is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarine, ships, aircraft, or land. • It is a joint venture between the Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroyeniya and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) who together have formed BrahMos Aerospace. • The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.

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13. Rajnath Singh launches a website of DefEXpo

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched the website of 11th edition of DefEXpo, to be held in Lucknow (5th to 8th February 2020). • The website ‘www.defexpo.gov.in’ provides online services to exhibitors, besides hosting informative content about the product profile of Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Ordnance Factories. • Exhibitors can avail early bird discounts by booking space on the website before the 31st of next month. • The website enables exhibitors to register and book space online as per their requirements on the first-come-first-serve basis, make online payments, book conference halls and venues for Business-to-Business meetings.

14. 1st October: International Day of the Older Persons

• The International Day of Older Persons is observed on 1st October every year to raise awareness about issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence and elder abuse. • It is also a day to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society. • The theme of the 2019 commemoration is ‘The Journey to Age Equality’. • The theme focuses on pathways of coping with existing and preventing future old age inequalities.

15. MNS Celebrates 94th Raising Day today

• The Military Nursing Service (only all women corps in the Armed Forces) celebrating its 94th Raising Day today. • On the occasion, nursing officers will re-dedicate themselves to render high quality, selfless nursing care to their patients by reading the Florence Nightingale Pledge. • The mission of the MNS is 'Excellence In Patient Care’ both in peace and war which is being pursued with utmost zeal. fervour and zest.

Note:

• The Military Nursing Service (MNS) came into on 28th March 1888 with the arrival of the first batch of 10 qualified British Nurses in Bombay, to organize nursing in Military hospitals in India. • In 1893, it was designated as Indian Army Nursing Service and in 1902 as Queen Alexandra Military Nursing Service. • On September 15, 1943, the IMNS officers became a part of the Indian Army and the members of service became Commissioned Officers.

16. Fraser-Pryce wins World Championship 100m gold

• Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won a gold medal in 100m race of 2019 IAAF World Championships held in Doha. • This was her 4th women’s 100 metres world title. • She defeated Britain’s European champion Dina Asher-Smith who took silver medal while Marie-Josee Ta Lou finished 3rd.

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17. Home Minister Amit Shah flags off Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on 3rd October, flagged off the Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express from the New Delhi Railway Station to Katra in Jammu. • Train number 22439 New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express will depart from the New Delhi Railway Station at 6 am to reach Katra at 2 pm. • En route, the train will halt at Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana and Jammu Tawi for two minutes each. • On the return journey the same day, train number 22440 Katra-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express will leave from the Katra Railway Station at 3 pm to reach the New Delhi Railway Station at 11 pm. • This is the second Vande Bharat Express, the first runs between Delhi and Varanasi.

18. 2nd October: 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was observed

• On 2nd October, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was celebrated across the country. Every year on 2 October, the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is observed with prayer services and tributes across the nation. • Mahatma Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. This day is also celebrated as World Non-Violence Day. • On this occasion, President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to him at Rajghat, the memorial site of the Father of the Nation. • Various programs are organized in schools and offices across the country on the occasion of Bapu's birthday. • Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead by Nathuram Godse on January 30, 1948

19. 2nd October: 115th birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri observed

• On 2nd October, 115th birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India was celebrated all across the country. • Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on 2 October 1904 in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh. • Under Shastri's leadership, India won the 1965 war against Pakistan. • Lal Bahadur Shastri died of a third cardiac arrest on 11 January 1966 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. • He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award posthumously in 1966. • A memorial "Vijay Ghat" was built for him in Delhi.

Lal Bahadur Shastri gave the slogan of 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan'

• When Lal Bahadur Shastri became the Prime Minister in 1964, there was a war between India and Pakistan in 1965, the very next year. There was also a severe drought in the country. • To avert the financial crisis, he appealed to the countrymen for a day's fast. Such was the image of Shastriji that the whole country accepted his decision. • On this occasion, he gave the slogan, 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan', emphasizing the country's agricultural self-reliance.

20. IRCTC Tejas Special: Passengers will get compensation if the train runs late

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• Tejas, the country's first corporate sector train, will provide compensation to the passengers on late arrival. • Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will pay compensation of 100 rupees if the train is late for more than one hour and 250 rupees for more than two hours. • The Railway Board also issued an order of compensation on 1st October. • This will be the first time that the railway will compensate passengers on the delay of the train. • The train will be flagged off on 4 October. The train is scheduled to make its first commercial run on 5 October.

Note:

• The new Tejas Express will run between New Delhi-Lucknow route for six days a week. • The fare for Lucknow to New Delhi Tejas Express will be ₹1,125 for AC chair car and ₹2,310 for executive chair car. • The New Delhi to Lucknow Tejas Express ticket will be priced at ₹1,280 for AC chair car passengers and ₹2,450 for executive chair car. The train will operate on a dynamic fare scheme.

21. Sachin Tendulkar honored with Swachhata Ambassador Award

• On the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the President Ram Nath Kovind honoured veteran cricketer Sachin Tendulkar with the most effective Swachchta Ambassador Award. • The award was presented to the master blaster Sachin for utilizing his popularity and fame to ensure India achieves its goal of a Swachh Bharat. • The award was presented during the President at the India Today Safaigiri Summit in New Delhi.

Note:

• In 2014, Sachin Tendulkar was honoured with Bharat Ratna becoming the youngest recipient of the highest civilian award in the country.

22. The World Economic Forum (WEF) is organizing India Economic Summit (IES) in New Delhi

• The World Economic Forum (WEF) is organizing a two-day India Economic Summit (IES) from 3rd - 4th October 2019 in New Delhi. • The summit is being hosted in collaboration with Industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). • The summit will have special focus on collaboration with South Asia and ASEAN countries. • The summit will be co-chair by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheiikh Hasina along with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat. • Tennis star Sania Mirza representing UN Women in the Summit. • The aim of the summit is to accelerate the 4th Industrial Revolution by focusing on emerging technologies like Blockchain technology, 3 – D printing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nanotechnology, quantum computing and energy storage.

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Note:

• World Economic Forum is an international organization founded in 1971. • Its headquarter is situated in Cologny – Geneva, Switzerland. • Reports published by WEF are:

1. Global Competitiveness Report 2. Global Gender Gap Report 3. Global Risks Report 4. Global Travel and Tourism Report

23. China debuts DF-41 missile, capable of 'targeting the US in 30 minutes', on National Day

• China unveiled the DF-41 intercontinental-range ballistic missile, touted to be the most powerful missile on the planet at the National Day parade in Beijing on 2nd October 2019. • DF-41 has a range of up to 9,320 miles (15,000 kilometers), more than any missile on Earth. • According to the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the missile is capable of carrying 10 independently targeted nuclear warheads and could theoretically, hit the United States in 30 minutes. • The DF-41 was unveiled during the National Day parade, as China observed its 70th anniversary of Communist rule. • China has the world's largest standing army and the world's third-largest air force.

24. Ministry of Tourism launches Audio Guide facility App "Audio Odigos" for 12 sites of India

• On occasion of "Paryatan Parv 2019" Ministry of Tourism has launched the Audio Guide facility Audio Odigos for 12 sites of India (including Iconic Sites). • Audio Guide: Audio Odigos, offers Government of India verified content, with visuals & voice over support. With Audio Odigos, tourists will now enjoy a more enriching experience and take back historical insights into the Indian culture and heritage. • The Audio Odigos app contains an inbuilt map of the site for a smooth navigation during the tour. • Listeners will be offered various versions of history like Synopsis, Detailed History and Podcasts. • The audio can be chosen in their preferred language & version of history.

25. Kyrgyz human rights lawyer wins UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award

• Azizbek Ashurov, A Kyrgyz human rights lawyer whose work has supported the efforts of the Kyrgyz Republic in becoming the first country in the world to end statelessness has been selected as the 2019 winner of the UN Refugee Agency’s Nansen Refugee Award. • Azizbek Ashurov, through his organization Ferghana Valley Lawyers Without Borders (FVLWB), has helped well over 10,000 people to gain Kyrgyz nationality after they became stateless following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

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• Statelessness affects millions of people worldwide, depriving them of legal rights or basic services and leaving them politically and economically marginalized, discriminated against and particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

Note:

• UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award honours extraordinary service to the forcibly displaced. • The award includes a commemorative medal and a US$150,000 monetary prize generously donated by the governments of Switzerland and Norway. • In close consultation with UNHCR, the laureate uses the monetary prize to fund a project that complements their existing work.

27. Jaipur topped the list of cleanest railway stations in the country

• According to the ‘Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat 2019’ report, Jaipur topped the list of the cleanest railway station in India. • Three railway stations of Rajasthan have been included in the list of top clean railway stations in the country. • In the Railway Cleanliness Survey conducted by the Ministry of Railways, Jaipur Junction has come first, Jodhpur railway station ranked second and Durgapura railway station ranked at the third spot. • A total of 720 stations and were included in the survey. • Since 2016, cleanliness survey is carried out by the Quality Council of India (QCI), an independent body.

Key points of the report

• Jaipur ranked first with the overall cleanliness score of 931.75; Jodhpur got the second rank with a score of 927.19 and Durgapura scored 922.50 out of 1,000. • Anand Vihar Terminal in the national capital stood at 26th place while New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin station were ranked 165th and 241st respectively in the list.

Top 10 cleanest railway station - The top ten railway stations include seven cities of Rajasthan.

1. Jaipur (Rajasthan) 2. Jodhpur (Rajasthan) 3. Durgapura (Rajasthan) 4. Jammu Tawi 5. Gandhinagar (Jaipur district) 6. Suratgarh (Rajasthan) 7. Vijayawada 8. Udaipur (Rajasthan) 9. Ajmer (Rajasthan) 10. Haridwar

Suburban stations

• Suburban stations were included for the first time in this survey.

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• Andheri, Virar and Naigaon railway stations were the top three among 109 suburban stations.

Best railway zone

• The North Western Railway (NWR), headquartered in Jaipur, has been ranked the best among the 17 railway zones in the country. • South Eastern Railway ranked second place was and East Central Railway ranked at the third spot on the list.

28. Singapore is the world's smartest city: IMD Smart City Index

• According to the IMD Smart City Index, Singapore is the smartest city in the world. • The first edition of the IMD Smart City Index 2019 ranks 102 cities worldwide. • Zurich ranked second and Oslo is the third smartest city in the world. • The other smartest cities in the list are Geneva (4th), Copenhagen (5th), Auckland (6th), Taipei City (7th), Helsinki (8th), Bilbao (9th) and Dusseldorf (10th). • Singapore is only one of two Asian cities to be in the Top 10 of 102 cities. Taipei is the other at No. 7. • The index assesses a city’s efforts and success in embracing smart technologies to improve the lives of its citizens, thus being able to rate each city on a certain level of ‘smartness’.

Indian cities in the index

• Indian city Hyderbad ranked 67 in the list, while the capital of India, New Delhi is the 68th smart city in the world. • On the other hand, Mumbai is the 78th and Bengaluru is the 79th smart city in the world.

Note:

• The SCI is released by the IMD World Competitiveness Center’s Smart City Observatory on 3 October 2019, in partnership with Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

29. Palestine issues a commemorative stamp to honour Gandhi on 150th birth anniversary

• Palestine issued a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi with an aim of honouring Gandhi's "heritage and values". • The Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology of the Palestine Authority (PA), Ishaq Sadar, released the ticket in the presence of Sunil Kumar, India's representative in the PA.

Note:

• Palestine capital - Ramallah, East Jerusalem • Palestine currency - Palestinians have no currency of their own and use the euro, U.S. dollar, Israeli shekel and Jordanian dinar in their daily lives.

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30. Global Firepower Index: Indian military strongest in South Asia

• In the Global Firepower's 2019 Military Strength Ranking, the Indian military has been ranked as the strongest military power in South Asia. • While Pakistan has been ranked second and Bangladesh is ranked the third most powerful military power in South Asia. • In the world ranking, the United States has topped the list, followed by Russia, and China. • India has been ranked in 4th position, Pakistan at 15th, Myanmar at 37th, Afghanistan at 74th, Sri Lanka at 90th, Nepal at 120th, and Bhutan has been ranked at 137th- a least strong country in the world, as per the index. • The military strengths of 137 countries in total have been considered in the GFP.

31. Japan Launches "World's Biggest Transport Space Ship" For Space Station

• Japan has launched an unmanned spacecraft towards the International Space Station. • The H-2B rocket lifted off at 1:05 am local time (1605 GMT Tuesday) with cargo vessel Kounotori8. • The launch took place from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan. • Kounotori8, meaning "white stork" in Japanese, intends to deliver about 5.3 tonnes of supplies to astronauts at the ISS, including fresh food and water as well as batteries and devices needed for experiments.

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