Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
UNIQUE IAS ACADEMY The Best Coaching Center in Coimbatore NVN Layout, New Siddhapudur, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Ph: 0422 4204182, 98842 67599
******************************************************************************************
STATE AFFAIRS
TN GOVT. INTRODUCES VINAYAKA IDOLS THAT GROWS INTO PLANTS:
As environment-friendly Vinayaka idols are catching up with devotees, the Horticulture department has introduced seed-embedded Vinayaka idols for sales this year. Each idol, placed in a clay pot, costs ₹200. The department also has asked their units in districts to manufacture similar idols. Vinayaka idols has only seeds of vegetables such as brinjal, tomato, chilly and green vegetables. The idea is to prevent pollution and encourage germination of plants.
TAMILNADU PLANS UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS:
In a bid to unravel the past trade links of the ancient Tamils, the State Archaeology Department is planning to carry out underwater excavations in areas of the port cities and towns that existed during the Sangam and medieval periods. The objective is to probe trade contacts with Greek, Roman and Arab merchants. The last time the State Archaeology Department took up underwater excavations was in the 1990s, off Poompuhar. The underwater excavations are part of the massive excavation chart the department has planned in multiple sites across the State for the forthcoming year.
FAST TRACK POCSO COURTS MOOTED IN THREE DISTRICTS:
The department of social welfare has mooted the setting up of three special fast track courts that will exclusively handle cases booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Currently, there are over 2,000 cases pending under the Act and Chennai has over 300 cases pending since the last two years. The courts proposed are for Chennai, Thoothukudi and Kancheepuram districts. At present, there are no courts that are exclusively dealing with POCSO. Cases under this Act are currently being tried by Mahila courts which are present in most districts.
SOME PROVISIONS OF POCSO AMENDMENT ACT 2019:
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 1
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
WCD MINISTER FELICITATES STATES AND DISTRICTS UNDER BBBP SCHEME : NAMMAKAL AND TIRUVALLUR
The Union Minister of Women and Child Development , Smriti Zubin Irani, felicitated districts and states which have successfully implemented the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme at a function in New Delhi . Ten districts selected for improvement in SRB were also felicitated during the programme. The ten districts are: East Kameng (Arunachal Pradesh), Mahendragarh and Bhiwani (Haryana), Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand), Namakkal (Tamil Nadu), Jalgaon (Maharashtra) Etawah (Uttar Pradesh), Raigarh (Chhattisgarh), Rewa (Madhya Pradesh) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan). In addition, ten districts selected for good work in awareness generation and outreach activities under BBBP were also felicitated by the Minister. These districts are: Tiruvallur (Tamil Nadu), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh) Kishtwar (J&K), Gadag (Karnataka), Wokha (Nagaland), Farrukhabad (Uttar Pradesh), and Nagaur (Rajasthan).
DIGITAL ACCELERATOR: INVESTMENT PROMOTION:
Connection with the promised investments from USA, the Tamilnadu government has launched a facility called Digital Accelerator. This is to extend assistance to all who wishes to invest in Tamil Nadu. The facility will be executed with aid of American Tamil Entrepreneurs Association.
NILGIRI TAHR‟S POPULATION UP 27% IN THREE YEARS IN TN:
In more good news for the State animal, the Nilgiri tahr, its sightings in the Mukurthi National Park have risen from 568 in 2018 to 612 this year. This was the second consecutive year that an increase in the population of the animal had been recorded in the park, meaning the population of the Nilgiri tahr, also known as the Nilgiri ibex, has risen by 132 since 2016. Nilgiri thar is endemic to Western ghats and listed in Endangered category of IUCN redlist.
ABOUT MUKURTHI PARK :
Mukurthi National Park is a 78.46 km2 (30.3 sq mi) protected area located in Nilgiris Plateau, the Western Ghats. The park was created to protect its keystone species, the Nilgiri tahr.
MADURAI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE NAMED SECOND-BEST „SWACHH ICONIC PLACE‟:
The famed Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai has been adjudged the second-best ‗Swachh Iconic Place‘ (clean place) in India. Ten places were identified by the Central government as part of the 'Swachh Iconic Places' initiative earlier this year. Madurai Corporation Commissioner S. Visakan received the award from the Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi recently.
MADRAS HIGH COURT CHIEF JUSTICE TAHILRAMANI TRANSFERD TO MEGHALAYA HIGH COURT:
The collegium, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, recommended transfer of Justice Tahilramani, who was elevated as the Chief Justice of Madras High Court on August 8 last year, to the Meghalaya High Court.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 2
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
The Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, Ajay Kumar Mittal has been posted in her place. After that, Justice Tahilramani has submitted her resignation to the President. She became a judge of Bombay High Court in 2001.
TAMIL NADU RANKS LOWEST IN COVERAGE OF IODISED SALT:
Tamil Nadu has the lowest consumption of iodised salt despite being the third biggest producer of salt in the country, according to a first-of-its-kind national survey to measure the coverage of iodised salt. The study shows that 76.3% of Indian households consumed adequately iodised salt, which is salt with at least 15 parts per million of iodine. The five worst performers were Tamil Nadu (61.9%), Andhra Pradesh (63.9%), Rajasthan (65.5%), Odisha (65.8%) and Jharkhand (68.8%). The survey was conducted by Nutrition International in collaboration with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and the Indian Coalition for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD). Gujarat produces 71% of salt in the country, followed by Rajasthan at 17% and Tamil Nadu at 11%. The rest of the country accounts for a mere 1% of salt produced.
ALGAL BLOOM KILLS FISH OFF PAMBAN COAST:
Thousands of fish floated dead off the shores of Pamban till Rameswaram following a sudden toxic algal bloom, forcing scientists to issue warning against people consuming them. A 10-km stretch of the shoreline between Kunthukal in Pamban and Vedalai in the Gulf of Mannar turned green and witnessed mass fish deaths. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute conducted tests and concluded that the sudden blooming of ‗Noctiluca marine microalgae‘ was to blamey for the incident.
AUTOMATIC RAIN GAUGE @ 1300 SPOTS
The government has engaged a consultant to set up telemetric automatic rain gauges, automatic weather stations, automatic water level recorders. They will be set up in about 1,300 locations in revenue sub-divisions and blocks in Tamil Nadu. The idea is to develop a comprehensive real-time hydro/meteorological data collection system in phases to acquire reliable data.
PUBLIC EXAMS MANDATORY FOR CLASS 5 AND 8 STUDENTS:
The Tamil Nadu Government on Friday issued an order making public examination mandatory for school students of class 5 and 8 from the current academic year. The Principal Secretary, School Education Department, Pradeep Yadav stated that GO no 164 dated September 13 issued as per amendment to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which stated that there shall be a regular examination in the fifth class and in the eighth class at the end of every academic year. If a child fails in the examination he shall be granted opportunity for re-examination within a period of two months from the date of declaration of the result.
T.N. RELEASES E-VEHICLE POLICY:
In an attempt to give a boost to the manufacture and use of electric vehicles in the State, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday released the Tamil Nadu Electric Vehicle Policy, 2019. The policy called for 100% road tax exemption till December 30, 2022, besides a waiver of registration charges for electric two-wheelers. These sops are expected to push up sales of electric vehicles.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 3
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
KEEZHADI ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE, SIVAGANGAI
The Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department (TNAD) has stated that the cultural deposits unearthed during excavations at Keeladi in Sivaganga district, could be dated to a period between 6th century BCE and 1st century CE. A report titled, ‗Keeladi-An Urban Settlement of Sangam Age on the Banks of River Vaigai‘ has been published by the TNAD. The new findings in the report placed the Keeladi artefacts about 300 years earlier than previously believed. This is a major turning point in the cultural historiography of the ancient Sangam Age.The Sangam age is considered to be between 300BC and AD300. But a new report after determining the age through carbon dating of materials unearthed shows the Sangam period could be dated between 600BC and 100 AD. The results from the fourth excavations suggest that the ―second urbanization[the first being Indus] of Vaigai plains happened in Tamil Nadu around 6th century BCE as it happened in Gangetic plains.‖ The new findings prove that an advanced urban habitation existed in Keeladi from 600 BC. Six carbon samples collected from the fourth season (2018) of excavations at Keeladi were sent to Beta Analytic Lab, Miami, Florida, U.S., for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) dating. This excavation site is located 12 km southeast of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, near the town of Keeladi (also spelt as Keezhadi) in Sivagangai district.
TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT MUSIC AND FINE ARTS UNIVERSITY RENAMED AFTER JAYALALITHA TO PAY TRIBUTE:
According to a Government Order issued, the Tamil Nadu Government Music and Fine Arts University has been renamed after J Jayalalithaa. The order also said the Tamil Nadu Government Music and Fine Arts University Act 2013 would soon be amended. Founded by Jayalalithaa in 2013, who also served as its first Chancellor, it has four colleges each in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Thiruvayar.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 4
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
KEEZHADI EXCAVATION: MKU, HARVARD UNIVERSITY TO COLLABORATE IN DNA STUDY:
State Department of Archaeology will enter into a tripartite memorandum of understanding with Madurai Kamaraj University and Harvard Medical School to take up ancient DNA study of human bones excavated or to be excavated from Keeladi, Konthagai and Adichanallur sites in Tamil Nadu. The State Department of Archaeology has already collected skeletal fragments from Keeladi and Adichanallur. These samples will be sent for ancient DNA study. It will predominantly reveal what kind of gene was in the human bones excavated/ to be excavated in Tamil Nadu.
KERALA AND TAMIL NADU AGREE TO REVIEW 60-YEAR-OLD PARAMBIKULAM-ALIYAR WATER AGREEMENT:
In a historic development, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have decided to review the Parambikulam-Aliyar water sharing agreement, 60 years after it came into existence. The Parambikulam-Aliyar agreement is 60 years old and we have decided to review it. A secretary level committee consisting of five people from each state will be formed. Technical expertise will also be provided. The Chief Secretaries of both the states will convene meetings and review the progress once in six months. The Parambikulam-Aliyar Project provides water for drinking and irrigation in Coimbatore, Tlruppur and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu and Palakkad in Kerala. The agreement will also look into the diversion and integration of rivers in Anamalaiyar and Nirar-Nallar. The PAP treaty was inked on May 29, 1970, with retrospective effect from November 9, 1958.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS:
HRD MINISTRY LAUNCHES SCHOOL EDUCATION PORTAL „SHAGUN:
The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry on Wednesday announced the launch of Shagun portal in a bid to enhance the accessibility of information relating to schools and to ensure a holistic approach to transform the education sector. Websites of 1,200 Kendriya Vidyalayas, 600 Navodaya Vidyalayas, 18,000 other CBSE affiliated schools, 30 SCERTs and 19,000 organisations affiliated with the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) are integrated with Shagun. Report-cards of 15 lakh schools all over the country will be available on the portal. The portal seeks to connect around 92 lakh teachers and 26 crore students.
SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN LAUNCHED THE NATIONAL LAB DIRECTORY:
The Union Minister of Consumer affairs launched the National Lab Directorywhich is a one-stop-shop for all testing needs of the industries, academia, researchers and other stakeholders who need to get their Testing Facilities accredited / certified / recognised. The National Lab Directory presently encompasses NABL accredited, BIS Recognised/Empanelled Labs, Hallmarking Labs.4500 labs have now been linked through this directory The labs which are recognised/notified by FASAI, APEDA, EIC, can also be indicated accordingly. All testing facilities for various labs can be searched by Products, IS standards, etc. This Directory will benefit all stakeholders such as manufacturers, consumers, regulatory agencies, government and research institutions in identifying the test facilities that are required for assessing conformity of relevant products or in testing for the purpose of research and development.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 5
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
NRC ASSAM FINAL LIST DECLARED:
NRC Assam Final List: More than 19 lakh people in Assam have been excluded while 3.11 Cr people found eligible for inclusion. Those people who are facing statelessness can file an appeal in Foreigners‘ Tribunal. Millions of Assam residents finally got to know whether they are Indian citizens or ‗foreigners‘. The government has given 120 days‘ time to those excluded from the NRC to appeal in the court.They will have to appeal against it at Foreigners' Tribunals (FT), a quasi-judicial court and subsequently in the high court or Supreme Court.
About Nrc:
NRC is a list of people who can prove that they came to Assam before 24 March 1971, a day before India's neighboring country Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan. The first NRC was prepared in 1951 on the basis of year's census in Assam.
MEITY AND GOOGLE TIE UP TO BUILD FOR DIGITAL INDIA:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Google on Saturday signed a statement of intent to roll-out 'Build for Digital India', a programme that will give engineering students a platform to develop market-ready, technology-based solutions that address key social problems. As part of the programme, engineering students across the country will be invited to apply and join in a learning journey that will help them transform their bright ideas into real-world solutions. Applicants will take part in online and offline learning opportunities on key technologies such as machine learning, cloud and android. These will be offered through Google‘s Developer Student Club network and other Google Developer networks.
4TH GLOBAL GOALKEEPER AWARD – MODI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be honoured with the prestigious ‗Global Goalkeeper Award‘ by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in October. He was selected for his leadership and commitment to the Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan which was launched on October 2, 2014. These annual awards, in five categories, are presented to leaders and individuals for their efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Categories: Progress, Changemaker, Campaign, Goalkeepers Voice and the Global Goalkeeper.
CBDT CONSTITUTES SPECIAL CELL TO ADDRESS GRIEVANCES OF START-UPS:
The Central Board of Direct Taxes -CBDT has constituted a five-member special cell to address grievances of start-ups with relation to angel tax and other tax-related issues. According to the Finance Ministry, the cell will work towards redressal of grievances and mitigate tax- related issues in case of start-up entities with respect to the administration of Income-tax Act,1961. Start-up entities can approach the cell for the speedy resolution of their grievances. This initiative is the latest amongst the recent initiatives taken by the CBDT to further ease the compliance issues pertaining to start-ups.
CAMPAIGN ANGIKAAR:
The government has launched ―angikaar‖ a campaign for change management.The campaign will be initiated in all target cities on 2nd October 2019 commemorating 150th Gandhi Jayanti after preparatory phase and culminate on the occasion of Human Rights Day, 10th December, 2019.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 6
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
Angikaar has been launched for social behaviour change, focusing on issues such as water & energy conservation, waste management, health, tree plantation, sanitation and hygiene. It has been launched for beneficiaries of completed houses under PMAY (U), through community mobilisation and IEC activities. The campaign will converge with schemes and Missions of other Ministries dealing with these subjects. The convergence would especially focus on Ujjwala for gas connection and Ayushman Bharat for health insurance to the beneficiaries of PMAY (U).
PRESIDENT APPOINTS FIVE NEW GOVERNORS:
The Centre appointed new Governors for five States. A communique from the Rashtrapati Bhavan said President Ram Nath Kovind had appointed new Governors for Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Telangana. Dr. Tamilisai becomes the Second lady to be appointed as Governor from Tamilnadu. Jothi Venkatachalam was the first woman from Tamilnadu to be appointed as Governor.
ANDHRA PRADESH GETS INDIA'S LONGEST ELECTRIFIED RAIL TUNNEL:
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday inaugurated India's longest electrified rail tunnel. Situated between Cherlopalli and Rapuru stations of Andhra Pradesh, the 6.6-km long tunnel is a part of the Obulavaripalli-Venkatachalam railway line. The newly constructed tunnel will provide seamless rail connectivity between Krishnapatnam Port and the hinterland areas for freight movement. The 112-km long electrified railway line between Venkatachalam and Obulavaripalli will reduce the the travel time by 5 hours. Currently, the freight train takes 10 hours to travel from Krishnapatnam Port to Obulavaripali. Venkaiah Naidu termed the tunnel an "engineering marvel." Some features are,
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 7
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
4TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ASSOCIATION OF WORLD ELECTION BODIES:
Election Commission is hosting the 4th General Assembly of Association of World Election Bodies (A- WEB) at Bengaluru. will take over as A-WEB‘s Chair for the 2019-21 term.
ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION OF WORLD ELECTION BODIES (A-WEB):
It is the largest association of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide. Established on October 14, 2013 in Song-do, South Korea.Permanent secretariat is located at Seoul. Aims to foster efficiency and effectiveness in conducting free, fair, transparent and participative elections worldwide. Composition: 115 EMBs as Members & 20 Regional Associations/Organisations as Associate Members. 24 EMBs from Asia, 37 from Africa, 31 from America, 17 from Europe & 6 from Oceania presently are members of A WEB.
ELECTORS VERIFICATION PROGRAMME (EVP):
Electors‘ Verification Programme (EVP) is an initiative from the Election Commission of India. The aim was to make electoral rolls error free.The EVP will continue till October 15. The citizens will be allowed to submit verified documents from Digi locker also.
NEW HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME, „AB-MGRSBY‟ LAUNCHED IN RAJASTHAN:
The Rajasthan state government has launched a new health insurance scheme called Ayushman Bharat- Mahatma Gandhi Rajasthan Swasthya Bima Yojna (AB-MGRSBY) by integrating the Bhamashah Health Insurance Scheme(BSBY) of the State Government and Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna Scheme(AB-PMJAY) of the Central Government. Around 1.1 crore families will be covered under this Health Scheme. The sum insured now is Rs. 30000 for general diseases and Rs. 3 lakh per year for serious diseases, despite merger with Centre‘s AB-PMJAY, which provides coverage of Rs.5 lakh per year. Eligibility: Only the natives of Rajasthan can take advantage of this scheme. The poor families covered in any of National Food Security Act (NFSA) and Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 are considered eligible for the scheme.
GLOBAL HAPPINESS STUDY:
India ranked ninth on happiness index among 28 global markets. The Global Happiness Study surveyed over 1000 individuals in each of the 28 countries. Over 77% Indian respondents reported that they were happy. The Report realead by IPSOS. The ranking is as follows 1. Australia and Canada 2. China 3. Great Britain 4. France 5. USA 6. Saudi Arabia 7. Germany 8. India .
TITAGARH WAGONS DELIVERS SECOND RESEARCH VESSEL - SAGAR ANVESHIKA TO NIOT:
Titagarh Wagons has further reiterated its commitment towards the Government's vision of 'Make in India', by successfully launching the second Research Vessel - SAGAR ANVESHIKA. With this launch, Titagarh Wagons has become the only private shipyard to build and deliver complex vessels ahead of schedule. SAGAR TARA, the first of the Coastal Research Vessels which was built for National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, was launched in December 2018 and has been delivered to NIOT in August 2019.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 8
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
INDIA TO UNDERTAKE DEEP OCEAN MINING WITH „SAMUDRAYAAN‟ PROJECT:
After Chandrayaan, India‘s is planning to explore the deep sea region with the 'Samudrayaan' project. The 'Samudrayaan' project proposes to send men into the deep sea in a submersible vehicle for ocean studies. The project is expected to become a reality by 2021-22. The project has been undertaken by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). NIOT Director MA Atmanand said that NIOT has similarly undertaken Samudrayaan as ISRO has envisioned carrying an astronaut to space under its 2022 'Gaganyaan' mission. The 'Samudrayaan' is a pilot project of the Ministry of Earth Sciences for deep ocean mining for rare minerals. Under the proposed 'Samudrayaan' project, three men will be sent into deep sea in a submersible vehicle to a depth of about 6000 metres to carry out various deep underwater studies.
THESE TWO INDIAN CITIES ARE IN GLOBAL LIVEABILITY INDEX 2019:
In India, New Delhi and Mumbai rank 118th and 119th out of 140 cities according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index 2019 released on Wednesday. The survey ranks countries across indicators including stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, culture and environment. Vienna in Austria, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia make the top three cities while Damascus in Syria, Lagos in Nigeria and Dhaka in Bangladesh rank in the bottom. The index assesses which locations around the world provide the best or the worst living conditions. Each factor in a city is rated as acceptable, tolerable, uncomfortable, undesirable or intolerable. New Delhi dropped six places to 118, from 112 last year. Mumbai also fell in this year‘s index, by two places to 119, from 117 last year.
KVIC LAUNCHES „TERRACOTTA GRINDER‟ AT VARANASI TO REUSE WASTED POTTERY:
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) launched first ever ‗Terracotta Grinder‘ at Sewapuri in Varanasi, Uttar Preadesh. This machine will grind the wasted and broken pottery items for re-using in pottery-making. It was designed by KVIC Chairman, Vinai Kumar Saxena.It was fabricated by a Rajkot-based engineering unit. Earlier the wasted pottery items were grinded in normal khal-musal (mortar and pestle) and its fine powder was mixed with normal clay but now the new Terracotta grinder will make grinding of wasted pottery items faster than the traditional mortar and pestle.
INDIA, RUSSIA INK PROPOSAL ON DEVELOPING CHENNAI-VLADIVOSTOK SEA ROUTE:
The 20th India—Russia Annual Summit was held in Vladivostok. PM Modi also participated in the 5th Eastern Economic Forum as the Chief Guest. The two leaders held the delegation-level talks at the India-Russia 20th Annual Summit after a two-hour tete-a-tete on board a ship, aimed at strengthening the special and privileged relationship between the two sides. Modi becomes the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Russian Far East region.Plans to increase bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2025 were announced. A Memorandum of Intent was signed to have a full-fledged maritime route between Chennai and Vladivostok.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 9
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
NUAKHAI JUHAR: ODISHA‟S HARVEST FESTIVAL CELEBRATED:
Nuakhai Juhar, a harvest festival welcoming the newly harvest crop of the season was celebrated in Odisha. It is one of the most ancient festivals celebrated in Odisha to welcome new crop of the season. It is an important social festival of Western Odisha and is an agricultural festival. It is also called Nuakhai Parab or Nuakahi Bhetghat.Observed on: It is observed on Panchami Tithi of month of Bhadraba. Nuakhai is derived from two words- ‗nua‘ means new and ‗khai‘ means eat, therefore it signifies ―eating of new rice‖. Farmers offer the 1st produce from their lands to Goddess Samaleswari, the famous mother goddess of Sambalpur district of Odisha and then consume it personally.
DAWOOD, MASOOD AZHAR AMONG 4 DECLARED „INDIVIDUAL TERRORISTS
Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Mumbai terror attack accused Zaki-ur-Rehman-Lakhvi and fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim were declared individual terrorists by the government under a new anti-terror law. The decision was taken nearly a month after Parliament approved a crucial amendment to The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 1967. They are the first to be declared terrorists under the new anti-terror law. According to the UAPA, earlier only a group could be declared as terrorist organisation. The amendments made in the Act now allows the government to declare even an individual as a terrorist. Azhar was also designated as a global terrorist by the UN under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1267 on May 1, 2019 and was declared as a proclaimed offender by the special judge (POTA), New Delhi.
TRAVEL AND TOURISM COMPETITIVENESS INDEX:
India has moved up six places to rank 34th on the World Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2019, released by the World Economic Forum. India was ranked 40th in 2018. Spain, France, Germany, Japan and the United States are the world‘s most travel-ready nations. Japan remains Asia's most competitive travel and tourism economy, ranking 4th globally. China is the largest travel and tourism economy in Asia-Pacific and 13th most competitive globally. The 140 economies are ranked in four sub-indexes: o Enabling environment, o Travel and tourism policy and enabling conditions, o Infrastructure, and o Natural and cultural resources.
EXERCISE YUDH-ABHYAS 2019 BEGINS BETWEEN INDIA AND USA:
The joint military exercise, Yudh Abhyas 2019, begins on September 5, 2019, at the Joint Base Lewis Macard near Washington between India and USA. This exercise will last until 18 September. It is one of the biggest joint military exercise and defence corporation endeavours between India and the USA. Yudh Abhyas 2019 is the 15th edition of the joint military exercise hosted alternately between the two countries. The armies of India and USA will jointly plan, train and execute a series of well developed operations for neutralization of threats of varied nature.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 10
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
SCHEME TO SCREEN CHILDREN FOR LEPROSY & TB:
The Union government has rolled out a scheme for universal screening of children below 18 years for leprosy and tuberculosis (TB). It is going to benefit almost 25 crore children and adolescents annually. This will help in ensuring timely screening for the diseases and will put them on treatment (if required). Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) Mobile Health teams will act as the delivery agent for the scheme. They will perform the screening of children for TB and Leprosy. Earlier, the screening of children of age group 0-6 years was done at Anganwadis and children of 6-18 years group were enrolled in government and government-aided schools.
INDIA DECLARES ITSELF “AVIAN INFLUENZA FREE”
India has been declared free of Avian Influenza (H5N1). According to Animal Husbandry Department, with effect from September 3, the OIE-World Organisation for Animal Health declared the country free of the virus Avian Influenza was first reported from Hongkong in 1997. India too has had multiple outbreaks since 2005. India was last declared free of the disease in 2017. After subsequent outbreaks, India is declared free of the disease for the second time.
NEW DRUG FOR CATTLE POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO VULTURES:
Introduction of new drugs for cattle in the country is causing serious concern among vulture conservationists. Among the drugs, flunixin is considered one of the most dangerous and activists have urged the Tamil Nadu animal husbandry authorities to stop its use, saying it poses a big threat to the highly endangered vulture population. Just 1% of this new drug in veterinary dispensaries will negatively impact the small population of vultures.Earlier purchase of ―ketoprofen‖ drug was stopped and use of ―diclofenac‖ was reduced to save vulture population.
TELANGANA – MEGA FOOD PARK
Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Badal inaugurated the First Mega Food Park of Telangana in Lakkampally, Nizamabad District. The project aims to give a major boost to the food processing sector. Such parks add value and reduce food wastage at each stage of the supply chain with particular focus on perishables. They connect modern food processing units with agricultural /horticultural zone.
HYDERABAD KARNATAKA REGION RENAMED „KALYANA KARNATAKA‟:
After completing the official procedure for renaming Hyderabad Karnataka region Chief Minister of Karnataka B.S. Yediyurappa made the official proclamation to rename the region as Kalyana Karnataka. The Hyderabad Karnataka region comprises six north-eastern districts of Karnataka: Bidar, Kalaburagi, Koppal, Ballari, Yadgir and Raichur. The announcement was made by CM ahead of hosting of national flag in Kalaburagi on occasion of commemoration of ‗Hyderabad-Karnataka Liberation Day‘. All other formalities relating to renaming would follow in consultation with Centre.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 11
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
The name ‗Kalya‘ (in ‗Kalyana Karnataka‘) comes from Kingdom of Kalyana, which was the epicenter of Sharana movement and Vachana Sahitaya preached and followed by several social reformers, including Basvanna.
INDIA, SOUTH KOREA EXTEND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT TO NAVIES:
In a significant upgrade in bilateral defence ties, India and South Korea inked a naval logistics sharing pact and have formulated a road map for joint production and research for military systems during a high-level visit by defence minister Rajnath Singh to Seoul. It assures logistic support to India when it operates in the Indo-Pacific in the ports of South Korea. South Korean industry was invited to manufacture the components used in main weapon systems under Make in India.
CONFERENCE ON MILITARY MEDICINES: SCO MEMBERS
The conference on Military Medicine for Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) Member States will be held in New Delhi on 12 – 13 September, 2019. It will be the ―first Military co-operation event‖ hosted by India, under the SCO Defence Co-operation Plan 2019-2020. The conference will be conducted by the Indian Armed Forces under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), with the aim to share best practices in the field of military medicine, build capacities and overcome common challenges. The SCO Member States will be represented by senior military medical practitioners India became a SCO Member State in 2017. Conference was hosted by Indian Armed Forces under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff.
SLINEX 2019: INDIA AND SRI LANKA CONDUCTS JOINT NAVAL EXERCISE:
The ‗SLINEX 2019‘, the bilateral maritime exercise between India and Sri Lanka commenced on 7 September 2019 and will go on till September 14th. Sri Lankan Navy has sent two offshore patrol vessels SLNS Sindurala and SLNS Suranimala to India to participate in seventh annual Joint Indo-Lanka Maritime Fleet Exercise- SLINEX 2019. The offshore patrol vessels, SLNS Sindurala and Suranimala left from Trincomalee Port (of Sri Lanka) for India and arrived in port of Visakhapatnam (India). SLINEX (Sri Lanka India Naval Exercise) will be attended by 323 Sri Lankan navy personnel including Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Fleet. First ever SLINEX exercise took place in 2005.
KARGIL TO KOHIMA ULTRA-MARATHON- “GLORY RUN” :
To commemorate 20th year of Kargil Victory and to live up to the true tradition and motto of Indian Air Force - ―Touch the Sky with Glory‖, a unique expedition Kargil to Kohima, Ultra-Marathon- ―Glory Run‖ is undertaken by IAF from Kargil War Memorial, Drass (J&K) to Kohima War Cemetery, Kohima (Nagaland). Kohima and Kargil are the two forward most outposts of India in the East and in the North where two most fierce battle of modern India were fought in 1944 and 1999 respectively. K2K – Glory Run will commence on 21 Sep 19 and culminate on 06 Nov 19. A team of 25 Air Warriors will cover the distance of more than 4500 Km in 45 days by running an average of 100 Km per day. The aim of the expedition is to promote awareness for ‗Pedestrian Safety‘ and recently launched ‗Fit India Movement‘ along with paying tribute to brave hearts who made the supreme sacrifice.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 12
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
WESTERN AIR COMMAND COMMANDERS‟ CONFERENCE 2019
A two-day long Western Air Command, Commanders‘ Conference 2019 was held in New Delhi. Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa was the chief guest of the Conference. The Conference witnessed the discussions on critical analysis of operational preparedness and training including measures to promote high utility of combat assets.
ROHIT4RHINOS CAMPAIGN
India vice-captain Rohit Sharma is launching Rohit4Rhinos campaign, in partnership with WWF India and Animal Planet. It aims to help build awareness for the need to conserve the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros or the Indian Rhino. In a campaign launching on Animal Planet to commemorate World Rhino Day on September 22.
NEHRU YUVA KENDRA SANGATHAN (NYKS):
NYKS will prepare Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in collaboration with NDRF to be launched on pilot basis in 32 Districts of 28 States/UTs.
ABOUT:
Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) has taken up an initiative on preparing Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) of NYKS Youth Volunteers for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in collaboration with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). It is proposed to establish institutional mechanism for engagement of NYKS by creating Block Level Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) of volunteers as first responders in NDRF selected hazard prone districts. Initially, institutional mechanism is going to be on a pilot basis in 32 multi-hazard Districts of 28 States/UTs. It is expected to train more than 50,000 youth associated with NYKS till 2024.
J&K, LADAKH UNION TERRITORIES TO HAVE COMMON HIGH COURT:
The two Union Territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will have a common high court, Jammu and Kashmir High Court. The information was shared by the State Judicial Academy's Director Rajeev Gupta on September 8, 2019. Under the centre‘s announcement after revoking of Article 370, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will have a legislative Assembly, while the Union Territory of Ladakh will come under the direct control of the Union Government. The two Union Territories will now share a common high court. While some laws will change, the existing law procedure for practice in the high court will remain the same.
INDIA‟S FIRST-EVER HELICOPTER SUMMIT HELD IN DEHRADUN:
Union Ministry of Civil Aviation organised country‘s first ever helicopter summit at Sahastradhara helidrome in Dehradun, capital of Uttarakhand. The summit was based on theme of expanding connectivity through helicopters. The first-of-its-kind conclave, a Helicopter Summit- 2019 was organised jointly by Civil Aviation Ministry, Uttarakhand government and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI). Indian Air Force (IAF) was also invited at the summit to talk on ‗Role of IAF helicopters in MEDEVAC i.e. medical evacuation at National level‗.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 13
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON BUCKWHEAT – MEGHALAYA:
In Meghalaya, a four-day international symposium on buckwheat with the theme "diversifying food systems for health and nutritional security" was organised by North Eastern Hills University, Shillong from 3rd to 6th September 2019. Buckwheat suppresses weeds and attracts beneficial insects and pollinators with its abundant blossoms. It extracts soil phosphorus from soil better than most grain-type cover crops. Buckwheat is a relatively low input crop that has relatively high yields even in marginal soil. Since it adds nutrients to the soil, it makes a good cover crop or rotational crop. Buckwheat thrives in cool, moist conditions but it is not frosted tolerant. The flour of buckwheat can be used either as food or as medicine. As a medicine, buckwheat is used to improve blood flow by strengthening veins and small blood vessels.
HEALTH MINISTER ANNOUNCES PLANS OF GENOMIC GRID FOR INDIA-SPECIFIC CANCER RESEARCH:
In a move to take cancer research to the next level and make treatment viable for people of different economic classes, the government has plans to set up a National Genomic Grid, which will study genomic data of cancer patients from India. The grid to be formed will be in line with the National Cancer Tissue Biobank (NCTB) set up at the Indian Indian Institute of Technology, Madras It will collect samples from cancer patients to study genomic factors influencing cancer and identifying the right treatment modalities for the Indian population. The NCTB is functioning in close association with the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR). NCTB, which has the capacity to stock 50,000 genomic samples from cancer patients, already has samples from 3,000 patients.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR BIFURCATION: GOVERNMENT FORMS 3-MEMBER PANEL TO OVERSEE BIFURCATION OF J&K:
A three-member panel has been formed by the Union Government to oversee the implementation of bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. The 3-member advisory committee will be headed by former defence secretary Sanjay Mitra and its members include retired IAS officer Arun Goyal and retired Indian Civil Accounts Service officer Giriraj Prasad. The 3-member committee will have to oversee the distribution of assets and liabilities between the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The Union Territory status will come into effect from October 31.
INDIA-NEPAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS PIPELINE INAUGURATED:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepal counterpart KP Sharma Oli jointly inaugurated South Asia‘s first cross-border petroleum products pipeline from Motihari (in Bihar) in India to Amlekhgunj in Nepal through video conference.
About Motihari-Amlekhgunj pipeline
It is a first-ever cross-border petroleum products pipeline in the South Asia region. The Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum products pipeline is a 69-kilometre pipeline with a capacity of 2 million metric ton (MMT) per annum. In the first phase, the pipeline will be used to supply diesel from India. Nepalese government has made necessary arrangement for Nepal Army to provide security to pipeline on their side of border.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 14
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
GOVT LAUNCHED MULTILINGUAL 'CHC FARM MACHINERY' MOBILE APP FOR FARMERS:
The Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Purushottam Rupala recently launched a multilingual mobile app 'CHC Farm Machinery' during the National Conference on crop residue Management for farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. CHC Farm Machinery Mobile App connects the farmers with Custom Hiring Service Centers in their area. Farmers can download this mobile app on any android phone from Google Play Store. Farmers can get affordable access to cutting-edge technology at their doorsteps with the help of this mobile app.
ANGAN‟- A THREE-DAY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDING :
An international conference ANGAN (Augmenting Nature by Green Affordable New-habitat) focussed on Energy Efficiency in Building Sector began at newdelhi. Organised by: Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, GIZ organisation of Germany Idea Proposed: Investing Rs.2000 billion in Building energy efficiency activities would lead to a savings of 388 Billion units of electricity for the next ten years.
WITH 10 UNICORNS, DELHI-NCR IS THE NEW STARTUP CAPITAL OF INDIA:
The Delhi-NCR region now counts more startups and unicorns than Bengaluru and Mumbai, says a report released by TiE Delhi-NCR and consulting firm Zinnov Delhi-NCR is home to 10 unicorns, or those with a valuation of at least $1 billion, with at least one added each year since 2013. A total of 7,000 startups were founded in Delhi-NCR since 2009, according to the the TiE-Zinnov report. With suitable government and private sector interventions, Delhi-NCR could become one of the top 5 global startup hubs in 2025.
PRIME MINISTER LAUNCHES NATIONAL ANIMAL DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAMME AND NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION PROGRAMME:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NACDP) to control and eradicate the Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis amongst the livestock in the country, at Mathura. The 12,652 Crore fully Central Government sponsored programme will vaccinate over 600 million cattle in the country in an effort to mitigate the two diseases. The Prime Minister also launched the National Artificial Insemination Programme and a country wide workshop in all the KrishiVIgyanKendras(KVKs) in all the 687 Districts of the country on vaccination and disease management, Artificial Insemination and Productivity.
SKILL INDIA GETS ITS FIRST BATCH OF IES OFFICERS TO ISDS CADRE:
The first batch of newest central government services, ‗Indian Skill Development Services‘ (ISDS) commenced their training program at Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Mysuru, Karnataka. This is the first batch which is joining ISDS cadre from Indian Engineering Service (IES) Examination conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). ISDS is the newest Union government services The new service will give a new impetus to central government‘s skilling initiative by significantly improving efficiency and effective implementation of various schemes.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 15
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
J&K GOVERNOR LAUNCHES MARKET INTERVENTION SCHEME FOR APPLE GROWERS:
J&K Governor Satyapal Malik took the first major step for restoration of normalcy and to activate halted economy in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 with the launch of a special scheme for apple procurement from the growers. market intervention scheme to buy crop worth Rs.8,000 crore directly from the farmers in Kashmir. Kashmir produces 75% of the total apple crop in the country at 20 lakh metric tonnes. Under a special Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) will make the purchase. MIS is implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.
CLEANLINESS IS SERVICE 2019 (SWACCHTA HI SEVA) – PLASTIC USAGE
Swachhata hi Seva 2019 was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mathura, Uttar Pradesh on September 11, 2019. The theme of the campaign is ‗plastic waste awareness and management‘. It aims for mass awareness generation activities on plastic waste management between September 11 and October 1. will also be a nationwide campaign for plastic waste collection and segregation on October 2
REVISING HUGE FINES UNDER MOTOR VEHICLES ACT:
Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari has said that states have ―the authority to revise fines‖ levied under the new Motor Vehicles Act. Motor Vehicles Act falls in the concurrent list so states as well as the Centre can revise and frame rules under the amended act. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, came into effect on 9 August. Gujarat government has already reduced fine amounts stipulated in the new Motor Vehicles Act.
MALARIA AND INDIA – RANK 4
According to the latest Lancet Commission report, India is ranked fourth in the number of malaria cases in the world. Out of the 219 million cases that occurred in 2017, as many as 9.6 million occurred in India. India is followed by Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo And Mozambique India aims to eliminate malaria by 2030.
SAHIBGANJ MULTIMODAL TERMINAL AT NW1:
The Multi Modal Terminal built at Sahibganj, Jharkhand has become operational. It is the Second Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) on National Waterway -1 (river Ganga). It will play an important role in transportation of domestic coal from the local mines in Rajmahal.
PM NARENDRA MODI LAUNCHES 'PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN MAAN DHAN YOJANA:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an ambitious pension scheme for farmers from Ranchi. PM-KMDY is an old age pension scheme for all land holding Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) in the country. It is voluntary and contributory for farmers in the entry age group of 18 to 40 years and a monthly pension of Rs. 3000/- will be provided to them on attaining the age of 60 years. The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) shall be the Pension Fund Manager and responsible for Pension pay out.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 16
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
If the farmer dies after the retirement date, the spouse will receive 50% of the pension as Family Pension. After the death of both the farmer and the spouse, the accumulated corpus shall be credited back to the Pension Fund. Small and Marginal Farmer (SMF) - a farmer who owns cultivable land upto 2 hectare as per land records of the concerned State/UT.
NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL FORMS COMMITTEE TO STOP ILLEGAL GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION:
Expressing concern over depleting groundwater levels, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has set up a committee to formulate steps required to prevent illegal extraction of groundwater. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the committee to evolve a robust mechanism for ensuring that groundwater is not illegally extracted and to monitor manning and functioning of Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). Committee may look into the reports already submitted. The report may be furnished within 2 months by e-mail. Committee comprises of joint secretaries of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and Union Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), National Remote Sensing Centre, National Institute of Hydrology (Roorkee) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
NATIONAL PENSION SCHEME FOR TRADERS AND SELF EMPLOYED PERSONS :
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self-Employed Persons.
About the scheme:
It is a pension scheme for the Vyaparis (shopkeepers/retail traders and self-employed persons) with annual turnover not exceeding Rs 1.5 crore. It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme.The enrolment under the scheme is free of cost for the beneficiaries.The enrolment is based upon self-certification. It has a provision for minimum assured pension of Rs 3,000/- monthly on attaining the age of 60 years. The Central Government shall give 50 % share of the monthly contribution and remaining 50% contribution shall be made by the beneficiary.
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE GRID TO BE READY BY EARLY 2020:
The work on the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) set up to track any terror suspect and prevent terrorist attacks with real time data, has been accelerated after Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently reviewed the progress of the project. The NATGRID - a robust intelligence gathering mechanism related to immigration, banking, individual tax payers, air and train travels - is likely to be operational by January 2020. The work on the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) set up to track any terror suspect and prevent terrorist attacks with real time data. The Cabinet Committee on Security had given approval to the Rs 3,400 crore project on April 8, 2010 but its work slowed down after 2012. At least 10 central agencies like IB, R&AW and others will have access to the data on a secured platform for counter-terror investigations.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 17
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
UN HONOUR FOR INDIAN WOMEN POLICE OFFICERS
Five Indian women police officers were honoured by the United Nations for their commendable services in the world body‘s mission in South Sudan. They are, o Reena Yadav (Inspector Chandigarh Police) o Gopika Jahagirdar (DSP, Maharashtra Police) o Bharati Samantray (DSP, Ministry of Home Affairs) o Ragini Kumari (Inspector, Ministry of Home Affairs) o Kamal Shekhawat (ASP, Rajasthan Police)
CENTRAL EQUIPMENT IDENTITY REGISTER
Union Telecom Minister has launched the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR). It aims to curtail the rampant cloning and theft of mobile phones across the country. CEIR is a database of International Mobile Equipment Identities (IMEIs), the 15-digit numbers that uniquely identify each mobile device.
MARITIME COMMUNICATION SERVICES IN INDIA:
Maritime Communication Services to offer broadband services to support those travelling at sea was launched at Mumbai, Maharashtra. Along with Maritime Communication Services, a web portal for reporting stolen mobiles to help trace them was also launhced. This portal is under a project called Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) system, which has been undertaken by Department of Telecom for addressing security, theft and other concerns including reprogramming of mobile handsets. Nelco Ltd which is India‘s leading VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) solutions provider will now provide quality broadband services to maritime sector. VSAT technology offers a satellite internet connection globally. Nelco is the first Indian company to offer communication services to the maritime sector in Indian waters.
EXERCISE HIMVIJAY:
The exercise codenamed as ‗HimVijay‘ is scheduled to be carried out by Indian Armed Forces in October 2019 in Arunachal Pradesh, close to borders with China. HimVijay exercise is planned by India at over 10,000 feet in the northeast (in Arunachal Pradesh). It will be held a little further from Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. This would be the 1st and biggest ever war game done by the strike corps in the eastern region.
RAJASTHAN LAUNCHED „JAN SOOCHNA PORTAL‟:
The state government of Rajasthan launched ‗Jan Soochna Portal‘, a portal for quick access to information on government departments. The public information portal has been developed by state‘s information and technology (IT) department. In portal 23-24 types of information will be made available pertaining to 13 departments on a single platform. The information will also be available on self-service ‗E-Mitra Plus‗ kiosk. Rajasthan has now become first state in country to provide information about a dozen departments on a single platform. It is under Rajasthan Innovation Vision (RAJIV) campaign.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 18
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
LEADS INDEX 2019
The Commerce and Industry minister Piyush Goyal released a report on the 2nd edition of perception- based index of mobility of goods and efficiency, the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) index in New Delhi. As per the LEADS Index 2019, the top-ranking state in the logistics sector is Gujarat followed by Punjab and Andhra Pradesh. Among the hilly eastern states, Tripura is the top performer and among Union Territories (UTs) Chandigarh was selected as the best performing UT. The LEADS Index is an effort by the Commerce and Industry Ministry to establish the baseline of performance in the logistics sector, based on the perception of users and stakeholders at the state level. The top three ranking states in 2019 were ranked in the same position in its previous index also. The index is developed by commerce and industry ministry along with the company Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu Ltd (Deloitte).
INDIA‟S FIRST INTERNATIONAL WOMEN‟S TRADE CENTRE – KERALA
Kerala is going to set up India‘s first International Women‘s Trade Centre (iWTC) in Kozhikode. It aims to boost women entrepreneurship and secure gender parity. It is an important Gender Park under the Department of Social Justice of Kerala Government.
DOORDARSHAN COMPLETES 60 YEARS OF EXISTENCE:
Doordarshan (DD) is an autonomous public service broadcaster founded by the Government of India and owned by the Information and Broadcasting (I & B) Ministry of India The public broadcaster started its journey on this day in 1959 from Delhi On April 1, 1976, it was separated from All India Radio and became a new department under the Ministry of I & B.
SURVEY OF INDIA TO DEPLOY 300 DRONES FOR MAPPING COUNTRY
India‘s oldest scientific department, the Survey of India (SoI) — historically tasked with mapping the country — will for the first time rely on drones to map the country. Currently the best SoI maps have a resolution of 1:250000, meaning a 1 cm on the map represents 2500 cm on the ground. The new maps will be of 1:500 resolution, meaning 1 cm will represent 500 cm. Survey of India, which came into being 1767.It is under the Department of Science & Technology.
TIME-BANK IN MADHYA PRADESH:
Recently, the Madhya Pradesh government‘s Happiness department has planned to set up a TimeBank. TimeBank is a reciprocal service exchange which uses units of time as a currency. Whenever a bank member needs a service or wants to acquire a new skill (Ex: playing a guitar), she/he could exchange a credit, worth an hour, with another member knowing the skill. The first Time Bank was set up in Japan in 1973.
1ST WOMEN DEFENCE AIR ATTACHE @ MOSCOW
Wing Commander Anjali Singh, an aeronautical engineer who specialises in handling fighter jets has taken over as the Deputy Air attaché at the Indian embassy in Moscow. She is the first woman officer has been posted as a defence attaché in an Indian mission abroad. A military attaché is a military expert who is attached to a diplomatic mission, often an embassy.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 19
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR CLEAN COAL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT INAUGURATED AT IISC, BENGALURU: Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, today inaugurated the National Centre for Clean Coal Research and Development at Indian Institute of Science (IISc)-Bengaluru. Objective o Development of Clean Coal technologies o Developing supercritical power plant technologies. The research in clean coal domain will be helpful for meeting the energy needs of the country.
SITMEX-19: TRILATERAL EXERCISE BETWEEN INDIA- SINGAPORE-THAILAND BEGINS:
A trilateral maritime exercise between India- Singapore-Thailand (SITMEX-19) has been started with its sea phase in the Andaman Sea. SITMEX-19 is being organized between Indian Navy, Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). The five-day-long exercise is aimed at bolstering the maritime inter-relationships amongst navies of Singapore, Thailand and India. Malaysia has evinced interest to join the exercise.
5TH INTERNATIONAL RAMAYAN FESTIVAL ORGANIZED IN NEW DELHI:
The 5th International Ramayan Festival organized by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is being held from 17-19 September 2019 in New Delhi. The maiden day of festival was presided by Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah as Chief Guest. The year 2019 is 5th edition of International Ramayan Festival. The festival is being organized for 5th year in row, during which 17 countries have participated with their artists and rendered their versions of Ramayan.
ABOUT INDIAN COUNCIL FOR CULTURAL RELATIONS (ICCR)
It was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad who was independent India‘s 1st Education Minister.
E-CIGARETTES BANNED The Union Cabinet has given the ―approval‖ to ban e-cigarettes. The production, manufacturing, import/export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertising related to ENDS (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems) or e-cigarettes are banned. The government has taken the ordinance route for the ban. Eighteen states and two Union territories have already prohibited the use and sale of e-cigarettes, e-hookah and vaping.
WORLD‟S LARGEST DIASPORA – INDIANS: At 17.5 million, India‘s diaspora continues to be the largest diaspora in the world. It constitutes 6.4% of the total world migrant population of 272 million in mid-2019. UAE (3.4 million), US (2.6 million) and Saudi Arabia (2.4 million) were the top three migration destinations for Indians. The report ―International Migrant Stock 2019‖ has been released by the Population Division of UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Migrants from Mexico constituted the second largest diaspora (11.8 million), followed by China (10.7 million), Russia (10.5 million), Syria (8.2 million), Bangladesh (7.8 million), Pakistan (6.3 million), Ukraine (5.9 million), the Philippines (5.4 million) and Afghanistan (5.1 million). At the Country level, United States of America is hosting the largest number of international migrants (51 million), equal to about 19 per cent of the world's total.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 20
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
IAF REOPENS ADVANCED LANDING GROUND IN ARUNACHAL: India has reopened the advanced landing ground (ALG) at Vijaynagar in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh.Vijaynagar is dominated by former Assam Rifles personnel settled there since May 1961 for strategic reasons. The Vijayanagar Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) was operational until 2016, but thereafter was declared unfit for fixed wing aircraft such as transport planes. Now an AN-32 aircraft had landed with further provisions for C-130J and C-17 heavy-lift transport aircraft landing.
NEW AIRFORCE CHIEF – RKS BHADAURIA: Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria has been appointed as the new Indian Air Force chief. A highly decorated officer, Bhadauria was instrumental in finalising the Rafale jet deal with France. He is currently vice chief of air staff and will take over the post of chief of Air staff after his predecessor BS Dhanoa retires on September 30.
MORE WOMEN AND CHILDREN SURVIVE TODAY THAN EVER BEFORE – UN REPORT: More women and their children are surviving today than ever before, according to new child and maternal mortality estimates released today by United Nations groups* led by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). Since 2000, child deaths have reduced by nearly half and maternal deaths by over one-third, mostly due to improved access to affordable, quality health services. An estimated 2.8 million pregnant women and newborns die every year, or 1 every 11 seconds, mostly of preventable causes, the new estimates say.
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES RELEASED THE HANDBOOK ON FISHERIES STATISTICS: The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Shri Giriraj Singh released the Handbook on Fisheries Statistics - 2018 . The book is published by the Department of Fisheries of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India. The Centre is to invest Rs.25,000 Crores in the next 5 years for Fisheries development. The Handbook on Fisheries Statistics-2018 is the 13th edition presented by the Ministry of fisheries.India is the world‘s second-largest producers of fish. Also, it stands as world number two in aquaculture production as well as in inland capture fisheries. Gujarat is the leading state in Marine fish (7.01 Lakh tonnes) in the country.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 21
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
HRD MINISTRY ANNOUNCES NEAT AI LEARNING SCHEME: The Ministry of Human Resource and Development has announced National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) scheme to gain better results in higher education. he objective is to use Artificial Intelligence to make learning more personalised and customised as per the requirements of the learner. This requires development of technologies in adaptive learning to address the diversity of learners. AICTE would be the implementing agency for NEAT programme.The scheme shall be administered under the guidance of an Apex Committee constituted by MHRD.
NCG VISHWAM CANCER CARE CONNECT IN VIENNA : Shri K. N. Vyas, Secretary DAE & Chairman AEC launched NCG Vishwam Cancer Care Connect on 17th September 2019 in Vienna on the sidelines of 63rd General conference of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). NCG-Vishwam 3C envisages integration of the hospitals and relevant cancer care institutes from partner countries with the National Cancer Grid (NCG) of India.
BUDDHA STATUE UNVEILED AT MONGOLIA PM Modi and Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga have jointly unveiled through video conferencing Buddha statue at the historic Gandan Tegchenling Monastery, Ulaanbaatar. The statue depicts Buddha in a sitting posture along with his two disciples conveying the message of compassion along with peace and coexistence.
SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTER LAUNCHES MIS PORTAL UNDER ACCESSIBLE INDIA CAMPAIGN: Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot launched a Management Information System (MIS). The Management Information System aims to bring all nodal ministries, states and the Union Territories on a common platform to the monitor the progress made against each target of the Accessible India Campaign. The MIS portal will help maintain all the function on the digital platform and capture real-time data. The portal will be fully accessible for persons with disabilities. Accessible India Campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 3, 2015, on the occasion of the International Day of People with Disabilities.
INDIAN ARMY CONDUCTS MASSIVE EXERCISE -CHANG THANG: The Indian Army conducted a massive rare exercise involving all its arms and services including tanks, artillery and helicopters, in Eastern Ladakh bordering China, for testing and improving its war-fighting capabilities. Such an exercise has happened for the first time in the region. While it lasted for a day, preparations for it have been happening for over a month. The army‘s aviation assets were used. Airforce also took part in the exercise.
PLASTIC BOTTLE CRUSHING MACHINE – MUMBAI: The Western Railway for the first time has installed a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle crushing machine in Mumbai Rajdhani Express. This machine can crush up to 3,000 bottles per day. It was installed in the train as part of the Indian Railways' Swachh Bharat and Go Green missions.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 22
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
INDIA‟S FIRST CENTRAL POLICE UNIVERSITY TO COME UP IN GREATER NOIDA: The country‘s first central police university will be set up by the Union home ministry off the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida. The Centre had given in-principle approval for the university and a 100- acre plot has been identified in Sector Techzone. The government wants to set up an institution to tackle modern-day policing challenges. The national university for policing will help in improving police personnel training, skills, research and also policymaking with regard to policing in India. The university will offer undergraduate and post-graduate courses on policing, internal security, cybercrime and forensic sciences.
SOCIAL STOCK EXCHANGES – ISHAAT HUSSAIN PANEL SEBI has appointed a high-level panel to suggest possible structures and regulations for creating 'social stock exchanges'. It will be headed by Ishaat Hussain. These social stock exchanges would facilitate listing and fund-raising by social enterprises as well as voluntary organisations.
INDIA @ UN CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT At the United Nations Climate Action Summit, India has agreed to increase its renewable energy target to 450 GW. India‘s renewable energy target under the Paris Agreement was 175GW by 2022. India also reiterated to spend approximately $50 billion ―in the next few years‖ on the Jal Jeevan Mission to conserve water, harvest rainwater and develop water resources. 80 countries have already joined the International Solar Alliance initiated by India.The UN Climate Action Summit 2019 was hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at New York. Teen Climate change activist Greta Thunberg of Sweden opened the Summit.
KARO SAMBHAV - MANAGEMENT VENTURE: Leading consumer products companies such as Coca-Cola India, PepsiCo India and Bisleri among others have decided to come together to launch a first-of-its-kind packaging waste management venture in the country. The venture, which is called Karo Sambhav, will focus on creating a formal eco-system for collection of post-consumer packaging and optimising material recycling processes. Developed by industry body Packaging Association for Clean Environment (PACE) over the past year, Karo Sambhav is producer-led and owned venture that aims to ensure that no recyclable packaging material ends up in landfills by 2025. Beverage industry states that nearly 90 per cent of the PET bottles are recycledand has plans to Ban 200 ml bottles.
ISPATI IRADA – CHINTAN SHIVIR EVENT: The steel ministry organised an event called ―Chintan Shivir: Towards a Vibrant, Efficient and Globally Competitive Indian Steel sector‖. The event aims to make Indian Steel Sector more vibrant, efficient and globally competitive. A new logo for steel industry was released at the event. It is called ―Ispati Irada‖.
MOCHI SWABHIMAAN INITIATIVE: Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship announced the launch of Mochi Swabhimaan Initiative.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 23
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
ABOUT: Mochi Swabhimaan Initiative is a nationwide effort in which Leather Sector Skill Council (LSSC) will support the cobbler community who provide leather-based services, with CSR funds. This will ensure that they work in a dignified manner by bringing respect to their skills by giving them better working environment in the form of kiosks/umbrellas.
ALL INDIA SURVEY ON HIGHER EDUCATION 2018-19 Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) collects online information on Universities, Colleges and other Higher Educational Institutions under the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE). Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Higher education has increased from 25.8% in 2017-18 to 26.3% in 2018-19. GER is calculated for 18-23 years of age group. Uttar Pradesh comes at number one with the highest student enrolment followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. College density is the number of colleges per lakh eligible population (population in the age-group 18- 23 years). The top 8 States in terms of highest number of colleges in India are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
GANDHI SOLAR PARK INAUGURATED BY PM MODI: During his visit to the USA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a 50 kilowatt 'Gandhi Solar Park' at the Headquarters of the United Nations. Along with Modi, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and President of South Korea Moon-Jae-in also launched a United Nations postage stamp of Mahatma Gandhi. PM also inaugurated a Gandhi Peace Garden at the State University of New York Campus at Long Island.
PM‟S ECONOMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL RECONSTITUTED: Government of India has reconstituted the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC- PM) for a period of two years with effect from September 26, 2019,‖. Dr. Bibek Debroy and Ratan P. Watal will continue to be the chairman and member secretary, respectively, of the reconstituted EAC-PM. Two part-time members Rathin Roy and Shamika Ravi were shunted out. PMEAC is a non-constitutional, non-permanent and independent body constituted to give economic advice to the Government of India, specifically the Prime Minister.
„SARDAR PATEL NATIONAL UNITY AWARD'- HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARD FOR CONTRIBUTION TO UNITY AND INTEGRITY OF INDIA: Government of India has instituted the highest civilian award in the field of contribution to the unity and integrity of India, in the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The award will be announced on the occasion of National Unity Day on October 31, the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. The Award shall be conferred by the President by a Sanad under his hand and seal and presented by him in a presentation ceremony along with the Padma award presentation ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhawan.
About the Award, The award comprises a medal and a citation and will have no monetary or cash component. Not more than three awards will be given in a year.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 24
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
Any Indian or institution based in the country will be able to nominate an individual for the award.
„TB HAREGA- DESH JEETEGA‟ CAMPAIGN: The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has launched the ‗TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign‘, along with the National TB Prevalence Survey. He also launched 25 National TB Prevalence Survey vans to carry out a survey across the country in the next six months. He also announced a partnership with the World Bank which is providing a $400 million credit for accelerating TB response in 9 states through private sector engagement and other critical interventions. India has set a target to eliminate TB by 2025. UN‘s target is 2030.
FIRST INDIA- CARICOM MEET Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the leaders of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) during the first-ever India-CARICOM leaders‘ summit held at USA. The meet focussed on fighting climate change and increasing India‘s participation with the grouping. India had also given an immediate assistance of $1 Million to Bahamas during the recent Hurricane Dorain. The CARICOM grouping has 15 members-states and five associate members. It was formed in 1973.
ISRO INITIATES „PROJECT NETRA‟ TO SAFEGUARD INDIAN SPACE ASSETS FROM DEBRIS AND OTHER HARM: In the middle of its two-month Chandrayaan-2 campaign, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) last month quietly initiated ‗Project NETRA‘ – an early warning system in space to detect debris and other hazards to Indian satellites. The project estimated to cost ₹400 crore, when in place, will give India its own capability in space situational awareness (SSA) like the other space powers — which is used to ‗predict‘ threats from debris to Indian satellites. NETRA will also be aided by o Multi-Object Tracking Radar (MOTR) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota o Telescopes at Ponmudi, Tamilnadu and Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 25
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
ICGS VARAHA - NEW PATROL SHIP Defense Minister Rajnath Singh formally commissioned the Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel 'ICGS Varaha' at the Chennai Port Trust. ICGS Varaha has capabilities to operate twin engine ALH Helicopters developed indigenously by HAL. The ship will be commanded by Commandant Dushyant Kumar.
IMD WORLD DIGITAL COMPETITIVENESS RANKING 2019: India has been ranked 44th in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019 produced by the IMD World Competitiveness Center. The ranking measures the readiness and capacity of 63 economies to adopt digital technologies. It gives its ranking based on the digital exploration skills of the economies for economic transformation in governance, business and society. The US was ranked as the world‘s most digitally competitive economy, followed by Singapore in the second place, Sweden stood third. The report released by International Institute for Management Development.
23RD MALABAR EXERCISE The Malabar Exercise 2019, the trilateral maritime exercise between navies of India, Japan and the US began off the coast of Japan. This is the 23rd edition of Malabar Exercise. The exercise seeks to further strengthen India-Japan-US naval cooperation.
INS NILGIRI – STEALTH FRIGATE Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has launched Navy's first new stealth frigate, INS ‗Nilgiri‘, at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai. It is the first of the Navy's seven new stealth frigates under Project 17A. Project 17A frigates is a design derivative of the Shivalik class stealth frigates. They have much more advanced stealth features and indigenous weapons and sensors.
10 YEAR RURAL SANITATION STRATEGY (2019-2029) The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) Ministry of Jal Shakti, has launched the 10 Year Rural Sanitation Strategy (2019-2029). The strategy focuses on sustaining the sanitation behaviour change that has been achieved under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM – G). The 10-year strategy lays down a framework to guide local governments, policy makers, implementers and other stakeholders in their planning for Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus.
GUJARAT IS INDIA‟S TOP PLASTIC EXPORTER: Gujarat has emerged as a leader in plastic exports from India with a big share of 45% in the national exports. 60% of India‘s total exports come from Gujarat and Maharashtra, which are followed by Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and the Union territories of Daman and Diu as well as Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 26
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
THE SAFE CITIES INDEX (SCI) 2019 - ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT: The Safe Cities Index 2019 is a report from The Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by NEC Corporation. It ranks 60 countries worldwide across five continents and measures the multifaceted nature of urban safety, with indicators categorised as digital, infrastructure, health and personal security. Cities in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region made up six of the top -10 safest cities with Tokyo taking the top spot. Mumbai has been ranked as the 45th safest city on the Safe Cities Index (SCI), while Delhi stood at the 52nd position.
PAKISTAN TEST-FIRES SURFACE-TO-SURFACE BALLISTIC MISSILE 'GHAZNAVI': Pakistan has successfully test-fired surface-to-surface ballistic missile 'Ghaznavi', capable of delivering multiple warheads up to 290 kms. The missile was launched amid Pakistan's efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue after India abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated it into two Union Territories.
AFRICA ON BRINK OF ELIMINATING POLIO: Africa is on the verge of being declared polio free, after three years without any recorded cases of the disease, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Nigeria marked three years without a wild polio case a ―major milestone‖. If no more incidences emerge in the next few months, Africa could officially be declared polio free in 2020. The last case was recorded in Borno state in August 2016. In 2012, 200 children in Nigeria were affected by polio, which can cause paralysis and life-long health complications. Polio is still endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan and will need to be eradicated there before the world can be declared polio free.
US SPACE WARFARE COMMAND United States (US) President Donald Trump has launched the world‘s first Space Command. The combat unit aims to protect American satellites and space assets from being attacked or destroyed by hostile nations.
INDONESIAN CAPITAL SHIFTED - JAKARTA TO KALIMANTAN: Indonesia‘s president Joko Widodo has announced that his country‘s national capital will move from Jakarta (on the island of Java) to the province of East Kalimantan (on the island of Borneo). Reasons cited: 10 million population, air pollution, traffic congestion, poor city planning which has left 40% of the city below sea level. Kalimantan is also much more central in Indonesia‘s archipelago of 17,000 islands. Borneo is the third-largest island in the world and the largest in Asia.
1ST INDIA-GHANA FOREIGN OFFICE CONSULTATIONS HELD IN NEW DELHI: The first ever India-Ghana Foreign Office Consultations was held in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Shri. T.S Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations) while the Ghanaian delegation was led by Mr. Charles Owiredu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 27
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
India and Ghana have agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in a number of sectors like trade and investment, development partnership, defence and security, health and pharmaceutical sector, capacity building, and people-to-people contacts.
FIRST US-ASEAN MARITIME DRILLS: Eight warships, four aircraft and more than a thousand personnel from the U.S. and ten Southeast Asian countries will join maritime drills . The first Asean-US Maritime Exercise (AUMX) between the regional bloc and Washington lasts for five days, starting at the Sattahip Naval Base in Thailand and ending in Singapore. The drills come at a time of stepped-up U.S. engagement in the region and tensions between Beijing and Southeast Asian nations over the South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
INDIA PLEDGES $22 MILLION FOR GLOBAL FUND FOR AIDS, TB, MALARIA: India has announced contribution of $22 million to Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFTAM) for 6th Replenishment Cycle (for year 2020-22). Global Fund is the world‘s largest financier of AIDS, TB, and malaria prevention, treatment, and care programs. Fund Headquarters: Switzerland.
TSENTR-2019 - WAR GAMES IN RUSSIA: Indian army will participate in a multilateral large-scale war exercise ―TSENTR 2019‖ to be held in Russia. The exercise is scheduled to take place between September 9 to 23 at Donguz training ranges in Russia's Orenburg. Pakistan will be participating in war games in Russia along with several other nations, including China .
FACEBOOK, GOOGLE AND BBC SPEARHEADING „FAKE NEWS‟ CAMPAIGN: Some of the world's largest social media companies and publishers are joining forces in an attempt to quell the amount of ‗fake news' that circulates on the internet, with major players such as Facebook, Twitter, Google and the BBC all committing to the cause. The move will see organizations share information more readily in an attempt to flag potentially untrue news stories, as well as collaborate on ways to display information- such as voting details- to avoid confusion. 2019 SOUTH ASIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN CONFERENCE: The Parliament of Sri Lanka and United Nations Children‘s Fund (UNICEF) are hosting parliamentarians from across South Asia to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. At the meeting, parliamentarians will take stock of the situation of children in the region and discuss the key challenges towards realization of all rights of all children to ensure further progress. It was held at the Colombo city.
HURRICANE DORIAN: AIDING BAHAMAS India has announced an immediate humanitarian assistance of $1 million to help people in the Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian. It was an extremely powerful and destructive Category 5 hurricane. It was the first major hurricane of 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. Bahamas was formerly a British colony and became an independent country within the Commonwealth in 1973.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 28
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
24TH WORLD ENERGY CONGRESS HELD IN ABU DHABI: The 24th World Energy Congress was held in Abu Dhabi, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre ,United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 9-12 September 2019. Theme of this year‘s 4-day World Energy Congress: ‗Energy for Prosperity‘. This theme also represents ambitious and dynamic energy transition of UAE. Objective: To bring together international energy stakeholders including governments, academia and media, private and state corporations. The World Energy Congress is a triennial event and has been running since 1924. With over 150 countries represented, WEC is world‘s largest and most influential energy event that covers all aspects of energy agenda. It is a global flagship event of World Energy Council.
THAILAND FIRST IN ASIA TO ROLL OUT PLAIN CIGARETTE PACKAGING: Thailand became the first Asian country to roll out plain cigarette packaging. Such packaging , o reduces the attractiveness of tobacco products o eliminates tobacco packaging as a form of advertising increases the noticeability and effectiveness of pictorial health warnings.
INDIA JOINS GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE R&D HUB: India has become a member of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and Development (R&D) Hub. The announcement was made by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology in New Delhi. With India‘s inclusion, the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Development hub now has 16 member nations. The hub also has the European Commission, two philanthropic foundations as members and four international organisations as observers. The partnership works to address challenges and improve coordination and collaboration in the global antimicrobial resistance research and development.
MAJOR SAUDI ARABIA OIL FACILITIES HIT BY HOUTHI DRONE STRIKES: Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a drone attack on the world‘s largest oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia which is vital to global energy supplies. Abqaiq oil processing facility which is operated by Saudi Aramco in Buqyaq, Saudi Arabia is the world's largest oil processing facility. Due to this attack, Saudi Arabia has cut down nearly 50% of its oil output.
8TH ASIAN MINISTERIAL ENERGY ROUNDTABLE United Arab Emirates hosted the 8th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable (AMER8) on 10 September 2019. India is the co-host along with UAE at the AMER8 event. India is represented by Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
DIGITAL ECONOMY REPORT 2019 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released a report titled ‗Digital Economy Report (DER) 2019‘. DER was formerly known as the Information Economy Report. It examines the scope for value creation and capture in the digital economy by developing countries. India has the largest share among developing countries in the computer services industry.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 29
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
Also, India ranked fourth in terms of growth in the share of the ICT sector‘s value added in GDP between 2010 and 2017.
WHO ANNOUNCES TOP TEN THREATS TO GLOBAL HEALTH IN 2019: WHO has named vaccine hesitancy as one of the world‘s top 10 global health threats. Alongside air pollution and climate change, noncommunicable diseases, global influenza pandemic, fragile and vulnerable settings, antimicrobial resistance, Ebola and other high-threat pathogens, weak primary health care, Dengue and HIV. Vaccine hesitancy threatens to reverse progress made in tackling vaccinepreventable diseases.
BEIJING DAXING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: CHINA'S NEW MEGA-AIRPORT READY TO OPEN: China is poised to open a new mega-airport to the south of Beijing, already home to the world's second- busiest aviation hub, ahead of the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) will see its first commercial flight take off around September 20. Daxing airport is nicknamed as ‗Starfish‘ for its shape. Beijing Daxing International Airport is an addition to the already existing world‘s second busiest Beijing airport.World‘s No.1 busiest airport is at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, USA.
BLEU JOINT ECONOMIC COMMISSION MEET The 16th Session of India-Belgium Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) Joint Economic Commission (JEC) has been held recently. BLEU was established in 1997. The European Union is India‘s largest trade partner. Belgium was the first country in the world to deploy the Electronic Identity Card (eID) which is similar to AADHAR.
UK SUPREME COURT – SUSPENSION OF PARLIAMENT UNLAWFUL In a unanimous decision, the UK Supreme Court has ruled the ―suspension of parliament of Britain‖ unlawful. Earlier British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had decided to shut down Parliament for five weeks in the run-up to Brexit (October 31). UK Parliament had been ―prorogued‖ by The Queen on the advice of Prime Minister Boris Johnson from September 10 to October 14.
FIRST ARAB IN SPACE A Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur space centre, Kazakhstan carried an Emirati to the International Space Station (ISS). He will make history as the first Arab on the International Space Station. Hazzaa al-Mansoori of the United Arab Emirates is accompanied by Russia‘s Oleg Skripochka and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir in his flight to the ISS.
BANGLADESH, MYANMAR & CHINA TO FORM TRIPARTITE MECHANISM FOR ROHINGYA REPATRIATION: Bangladesh, Myanmar and China have agreed to form a tripartite joint working mechanism to oversee the repatriation process of Rohingyas to Myanmar. Two attempts of Rohingya repatriation have failed.They are unwilling to go back to their place of origin amid lack of required conditions in Rakhine State for their return.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 30
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
According to UNHCR, Bangladesh has more than nine lakh Rohingya refugees out of which close to 7 lakh 50 thousand refugees arrived after August 2017 fleeing Rakhine Province of Myanmar amid violence and military crackdown. Bangladesh claims to have 11 lakh Rohingya refugees in the country.
21ST FAO-WHO COORDINATING COMMITTEE OF ASIA FOR 2019 The 21st session of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) Coordinating Committee of Asia for 2019 was held at Goa. It was the second session of the Coordinating Committee in Asia. The aim of the session was to identify issues and explore best practices in food safety at primary production in the region and delegates from 18 member countries participated in the session.
ECONOMY
CORE SECTOR GROWTH SLOWS TO 2.1% IN JULY: India‘s core sector output remained weak in July, with growth slowing to 2.1% from a year earlier, as production of coal, crude oil, natural gas and refinery products declined. The eight core industries of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity, which have a 40.27% weight in the Index of Industrial Production.
INDIA AMONG TOP 10 NATIONS IN GOLD RESERVES: India has pipped the Netherlands to move into the list of top ten countries in terms of total gold reserves. According to the World Gold Council, India has gold reserves totalling 618.2 tonnes, which is marginally higher than the Netherlands‘ reserves of 612.5 tonnes. According to the latest release by the World Gold Council, U.S. leads the country list with total gold reserves of 8,133.5 tonnes followed by Germany with 3,366.8 tonnes.While the IMF is ranked third with a holding of 2,451.8 tonnes. India‘s entry into the list of top ten countries comes at a time when the quantum of monthly purchases is the lowest in over three years.
5TH EASTERN ECONOMIC FORUM : PM Narendra Modi has been invited as the chief guest of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok by Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 5.
About the Eastern Economic Forum: The Eastern Economic Forum was established by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in 2015.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 31
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
In accordance with the Decree, the Eastern Economic Forum takes place each year in Vladivostok. Every year, the Eastern Economic Forum serves as a platform for the discussion of key issues in the world economy, regional integration, and the development of new industrial and technological sectors, as well as of the global challenges facing Russia and other nations.
INDIA TO GET SWISS BANKING DETAILS OF INDIANS : India will start getting details of bank accounts held by its citizens in Switzerland from September, ending the era of Swiss bank secrecy. With this, banking details of Indians with accounts in Switzerland will be available to Indian tax authorities. AEOI is the exchange of information between countries without having to request it. India and Switzerland had signed AEOI on November 22, 2016.
REDUCING FOOD LOSS AND WASTE” REPORT: It is a new report published by the World Resources Institute (WRI) with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation. It has quantified global food wastage. It put forward a Global Action Agenda that calls on governments, companies, farmers and consumers to collectively overcome ―the world‘s food loss and waste problem.‖ Nearly one-third of the food that is produced each year goes uneaten, costing the global economy over $940 billion.The uneaten food is responsible for emitting about 8 % of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
6TH INDIA-CHINA STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE: The 6th India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) begins in New Delhi from September 7. The three-day dialogue will comprise of round table meetings of joint working groups on infrastructure, energy, high-tech, resource conservation, pharmaceuticals and policy coordination. The Indian side will be led by Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar and the Chinese side by Chairman of National Development and Reforms Commission (NDRC). The SED was set up between the erstwhile Planning Commission and National Development and Reform Commission of China during the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to India in December 2010.
INDIA POST PAYMENTS BANK ANNOUNCES THE ROLLOUT OF AADHAAR ENABLED PAYMENT SERVICES: India Post Payments Bank announced Monday that it has rolled out Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) Services. With the launch of AePS services, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has now become the single largest platform in the country for providing interoperable banking services to customers of 'ANY BANK'. India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) is a 100% government owned payments bank operating under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications. It is start functioning from September 01,2018.
GOVT ANNOUNCES RS 50,000 CRORE SCHEME TO BOOST EXPORTS: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the Remission of Duties or Taxes on Export Product (RoDTEP) scheme to boost the exports. The minister said the revenue foregone towards the scheme is projected at Rs 50,000 crore. The scheme of Remission of Duties or Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) is a new scheme, it shall completely replace all Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) from January 1, 2020.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 32
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) will expand scope of ECIS and offer higher insurance cover to banks lending working capital for exports in a move which will cost Rs 1,700 crores per annum to the government," the finance minister announced. Some measures are,
GOVERNMENT EASES LICENSING RULES FOR PRODUCTION: The government clarified that no licence would be required for the manufacture of goods except tobacco items, defence equipment, hazardous chemicals and industrial explosives. In another press note, it clarified that no industrial or arms licence was required for the manufacturer of any parts or accessories in defence sector, unless they were specifically listed for procuring licences. Defence aircraft, warships, body armour and specialised equipment for military training are a few products for which the department is the licensing authority.
DIGITAL PAYMENT ABHIYAN: DSCI, MEITY AND GOOGLE INDIA JOIN HANDS: Nasscom‘s Data Security Council of India (DSCI) has collaborated with Union Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and Google India to launch nationwide awareness campaign ‗Digital Payment Abhiyan‘. It was launched by Union Communications and Electronics & IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at Google-organised event ‗Google for India‘ in New Delhi. About Digital Payment Abhiyan: It aims at increasing awareness about cashless payment, educate end-users on the benefits of making digital payments, online financial security and urge them to adopt security and safety best practices. It is pan-India campaign crafted in seven languages — Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali and Marathi.
CORPORATE INCOME TAX : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced major changes in corporate income tax rates to revive growth in the broader economy. This has been achieved through an ordinance– the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2019.. Corporate tax rate to be 22 per cent without exemptions.No Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) applicable on such companies.Effective corporate tax rate after surcharge and cess to be 25.17 percent. To attract investment in manufacturing, local companies incorporated after October 2019 and till March 2023, will pay tax at 15 percent.The effective tax for new companies shall be 17.01 percent, including cess and surcharge. To stabilise flow of funds into the market the enhanced surcharge announced in Budget 2019 will not apply on capital gains arising on sale of any security, including derivatives by foreign portfolio investors (FPI).
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 33
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
Total revenue foregone for the reduction in corporate tax rate and other relief are estimated to be at 1.45 lakh crore rupees.
ENVIRONMENT
QUALITY UNKNOWN: THE INVISIBLE WATER CRISIS: The world bank has released a new report titled Quality Unknown: The Invisible Water Crisis‘‘. It highlights how deteriorating water quality is an ―invisible crisis‖ that has wiped out one third of potential economic growth in highly polluted areas. The report notes that a key contributor to poor water quality is nitrogen It states that when BOD crosses a threshold of 8 milligrams per litre, GDP growth in those regions drops by 0.83 percentage points
MUSSELS, 'SUPER-FILTERS' THAT CAN HELP BEAT WATER POLLUTION: The mussel is the hoover of the sea, taking in phytoplankton for nourishment along with microplastics, pesticides and other pollutants. It's a super-filter in the marine world, filtering up to 25 litres of water a day. It's a real model of bioaccumulation of pollutants.
ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY RELEASES RS 47,436 CRORE FOR AFFORESTATION TO VARIOUS STATES: The Union Ministry of Environment has released Rs 47,436 crore of CAMPA funds to various states for afforestation projects. The transferred funds will not affect the state budget for forests, it will be an additional fund. The funds were handed over by Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar. The Supreme Court ordered for the establishment of Compensatory Afforestation Fund and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) in 2001. This was after the top court observed that the funds collected for afforestation were underutilized by the states.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 34
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
The increase in forest and tree cover will create an additional carbon sink equivalent to 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide by the year 2030. CONFERENCE OF PARTIES (COP14) TO UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION (UNCCD): The 14th Conference of Parties, COP14, to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) began in Greater Noida. The Conference will go on till 13th of this month. Over 3000 delegates from across the world will take part in COP14. India will resolve to do three things 1. Restore 50 lakh hectares of degraded land in 10 years. 2. Provisions of the New Delhi declaration to be adopted at the end of the conference. 3. Center of Excellence to be established at Forest Research Institute.
About UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was established in 1994. It is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. All parties (197) of convention work together to improve the living conditions for people in dry-lands.
HOW CLIMATE CHANGE COULD THREATEN INDIA'S BANANA CULTIVATION: Climate change may lead to a significant decline in banana production in India -- the world's largest cultivator and consumer of the crop. Bananas are recognised as the most important fruit crop -- providing food, nutrition and income for millions in both rural and urban areas across the globe. The study shows that 27 countries -- accounting for 86 percent of the world's dessert banana production -- have on average seen increased crop yield since 1961 due to the changing climate, resulting in more favourable growing conditions. However, the study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, also suggests that these gains could be significantly reduced, or disappear completely by 2050 if climate change continues at its expected rate.
TIGERS IN HIGH ALTITUDES: The Global Tiger Forum (GTF), in partnership with the Governments of Bhutan, India and Nepal, and along with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), is undertaking a situation analysis study for assessing tiger habitat status in high altitude ecosystems. The study has been supported by the Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Program (ITHCP) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and KfW (German Development Bank). In its latest report, the study identified possible viable habitats, corridor linkages, anthropogenic pressures, and induced landscape-level changes for evolving an in-situ conservation roadmap.
GLOBAL TIGER FORUM The GTF is the only intergovernmental international body established with members from willing countries to embark on a global campaign to protect the Tiger. It was formed in 1993 on recommendations from an international symposium on Tiger Conservation at New Delhi, India. It is located in New Delhi, India.
4 TAMIL NADU WETLANDS AMONG 100 WETLANDS UNDER NATIONAL INITIATIVE ON WETLANDS REHABILITATION.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 35
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
Under its national initiative on wetlands rehabilitation, Union government has identified 100 wetlands all over India for ―rehabilitation‖. Pallikaranai, Point Calimere, Pulicat and Koothankulam were the wetlands included in the list from Tamilnadu. The state governments have been asked to create a group called ―Friends of Wetlands‖ or Pakshi Mitras.
INDIA OBSERVES WETTEST AUGUST AND JULY IN LAST 25 YEARS: The main Monsoon months of July and August have ended with a rainfall excess figure of 10%. This makes these two months the wettest India has observed since the last 25 years. This is also the first time since 2010 that both July and August have received surplus all-India rainfall - just the second time in the past 25 years.
INDIA RAISED TARGET FOR RESTORING DEGRADED LAND: PM MODI Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India would raise its target for restoring degraded land from 21 million hectares to 26 million hectares by 2030. The decision was announced at the 14th session of Conference of Parties (COP) to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) being held at Noida.
TWO NEW SPECIES OF GINGER DISCOVERED FROM NAGALAND: Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have discovered two new species of Zingiber, commonly referred to as ginger, from Nagaland. They are
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 36
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
o Zingiber perenense o Zingiber dimapurense Zingiber perenense has been discovered from the Peren district of Nagaland, Zingiber dimapurense was found in the Dimapur district of the State. Details of both discoveries were published in two peer-reviewed journals earlier this year. Of the two species, Zingiber dimapurense is taller in size, with leafy shoots measuring 90-120 cm high, whereas the leafy shoots of Zingiber perenense reach up to 70 cm in height.
DROUGHT-FORECASTING TOOLBOX UNVEILED AT UNCCD EVENT: The ongoing 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) witnessed the official release of the Drought Toolbox. which can be used by countries to assess drought risks in their regions much in advance, and prepare to deal with the water scarcity. The drought toolbox, which uses 30 parameters, including soil moisture, rainfall data and temperature data of the present and past, can accurately evaluate the vulnerability of different geographic regions to drought. Already 70 countries have shown interest in making use of the toolbox, said UNCCD officials.
DELHI DECLARATION ON DESERTIFICATION The 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) concluded in Greater Noida with member countries adopting the Delhi Declaration. COP 14 to UNCCD ended with a commitment to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by 2030. Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar will be president of UNCCD for a period of 2 years.
GERMANY TO BAN USE OF GLYPHOSATE WEEDKILLER BY END OF 2023: Germany has decided to phase out glyphosate, a chemical and labelled carcinogen found in weedkiller Roundup made by Monsanto, by the end of 2023. The ban is to protect insect populations that play a pivotal role in ecosystems and pollination of food crops. It is also suspected to cause cancer in humans. It is famous in india too. Austria recently became the first country to ban all use of the chemical.
WAWE SUMMIT 2019: Union HRD Minister launched Waste Management Accelerator for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs (WAWE Summit 2019).
ABOUT WAWE SUMMIT: Full Name: Waste Management Accelerators for Aspire Women Entrepreneurs (WAWE). When: The WAWE Summit will be held in November-December 2019. Bodies Involved: It will be jointly organized by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Institute of Waste Management (IIWM) at Jaipur. What is it? It will be the largest gathering of young women students to promote entrepreneurship in waste management and providing alternatives to single use plastic carry bags. Theme: Make your own bag .
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 37
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
RAILWAYS INSTALL FIRST PLASTIC BOTTLE CRUSHING MACHINE: The PET bottle crusher machine was installed in the train as part of the Indian Railways' Swachh Bharat and Go Green missions.Mumbai Rajdhani is a superfast express train that runs in between Mumbai Central and New Delhi. The Western Railway for the first time has installed a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle crushing machine in Mumbai Rajdhani Express. This machine can crush up to 3,000 bottles per day. The move by the Western Railway of installing a PET bottle crushing machine is expected to reduce carbon footprints by 100 per cent recycling and will also avoid littering in landfill from bottle waste. GUJARAT BECOMES FIRST MARKET IN WORLD FOR PARTICULATE MATTER EMISSIONS TRADING: Gujarat became the world‘s first market for particulate matter emissions in the world, after 155 industrial units of Surat came together for ―live trading‖ under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). ETS aims at o reducing the pollution load in an area o minimising the cost of compliance for the industry. Gujarat takes a lead over Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu in implementing the ETS scheme. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) sets a cap on the total emission load from all industries.
NATIONAL WATER MISSION AWARDS- 2019: Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekawat presented the National Water Mission Awards- 2019. The ‗National Water Mission Awards‘ is an initiative of National Water Mission (NWM), Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
NATIONAL WATER MISSION: The National Water Mission is one the eight missions of the Government of India which was launched under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) forest combating the threats of global warming. Objective of National Water Mission, To conserve water To minimise the wastage of the water To ensure equitable distribution across the country and within States through integrated water resources management. NEW CAT SNAKE SPECIES FOUND: A new species of cat snake called Thackeray‘s Cat Snake (Boiga thackerayi), has been discovered in the Western Ghats after 125 years. The discovery is the first since 1894, when a species from the genus was found in the Western Ghats. The findings were published in the Journal of Bombay Natural History Society on Thursday. The snake was named after Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray‘s son, Tejas, a wildlife researcher. Growing up to a maximum length of three-foot, Thackeray‘s Cat Snake is a non-venomous, nocturnal and arboreal species (living in trees and active mostly during night).
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
SCIENTIST DISCOVER NEW PAIN SENSING ORGAN IN SKIN: Researchers have discovered a new sensory organ in the skin that is able to detect painful mechanical damage, such as pricks and impacts, an advance that may help develop novel painkillers. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have now discovered a new sensory organ in the skin that is sensitive to hazardous environmental irritation.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 38
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
It is comprised of glia cells with multiple long protrusions and which collectively go to make up a mesh-like organ within the skin. Almost one person in every five experiences constant pain and there is a considerable need to find new painkilling drugs, according to research published in the journal Science.
FOURTH EDITION OF INTERNET OF THINGS INDIA CONGRESS 2019 HELD IN BENGALURU: The 4th edition of India‘s largest confluence of digital technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) India Congress 2019 held in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The theme of Edition is ‗Mainstreaming the Internet of Things‘. The IoT India Congress 2019 will include tracks on segments such as healthcare, manufacturing, telecom, smart cities, energy, retail, cybersecurity, skills and development, IoT Standards, legal and regulatory, and agriculture.
BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE GOES TO SCIENTISTS WHO CAPTURED FIRST IMAGE OF BLACK HOLE: The 2020 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics goes to an international group of astrophysicists, who captured the first image of the black hole . The Event Horizon Telescope Team consisting of 347 scientists who produced the world‘s first image of a black hole were felicitated with breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. The team had published the image of black hole circled by a flame-orange halo of white-hot plasma on the Messier 87 (M87) galaxy on April 10, 2019.
ODISHA‟S CONJOINED TWINS, NOW SEPARATED, RETURN HOME AFTER 2 YEARS: India‘s only successfully separated craniopagus twins from Odisha — Jagga and Balia have been successfully rehabilitated under the care of AIIMS, Delhi. The two toddlers were born with fused brain and skull, a condition known as craniopagus They were operated and kept under observation since 2017. They are discharged from Delhi‘s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS Delhi) for further treatment in a state government-run medical college and hospital in Odisha.
BOMBAY BLOOD GROUP: Recently there has been a spike in demand for a rare blood type called Bombay blood group. Under the ABO blood group system, blood group are classified into four common blood groups i.e. A, B, AB and O. The A, B, and O blood groups were first identified by Austrian immunologist Karl Landsteiner in 1901. The Bombay blood group (also called hh), is deficient in expressing antigen H.It means the RBC of hh blood group has no antigen H. It is also called ―hh‖ blood group.Individuals of this blood group can only be transfused with autologous blood or blood from individuals of Bombay hh phenotype only which is very rare. rare Bombay blood group was first discovered in Bombay in 1952 by Dr Y M Bhende.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 39
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
A,B,O BLOOD GROUPS:
NASA'S HUBBLE FINDS WATER VAPOR ON HABITABLE-ZONE EXOPLANET : Scientists have detected water vapor in the atmosphere of K2-18 b, a potentially habitable alien world about twice the size of Earth. It orbits a red dwarf star 110 light-years away from Earth in the Leo constellation of the Milky Way.
VIETNAM OPENS SOUTHEAST ASIA'S LARGEST SOLAR POWER FARM: Vietnam has inaugurated Southeast Asia's largest solar power farm which has the capacity to produce 688 million kWh of electricity annually. The Dau Tieng Solar Power Complex, a joint venture with the Thai industrial group B.Grimm Power Public Company, occupies 540 hectares in Tay Ninh province. The company said it will also prevent the emission of 595,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 40
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
CHINA SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES THREE NEW SATELLITES: China has successfully launched three satellites viz., a resource satellite- ZY-1 02D and two small satellites. The resource satellite ZY-1 02D is developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and is an important part of China's space-based infrastructure. It will work in the solar synchronous orbit at 778-km above the Earth. It carries a near-infrared camera with a coverage width of 115-km. One of the 2 small satellites called BNU-1 will primarily monitor polar climate.
NEW SCIENTIFIC TERM: YANK Biologists and biomedical engineers are proposing to define a new term to measure any changes in force over time, called ―Yank‖. Defining ―Yank‖ will be useful to know better about human muscle behaviour.
ISRO, DRDO JOIN HANDS FOR GAGANYAAN PROJECT: The human space mission of ISRO will get a boost with the DRDO joining hands to jointly develop systems that will aid and enhance flight capabilities. ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is on course to its target of sending Indian astronauts to space by 2022 under the ‗Gaganyaan‘ project, which entails an investment of Rs.10,000 crore. The ISRO has planned a couple of trial flights by 2021.
NITI AAYOG, MCKINSEY TO LAUNCH FIRST DIGITAL CAPABILITY CENTRE: National Institution for Transforming India (Niti Aayog) has selected McKinsey & Company to set up India‘s first Digital Capability Centre (DCC). McKinsey supports five such digital capability centres across the globe – Aachen, Chicago, Singapore, Venice, and Beijing. DCC is a unique digital manufacturing learning centre offering company leaders and their workforces hands-on experience and workshops in next-generation technology.
ISRO‟S NAVIC GETS APPROVAL OF MOBILE TELEPHONY STANDARDS BODY 3GPP: Global standards body 3GPP, which develops protocols for mobile telephony, has approved India‘s regional navigation system NaVIC, developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). The specification approval will boost commercial use of NaVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) by international and domestic mobile device makers. Manufacturers can now mass-produce navigation devices compatible with NaVIC so that users of these devices can easily access desi GPS or NaVIC signals. 3GPP currently has global navigation satellite system support from BDS (Chinese), Galileo (European), GLONASS (Russian) & GPS (US) for cellular positioning systems.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 41
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
IRNSS
FIRST INDIGENOUS HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELL SYSTEM LAUNCHED: The President of India Ram Nath Kovind launched the first Indigenous High-Temperature Fuel Cell System developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under ‗New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI)‘. The launched was made at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on the occasion of 78th Foundation Day CSIR. Developed by: CSIR-NCL, Pune, CSIR-NPL, New Delhi & CSIR-CECRI, Karaikudi in collaboration with 3 private players. The 5.0 kW fuel cell system generates power in a green manner using methanol / bio-methane, with heat and water as bi-products. JAPAN LAUNCHES "WORLD'S BIGGEST TRANSPORT SPACE SHIP" FOR SPACE STATION: Japan launched its cargo vessel Kounotori8 to the International Space Station to replenish supplies and batteries. Dubbed as 'world's biggest transport spaceship'- was launched from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre The launch was completed as planned, the payload separated from the launch vehicle, about 15 minutes later.JAXA‘s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) H-2B rocket lifted off with the cargo vessel Kounotori 8.
INS KHANDERI- INDIAN NAVY COMMISSIONS SECOND KALVARI-CLASS SUBMARINE: INS Khanderi, the second indigenously built Scorpene submarine, commissioned into the Indian Navy in a ceremony held at the Mazagon Docks in Mumbai. It is the second of the six submarines being built as part of Project 75 of Indian Navy.
PROJECT-75 (INDIA) OF INDIAN NAVY: In 2005, India chose Scorpene design of submarines and purchased six submarines for USD 3 billion under Project 75 (P75). The first Scorpene submarine INS Kalvari under P75 was commissioned in 2017. These submarines are being constructed by Mazagon Dock Limited and designed by French company DCNS in Mumbai.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 42
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
MYSTERIOUS MINERAL FROM EARTH'S MANTLE DISCOVERED IN SOUTH AFRICAN DIAMOND: Researchers from University of Alberta‘s Diamond Exploration Research and Training School, Canada discovered a new mineral named ‗Goldschmidtite‘ - O3. It was discovered inside a diamond from a mine - Koffiefontein pipe in South Africa run by De Beers. It was estimated that the mineral was formed about 170 kilometers beneath Earth‘s surface, at temperatures reaching nearly 1200º C.
GIANT PLANET FOUND CIRCLING TINY RED DWARF STAR: Astronomers have discovered a giant, Jupiter-like planet in an unexpected location, and it's orbiting a small, nearby red dwarf star. It is a giant planet with a mass about half as big as Jupiter's. It is orbiting a dwarf star, located about 30 light-years from the sun. The discovery of such a large planet around such a tiny star may force astronomers to rethink how planets form,
SPORTS NEWS
FIROZ SHAH KOTLA STADIUM IS SET TO BE RENAMED AS ARUN JAITLEY STADIUM : Delhi‘s Firoz Shah Kotla stadium is set to be renamed as Arun Jaitley Stadium after the former Finance Minister, who passed away last month. The stadium is renamed after 14th century fortress built by Firoz Shah. He was also the first ruler to build a fortress next to river Yamuna. Arun Jaitley was the former president of Delhi Cricket Association.
SAFF U−15 CHAMPIONSHIP : The SAFF U−15 Championship is an annual international football competition contested by the national teams of the members of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). The 2019 SAFF U–15 Championship will be the 6th edition of the SAFF U–15 Championship and hosted by India at Kalyani Stadium. India U-15 team defeated Nepal 7-0 to lift the SAFF U-15 title.India has won the title for a record third time after previous wins in 2013 and 2017.
SENIOR WOMEN‟S NATIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: The 25th Senior Women‘s National Football Championship will be held in Arunachal Pradesh for the first time. tournament will be held in the oldest town of the state Pasighat in East Siang District. 30 teams from across India is participating the 15-day event. Teams have been divided into eight groups.
ODISHA‟S ANUPAMA SWAIN WINS BRONZE IN WORLD JU JITSU CHAMPIONSHIPS: Indian woman athlete Anupama Swain won a bronze medal in the recently concluded World Martial Arts Mastership Jiu-Jitsu 2019. The event was held in Chungju, South Korea. Now she qualified for 2022 Asian Games. she was the only Indian to participate in the championship. Jiu-Jitsu is a form of martial art and combat sport and it puts the entire focus on grappling with particular emphasis on ground fighting.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 43
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
AFGHANISTANS RASHID KHAN CREATES BIG RECORD: Rashid Khan scripted history as he became the youngest ever Test captain leading Afghanistan against Bangladesh in the one-off Test. The record was earlier held by Zimbabwe's Tatenda Taibu who was 20 years and 358 days old when he led his side against Sri Lanka in 2004. Rashid is 20 years and 350 days old.
BIANCA ANDREESCU BEATS SERENA WILLIAMS TO WIN HER FIRST US OPEN AND GRAND SLAM TITLE: 19-year-old Bianca Vanessa Andreescu beat Serena Williams of USA in the 2019 US Open Women's Singles final to become the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam title. Andreescu is also the first woman to win the U.S. Open in her tournament debut in the Open era since 1968. Spanish Rafael Nadal beat Daniil Medvedev of Russia and won his fourth U.S. Open title and This is his 19th Grand Slam title.
SPORTS MINISTRY DE-RECOGNISES PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE OF INDIA : The Sports Ministry has de-recognised the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), citing violation of the National Sports Code in the body‘s decision to sack president Rao Inderjit Singh. It has violated the National Sports of Code India, 2011 and its own constitution in removing its elected president. The PCI had also been suspended in 2015 over governance issues and re-recognised in 2016. PCI was founded in 1992.It was then earlier named as ‗Physically Handicapped Sports Federation of India‘.
U19 ASIA CUP FINAL: INDIA BEATS BANGLADESH : India defeated Bangladesh in the Under-19 Asia cup finals held at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Left-arm spinner Atharva Ankolekar took 5 wickets and helped India win the match. This is India‘s 7th U-19 Asia Cup title.
6TH TRACK ASIA CUP CYCLING COMPETITION 2019 Three-day event of the 6th Track Asia Cup cycling competition 2019 hosted by Cycling Federation of India (CFI) was held in New Delhi. The list was topped by India with 10 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze, totaling 25 medals in the event.
NATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS: Srihari Nataraj has won the men's 100m freestyle title and the 50m backstroke event at the 73rd Glenmark Senior National Aquatic Championship. Shivani Kataria from Haryana was adjudged as the best woman swimmer. Karnataka and Maharashtra won the team trophy in men's and women's category respectively.
WRESTLING – VINESH POGHAT WON BRONZE MEDAL: Vinesh Phogat clinched a bronze medal at Wrestling World Championships held at Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. She defeated two-time world bronze medalist Maria Prevolaraki of Greece in the53 kg freestyle event. She is only the fourth Indian female wrestler to win a medal at the prestigious tournament.
AMIT BANGHAL – INDIA‟S FIRST BOXING MEDAL Indian boxer Amit Panghal has won a silver medal at World Boxing Championships event held at Ekaterinberg, Russia.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 44
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
He was defeated by Olympic champion Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan in the52 kg category finals. The second-seeded Panghal became the first Indian male boxer to finish second in the world event.
HEARING IMPAIRED SHOOTER DHANUSH SRIKANTH CREATES RECORD: Telangana based Dhanush Srikanth has become the first shooter with hearing impairment to get selected in the Indian national squad. He will compete in the junior (U-21) men‘s 10m air rifle team for the Asian Championships in Doha scheduled in November.
IBSF WORLD SNOOKER EVENT The Indian duo of Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta have become world champions in the IBSF World Snooker Team event. They defeated Thailand team in the finals event held at Mandalay, Myanmar. Pankaj Advani's world title tally is now 23 while Aditya claimed his maiden title.
IMPORTANT DAYS
NATIONAL NUTRITION WEEK 2019: National Nutrition Week is celebrated each year from 1st September to the 7th September. The objective of the National Nutrition Week is to enhance the nutritional practice awareness among people. campaign was first started by the Union government in the year 1982.
WORLD COCONUT DAY 2019 – SEPTEMBER 2: World Coconut Day observed on September 2 in every year. The day aims to spread awareness on the health benefits of the coconut as well as the economic benefits.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CHARITY- SEPTEMBER 5 International Day of Charity is observed on September 5 in every year. The International Day of Charity officially was declared by the UN General Assembly in 2012. September 5 was chosen in order to commemorate the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
TEACHERS DAY – SEPTEMBER 5: Teachers' Day in India is celebrated on 5th September to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was a renowned scholar, recipient of Bharat Ratna, first Vice- President and second President of independent India. Teachers' Day is important for the students as it gives them a chance to understand the efforts put in by their teachers to ensure that they get proper education. Globally, Teachers‘ Day is celebrated on 5th October, in India, we celebrate it on 5th September from 1962 onwards.
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY – SEPTEMBER 8 : The International Literacy Day (ILD) is being observed every year across the world on 8 September. The 2019 theme announced by UNESCO was ―Literacy and Multilingualism‖. The International Literacy Day (ILD) was officially proclaimed by UNESCO in its 14th Session in November 1966. Since then, it is celebrated annually by member countries of UNESCO.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 45
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY – SEPTEMBER 10: World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is an awareness day observed on 10 September. World Suicide Prevention Day 2019 theme is "Working Together To Prevent Suicide" to highlights the most essential ingredient for effective global suicide prevention. On 10 September, 2003 World Suicide Prevention Day was first started annually by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and World Health Organisation.
WORLD FIRST AID DAY – SEPTEMBER 14 World First Aid Day was started by the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies in 2000. The second Saturday of September is celebrated as the World first aid day. The theme of World First Aid Day 2019 is "First Aid and Excluded People".
NATIONAL ENGINEER‟S DAY – SEPTEMBER 15: National Engineer‘s day in India is commonly celebrated on the 15th of September every year in the remembrance of India‘s prolific civil engineer named Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. He was born on 15th September 1861 in the place named Muddenahalli near Chikkaballapur. He was given the responsibility to build the of Krishna Raja Sagar dam in Mysore and was also assigned with the responsibility as a chief architect of a flood defense system for Hyderabad which later provided fame to him as heuristic personality. The theme of this 52nd Engineers day is ―Engineering for Change‖.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY 2019 -SEPTEMBER 15 The annual international day of democracy is celebrated on September 15 of every year. The theme of International Day of Democracy 2019 is 'Participation'. In 2008, the International Day of Democracy was fist time celebrated.
WORLD OZONE DAY – SEPTEMBER 16 Since 1995, International Ozone Day is observed on 16 September annually. This day reminds the signing of the Montreal Protocol on substances that depletes the Ozone Layer. The theme of World Ozone Day 2019 is '32 years and Healing'.
WORLD PATIENT SAFETY DAY – SEPTEMBER 17 The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared September 17, 2019 as the first World Patient Safety Day. The focus of this year's International Day is ―Safety Culture at All Levels‖.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE - SEPTEMBER 21: The International Day of Peace, sometimes unofficially known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on 21 September. It was established by adopting UN resolution on the culture of peace in 1981. United Nations has declared ―Climate Action for Peace‖ as a theme for International Day of Peace- 2019. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SIGN LANGUAGES – SEPTEMBER 23: International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is celebrated annually across the world on 23 September every year along with International Week of the Deaf. The first International Day of Sign languages was celebrated by United Nations in 2018. The theme of IDSL 2019 is ―Sign Language Rights for All!.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 46
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
WORLD PHARMACIST DAY 2019 – SEPTEMBER 25: World Pharmacist Day is celebrated on 25 September every year to promote and advocate the role of the pharmacist in improving health all over the world. The theme for this year‘s World Pharmacists Day is ―Safe and effective medicines for all‖.
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE TOTAL ELIMINATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS - SEPTEMBER 26 The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (INTEN) is observed every year on September 26. A UN General Assembly resolution passed in 2013 earmarked September 26 as International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (INTEN) day.
WORLD MARITIME DAY – SEPTEMBER 26: World Maritime Day is observed on the last Thursday of September in every year. The 2019 World Maritime Day theme for the year is "Empowering Women in the Maritime Community". It was first observed in 1978 to mark the 20th anniversary of the International Maritime Organisation‘s (IMO) Convention.
WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DAY – SEPTEMBER 26 The World Environmental Health Day is celebrated on 26 September annually and coordinated by the International Federation of Environmental Health. The theme of celebration for 2019 is ―Climate change challenges, time for global Environmental Health to act in unison‖.
WORLD RABIES DAY – SEPTEMBER 28 World Rabies Day is an international awareness campaign coordinated by the USA‘s Global Alliance for Rabies Control on September 28th of every. It is an UN observance day and September 28th commemorates the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur. INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION - SEPTEMBER 28: The International Day for the Universal Access to Information is designated by the UNESCO General Conference to be held on 28 September. The theme for 2019 is ―Access to Information: Leaving no one behind‖. The day was inaugurated in November 2015 and was first held on 28 September 2016.
WORLD HEART DAY – SEPTEMBER 29 World Heart Day observance takes place on 29th September every year. It is observed since 2000.
OTHER IMPORTANT DAYS: World Physical Therapy Day - September 8- theme for the day is chronic pain. UN Day for South-South Cooperation – September 12. Perarinjar Anna Birthday – September 15 Railway Protection Force Raising Day – September 20 World Alzheimer‘s day – September 21 Zero Emissions Day– September 21
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 47
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
News Bits
From 1st September 2019, Delhi government has launched a mega 10-week antimosquito campaign against ―dengue and chikungunya‖. The West Bengal Legislative Assembly has passed the West Bengal (Prevention of Lynching) Bill, 2019 to prevent and punish incidents of mob assaults and lynching. Nadubhagam Chundan, the snake boat of Pallathuruthy Boat Club, lifted the 67th edition of the coveted Nehru Trophy at the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. Wing Commander Shalija Dhami has scripted history by becoming India‘s first female officer of the Indian Air Force to become the Flight Commander of a flying unit. The 8th edition of joint military exercise titled Shaheen VIII has started between the air forces of China and Pakistan in Chinese city of Holton. Holton is closer to the Indian border near Ladakh. A new book on the history of Indian Railways talks about the journey of the Indian Railways from 1830s to the new high-speed Train 18. The book, "A Short History of Indian Railways", has been penned by veteran journalist and author Rajendra B Aklekar. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the ―Report of the Task Force on the Development of Secondary Market for Corporate Loans‖ for comments. It was headed by TN Manoharan, Chairman of Canara Bank. The Human Resource Development Ministry has awarded the status of Institute of Eminence to the IIT- Madras, the IIT-Kharagpur, Delhi University, Benares Hindu University and the University of Hyderabad, Asia‘s first 5th Generation – Virtual Reality based Advanced Driver Training Simulator Centre was launched at the Automobile Association of Southern India Centre (AASI), Chennai. Eminent jurist and former parliamentarian Ram Jethmalani, known as one of India‘s top criminal lawyers passed away recently. Justice Vikram Nath has been appointed as the chief justice of the Gujarat High Court as per recommendations of the Supreme Court Collegium. He is at present posted as a judge in the Allahabad High Court. Srivilliputhur ‗palkova‘ and Kashmir 'safron' has been granted GI Tag. This tag is given under the GI act of 1999. Defense Research and Development Organization has handed over the 2ndindigenously developed AWAC (Airborne Early Warning and Control) aircraft, ‗Netra‘ to the Indian Air Force. The GST Network has decided to make Aadhaar authentication mandatory for new dealers from January 2020 to check malpractices in GST. Aadhaar authentication was earlier optional. The Uttarakhand government has decided to form a Special Tiger Force (STF) for Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR).
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 48
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flight tested indigenously developed low weight, fire and forget Man Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM) in ranges of Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. PM Modi has announced that the Union Government will spend 3.5 lakh crore rupees in the next five years on ‗Jal Jeevan Mission‘ to deliver potable water at every household across the country. Union Minister for Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal has launched the Curriculum for Life Skills (Jeevan Kaushal) designed by University Grants Commission. Hindi Divas (or Hindi day) is an annual day which is observed every year on 14 September all over India since 1953, to celebrate the popularity of Hindi as an official language of India.On 14 September, 1949 Constituent Assembly of India had adopted Hindi written in Devanagari script as official language of Republic of India. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the 72nd Session of World Health Organization - Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO) in New Delhi. He was unanimously elected as Chair of the Session. Uttarakhand government has decided to make Sanskrit language compulsory in all government and private schools from Classes 3 to 8. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu dedicated the DikshiHydroelectric Project to the people of the state. The 24 Mega Watt Hydroelectric Project has been installed at Dikshi Village in West Kameng District. Moti Bagh, a documentary film based on the struggle of a farmer in a remote Uttarakhand village has been ―nominated‖ for the Oscars. Union minister Rajnath Singh has become the first defence minister to fly in the indigenously-built light combat aircraft Tejas, from the HAL airport in Bengaluru. Ashok Leyland has become 1st Indian Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to meet BS-VI emission norms across its entire range of heavy-duty trucks. It has received compliance certificates from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). The Prime Minister announced that India would be giving a 1 billion dollar worth 'Line of Credit' for the development of the Far East Russia.Modi, in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, also unveiled the "Act Far East" policy to boost India's engagement with Russia's Far East region. India pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah completed a hat-trick against West Indies to became the third Indian to claim a hat-trick in Test cricket after Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan. DRDO and ADA successfully executed the first-ever arrested landing of Light Combat Aircraft (Navy) at a shore-based facility, INS Hansa in Goa, inching closer to the goal of operating from an aircraft carrier. The Punjab Employment Generation Department (PEGD) has decided to play the role of a recruitment agency for the youth ―wanting to go abroad‖ for work.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 49
Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs September 2019
Telangana State government has launched an exclusive app "Digital Employment Exchange of Telangana (DEET) " for unemployed youth.DEET aims to give more opportunities to job seekers while broadening the horizons of employers by giving them ample options to choose from. HRD Minister Ramesh Pokriyal has launched the Waste Management Accelerator for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs (WAWE Summit 2019).Theme of the Event is "Make Your Own Bag". The Telangana government has decided celebrate the year of 2020 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence. Scientists have discovered fossils of one of the world‘s oldest bird species in New Zealand. They had lived about 62 million years ago, soon after the dinosaurs died. Astronomers observing a distant star system have identified what may be the most massive neutron star ever discovered. The MSP J0740+6620 is about 2.14 times more massive than sun. The fifth edition of India International Science Festival (IISF) will be held in Kolkata from November 5-8. The Biswa Bangla Convention Centre and the Science City will be prime sites for various events during the festival. Geologists from Netherlands, have discovered a new continent named ―Greater Adria‖ in the Mediterranean region under Europe. This Greater Adria island is a piece of continental crust in the size of Greenland.
04224204182,9884267599, NVN layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 50