GK Update 12 Sept, 2019 NATIONAL UPDATES: 1. Skill India gets its first Batch of IES officers to the ISDS cadre: The fresh batch of the newest central government services, the Indian Skill Development Services (ISDS) commenced their training program at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI) in Mysuru, Karnataka. These are the first batch which is joining the ISDS cadre from the Indian Engineering Service Examination conducted by UPSC. The aim for this is to attract young and talented administrators towards institutionalizing the Skill Development environment in the country. The induction of young talent as ISDS officers is one of the special initiatives taken by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the government as a whole, to significantly strengthen the skill development eco-system in the country. This is the first batch of young minds from Indian Engineering Services to be included in the MSDE. Note: Minister of State in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: Raj Kumar Singh. 2. Haryana launches two insurance schemes for traders: The State government of Haryana has launched two insurance schemes for registered small and medium traders. The schemes includes “Mukhyamantri Vyapari Samuhik Niji Durghatna Beema Yojana” and “Mukhyamantri Vyapari Kshatipurti Beema Yojana“. An insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh would be provided under the Mukhyamantri Vyapari Samuhik Niji Durghatna Beema Yojana. An insurance cover ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh would be provided under the Mukhyamantri Vyapari Kshatipurti Beema Yojana. Traders registered under the Haryana Goods and Service Tax (HGST) Act, 2017 would be covered under these schemes. As per the scheme, the premium of people under both the schemes would be paid by the State government. Note: Haryana Capital: Chandigarh; Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar; Governor: Satyadev Narayan Arya. 3. Indian Railways across the country is observing “Swachhta-Hi-Seva Pakhwada”: Ministry of Railways is observing ‘Swachhta-Hi-Seva Pakhwada’ across its entire network from 11th September to 2nd October 2019. Prime Minister of India at an event on Swachhta Hi Seva (SHS) offered Shramdaan at Mathura leading and giving a message to the nation on the removal of plastic waste. According to Shri Piyush Goyal (Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry), officers and staff of all departments to be involved in various activities during ‘Swachhta-Hi-Seva Pakhwada’. Mr Goyal also directed Zonal Railways to upload selected photographs on E-Drishti, Minister’s dashboard for monitoring purposes. 4. Bandaru Dattatreya takes oath as Himachal Pradesh Governor: Former Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya (72-years) took oath as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court V. Ramasubramanian administered him,oath of Office and Secrecy at Rajbhavan in Shimla. Dattatreya has replaced Kalraj Mishra who is now taking over as the Governor of Rajasthan. GK Update 12 Sept, 2019 5. DR. PK Mishra takes charge as Principal Secretary to PM Modi: Senior Indian Administrative Service officer (retired) Dr. Pramod Kumar Mishra (1972 batch, Gujarat cadre) took charge as principal secretary to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He succeeds Nripendra Misra who stepped down recently. Mr Mishra holds a PhD in Economics / Development Studies from the University of Sussex in England. The United Nations conferred him with the SASAKAWA award in 2019 for his efforts towards disaster risk reduction. 6. P K Sinha appointed as the Principal Advisor to PM: Former Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha has been appointed the Principal Advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of PK Sinha. He is a 1977 batch Indian Administrative Service Batch officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre. He joined cabinet secretariat on June 1, 2015, as Officer-on-Special Duty. INTERNATIONAL UPDATES: 1. U.K. opens up two-year post-study work permit visa again: The U.K has decided to re- introduce the two-year post-study Visa for International students. It will boost the opportunities for talented students to build successful careers thereafter their education. According to the British High Commission, the new ‘graduate’ route will be open to all international students, who have valid U.K. immigration status as a student. Students have successfully completed a course of study in any subject at undergraduate level or above at an approved U.K. Higher Education Provider. The work visa was revoked in 2012 by the then government, affecting the international student admissions as they had to leave just four months after completing their course. 2. 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 per year. The Dau Tieng Solar Power Complex is a joint venture with the Thai industrial group B.Grimm Power Public Company and has an investment of more than USD 391 million. It is expected to generate 10% of the country's solar energy to guarantee supply to 320,000 homes. It will also prevent the emission of 595,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year. 3. Nepal Infrastructure Summit 2019 held in Kathmandu: Nepal Infrastructure Summit (3rd) 2019 was held in Kathmandu, Nepal (11th-12th September 2019). The theme of the summit was “Resilient Infrastructure for Sustainable Development“. It focuses on the global and regional mega trends, including climate change and their relevance to the local context, issues surrounding infrastructure project delivery, financing modalities and opportunities for cross- border economic cooperation and investments. The summit was organised by the Confederation of Nepalese Industries in association with Government of Nepal. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, New and Renewable Energy Raj Kumar Singh represented India in the summit. GK Update 12 Sept, 2019 Note: Prime Minister of Nepal: K P Sharma Oli; Capital: Kathmandu. 4. Thailand 1st in Asia to roll out plain cigarette packaging: Thailand became the first Asian nation to unveil plain cigarette packaging to reduce the appeal of smoking and complied with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines. In 2012, Australia became the first country to require tobacco products to be sold without colourful brand logos. Note: Thailand Capital: Bangkok, Currency: Baht. 5. Canada's Justin Trudeau calls general election on 21st October: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (47-years) dissolved the parliament and called a federal election for 21st October this year. Justin Trudeau (leader of the Liberal Party) visited Governor General Julie Payette, Canada's acting head of state to formally launch the campaign. Note: The prime minister of Canada is the primary Minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and Canada's head of government. 6. Cryodrakon boreas is the largest flying animal of all time: Scientists have unveiled a newly discovered species of a pterosaur, the largest ever flying animal according to a study conducted by Queen Mary University in London. These species come from the Azhdarchid group of pterosaurs. The pterosaur’s name Cryodrakon boreas roughly translates to ‘frozen dragon of the north wind’. Cryodrakon boreas is the largest flying animal of all time, with a wingspan of 10 m and weighing 250 kg, researchers reported in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 7. International Day for South-South Cooperation: 12th September: The International Day for South-South Cooperation is being observed every year on 12 September by United Nations (UN) to work on technical cooperation among developing countries. The theme for 2019: From Commitment to Action — Follow up to Buenos Aires Plan of Action+40. The Second High- level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40) was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina (20-22 March 2019). OTHER UPDATES: BANKING AND FINANCE 1. IDBI to launch co-branded credit card with LIC: The Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI Bank) and Life Insurance Corporation of India Credit Cards Services (LIC CSL), a wholly- owned subsidiary of LIC, will launch a co-branded credit card, which will be marketed to customers, agents, and employees of the corporation and its subsidiaries. Note: IDBI Bank Headquarters: Mumbai; MD and CEO: Rakesh Sharma; Chairman of LIC: MR Kumar; Headquarters of LIC: Mumbai. AWARDS AND HONOUR GK Update 12 Sept, 2019 1. Navdeep Singh Suri honoured with First Class Order of Zayed II: Navdeep Singh Suri, India’s envoy to United Arab Emirates, has been honoured with the First Class Order of Zayed II award. He was awarded by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his contribution to the development and strengthening of friendly relations and co-operation between India and UAE during his tenure. Suri has been heading the Indian mission in the UAE since October 2016. DEFENCE 1. DRDO successfully tests indigenous anti-tank guided missile (MPATGM): The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested an indigenously- developed low weight, fire and forget Man-Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM) in the ranges of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. This is the third series of successful testing of MPATGM. The missile is incorporated with state-of-the-art Infrared Imaging Seeker along with advanced avionics. The test paves the way for the Army to have developed third-generation man-portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile indigenously. Note: DRDO Chairman: G Satheesh Reddy, Established: 1958, Headquarters: New Delhi. 2. IAF resurrects 17 Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’ for Rafale: The Indian Air Force (IAF) resurrected the Air Force Station (AFS) Ambala-based 17 Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’, which will operate the first squadron of Rafale fighter jets. Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa presented a memento to Station Commander Group Captain Harkirat Singh to commemorate the occasion. The squadron was formed at Ambala on 01st Oct 1951 under the command of Flight Lieutenant D L Springett and was then equipped with Harvard-II B aircraft.