1 We Shine Study Circle –2018 [_iySuccess is the sum of small Efforts Repeated day in and day out Main Office @ Weshine Study Circle Chromepet, Chennai Phone : 8939144344,8939244344 Branch Office @ Weshine Study Circle Plot No: 47/60, ―AK‖ Block, 3rd Floor, West Wing, Gokul Arcarde, 7th Main Road, Anna Nagar No.2, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600 040. Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600 020. https://weshineacademy.com 2 INDEX 04 - 52 National News 52 - 69 International News 70 - 79 Sports News 80 - 85 Science and Technology 86 - 96 Awards 97 - 102 Appointments 103 - 109 Important Days 109 - 117 Economic 118 - 119 Books 3 NATIONAL NEWS October 1 1. Who launched a Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System (FFEWS) for Kolkata City? Answer : Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Explanation : o Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) launched a Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System (FFEWS) for Kolkata City. It is also India‘s first comprehensive city- level FFEWS. It will reduce economic loss and impacts on livelihood and improve flood awareness and safety at the community level. o The Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded the design and implementation of the FFEWS through a $1 million technical assistance to KMC from its Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund under the Urban Financing Partnership Facility. 2. Who is the head of a seven-member ministerial panel to examine modalities for revenue mobilization? Answer : Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi Explanation : o The Government constituted a seven-member ministerial panel headed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi to examine modalities for revenue mobilisation in case of natural calamities and disasters. o The panel would look into five issues flagged by the Council, including whether the new tax should be levied only in the state concerned or should it be an all-India levy, and that should it be on specified luxury or sin goods only. o In pursuance of its objective of ensuring that Legislation is in sync with the needs of strong economic fundamentals, the Government has constituted a Competition Law Review Committee to review the Competition Act. The Committee will be headed by Injeti Srinivas, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs. 3. Name the new district created by the Madhya Pradesh government? Answer : „Niwari‘ Explanation : o The Madhya Pradesh government announced the creation of a new district „Niwari‟. The new district would include three tehsils of the present Tikamgarh district – Niwari, Orchha and Prithvipur. The government‘s decision will come into effect from October 1. 4. Who is the partner of Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM – U)? Answer : Google Explanation : o The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, under the aegis of Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM – U) partnered with Google to launch the Loo Review 4 campaign. his would encourage all local guides in India to rate and review public toilets on Google Maps. o 500+ cities in India with more than 30,000 toilets with the name of “SBM Toilet” are currently live on Google Maps. 5. Who inaugurate the Conference on Organic Farmers Co- operatives? Answer : Shri Jual Oram Explanation : o Shri Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs inaugurated the “Conference on Empowerment of Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) & Organic Farmers Co- operatives from Dantewada, Bastar Region” in New Delhi. This was aimed to give market opportunities team members of Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) & Organic Farmers Co-operatives from Dantewada, Bastar Region to showcase their products in urban areas. o The Ministry also launched “Punch Tantra Collection” which included Punchtantra tribal artefacts including handlooms and handicrafts. October 2 1. Who inaugurated the Sustainable Alternative towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative? Answer : Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Explanation : o To boost availability of more affordable transport fuels with better usage of agricultural residue, cattle dung and municipal solid waste, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative. o It was launched as a part of Swachhta Hi Seva movement. This practice of using bio gas as a fuel would help provide an additional revenue source to farmers and vehicle-users. 2. On which day did the Antonio Guterres attend the ‗Champions of Earth‘ ceremony in New Delhi? Answer : October 3,2018 Explanation : o United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrived in New Delhi on his maiden visit to India as the head of the world body that coincides with the commencement of events marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. o The UN chief will meet the top leadership of the country including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is likely to discuss key global issues such as climate change and terrorism during his three-day visit. On October 3, Guterres will attend the „Champions of Earth‟ ceremony in New Delhi. 5 3. Which state passed a resolution to declare cow the„Rashtra Mata‘? Answer : Uttarakhand Explanation : o The Uttarakhand Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to declare cow the „Rashtra Mata‟ or the mother of the nation. State Animal Husbandry Minister Rekha Arya, who moved the resolution in the Assembly, said that considering it a request from Uttarakhand Assembly, the Centre must grant the status of mother of nation to the cow. 4. Where did the Regional Research & Technology Transfer Station (RRTTS) located? Answer : Bhawanipatna Explanation : o Inaugurating the three-day conclave Kalahandi Dialogue, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced that the Regional Research & Technology Transfer Station (RRTTS), Bhawanipatna, will henceforth be the Centre of Excellence for cotton, tropical fruit, crops and aromatic rice. o He also announced opening of five PG departments on Agronomy, Soil Science & Agriculture, Chemistry, Entomology, Plant Physiology and Plant Pathology in the College of Agriculture. 5. Who inaugurated the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention in New Delhi? Answer : Shri Ram Nath Kovind Explanation : o The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention in New Delhi. India is striving to eliminate open defecation in its entirety by October 2, 2019. o The Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention is being organised by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation to mark the beginning of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi, also coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission. 6. Who has signed an agreement with hospital chain Apollo Hospitals? Answer : NITI Aayog Explanation : o NITI Aayog has signed an agreement with cloud services provider Oracle, hospital chain Apollo Hospitals, and pharmaceutical manufacturer Strides Pharma Sciences. The agreement aims to curb the distribution of fake drugs using new technologies. o The partners will pilot a real drug supply chain using blockchain decentralised ledger and IoT software. October 3 1. Who launch the own food security scheme? Answer : Odisha government 6 Explanation : o Odisha government launched the State‟s own food security scheme to cover the poor people. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the scheme via video conferencing at the State Secretariat in Bhubaneswar. o As per the provisions of the scheme, 25 lakh poor people left out from the benefits of the National Food Security Act, will get rice of 5 kg per month for one rupee. 2. Who inaugurated the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi? Answer : Narendra Modi Explanation : o The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, inaugurated the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi. The same event also marked the inauguration of the second IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting, and the 2nd Global RE-Invest (Renewable Energy Investors‟ Meet and Expo). o The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, was present on the occasion. As per the PM, India is also working on biomass, bio-fuel and bio-energy. 3. Who is the top appellate body in RTI matters? Answer : The Central Information Commission (CIC) Explanation : o The Central Information Commission (CIC) brought the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under the RTI (Right to Information) Act. The commission, which is the top appellate body in RTI matters, went through the laws and orders of the Supreme Court, the Law Commission of India report, submissions of the Central Public Information Officer in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to come to a conclusion that the characteristics of the BCCI fulfil the required conditions of Section 2(h) of the RTI Act. 4. What is the objective of Wage Compensation scheme for Pregnant Women? Answer : To reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in the tea growing areas Explanation : o To reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in the tea growing areas, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched Wage Compensation scheme for Pregnant Women in tea gardens of the state in Guwahati. o According to the scheme, the pregnant woman would receive an amount of Rs. 12,000 given in 4 installments. 5. Where did the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit VII to be held? Answer : Shimla Explanation : o Deliberations on ecological, social and economic drivers of change will mark the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit VII to be held in Shimla from