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  • WBCS Current Affairs 14th October to 20th October 2017
    Posted on October 14th, 2017 in Current Affairs, Weekly Current Affairs
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    WBCS Current Affairs 14th October to 20th October 2017

    The Importance of Current Affairs in W.B.C.S examinations is immense.Success inW.B.C.S  Prelims and W.B.C.S Mains Exam is mainly subjected to how well an aspirant is aware of the important current affairs. Preparation of current affairs for W.B.C.S is the key to unlock the exam.Continue Reading WBCS Current Affairs 14th October to 20th October 2017.

    1) American author George Saunders won the 2017 Man Booker Prize, a high-profile literary award for his first full-length novel “Lincoln in the Bardo”. With this, he became second consecutive American writer to win prize after Paul Beatty (for his novel The Sellout), after rules were changed in 2014 to allow authors of any book written in English and published in UK to compete. Lincoln in the Bardo: It is set in 1862, a year into the American Civil war. It is a blend of historical accounts and imaginative fiction, which sees Lincoln’s son Willie, who died in the White House at tender age of 11, in Bardo, a Tibetan form of purgatory. George Saunders: He is American writer of short stories, novellas, essays, children’s books and a novel. He is professor at Syracuse University. He has won National Magazine Award for fiction in 1994, 1996, 2000, and 2004 and Henry Awards in 1997. His first story collection, CivilWarLand in Bad Decline, was a finalist for the 1996 PEN/Hemingway Award. He received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2006 and also won World Fantasy Award same year for his short story “CommComm”. In 2013, he had won PEN/Malamud Award. His Tenth of December: Stories won 2013 Story Prize for short-story collections and inaugural (2014) Folio Prize. Man Booker Prize: The Man Booker Prize world’s most prestigious English-language literary award. It was launched in 1969 and presented by the Man Group. It aims at promoting the finest literary work in fiction by rewarding the best novel of the year written in English and published in the United Kingdom. It carries cash prize of 50,000 pounds. The authors are shortlisted by judges from a wide range of disciplines and all with a passion for quality fiction.
    2) The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore and Indian Instituted of Technology (IIT) Bombay were ranked among world’s top 200 institutions for engineering and computer science in Times Higher Education subject-wise rankings. IISc was placed at the 89th spot, while IIT Bombay was placed in the 126- 150 category, globally. Rankings: Times Higher Education subject-wise rankings scored 500 institutions worldwide on performance parameters such as industry income, international outlook, teaching and research. It highlights the educational institutions that are leading in electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical and general engineering courses. Key Facts: In this edition, Stanford University from US was ranked number one, followed by California institute of Technology, Oxford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Cambridge University. China had total of 35 institutions in rankings, highest in Asia. China’s Peking University and National University of Singapore are among top ten and top performers from Asia. India has a total of eleven institutions in rankings, IITs in Delhi, Kanpur and Kharagpur were placed in 201-250 band and IITs in Madras and Roorkee in 251 – 300 category. Meanwhile, IIT Guwahati was among institutes in 301 – 400 ranks and Jadavpur University, NIT Rourkela and Tezpur University were pegged in 401 to 500 band.

    3) Scientists on World Sawfish Day (observed on October 17th) announced that sawfish, sighted off Indian coast less than 10 times in over a decade appears to be more threatened than tigers and elephants. Anecdotal evidence suggested that sawfish was once common along the Indian coast but today it may be the most endangered fish species in India. Key Facts: Sawfish also known as carpenter sharks are a family of rays. They are characterized by long, narrow, flattened rostrum or nose extension, lined with sharp transverse teeth resembling saw.Sawfish are closely related to sharks and have shark-shaped bodies, hence, they are also called flat sharks. They are elasmobranchs meaning their skeleton is made of cartilage. There are only five species of sawfish ever identified —knifetooth sawfish, smalltooth sawfish, dwarf sawfish largetooth sawfish and green sawfish. Protection Status: In the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Red List, sawfish family has been assessed either ‘Endangered’ or ‘Critically Endangered’ considering their threatened status, high extinction risk and observed population decline. The sawfish has been given high degree of protection as it is listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 enacted to save them from exploitation.

    4) Largest commodity bourse Multi-Commodity Exchange of India Ltd (MCX) launched India’s first commodity options in gold. It was launched by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The gold futures contract will have bi-monthly duration. The option will also have the existing gold kilo futures contract as its underlier. Options: Options are an instrument that gives buyer right to buy or sell an underlined at present price on a future date. They are of two types: puts (right to sell) and calls (right to buy). According to market experts, options are also a much better hedging instrument as compared to futures for hedgers. Key Facts: MCX’s Gold Option contract is European-styled Gold options with Gold (1 Kg) futures as underlying asset. These options are hedge-friendly and physically settled. It means that on exercise at expiration options position develops into corresponding underlying MCX 1 KG Gold futures position at strike price of exercised options. The options product is unique and first of its kind which gives buyers right to buy or sell underlying asset, but no obligation, at a specified price at expiry. Thus, for buyers, risk is limited only to premium paid to option seller (i.e. Option writer). Comment: The launch of commodity options in gold denotes one of most significant reform measures since modern commodity derivatives trading started in 2003. It will give stakeholders new set of financial instruments to hedge their price risks. Moreover, introduction of options gives strong impetus towards systematic development and transformation of commodity derivatives market in India, ushering in new era in price risk management in response to stakeholder expectations Multi Commodity Exchange Ltd (MCX): MCX is country’s largest metals and energy commodity bourse. It is country’s first listed commodity futures exchange that facilitates online trading, and clearing and settlement of commodity futures transactions, thereby providing a platform for risk management. It began functioning in November 2003 and operates within regulatory framework of the Forward Contracts Regulation Act, 1952 (FCRA, 1952). It offers futures trading in bullion, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, energy, and a number of agricultural commodities (mentha oil, cardamom, potatoes, palm oil and others). Globally, MCX ranks no. 1 in silver, no. 2 in natural gas, no. 3 in crude oil and gold in futures trading.

    5) India and Japan have signed memorandum of cooperation (MoC) on Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP) to significantly expand the bilateral cooperation s in the field of skill development. India is the third country with which Japan has signed the MoC. Under it, India will send youngsters to Japan as technical interns for on-the-job training for a period of three to five years. Key Facts: TITP will serve as an ideal platform through which complementary strengths of India and Japan will be leveraged for mutual benefit. The technical interns trained in Japan under TITP will be an asset for the Skill India initiative upon their return to India. It will significantly contribute of Government’s vision of making India as largest provider of skilled workforce to the world. Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP): It was launched by Japan under Technical Intern Training Act scheduled to come into force in November 2017. By 2016-end, approximately 2,30,000 technical intern trainees from multiple countries were trained in Japan under it. In 2016, about 1,08,709 technical interns entered Japan from various partner countries such as China, Vietnam and Indonesia that account for large numbers.

    6) The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) has launched online campaign #IamThatWoman in an attempt to end Gender bias in women against women. It was launched by WCD Minister Meneka Gandhi. Significance of this campaign: Through the campaign, Ministry seeks to highlight various aspects of women standing ‘by’ and ‘for’ women. It also aims to shed light on the enormous contributions made by women for women. Under this campaign, Twitter and Facebook users have been encouraged to tag and share stories of women helping women with photograph and post online with the hashtag #IamThatWoman. Ministry of WCD also has urged people to shun stereotypes associated with women harming other women.

    7) The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) is observed every year on October 17 to raise people’s awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The 2017 theme ‘Answering the Call of October 17 to end poverty: A path toward peaceful and inclusive societies’. It seeks to remind importance of the values of dignity, solidarity and voice underscored in the Call to Action to fight to end poverty everywhere. This year’s celebration also marks 25th anniversary of declaration of IDEP by UN General Assembly (UNDP). It also marks 30th anniversary of “Call to Action” by Father Joseph Wresinski which had inspired observance of October 17 as World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty and recognition by UN day as the IDEP. Background: The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) was instituted by UNGA by adopting a resolution on 22 December 1992 to promote awareness among people to eradicate poverty and destitution around the world particularly in developing countries. It was observed for the first time in 1993.

    8) India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) of India on has signed an investment agreement worth $1 billion with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA). With this, ADIA became first institutional investor in NIIF’s Master Fund and shareholder in NIIF’s investment management Company. NIIF is claimed to be India’s first sovereign wealth fund. Background: The agreement was signed in pursuant to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Finance Ministry and Government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) to mobilise long term investment into NIIF. National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF): The Union Government has set up NIIF in 2015 with aim to attract investments from both domestic and international sources for infrastructure development in commercially viable projects both Greenfield and Brownfield, including stalled projects. It was envisaged to be Category II Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) under SEBI Regulations. It will also serve as an umbrella fund with several funds underneath it. It has proposed corpus of Rs. 40,000 crores (around $6 Billion). Government’s contribution to NIIF is 49% of total commitment at any given point of time. NIIF has been mandated to solicit equity participation from strategic anchor partners, like overseas sovereign, quasi-sovereign, multilateral and bilateral investors. Two companies viz. NIIFTL, trustee of fund and NIIFL, investment management company of NIIF were incorporated in 2015. Besides, Governing Council also has been set up under chairmanship of Union Finance Minister to act as an advisory council to NIIF. Few investors of NIIF: NIIF has singed MoUs with Government of UAE, RUSNANO, QIA, RDIF and Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development (JOIN). In addition, DEA has signed terms for cooperation on NIIF with UK Treasury and US Treasury. Besides, India-UK Green Growth Equity Fund (GGEF) also has been announced in April 2017.

    9) Indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare stealth corvette INS Kiltan was commissioned an into the Indian Navy at the Eastern Naval Command (Naval Dockyard) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It is India’s first major warship to have a superstructure of carbon fibre composite material resulting in improved stealth features, lower top weight and maintenance costs. About 81% of the ship is indigenous and it is well equipped to fight in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions. INS Kiltan: INS Kiltan is third of four Kamorta-class corvettes being built under Project 28. It is latest indigenous warship after Shivalik Class, Kolkata Class and sister ships INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt of Indian Navy’s arsenal. It is also first major warship to have undertaken sea trials of all major weapons and sensors as a pilot project. The stealth corvette derives its name from one of islands in Aminidivi group of strategically located Lakshadweep and Minicoy group of islands. It has been designed indigenously by Indian Navy’s in-house body Directorate of Naval Design under Project 28 (Kamorta Class). Features: It is 109 meters in length and 14 meters at beam and is propelled by four diesel engines to achieve speeds in excess of 25 knots with an endurance of 3450 nautical miles. It has displacement capacity of 3500 tonnes and has installed propulsion and auxiliary systems that provides very low radiated underwater noise feature, required for anti-submarine warfare. Stealth features: Enhanced stealth features of the ship have been achieved by ‘X’ form of Hull, full beam superstructure, inclined ship sides and use of InfraRed Signature Suppression (IRSS) system designed by NSTL for cooling the Engine and Generator exhausts. Weapons and Sensors suite: The ship hosts predominantly indigenous cutting-edge weapons and sensors suite which includes heavyweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, missile decoy rockets (Chaff), advanced Electronic Support Measure system, 76 mm calibre Medium Range gun and two multi-barrel 30 mm guns as close-in-weapon system (CIWS) with dedicated fire control systems, most advanced bow mounted sonar and air surveillance radar Revathi. In future, it will be installed with short range SAM system and carry an integral ASW helicopter. Historical Legacy: The ship also boasts of proud legacy of the erstwhile Petya Class ship of same name ‘Kiltan (P79)’ built in the USSR which had actively participated as Task Force Commander in ‘Operation Trident’ during 1971 India-Pakistan war.

    10) The World Food Day is observed globally on 16 October to mark foundation of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945. The theme for the year 2017 is “Change the future of migration. Invest in food security and rural development.” The World Food Day is a day of action dedicated to tackling global hunger and aims to raise public awareness about hunger challenges and encourage people around world to take action in fight against hunger. This day also shows commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030. Events organised to celebrate this day promotes worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all. Background: The World Food Day was instituted in November 1979 by FAO’s Member Countries at its 20th General Conference of to raise awareness of issues behind poverty and hunger. The day was observed for the first time it on 16 October 1981 and idea of celebrating the WFD worldwide was mooted by Hungarian Delegation to FAO. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO): FAO is specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Its parent organization is UN Economic and Social Council (UNESC). It is neutral forum serving both developed and developing countries where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. It was established on 16 October 1945 and its headquarters are in Rome, Italy. Its motto is “Let there be bread”. It has 194 member states, along with the European Union (member organization). FAO meet the demands posed by major global trends in agricultural development and challenges faced by member nations. It helps countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all.

    11) The International Day of Rural Women is observed every year on October 15 to recognize the crucial role and contribution of rural women. The 2017 theme of the day is “Challenges and opportunities in climate-resilient agriculture for gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls”. The observance of day highlights role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women in enhancing rural and agricultural development, eradicating rural poverty and improving food security and ensuring sustainability of rural households and communities, improving rural livelihoods and overall wellbeing. Background: The International Day of Rural Women was instituted by the UN General Assembly by passing resolution 62/136 in December 2007. It was first observed on15 October 2008. According to UN, empowerment of rural women is pre-requisite for fulfilling vision of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) which aims at ending poverty and hunger, achieve food security and empower all women and girls. Rural women, make up over a quarter of the total world population. Majority of them depend on natural resources and agriculture for their livelihood. They produce, prepare and process much of the food available, thereby giving them primary responsibility for food security. Thus, International Day of Rural Women recognises contribution and significant role played by these rural women in food security and poverty elevation.

    12) Carnatic vocalist T M Krishna won 30th Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for 2015 -16 for his services in promoting and preserving national integration in the country. He will be presented with the honour by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on October 31, 2017 Indira Gandhi’s death anniversary. TM Krishna: He is one of prominent vocalists in rigorous Carnatic tradition of Indian classical music and also activist who has worked on creating egalitarian spaces for music and breaking down caste-barriers in form. He was also part of movement to help Tamil-dominated and war-ravaged northern province of Sri Lanka rebuild its classical music traditions. He has written and talked on wide range of socio-political issues, including women’s rights, children’s needs, issues that make a society civil or un-civil, and dangers of mentality of war and narrow nationalism. In 2016, he won Ramon Magsaysay award for bringing “social inclusiveness in culture. Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration: The award was instituted in 1985 by Congress on its centenary year celebrations. It is conferred every year on October 31 for promoting national integration, understanding and fellowship among different communities and cultures of India. The award consists of a citation and a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh. Some of the recipients are.S. Subbulakshmi, former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi (posthumously) and former presidents A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Shankar Dayal Sharma (posthumously), musician A.R. Rahman, Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, poet Gulzar, scientist M.S. Swaminathan, filmmaker Shyam Benegal and lyricist Javed Akhtar.

    13) The Supreme Court has asked Union Government to strike a balance between humanitarian concern for Rohingya community staying in India and country’s economic and national security interests. The apex court unlined that both executive and judiciary cannot be totally oblivious to condition of women and children among Rohingya refugees and said that crisis has thrown up an extraordinary situation. With this, the status quo held by Government continues even though the court gave the community liberty to approach it in case of any contingency. Background: The SC was hearing on petition filed by two Rohingya Muslim refugees for protection of the life and liberty of their community challenging Union Government’s move to deport them from country. Petitioners in their plea had mentioned Government’s move violated tconstitutional guarantee that Indian state should protect the life and liberty of every human being, whether citizen or not. As per petition, Government’s proposed deportation is contrary to Indian constitutional protections guaranteed under Article 14 (equality), Article 21 (right to life) and Article 51(c) (respect for international law and treaty obligations) of the Constitution. Rohingya Issue: Rohingya is ethnic Muslim minority group, largely comprising Muslims living primarily in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state. They differ from Myanmar’s dominant Buddhist groups religiously, ethnically and linguistically. They practice a Sufi-inflected variation of Sunni Islam. They speak Bengali dialect, as opposed to commonly spoken Burmese language in Myanmar. Myanmar considers Rohingya’s as illegal Bengali immigrants, despite fact that many they have resided in Rakhine province of Myanmar for centuries. Myanmar government even refuses to grant them citizenship status, and as a result they do not have any legal documentation, effectively making them stateless. They are also restricted from freedom of movement, state education and civil service jobs. UN has often described Rohingyas as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world.

    14) National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) was inaugurated at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras in Tamil Nadu. It is world’s largest combustion research centre and one of best diagnostic centres in the country to understand combustion. National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD): NCCRD is supported by state-run Science and Engineering Research Board (SERN) of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology. It has been established at a total cost of Rs 90 crore. It will develop state-of-the-art capabilities in combustion research involving experts in the country. NCCRD’s research interests will cover automotive, thermal power and aerospace propulsion, besides fire research and microgravity combustion to minor extent. It will provide impetus to research in ‘Alternative Energy and Environmental Protection’ by focusing on effective utilisation of combustion as means of thermo-chemical energy conversion. NCCRD has been set up as nodal centre in region and any institute and industry can work with it as it is totally IT-enabled and possess a strong simulation facility. Many industrial and R&D organisations like Mahindra, Shell, BHEL, ISRO, DRDO (DRDL, GTRE, CFEES), TVS, AVL, GAIL, GE, NAL, Forbes-Marshall, Siemens, Thermax, Cummins, Tata Power etc are working closely with NCCRD. NCCRD will impart major boost to Indian scientific community. It will play a pivotal role in making sure that India has access to latest technologies in all these areas. Its intention is to make it knowledge base in areas like combustion, gasification, propulsion and automotive sectors.

    15) Former French Culture Minister Audrey Azoulay (45) was elected as new Director General of UNESCO – the UN’s education, science and culture agency. With this, she becomes first Jewish Director of UNESCO. Azoulay defeated Qatar’s Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari in the final 30-28 vote after she won a runoff with a third finalist from Egypt. She will succeed outgoing Director-General Irina Bokova of Bulgaria. Audrey Azoulay: Azoulay was born on 4 August 1972 in Paris to a Moroccan Jewish family from Essaouira. She is the daughter of Andre Azoulay, an adviser to king Mohammed VI of Morocco. She had earned master’s degree in management sciences from Paris Dauphine University in 1994 and master’s degree in business administration from Lancaster University. She also studied at Sciences Po and École nationale d’administration (ENA). She was France’s Minister of Culture from February 2016 to May 2017.

    16) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has brought into effect new Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) Act 2016 which was notified in March 2016. The Act replaced Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986. It aims to help in ease of doing business in country, enhance ‘Make In India’ campaign and ensure availability of quality products and services to the consumers. Key Facts: Bureau of Indian standards (BIS): The BIS Act, 2016 establishes the BIS as the National Standards Body of India for the purpose of standardization, marking and certification of articles and processes. It has broaden BIS’s ambit and allows central government to make it mandatory for certain notified goods, articles, processes, etc to carry the standard mark. Enabling provisions: The BIS Act, 2016 has enabling provisions for Government to bring under compulsory certification regime any goods or article of any scheduled industry, process, system or service which it considers necessary in the public interest or for the protection of human, animal or plant health or national security. Enabling provisions have also been made for making hallmarking of the precious metal articles mandatory. Conformity assessment schemes: The new Act also allows multiple types of simplified conformity assessment schemes including self-declaration of conformity against standard which will provide simplified options to manufacturers to adhere to the standards. Other Authority: The Act enables Centre to appoint any authority, agency, in addition to BIS, to verify conformity of products and services to a standard and issue certificate of conformity. Recall of goods, services, articles etc: BIS can recall good or article which is already out for sale or supply if Bureau is convinced that good or article does not conform to the requirement of a particular standard. Further, it has provision for repair or recall, including product liability of the products bearing Standard Mark, however not conforming to the relevant Indian Standard. Certification of precious metals: It makes hallmark mandatory to certify precious metal articles including silver, gold, platinum, and palladium or their alloys. In this case, hallmark indicates proportionate content of precious metal in article as per Indian standard. Mandatory certification of certain goods: It allows central government to notify certain goods, articles, etc, which will need to compulsorily carry a standard mark. Such goods or articles will be notified if they are necessary forpublic interest or for the protection of human, animal or plant health, safety of environment, prevention of unfair trade practices, or national security. Offences by companies: Company committing offence under the Act, then persons in charge or responsible for company will be presumed to be guilty irrespective of whether offence was committed without their knowledge, consent or connivance. Appeals: Regarding granting of license or certificate of conformity, compounding of offences, must be made to Director General of BIS. Further appeal against the order of DG, BIS can be made to central government.

    17) The World Standards Day is observed every year on 14 October across the globe to mark the development of voluntary engineering and scientific standards. The theme for year 2017 is “Standards make cities smarter” Significance of the day: Observance of the day honours contributions of all those who have developed technical agreements that are published as international standards. It also seeks to raise awareness regarding significance of standardization in global economy, among regulators, industry and consumers. This day is mainly celebrated by members of organisations like ISO (International Organisation for Standardization), IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), ITU (International Teleommunication Union) and IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force). Background: The first World Standards Day was celebrated on 14 October, 1970. On this day in 1946, representatives from 25 countries gathered in London for first time with the aim of creating an international organization solely focused on facilitating standardization. The ISO was formed a year later in 1947.

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    18) The 5th India-Sri Lanka joint training exercise “Mitra Shakti 2017” was held Aundh Military Station in Pune, Maharshtra. The two weeks exercise (October 13 and 25) is based on Counter Terrorist Operations (CTO) and Infantry company from both countries are participating in it. Mitra Shakti 2017: The aim of joint training is to exchange best of military practices of two countries and build strong military-to-military (M2M) relation between two armies. It also aims at developing joint strategies by sharing the expertise of conducting operations, especially in counter-insurgency and counter terrorism (CI and CT) environment under UN mandate. The training module of exercise will include weapons training, basic military tactics and complex battle strategies. Background: The Mitra Shakti series of exercise between India and Sri Lanka had started in 2012, mainly as a response to China’s efforts to increase its influence in South Asia and Indian Ocean region. The armies of India and Sri Lanka also serve together in the United Nations Peacekeeping missions. The fourth edition of exercise was held at Sinha Regimental Centre in Ambepussa, Sri Lanka, in 2016 with main focus to enhance inter-operability in CI and CT operations under the UN mandate.

    19) The Union Government has launched Sampoorna Bima Gram (SBG) Yojana and expanded coverage of Postal Life Insurance (PLI) in a bid to provide affordable life insurance services to people particularly those living in rural areas. Witt expnasion, PLI will now cover professionals also apart from government employees. Sampoorna Bima Gram (SBG) Yojana: Under SBG Yojana, at least one village (having a minimum of 100 households) will be identified in each of revenue districts of country to cover all households of identified village with minimum of one RPLI (Rural Postal Life Insurance) policy each. Coverage of all households in identified Sampoorna Bima Gram village is primary objective of this scheme. Expansion of PLI: With expansion of PLI, benefits of PLI will no more be confined to government and semi-government employees only, but will also be available to professionals such as doctors, engineers, management consultants, chartered accountants, architects, lawyers, bankers etc. and to employees of listed companies of NSE (National Stock Exchange) and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange). It will enlarge cover of social security and bring maximum number of people under protection of PLI. Postal Life Insurance (PLI): PLI was introduced in 1884. It is one of oldest life insurance schemes for benefit of government and semi-government employees. It covers employees of Central and state governments, Central and state public sector undertakings (PSUs), universities, government-aided educational institutions, nationalized banks, local bodies, autonomous bodies, joint ventures having a minimum of 10% Government/PSU stakes societies etc. It also extends facility of insurance to officers and staff of Defence services and para-military forces. It also manages group insurance scheme for extra departmental employees (Gramin Dak Sevaks) of Department of Posts. PLI offers 6 types of plans viz. Whole Life Assurance (SURAKSHA), Convertible Whole Life Assurance (SUVIDHA), Endowment Assurance (SANTOSH), Anticipated Endowment Assurance (SUMANGAL), Joint Life Assurance (YUGAL SURAKSHA) and Children Policy (BAL JEEVAN BIMA). In all policies age limit is 19 to 55 years. Low premium and high bonus is unique feature of PLI scheme.

    20) The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has raised Rs. 660 crore as Fully Serviced Bonds. The oversubscribed bonds were issued through e-bidding on BSE Portal and the entire amount of Rs.660 crore was raised in single tranche at a coupon rate of 7.47%. Key Facts: The proceeds from these bonds will be utilized by IWAI exclusively for capital expenditure for development of National Waterways (NWs) under National Waterway Act, 2016 during 2017-18. The principal and interest on these bonds will be financed by budgetary provisions in demand for grants of Ministry of shipping. The interest payment will be on semi-annual basis and the principal on maturity. Prior to raising bonds, IWAI had engaged arrangers, credit rating agencies, registrars and trustees. Both CRISIL and CARE rated proposed bonds of IWAI as “AAA: STABLE”. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): IWAI is the statutory body in charge of the waterways in India. Its headquarters is located in Noida, UP. Its main function is to build the necessary infrastructure in the inland waterways, surveying the economic feasibility of new projects and also carrying out administration and regulation.

    21) The United States has announced its withdrawal from Paris-based United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), UN’s cultural agency accusing the body of anti-Israel bias. Besides US, Israel has also decided to pull out of UNESCO. US withdrawal will take effect on December 31, 2018. Until then, it will remain a full member. US has announced to establish an observer mission to replace its representation at UNESCO. Background: USA and UNESCO were at loggerheads since 2011, after UNESCO had admitted Palestinian territories to the organization as an independent member-state called Palestine. UNESCO was first UN agency to recognise and admit Palestine as full member. The recognition was against US policy in Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This was against US’s law which cut off its funding for any organization that recognizes independent Palestine. The US had previously paid for 22% ($80 million) of UNESCO’s annual budget. UNESCO in 2013, had suspended US voting rights in its core decision-making bodies after US missed several rounds of payments to UNESCO. United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO): UNESCO is UN organization that helps preserve historical and cultural sites worldwide. It is special multi-country agency, formed in 1945 and based in France. It promotes literacy and sex education as well as improving gender equality in countries around the world. It is also known for recognising world heritage sites and work to preserve cultural and heritage sites such as ancient ruins, villages and temples, and historic sites.

    22) The clinical trials of two experimental Ebola vaccines cAd3-EBOZ and rVSV-ZEBOV were found to be safe and capable of eliciting immune response against Ebola virus that lasts for at least one year. The findings were based on a study of clinical trials on 1,500 adults that began during West Africa Ebola outbreak. Three groups of 500 volunteers received one of the vaccine candidates or a placebo (saline injection). Key Facts: During clinical trials, it was observed that responses to both vaccine candidates were modest at one week. However, by one month, 71% of cAd3-EBOZ recipients and 84% of rVSV-ZEBOV recipients developed an antibody response compared to 3% of placebo recipients. These trials have yielded valuable information for development of these two Ebola vaccine candidates and also demonstrated that well-designed, ethically sound clinical research can be conducted during an epidemic. These safe and effective Ebola vaccines will play important role in controlling inevitable future Ebola outbreaks in addition to existing classical public health measures. Ebola virus disease (EVD): EVD is viral hemorrhagic fever of humans and other primates caused by ebola viruses. It was first identified in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a village near the Ebola River, from which it takes its name. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in human population through human-to-human transmission. Fruit bats are natural host of this virus. It spreads through contact with body fluids of inflected persons such as blood, urine and saliva. It also spreads through sexual transmission. Symptoms of EVD are high fever, bleeding and central nervous system damage. The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%. However, in past outbreaks case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90%. In 2014, Ebola virus had erupted periodically mainly across west and east Africa mainly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. It was the deadliest outbreak of the virus in the history which had killed 11,000 people.
    23) According to data released by Central Statistics Office (CSO), factory output measured in terms of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) has grown nine-month high to 4.3% in August 2017. This was mainly due to a robust performance of the mining and power sectors. Key Facts: The manufacturing sector output grew 3.1% in August 2017, mining sector output surged 9.4% and electricity generation increased 8.3%. Production of capital good rose 5.4% in August 2017. Consumer durables output increased 1.6% and consumer non-durables output rose 6.9% in August 2017. Index of Industrial Production (IIP): The IIP is composite indicator that measures short-term changes in volume of production of basket of industrial products during given period with respect to chosen base period. It is compiled and published monthly by Central Statistical Organization (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The CSO had revised base year of IIP from 2004-05 to 2011-12 in May 2017 to capture structural changes in economy and improve quality and representativeness of indices. The revised IIP (2011-12) reflects changes in industrial sector and also aligns it with base year of other macroeconomic indicators like Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The IIP covers 407 item groups. Sector wise these items falls into 3 categories viz. Manufacturing (405 items), Mining (1 items) & Electricity (1 item). The weights of three sectors are 77.63%, 14.37%, 7.9% respectively. The revised eight core Industries have combined weightage of 40.27% in IIP.
    24) The International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) is observed every year on October 13 to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. The observance of day seeks to encourage citizens and governments to take part in building more disaster resilient communities and nations. It also celebrates how people and communities around world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in risks that they face. It also seeks to spread awareness about reining risks of disasters around world and also reduce exposure of people and communities to disasters. The 2017 theme is “Home Safe Home: Reducing Exposure, Reducing Displacement”. It seeks to raise global awareness about effective actions, policies and practices taken to reduce exposure to disaster risk at community level, thereby contributing to saving homes and livelihoods. Background: The International Day for Disaster Reduction was instituted by UN General Assembly (UNGA) in 1989 to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. Earlier, this day was celebrated annually on the second Wednesday of October. But in 2009, the UNGA formally designated 13 October as the annual date by adopting Resolution 64/200.

    25) Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Kadmatt participated in Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Japanese Marine Self Defence Force (JMSDF) held at Sasebo, Japan. These ships are participating in the exercise in pursuance of India’s Act East Policy and demonstration of India’s commitment to peace and stability in Indo-Pacific Region. The visiting Indian Naval ships engaged with JMSDF in formal calls and also professional, social and sporting interactions. Comment: The visit of these ships is part India’s initiatives to strengthen long standing, mutually supportive and strong relationship between Japan and India which spans across wide spectrum of cultural, spiritual, economic and security relations. Background: Naval ties between India and Japan have reached new heights with bilateral and multilateral exercises since first ‘Navy to Navy Staff Talks’ between two nations in November 2008. Since then, naval ties have enhanced to cooperation in information sharing, meteorology and oceanography, disaster management and military training. The defence and security interaction also expanded to encompass Defence Policy Dialogue and a Maritime Affairs Dialogue. Regular bilateral and multilateral maritime exercises are foundation for strong naval relations between both countries. The erstwhile Japan–India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) led to Japan participating in ‘MALABAR’ exercise (a tripartite naval exercise between India, US and Japan) since 2014.

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