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  • WBCS Current Affairs 21th October to 28th October 2017
    Posted on October 21st, 2017 in Current Affairs, Weekly Current Affairs
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    WBCS Current Affairs 21th October to 28th 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 21th October to 28th October 2017.

    1) Geologists for the first time have discovered 152 million-year-old fossil of Ichthyosaur, an extinct marine reptile in in Kutch desert region of Gujarat. The specimen belongs to Ophthalmosauridae family of ichthyosaurs that lived in oceans between 165 and 90 million years ago. The 5.5 m long fossil was found inside rocks from esozoic Era, which ran between 252 and 66 million years ago along with fossils of ammonites and squid-like belemnites. The detail examination fossil’s teeth suggested that it was top-tier predator in its ecosystem and ate animals. Ichthyosaur: Ichthyosaur (or fish- lizards in Greek) was large reptile that lived at same time as dinosaurs. They were often misidentified as swimming dinosaurs and they first appeared in early Triassic period. It was noted for its sharp, robust teeth. It became extinct before dinosaurs, dying out in early part of late Cretaceous period. Significance of discovery: Until now many ichthyosaur fossils were found in North America and Europe and fossil record in Southern Hemisphere was mostly limited to South America and Australia. The discovery throws light on evolution and diversity of ichthyosaurs in Indo-Madagascan region of former Gondwanaland. It also shows India’s biological connectivity with other continents in Jurassic. It may also give information in marine connection between India and South America about 150 million years ago. Earlier too, researchers had discovered evidence of ichthyosaurs from Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu in 2016 which belonged to prehistoric India, but these remnants were only fossils of teeth and part of vertebra. However, in Kutch, researchers reported finding of vertebral column, neural spines, ribs and part of snout.

    2) Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas launched Start-up Sangam initiative to develop new business models, marketing plans, technology and innovations in heavy oil and gas industry sector by supporting 30 start-ups. For the same, 10 oil and gas PSUs have setup Rs. 320-crore venture capital fund to encourage start-ups based on innovative ideas in the energy sector. Key Facts: The corpus was created by contributions from India Oil Corporation (IOL), ONGC, Engineers India, Oil India, Numaligarh Refinery, Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HP), GAIL), Balmer Lawrie and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals. The selected start-ups will work in various fields related to energy such as converting waste plastics to petroleum fuels, multipurpose fuel from agricultural waste biomass, solar stove and leak detectors for liquefied natural gas (LNG) cylinders, Self – sustaining low-maintenances toilets or eco-toilets and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for underwater inspections. Start-ups in technology field will get 30 months to submit proof of concept whereas start-ups with business ideas will be given 18 months. These oil and gas PSUs will buy out these projects submitted by selected startups in given time frame based on merit to do more innovations.

    3) India’s passport was ranked 75th among 94 countries in recently released Global Passport Power Rank 2017. India was ranked three notches better than its previous ranking. According to this index, Singapore has world’s most powerful passport, making it first Asian country to top it. Singapore is followed by Germany, Sweden and South Korea. Key Facts: In this edition of index, Singapore’s passport scored visa-free score of 159.It means that approximately 3.4 million holders of Singaporean passports can now travel to 159 countries either without visa or can have one issued on arrival. Historically, top 10 most powerful passports in world were mostly European, with Germany having lead for past two years. Since early 2017, number one position was shared by Singapore with Germany and steadily it became number one. US passport was in sixth place, alongside Malaysia, Ireland and Canada. US passport ranking has fallen down since President Donald Trump took office after Turkey and Central African Republic (CAR) revoked visa-free status of US passport holders. India, which was listed 78th in 2015 has improved its ranking, figuring at 75th position with visa-free score of 51. Afghanistan was placed at last position of 94 rank with a score of 22, followed by Pakistan and Iraq at 93 with a score of 26, Syria at 92 with score of 29 and Somalia at 91 with score of 34. Global Passport Power Rank: The Global Passport Power Rank is released by Canada based global financial advisory firm Arton Capital. It has become most popular interactive online tool to display, sort and rank world’s passports. The index ranks national passports by cross-border access they bring, assigning visa-free score according to number of countries passport holder can visit visa-free or with visa on arrival.

    4) Scientists from Florida State University in the US have developed new tool for objectively defining onset and demise of Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) . The new method uses rainfall rates to mark span of ISM at any given location throughout affected region. Significance: For generations, scientists have struggled to produce model for reliably defining duration of monsoon. No existing system has allowed researchers to reliably define parameters of season at fine scale as seen in this new model. Current weather forecasting and monitoring protocols focus attention on monsoon onset at one location, specifically in Kerala, and extrapolate for rest of region. The new model takes into consideration specific locations by covering whole country, and objectively defines onset and demise dates for any given year. The new system ties onset of monsoon to location-specific rainfall thresholds and can work to allay confusion and frustration due to lack of clear, granular and objective benchmark for ISM onset and demise for all areas of country.

    5) It was reported earlier in May 2017 that Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) had cleared transgenic mustard, DMH-11 for commercial cultivation. However, records of that GEAC meeting which was made public now do not record any such approval. Though GEAC gave its approval for commercial cultivation of DHM-11, but the final release will be only after approval of Environment Minister. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC): GEAC is apex body under Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for regulating manufacturing, use, import, export and storage of hazardous micro-organisms or genetically engineered organisms (GMOs) and cells in the country. It is also responsible for giving technical approval of proposals relating to release of GMOs and products including experimental field trials. GM Mustard DMH-11: DMH (Dhara Mustard Hybrid)-11 is genetically modified variety of Herbicide Tolerant (HT) mustard. It was developed by Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants at Delhi University under Government sponsored project. It was created by using “barnase/barstar” technology for genetic modification by adding genes from soil bacterium that makes mustard self-pollinating plant. It contains three genes viz. Bar gene, Barnase and Barstar sourced from soil bacterium. The bar gene had made plant resistant to herbicide named Basta. Comment: If it gets final approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), GM mustard DMH-11 will be first GM food crop to be commercially cultivated in India. Right now, only GM cotton is allowed.

    6) Indian Navy has approved new mission-based deployment plan for deploying mission-ready ships and aircraft along critical sea lanes of communications and choke points in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It was discussed in the ongoing naval commanders’ conference. Besides, new transition cycle for ships from maintenance periods to operational deployments was also approved. New mission-based Deployment Plan: Under this mission-based deployment plan, Indian Navy’s 14-15 ships will be deployed year-round in region to meet any eventuality across spectrum of operations ranging from acts of maritime terrorism and piracy to Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions. These deployments are aimed at maintaining 24/7 and round the year vigil with ships being sustained and turned around on station. The areas where these ships and corvettes and surveillance aircraft are being deployed include the Malacca Strait, North Andaman Sea, Andaman Sea including Bangladesh and Myanmar, Lakshadweep islands and Maldives, besides Madagascar and Persian Gulf. These vessels will monitor increased Chinese presence in these areas. New transition cycle: It will allow for focused and gradual transition of ships from periods of maintenance layoffs to full-scale operations. It focuses efforts of operational commanders on training and safety inspections of ships before deployment.

    7) The Current Affairs Daily Digest for October 25, 2017 with important tid-bits on current affairs. Suresh Sethi appointed as MD and CEO of India Post Payments Bank: Suresh Sethi was appointed as new Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB). He succeeded A.P. Singh, who had been the interim MD & CEO of IPPB since January 2017. He is the former MD of Vodafone M-Pesa Ltd. Sethi has broad international experience of over 27 years in banking and financial services industry with Citigroup and YES Bank, across India, Kenya, UK, Argentina and US. SBI inks agreement with Escorts Ltd to finance tractors purchase: The State Bank of India (SBI) signed agreement with Escorts Ltd to finance farmers for purchase of Escorts tractors. The aim of the tie-up with Escorts is to promote, market and make accessible, organised finance facility, with superior features at competitive interest rates to farmers across country, who wish to purchase Powertrac and Farmtrac tractors manufactured by Escorts. Escorts is a leading tractor and construction equipment manufacturer at Faridabad, Haryana. Filmmaker Irruppam Veedu Sasidaran passes away: Legendary filmmaker Irruppam Veedu Sasidaran (also known as I V Sasi) passed away at Saligramam, Chennai. He was 69. He was best known for his films “Avalude Ravukal” and “Devasuram”. In his more than three-decade career, he had directed over 150 films in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi and worked with stars such as Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal and Mammootty, EPPC inks MoU with PNB to provide export finance for SMEs: The Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) of India inked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Punjab National Bank (PNB) to provide easy access to export finance for SMEs and merchant exporters of council. As per the agreement, PNB will provide finance with assurance that loans up to Rs 10 crore would be provided within six to seven weeks at competitive rates, PNB will also extend foreign currency loan facilities and provide advisory support to EEPC India members to finance projects through its more than 200 authorised foreign exchange branches.

    8) The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has decided to develop Integrity Index of 25 Government Organizations in line with its broader strategy and emphasis on preventive vigilance. The index will be for bench-marking internal processes and controls within organisation as well as management of relationships and expectations of outside stakeholders. Objectives of Integrity Index: (i) Define what constitutes Integrity of Public Organizations. (ii) Identify different factors of Integrity and their inter-linkages. (iii) Create objective and reliable tool that can measure performance of organizations along these above factors. (iv) Validate findings over period of time to improve upon robustness of tool that measures Integrity. (v) Create internal and external ecosystem that promotes working with Integrity where public organizations lead way. Key Facts: The Integrity Index will bring out annual scores and rankings of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Financial Institutions/Ministries/Departments of Central Government. It will be done by linking essential drivers of vigilance with long term efficiency, profitability and sustainability of organizations and create internal and external ecosystem that promotes working with Integrity in these public organizations. CVC has adopted research-based approach for creating integrity index with the help of IIM Ahmedabad. The management of all 25 government organizations have been involved in development of the index and it will evolve with changing needs. It can be used by various organizations to measure themselves. Initially 25 organizations have been selected for development of the index. Subsequently, it will be extended to all other CPSUs and organizations of Central Government. Central Vigilance Commission (CVC): CVC is apex body of Union Government formed to address governmental corruption. It was established in February 1964 on the recommendations of the K. Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption. It has status of statutory autonomous body and free of control from any executive authority as per provisions of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Act, 2003. The CVC is headed by a Central Vigilance Commissioner and has two Vigilance Commissioners.

    9) The Union Government has announced Bank Recapitalisation Plan to infuse Rs. 2.11 lakh crore ( $32.4 billion) capital over next two years into public sector banks (PSBs) and prioritised financing support for MSMEs in 50 clusters. The capital infusion will be accompanied by a series of banking sector reforms that will be revealed in the coming months. Key Facts: Under this plan, PSBs will get Rs 1.35 lakh crore from Recapitalisation Bonds, Rs 18,000 crore from Budgetary and remaining Rs 58,000 crore will be raised through sale of share of banks. The nature of recapitalisation bonds will be decided in coming months and these bonds will be frontloaded over next four quarters with maximum timeframe of two years. Recapitalisation: Simply put, recapitalisation of banks mean adding capital to PSBs. As owners of PSBs, government can provide capital to them. Recapitalisation injects money without incurring any liability and is different from loan because, loan has to be repaid. Need for Recapitalisation: Indian PSBs are saddled with high, non-performing assets (NPAs) and facing prospect of having to take haircuts on loans stuck in insolvency proceedings. NPAs of banks had more than doubled to Rs. 7.33 lakh crore in June 2017 from Rs. 2.75 lakh crore in March 2015. Due to this, PSBs were unable to give fresh loans. Even under the Indradhanush roadmap introduced in 2015, Central Government had announced to infuse Rs 70,000 crore in PSBs over four years to meet their capital requirement in line with global risk Basel-III norms to keep these banks fully solvent. Implications of Recapitalisation: It will increase lending capacity of PSBs which will in turn boost economy and improve private sector investment especially when International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected growth to 5.7% which is lowest in three-year and create jobs. The supply of money to PSBs will enable banks lend lower interest rates. Depending on nature of recapitalisation bonds, their issuance can also impact the government’s fiscal deficit target i.e. government’s total expenditures may exceed the revenue that it generates (apart from money from borrowings). The planned capital infusion still falls short of some estimates that Indian banks need $65 billion of additional capital by March 2019 to meet Basel III global banking rules.

    10) The Union Government has announced to build 83,677km of roads, highways, greenfield expressways and bridges with investment of Rs.6.92 lakh core in next five years i.e. by 2022 to further optimise efficiency of movement of goods and people across the country. It also includes first phase of new umbrella programme BharatMala Pariyojana that involves construction of 34,800 km highways by 2022. It was announced as part of massive Rs. 9 lakh crore package to give a fillip to economy which also includes Rs. 2.11 lakh crore for bank recapitalisation to revive investments as well as growth. It will generate 14.2 crore mandays of jobs. BharatMala Pariyojana: The BharatMala project will include economic corridors (9,000 km), inter-corridor and feeder route (6,000 km), national corridors efficiency improvement (5,000 km), border roads and international connectivity (2,000 km), coastal roads and port connectivity (2,000 km) and greenfield expressways (800 km). Further, remaining road projects of 10,000 km under National Highways Development Project will form a part of programme. Government has identified new routes between economically important cities that will be 20% longer in terms of distance but take relatively less travel time. Under programme, roads will be built along borders with Bhutan and Nepal, bottlenecks on existing Golden Quadrilateral highway network will be removed. Moreover, road connectivity to small industries will be ensured and manufacturing centres will be connected with national highways. Execution Authorities: The project will be executed through Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways (MoRTH), NHAI, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and State Public Works Department (PWDs). The Centre has set a target for completion of projects in next five years. Funding: The BharatMala project will be funded in three-pronged manner – market, private investment and asset recycling of NHAI’s toll assets. Of total Rs.5,35,000 crore, Rs, 2.09 lakh crore will be raised as debt from market, Rs 1.06 lakh crore will be mobilised through public-private partnership (PPP) mode and remaining Rs. 2.19 lakh crore will flow from accruals of Central Road Funds, Toll-Operate-Maintain-Transfer monetisation proceeds and toll collections.

    11) The Supreme Court banned use of pet-coke and dirty furnace oil in Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh from November 1, 2017 in a bid to reduce air pollution in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR). The apex court bench comprising Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta was hearing on PIL filed in 1985 by environmentalist M.C. Mehta who had raised the issue of air pollution in the Delhi-NCR. Pet coke and furnace oil has been already banned in Delhi since 1996 as they have been blamed for releasing deadly sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NO) fumes into air and polluting air. Key Facts: SC order comes in response to recommendations of Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) which in its 72nd report had identified these two fuels as major source of pollution in NCR. It had found that Pet coke emissions are estimated at 72,000 ppm and that from furnace oil at 23,000 ppm. The apex court also slapped Rs. 2 lakh fine on Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for failing to come up with emission norms governing 35 hazardous industries such as fertilisers and manufacturing of nitric acid. It also has directed MoEFCC to notify standards for NOx and SOx for industry sector and industry has to comply with standards by December 31, 2017. Significance of SC directive: It eliminates dirtiest industrial fuels in these three states surrounding Delhi and NCR region. It also mandates first ever stringent NOx and SOx standards for industry sector nationwide. It also eliminates in one stroke use of dirtiest bottom of barrel fuels from industrial units of neighbouring states and makes all industrial units across country liable for compliance with new emissions standards by December 31, 2017. This order will also have nationwide impact as entire industrial sector will have to comply with new standards for SOx and NOx that are not regulated currently in India.

    12) Eminent classical singer Girija Devi passed away following a cardiac arrest at age of 88. She was considered as queen of thumri, a common genre of semi-classical Indian music. Girija Devi: She was born in zamindar family at village near Banaras on May 8, 1929. She was legendary singer of the “Seniya and Banaras gharanas”. Music was a part of her life from a very early age. She had received Padma Shri (1972), Padma Bhushan (1989) Padma Vibhushan (2016), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2010) and Maha Sangeet Samman Award (2012) etc. Thumri: Thumri (ठुमरी) is common genre of semi-classical Indian music originated in eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. The term ‘thumri’ is derived from Hindi verb thumakna which means to walk with dancing steps so as to make ankle-bells tinkle. Thumri is connected with dance, dramatic gestures, mild eroticism, evocative love poetry and folk songs of Uttar Pradesh, though there are regional variations. Its text is romantic or devotional in nature and usually revolves around girl’s love for Krishna.

    13) Scientists from Thiruvananthapuram based CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) have developed organic filter that allows only near-infrared (NIR) light to pass through it. The filter was found to absorb light from 300-850 nm (both ultraviolet, visible and part of NIR light) and transmit NIR light from 850-1500 nm. Key Facts: The researchers developed filter by mixing organogel with transparent polymer (polydimethylsiloxane). The soft organogel was prepared by mixing black dye (diketopyrrolopyrrole or DPP) having an amide group that helps molecules to be in close contact with each other and interact, that causes changes in their optical properties. The amide group helps in binding and self-assembly of molecule leading to formation of soft organogel. The organogel-based filter has ability to absorb both UV and visible light while allowing NIR light alone to pass through. The nanofibres formed through self-assembly of DPP molecules that are responsible for broad light absorption of material, making it appear dark. Significance: Currently available inorganic filters are expensive and brittle whereas organic filters are easy to process and flexible too. The filter can be used for night vision glasses, night photography. It will also have applications in security and forensics such as identifying blood stains on dark fabric which are invisible to naked eyes but are clearly visible and detectable when viewed through camera with NIR filter.

    14) Ministries of Power and Textiles have joined hands under SAATHI (Sustainable and Accelerated Adoption of efficient Textile technologies to Help small Industries) initiative. Under this initiative, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a PSU under Ministry of Power, will procure energy efficient powerlooms, motors and rapier kits in bulk and provide them to small and medium Powerloom units at no upfront cost. Key Facts: The SAATHI initiative will be jointly implemented by EESL and office of Textile Commissioner on pan-India basis. It will be implemented in key clusters such as Erode, Surat, Ichalkaranji, etc. It is based on the aggregation, bulk procurement and financing model that EESL has successfully deployed in several sectors like LED bulbs, Smart Meters and Electric Vehicles. Under this initiative, unit owner does not need to allocate any upfront capital cost to procure these equipment and also not need to allocate additional expenditure for repayment. The repayments by unit owner to EESL will made from savings that accrue as result of higher efficiency equipments and cost savings. Benefits: The aggregation of demand and bulk procurement will lead to reduction in capital cost and benefits of it will be passed on to powerloom units so that their repayment amount and period would reduce. Moreover, use of these efficient equipment will result in energy savings and cost savings to unit owner and they can repay in instalments to EESL over a 4 to 5 year period. Background: The Powerloom sector in India is predominantly an unorganized sector and has a large number of micro and small units which produce 57% of total cloth in country. There are total 24.86 lakhs Powerloom units in the country, most of them use obsolete technology. Government is implementing INSITU upgradation of plain Powerlooms as part of Power Tex India Scheme with a view to upgrading the technology. Under it, plain Powerlooms are attached with process control equipment leading to higher productivity, better quality and more than 50% additional value realisation. So far, 1.70 lakhs plain powerlooms have been upgraded under scheme by providing government subsidy.

    15) Britain-based shipwreck hunter has found maritime astrolabe, a navigation tool that guided Portuguese explorers on perilous voyage to India in 16th century. It dates between 1495 and 1500 and has been confirmed as world’s oldest astrolabe. The maritime astrolabe was discovered during from a shipwreck off coast of Oman in 2014 and recently was confirmed world’s maritime oldest by Warwick University based on laser scans. Key Facts: The maritime astrolabe is 17.5-centimetre wide and is made of bronze disc. It carries personal emblem of King Manuel I of Portugal, who came to throne in October 1495. It is claimed that it was discovered from shipwreck of ship called Esmeralda, which was part of Vasco da Gama’s second expedition to India of 1502-1503 and was captained by explorer’s uncle. Vasco Da Gama was first European to reach India by sea in 1498 and his discovery of sea route had opened way for age of colonialism and trade between Europe and Asia. Astrolabe: An astrolabe is an elaborate inclinometer, historically used by astronomers and navigators to measure inclined position in sky of celestial body, day or night. It can be used to identify stars or planets and to determine local latitude on land or calm seas given local time (and vice versa) and to survey. The Portuguese were at forefront of developing astrolabes at sea. The oldest reference of them using them at sea is about 1480. The previous oldest maritime astrolabe was on a ship from 1533.

    16) The official website of Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) was launched in New Delhi Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu. The interactive website will provide regular updates on all upcoming events of CIPAM including awareness and sensitization programs and also provide information related to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Key Facts: The website will also provide regular updates on latest IP trends – statistics on applications filed, examined, grants and disposal for various IPRs. It will also provide information on various initiatives being taken by Government to strengthen IPR regime in country. It will also provide latest news and updates, specially curated feed on all latest happenings in world of IP and blogs by CIPAM and IP experts. It will also make available resource material on IPRs specially curated for various levels schools, universities, industry and enforcement agencies. CIPAM: The CIPAM is nodal agency under aegis of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Its mandate is to effectively implement National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy adopted in May 2016. It has undertaken several measures to strengthen IP ecosystem incountry.

    17) The World Polio Day is observed annually across world on 24 October to create awareness about the hazards of the crippling Polio disease. The day was established by Rotary International to commemorate birth of Jonas Salk who had led the first team of researchers which had developed a vaccine against poliomyelitis (polio virus). This development had led to widespread use of this inactivated poliovirus vaccine and subsequently use of the oral poliovirus, developed by Albert Sabin. It also had led to establishment of Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988 which has helped to reduce polio worldwide by 99%. Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI): GPEI launched in 1988 has played pivotal role in eradication of wild poliovirus. When it was launched wild poliovirus existed in 125 countries. Now, it exists in two countries Pakistan and Afghanistan. Till 2012, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country was reservoir of more than half of the Polio cases in the world. But in 2015, it was removed from list of Polio endemic countries by World Health Organization (WHO). Poliovirus: Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease, which mainly affects young children below age of 5. The virus is transmitted from person-to-person. It mainly spreads through the faecal-oral route (e.g. contaminated water or food). After entering body, it multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and can cause paralysis. Its initial symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. In some cases, it causes permanent paralysis. There is no cure for polio, however it can only be prevented by immunization. Polio vaccine is given multiple times, almost always protects a child for life.

    18) The Union Government has inked $300 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank for Second West Bengal Development Finance Program. The new program is built on earlier intervention under Phase I of project through the $400 million Program that targeted comprehensive fiscal consolidation program in the state. It will continue series of fiscal reforms in West Bengal to improve quality of public service delivery. Second West Bengal Development Finance Program: The program aims to further deepen reforms with focus on expenditure rationalization, improvement in revenue administration, and facilitation of more private investment in the state. It also targets to further increase in public investment through reduction of unproductive expenditure and savings from efficiencies in revenue collections. It will create the fiscal space necessary to sustain higher public investment in the state which could put state’s finances on balanced and sustainable path. It targets both public and private investments more directly by creating an infrastructure facility to support project preparation, development and appraisal with emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPP) in health and education sectors. It also seeks to simplify the registration and licensing procedure for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It is spread over two years and carry forward reforms such as linking medium term expenditure plans to actual budgets, supported by strengthening internal audit system and enhancements in integrated financial management system (IFMS). It will also cover other activities such as improved tax monitoring and continued support for information technology systems in strengthening tax and land administration. Background: ADB’s first West Bengal Development Finance Program focused on augmenting public investments that reached almost 1.3%, as percentage of gross state domestic product in FY2016 from 0.5% in FY2012 while fiscal deficit reduced to 2.2% from 3.4% in same period. Asian Development Bank (ADB): ADB is a regional development bank which aims to promote social and economic development in Asia. It was established on 19 December 1966. It is headquartered in Manila, Philippines. The ADB has been modelled closely on the World Bank. It has 67 members, of which 48 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.

    19) Japan’s ruling coalition wins overwhelming victory in general election: Japan’s ruling coalition of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito party led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won an overwhelming victory in general election. They won more than two-thirds of total 465 seats in the Lower House seats. LDP won 283 seats and Komeito won 29 seats. With this victory, Abe is now on course to become Japan’s longest-serving PM. It will allow him to pursue his cherished goal of proposing changes to country’s pacifist Constitution to beef up the status of the military, which is effectively restricted to self-defence. Rakesh Asthana appointed as special director of CBI: Senior IPS officer Rakesh Asthana was appointed as special director of Central Bureau of Investigation. (CBI). He is a 1984-batch IPS officer of Gujarat-cadre. Currently, he is posted as additional director in CBI. Apart from him, Gurbachan Singh was appointed as special director in Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Sudeep Lakhtakia as Special DG in CRPF. Rajesh Ranjan and AP Maheshwari were promoted as Special DG in Border Security Force (BSF). China to host 2nd edition of World Congress on Marxism: China is going to host 2nd edition of World Congress on Marxism. It will be held at Peking University in Beijing, from May 5-6, 2018 with theme “Marxism and the current world and China”. The congress will discuss Marxism in the 21st century and its development in China. It coincides with 200th birth anniversary of Karl Marx and 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. Approximately 300 Marxism researchers from all over world will attend the conference. Cristiano Ronaldo named as 2017 Best FIFA Men’s Player award: Real Madrid’s Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo was named as the 2017 Best FIFA Men’s Player for a second straight year at the 2017 award ceremony held in London, England. He is four-time Ballon d’Or winner, who helped Real Madrid to wins Champions League-La Liga double in 2016-17. Other category winners: FIFA Women’s Player award: Barcelona FC’s and Netherlands national team’s Lieke Martens. Best men’s coach: Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane. Best female coach: Netherlands’ Sarina Wiegman. Puskas award for the best goal of 2017: Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud won it for his ‘scorpion kick’ against Crystal Palace in January 2017. Fan award: Celtic for honouring club’s 1967 ‘Lisbon Lions’ with a stunning 360-degree card display on the 50th anniversary of their historic European Cup win.

    20) INSV Tarini carrying all-women crew members of Navika Sagar Parikrama, India’s first ever circumnavigation expedition of globe by all-women crew entered west Australian port of Fremantle. It is first stop over of INSV Tarini since the expedition was flagged off by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Goa in September 2017. So far, the vessel has covered 4,800 nautical miles from Goa, crossing Equator and Tropic of Capricorn. INSV Tarini: INSV Tarini is 55 foot sailing vessel built indigenously in India by M/s Aquarius Shipyard Pvt Ltd, Goa. It was inducted into the Indian Navy recently in February 2017. It carries a suite of six sails, including a main sail, head sails (Genoa and stay sails), downwind sails and storm sail. The boat has been named after famous ‘Tara-Tarini’ temple in Ganjam district of Odisha. The word ‘Tarini’ means boat and in Sanskrit it means saviour. Tara-Tarini is patron deity for sailors and merchants and is worshipped for safety and success at sea. INSV Tarini has advance Raymarine navigation suite and an array of satellite communication systems for perfect navigation anywhere in world. It is sister vessel of INSV Mhadei which was used by Captain (Retd) Dilip Donde to successfully undertake India’s first solo circumnavigation in 2009. Navika Sagar Parikrama: It is Indian Navy’s all-women expedition to circumnavigate the globe to promote ocean sailing and spirit of adventure. It will circumnavigate globe in approximately 165 days and is expected to return to Goa in April 2018. The expedition will be covered in five legs, with stop-overs at 4 ports Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falklands), and Cape Town (South Africa) for replenishment of ration and repairs as necessary. Significance: Navika Sagar Parikrama voyage is in consonance with National policy to empower women to attain their full potential. It also aims to showcase India’s Nari Shakti on world platform and help revolutionize societal attitudes and mindset towards women by raising visibility of their participation in challenging environs. The voyage also aims to show case ‘Make in India’ initiative by sailing onboard indigenously built INSV Tarini. It also encourage use of environment friendly non-conventional renewable energy resources as ship harnesses wind, a renewable energy. The crew will also monitor and report marine pollution on the high seas.

    21) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted high-level task force on public credit registry (PCR) for India. It will be chaired by Y M Deosthalee, former CMD of L&T Finance Holdings Ltd and will have nine other members. Public credit registry keeps extensive database of credit information that is accessible to all stakeholders. It helps good borrowers in securing credit at lowers costs and also improve access of credit to small and medium enterprises. It is mainly set up by central bank of the country for reporting of loan details to Registry by lenders and borrowers mandated by law. It mainly keeps records of individuals and firms on repayment history, unpaid debts, or credit outstanding. Terms of reference of task force: It will review current availability of information on credit in country, assess gaps in India that could be filled by a comprehensive PCR and suggest roadmap including priority areas for developing a transparent, comprehensive and near-real-time PCR for India. It will also study best international practices on PCR, decide structure of new information system. It will also determine scope and target of comprehensive PCR such as type of information that should be covered along with cut-off size of credit. It will submit its report by April 2018. Background: Currently, there are four credit bureaus in India — Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited (CIBIL), Experian, Equifax and CRIF Highmark. These bureaus are regulated by the RBI under the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005. They provide credit scores and allied reports and services. As of now, their analysis reports are used for issuing credit cards and for taking decisions mainly on retail loans.

    22) The Union Government has appointed former Intelligence Bureau (IB) Chief Dineshwar Sharma as its Representative (or special interlocutor) to initiate and carry forward sustained dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) with all stakeholders. In his new role, he will have rank equivalent to a Cabinet Secretary and complete independence in deciding who to hold talks with. Need: Due to prolonged anti-india protest, rising insurgency in Kashmir valley, intense counter-insurgency operation by armed forces has caused acute distress in region. There is demand from various sections for sustained political outreach to prevent radicalisation of local youth which is also topmost concern for Indian security establishment. It is seen that sustained political dialogue with all the stakeholders will have lasting solution and it will help in confidence-building measures between government, civil society and dissidents in Kashmir. Key Facts: As Government of India’s representative, Dineshwar Sharma will likely hold talks with elected representatives, various organizations and concerned individuals in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. He will have dialogue with mainstream local political workers of PDP, National Conference and Congress, heads of various religious seminaries in Valley, local student unions etc. He will try to understand legitimate aspirations of the people of the state and to know how things are panning out on ground for and against India. Dineshwar Sharma: He is 1976 batch IPS officer of Kerala cadre. He has worked as mediator for talks with various insurgent groups based in Assam including the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). He had worked as director of IB include from 2014 to 2016. He had served as DIG of Border Security Force (BSF) and as IG of CRPF in charge of J&K.

    23) The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended 40% reduction in carbon emissions in telecom networks by 2022-23 considering 2011-12 as the base year in order to make telecom sector greener. It was mentioned in TRAI’s recommendation to Department of Telecom (DoT) on approach towards sustainable telecommunications. Key Facts: The target for reduction in carbon emission will be set as 30% by year 2019-20 taking base year as 2011-12 and 40% by year 2022-23. The targets will be reviewed in year 2022-23. TRAI has set target of 5% by year 2012-2013, 8% by 2014-2015, 12% by 2016-2017 and 17% by 2018-2019 for carbon emission reduction. TRAI has suggested government to pass all benefits granted under various schemes for using renewable energy technologies (RET) to operators in order to encourage them to adopt clean energy alternatives. Further, it has recommended telecom operators to voluntarily adopt RET solutions, energy efficient equipments and high capacity fast charging storage solutions in order to meet target for reduction of carbon footprint. TRAI also has suggested that electricity generated by RET solutions funded or maintained by telecom operators should be subtracted from overall carbon emission of company, irrespective of its use. Furthermore, if DoT adopts recommendations, it should allow service providers to adopt a Voluntary Code of Practice encompassing energy efficient network planning, deployment of energy efficient technologies, infra-sharing and adoption of RET. If these recommendations are implemented by DoT, report of carbon footprint of telecom operators must submitted annually within 45 days after March of every year. The first report of carbon footprint for base year 2011-12 as per revised formula will be submitted within 3 months from date of issuance of instructions by DoT. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): TRAI is an independent regulator of telecommunications business in India. It came into existence by Act of the Parliament in 1997. Its mandate is to deliver a fair and transparent environment for fair competition in telecom market. TRAI also fixes or revises the tariffs for telecom services in India.

    24) The United Nations Day is observed every year on 24th October to mark anniversary of entry into force of UN Charter in 1945. ‎With ratification of this founding document by majority of its members, including five permanent members of UN Security Council, United Nations officially came into existence. Since then, 24th October is celebrated as UN Day. On this day all member states of UN contribute finances to its operation to help further its goals. United Nations: ‎UN is successor of ineffective League of Nations and was established in 1945 after World War II in order to prevent another such conflict. Now, it has become world’s only truly universal global organization and is foremost forum to address issues that transcend national boundaries and cannot be resolved by any one country acting alone. Its prime role is to maintain world peace, human rights, promote social and economic development and provide aid around the world in cases of famine, natural disaster and armed conflict. The main organs of UN are: General Assembly (UNGA), Security Council (UNSC), Economic and Social Council (UNESOC),‎ International Court of Justice (ICJ), UN Secretariat, Trusteeship Council. League of Nations (LoN): LoN was founded in January, 1920 as a result of Paris Peace Conference that ended World War I. LoN was first international organisation whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. ‎But onset of World War II, demonstrated that LoN failed in its primary purpose of preventing another world war.

    25) The Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar has announced that Paika rebellion (Paika Bidroha) of 1817 will be named as First War of Independence against British Rule in history books from next academic session. Earlier, 1857 Sepoy Mutiny was regarded as the First War of Indian Independence, but Paika Bidroha predates it. Paika Bidroha (rebellion): Paiks were traditional landed militia under Gajapati rulers of Odisha. They used to perform policing functions and owned rent-free land that was given to them for their military service to Kingdom of Khurda. However they were forcefully usurped their land rendering them landless by the policies of British East India Company. They were also subjected to repressive land revenue policies and humiliation by the British. At that critical juncture, Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar, the military chief of King of Khurda led army of Paikas forcing the East India Company (British) forces to retreat in 1817. During the rebellion, Paikas had attacked British symbols of power, setting ablaze policestations, administrative offices and treasury during their march towards Khurda, from where British fled. They were supported by local rajas of Kujang, Kanika, Nayagarh and Ghumusar and zamindars, village heads and ordinary peasants. The British were initially taken aback and then tried to regain lost ground from the rebelling Paikas. Many a battle ensued with some victories to the rebel Paiks but the British finally managed to defeat them within three months. Widespread suppression followed with killing and imprisonment of many Paiks. Some Paik rebels fought a guerilla war till 1819 but were captured and killed. Baxi Jagabandhu was finally arrested in 1825 and died in captivity in 1829. At present, Paika Bidroha enjoys a cult status in Odisha but unfortunately it has received less attention at the national level.

    26) The 56th raising day of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was celebrated 24 October. It was raised on 24th October in 1962. ITBP is deployed on guarding 3488 kilometer long India-China Border from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh. Its protects and manages outposts located on altitudes ranging from 9000 feet to 18700 feet in the Western, Middle and Eastern Sector of the India-China Border. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): The ITBP (भारत-तिब्बत सीमा पुलिस बल) is one of five Central Armed Police Forces of India. It was raised on 24 October 1962, under CRPF Act, in wake of 1962 Sino-Indian War. It was provided full autonomy after Parliament enacted the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Act, 1992. It works under command of Union Home Ministry. Its motto is Shaurya – Dridhata – Karm Nishtha (English: Valour – Steadfastness and Commitment). At present, ITBP is strong Central Armed Police Force of 90000 personnel. It primarily guards the 3,488 km long Indo-China border along Tibet Autonomous Region. ITBP force is also engaged in a variety of internal security tasks including disaster management, civil Medical Camp, nuclear, biological and chemical disasters and UN peacekeeping missions around the world.

    27) The World Development Information Day (WDID) is observed every year on October 24 to draw attention of world to development problems and necessity of strengthening international cooperation to solve them. To celebrate this day, many events are organized to focus attention on work that UN does, particularly with regard to problems of trade and development. Many of these are aimed at journalists working for range of media, including radio, television, newspapers, magazines and internet sites. Background: The UN Conference on Trade and Development on May 17, 1972 had proposed measures for information dissemination and mobilization of public opinion relative to trade and development problems. These measures came to be known as resolution 3038 (XXVII), which was passed by UN General Assembly in 19, 1972 and instituted World Development Information Day on October 24. The UNGA decided that date for day should coincide in principle with 24 October, which was also date of adoption of International Development Strategy for Second United Nations Development Decade in 1970. The purpose of day is to improve dissemination of information and mobilization of public opinion, particularly among young people. It will lead to greater awareness of problems of development, thus, promoting efforts in sphere of international cooperation for development.

    28) India’s new chancery complex opened in Dhaka: India’s new chancery complex opened at Baridhara diplomatic enclave in Dhaka, capital city of Bangladesh. It was inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on the last day of her Bangladesh visit. She also inaugurated 15 development projects of Bangladesh being funded by India. These projects cover priority infrastructure in health, education, water and social welfare with an outlay of 71.64 crore takas and will be completed within a period of one month. ONGC plans to raise oil output by 4 MT by 2020: State-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has drawn a blueprint to raise crude oil production by 4 metric tonne (MT) and almost double natural gas output by 2020. It is in line with Government’s call to cut country’s oil imports by 10% from 77% in 2013-14. by 2022. Under this roadmap, ONGC, nation’s biggest oil and gas producer will raise its crude oil production from 22.6 MT in 2017-18 to 26.42 MT in 2021-22. India has spent almost $1 trillion on crude imports from financial year 2005-06 to 2015-16. Government de-affiliates 400 ITIs for failing quality norms: The Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has de-affiliated close to 400 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) after inspections found that the institutes lacked requisite infrastructure and trainers for imparting vocational training to students. The de-affiliation comes amid of skill development ministry’s strict vigil on ITIs with view to maintain their quality standards and also introduced voluntary self-grading by the institutes. Maruti becomes top exporter of passenger cars from India: According to latest data by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) has become largest passenger cars exporter from India in first half (April-September) of ongoing fiscal. It exported 57,300 units of passenger cars and dethroned Hyundai Motor India Ltd (exported 44,585 units) which has now been pushed to fourth spot behind Volkswagen (50,410 units) and General Motors (45,222 units). CISF to analyse social media trends & data in monitoring security: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will analyse Social media trends and data for first time in monitoring security. This project is being done on experimental basis and based on the experiences this smart centre will be further strengthened. The data will be used to monitor the country’s most vital assets such as airports, aerospace and nuclear installations. Special team of CISF men and women has been trained to track social media trends, news, reports and indicators across various platforms, collate them and dish them out as vital pieces of actionable intelligence to its various airports and other vital units. Government appoints ex-IB Chief as its representative on Kashmir dialogue: The Union Home Ministry has appointed former director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) Dineshwar Sharma as central government’s representative to initiate dialogue with all stakeholders in insurgency-hit Jammu and Kashmir. The initiative has been taken as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address Dineshwar Sharma is 1979-batch (retired) officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS). He had served as the IB director between December, 2014 and 2016.

    29) India’s first Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) for Skilling in Smart Cities was inaugurated at Mandir Marg, New Delhi. It has been set up Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in collaboration with New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). Key Facts: Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana is flagship scheme of MSDE to enable large number of youth to take up industry relevant skill training to make them employable. Under it, the newly inaugurated NDMC-PMKK Centre for Skilling in Smart leverages NDMC infrastructure for skilling initiatives. The PMKK Centre for Smart Cities will provide skill training for unemployed youth through its short-term training (STT) module and contribute to capacity building of municipal employees through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program. It has exemplary heritage building of approximately 30,000 sq ft with a capacity of skilling 4,000 youth annually. It will be catering needs of healthcare and solar energy sectors and will be managed by one of NSDC’s affiliated training partners – Orion Edutech. It also affirms synergies with Union Government’s flagship programs. It underscore commitment of Union Ministry of Urban Affairs & Housing (MUHA) and Union Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to support skilling in smart cities.

    30) Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated first phase of Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) ferry service between Ghogha in Bhavnagar district and Dahej in Bharuch district in the Gulf of Cambay, Gujarat. It is South Asia’s first world class Ro-Ro ferry service. Key Facts: The Ro-Ro ferry services are vessels made to carry wheeled cargo (such as cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers, and railroad cars) that are driven on and off ferry on their own wheels or using a platform vehicle. It is opposite of lift-on and lift-off (lo-lo) vessels which uses crane to load and unload cargo. The first of its kind Ro-Ro ferry in India will be able to carry up to 100 vehicles and 250 passengers between the two ports. It will reduce the distance between Ghogha in Saurashtra and Dahej is South Gujrat from 310 kilometres by road to 30 kilometres. Besides, it will also reduce seven to eight hours of travel time to link Saurashtra with South Gujarat to one hour. Benefits: The ferry service will save travel time and fuel and reduce pressure on congested roads. ‎It will promote regional trade and business and prove to be game-changer for transportation of goods and passengers. ‎It will provide at least one crore jobs in the next 4-5 years. ‎It will give a boost to the local economy. Background: ‎Ro-Ro ferry is a small part of Sagarmala project of Central Government that aims to promote port-led development in the country by harnessing India’s 7,500-km long coastline, 14,500-km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes.

    31) Sri Lankan Coast Guard has commissioned Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) SURAKSHA gifted by India at Colombo port. It is first OPV of Sri Lankan Coast Guard. Sri Lankan Coast Guard Ship (SLCGS) Suraksha earlier belonged to Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and was known as Varuna. It was officially handed over to Sri Lanka Navy at ceremony held at Kochi Port in India in September 2017. SLCGS Suraksha: SLCGS Suraksha is 74.10m in length and 11.4m in breadth. It has displacement of 1,160 tons. It can sail at speed of 22 nautical miles per hour. It can cover 8,500 nautical miles maintaining speed of 16 nautical miles per hour. It is manned by crew of 14 officers and 86 sailors. It will be used by Sri Lanka Coast Guard for patrolling and surveillance in Sri Lanka waters, humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, prevention of maritime pollution as well as training purposes. Besides it play a crucial role in strengthening the Sri Lanka’s naval capabilities. INCG Varuna: It was inducted into Indian Coast Guard in February 1988 and provided three decades of service in India. ‎It was fourth of in its class of OFV built by the Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock. It has numerous operational achievements and had recorded a number of arrests of smugglers with gold worth several crore in the late 1980s. It was used as cadet training ship for the last 10 years and was part of the 1st Training Squadron (1 TS) of the Indian Navy which trains officer sea trainees of both the Navy as well as the Coast Guard.

    32) The fourth edition of ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus will be held in Philippines. India will be represented by Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. It is her first foreign visit as Defence Minister. Key Facts: The ADMM Plus meeting is expected to discuss ways to enhance defence and security co-operation among the member nations to effectively counter various transnational security challenges facing the region. It is also likely to discuss enhancing maritime security cooperation among the member countries. It will also deliberate extensively on the situation in Afghanistan and Syria besides China’s growing military presence in the disputed South China Sea. ADMM-Plus: The ADMM-Plus is platform for ASEAN and its eight dialogue partners to strengthen security and defence co-operation for peace, stability, and development in the region. Its objective is to promote mutual trust and confidence between defence establishments through greater dialogue and transparency. The inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2010. The defence ministers then had agreed on five areas of practical cooperation, including maritime security, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping operations and humanitarian assistance.

    33) India’s ace shuttler Kidambi Srikanth (World No. 8) won US $750,000 Denmark Open title of badminton in the men’s single category. In the final match, he defeated South Korea’s Lee Hyun II by 21-10, 21-5 score. It was Kidambi Srikanth’s third Super Series Premier title in 2017 season after wining Australian Super Series title and Indonesia Super Series Premier title. Other category winners: Women’s singles: Ratchanok Inthanon (Thailand) won the title by defeating Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) by 14-21 21-15 21-19 score. Men’s Double: Chinese pair of Liu Cheng and Zhang Nan won the title by defeating Indonesian pair of Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo by 21-19, 22-24, 21-19 score. Women’s doubles: South Korean pair of Lee So-hee and Shin Seung-chan won the title by defeating Japanese pair of Shiho Tanaka and Koharu Yonemoto by 21-13 and 21-16 score. Mixed doubles: Chinese pair of Zheng Siwei and Chen Qingchen won the title by defeating Hong Kong pair of Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet by 22-24, 21-19 and 21-23 score. 2017 Denmark Super Series Premier: It was ninth Super Series tournament of the 2017 BWF Super Series. The tournament took place at Odense Sports Park in Odense, Denmark from October 17 – 22, 2017 and had a total prize of $750,000.

    34) The Department of Revenue (DoR), Finance Ministry has made it mandatory for banks and financial institutions to check original identification documents of individuals dealing in cash above prescribed threshold to weed out use of forged or fake copies. In this regard, DoR has issued an official gazette notification making an amendment to Prevention of Money-laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules. Background: The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 forms core of legal framework to combat money laundering and generation of black money. The PMLA and its rules impose obligation on reporting entities like banks, financial institutions and intermediaries to verify identity of clients, maintain records and furnish information to Financial Intelligence Unit of India (FIU-IND). Intermediaries like chit fund company, stock broker, cooperative bank, housing finance institution and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) are also classified as reporting entities. New Rule: The new rule now requires reporting entity to compare copy of officially valid id produced by client with original and recording same on copy. It also has made mandatory for biometric identification number Aadhaar and other official documents requirement to be obtained by reporting entities from anyone opening bank account as well as for any financial transaction of Rs 50,000 and above. The same is also required for all cash dealing of more than Rs 10 lakh or its equivalent in foreign currency. If valid document furnished does not contain updated address, utility bill like telephone, electricity, post-paid mobile phone, piped gas or water bill not more than two months old can be considered as a proof of address. Besides, property or municipal tax receipt, pension or family pension payment orders issued to retired employees by Government departments or letter of allotment of accommodation from employer can be also considered for same purpose.

    35) The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) is aiming to make financial transactions completely digital in all higher education institutions. Under this initiative, all public and private institutions including Central and State universities will be fully digitised. The HRD Ministry is aiming to fully digitise all campus processes including admissions, assessments, result declaration. Moreover, all canteens and business establishments on campus are also encouraged to resort to digital modes using e-wallets by linking the bank accounts with Aadhaar. Key Facts: ‎The higher education regulators like All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and University Grants Commission (UGC) have been taken on board to help facilitate this transition. The HRD Ministry has asked universities to appoint nodal officer for this purpose and send a monthly report to the UGC. ‎The work of developing modules for the internal process is also given to an agency. Under this digitisation initiative, the complete digitisation target will be achieved within six to eight months. Vittiya Saksharta Abhiyan (VISAKA): The HRD Ministry had launched Vittiya Saksharta Abhiyan (VISAKA), a digital financial literacy campaign aimed to actively engage youth and students of Higher Education Institutions to encourage and motivate all payers and payees to use a digitally enabled cashless economic system for transfer of funds. So far, it has enrolled lakhs of volunteers from among students to train families in their neighbourhood to conduct financial transactions digitally through BHIM app. They also helped shopkeepers, vendors and merchants’ associations in major markets, talk to shift to digital transactions. Around 2000 higher education institutions were made digital as part of this initiative.

    36) India won 2017 Asia Cup hockey title by defeating Malaysia in the final match held in Dhaka, Bangladesh by 2-1 score. It was India’s overall third Asia Cup title and earlier it had won it in 2003 and 2007. For India goals were scored by Ramandeep Singh (3rd minute) and Lalit Upadhyay (29th). For Malaysia single goal was scored by Shahril Saabah (50th minute). Pakistan won bronze medal by defeating South Korea by 6-3 score in third-fourth place play-off match. In this edition of tournament, top-ranked India finished unbeaten as it won all matches except for the 1-1 draw against South Korea in the Super 4s stage. For Malaysia, it was their best result in the tournament. They had earlier won bronze medal in 2007 edition of the event in Chennai. Asia Cup hockey title: The ASHF Asia Cup is an international men’s and women’s field hockey tournament governed by Asian Hockey Federation (ASHF). It was introduced in 1982 for men’s competition and later women’s competition in 1985. So far, South Korea has been most successful team with 4 titles in Men’s (1994, 1999, 2009, 2013) and 3 titles in Women’s competition. India has reached most number of finals in Men’s (8 times) and South Korea, Japan(tied) in Women’s (5 times) competitions.

    37) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has approved second extension of Dawn mission at Ceres dwarf planet which is the largest object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. During this extension, Dawn spacecraft will descend to lower altitudes than ever before at dwarf planet, which it has been orbiting since March 2015. It will continue remainder of its science investigation of Ceres and will remain in a stable orbit indefinitely after its hydrazine fuel runs out. Key Facts: The priority of second extension mission is to collect data with Dawn’s gamma ray and neutron spectrometer, which measures number and energy of gamma rays and neutrons. The information obtained will help in understanding composition of Ceres’ uppermost layer and presence of ice it contains. During this extended mission, Dawn spacecraft will take visible-light images of Ceres’ surface geology with its camera, as well as measurements of dwarf planet’s mineralogy with its visible and infrared mapping spectrometer. It will also allow Dawn to be in orbit when dwarf planet goes through perihelion, its closest approach to Sun, which will occur in April 2018. Dawn Mission: It was launched by NASA in 2007 to study the two massive protoplanets of the asteroid belt: Vesta and the dwarf planet Ceres, celestial bodies believed to have accreted early in the history of the solar system. The mission is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Dawn spacecraft’s major components are contributed by NASA’s European partners i.e. from German Aerospace Center, Italian National Astrophysical Institute and Italian Space Agency and. It is NASA’s first exploratory mission to use ion propulsion to enter orbits. It had created history by becoming only mission ever to orbit two extraterrestrial targets. It orbited giant asteroid Vesta for 14 months from 2011 to 2012, then continued on to dwarf planet Ceres, where it has been in orbit since March 2015.

    38) The Peruvian Congress has approved a bill to authorises the medicinal and therapeutic use of cannabis (marijuana) in the country. It makes production, import and commercial sale of marijuana and its derivatives legal. With this Peru became sixth country in Latin America to legalise cannabis. Uruguay was first in 2013, allowing sales of cannabis any purpose. It was followed by Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Chile. Marijuana: Marijuana is greenish-gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds and flowers of Cannabis sativa – the hemp plant. Most people smoke marijuana, though it can also be used in other forms such as edibles, powders and oils. It used for controlling pain for medical issues, like cancer, nervous system diseases, glaucoma, migraines, etc and also used to treat nausea and improve appetites for people with HIV or other chronic illnesses. The health effects of marijuana use can lead to a rapid heart rate, increase blood pressure, red eyes, dry mouth, increased appetite and slowed reaction time in short term. In long term, daily use of marijuana during adolescent years may result in impaired learning, memory and decreased IQ.

    39) The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has launched excel-based offline facility to allow taxpayers to finalise their GSTR-3B forms on their own computers before uploading it onto the portal in order to minimise chances of errors before uploading on portal. Taxpayers have to file the summary GSTR-3B forms each month till January. Key Facts: This Excel based offline facility will provide an opportunity to the taxpayer to verify the details of GSTR 3B before filing and minimise chances of error. It will make the process of filing returns simpler. The offline utility is designed to help taxpayers to prepare their GSTR-3B return on their computer system. The taxpayer can download the offline utility from the GST Portal under the Download Section. Using it, taxpayers can fill data and then create json file for uploading the same on GST Portal. Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN): GSTN is a not for profit, non-Government, private limited company incorporated in 2013. It has been set up primarily to provide IT infrastructure and services to the Central and State Governments, tax payers and other stakeholders for implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST). The Union Government holds 24.5% equity in GSTN. All States including two UTs (Delhi and Puducherry) and Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers (EC) together hold another 24.5%. Balance 51% equity is with non-Government financial institutions-HDFC Bank Ltd (10%), HDFC Ltd (10%), ICICI Bank Ltd (10%), NSE Strategic Investment Corporation Ltd (10%) and LIC Housing Finance Limited (11%). The Revenue Model of GSTN after GST rollout consists of User Charge to be paid by stakeholders who will use the system and thus it will be a self-sustaining organization.

    40) Rajasthan Government has introduced The Code of Criminal Procedure (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill, 2017 in the state assembly to protect both serving and former judges, magistrates and public servants in state from being investigated for on-duty action without its prior sanction. The bill replaces Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 promulgated in this regard. Features of Bill: The Bill prevents courts from taking up private complaints against both serving and former judges, magistrates and public servants in state for on-duty action without its prior sanction. It also bars media from reporting on such matters involving accusations against public servants until sanction to proceed with probe is obtained. The bill amends Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC), 1973. It curbs publishing and printing or publicising in any case the name, address, photograph, family details of the public servants. It make additions to sections 156 (3) and 190 (1) of CrPC which empower a magistrate to take cognizance of an offence and order an investigation. It provides 180 days immunity to officers as it has provision mentioning no magistrate can order an investigation nor will any investigation be conducted against person who is or was a judge or a magistrate or a public servant. Its violation will call for two years imprisonment. If there is no decision on the sanction request post the stipulated time period (180 days), it will automatically mean that sanction has been granted.

    41) The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has taken up a programme for promotion of north eastern products in Bangladesh and Myanmar. In this regard, it has proposed to organise promotional programmes in Bangladesh and Myanmar in association with the High Commission of India in Dhaka and its Embassy in Yangon. The export of APEDA scheduled products to Bangladesh during 2016-17 was of US $396.44 million. The major products exported to Bangladesh include rice, fruits, wheat, vegetables, maize, dairy products and pulses. The export of APEDA scheduled products for Myanmar during 2016-17 was of US $24.15 million. The major products exported to Myanmar include rice, cereal preparations, maize, rice, fruits, and vegetable seeds. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA): The APEDA is an apex statutory export promotion organisation under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It was established under APEDA Act, 1985. It is mandated with responsibility of promotion and development of the export of its scheduled products which includes all agricultural products.

    42) The Union Finance Ministry has allowed banks, including top three private sector lenders to accept deposits under various small savings schemes in order to encourage savings. Until now, most of the small savings schemes were sold through post offices. This decision will allow increase outlets for selling small savings scheme that will result in higher mobilisation under scheme. Key Facts: Now banks are eligible to sell National Savings Time Deposit Scheme 1981, National Savings (Monthly Income Account) Scheme 1987, National Savings Recurring Deposit Scheme 1981 and NSC VIII issue. All public sector banks (PSBs) and top three in the private sector viz. ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank can receive subscription from the expanded portfolios. So far, these banks were allowed to receive subscription under Public Provident Fund (PPF), Kisan Vikas Patra-2014, Sukanya Samriddhi Account, Senior Citizen Savings Scheme-2004. Small saving schemes: Small Savings Schemes are government run social welfare schemes that provide higher interest rate. These schemes are meant for small investors backed by a sovereign guarantee and tax benefits.

    43) The Police Commemoration Day is observed on October 21st every year to pay homage to the Police Martyrs. The day commemorates supreme sacrifices of ten policemen while defending borders with China in 1959. It was observed in all Police Lines throughout India to mark memory of these gallant Police personnel killed on duty during the year. Background: The Police Commemoration Day was instituted at the Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories held in January 1960. Since 2012, Police Commemoration Day Parade is being held at the National level at the Police Memorial, Chanakyapuri. So far since Independence, 34,418 Police personnel have sacrificed their lives for safeguarding the integrity of nation and providing security to people of this country. During last one year, from September 2016 to August 2017, 383 Police personnel have laid down their lives. Why Police Commemoration Day is celebrated? Till autumn of 1959, Indian Police personnel were responsible for manning 2,500 mile long border of India with Tibet (now China). On October 20, 1959, three reconnaissance parties were launched from Hot Springs in North Eastern Ladakh in preparation for further movement of Indian expedition which was on its way to Lanak La. While members of two parties returned to Hot Springs by afternoon of that day, third one comprising of two Police Constables an Porter did not return. All available personnel were mobilized early next morning in search of missing personnel. At about mid-day, Chinese Army personnel were seen on hillock who opened fire and threw grenades at party led by. Since there was no cover, most personnel were injured. Ten brave Police Personnel attained martyrdom and seven others sustained injuries. The seven injured were taken prisoners by Chinese while the remaining managed to escape.

    44) Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has constituted five-member Search-cum-Selection committee to select candidate for post of editor-in-chief of Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV). It will be headed by Prasar Bharati Chairman A Surya Prakash and its other members are Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta, Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati, Additional Secretary (Personnel) in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat PPK Ramacharyulu and journalist Rahul Srivastava. Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV): RSTV is owned and operated by upper house of Indian Parliament i.e. Rajya Sabha and vice-president of India is its chairman. Its mandate is to telecast live coverage of Rajya Sabha proceedings and incisive analysis of parliamentary affairs. It aims at providing an objective perspective on national and international affairs to the people and provide platform for knowledge-based programmes for discerning viewer. The channel offers special attention to legislative business undertaken by Parliament. It also has conceptualised programmes on basis of the vibrant relationship between Parliament and people. It touches upon all aspects of social, economic and political and cultural life of the people, while promoting scientific temper among masses.

    45) The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITY) has set up an internal expert committee to advise the government on a policy on artificial intelligence (AI). The expert committee will advise the IT ministry on the most apt technologies for India as government’s main focus is to reduce cyber-attacks with AI. Its recommendations will be used to frame the policy. Seven-point strategy on AI: The government recently had drawn up a seven-point strategy that would form the framework for India’s strategic plan to use AI. The strategy includes developing methods for human machine interactions; creating a competent workforce in line with AI and R&D needs, ensuring safety and security of AI systems; understanding and addressing the ethical, legal and societal implications of AI, measuring and evaluating AI technologies through standards and benchmarks, among others. Artificial intelligence: Artificial intelligence is branch of computer science concerned with making computers behave like humans. In contrast to normal hardware and software, AI enables a machine to perceive and respond to its changing environment. The artificial intelligence market is estimated to touch $153 billion in 2020 and expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (cagr) of 45.4% from 2016 to 2022. It is also widely seen as major challenge in generation of employment as many companies are likely to depend more on it to cut down on human resources. Globally too, there is a growing interest in artificial intelligence. In 2016, White House had initiated work on Preparing for the future of artificial intelligence; in UK, the House of Commons committee on S&T had looked at robotics and artificial intelligence while in 2017, State Council of China had started work on next generation artificial intelligence development plan.

    46) According to new study published in medical journal The Lancet, India has topped list of countries with pollution-related deaths in 2015. In India, 2.51 million people died prematurely in 2015 due to diseases linked to air, water and other forms of pollution. Of the 2.51 million deaths in India, 1.81 million were related to air pollution, 0.64 million to water pollution, 0.17 million to occupational exposure and 95,000 linked to lead pollution. Key Facts: Globally, air pollution was biggest contributor linked to 6.5 million deaths in 2015, ahead of water pollution (1.8 million) and workplace-related pollution (0.8 million). Most of the pollution-related deaths — 92%— were reported in low and middle income countries, and in rapidly industrialising nations such as India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Madagascar and Kenya. China, with 1.8 million pollution-linked deaths in 2015, followed India. Most of these deaths were due to non-communicable diseases caused by pollution, such as heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). India accounted for about 28% of an estimated 9 million pollution-linked deaths worldwide in 2015 and topped list of deaths linked to polluted air (1.81 million) and water (0.64 million). China (1.58 million) was placed after India in deaths linked to air-pollution, followed by Pakistan (0.22 million), Bangladesh (0.21 million) and Russia (0.14 million). In deaths linked to water pollution, Nigeria (0.16 million) and Pakistan (74,000) were placed after India. The Lancet study concluded that pollution is now largest environmental cause of disease and death globally — three times more those from HIV-AIDS, TB and malaria put together. It also found that pollution from outdoor and indoor air, water and soil contamination, and chemical pollutants was one of largest risk factors leading to premature death. Background: For the study, researchers had used data from Global Burden of Disease study, which brings together comprehensive estimates on effects of pollution on health, provides economic costs, and reveals the extent of contaminated sites across world for first time. Its aim was to raise global awareness on pollution, end neglect of pollution-related diseases, and mobilise resources and political will to effectively confront pollution.

    47) India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) have signed the IBSA Trust Fund Agreement that seeks to fight poverty in developing countries. It was signed at the 8th IBSA trilateral Ministerial Commission Meeting in Durban, South Africa. IBSA Trust Fund: It brings together the three emerging economies of India, Brazil and South Africa to combat poverty in other developing countries. Each country will contribute US $1 million annually to this fund which is managed by the UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) Special Unit for South-South Cooperation. IBSA Dialogue Forum: The IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa) Dialogue Forum is an international tripartite grouping for promoting international cooperation among these countries. It was launched in June 2003. It brings together three large democracies and major economies from three different continents namely, Africa, Asia and South America that represents three important poles for galvanizing South-South cooperation. The forum provides the three countries platform to engage in discussions for cooperation in the field of agriculture, trade, culture, and defence among others. It has become instrumental for promoting closer coordination on global issues between three large multicultural and multiracial democracies and also contributed to enhancing trilateral cooperation in sectoral areas. Cooperation in IBSA is on three fronts: Forum for consultation and coordination on global and regional political issues, such as reform of global institutions of political and economic governance, WTO/Doha Development Agenda, climate change, terrorism etc. Trilateral collaboration on concrete areas and projects, through 14 working groups and 6 People-to-People (P2P) Forums, for the common benefit of three countries. Assisting other developing countries by taking up projects in the latter through IBSA Fund.

    48) The first tri-service armed Forces (Army, Navy, & Air Force) exercise INDRA 2017 between India and Russia began at the 249th Combined Army Range Sergeevisky and in Sea of Japan near Vladivostok. It is overall 10th edition of INDRA exercise and India’s first bilateral military exercise with any country involving all three services. INDRA 2017: The scope of 11-day exercise includes professional interactions, establishment of joint command and control structures between Indian and Russian forces and elimination of terrorist threat in multinational environment under UN mandate. The Indian contingent comprises 350 personnel from Army, 80 from Air Force, two IL 76 aircraft and one frigate and corvette each from the Navy. Russia is represented by approximately 1000 troops of 5th Army, marines and ships of Pacific Fleet and aircraft from Eastern Military District. Comment: Exercise INDRA in its previous nine avatars was conducted as single service exercise alternately between two countries. For India, the major emphasis during exercise is to enhance inter-service cooperation and synergizing jointness. Moreover it is inlines with India’s armed forces focus on complete and effective inter-operability with countries, big and small in order to effectively conduct military operations overseas. In 2016, INDRA exercise was held in December 2016 at Visakhapatnam and Bay of Bengal.

    49) Researchers have discovered new species of gecko at Chhattisgarh’s Kanger Ghati National Park in Eastern Ghats. It common name is the Kanger valley rock gecko and scientific name is Hemidactylus kangerensis, named after the valley were it was discovered. Kanger valley rock gecko: Kanger valley rock gecko is fairly large and can grow to over eight inches long. It has distinct black-bordered beige bands from its neck to its tail tip and specific scales on its thighs. It differs from other gecko species in a distinct banded patterns and number of pore less scales separating femoral pores on the thigh. It is also found in Jagdalpur and Sukma districts in Chhattisgarh and in Khamman in Telangana, which are part of Eastern Ghats. The discovery of new gecko species highlights need for dedicated surveys across Eastern Ghats, where biodiversity has not been quantified too well and need for protection from various anthropogenic pressures.
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    50) The Jaipur and Srinagar Airport were ranked first and second respectively in ACI (Airports Council International)-ASQ (Airport Service Quality) Survey in the category of 2-5 million passengers. It was for second consecutive time Jaipur Airport was rated Best Airport in the World in the 2 to 5 million passengers per year traffic volume category. Earlier it was ranked best Airport in 2016 also. Besides, Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) bagged World 1 airport Award trophy of the ACI in the 5-15 million passengers per annum category. About ASQ awards: The Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards are aviation industry’s most prestigious accolades. They recognize airports which have achieved highest passenger satisfaction ratings in ASQ Survey which is the world’s benchmark measure of airport excellence. ACI-ASQ Survey is only worldwide programme to survey passengers at airports on their day of travel. Every year it measures passengers’ views on 34 key performance indicators, including airport access, check-in, security screening, stores, restrooms and restaurants. The survey allows creating industry database that allows airports to compare themselves to other airports around the world. It also facilitates sharing of best practices among airport operators.

    51) The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will soon get powers to approve highway projects with construction cost of more than Rs 1,000 crore to ensure faster implementation of Bharatmala programme. The programme, along with the proposal to enhance powers of NHAI will soon get Cabinet clearance soon. Key Facts: Currently, all highway projects entailing construction cost more than Rs 1,000 crore, excluding land is approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). Under the new proposal, only public private partnership (PPP) projects under build-operatetransfer (BOT) model, where viability gap funding (VGF) is to be provided by government, will need CCEA clearance. It will allow NHAI board to approve all engineering procurement and construction and hybrid annuity projects. Bharatmala programme: Bharatmala envisions 44 economic corridors across country at cost of at least Rs 5 lakh crore. It is aimed at speeding up cargo movement and development of multimodal logistics hubs and parks on periphery of major commercial centres. The project involves constructing 24,000km of fresh highways. It also includes construction of feeder routes alongside national highways. The Bharatmala corridors have been mapped as per traffic density and economic relevance of cities that will be connected with help of Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics. Around 80% of Bharatmala projects will be government funded, engineering procurement and construction (EPC) model while rest will be a hybrid-annuity public private partnership (PPP).
    52) The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) launched new online facility for its members to easily link their 12-digit unique Aadhaar number with their Universal Account Number (UAN). Its objective is to ensure better and speedy EPFO services. The new initiative will facilitate EPFO members to link their respective UAN and other relevant details with Aadhaar online. The facility has been made available at EPFO’s official website. Universal Account Number (UAN): It is one account number allotted to a subscriber for various schemes run by EPFO for his or her entire service period with different employers. It facilitates workers in organized sector to transfer their provident fund deposits while switching jobs anywhere in India easily. Under it active employees in organized sector are provided with universal number which can be linked to various provident fund account numbers provided to them after switching jobs by different organisations. Thus, a single account number can be used throughout workers’ employments with various organisations. The roadmap for implementing the UAN programme has been prepared by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). UAN aims to reduce the workload of the EPFO to a great extent as it receives over 12 lakh claims for transfer of PF account on changing of jobs by its subscribers.

    53) Sunny Verghese, co-founder and Group CEO of Singapore-based Olam International was appointed as the new chairman of World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). With this, he becomes first ever Asian CEO to be appointed as Chair in the organisation’s 25 years of history. His term will begin on January, 2018 for a duration of two years and will succeed Paul Polman, whose term ends in December 2017. Sunny Verghese: He is co-founder of Olam International, third largest agri-business company in world. Olam International operates from seed to shelf in 70 countries, supplying food and industrial raw materials to over 16,200 customers worldwide. It is one of the world’s largest suppliers of cocoa beans and products, coffee, cotton and rice. Sunny Verghese, is a recipient of the Outstanding CEO of the Year award and Public Service Medal from the Government of Singapore. He is also Chairman of International Enterprise Singapore and the Human Capital Leadership Institute. World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): WBCSD is CEO-led, global advocacy association of some 200 international companies dealing exclusively with business and sustainable development. It has global network of more than 200 CEOs who are responsible for combined revenue of more than $8.5 trillion and 19 million employees. WBCSD was created in 1995 with merger of Business Council for Sustainable Development and World Industry Council for the Environment. It is based at the Maison de la paix in Geneva, Switzerland, and has offices in New York and New Delhi.

    54) Indian-American Gitanjali Rao (11) won the 2017 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge for inventing a quick, low-cost test to detect lead-contaminated water. She was selected from 10 finalists who had spent three months collaborating with scientists to develop their ideas. Key Facts: Rao’s prototype device named named Tethys, after the Greek goddess for fresh water is sensor-based device detects the quality of water and shares the results to a mobile application via bluetooth. It uses carbon nanotubes to detect the presence of lead. Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge: The aim of the competition, open to citizens of US who are enrolled from Class 5 to 8, is to identify a solution to an everyday problem that directly impacts either the contestant or the global population. The winner of the competition is awarded $25,000 along with the title of ‘America’s Top Young Scientist 2017’. Every year, the challenge asks kids in US to explain in short video new scientific idea or invention – one that solves an everyday problem. Ten finalists are chosen who compete amongst themselves.

    55) Prof Hans Joachim Schellnhuber from Germany won 2017 Blue Planet Prize, world’s most prestigious award for pioneers in environmental science. He was awarded for establishing new field of science ‘Earth System Analysis’ and introducing most influential concepts including the notion of tipping elements in the climate system in Tokyo. He is Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). Beside him, Prof. Gretchen C. Daily from US also won the award for her work promoting practical conservation by revealing the value of nature. Blue Planet Prize: It is the world’s most prestigious award for pioneers in environmental science and often considered as Nobel Prize for environmental research. It was instituted by Asahi Glass Foundation. It honours outstanding thinkers who help to meet challenges of planetary dimensions. It carries prize of 50 million yen (about $450,000) and is handed over in presence of Japan’s Imperial Prince and Princess. Previous recipients of prize include the Syukuro Manabe who is considered as godfather of climate modelling, Norway’s former Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland and Charles Keeling who gave his name to the famous Keeling curve of atmospheric CO2 concentration measurements.

    56) The Govardhan Eco Village, set up by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Wada taluka of Palghar district, Maharashtra has won the Green Platinum Award. The award was received by village’s director, Gauranga Das during the Green Building Congress-2017 held at Jaipur in Rajasthan. Govardhan Eco Village: The village is a farm community and retreat centre spread over a scenic landscape of 100 acres at Galtare in Wada taluka. Since its inception in 2003, it has made steady progress in Organic farming, Cow protection, Rural Education, Rural development, alternative energy, eco-friendly constructions and Sustainable living etc. Green Platinum Award: Green Platinum Award is instituted by Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The IGBC was established by the CII to enable sustainable built-environment for all.

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