Today's Current Affairs (16.09.2019)

World Ozone Day: 16 September

World Ozone Day is observed on 16 September every year to spread awareness among people about the depletion of the Ozone Layer.

• In 1994, the UN General Assembly proclaimed this day as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
• The theme of World Ozone Day 2019 is '32 years and Healing'.

Poland’s Foreign Minister unveils memorial dedicated to Polish World War 2 refugees in Kolhapur

Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland Marcin Przydacz inaugurated the museum in Kolhapur, where around 5000 Polish people took asylum during the World War-2.

• A Memorial Museum was built to commemorates the asylum seekers.
• When Poland was caught between Adolf Hitler’s Germany and Josef Stalin’s Russia during the Second World War, a stream of refugees made their way to Valivade village in Kolhapur district, 235 km from Pune.

Arunachal Pradesh CM dedicates Dikshi Hydroelectric Project to people of the state

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu dedicated the Dikshi Hydroelectric Project to the people of the state.

• The 24 Mega Watt Hydroelectric Project has been installed at Dikshi Village in West Kameng District.
• It is a Run-of-the-River project constructed on the river Phudung by Devi Energies Private Limited.
• It was completed in a record time of four years with an investment of about 430 crore rupees.
• Government of Arunachal Pradesh is the sole beneficiary of the power generation from this project.

Traditional Neermahal Jal Utsav concludes in Tripura

In Tripura, the three-day-long traditional Neermahal Jal Utsav concluded with eye-catching boat race and swimming competitions at Rudrasagar lake.

• Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb flagged off the boat race.
• Neermahal is a water palace built at the middle of Rudrasagar lake by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya in 1930 as his summer resort is inspired by the Mughal style of architecture.

 ‘Great Ganga Run 2019’ flagged off in New Delhi

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju flagged off ‘Great Ganga Run-2019’ at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.

• The event was organised by Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• A large number of people from all age groups participated in the marathon.

Justice P Lakshman Reddy sworn in as first Lokayukta of Andhra Pradesh

Justice P Lakshman Reddy was sworn in as the first Lokayukta of Andhra Pradesh.

• The oath was administered by Governor Biswabhushan Harichandan.
• Justice Reddy will be holding the position for the next five years.
• He is the first Lokayukta to be assuming charge since the state bifurcated in 2014.
• Justice Reddy had begun his career as an advocate in the district court and later elevated to the status of the judge in the High Court.

Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman, Railway Board awarded with Eminent Engineers Award

The Union Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, awarded Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman, Railway Board with Eminent Engineers Award.

• The award was presented at the special event to mark the 52nd Engineers’ Day organised by the Institution of Engineers in New Delhi.
• The award was for his outstanding contributions in the field of engineering.

Bangladesh School project wins Aga Khan Architecture Award

An innovative project for constructing a floating school for children in Bangladesh has been awarded the prestigious Aga Khan Architecture Award 2019.

• The award was given away in Kajan, the republic of Tatarstan for the Arcadia Education Project in South Kanarchor of Bangladesh.
• The project involved the construction of a school in an area which is underwater during the monsoon months.
• Five other projects from other countries were also given the award.

Smith creates a record of scoring most runs in a series this century

Australia batsman Steve Smith has now become the highest run-scorer in a Test series of this century.

• In the ongoing fifth Ashes Test against England, Smith went past his own record of scoring 769 runs against India during the 2014-15 season.
• Smith now has a total of 774 runs in the series.
• Smith has made his comeback in the international cricket in the ICC Men's World Cup after serving a 12 months suspension for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal at Newlands in March 2018.
• Smith recently attainted the number one batsman spot in the ICC Test rankings.

Pankaj Advani clinches record 22nd world billiards title

Pankaj Advani increased his tally of world titles to 22 by winning a fourth straight final in the 150-up format at the IBSF World Billiards Championship.

• The 34-year-old has brought home a world trophy every year ever since returning from a professional stint in the UK in 2014.
• With another trophy in the bag, Advani extends his remarkable run of winning a global crown since 2003.
• The Bengaluru-based Advani has won more world titles in his sport than anyone else.

World Ozone Day 2019

What is Ozone Layer, How it is recovering from depletion?

World Ozone Day 2019 is also known as the International Day for the preservation of the Ozone Layer. It is observed annually on September 16 to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987. 

World Ozone Day 2019 Theme: 32 Years and Healing

World Ozone Day 2019 theme celebrates over three decades of international cooperation to protect and heal the ozone layer and the climate under the Montreal Protocol. The day aims to increase awareness of climate change and ozone depletion. It serves as a reminder that humans must keep up their momentum to ensure healthy people and a healthy planet. World Ozone Day 2018 theme was “Keep Cool and Carry on: The Montreal Protocol”, which aimed to urge everyone to carry on the exemplary work of protecting the ozone layer and the climate under the Montreal Protocol.

Facts about Ozone layer

What is Ozone layer?

The ozone layer is a fragile shield of gas that protects the Earth and its ecosystem from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, thus help preserve life on the planet. The phaseout of controlled uses of substances that deplete the ozone layer will not only protect the ozone layer for future generations but will also significantly boost global efforts to address the issue of climate change.

Is the Ozone Layer recovering?

According to a study completed in 2018, ‘Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion’, some parts of the ozone layer has recovered at a rate of 1 to 3% per decade since 2000. This report suggested that by the end of 2030 Ozone layer may heal completely in Northern hemisphere. Similarly, the ozone layer in Southern hemisphere and Polar Regions will be recovered by 2050 and 2060 respectively.

What is Montreal Protocol?

The objective of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the ozone layer by taking appropriate measures to bring down global production and consumption of substances that harm the ozone layer. According to this protocol, there is a list of more than 100 chemicals. Montreal Protocol sets out a timetable for the phase-out of production and consumption of those substances, with the aim of eventually eliminating them completely.

Today's Current Affairs (15.09.2019)

Hindi Diwas: 14 September

Hindi Diwas is observed every year on 14 September to mark the popularity of Hindi as an official language of India.

• On the occasion, the International Hindi Conference was also organised by the World Hindi Council in New Delhi.
• Under Article 343 of the Indian Constitution, Hindi written in Devanagari script was adopted as the official language.

Engineers Day: 15 September

Engineers Day in India is observed every year on 15 September.

• It is celebrated as a tribute to the greatest Indian engineer and Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Vishweshvaraya.
• He was an engineering pioneer of India whose genius reflected in harnessing of water resources and building and consolidation of dams across the country.
• Visvesvaraya was also the chief engineer responsible for the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in Mysore, the biggest in Asia at that time.
• However, the Telangana state celebrates Engineers day on July 11th on the birthday of Ali Nawaz Jung Bahadur.

14th Conference of Parties to UNCCD adopts Delhi Declaration

The 14th Conference of Parties (COP-14) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) came to a close with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration.

• During the extensive deliberations that lasted for 12 days, COP-14 witnessed widespread participation from over 9,000 participants from across the globe at Greater Noida.
• In Delhi Declaration, the parties expressed support for new initiatives aiming to improve human health and well-being, the health of ecosystems and to advance peace and security.
• During the 12-day conference, COP 14 held thought-provoking discussions on land management, restoration of degraded land, drought, climate change, renewable energy, women empowerment, gender equality, water scarcity and various other issues.

World Bank to provide Rs 3,000 crore aid for food parks

Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Rameswar Teli has said that the World Bank will provide three thousand crore rupees assistance to finance, mini and mega food parks across the country.

• He was addressing the 15th Indo-US Economic Summit organized by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce-North India Council (IACC-NIC) in New Delhi.
• The government is trying its best to double the income of farmers and is laying lot of focus on mega and mini food parks.

GST Network decides to make Aadhaar authentication mandatory for new dealers from January 2020

The GST Network has decided to make Aadhaar authentication or physical verification mandatory for new dealers from January 2020 to check malpractices in GST.

• This was announced by Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Sushil Kumar Modi, who heads the Group of Ministers of GST Network.
• Aadhaar authentication was earlier optional. 

Sourabh Verma clinches Vietnam Open Super 100 title

In Badminton, Sourabh Verma clinched the Vietnam Open Super 100 title, defeating China’s Sun Fei Xiang in a thrilling Men's Singles summit clash at the Ho Chi Minh City.

• Second seed Verma recovered from a mid-game slump to beat Sun 21-12, 17-2, 21-14.
• This victory marks Verma's second Super 100 win in the ongoing calendar year.
• He had won the Hyderabad Open earlier in August.

Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen clinches men's singles title of Belgian International Challenge

In Badminton, rising Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen stunned second seed Victor Svendsen of Denmark in straight games to clinch men's singles title at the Belgian International Challenge.

• Lakshya was at his best as he notched up a comfortable 21-14, 21-15 win over Svendsen in the title clash.
• The 18-year-old Lakshya had earlier beaten Denmark's Kim Bruun 21-18, 21-11 to win in a 48-minute semifinal clash.

India beat Bangladesh by five runs, clinch U-19 Asia Cup title

India clinched the Under-19 Asia Cup title, with a thrilling five-run win over Bangladesh in a low-scoring final at Colombo.

• Defending a paltry total of 106, India dismissed Bangladesh for 101 in 33 overs.
• Left-arm spinner 18-year-old Atharva Ankolekar, emerged as the star of the Indian team, with figures of 5 for 28 from 8 overs.

2020 Women's FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held from Nov 2-21

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, to be hosted by India, will be held from 2nd to 21st November next year.

• The of FIFA will be held in four cities across the country.
• Last month, the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar has been provisionally confirmed as a venue, pending FIFA approval.
• Kolkata, Navi Mumbai, Panaji and Ahmedabad are in the running for the other three host cities.
• India was announced as the host country in March this year.
• Spain is the defending champions, having won the title of the biennial tournament in 2018.

Todays Current Affairs (14.08.2019)

Sri Lanka flags off Pulathisi Express, a 'Make In India' train

The strong ties between India and its southern neighbor Sri Lanka received a boost when a newly 'Make In India' train rake was flagged of from Colombo Fort Railway station.

• The rake of Pulathisi Express was manufactured in the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
• Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Transport Minister Arjuna Ranathunga and Indian envoy to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu flagged off a new train to Polonnaruwa from Colombo Fort Railway station.

India hosts the first conference on military medicine for SCO member nations

India is hosting the first conference on military medicine for member nations of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation in New Delhi.

• The two-day conference is being held with an aim to share best practices in the field of military medicine.
• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the conference.
• This is the first military co-operation event to be organised in the country under the SCO after it joined the organisation in 2017.

PM Modi launches Kisan Man Dhan Yojana for small, marginal farmers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana’ at Ranchi in Jharkhand.

• The Scheme will secure the lives of Small and Marginal Farmers by providing a pension of  3,000 rupees per month to those who attain 60 years of age.
• According to an estimate, five crore farmers across the country including 10 lakh in Jharkhand will be benefited from this scheme.
• The Prime Minister also launched the National Pension Scheme for the Traders and The Self-Employed.
• The scheme aims at providing a minimum assured pension of 3,000 rupees to small traders and self-employed after attaining the age of 60 Years.

Free rail travel insurance of Rs 25 lakh each for passengers on board Delhi-Lucknow Tejas

Passengers of IRCTC's Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express to get free Rs 25 lakh rail travel insurance.

• The passengers of this train will also be given the facility of using retiring rooms at Lucknow junction station and executive lounge at New Delhi Railway station and lounge for meetings on-demand.
• No concessions, privileges or duty passes will be allowed on these trains.
• Just like in flights, meals will be served by onboard service staff by trolleys.
• The inaugural run of Tejas Express was on 24 May 2017 from Mumbai to Goa.

White Water Rafting Expedition 'Rudrashila' Flagged off at Jaisalmer

The white water Rafting Expedition christened 'RUDRASHILA' being undertaken by Kalidhar Battalion was at Jaisalmer Military station.

• The expedition christened 'Rudrashila' has been organised to commemorate the 75th Raising day of the Kalidhar Battalion.
• 'Rudrashila' takes its name from the famed Rudraprayag tributary of the Ganges River in the Mountains of Uttarakhand.
• 'Kalidhar Battalion' was raised on 01 November 1943 and has participated in all major operations of the Indian Army including two overseas assignments in Korea in 1953 and UN peacekeeping mission in Congo in 2005-06.

Indo-Thailand Joint Military Exercise Maitree – 2019

Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-2019 between India and Thailand will be conducted at Foreign Training Node, Umroi (Meghalaya) from 16-29 Sep 2019.

• Indian and Royal Thailand Army (RTA) comprising 50 soldiers each will participate in the exercise with an aim to share experience gained during various counter-terrorism operations in their respective countries.
• Exercise MAITREE is an annual training event which is being conducted alternatively in Thailand and India since 2006. 
• The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defence co-operation between Indian Army (IA) and Royal Thailand Army (RTA) which in turn will further foster defence cooperation and bilateral relations between the two nations.

Haryana CM launches two insurance schemes for traders

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched two insurance schemes for traders.

• An insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh would be provided under the 'Mukhyamantri VyapariSamuhikNiji DurghatnaBeemaYojana', while an insurance cover ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh would be provided under the 'Mukhyamantri VyapariKshatipurti Beema Yojana'.
• Traders registered under the Haryana Goods and Service Tax (HGST) Act, 2017 would be covered under these schemes.
• He said the premium of Rs 38 crore for both the insurance schemes would be paid by the state government.

Karnataka Bank MD inducted in IBA managing committee

Karnataka Bank managing director and chief executive officer M S Mahabaleshwara have been inducted to the Managing Committee of Indian Banks Association (IBA).

• He has been elected unopposed from the private sector member banks.
• Indian Banks Association (IBA) is a parent association of the bankers wherein public sector, private sector, foreign banks operating in India are the members.
• The membership of the association stood at 253 comprising 144 ordinary members and 109 associate members last month.

UAE President bestows First Class Order of Zayed II award to Navdeep Singh Suri

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has bestowed the First Class Order of Zayed II award to the Ambassador, Navdeep Singh Suri.

• The award is given in recognition of his contribution to the development and strengthening of friendly relations and co-operation between the two countries.
• It is a rare honour given to any diplomat.
• UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the Order to the Ambassador in Abu Dhabi.

Amit Shah inaugurates the renamed Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium

The iconic Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in the national capital is renamed after former Union Minister late Arun Jaitley.

• In a function at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Home Minister Amit Shah digitally inaugurated the renamed Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in presence of late finance minister's family.
• DDCA also unveiled a new pavilion stand at the Feroz Shah Kotla after skipper Virat Kohli, who recently became the most successful India captain in Test cricket.
• Arun Jaitley, who was at the helm of the DDCA from 1999 to 2013, was credited for bringing better facilities, including a world-class stadium, to Delhi cricket.

UN appoints Indian Army veteran Abhijit Guha as head of Hodeidah mission

UN appoints Indian Army veteran Abhijit Guha as head of Hodeidah mission  - 

Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of United Nations (UN) appointed India’s Lieutenant General (Retired) Abhijit Guha as the head of UN mission in Hodeidah, Yemen. Guha, who has 39 years of national and international military experience will be succeeding Danish Lieutenant General Michael Lollesgaard, who served in these posts from 31 January to 31 July 2019. Besides leading the UN Mission in support of Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), Guha will also assume the chair of Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC). RCC is responsible for redeploying forces of Yemeni warring parties in accordance with their agreement.
About Abhijit Guha He is a graduate of India’s Defence Services Staff College, the College of Combat, and National Defence College. He has held many important commands, staff and instructional appointments within Indian Army which includes leadership of an Infantry Brigade and Infantry Division, and of Mumbai Area. He retired from Indian Army in 2013 and since then he has served on Expert Panel on Technology and Innovation in UN Peacekeeping (2014) and High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (2015). International Portfolios: He has also served as a Military Observer as part of United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia during 1992-23. From 2009-2013: He served as Deputy Military Adviser and Military Adviser within the Office of Military Affairs of United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), while also establishing Office of Peacekeeping and Strategic Partnerships (OPSP) in 2013. He has also led a number of United Nations’ investigations and boards of inquiry in Africa and Middle East. 
About UN Mission in support of Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) On 16 January 2019 UN Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution 2452 (2019) and decided to establish United Nations Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), a special political mission that was authorized for an initial period of 6 months to lead and support functioning of Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC), assisted by a secretariat staffed by UN personnel, to oversee governorate-wide ceasefire, mine action operation and redeployment of forces. On 16 July 2019 UNSC extended the mandate of mission overseeing Yemen Ceasefire Accord for 6 months (until 15 January 2020) by unanimously adopting resolution 2481 (2019).