Bullet Express Current Affairs, September 2016

National

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared proposals worth 1,900 crore rupees (close to $3 billion). All these approved proposals will be executed under ‘Buy India’ by Indian contractors.

The 2016 BRICS Labour & Employment Ministerial Meet was held in New Delhi from September 27- 28, 2016 to deliberate on issues including job creation and social security for workers.

The Union Cabinet has given its approval to ratify the Paris Agreement (on Climate Change) on Gandhi Jayanti i.e. on 2nd October 2016.

The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has become Asia-Pacific’s only and one of the world’s few airports to achieve a carbon neutral status.

The Union Government has given its approval to change the name of Gurgaon to ‘Gurugram’.

India has been ranked 39th among the 138 countries in the 2016-17 Global Competitiveness Index (GCI).

India will not take part in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Islamabad (Pakistan) to be held in November 2016.

India and China have hold the first High Level Dialogue on Counter-terrorism and Security held in Beijing, capital city of China.

The Union Government has decided to suspend all talks on India-Pakistan Indus Waters Treaty in the wake of the Uri attack.

India’s largest civilian research and development agency Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) celebrated its platinum jubilee.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for first time has successfully launched eight satellites into two different orbits in a single mission.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is going to launch Mission Parivar Vikas for improved family planning services in 145 High Focus districts in seven states.

The Union Government has extended support to certain new products and the rate of incentives for certain other specified products under the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS).

India, United States and Afghanistan have reaffirmed their shared interests in combating terrorism and advancing peace and security in the region.

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposals of Ministry of Finance to merge of Railway budget with the General budget.

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for provision of a direct communication link through a dedicated submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) between Chennai (mainland India) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The Union Cabinet has given in principle approval for advancement of the date of Budget presentation from the last day of February to a suitable date.

The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has given its approval to Rs. 10000 crore Ken-Betwa river interlinking project.

The Union Ministry of Urban Development has shortlisted 27 cities from 12 States in the list of third batch of Smart Cities Mission.

The 193 countries of the United Nations (UN) have signed a landmark declaration to rid the world of drug-resistant infections or Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) or superbugs.

India and Israel jointly developed most advanced long range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) Barak-8 was successfully test fired off the Odisha coast.

The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar has inaugurated the super computer PARAM ISHAN at IIT Guwahati campus.

Indian Railways has launched launched ‘Yatri Mitra Sewa’ in a move to make rail travel comfortable for elderly, differently-abled and ailing travellers.

State owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has granted prestigious membership of Asia-Pacific Aerospace Quality Group (APAQG) under category ‘Full Member with voting rights’.

India has been ranked 112th out of 159 countries in the 2016 World Economic Freedom Index (WEFI).

India has officially declared itself free from highly contagious Avian Influenza (H5N1) or bird flu and has notified the same to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Indian Navy’s indigenously built most Advanced Guided Missile Stealth Destroyer ‘Mormugao’ was launched in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The Union Water Resources Ministry has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Agriculture Ministry for speedy implementation of Namami Gange programme.

Union Government has chosen 105-year-old Kunwar Bai from Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district as the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ mascot.

Indian Railways has launched Swachhta Saptah (Cleanliness Week) to mark the ‘Swachh Paryavaran Diwas’ (Clean Environment Day).

India lost its appeal at the World Trade Organization in a dispute over solar power, failing to overturn a US complaint that New Delhi had discriminated against importers in the Indian solar power sector.

India and Nepal pressed the reset button on bilateral relations as the government welcomed Prachanda , the new PM of the Himalayan state, and committed to go the extra mile to fulfil Kathmandu's development priorities.

The Union Government has launched a toll free number ‘1924’ to registered postal complaints. The service has been launched Department of Posts (DoP).

The joint military training exercise between India and United States dubbed as “Yudh Abhyas 2016” has begun in Chaubattia in Uttarakhand.

The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of contract with and International Seabed Authority (ISA) for exploration of Polymetallic Nodules (PMS).

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has launched ’e-nivaran’ (electronic resolution) facility for online redressal of taxpayers’ grievances.

The first BRICS Wellness Workshop has begun in Bengaluru, Karnataka from September 10, 2016.

The Union Government has launched Urja Mitra Helpline through which customers can get information on power outages from distribution companies by dialing 14401.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has commissioned well-equipped offshore patrolling (OPV) vessel named Sarathi.

Majuli became the first island district of India after it was inaugurated as the 35th district of Assam by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

India’s first LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) laboratory will be set up in Aundh in Hingoli district of Maharashtra.

The Union Government has launched a new service -integration of DigiLocker with Driving Licenses (DL) & Vehicle Registration Certificates (RC).

The first edition of ‘IoT (Internet of Things) India Congress, 2016’ began in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Greece to allow unlimited number of flights into each other’s countries and also has initiated the air service agreement for open skies.

India, Kazakhstan joint bilateral military exercise PRABAL DOSTYK-16 concluded in Karaganda region of Kazakhstan.

The Union Government has approved 450 crore rupees for Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.

The first phase of ESIC (Employees State Insurance Corporation) Pilot Project of Telemedicine Services was launched for providing specialist medical services at a distance to insured workers.

The Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) has handed over Tihayu, a Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC) to the Indian Navy.

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully conducted a technical flight of the new indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).

The Union Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has launched #Gas4India campaign, aimed at promoting the use of natural gas in the country.

The Union Health Ministry has recently launched the “Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC)” to eradicate leprosy from the country.

The Odisha Government has launched the Biju Kanya Ratna Yojana (BKRY) for the development of girls in three districts of the state.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the use of Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide (PAVA) shells as an alternative to pellet guns for crowd controlling in Jammu and Kashmir.

Gumthala Garhu Village near Pehowa in Kurukshetra district in Haryana became the first Wifi hotspot village in Haryana circle.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has granted national party status to All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) Party led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The Union Government has announced a special package of 200 crore rupees for Jammu and Kashmir to engage youth of the state in constructive sporting activities.

The Guinness World Records has officially designation Assam’s Majuli as the largest river island in the world. It is situated in the Brahmaputra River.

India has been placed at the 35th rank in the World Bank’s 2016 Logistics Performance Index (LPI) among 160 countries.

The first BRICS film festival has begun at the Sirifort Auditorium Complex in New Delhi.

The Union Government has notified National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) for providing apprenticeship training to over 50 lakh youngsters in order to create more jobs.

The annual socio-religious Solung festival of Adi tribe has started in Arunachal Pradesh.

Indian Railways has launched an insurance scheme for passengers travelling on e- ticket. The insurance cover will be upto 10 lakh rupees.

The Gujarat government has inked a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airport Authority of India (AAI).

India’s first international conference on cooking gas has started in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed penalties on 10 cement companies and their umbrella association &ndash Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA) for cartelisation.

The Indian Army has set up Army Design Bureau (ADB) in an attempt to indigenise procurements and reduce import dependence. It has been established as part of the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and will integrate various stake holders in its long-term requirements.

The Union Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Amar Chitra Katha to publish and distribute comic book on Swachh Bharat Mission.

The Union Defence Ministry has sanctioned the construction of a National War Memorial and National War Museum in New Delhi.

The 2016 BRICS Convention on Tourism has begun at UNESCO World heritage site Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh to promote intra-regional tourism.

International

The Colombian Government and left-wing FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) rebels have signed a historic agreement that formally brings an end to 52 years of civil war.

Russia and Cuba have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of peaceful atomic energy use.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has approved a resolution urging quick global implementation of Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban treaty (CTBT) to ban tests of nuclear weapons.

The second meeting of the High Level Group of Eminent Experts to strengthen the SAARC Anti-Terrorism Mechanism was held in New Delhi.

China and Russia have carried out joint naval exercises dubbed as Joint Sea-2016 in the resource-rich South China Sea (SCS) off China’s southern Guangdong province.

The three days conference was be inaugurated by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in the presence of Union Minister of Urban Development, M. Venkaiah Naidu.

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of the Bilateral Technical Arrangement (BTA) between India and Switzerland on the identification and return of Indian and Swiss Nationals and its implementation.

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Kenya on cooperation in the field of National Housing Policy Development and Management (NHPDM).

The Union Cabinet has apprised of the MoU between India and South Africa for promoting bilateral cooperation in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

The world’s first daily driverless bus service has started in Lyon, France which will run in the city’s Confluence area.

The 28th and 29th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit was held in Vientiane, Laos from 6th to 8th September 2016. Prime Minister of the Lao PDR H.E. Thongloun Sisoulith was Chairperson of the summit.

India along with 10 other member countries of World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) South-East Asian Regional Committee has decided to set up a dedicated fund aimed at building preparedness for health emergencies in the region.

India and Chile have inked an agreement to expand the scope of their existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) by covering more goods for tariff concessions.

India has officially received certificates from World Health Organisation (WHO), recognizing the elimination of Yaws and Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) from the country.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially declared Sri Lanka a malaria-free, after certifying that the life-threatening disease had been completely eliminated in the island.

The 2016 Group of Twenty (G20) Summit was held in Hangzhou, China from 4th to 5th September 2016 to discuss efforts to reform global economic governance. It was the eleventh meeting of the G20.

Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic religious sister and missionary was proclaimed a Saint by Pope Francis in a ceremony at the Vatican.

Canada’s British Columbia province has become the first foreign government to issue of masala bonds, a rupee-denominated bond.

India and Egypt have signed an agreement in the area of Maritime Transport to step up co-operation on the seas.

Business and Economy

India’s largest pharmaceutical company Sun Pharma has signed deal with International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) for clinical development Cissampelos pariera (Cipa), India’s first vaccine (drug) for the treatment of dengue.

The first meeting of Goods & Services Tax (GST) Council has decided to exempt businesses with annual turnover below Rs.20 lakh out of the GST net.

Multilateral funding agency Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $631 million loan for building India’s first coastal industrial corridor between Visakhapatnam (Vizag) and Chennai.

The Gionee India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Haryana government to set up its phone manufacturing hub in Faridabad.

Anil Ambani led Reliance Communications (RCom) has signed a deal with Maxis Communications Berhad (MCB) for merger of wireless businesses of Aircel Limited with itself.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved enhancing the buffer stock for pulses up to 20 lakh tonnes.

The Union Cabinet has approved establishment of Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) to give a major push for creation of high quality infrastructure in premier educational institutions.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the proposal for initiation of the Third Phase of Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP).

India’s largest private sector bank ICICI Bank has successfully deployed ‘Software Robotics’ for power banking operations. With this, it becomes first bank in the country and among few globally to deploy ‘Software Robotics’.

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for simplification and liberalisation of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy, 2016 in various sectors announced in June, 2016.

The Union Cabinet has approved the scheme for granting of Permanent Residency Status (PRS) to foreign investors.

New Appointments

Jim Kim has been re-appointed as President of World Bank for a second five-year term beginning 1 July 2017.

Senior IAS officer Arun Goyal has been appointed Additional Secretary in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council.

The Union Government has appointed Navtej Sarna (59) was appointed as Ambassador to the United States.

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has appointed three economists as the external appointees on the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

Justice Mohan M Shantanagoudar was sworn in as Chief Justice of Kerala High Court as per Article 219 of the Constitution.

Anandi Ramalingam has assumed charge as Director Marketing of the Public sector Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).

An Indian-origin South African Ravi Reddy has been appointed as the Head of International Society for Blood Transfusion (ISBT).

Invasive species of Giant African Land Snail (GALS) was sighted near Goa University campus at Taleigao plateau.

President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed former IAS officer Alka Sirohi as chairman of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as per Article 316 of Constitution.

Eminent economist, consultant and banker Dr. Urjit Patel has assumed charge as the 24th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Governor of Maharashtra Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao, was sworn in as the acting Governor of Tamil Nadu.

The Union Government has constituted four member expert committee to study silt in river Ganga in Bihar.

Former Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla has been appointed as the new Chancellor of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) University.

Noted filmmaker Aishwaryaa Dhanush was appointed United Nations Women’s Advocate for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in India.

Sports

Indian women’s beach kabaddi team has won the gold medal at the 5th Asian Beach Games held in Danang, Vietnam. In the final match, Indian team defeated Thailand by 41-31 score.

India has won the test match against New Zealand by 197-runs in their historic 500th cricket Test in Kanpur.

Indian paddler Sathiyan Gnanasekaran has won the Belgium Open title of the table tennis in the men’s singles category.

Young Indian shooter Subhankar Pramanick has won the gold medal at the ISSF Junior World Cup for pistol, rifle and shotgun in Gabala, Azerbaijan.

Gautam Gambhir-led India Blue has won the inaugural day/night 2016-17 Duleep Trophy Cricket tournament played with a pink ball.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and All India Football Federation (AIFF) have jointly launched an online portal for its Global Scouting Programme (GSP).

India’s Devendra Jhajharia (36) has won gold medal in the men’s javelin throw, F46 event held at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Army Green has won the 2016 Durand Cup Football Title by defeating Neroca FC.

Stan Wawrinka (World no 3) from Switzerland has won the 2016 US Open men’s singles title.

Deepa Malik has created history by winning silver medal in Women’s shotput at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Mariyappan Thangavelu has won India’s first gold medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. He won the gold medal in the Men’s High Jump T-42 event with jump of 1.89 metres.

Indian pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy have won the 2016 Brazil Open Grand Prix title of Badminton in the mixed doubles category.

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg from Germany has won the 2016 Italian Grand Prix of Formula one.

Science and Technology

According to the scientists and wildlife conservationists, the National Waterways (NW) project possesses serious environmental threat to Gangetic river dolphins.

Researchers from Pune (Maharashtra) have produced high-quality carbon from sugarcane waste within minutes by using a low power microwave system.

Scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) US have developed a novel spectroscopic technique to find signs of present or former extraterrestrial life on the Mars.

Scientists in the United States including those of Indian origin have successfully grown three-dimensional (3D) lungs in the lab, using stem cells.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a US space agency has launched OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to collect samples from an asteroid 101955 Bennu and return to Earth.

China has claimed that it has successfully developed and tested a radar system that uses quantum entanglement to beat the stealth technology of modern military aircrafts.

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully launched advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR.

Awards

Noted Dalit voice, poet and Telugu writer Prof.Kalakaluri Enoch was conferred with the prestigious Moortidevi Award of Bharatiya Jnanpith for the year 2015.

Two Indian forest officials have been selected for the 2016 Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards.

Writer Meghna Pant has won the Fellows of Nature (FON) South Asia Short Story Award in Nature writing.

Cricketers Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma were conferred with the Arjuna Award for their contributions to sport of cricket.

Dinesh Bharadia, a graduate of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, was honoured with the 2016 Marconi Society Paul Baran Young Scholar Award that carries a cash prize of USD 4,000.

A team of researchers at Jadavpur University has developed a biodegradable energy harvester - from raw fish scales - which could be tapped as a sustainable green energy source for next generation self-powered implantable medical devices.

Indian-American physician-author, Abraham Verghese (61) has been selected for the prestigious 2015 National Humanities Medal.

India-born innovator and scientist Ramesh Raskar has won the prestigious 2016 Lemelson-MIT Prize.

Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy has been honoured with Tamil Ratna award by America Tamil Sangam (ATS) in New York.

Haryana has won ‘Best Horticulture State’ award of the Indian Council of Food and Agriculture (ICFA).

Mandi in Himachal Pradesh and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra have emerged the cleanest districts in India according Gramin Swachh Survekshan.

Novel based on Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh titled Into the Hidden Valley has won 2016 MM Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction in the United Kingdom.

Indian film Thithi has won the best film award at the first BRICS Film Festival concluded in New Delhi.

Assam-based ecologist and conservation activist Bibhuti Lahkar has won prestigious ‘Heritage Heroes Award’ of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson and MD of Biocon Ltd., will be awarded France’s highest civilian order.

Two Indians TM Krishna and Bezwada Wilson have received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay prize for the year 2016.

Death

Former Israeli Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres passed away on 28 September 2016 in Ramat Gan, Israel. He was 93.

Syed Shamsul Haq, one of Bangladesh’s best known writers passed away 27 September 2016 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was 81.

Noted Assamese poet, author and literary critic Nalinidhar Bhattacharyya passed away in Guwahati, Assam due to age-old ailments. He was 95.

Special Days

The World Rabies Day is observed on 28 September across the world to raise awareness about the rabies disease and its preventable measures.

The World Tourism Day (WTD) is being observed annually on 27th September to raise awareness about the importance of tourism.

The International Day of Peace is observed across the world on 21 September every year to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

The International Democracy Day is being observed every year on 15 September to raise public awareness about the democratic system.

The National Hindi Divas (हिà¤à¤¦à¥ दिवस), an annual literary-day is being observed on 14 September in Hindi speaking regions of India and other countries with Hindi speaking population.

The International Literacy Day is being observed 08 September every year to emphasize the importance of literacy to individuals, society and communities. This year, the world is celebrating 50th International Literacy Day.

The International Translation Day (ITD) is observed every year on September 30 to promote the translation profession in different countries.

Current Affairs Round Up Bullet Points, July, 2016 Current Affairs Round Up Bullet Points, August, 2016

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