Current Affairs SEPTEMBER 2019 (Set 04)

National News

1. Gandhi Solar Park inaugurated by PM Modi, world leaders at UN Headquarters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other world leaders inaugurated the Gandhi Solar Park at the UN headquarters in New York on September 24, 2019. The world leaders also launched UN postage stamp on Mahatma Gandhi, commemorating his 150th birth anniversary. PM Modi was joined by UN chief Antonio Guterres and world leaders including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The launch took place during an event hosted by PM Modi- 'Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in the Contemporary World' at the UN headquarters.  The 50 kilowatt Gandhi Solar Park is the first of its kind symbolic Indian effort at the UN, which brings to focus India’s attempt to walk the talk on climate change and climate action. The roof-top solar park was built at a cost of US $1 million. It has 193 solar panels and each panel is powered to reach the max of 50 KWn of power generation, which will take the park’s annual output to 86,244 KWh. The annual output by the solar park will equal 61 metric tonnes of CO2, 30,242 kg of coal burned and carbon sequestered from 1,008 tree seedlings grown for 10 years.

At a contribution of about USD 1 million, India has gifted solar panels that have been installed on the roof of the UN Headquarters here, one panel each for every 193 UN member states. The ‘Gandhi Peace Garden’ is an innovative initiative under which the Consulate General of India in New York, Long Island-based NGO Shanti Fund and the State University of New York – Old Westbury have entered into an agreement to plant 150 trees.

The 'Gandhi Peace Garden' was also inaugurated on the occasion by PM Modi at the State University of New York at Old Westbury in Long Island.

Approximately, 150 trees were planted in the peace garden to honour Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary. The Gandhi Peace Garden is a crowd-sourced project with people adopting the trees in the memory of their loved ones.

2. Govt launched multilingual 'CHC Farm Machinery' Mobile App for farmers

The Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Purushottam Rupala recently launched a multilingual mobile app 'CHC Farm Machinery' during the National Conference on crop residue Management for farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

This mobile app will allow farmers to avail custom hiring services of CHCs located in a radius of 50 km. CHC Farm Machinery Mobile App connects the farmers with Custom Hiring Service Centers in their area. Farmers can download this mobile app on any android phone from Google Play Store. Farmers can get affordable access to cutting-edge technology at their doorsteps with the help of this mobile app.

3. Dr Harsh Vardhan launches ‘TB Harega Desh Jeetega’ Campaign

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare launched the new TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign, along with the National TB Prevalence Survey. The Union Health Minister also flagged off a van for the National TB Prevalence Survey. In all, 25 such vans will be part of the prevalence survey, which shall take 6 months and be carried out across the country. This shall present national and state level data, which will be used as a policy tool for further interventions. Dr. Harsh Vardhan also released the TB India Report (2019), the Work Place Policy Framework for TB, Operational Guideline for Employer Led Model on TB, Training module for transforming TB survivor to TB champion, and Elected Representative’s Handbook on TB. In addition to these, as an important step, the Union Health Minister also launched an all oral regimen kit for multi-drug resistant TB patients which does not include injections which are painful and can have side effects. He also announced a partnership with the World Bank which is providing a $400 million credit for accelerating TB response in 9 states through private sector engagement and other critical interventions.  

Among states with a large population (>50 lakhs), Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat were awarded as best performers, while Tripura and Sikkim were recognized for their efforts among medium population (less than 50 lakhs) states. Puducherry, and Daman and Diu were judged as the best performers among Union Territories. In April 2018, the government launched the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme to provide nutritional support to TB patients. Under the scheme, TB patients have been receiving Rs. 500 per month for the entire duration of treatment. Since its inception, a total amount of Rs. 427crore has been paid to over 26 lakhs beneficiaries through direct transfers to their bank accounts.

4. Odisha unveils 'Tikki Mausi' to combat malnutrition among children, women 

With an aim to spread awareness about child and woman's nutrition, Women and Child Development and Mission Shakti Department in collaboration with the UNICEF unveiled a mascot named 'Tikki Mausi'. The department also launched a comprehensive state-level communication strategy in collaboration with the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The mascot -- Tikki Mausi -- will change the behaviour of common people and make them aware about child and woman's nutrition and development in every household. The mascot has been named as 'Tikki Mausi' in reference to the second mother of a child. It is projected to spread awareness for better health care of children and their development. The mascot will also take care of providing the right information about government projects for women and children to every household for better future of the children in the state.

5. MoU to set up Kalam Centre for Science and Technology at CUJ signed 

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed among Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence and Central University of Jammu (CUJ) for the establishment of Kalam Centre for Science and Technology (KCST) at the university.

The MoU signing ceremony was held in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The main objective of the MoU is to undertake and facilitate multidisciplinary directed basic and applied research and technology development in the identified research verticals, namely, computational system security and sensors. KCST will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment leading to increase in research scholars in these areas.

6. Delhi High Court Launches Official Mobile App For Lawyers And Litigants 

The Delhi High Court launched an official mobile application for providing digital access of its services to lawyers and litigants. The application, which was inaugurated by Chief Justice DN Patel at the Judges' Lounge in the evening, provides details of case status, display board, cause list and access to other important links of the high court website. Other judges were also present during the function.

The advocates registered with the high court's e-filing software will also be able to apply for e-inspection and online gate pass. The application, which can also be accessed by anyone as a guest user, will allow litigants to apply for issuance of new entry pass to visit the high court. The advocates and litigants will also be able to view the display board of the high court and the Supreme Court using the app. It will also allow them to view the high court's cause list and calendar. The lawyers can keep and manage their personal case diary online under the Advocate Login section. The 'important links' option of the application allows to access information on Chief Justice and sitting judges, their roster, judgments, case histories, among others.

7. First Indigenous Fuel Cell System launched on CSIR Foundation Day

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, unveiled the first Indigenous High Temperature Fuel Cell System developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in partnership with Indian industries under India’s flagship program named “New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI)” on the occasion of CSIR Foundation Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

A unique example of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) among CSIR’s three Laboratories [CSIR-NCL, Pune; CSIR-NPL, New Delhi & CSIR-CECRI, Karaikudi (Chennai Center)] and two Indian industries; M/s Thermax Limited, Pune and M/s Reliance Industries Limited, Mumbai exemplified exploiting materials of science developments at CSIR laboratories into practice by Industry. The 5.0 kW fuel cell system generates power in a green manner using methanol / bio-methane, with heat and water as bi-products for further use; amounting to greater than 70% efficiency, which otherwise may not be possible by other energy sources.

The Fuel Cells developed are based on High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HTPEM) Technology. The development is most suitable for distributed stationary power applications like; for small offices, commercial units, data centers etc.; where highly reliable power is essential with simultaneous requirement for air-conditioning. This system will also meet the requirement of efficient, clean and reliable backup power generator for telecom towers, remote locations and strategic applications as well. This development would replace Diesel Generating (DG) sets and help reduce India’s dependence on crude oil.

The developed technology is world class and the development has placed India in the league of developed nations which are in possession of such a knowledgebase. CSIR has an impressive portfolio of global patents on these developments. In the field of clean energy, Fuel Cell distributed power generation systems are emerging as promising alternative to grid power. The Fuel Cells fit well in India’s mission of replacing diesel with green and alternate fuels. The development of fuel cell technology is indigenous and carries immense national importance in terms of non-grid energy security.

8. PM Modi hails first UAE astronaut in space, says India takes inspiration 

As the first astronaut from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) lifted off into space, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the country's first astronaut and said that India takes inspiration from it for its human space programme. Hazzaa al-Mansoori became the first astronaut from the UAE to fly to the International Space Station on Wednesday.

9. 2021 census to be conducted digitally, says Amit Shah 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the 2021 census will be conducted through a mobile phone application, moving away from traditional pen and paper, to promote Digital India. This is for the first time that the mobile app will be used for the census exercise. India will be moving from the pen and paper census to digital data, which will be a big revolution in the country's census exercise. In this process, people would be able to upload the details of self and family on the newly developed mobile app themselves.  The nationwide exercise will be carried out in 16 languages at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore.

International News

1. Russia joins Paris agreement on climate change 

Russia officially joined the Paris Agreement on climate change. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ratified Russia's participation in the treaty, after signing an act "to accept the Paris agreement from 12 December 2015, signed on behalf of the Russian Federation in New York city on 22 April 2016. Russia recognized its obligations under the Paris climate accord by signing the document. Paris agreement is part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), dealing with greenhouse-gas-emissions mitigation, adaptation, and finance, signed in 2015. Under the Paris deal, industrialized nations pledged financial support for developing countries for climate protection measures, technology transfer, and capacity-building programs. The agreement was signed by 196 countries and intends to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing carbon emissions and limiting global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius. On Aug. 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the country's government made a decision to join the agreement and assumed very serious obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 75% of the 1990 levels in the next few years and to attain 70% levels by 2030. These serious obligations will require a substantial reconstruction of the entire Russian economy.

2. Bangladesh lifts ban on Hilsa export to India, 500 tonnes to be exported during Durga Puja 

Bangladesh will allow 500 tonnes of Hilsa fish to be exported to India as a goodwill gesture during the Durga Puja. Commerce Ministry of Bangladesh gave the go ahead permitting export of Hilsa from Bangladesh as a one-time arrangement.

Export of the popular Hilsa or 'Ilish' fish from Bangladesh was banned in 2012 after local business establishments called for controlling the price of fishes. Hilsa fish is reportedly smuggled out of Bangladesh causing loss of tax revenue to the government. In 2012, Hilsa export to India earned Bangladesh Tk 3 billion.

Bangladesh accounts for nearly 75 percent of world Hilsa production and  nearly 2 million people get direct and indirect employment from its cultivation.

3. Google wins landmark right to be forgotten case

The EU's top court has ruled that Google does not have to apply the right to be forgotten globally. It means the firm only needs to remove links from its search results in Europe - and not elsewhere - after receiving an appropriate request. The ruling stems from a dispute between Google and a French privacy regulator. In 2015, CNIL ordered the firm to globally remove search result listings to pages containing damaging or false information about a person. The following year, Google introduced a geoblocking feature that prevents European users from being able to see delisted links. But it resisted censoring search results for people in other parts of the world. And the firm challenged a 100,000 ($109,901; £88,376) euro fine that CNIL had tried to impose.

Also known as the "right to erasure", the rule gives EU citizens the power to demand data about them be deleted. In the case of search engines, Europeans have had the right to request links to pages containing sensitive personal information about them be removed since 2014. But the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which came into force in 2018, added further obligations. Members of the public can make a request to any organisation "verbally or in writing" and the recipient has one month to respond. They then have a range of considerations to weigh up to decide whether they are compelled to comply or not.

4. Facebook acquires neural interface startup CTRL-Labs for its mind-reading wristband 

Facebook announced that it will acquire neural interface startup CTRL-Labs, a company that makes a wristband capable of transmitting electrical signals from the brain into computer input. The deal is worth somewhere between $500 million and $1 billion, is the most substantial acquisition Facebook has made in the last half decade, since it paid $2 billion to acquire virtual reality company Oculus VR in 2014. It also marks a substantial increase in investment in Facebook’s growing hardware ambitions, as the CTRL-Labs tech will be put to use in future augmented and virtual reality projects at the social network.

CTRL-Labs, which was co-founded by Internet Explorer creator and neuroscientist Thomas Reardon will be joining Facebook Reality Labs team.

5. Google celebrates its 21^st birth anniversary with a special doodle 

Google celebrated its 21st birthday with an adorable and special doodle on 27 September. The search engine was founded by two Stanford Ph.D. students, Sergey Brin and Lawrence (Larry) Page, 21 years ago in September 1998. Larry and Sergey invented Google in their dormitories at Stanford in California. The two had published a paper about launching a prototype of a large-scale search engine. Before discovering Google, the two had also developed a search algorithm known as Backrub’. However, the two zeroed in on the name Google for their project because it resembled with the name googol which is a mathematical term meaning 10 raised to the power of 100.

They chose systems name, Google, because it is a common spelling of googol, or 10100 and fits well with our goal of building very large-scale search engines. For its twenty first anniversary, the search engine celebrated with a cartoon of a throwback photo of a bulky computer, which shows a Google search screen, lying on the side on a table with the timestamp of ’98 9 27 written on the right hand corner of the image. Though the search engine celebrates its birth anniversary today, September 27 was not always its official birthday. Until 2005 the website celebrated its birthday on September 7. But since 2005, it has marked its birthday on September 8, September 26 and, recently, September 27. Today, Google operates all over the world and in over 100 languages, answering trillions of search queries each year. The scale is obviously large.

6. China launches amphibious assault ship, giving a big boost to its coastal warfare capabilities 

China's ability to fight island and coastal conflicts got a big boost when the country's navy launched its first amphibious assault ship. The massive ship, which was floated at a shipyard in Shanghai, is the first in China's Type 075 class of amphibious assault ships. Amphibious assault ships -- sometimes called helicopter landing docks -- can be described as small aircraft carriers designed for island or coastal assaults. China provided no details of the size and capabilities of the new ship. But, in general, the flat-topped ships have the ability to carry dozens of aircraft -- helicopters in the case of the Type 075 -- along with hundreds of ground troops, their vehicles and equipment. The ships have internal docks that allow those troops to load into smaller vessels to be carried ashore. The US and Japanese navies also operate amphibious assault ships in the Pacific.

7. Travel Giant Thomas Cook Declares Bankruptcy After Failing To Reach Deal 

British travel group Thomas Cook declared bankruptcy after failing to reach a last-ditch rescue deal, triggering the UK's biggest repatriation since World War II to bring back stranded passengers.  The 178-year-old operator had been desperately seeking £200 million ($250 million, 227 million euros) from private investors to save it from collapse.

Economy News

1. India-US Tri-Services ''Exercise Tiger Triumph'' To Be Held In November 

India and the United States are set to hold their first tri-services exercise code-named "Tiger Triumph" at Visakhapatnam and Kakinada in November this year.

"India-US tri-services ''Exercise Tiger Triumph'' is being organised under the aegis of the headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff. It is scheduled at Visakhapatnam and Kakinada in November this year. Final Planning Conference (FPC) for India-US Tri-Services Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) concluded at Headquarters Eastern Naval Command on September 20. The conference commenced on September 16 and was attended by delegates from the US Navy and the Marine Corps and representatives from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. During the conference, participants had a discussion on the planning of the exercise and interactions on issues related to the conduct of the exercise.

Both the teams from the US and India also visited the campsite at Kakinada and conducted table-top exercises as preparatory activities. For the first time, the US and India will be holding the tri-service military exercise. India earlier conducted such tri-service exercise with Russia.

2. ICGS 'Varaha' commissioned by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh 

'Varaha' refers to the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu who took the form of a boar to rescue Goddess Earth from the ocean by lifting her on his tusks. 'Varaha' is the projection of Coast Guard's will and commitment 'to serve and protect' the maritime interest of the country.

The ship has been designed and built indigenously by Larsen and Toubro and is fitted with state of the art communication technology and navigation, sensor and machinery. The vessel is equipped with a 30-mm gun and a 12.7mm gun for enhancing the fighting efficiency of the vessel. Some of the special features of the vessel include Integrated Bridge System, Automated power management system, high power external firefighting system, indigenously built Integrated platform management system and Help Traversing System. The ship also carries four high speed boats including two rigid hull inflated boats for boarding operation, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol.

Besides, the ship has capabilities of carrying limited Pollution Response equipment to contain oil spill at Sea. It displaces 2,100 tonne and propelled by two engines and is capable of achieving maximum speed of 26 knots and endurance of 5000 nautical miles.

The ship will be manned by 14 officers and 89 men. It will be commanded by Commandant Dushyant Kumar. The ship is planned to be based at New Mangalore under the administrative and operational control of Coast Guard Commander (West) Region.

3. Govt reconstitutes Economic Advisory Council for two years, Bibek Debroy to remain chairman 

The Centre has reconstituted the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) for a period of two years. The reconstituted advisory panel will come into effect from September 26, 2019. As per a government statement, economist Bibek Debroy will continue to be Chairman of the EAC-PM. Meanwhile, former NITI Aayog Principal Advisor Ratan P Watal will remain the Member Secretary of the panel.

The EAC-PM has been reconstituted at a time when the economy is going through a tough phase. Several sectors have reported slump in performance and latest macro-economic numbers have reflected slowdown in economic growth.

4. India, US, Japan begin trilateral maritime exercise 

India, the US and Japan began the 'Malabar 2019' trilateral maritime exercise in the Pacific Ocean. The exercise, in which the Indian Navy has deployed two ships, will end on October 4. Two frontline indigenously developed ships -- INS Sahyadri, INS Kiltan --have been deployed for the exercise. Sahyadri is a multi-purpose guided missile frigate while the Kiltan is an anti-submarine warfare corvette.

The Indian Navy's Rear Admiral Suraj Berry, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, led the ships to Sasebo, Japan, where the exercise will be conducted.

5. Curtain Raiser: INDO-KAZAKHSTAN Joint Military Exercise KAZIND - 2019 

Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2019 between India and Kazakhstan will be conducted at Pithoragarh from 02 to 15 October 2019. The exercise will comprise of nearly 100 soldiers from both Indian and Kazakhstan Army who would be sharing their experience gained during conduct of various counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations in the past. Exercise KAZIND-2019 is the fourth edition of an annual event which is conducted alternatively in Kazakhstan and India. The aim of this exercise is to conduct company level joint training with emphasis on counter terrorism operations in mountainous terrain. During the exercise, aspects of emerging trends of global terrorism and hybrid warfare have also been included.

6. Midnapore becomes 5000th railway station to be Wi-Fi enabled: Piyush Goyal 

Midnapore in West Bengal became the 5000th railway station in the country to be Wi-Fi enabled, said Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. RailTel started the project of providing Wi-Fi facility at railway stations in January 2016 from Mumbai Central station in Maharashtra. It was the first station to have fast and free RailWire. RailTel roped in Tata Trust for providing Wi-Fi at B, C, D and E category stations across the country. Once completed all Railway stations (except the halt stations) of Indian Railways will have fast and free RailWire Wi-Fi.

7. Indian Navy names new frigates Teg, Tarkash, Trikand

The Indian Navy has formally named the three Talwar class frigates being built in Russia the Teg (Sabre), Tarkash (Quiver) and the Trikand (Bow). Unlike the custom of naming warships after retired ships, these are new names. The three Project 1135.6 modified Krivak III class (Talwar class) guided missile frigates are being built for the Indian Navy under a $ 1.6 billion (Rs 7600 crore) contract signed with Russia in July 2006. India contracted to buy three Talwar class frigates, the Talwar, Trishul and Tabar which were delivered between 2003 and 2004. The new batch of three frigates is expected by 2012. The 4000 ton Talwar class frigates have a top speed of 30 knots. They are armed with a 100 mm gun, two Kashtan air defence gun / missile systems, two twin 533-mm torpedo tubes and an anti-submarine warfare helicopter. Unlike the previous three Talwars class frigates, the new frigates will be equipped with eight Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles instead of the Klub-N anti-ship missiles.

People in News

1. Ponung Doming becomes Arunachal's first woman officer to be appointed as Lieutenant Colonel in Indian Army 

An Army official from Arunachal Pradesh, Ponung Doming, created history after she became the first woman officer from the state to hold the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army. Doming was elevated from the post of a Major to that of a Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army. Last month, Wing Commander Shaliza Dhami became the first woman officer of the Indian Air Force to be elevated as the Flight Commander of a flying unit. Dhami took charge of a Chetak helicopter unit at the Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh on August 26.

2. Hurun Rich List 2019: Mukesh Ambani richest Indian with Rs 3.8 lakh crore fortune

With Rs 3.8 lakh crore net worth, Mukesh Ambani is India's richest man for the eighth consecutive year, as mentioned in the IIFL Wealth-Hurun India Rich List 2019. The Reliance Industries chief is also the 8th richest man in the world.  Following Ambani is London-based SP Hinduja and family with Rs 1.5 lakh crore. On the third spot is Wipro founder Azim Premji with Rs 1.2 lakh crore, while Cyrus Poonawalla bagged the fourth spot with Rs 89,800 crore. On the fifth spot is Lakshmi Mittal with Rs 87,900 crore, Uday Kotak with Rs 75,600 crore is ranked sixth, Gautam Adani with Rs 70,600 crore is seventh, Dilip Sanghvi with Rs 67,300 crore is eighth, Cyrus Pallonji Mistry and Shapoor Pallonji Mistry with Rs 67,100 crore are the ninth richest Indians.

Out of the Indian cities, Mumbai topped the list with 42 billionaires, while Delhi followed on the second spot with 25 billionaires. Bengaluru and Hyderabad were ranked third and fourth respectively. No women made it to the top ten richest Indians list. The richest woman in India is Godrej Group's Smita V Crishna with Rs 43,400 crore, who is ranked 302 globally. Roshni Nadar and Kiran Mazumdar Shaw are on the second and third spot with Rs 32,800 crore and Rs 25,100 crore.

Madhukar Parekh and family of Pidilite saw an increase of 60 per cent to Rs 11,200 crore, while Ranjan Pal of Manipal Education saw an increase of 54 per cent to Rs 14,300 crore. Azim Premji and Mukesh Ambani saw an increase of 42 per cent and 20 per cent.

3. Suresh Chitturi appointed International Egg Commission chief 

Suresh Chitturi, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of India's leading poultry firm Srinivasa Farms, has been appointed as chairman of the International Egg Commission(IEC) for the next two years. The appointment was made at the IEC Global Leadership Conference in Copenhagen in Denmark. Suresh Chitturi will be the first chair from Asia in the history of the institution, as he assumes the role as the Chairman of IEC. He will hold the position for the next two years.

4. Air Marshal HS Arora appointed IAF Vice Chief 

Air Marshal HS Arora has been appointed the Vice Chief of Indian Air Force. He will succeed Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria who will take over as the Chief of Air Staff on September 30. The Cente on September 19 appointed Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria the next chief of the India Air Force (IAF). Bhadauria, who is currently Vice Chief of Air Staff, will take over the charge as the Chief of Air Staff after his predecessor and the incumbent IAF Chief BS Dhanoa retires on September 30. Meanwhile, Air Marshal B Suresh has been appointed as Western Air Commander of the Air Force. He will succeed Kargil war hero Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar on October 31.

5. Chief Gen Bipin Rawat to be new Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee 

Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat will take over as the new Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee succeeding Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, who retires from service by end of this month. The Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) comprises chiefs of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force and the senior most member is appointed its chairperson. The Chairman of COSC is tasked with ensuring synergy among the three services and evolve common strategy to deal with external security challenges facing the country.

Rawat, the first Army Chief to hold the post since Gen Bikram Singh (2013-14), could possibly be the last in the post as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that his government will go ahead and appoint a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), who will replace the present tri-service committee.

Awards

1. Amitabh Bachchan to be honoured with Dada Saheb Phalke award 

Bollywood's megastar Amitabh Bachchan has been selected for Dada Saheb Phalke award for the year 2018 for his contribution to the Indian film industry.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema. It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

2. PM Narendra Modi receives Global Goalkeeper Award for Swachh Bharat Mission, dedicates it to Indians 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the 2019 Global Goalkeeper Award for Swachh Bharat Mission from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on October 2, 2014 by Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government.

Narendra Modi dedicated this award to the 130 crore Indians who transformed the Swachh Bharat campaign into a "people's movement"." The success of Swachh Bharat Mission is due to the people of India," said Narendra Modi while receiving the award. The award ceremony took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session. Global Goalkeeper Award is a "special recognition" by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The award celebrates a political leader who has "demonstrated their commitment to the Global Goals through impactful work in their country and/or globally." Launched in 2014, Swachh Bharat Mission aims to accelerate the efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage in the country. About 90 million toilets have been built to eliminate open defecation by October 2, 2019, according to the official data. At present, 98% of Indian villages have rural sanitation coverage instead of 38% four years ago.

3. Zoya Akhtar’s ‘Gully Boy’ is India’s official entry to Oscars 2020

Director Zoya Akhtar’s musical drama Gully Boy starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt has been selected as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards in the foreign film category for next year.  India has submitted films for the foreign film category at the Oscars since 1957, a year after the incorporation of the category. The award is given annually by the United States Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to a feature-length motion picture produced outside the US that contains primarily non-English dialogue. In the recent past, India submitted films such as Village Rockstars, Newton and Barfi! to be considered for nominations, but only three films made it to the final list — Mehboob Khan’s Mother India (1957), Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay! (1988) and Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan (2001). Mother India was India’s first submission. Gully Boy, the story of a young man from the Mumbai slums who uses rap music to break free from his circumstances, is loosely inspired by the lives of Indian street rappers Divine and Naezy.

4. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina receives ‘Vaccine Hero’ award 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the prestigious 'Vaccine Hero' award in recognition of Bangladesh's outstanding success in vaccination to immunise children. Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunisations (GAVI) Board chair Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala handed over the award to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh is the first country to use Gavi's updated fragility, emergency and refugees' policy to carry out Gavi-supported vaccination campaigns for Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar.

5. IMF elects Bulgaria’s Kristalina Georgieva as new chief 

Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva secured the top job at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), continuing the tradition of a European holding the role while also becoming the first leader from an emerging market. The former World Bank chief executive starts her five-year term as managing director October 1. She succeeds Christine Lagarde, a former French finance minister who led the fund from 2011 and is the incoming European Central Bank president. Under an informal pact between the US and Europe, the IMF chief has always been a European while the World Bank has been led by an American.

6. Infosys Wins UN Global Climate Action Award for ‘Carbon Neutral Now’ Category 

Infosys has won the prestigious United Nations Global Climate Action Award in the ‘Climate Neutral Now’ category. Infosys is the only corporate from India to earn the recognition for its efforts to combat climate change. The announcement of the winners came shortly, after the UN Climate Summit in New York was convened by UN Secretary General António Guterres. The award will be presented to Infosys at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Santiago, Chile (December 2019).

The UN Global Climate Action Awards are organized by the Momentum for Change initiative of the UN Climate Change Secretariat. The award winning projects are recognized for their innovative solutions that address climate change, and help drive progress on many other sustainable development goals, such as poverty alleviation, gender equality and economic opportunity.

7. Greta Thunberg wins 'alternative Nobel' for environmental work

Greta Thunberg has won Sweden's alternative Nobel Prize – the Right Livelihood Award – for her climate activism. The 16-year-old was recognised “for inspiring and amplifying political demands for urgent climate action reflecting scientific facts”.

The 16-year-old climate activist denounced world leaders for failing to tackle climate change in a speech at the start of a climate summit at the United Nations in New York.

Ms. Thunberg shares the award with Brazilian indigenous leader Davi Kopenawa of the Yanomami people, Chinese women's rights lawyer Guo Jianmei and Western Sahara human rights defender Aminatou Haidar.  The four laureates will received a cash award of 1 million Swedish crowns ($103,000) each.

8. K Siva Reddy to get Saraswati Samman 

Telugu poet K Siva Reddy is to be conferred the prestigious Saraswati Samman, 2018, for his collection of poems titled Pakkaki Ottigilite (Turning Aside While Lying Down). The award, instituted by the KK Birla Foundation, is given annually for an outstanding literary work written in any official Indian language and published during the preceding 10 years. It is the highest recognition in the field of Indian literature and carries a cash purse of Rs 15 lakh, apart from a citation and a plaque.

Days and Events

1. World Tourism Day- 27 September

2019 Theme: "Tourism and Jobs — A Better Future For All" 

World Tourism Day is commemorated each year on 27 September. Its purpose is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. The event seeks to address global challenges outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to highlight the contribution the tourism industry can make in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, invites all interested parties to take part on 27 September each year in the special celebrations taking place in their respective country or holiday destination. World Tourism Day is celebrated with appropriate events on themes selected by the UNWTO General Assembly, on the recommendation of the UNWTO Executive Council. It was at its third session (Torremolinos, Spain, September 1979), that the UNWTO General Assembly decided to institute World Tourism Day, commencing in the year 1980. This date was chosen to coincide with an important milestone in world tourism: the anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes on 27 September 1970. 2017 was declared as International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

2. International Day of Sign Languages

2019 Theme-“Sign Language Rights for All!” 

On 19 December 2017, the UN General Assembly declared 23 September as International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL). The resolution was proposed through the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the UN, following an original request by the WFD. 97 UN Member States voted for adoption of the resolution as co-sponsors. The choice of 23 September commemorates the date the WFD was established in 1951.The objective of the IDSL is to raise awareness on sign languages and strengthen the status about sign languages. IDSL takes place on the last full week of September as part of the International Week of the Deaf.

The first International Day of Sign languages was celebrated in 2018. T

Theme- “Sign Language Rights for All!”

3. International Week of the Deaf (IWD) 

It was launched for the first time in the year 1958 in Rome, Italy. IWDeaf is celebrated annually by the global Deaf Community on the last full week of September to commemorate the same month the first World Congress of the WFD was held. IWDeaf is celebrated through various activities by respective Deaf Communities worldwide. These activities call for participation and involvement of various stakeholders including families, peers, governmental bodies, professional sign language interpreters, and DPOs.

2019 Theme: Sign Language Rights for All!

The over-arching theme of IDSL 2019 is “Sign Language Rights for All!” IDSL corresponds with International Week of the Deaf, and each day of the week has a sub-theme:

Monday, 23 September - Sign Language Rights for All!

Tuesday, 24 September - Sign Language Rights for All Children

Wednesday, 25 September - Sign Language Rights for Deaf Senior Citizens

Thursday, 26 September - Sign Language Rights for DeafBlind People and Deaf People With Disabilities.

Friday, 27 September - Sign Language Rights for Deaf Women

Saturday, 28 September - Sign Language Rights for Deaf LGBTIQA+

Sunday, 29 September - Sign Language Rights for Deaf Refugees

4. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Jal Shakti inaugurated the 6th India Water Week in New Delhi

President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the sixth ''India Water Week-2019'' being organised with the theme of ''Water cooperation-coping with 21st-century challenge' at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

President Kovind also stated that the government of India has made provision of safe and clean drinking water to its citizens as one of its primary goals and has merged several departments related to water and sanitation into a new integrated Ministry of Jal Shakti. This ministry will provide a single-window system for all water-related issues ensuring speedier and effective solution, he further added. The President also stated that managing and mapping of groundwater resources is an important aspect of water governance and the widespread use of boring machines has led to unregulated and excessive exploitation of groundwater.

The ''National Mission for Clean Ganga entails numerous projects to ensure the continuous and unpolluted flow of the Ganga.

5. PM Modi addresses 1st India-Caribbean leaders summit; urges them to join ISA 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the leaders of the Caribbean Community and Common Market during the first-ever India-Caricom leaders' summit in New York last. The meet focused on fighting climate change and increasing India's participation with the grouping. Mr Modi announced a 14 million US dollar grant for community development projects in the Caricom and another 150 million line of credit for solar, renewable energy and climate change related projects. Leaders and representatives including from Antigua & Barbuda, Guyana,  Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago attended the meeting. Mr Modi invited them to join the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. Reiterating India's firm commitment to strengthen its political, economic and cultural engagement with Caricom, the Prime Minister recalled the presence of more than a million-strong Indian diaspora as a vibrant and enduring link of friendship with the Caribbean.

Caricom leaders welcomed the Indian initiatives to strengthen cooperation and reassured full support from their respective governments.  

6. World Maritime Day (WMD) is observed on the last Thursday of September.

World Maritime Day main aim is to focus on the importance of safety, maritime security, and marine environment and also to mark the significance of the aspect of the International Maritime Organisation's work. This day is celebrated in several countries including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

World Maritime Day 2019 theme: "Empowering Women in the Maritime Community". The theme focuses on the importance of gender equality, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nation's and to highlight the contribution of women within the maritime sector.

7. 6th Edition of International Conference MASCRADE 2019 Organised by FICCI in New Delhi 

The 6th edition of International Conference Mascrade 2019 (Movement Against Smuggling and Counterfeit Trade) was held on 26-27,  September 2019 in New Delhi.

The event was organised by FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy), a dedicated forum of FICCI.

The theme for MASCRADE 2019 was ‘Containing Counterfeiting, Smuggling and Piracy: A Winning Strategy’.

The event provides a platform to global participants to find solutions for combating, apprehending and administrating preventive mechanisms with regards to illicit trading activities.

Sports News

1. Adille J. Sumariwalla was re-elected member of the Council of the International Association of Athletics Federation 

Olympian sprinter Adille J. Sumariwalla was re-elected member of the Council of the International Association of Athletics Federations for his second four year-term at the IAAF Congress.

2. Carolina Marina lifts China Open title 

Olympic gold medalist Carolina Marin defeated Taiwan's Tai Tzu Ying 14-21, 21-17, 21-18 in the women's badminton singles final match to lift the China Open title

Marin, 26, is returning to the court after eight months as she had knee surgery. She missed the BWF World Championships which concluded last month in Basel, Switzerland.

3. Lionel Messi wins best FIFA player of the year award for record 6th time 

Argentine Lionel Messi beat Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo to win the best FIFA player of the year award for a record sixth time. Messi, who won the Spanish La Liga title with Barcelona last season as well as the European golden boot having scored 54 goals in 58 games in all competitions, last won the award in 2015. He did not, however, enjoy success with the national team, losing in the Copa America semi-finals to rivals Brazil.