Daily Current affairs - October 11th, 2017 for all competitive exams
Since 2012, 11 October has been marked as the International Day of the Girl Child. The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
Prime minister launched Disha Portal and Samvaad App
The Prime Minister launched the DISHA Portal - a smart governance tool developed for MPs and MLAs for monitoring of implementation of various Programmes and Schemes of different Ministries in their constituency through a single portal. As on date, integration of datasets of 41 programmes and schemes of 20 Ministries has been achieved on this Portal.
- He also launched Gram Samvaad - a citizen centric mobile app to serve and empower the rural citizens of India, by facilitating single window access for citizens to information at Gram Panchayat level, on various Rural Development programs. The App presently covers seven programs of the Ministry of Rural Development.
IMF Trims India growth Forecast for Current Financial Year to 6.7 %
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has trimmed India’s growth forecast for Financial Year 2017-18. In its latest World Economic Outlook released, the IMF lowered India’s growth forecast for 2017 to 6.7% from its earlier estimate of 7.2 percent.
- As per IMF, India is expected to regain the fastest growing major economy tag next year when it is forecast to grow 7.4 percent, slower than earlier estimate of 7.7 percent but higher than China’s 6.5 percent.
PM attends inauguration of birth centenary celebration of Nanaji Deshmukh
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today attended the inauguration of the birth centenary celebration of Nanaji Deshmukh at IARI at Pusa in New Delhi.
- The Prime Minister visited an exhibition on the theme "technology and rural life." The exhibition showcases good practices and applications, as well as schemes and initiatives of the Ministry of Rural Development. He interacted with some innovators and beneficiaries.
Cabinet approves MoC between India and Japan on the "Technical Intern Training Program (TITP)"
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of "Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC)" between India and Japan on the "Technical Intern Training Program (TITP)".
- This MoC is expected to be signed during the forthcoming visit of Hon'ble Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship during October, 16-18, 2017 at Tokyo.
- The Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) is an ambitious program to send Indian technical interns to Japan for on the job training for a period of three to five years. It is expected that the MoC will pave the way for bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the area of skill development.
Passive euthanasia already a law, says govt.
More than six years after sanctioning passive euthanasia as a legitimate option to end lives of people in a permanent vegetative state, the Supreme Court has decided to examine the more complex concept of a “living will” where removal of life support is authorised in case of an irreversible coma.
- SC was hearing a plea by NGO Common Cause to declare ‘right to die with dignity’ as a fundamental right within the fold of right to live with dignity, which is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
- A “living will” is a document prepared by a person in a healthy state of mind specifying that if s/he slides into a vegetative state because of an irreversible terminal illness, the debilitated existence should not be prolonged with the help of life support systems or other medical interventions.
Telangana launches IoT, e-waste management policy
The Telangana government has announced two new policies focussing on Internet of things and e-waste, which are part of the 10 major focus areas of the state’s IT policy launched last year.
- The IoT policy is designed to attract Rs 10,000 crore worth of investments and the creation of five clusters each in three districts.
- The IoT policy is focussed on developing smart city solutions, medicalhealth IoT, smart logistics and agri-tech.
- E-Waste generation in India is rising at an alarming annual rate of 25%, with Hyderabad currently recording 25,000 MT per annum, the 6th largest generator in the country. The state’s e-waste policy calls for earmarking industrial space or sheds for dismantling and recycling e-waste in existing and upcoming industrial parks, estates and industrial clusters.
Himachal Pradesh Implements Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme
Himachal Pradesh government implemented the Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS) to provide easy access to curative geriatric health care services by way of additional cover.
- The scheme would provide top-up coverage of Rs 30,000 per senior citizen to all existing Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY) smart card holders. This would be in addition to the basic coverage of Rs 30,000 in Trust and Society mode.
India invited to join SCO contact group meeting on Afghanistan
India following its rising profile in Afghanistan for the first time ever has been invited to join Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) contact group meeting on Afghanistan to discuss prevailing security situation and economic potential of the landlocked country.
- The meeting is being is held in Moscow and comes as a feather in the cap for India’s Afghan strategy after successful US backed Indo-Afghan trade and investment show in Delhi. The development is viewed as acknowledgement of India’s stake in the war-torn country.
- The India Water Week 2017 is going to be held between October 10 – 14, 2017 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. Various conferences and exhibitions involving stakeholders will be held during this week.
- Based on the theme “Water and Energy for Inclusive Growth,” India Water Week-2017 is a platform to elicit ideas and opinions from global-level decision makers, politicians, researchers and entrepreneurs in the field of water resources development and management for mutual benefit and goodwill.
WHO releases guidelines to address overweight and obesity in children
As part of its response to the global epidemic of obesity, WHO has released guidelines to support primary healthcare workers identify and help children who are overweight or obese.
- WHO recommends that all infants and children aged less than 5 years presenting to primary health-care facilities should have both weight and height measured in order to determine their weight-for-height and their nutritional status according to WHO child growth standards.
- Where infants and children are identified as overweight, WHO recommends providing counselling to parents and caregivers on nutrition and physical activity including promotion and support for exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding until 24 months or beyond.
- If children are obese, they should be further assessed and an appropriate management plan should be developed.
NABARD Buys Additional 7% stake in SIDBI from IDBI Bank
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has bought an additional 7% stake in Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for Rs 900 crore from public sector lender IDBI Bank Ltd.
- This is the largest investment made by the apex rural financial institution so far and raises its total shareholding in Sidbi to 10%.
ICICI Bank Aid to Armed Forces
ICICI Bank, the country's largest private sector bank by consolidated assets, committed financial assistance of Rs. 10 crore to the Indian Armed Forces.
- This contribution by ICICI Bank would be made in two equal tranches. This fund will be used for two programs. The first will support post-graduation education of the widows of the soldiers and education for their wards. The second program will provide financial assistance for marriages of the daughters of ex-servicemen.
V M Kwatra Appointed Ambassador to Principality of Monaco
Shri Vinay Mohan Kwatra has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Principality of Monaco, with residence in Paris.
- Mr Kwatra is presently Ambassador of India to France.
Shri Anupam Kher appointed as Chairman, FTII Pune
Shri Anupam Kher, veteran cine star, has been appointed as Chairman of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. Shri Kher succeeds Shri Gajendra Chauhan.
- Shri Kher who has appeared in over 500 films is a recipient of the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016 for his contribution in the field of cinema and arts.
- FTII is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and is regarded as a center of excellence across the world.
Nisha Desai Biswal Appointed as President of USIBC
Nisha Desai Biswal, former Indian-American assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia has been appointed as the new president of US India Business Council (USIBC).
- As Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs in the US Department of State from 2013 to 2017, Biswal oversaw the US-India strategic partnership during a period of unprecedented cooperation, including launching the US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue.
Iceland, Smallest Country to Qualify for Football World Cup 2018
Iceland created history by qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. This is the first time that Iceland qualified for the World Cup.
- Iceland became the smallest country to clinch a position at the 21st FIFA World Cup held in Russia. The previous smallest country to have reached the World Cup was Trinidad & Tobago.
- This is the first time when Iceland and Panama will be participants.
FIFA Suspends Pakistan Football Federation
FIFA has decided to suspend the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) with immediate effect in accordance with the decision of the Bureau of the FIFA Council on account of undue third-party interference.
- The national and club teams will not be allowed to take part in international competitions till the suspension is lifted. FIFA suspended PFF since its accounts were in control of a court-appointed administrator, which is against FIFA rules. The suspension will be lifted when the body becomes independent.
