Daily Current Affairs 27th September, 2019

Daily Current Affairs 27 September 2019 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

Govt sanctions 1.23 lakh affordable houses under PMAY (U) 

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has approved the construction of another 1.23 lakh more affordable houses for the benefit of urban poor under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban).

• With the approval of these proposals, cumulative sanctions of houses under PMAY(U)- mission has achieved a milestone of more than 90 Lakh houses against the validated demand of 1.12 crore.

Single helpline number 112 to be operational across nation soon: MoS for Home Affairs Reddy

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy said that all emergency and helpline numbers in the national capital have been integrated and one single helpline number — 112 — has been introduced, which will be operational across the country very soon.

‘Professor Ayushman’ — comic book series to increase awareness among kids on use of herbs, home remedies

A comic book series with ‘Professor Ayushman’ as the central character has been unveiled to make children aware of the importance of medicinal plants and their use for home remedies.

• The comic book, conceived by the National Medicinal Plants Board, talks about plants like Aloe Vera, Tulsi, Amla, Giloy, Neem, Ashvagandha and Brahmi.
• The AYUSH Ministry has come out with the book that will be available for free and schools can approach the National Medicinal Plant Board with their request.
• AYUSH is the acronym of medical systems that are being practiced in India such as Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy.

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’ in Odisha.

• 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.

J&K becomes first state to issue highest number of golden cards under Ayushman Bharat scheme

Jammu and Kashmir has become the first state in the country to issue highest number of golden cards under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Over 11 lakh golden cards have been generated within first 90 days of the launch of the scheme with 60% families having at least one golden card which is highest in the country.

Bhopal Metro to be named after Raja Bhoj, announces Kamal Nath

Bhopal metro will be named after ‘Raja Bhoj’ and known as ‘Bhoj Metro‘, announced the Chief Minister Kamal Nath.  The first phase of the metro rail network Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal and Indore will be operational by the beginning of 2023.

UP govt. announces ₹6,000 annual aid for triple talaq victims

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced an annual support of ₹6,000 to the victims of triple talaq till their rehabilitation and said they will get free legal aid.

• The CM interacted with the victims of triple talaq under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) and said such women should be given rights over waqf properties and also called for several welfare measures that should be undertaken for their rehabilitation.

AP: MoS railways flag off ‘UDAY’ Express

Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Channabasappa Angadi flagged off UDAY express, a double-decker train, from Visakhapatnam railway station.

• The train would run five days in a week between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.

Assam Govt launches housing loan subsidy scheme

The Assam Government has launched a housing loan subsidy scheme ‘Aponar Apon Ghar’ to provide financial assistance on purchase or construction of the first house for a family. 

• Subsidy up to 2 lakh 50 thousand rupees will be provided for loan amounts from five lakh to 40 lakh rupees. The Minister said, this scheme is meant for the loan sanctioned in this financial year.

5th India International Science Festival to be held in Kolkata

The 5th edition of India International Science Festival (IISF) 2019 will be held at Kolkata from 5th to 8th November, 2019. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said “IISF 2019 will play a crucial role in promoting love and passion of science among students by bringing science outside the lab. It is time to make science a Jan Andolan” .

• The theme for this year’s festival is RISEN India – Research, Innovation, and Science Empowering the Nation.

India Tourism Mart exhibition inaugurated

Culture and Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurated the exhibition of India Tourism Mart (ITM), 2019 in New Delhi.

• Over 240 international delegates from 51 countries and 160 exhibitors from across the country are taking in part in the second edition of ITM.

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 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.

Delhi: JNU signs MoU with IIT Delhi to promote research, technology development

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.

• The main objectives of signing this MoU between the two institutions is to recognise each other’s strengths and cooperate in research, education and technology developments in the disciplines of science, engineering, management and social sciences.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

WEF’s 50th annual meet to be held in Davos in Jan 2020

World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual meeting 2020 will be held in Davos, Switzerland where it is scheduled from January 21-24, 2020. 

• Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh would be attending the meeting.

Jaishankar participates in BRICS Ministerial Meeting in New York

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took part in the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York, USA.

• The grouping is comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo were present at the meeting along with Jaishankar.

Japan launches “World’s Biggest Transport Space Ship” for space station

Japan has launched an unmanned spacecraft towards the International Space Station. The H-2B rocket lifted off with cargo vessel Kounotori8.

• The launch took place from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan.
• This Rocket is considered as the world’s biggest transport spaceship.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Airtel Payments Bank partners with HDFC ERGO, launches innovative Mosquito Disease Protection Policy

Airtel Payments Bank, India’s first Payments Bank, and HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, India’s leading private sector general insurance company, under the corporate agency tie-up launched an innovative Mosquito Diseases Protection Policy (MDPP) as a part of their objective to drive insurance adoption in the country through affordable and easily accessible products.

• The partnership aims to bring together the deep distribution network of Airtel Payments Bank and the strong innovation pipeline of HDFC ERGO to contribute to financial inclusion in the country.

ADB cuts India’s GDP growth forecast to 6.5% for FY20

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) lowered growth projection for India by 50 basis points or half a percentage.

• In an report titled, Update of Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2019, the agency said that the growth rate is expected now at 6.5 per cent during current fiscal, i.e., 2019-20.

SPORTS

ICC announces partnership with Facebook for carrying out digital content

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a partnership with social media giant Facebook for carrying out a range of digital content across four years.

• The content will include match recaps, in-play key moments and other match and feature content.

PT Usha honoured with IAAF Veteran Pin

The world athletics governing the body, International Association of Athletic Federations, IAAF, honoured the Indian track and field legend PT Usha with a Veteran Pin in recognition of her contribution to the growth of the sport.

Advani-Mehta pair wins World Team Snooker title

The Indian duo of Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta overcame a tough Thai team to emerge world champions in the IBSF World Snooker Team event, in Mandalay, Myanmar.

Haryana win combined men and women 3rd Hockey India 5-a-side Senior National Championship

Haryana defeated Uttar Pradesh 5-4 in a high-octane final to win the combined men and women category at third Hockey India 5-a-side Senior National Championship at the Hockey Complex, Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Nick Kyrgios suspended for 16-week from ATP

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been suspended from the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for 16 weeks for his “aggravated behaviour” at the Cincinnati Masters.

APPOINTMENTS

Gen Rawat takes over as Chairman COSC from outgoing IAF Chief

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has taken over as the new Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) from the outgoing Air Chief BS Dhanoa.

• The Chairman Chiefs of Staffs Committee is the seniormost officer in the three defence forces.

Visa appoints PV Sindhu as brand ambassador for two years

Payment technology company Visa announced that it has signed up world badminton champion Pusarla Venkata Sindhu (PV Sindhu) as its brand ambassador for two years. Besides promoting the brand through advertising campaigns, Sindhu has also become an athlete member of Team Visa for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Madhuri Dixit to be Maharashtra poll goodwill ambassador

Actor Madhuri Dixit has been chosen as “goodwill ambassador” by the Chief Electoral Office in Maharashtra to create awareness among people about the importance of voting.

IMF elects Bulgaria’s Kristalina Georgieva as new chief

International Monetary Fund (IMF) has elected Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva as its new chief, 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.

BOOKS

Pranab Mukherjee releases Swamy’s book on economy

Former president Pranab Mukherjee released the book ‘Reset: Regaining India’s Economic Legacy’ written by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy that tracks the country’s economic development over the years and offers solutions for future growth.

OBITUARIES

Former French President Jacques Chirac passes away

Former French President Jacques Chirac has passed away at the age of 86. Chirac had served as a head of state from 1995 to 2007 and as mayor of Paris prior to that from 1977 to 1995.

J Michael Mendel, Emmy-winning animation producer, passes away 

Emmy Award-winning animation producer J Michael Mendel from US, best known for his work on The Simpsons and Rick and Morty, has passed away at the age of 54. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Maritime Day

World Maritime Day is observed on the last week of September on Thursday every year. This year it was being celebrated on 26th September. The United Nations (UN), via the International Maritime Organization (IMO), created World Maritime Day to celebrate the international maritime industry’s contribution towards the world’s economy, especially in shipping.

• The World Maritime Day theme for the year is “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”.

World Tourism Day

Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has celebrated World Tourism Day as international observances on September 27 every year. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.

• This year for the first time India will be hosting World Tourism Day which has the theme ‘Tourism and Jobs: a better future for all’.

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