Daily Current Affairs 5th September, 2019

Daily Current Affairs 5 September 2019 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

India to contribute USD 22 mn to Global Fund for AIDS, TB, malaria

India has announced a contribution of USD 22 million to the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFTAM) for 2020-22 as part of its commitment towards eliminating these diseases, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said

• India shares a sustained partnership with the Global Fund since 2002, both as recipient and as a donor.

Central Government to invest Rs 25,000 crore in 5 years to revamp fishery infrastructure

With the objective of achieving the real goals of the ambitious Blue Revolution project, the Union Government has lined up Rs25,000 crore investments in different sectors of fisheries in the next three to five years.

• It is done to increase inland fisheries’ production to six million tonnes from three million tonnes in the next three to four years.

India to join developed nations in ocean studies with ‘Samudrayaan’ project

India’s ambition to send men to the deep sea in a submersible vehicle is likely to be a reality in 2021-22 with the ‘Samudrayaan’ project.

• The project proposes to send a submersible vehicle with three persons to a depth of about 6000 metres to carry out deep underwater studies.
• Similar to ISRO’s plan to carry persons on a space mission, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has undertaken Samudrayaan.

Delhi Cabinet includes OBC, gen category students in ‘Jai Bheem Mukhyamantri Yojana’

The Delhi Cabinet has decided to include other backward class and general category students in its ‘Jai Bheem Mukhyamantri Yojana’, and enhance financial assistance from ₹40,000 to ₹1 lakh for coaching for various competitive exams.

Uttar Pradesh Launches “C-Plan” App To Aid Community Policing

The Uttar Pradesh Police has launched a “C-Plan” smartphone application that will help them keep a tab on anti-social elements to counter their nefarious designs in time.

• The app will not only help police be informed of the simmering communal tensions or other disputes taking place even in far-flung villages by common people, but will also help them verify the received information.

Kochi’s water metro to become operational by March: Pinarayi Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the unique Water Metro project will become operational by March next year in the state and added that it would require the efforts of all stakeholders. Water Metro is the first water transport system of its kind in India.

• Under the Water Metro project, a total of 78 fast, fuel-efficient, air-conditioned boats will ply on 15 routes covering a distance of 76 km through Kochi backwaters.

Haryana CM launches UDAN regional connectivity scheme

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched the UDAN regional connectivity scheme here that will allow tourists to fly from Hisar to Chandigarh for just Rs 1,674 in 45 minutes.

• He said the launch of the flight was part of the Centre’s UDAN, or ‘Ude Desh ka Har Nagarik’ scheme, building efficient regional air connectivity.

Nuakhai: The greatest harvesting festival of Odisha

Nuakhai, the greatest harvesting festival of Odisha was celebrated recently. Nuakhai, as the name suggests that nua means new and khai means food. So, the festival of nuakhai is a festival to celebrate newly harvested food by the farmers.

• One day after the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi it is celebrated especially in the Western part of Odisha with much pump and jubilation. People staying in distant lands come back to their native places, wear new clothes and offer prayers before the God and eat delicious foods prepared from the newly harvested crops.

FM-led panel to study proposal to ban e-cigarettes

A ministerial panel led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will reportedly study a Health Ministry proposal to ban e-cigarette sales in India through an ordinance. The ministry had in 2018 issued an advisory favouring ban on sales and advertisements of e-cigarettes. Reports said the Health Ministry has proposed jail of up to a year and ₹1-lakh fine for first-time offenders.

IRDAI sets up panel to revisit 3 year old trade credit insurance guidelines

Insurance regulator IRDAI has decided to review its three-year old guidelines on trade credit insurance in line with the changing requirements of the market.

• A working group headed by New India Assurance CMD Atul Sahai with an aim to review March 2016 guidelines has been set up.
• The panel, which has been asked to submit its report in three-months, would study the need and scope for changes in the current guidelines keeping with the times and requirements of various segments of market.

New Delhi slips 6 notches in world’s most liveable cities ranking owing to climate change

The national capital has dropped by six places to rank 118th on a list of the world’s most liveable cities due to increase in cases of petty crimes and poor air quality, according to an annual survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

• While New Delhi registered the biggest decline in Asia, Mumbai also fell two places since last year to rank 119th on the list topped by Vienna (Austria) for the second consecutive year.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Russia plans to set up above 20 nuclear power units in India in next 20 years

Russia said that it is planning to set up more than 20 nuclear power units in India in the next 20 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Russia’s Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, gave a joint statement at the 20th Annual Summit between the two countries, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin by side.

• The two sides exchanged numerous agreements, including military and technical cooperation, energy and science, LNG Business and LNG supplies, and natural gas, in the presence of the two leaders.

5th Eastern Economic Forum held in Russia

5th Eastern Economic Forum was held in Vladivostok, Russia. PM Narendra Modi also attended the forum meeting. He also paid a visit to the India Business Pavilion on the sidelines of the 5th Eastern Economic Forum.

• The pavilion, called the ‘India Lounge’, would serve as a platform to attract investment opportunities in Russia’s Far East to the growing economy of India, and promote Indian investments in the region.

Exercise Yudh-Abhyas 2019 begins between India and USA

The joint Military Exercise Yudh Abhyas – 2019 between India and USA started at Joint Base Lewis Mc Chord, Washington, USA from 05-18 September 2019. Exercise Yudh Abhyas is one of the largest joint running military training and defence corporation endeavors between India and USA. This will be the 15th edition of the joint exercise hosted alternately between the two countries.

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI makes it mandatory for banks to link retail and MSME loans to external benchmark

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a circular making it mandatory for banks to link all new floating rate personal or retail loans and floating rate loans to micro, small and medium enterprises to an external benchmark.

• This new norm will be effective from October 1.
• The banks are free to choose one of the several benchmarks indicated in the circular.

World Bank to fund pro-poor tourism development projects worth $57 mn

World Bank will fund ‘pro-poor tourism’ (PPT) development projects worth more than $57 million in top tourist hotspots of Agra and Braj-Mathura regions in Uttar Pradesh.

• Pro-poor tourism is a holistic tourism concept aimed at poverty alleviation in the periphery of selected tourism hubs through interventions pertaining to the economic, social and cultural aspects of the area.

ICICI Bank donates Rs 5 crore to Bihar CM’s Relief Fund

The ICICI Bank has donated Rs 5 crore to the Bihar Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The chief minister thanked the ICICI Bank for making contributions to CM’s Relief Fund and lauded it for displaying commitment to social causes.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

WEF Report: India jumps to 34th rank on world travel and tourism competitiveness index

India has jumped six places to claim 34th spot on world Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index 2019, according to a report by World Economic Forum (WEF).

• Spain tops the ranking index followed by France and Germany.

Wipro bags 7-year contract from ICICI Bank for digital services

IT consulting and business process services company Wipro has secured a strategic seven-year engagement valued at 300 million dollars (about Rs 2,165 crore) from private lender ICICI Bank to provide a comprehensive suite of services.

• Wipro provides solutions to banks by leveraging Wipro Holmes, the company’s artificial intelligence platform. It has a significant presence as an IT services provider in the global banking and financial services sector.

SPORTS

Virdhawal Khade and Rujuta couple become the country’s fastest swimmers

Gold hunt at the 73rd Glenmark National Swimming Championship turned out to be a family affair. The Khade couple – Virdhawal Khade and his wife Rujuta stole the show at the national meet by bagging gold in the men and women 50m butterfly respectively, thereby becoming the fastest swimmers in the country.

• Completing the distance in 24.19 seconds, Khade won the gold medal. Previous record was 24.26 seconds set by Khade in Trivandrum in 2018.

Cantona receives 2019 UEFA President’s Award

Eric Cantona has been presented with the 2019 UEFA President’s Award in Monaco – and the iconic Frenchman was described by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin as “a person who has done a lot for good”.

APPOINTMENTS

Sunil Arora Takes Over As Chief Of Association Of World Election Bodies

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora assumed Chairmanship of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) for the term 2019-21. The decision and announcement to this effect was made at the 4th General Assembly of A-WEB being held in Bengaluru, being attended by as many as 120 delegates from 50 countries.

• A-WEB is the largest association of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide.

BOOKS

‘First They Erased Our Name: A Rohingya Speaks’ Book released

A new book entitled “First They Erased Our Name: A Rohingya Speaks” book written by journalist Sophie Ansel(France) has been released by Penguin Random House on September 9, 2019.

• The book explains about the Rohingya community through the eyes of a Rohingya, Habiburahman who was born and raised in a small village in western Burma in 1979 grew up stateless with his people when their own country’s military leader ordered that Rohingya were not one among the 135 recognized ethnic groups that formed the 8 national races.

OBITUARIES

Former Kalahandi king Udit Pratap Deo passes away

Udit Pratap Deo, former king of the erstwhile princely state of Kalahandi n Odisha, has passed away. He was 71. Deo was a former lawmaker from Junagarh Assembly segment in Odisha from 1974 to 1977.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Teachers Day

In India, September 5 is celebrated as Teachers’ Day to honour teachers for their contributions in shaping the life of students.

• September 5 is also the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna recipient Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was the first Vice President and second President of India post Independence. He was born on September 5, 1888.

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