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Current Affairs Today – 26th October 2019
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Health Ministry to observe Vigilance Awareness Week
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will observe the Vigilance Awareness Week from 28th October to 2nd November, 2019.
- The week will be observed with the theme of “Integrity- a way of life”.
- Vigilance Awareness Week will commence with the administration of ‘Integrity Pledge’ to the officers/staff of the Ministry by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, to fight against corruption and commit to highest standards of honesty and integrity.
- The week will be observed as per directions of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Government of India. CVC observes Vigilance Awareness Week every year to promote probity in public life and to achieve a corruption free society.
‘Maharatna’ status granted to state-owned HPCL & PGCIL
- ‘Maharatna’ status has been granted by the Government to state-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited.
- The status also comes with greater operational and financial autonomy.
- The grant of Maharatna status to the PSUs will impart enhanced powers to their Boards to take financial decisions.
- The Boards can structure and implement schemes relating to personnel and human resource management and training.
- They can also enter into technology joint ventures or other strategic alliances, among others.
Extra Shots:
HPCL: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited is an Indian oil and natural gas company with its headquarters at Mumbai, Maharashtra. It has about 25% market-share in India among public-sector companies and a strong marketing infrastructure.
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Owner: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
- CEO: Mukesh Kumar Surana
PGCIL: The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, is an Indian state-owned Maharatna company headquartered in Gurugram, India and engaged mainly in Transmission of Power. POWERGRID transmits about 50% of the total power generated in India on its transmission network.
- Headquarters: Gurgaon, India
- Owner: Government of India
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Odisha govt inks LOU for drink from tap mission with UNICEF
- Odisha inked a Letter of Understanding (LOU) on a drink from tap mission with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).
- In a bid to provide quality drinking water to every urban household in the state. Odisha inked a Letter of Understanding (LOU) on a drink from tap mission with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).
- Investment in water is an investment in health. Investment in health is an investment in the future.
- The providing quality drinking water to every household in the state is one of the top priorities of the government.
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Odisha:
- Capital: Bhubaneswar
- Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
- Governor: Ganeshi Lal
- National Park: Bhitarkanika NP, Simlipal NP
Naveen Patnaik launches Odisha Mo Parivar programme
- Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched a social service initiative aimed at encouraging environment protection, blood donation, and the welfare of Odias in distress.
- The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) under the ‘Odisha Mo Parivar’ (Odisha, my family) program, party leaders will dedicate themselves to protect the environment and undertake extensive planting of trees and create awareness among the public.
- The initiative will also come to the rescue of Odias stranded in foreign countries.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
- Capital: Bhubaneswar
- Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
- Governor: Ganeshi Lal
- National Park: Bhitarkanika NP, Simlipal NP
Yogi Adityanath launched Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana in Uttar Pradesh on 25 October.
- He launched by transferring the amount to the account of beneficiaries.
- He also launched the Kanya Sumangala web portal and gave away certificates and symbolic cheques to some beneficiaries.
- Aim: Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana aims to empower the girl child. The scheme of state government will help in achieving the goals set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana:
♦ Under the scheme, cash amount of Rs.15,000 will be provided to every family in which a girl child takes birth.
♦ The state government will direct transfer funds in the account of the registered girls in a phased manner when a girl child will complete various achievements, like vaccination, admission in class 1, 5, and 9, graduation.
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Uttar Pradesh:
- Capital:
- Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
- Governor: Anandiben Patel
- National Park: Dudhwa National Park
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Indians will No Longer Require Visas To Visit Brazil
- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, the South American nation will drop its requirement that visiting Chinese and Indian tourists or businesspeople obtain visas.
- Bolsonaro, a far-right politician, came to power at the beginning of the year and has made it a policy to reduce visa requirements from several developed countries.
- The announcement, made during an official visit to China, is the first he has made expanding that policy to the developing world.
Extra Shots:
Brazil (Capital/Currency): Brasilia/ Brazilian real
- President: Jair Bolsonaro
SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES
“Global Bio-India 2019” Summit to be held in New Delhi
- The Global Bio-India 2019 will be held for the first time in India in New Delhi from 21st to 23rd November, 2019. It is one of the largest biotechnology stakeholders integration programme. India is hosting this mega event for the biotech community to attract investments and showcase our indigenous strengths and aspirations of the indigenous talent pool.
- A brochure of GlobalBio-India 2019 was also released at the Curtain Raiser ceremony.
- The DBT, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India will organize the event with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council.
- The Summit is one of the largest biotechnology stakeholders conglomerate to be held in India for the first time.
- The event will bring together stakeholders from 30 countries, 250 start-ups, and 200 exhibitors.
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates Golden Jubilee celebrations of Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Rajgir
- President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the golden jubilee celebrations of the Vishwa Shanti Stupa here, a peace pagoda situated on the Ratnagiri hills.
- A Japanese Buddist built the pagoda rattled by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He also found solace in the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.
- He served as the governor of Bihar.
- Bihar Governor Fagu Chauhan, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi were among those present on occasion.
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Bihar:
- Capital:Patna
- Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar
- Governor: Phagu Chauhan
- National Park: Valmiki National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Rajgir WLS,Gautam Budha WLS,Kaimur WLS
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu represents India at NAM Summit
- Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu represents India at the 18th Non-Aligned Movement summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
- Aim:To discuss responses to contemporary challenges around the world.
- He represents India at a two-day 18th Non-Aligned Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
- Vice President warmly welcomed by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, ahead of the NAM summit, 2019.
- The two dozen heads of state and governments are in Baku to attend the summit.
Extra Shots:
Azerbaijan (Capital/Currency): Baku/ Azerbaijani manat
- President: Ilham Aliyev
RANKS AND INDICES
Bill Gates overtakes Jeff Bezos as the world’s richest person
- Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates overtook Jeff Bezos to become the world’s richest person. Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos lost the title as the world’s richest man to Bill Gates, after losing nearly $7 billion in stock value leaving his net worth to $103.9 billion.
- Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is currently worth $105.7 billion.
- Bezos ended Gates’ 24-year run as the richest man in 2018 and became the first man on earth with a net worth of $160 billion.
- Bill Gates debuted on Forbes’ first ever billionaire list in 1987 with a net worth of $1.25 billion.
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
USD 165 mn loan agreement for Odisha’s Integrated Irrigation Project
- The Government of India, Government of Odisha and the World Bank have signed a USD 165 million loan agreement.
- The agreement is signed for Odisha’s Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture.
- The project will be implemented in rural areas vulnerable to droughts and largely dependent on rainfed agriculture.
- The project will also support aquaculture in rehabilitated tanks, help farmers access affordable and quality fingerlings, and disseminate improved aquaculture practices and post-harvest management.
- The $165 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Member of World Bank Group), has a 6-year grace period, and a maturity of 24 years.
Extra Shots:
World Bank: The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of poorer countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects. It comprises two institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Development Association.
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
- Membership: 189 countries (IBRD); 173 countries (IDA)
- Parent organization: World Bank Group
- Founded: 1944
Odisha:
- Capital: Bhubaneswar
- Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
- Governor: Ganeshi Lal
- National Park: Bhitarkanika NP, Simlipal NP
APPOINTMENT
Birender Singh Yadav appointed as Indian Ambassador to Iraq
- Birender Singh Yadav appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Iraq, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) .
- A 1997-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Yadav is expected to take up the assignment shortly.
- The appointment of Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi as India’s next High Commissioner to Samoa.
- He is a 1991-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer.
Extra Shots:
Iraq (Capital/Currency): Baghdad/ Iraqi dinar
- President: Barham Salih
- Prime Minister: Adil Abdul-Mahdi
Shri Pramod Kumar Das assumes charge as Secretary of Ministry of Minority Affairs
- Shri Pramod Kumar Das assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs.
- He was serving as the Special Secretary, Department of Expenditure in the Ministry of Finance. Shri Das is a Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer of 1986 batch.
- He has held several other vital positions in the Union as well as State Governments.
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Karnataka wins Vijay Hazare Trophy 2019-20
- Karnataka has won the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
- Karnataka defeated Tamil Nadu by 9 wickets in the finals of Vijay Hazare Trophy at Bengaluru.
- Karnataka won their 4th Vijay Hazare Trophy title with a dominant display against Tamil Nadu. Abhimanyu Mithun took a hat-trick in the summit clash.
Extra Shots:
Karnataka:
- Capital: Bengaluru
- Chief Minister: B. S. Yediyurappa
- Governor: Vajubhai Vala
- National Park: Anshi NP, Bandipur NP, Bannerghatta NP, Kudremukh NP, Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) NP.
AWARDS
Rajbhasha Awards were presented by Prasar Bharati
- Prasar Bharati’s CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati presented the Rajbhasha Awards to the winners of the Hindi Pakhwada competition.
- The competition was held in September at Prasar Bharati Secretariat, New Delhi.
- The winners of the awards are the employee at Prasar Bharati Secretariat.
Competition:
♦ The theme of the competition was Plastic Free India and Cleanliness drive.
♦ The competition was conducted in 10 categories, including essay writing, poster making, story writing, and others.
♦ Prasar Bharati announced that from next year onwards, social media and technology would possibly be brought in to make Hindi competition more innovative.
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Prasar Bharati: Prasar Bharati is the largest public broadcasting agency in India. It was set up under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Formed on: 23 November 1997
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Chairman: Dr. A. Surya Prakash
- CEO: Shri. Shashi Shekhar Vempati
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NASA To Launch Golf Cart-Sized Rover On Moon To Search For Water
- NASA sends a golf cart-sized robot to the moon in 2022 to search for deposits of water below the surface, an effort to evaluate the vital resource ahead of a planned human return to the moon in 2024.
- VIPER stands for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover.
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NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA was established in 1958, succeeding the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
- Preceding agency: NACA
- Founder: Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Founded: 29 July 1958, United States
- Administered by: Jim Bridenstine
OBITUARIES
Former Gujarat CM Dilip Parikh passes away
- AIR PICFormer Gujarat Chief Minister Dilip Parikh passed away on Friday.
- He was 82 years old.
- He served as the 13th Chief Minister of Gujarat during 1997-98 when he was with Rashtriya Janata Party – RJP, floated by Shankersinh Vaghela.
MISCELLANEOUS
CBSE & NCERT launches ‘Tamanna’ test for Class 9 & 10 students
- The Central Board of Secondary Education and National Council for Educational Research and Training have launched an online aptitude test called ‘Tamanna’.
- Tamanna stands for “Try And Measure Aptitude And Natural Abilities“.
- Tamanna is an aptitude test that aims to help students of Class 9 and 10 to make a better choice of subjects, eventually helping them in making an informed decision while choosing subjects in Class 11 and 12.
- Tamanna provides information about strengths of students and there is no pass or fail in this test.
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CBSE: Central Board of Secondary Education
- Founded: 2011
- Parent organisation: Ministry of Human Resource Development
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Official language: Hindi; English
- Chairperson: Anita Karwal
