CURRENT GK
1.Amish Tripathi’s Immortal India :-
Amish Tripathi, one of India’s well-regarded authors, shares his perspectives on these contemporary issues in his latest book Immortal India.
The book contains a collection of the author’s thoughts on various subjects and gets conveyed by articles, nuanced speeches and debates. He provides his standpoint on these topics by taking the readers through the history as well.
In Immortal India, he has touched upon serious topics like LGBT rights and Section 377, Uniform Civil Code, the ban of casteism, religious violence and much more.
- UNESCO Announces Winners of 2017 International Literacy Prizes :-
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced the winners of the 2017 International Literacy Prizes, which honours excellence and innovation in the field of global literacy.
The awards will be handed out to five laureates from Canada, Colombia, Jordan, Pakistan and South Africa on the occasion of International Literacy Day.
The prizes are divided into two categories, namely the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy sponsored by China, and the King Sejong Literacy Prize sponsored by South Korea.
This year’s Confucius Prize, which rewards projects that benefit rural populations and out-of-school youth, particularly girls and women, is given to the AdulTICo Program from Columbia, The Citizens Foundation from Pakistan, and the FunDza project from South Africa.
The King Sejong prize, dedicated to mother-tongue literacy education, is shared by the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance from Canada and the We Love Reading programme from Jordan.
Since 1967, the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes have been awarded to more than 475 projects led by governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world.
3.PV Sindhu Named First Brand Ambassador of Bridgestone India :-
Badminton ace PV Sindhu, who recently won Silver at the World Championship, was appointed the first brand ambassador of tyre maker Bridgestone India.
The shuttler has signed a three year deal with Bridgestone India, a subsidiary of Bridgestone which is one of the sponsors for the Olympics 2020 in Japan.
Bridgestone announced its Worldwide Olympic Partnership in 2014, making a long-term commitment to the International Olympic Committee that continues through 2024.
4.BSE Board Approves Another 5-year Term for CEO Ashish Chauhan :-
Leading stock exchange BSE has received markets regulator SEBI’s no-objection for another five-year term for its chief Ashishkumar Chauhan, who has steered a strong turnaround and a highly successful IPO of the bourse with strong business expansion.
Chauhan, who joined BSE as Deputy CEO in 2009, was made MD and CEO for a period of five years with effect from November 2, 2012.
At a meeting held earlier this month, the board approved re-appointment of Chauhan as BSE’s Managing Director and CEO for a further period of five years from November 2, 2017 to November 1, 2022.
Chauhan also happens to be one of the founding team members of National Stock Exchange (NSE) where he worked from 1992 to 2000.
5.President of India to visit Andhra Pradesh on September 1 to 2, 2017 :-
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind will visit Andhra Pradesh on September 1 and 2, 2017.
On September 1, 2017, the President will inaugurate the new hospital building of the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) – Sri Padmavathi Medical College for Women. On the same day, he will also attend a civic reception and public meeting at Sri Venkateswara Arts College Ground, Tirupati.
6.PM’s fourth interaction with Additional Secretaries and Joint Secretaries :-
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on Wednesday met and interacted with a group of over 80 Additional Secretaries and Joint Secretaries serving in the Government of India. This was the fourth of five such interactions.
During the interaction, officers shared their experiences on subjects such as innovation and teamwork in governance, healthcare, health education, agriculture, water resources, e-governance, tax administration and GST, ease of doing business, grievance redressal, and child rights.
7.Joint Proposal by India & China in WTO on Aggregate Measurement of Support (AMS) :-
Recently (on 18 July 2017) India and China jointly submitted a proposal to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) calling for the elimination – by developed countries – of the most trade-distorting form of farm subsidies, known in WTO parlance as Aggregate Measurement of Support (AMS) or ‘Amber Box’ support as a prerequisite for consideration of other reforms in domestic support negotiations.
8.Dr. Mahesh Sharma gave away Awards for Excellence in Book Production at Delhi Book Fair :-
Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent charge) for Culture and Tourism gave away awards for excellence in book production in various categories at the Delhi Book Fair here today.
Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP) gives these awards every year during the Delhi Book Fair. Addressing on the occasion, the Minister appreciated the efforts of Federation of Indian Publishers and called upon all awardees to bring out more quality books for the betterment of Indian masses.
9.CBDT extends date for (a) Linking of Aadhaar with PAN and (b) Due date for filing Income Tax Returns and Tax Audit Reports :-
To facilitate ease of compliance by the taxpayers, CBDT has extended the date in the following cases:-
Aadhaar was to be linked with PAN by 31st August, 2017. The date for linking Aadhaar with PAN has been extended till 31st December, 2017;
The ‘due-date’ for filing Income Tax Returns and various reports of audit prescribed under the Income-tax Act,1961 has been extended from 30th September, 2017 to 31stOctober, 2017 for all taxpayers who were liable to file their Income Tax Returns by 30th September, 2017.
10.Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal launches Common Food Processing Incubation Center for Shallots, Perambalur :-
Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries launched Common Food Processing Incubation Center for Shallots (Small Onions) in Chettikulam village in Perambalur District of Tamil Nadu through video conferencing from here.
11.Shri Rajiv Gauba takes over as Union Home Secretary :-
Shri Rajiv Gauba, IAS (Jharkhand cadre-1982 batch) today took over as Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Shri Gauba joined the Ministry of Home Affairs as Officer on Special Duty on June 27, 2017 and took charge as the Union Home Secretary upon the superannuation of Shri Rajiv Mehrishi.
12.Slow growth rate: 5.7% growth rate in the manufacturing sector in the June quarter :-
There is a bad news on the economic development front. Economic growth rate has declined in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. In the June quarter, the GDP growth rate was 5.7 per cent. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017, the GDP growth rate was 6.1 percent. Speaking on an annual basis, the GDP growth rate in the first quarter of the year was 7.1 percent.
In addition to GDP, GVA (Gross Value Added) has also seen a huge drop in the growth rate. In the June quarter, the growth rate of GPA was 5.6 percent, which was 7.6 percent last year. Let us know that the GVA is the value of all services and goods to be produced in the country.
13.Navodaya Vidyalayas to go Solar :-
Minister of Human Resource Development Shri Prakash Javadekar today directed the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) to take measure for adoption of solar energy in all Navodaya Vidyalayas.
Chairing the 35th Meeting of Executive Committee of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti in New Delhi today, he asked the Samiti to seek the guidance of Ministry of Power to speed up the process.
14.Now the Aadhaar card will be mandatory in Bihar Board examinations from 2019 :-
The base card will be compulsory in the examination of the Bihar School Examination Committee from 2019. The Aadhaar number will be linked at the time of registration of the students. There will be no problem in identifying the right students through this process.
Registration for the examination for the year 2018 has been done, but students will have to make the Aadhaar while filling the examination form. If there is no Aadhar card then an alternative identity card must be given at the time of filling the examination form.
15.India gives 10-year visa to Moses of Israel :-
India released a ten-year visa on Thursday for Mosul Holtzburg and his grandfather, who survived the Mumbai terrorist attack. This will enable them to travel to India easily.
Moses is now 11 years old. He expressed his desire to visit Mumbai in a passionate meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 5 last. On this, Modi invited Moses to a family India.
After receiving a visa from the Indian Embassy official, Moses said, “I am very excited to receive this great gift from Prime Minister Modi. It will help me if I grow up.
I hope I will travel to Mumbai and stay there if I grow up. ” Prior to this, he had said that he wants to work as his father at Nariman House in Mumbai.
Significantly, on November 26, 2008, Nariman House was also attacked by terrorists. In this, six other people were also killed along with Moses’ parents Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg.
16.Shri Sunil Arora Appointed as New Election Commissioner :-
The President is pleased to appoint Shri Sunil Arora IAS (RJ 80) as the Election Commissioner in the Election Commission with effect from the date he assumes the office.
17.National Nutrition Week to be observed from 1st to 7th September :-
The National Nutrition Week will be observed throughout the country from 1st to 7th September. The theme of the National Nutrition Week for 2017 is “Optimal Infant & Young Child Feeding Practices: Better Child Health”.
The basic objective of this annual event is to intensify awareness generation on the importance of nutrition for health which has an impact on development, productivity, economic growth and ultimately National development.
18.India beat Sri Lanka by 168 runs in the fourth one-dayer :-
The fourth ODI was played between India and Sri Lanka at Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. In this match, India defeated Sri Lanka by 168 runs. India won the toss and decided to bat first and scored 375 for 5 wickets.
Sri Lanka won the target of 376 but the hosts were all out for 207 in 42.4 overs. India are ahead in the five-match series 4-0.
