Prime Minister Modi receives ‘Global Goalkeeper’ award for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

1.Exercise MALABAR 2019

The 23rd edition of the Trilateral Maritime Exercise MALABAR is scheduled between the navies of India, Japan and the USA from 26 Sep to 04 Oct 19 off the coast of Japan.MALABAR 2019 would endeavour to further strengthen India – Japan – US Naval cooperation and enhance interoperability, based on shared values and principles.Two frontline indigenously designed and built Indian Naval Ships, the Multipurpose Guided Missile Frigate Sahyadri and ASW Corvette Kiltan, will participate in the Exercise.

2.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Varaha

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Varaha at a special function held at Chennai Port.The ship is the fourth in the series of seven offshore patrol vessels of the Coast Guard.It will be based at New Mangalore in Karnataka under the Western Command.The 98-metre offshore patrol vessel ICGS Varaha has been designed and constructed indigenously.It is capable of carrying a twin-engine helicopter and four high-speed boats for swift boarding, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrolling operations.

3.112 single emergency helpline number launched in Delhi

A single emergency number -112- was launched for police, fire and ambulance emergency services.Now, the citizens of Delhi can avail the facility of all these three emergency services by dialling the number – 112.This call immediately passes to the Control Room for providing immediate assistance to the distress caller.Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the Emergency Response Support System.The Minister also launched ‘PRAKHAR’ which is street crime patrol van, for patrolling at crime hot spot locations.Prakhar vans are different from PCRs as these vans carry more firepower and are equipped with modern technology.

4.RBI puts Mumbai-based PMC Bank under directions

The Reserve Bank of India has placed the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank Limited, Mumbai under Directions.According to the Directions, depositors will be allowed to withdraw a sum not exceeding 1,000 rupees of the total balance in every savings bank account or current account or any other deposit account, subject to the conditions stipulated in the RBI Directions.The Directions shall remain in force for a period of six months from the close of business of the bank.The Bank has however clarified that the issue of the directions by the central bank should not be construed as a cancellation of a banking licence by the Reserve Bank.

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

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on sharply cut India’s growth forecast to 6.5 per cent for the current fiscal, weighed down by the GDP growth rate dipping to a six-year low in the first quarter.In its supplement to the ADO in July, the Manila-headquartered multi-lateral funding agency cut the country’s GDP growth estimate to 7 per cent for 2019-20 on the back of fiscal shortfall concerns.Abrupt declines in manufacturing and investment reflect uncertainty ahead of general elections, subdued lending by banks and other financial institutions, the stress in the rural economy, and a weakening external outlook.

6.Adille Sumariwalla re-elected as IAAF Council member

The President of Athletics Federation of India, Adille Sumariwalla was re-elected as member of the Council of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for a second four-year term.The election took place during the 52nd Congress of the sport’s world governing body at Doha.The former Olympian Sumariwalla received 121 votes to get elected as one of the 13 individual members of the IAAF Council.Britain’s Sebastian Coe was re-elected unopposed as President of the IAAF for a second term.

7.Centre institutes national unity award named after Sardar Patel

The Centre has instituted the highest civilian award for contribution to the unity and integrity of India, in the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.The award seeks to recognize notable and inspiring contributions to promote the cause of national unity and integrity and to reinforce the value of a strong and united India.The award will be announced on the occasion of the National Unity Day on the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel on 31st of October.The award will be conferred by the President by a Sanad under his hand and seal and presented by him in a presentation ceremony along with the Padma award presentation ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan.The award would consist of a medal and a citation.No monetary grant or cash award would be attached to this Award.

8.Prime Minister Modi receives ‘Global Goalkeeper’ award for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the “Global Goalkeeper” award by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by his government.Mr Modi dedicated the award to those Indians who transformed the Swachh Bharat campaign into a ‘people’s movement’ and accorded topmost priority to cleanliness in their day-to-day lives.The campaign has not only improved the lives of crores of Indians, but it has also played a significant role in achieving the goals set by the UN.The cleanliness campaign was launched by the Modi government during its first term on October 2, 2014.

9.Pankaj Advani-Aditya Mehta pair wins World Team Snooker title

The Indian duo of Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta has won the IBSF World Snooker Team title at Mandalay, Myanmar.The Indian pair beat Thailand’s team comprising C.Pongsakorn and D.Poramin 5-2 in the final.This takes Advani’s world title tally to a phenomenal 23 while Aditya claimed his maiden title.For Advani, this win has ensured that his name is now there every IBSF world title on offer.

10.PT Usha honoured with IAAF Veteran Pin

The world athletics governing body, the 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.IAAF chief Sebastian Coe presented her the Veteran Pin during the 52nd IAAF Congress at Doha.Usha was one of three persons from Asia to receive the honour.Often called the “queen of track and field”, Usha is one of the greatest sprinters to have come out of India.At the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games, she won silver medals in 100m and 200m events.