Current Affairs November 30, 2017

NATIONAL

India and Italy signs pact to deepen cooperation in health sector

India and Italy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for enhanced cooperation in the health sector by exchanging and training of medical doctors, officials, other health professionals and experts.

Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Ms. Beatrice Lorenzin, Health Minister of Italy signed the MoU.The MoU recognizes the potential for exchanges in the health sector between the two countries and the need to tap the capabilities and opportunities in a focused and comprehensive manner.

The objective of this MoU is to establish comprehensive inter-ministerial and inter-institutional cooperation between the two countries in the field of health by pooling technical, scientific, financial and human resources.

Italy

Capital: Rome

Currency: Euro

Prime Minister: Paolo Gentiloni

Panch Parmeshwar portal launched by Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh becomes the first state in the country to launch Panch Parmeshwar portal and app system for making panchayat functioning more transparent easy and reliable. Under the scheme all acts and dealings of the gram panchayats will be displayed on public domain.

The objective of the Scheme is to make all the gram panchayats completely paperless and cashless.The scheme has been launched under the Digital India Campaign of Government of India.

Madhya Pradesh

Capital: Bhopal

Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Governor: Om Prakash Kohli

Manipur Launches ‘SAUBHAGYA’ Scheme

The Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA) was launched in Manipur by Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri R.K. Singh and Shri N. Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur.

Saubhagya is a scheme launched to achieve universal household electrification in all parts of the country at a cost of Rs 16,320 crore including Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) of Rs 12,320 crore from the Centre.

All States and Union Territories of the country are required to complete household electrification by 31st March, 2019.

Manipur

Capital: Imphal

Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh

Governor: Najma Heptulla

Health Ministry Wins Bronze Medal at the IITF 2017

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been awarded the Bronze Medal for its creative and informative display. It was given at the 37th India International Trade Fair 2017 being held at Pragati Maidan.

The award was presented by Shri C R Chaudhary, Minister of State Commerce and Industry.

French Flim wins Best Film at 48th International Film Festival of India

Robin Campillo’s French film 120 Beats Per Minute won the prestigious Golden Peacock award for best film at the controversy-ridden 48th International Film Festival of India. The film is about a passionate fight against indifference towards AIDS. The film’s actor Nahuel Perez Biscayart won the Silver Peacock in the best actor male category.

Malayalam film Take Off, is based on the evacuation of nurses from Kerala, who were stranded in Iraq’s Tikrit in 2014, won two awards at the festival’s Indian Panorama section winning Silver Peacocks for best direction (Mahesh Narayanan) and best actor female (Parvathy).

Actor Amitabh Bachchan presented the Indian film personality of the year award.

INTERNATIONAL

‘Ajeya Warrior’: India, UK joint army training exercise

The India-United Kingdom (UK) joint army training exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior’ with an aim to enhance counter-terrorism skills will be held from 1 to 14 December of this year at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

The aim of the exercise is to build and promote bilateral relations and enhance interoperability while sharing experiences between the Royal British Army and the Indian Army.This is the third India-United Kingdom joint army training exercise.

US firm Planet to launch 4 satellites on board with India’s PSLV-C40

Planet Labs Inc, a US-based integrated aerospace and data analytics company, announced four of its Dove satellites will be launched aboard India’s PSLV-C40 mission, scheduled to fly in January 2018.

The San Francisco-based satellite company, which provides data for commercial use, is planning to expand its presence in the global marketplace.

China hosts Inter-Governmental Meeting of Asia and Pacific Decade for Persons with Disabilities

An Inter-Governmental Mid-Point review meeting of Asia and Pacific Decade for Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022 held in Beijing, China. Indian Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment Thawaar chand Gehlot attended the meet.

The  main objective was to review progress made by member States during Decade at mid-point in 2017 with regard to Incheon Strategy to make right real.The Incheon Strategy will enable the Asian and Pacific region to track progress towards improving the quality of life, and the fulfilment of the rights, of the region’s 650 million persons with disabilities, most of whom live in poverty.

The meeting was organised by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in cooperation with China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF).

China

Capital:  Beijing

Currency: Renminbi

President: Xi Jinping

Prime Minister: Li Keqiang

BUSINESS

‘Saheli Store’ for Women Entrepreneurs launched by Amazon India

E-commerce website Amazon India has launched a new programme “Amazon Saheli”. The objective is to empower and enable women entrepreneurs across the country to sell their products on its marketplace.

Women entrepreneurs associated with these partner organizations will be able to offer their products to Amazon.in customers through a dedicated storefront ‘Saheli Store’. Products like handicrafts, apparel, handbags and home decor items will be offered.

APPOINTMENTS

India’s G20 Sherpa: Shaktikanta Das

Shaktikanta Das has been appointed as the India’s G20 Sherpa for the Development Tracof the grouping. She is the former economic affairs secretary.

There are two tracks in G-20, Finance Track and Development Track. Finance Track is managed by the secretary (economic affairs) as India’s Deputy to G-20 and the Development Track is coordinated by the Sherpa.

The Department of Economic Affairs will provide necessary support to the Sherpa, the ministry announced.

Nirmala Sitharaman appointed as IDSA President

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been elected as President of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA).

IDSA was set up in 1965 by the Ministry of Defence. IDSA is funded by the Ministry of Defence and it conducts research in military, foreign and strategic affairs.

Defence Ministry

Defence Minister: Nirmala Sitharaman

Constituency: Rajya Sabha, Karnataka

SPORTS

Naveen Patnaik unveiled the logo & mascot for the Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled the logo and mascot for the Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Sixteen countries, including India will participate in the 14th edition of the Hockey World Cup.

He gave away cash awards worth Rs 76.75 lakh to 59 sportspersons from the state for their outstanding contributions in their respective sports.

Mirabai Chanu wins Gold in World Weightlifting Championship

Mirabai Chanu is the second Indian to get gold medal at the World Weightlifting Championship.Karnam Malleswari did it back in 1995. The event held in Anaheim, USA.

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has lifted a new world record of 194kg – 85kg snatch and 109kg clean-and-jerk – to clinch the gold medal at the World Weightlifting Championships.

Thailand’s Sukcharoen Thunya won the silver medal with a total lift of 193, while Segura Ana Iris bagged bronze with 182kg.

Archers Abhishek Verma and Jyoti Surekha Vennam clinched Gold and Bronze medal in AAC

Abhishek Verma won a gold medal and Jyothi Surekha Vennam a bronze medal at the Asian Archery Championship.

Abhishek beat South Korea’s Kim Jongho Jyoti Surekha beat Chinese Taipei to win the medals in the finals.The Event held at Dhaka, Bangladesh.