DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: APRIL 14&15, 2018

NATIONAL

FSSAI Launches Initiative ‘Project Dhoop’

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched ‘Project Dhoop’.

Project Dhoop’s Noon Assembly is an innovative and effective concept to ensure that school students get adequate Vitamin D through sunlight, while also opting to choose food products like milk and edible oils that are fortified with Vitamins A and D.

The project was launched at National Bal Bhavan and saw participation of around 600 students from NCERT, NDMC and North MCD Schools.

The initiative has been conceptualised by McCannHealth and supported by Kwality (Ltd).

FSSAI CEO: Pawan Agarwal

PM Modi Launches Ayushman Bharat scheme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the phase one of the Ayushman Bharat schemes that aim at creating a healthy, prosperous and strong India on the occasion of Birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar.

Ayushman Bharat, also known as the National Health Protection Scheme, has twin missions — first, creating a network of health and wellness centres to deliver comprehensive primary health care close to the community, and second, providing insurance cover to 40 per cent of India’s population, that is most deprived, for secondary and tertiary care

The first phase of Ayushman Bharat will see 1.5 Lakh such Centers being set up across the country by 2022. It has been approved and allotted a Rs 10,500 crore budget.

The Prime Minister also launched Health and Wellness Centre under Ayushman Bharat scheme in Jangala village of Karnataka. This health and wellness centre will have the facility of teleconsultation.

NHAI Signs Agreement For Its 1st International Project

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has signed its first international project agreement for upgradation of a highway in Myanmar.

The agreement was signed by NHAI with M/s Punj Lloyd Ltd. – Varaha Infra Ltd. (JV).

Under the agreement, the NHAI would upgrade the Yagyi-Kalewa section of highway in Myanmar to two lanes with earthen shoulder.

The project has been funded by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and would be executed on EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) mode at a cost of Rs.1177 crores.   

The project will have 3 new major bridges and 2 new minor bridges. The project would be completed in three years.

Government constitutes 13 member Task Force for fast-tracking implementation of UAV technology

The Government has decided to constitute a Task Force under the chairmanship of Shri Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation for  fast-tracking the roll-out of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology. The Task Force will develop a roadmap with implementable recommendations for Central as well as State Governments, Industry and Research Institutions.

The task force would have Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey, Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and DIPP Secretary Ramesh Abhishek as members.

The Task Force will also have representatives from the Government, PSUs, industry and sectoral experts and submit report within 6 months of its constitution.  

The Headquarters of the Task Force will be at Ministry of Civil Aviation, New Delhi.

65th National Film Awards- Complete List Of Winners

Late actor Sridevi was honoured with the Best Actress award at the 65th National Film Awards while Vinod Khanna was given the Dadasaheb Phalke award posthumously.

The awards were announced Friday afternoon by the jury headed by renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.

Best Director: Jayaraj for Bhayanakam (Malayalam)

Best Film: Village Rockstars (Assamese)

INTERNATIONAL

United Nations launches UN Road Safety Trust Fund

The United Nations’ Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed announced the launch of the ‘UN Road Safety Trust Fund’.

It aims to stimulate action that can save lives and prevent injuries and sufferings associated with road accidents. As per the UN data over 1.3 million drivers, passengers and pedestrians die each year on the roads.

The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the development arm of the UN in Europe, is designated as the Secretariat for the Trust Fund. A contribution of USD 1500 to the fund will help save one life and prevent 10 serious injuries.

AIIB approves $140 million loan to improve Rural Connectivity in Madhya Pradesh

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will extend a USD 140-million loan to improve rural connectivity in Madhya Pradesh.

Approximately 1.5 million rural residents in Madhya Pradesh stand to directly benefit from improved livelihoods, education and mobility.

The project, co-financed with the World Bank, aims to improve rural road connectivity and management for residents of 5,640 villages who use the rural roads for daily activities.

It was announced by  AIIB VP and Chief Investment Officer D J Pandian.

Bangladesh Ends Reservation In Government Jobs

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has decided to scrap the quota system in government services after thousands of students marched across the country in protest against a controversial policy of setting aside jobs for special groups.

The government will make special arrangements for jobs for minorities and people with disabilities.

At present, 56% posts in the annual civil service examination are reserved under various quotas. Among those, the largest chunk—30%—is reserved for children of freedom fighters, which the protestors are opposing as they believe it destroys the level playing field in exams.

MoU AND AGREEMENTS

India, Russia Sign 7 MoU At DefExpo 2018

The third India-Russia Military Industrial Conference was held on the side-lines of DefExpo 2018.

The Indian delegation was led by Secretary (Defence Production) Dr Ajay Kumar while Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russian Federation Mr Oleg Ryazantcev led the Russian side.

Seven Memoranda of Understanding were signed between the Indian Private Defence sector manufacturing companies and Russian OEMs  for manufacture of spares of identified Russian origin platforms in use by the Indian Armed Forces in collaboration with the Russian OEMs.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

Vinod Khanna conferred Dadasaheb Phalke Award posthumously

Veteran actor Vinod Khanna has been honoured with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for his contribution to the Indian cinema.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest award in cinema. It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

It includes a cash prize of Rs.1,000,000.

SPORTS

Commonwealth Games 2018

List of Gold Medal Winners on 14th and 15th April: