DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS : OCTOBER 1st & 2nd , 2017
NATIONAL
President Kovind declares Rural Gujarat as Open Defecation Free:
President Ramnath Kovind has also declared the Rural Gujarat as ODF -Open Defecation Free– at a function held at Kirti Mandir in Porbandar. He has felicitated rural women for achieving ODF status for rural Gujarat.
During his day visit to Gujarat, President Kovind also inaugurated the new Jetty and other facilities at Jafarabad Fishing Harbour and upgradation of Veraval and Porbandar fishing Harbour.
Gujarat
- Capital: Gandhinagar
- Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
- Governor: Om Prakash Kohli
Nitin Gadkari to launch countrywide Free Eye Check-up Campaign:
Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari will launch the countrywide Free Eye Check-up Campaign and distribution of spectacles for truck drivers, cleaners and helpers at Panjari Toll Plaza, Nagpur Bypass in Maharashtra.
The objective of this initiative is to ensure clearer vision and safe travel for truck drivers who are the most frequent users of national highways.
Indian Railways to Launch 100 New Suburban Rail Services In Mumbai area:
In a major boost to suburban rail services in Mumbai area, Indian Railways is introducing one hundred additional local train services on its Mumbai suburban network of Western Railway and Central Railway zones.
These services will be launched on 29th September 2017 in a grand programme to be held in Mumbai by Minister of Railways & Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal in the presence of several dignitaries.
Maharashtra
- Capital: Mumbai
- Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
- Governor: Vidyasagar Rao
Port Blair declared as open defecation free:
Lieutenant Governor Prof. Jagadish Mukhi was the chief guest at a main function held at Mohanpura in Port Blair.
Lieutenant Governor Prof. Jagadish Mukhi declared Port Blair city as Open Defecation Free.
LG Mukhi inaugurates industry at Kinyuka village:
Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Prof. Jagdish Mukhi inaugurated an industry at Kinyuka village in Car Nicobar Island. This is the first ever industry established by a tribal youth in Car Nicobar.
Haryana to observe Gandhi Jayanti as International Day of Non-Violence:
Haryana government has decided to observe Gandhi Jayanti as International Day of Non-Violence in the state.
Haryana
- Capital: Chandigarh
- Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
- Governor: Kaptan Singh Solanki
Union Government Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged on Small Savings Schemes:
The Small Saving Schemes like PPF, Kisan Vikas Patra and Sukanya Samriddhi for October-December quarter. Investments in the Public Provident Fund (PPF) scheme will fetch annual rate of 7.8 percent while Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) investments will yield 7.5 percent and mature in 115 months.
The one for girl child savings, Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme will offer 8.3 percent annually.
Similarly, the investment on 5-year Senior Citizens Savings Scheme will yield 8.3 percent.
INTERNATIONAL
China operationalises stealth fighter J-20:
China announced commissioning its first radar-evading J-20 stealth fighter jets into military service, giving its air force an edge in the region.
The Chengdu J-20 is China’s fourth-generation medium and long-range fighter jet. It made its maiden flight in 2011 and was first shown to the public at the 11th Airshow China in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.
China
- Currency: Renminbi
- Capital: Beijing
- Prime minister: Li Keqiang
- President: Xi Jinping
BANKING & BUSINESS
India jumps to 14th rank as best country for expats: HSBC
India leap up the global rankings by 12 places to take the 14th spot in terms of best country for expats to live and work in, says a HSBC survey.
The list, which is topped by Singapore, is part of HSBC’s latest ‘expat explorer survey’ that covered 27,587 expats from 159 countries and territories in March and April this year.
APPOINTMENTS
TK Viswanathan Committee Recommendation to Deal with Hate Speech:
The home ministry is examining the recommendations of TK Viswanathan committee formed to propose new laws or amendments to deal with hate speech on the internet.
The committee submitted its report on section 66AA of IT Act.
The committee was TK headed by Viswanathan who served as director of ADR, ICADR and as secretary general of the Lok Sabha
After the Supreme Court of India struck down section 66A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, the committee was formed.
Sikh lawyer Jagmeet Singh voted leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party:
A 38-year-old Sikh lawyer was elected the leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, becoming the first member of a minority community to lead a major political party in the country.
Jagmeet Singh, the Ontario provincial lawmaker, was elected on the first ballot to lead the party into the 2019 election against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals.
Canada
- Currency: Canadian dollar
- Capital: Ottawa
Rajiv Sabharwal to take charge as Tata Capital CEO:
Tata Capital announced the appointment of Rajiv Sabharwal as Managing Director & CEO designate of the company.
Sabharwal will be joining Tata Capital in January 2018 and would be taking over from the company’s current Managing Director & CEO Praveen P Kadle, who will be assuming other responsibilities in the Tata Group effective April 1, 2018.
AWARD
Indian entrepreneur wins UK business award for innovative IT solutions:
A Ghana-based Indian entrepreneur has won a prestigious business award in the UK for his efforts to bring innovative IT solutions to Africa.
Birendra Sasmal, CEO of Subah, bagged the International Business Person of the Year at the Asian Achievers Awards in London for turning the company into a thriving IT, telecoms and manufacturing success story with operations across West Africa.
SPORTS
India beat Australia by 7 wickets in 5th ODI:
India wrapped up a comprehensive 4-1 series win over Australia in the ODI series. In the 5th ODI at Nagpur, Rohit Sharma’s century and Axar Patel’s three wicket for 38 runs guided Indian cricket team to win the match against Australia. With this win, India has regained their No. 1 ODI ranking, after a momentary slip.
Australia
- Capital: Canberra
- Currency: Australian dollar
- Prime minister: Malcolm Turnbull
OBITUARY
Nation pays homage to former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary:
Nation pays homage to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary.Lal Bahadur Shastri led the country during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 and gave the slogan – Jai Jawan Jai Kisan which is remembered.
Writer & journalist H. M. Marathe passes away in Pune:
Writer and journalist H. M. Marathe passed away in Pune at the age of 77.
Last rites of Marathe were performed at Vaikunth Smashanbhumi in Pune.He was well-known journalist and worked with various regional periodicals like Lokprabha, Marmik, and Pudhari.
HISTORIC EVENTS OF THE DAY
Walkathon for older persons organised in Delhi on ‘International day of Older Persons’: October 1
Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaarwarchand Gehlot flagged of Walkathon for older persons at India Gate in New Delhi to mark the ‘International day of Older Persons’.
This year’s theme of the day is “Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society.
World Heart Day: September 29
The United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.
2017 theme: Housing Policies: Affordable Homes
World Vegetarian Day: October 2
World Vegetarian Day which falls on October 1 every year was founded by the North American Vegetarian Society in the year 1977. The idea is ”to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism.”
Gandhi Jayanti 2017: October 2
Every year on October 2, India celebrates the birth of its iconic leader Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He has been given the title of ‘Father of the Nation’ for his relentless hard work that helped India attain freedom. By remembering him on this day, celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti, we pay tribute to this great leader.
