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  • Current Affairs 17th September 2015

    Updated : 17-Sep-2015

    Current Affairs 17th September 2015 - Important Points

    Current Affairs 17th September 2015 - Details

    Who has broke the 18-year-old national record - Shot putter Manpreet Kaur

    Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 16th September 2015, Railways shot putter Manpreet Kaur broke an 18-year-old national record en route to a sixth title at the 55th National Open Athletics Championship at Kolkata.

    He has broke the record of Harbans Kaur of 17.43 metres that came in 1997 by throwing 17.96 metres in her 2nd bag the gold medal, a hat-trick of titles at the National Open.

    With this, she qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics. The IAAF entry standard for 2016 Rio Olympics in women's shot put is 17.80m, while the top three in London 2012 Olympics threw 20m plus.

    Which day is observed on 15th September - International Day of Democracy

    Among the important International Current Affairs, On 15th September 2015, The International Day of Democracy was observed across the world with the theme Space for Civil Society to highlight the fact that space for civil society organizations is diminishing in a range of countries covering every continent in past years.

    It is noticable from the fact that some Governments have adopted limitations that limit the capability of NGOs to work or to receive funding.

    As the civil society is at the core of the democratic values and practices, the theme is a reminder to Governments to work together with civil society for achieving common goals for a better future.

    About International Day of Democracy

    • To strengthen national programmes devoted to the promotion and consolidation of democracy UN General Assembly created it through a resolution in 2007.
    • In the year 2008, it was observed for the first time.

    Who has granted In-principle Approval to 10 Applicants for Small Finance Banks - RBI

    Among the important National Current Affairs, On 16th September 2015, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted in principle approval to 10 entities to set up small finance banks. They will provide basic banking services to micro industries and small farmers.

    The in-principle approvals were granted under the Guidelines for Licensing of Small Finance Banks in the private sector issued on 27 November 2014.

    The approval granted includes

    • ESAF Microfinance and Investments Private Ltd., Chennai
    • Janalakshmi Financial Services Private Limited, Bengaluru
    • Suryoday Micro Finance Private Ltd., Navi Mumbai
    • Ujjivan Financial Services Private Ltd., Bengaluru
    • Utkarsh Micro Finance Private Ltd., Varanasi
    • RGVN (North East) Microfinance Limited, Guwahati
    • Au Financiers (India) Ltd., Jaipur
    • Capital Local Area Bank Ltd., Jalandhar
    • Disha Microfin Private Ltd., Ahmedabad
    • Equitas Holdings P Limited, Chennai

    Who has won Moin-ud Dowlah Gold Cup Tournament 2015-16 - India Cements

    Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 16th September 2015, the Moin-ud Dowlah Gold Cup Tournament 2015-16 was won by India Cements by defeating Hyderabad XI held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. This was the third title for the winning team.

    For India Cements, its captain and player-of-the-final Abhinav Mukund stood for the team with a centuary while bowlers Vignesh and L Balaji played a crucial role by picking up three wickets each.

    B Anirudh, Hyderabad President’s XI batsman, for scoring three centuries in the tournament was declared as the player of the tournament.

    ICC President Zaheer Abbas handed over the trophy and the awards.

    About Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup Tournament

    • In 1930-31, it was held for the first time.
    • The tournament is being held in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad in September every year.
    • It is organised by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).

    Who has been awarded with 2015 Nansen Refugee Award by UNHCR - Afghan refugee teacher Aqeela Asifi

    Among the important International Current Affairs, On 15th September 2015, the 2015 Nansen Refugee Award by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was presented to Afghan refugee teacher Aqeela Asifi for dedicating her life to bring education to refugee girls in Pakistan.

    She was awarded for her brave and determined dedication to education for Afghan refugee girls in the Kot Chandana refugee village in Mianwali, Pakistan. In spite of minimal resources and significant cultural challenges, Asifi guided a thousand refugee girls through their primary education.

    Do You Know :

    • UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award acknowledges extraordinary humanitarian work on behalf of refugees, internally displaced or stateless people.
    • The award includes a 100000 US dollars monetary prize and a commemorative medal. This prize money is further used by the laureate to fund a project that complements their existing work in consultation with UNHCR.

    About United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

    • On 14th December 1950, the United Nations General Assembly established the UNHCR.
    • It protects the rights and well-being of refugees and stateless people. The agency has helped tens of millions of people restart their lives in more than six decades.
    • UNHCR is on the front lines of the world's major humanitarian crises including Afghanistan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, Iraq, Central African Republic and countless other emergencies.

    Apus Group tied-up with - mobile advertising network InMobi

    On 15th September 2015, Apus Group, one of the world’s biggest Android application development companies, tied-up with the Indian mobile advertising network InMobi.

    With this association, Bengaluru-based InMobi will share its expertise to help Apus increase its user base and to initiate a larger footprint in India. In return, Apus will assist InMobi fabricate its platform by giving access to over 200 million users across the Apus user system.

    The cooperation will include relevant product technology, user base growth, local brand building and monetization.

    About InMobi

    • It is the world’s most powerful mobile advertising platform enabling brands, developers and publishers to engage mobile consumers globally.
    • InMobi reaches over 1.4 billion unique mobile devices across 200 countries and recognized by MIT Technology Review as one of the 50 Most Disruptive Companies.

    Which cities are officially named as candidates to host 2024 Summer Olympics - Los Angeles, Hamburg, Paris, Rome and Budapest

    Among the important International Current Affairs, On 16th September 2015, name of five cities namely Paris, Rome, Los Angeles, Hamburg and Budapest are announced by International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.

    In 2017, IOC will elect the winning bid at its session in Peru. Los Angeles and Paris has hosted the games twice among the five cities announced whereas London has hosted it thrice.

    On the other hand, Rome has hosted the Olympics Games once whereas Hamburg and Budapest, will be hosting the multi-sport extravaganza for the first time if they win.

    Two MoUs on Tourism & Mekong Ganga Cooperation Initiativewere signed by - India and Cambodia

    On 16th September 2015, two MoUs on Tourism and Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Initiative were signed by India and Cambodia. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari were present during the signing of the Mou's at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh.

    The tourism MoU seeks to boost tourist movement between the two countries whereas the MoU on Mekong-Ganga relates to five ‘quick impact projects’ undertaken by India and these are:

    • One project on agriculture
    • Two projects in healthcare, especially to do with malaria
    • 50000 US dollars grant to Cambodia for the upgradation of an Entrepreneurship Development Centre in existence since 2004
    • One on women’s empowerment

    Do You Know :

    The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) was established at the first MGC Ministerial Meeting in the year 2000 at Vientiane, Laos. It includes six member countries, namely India, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. MGC takes its name from two rivers Ganga and Mekong.

    Where did the Godavari, Krishna Rivers formally linked - Ibrahimpatnam Ferry village in Andhra Pradesh

    Among the important National Current Affairs, On 16th September 2015, in order to manage Godavari’s flood waters which goes waste into the sea every year, two Rivers namely Godavari and Krishna were formally linked in Andhra Pradesh.

    Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu who released waters from Godavari at Ibrahimpatnam Ferry village near Vijayawada formally linked the two rivers.

    To mark the occasion it was named as Krishna - Godavari Pavitra Sangamam meaning holy confluence in Telugu. The two rivers were linked under the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme on Godavari River at Pattisam village in West Godavari district.

    Waters from River Godavari will be lifted and diverted towards Krishna River in the neighbouring Krishna district as per the scheme. After that, the water that will come to Krishna River would be deviated to the parched Rayalaseema region.

    Benefits of this inter-linking :

    • The inter-linking will provide ease in utilising about 80 TMC of the 3000 TMC of the Godavari’s flood waters which goes waste into the sea every year.
    • In the months of June to August, the delta region of river Krishna faces drastic shortage of water for irrigation.
    • It was an historical near Ibrahimpatnam upstream of Prakasam Barrage will fulfill the long cherished dreams of the farmers of Krishna and Guntur districts.
    • The state government has also planned to divert the waters to the drought prone Rayalaseema region.
    • The place of convergence of the two rivers near Ibrahimpatnam would be developed as a spiritual and tourism centre.

    Nepal's Parliament approved the New Constitution

    On 16th September 2015, after 7 years of meticulous efforts and considerations, Nepal's Constituent Assembly approved the new Constitution and supported the Preamble of the draft Constitution. Article 301 of the Constitution, defines title and date of commencement of the Constitution.

    The country has been splitted into seven federal provinces after he new Constitution, which was passed by a 507-25 vote in the 601-seat Assembly.

    The bill will become Nepal's new charter once the lawmakers sign and the Constituent Assembly Chairperson Subash Nemwang authenticate it, which is likely to be done on 20 September 2015.

    After this approval, the promulgation of new constitution through the sovereign body elected by the people will be announced by the President Ram Baran Yadav.

    Name the foundation established by Nana Patekar to fund drought relief for farmers - Naam Foundation

    Among the important National Current Affairs, In third week of September 2015, Actor Nana Patekar established an organization named Naam Foundation to provide aid to farmers to overcome drought conditions.

    The Naam Foundation, a brain child of Nana Patekar and fellow Marathi actor Makrand Anaspure, is a medium for donating money to drought affected farmers. Nana Patekar has opened a bank account with State Bank of India, where people who want to contribute to the cause can deposit money.

    The funds collected from Naam Foundation would also be used to provide gainful employment to youth in villages facing drought.

    Which city is chosen to host 2022 Asian Games - Hangzhou City of China

    Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 15th September 2015, The capital city of Zhejiang Province Hangzhou in East China was elected by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to host the 2022 Asian Games at its 34th Congress meeting in Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan.

    Hangzhou was the only candidate city for the 2022 Asian Games, the XIX edition of games.

    Hangzhou is home base of Chinese Internet (ecommerce) giant Alibaba and is also best known for the West Lake, a placid and tourist attraction.

    Who has acquired UK’s Serco Group Plc - Blackstone Group LP

    The India-based Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) operations of the UK’s Serco Group Plc was acquired by Private equity (PE) investor Blackstone Group LP for about 2558 crore rupees.

    In terms of enterprise value, the acquisition is the largest deal by Blackstone in India. The deal also marked the re-entry of the PE firm in the BPO business.

    About Blackstone

    The Blackstone Group LP is an American multinational private equity, investment banking, alternative asset management and financial services corporation based in New York City.

    About Serco

    Founded in 1929 as RCA Services Limited, Serco Group Plc is a British outsourcing company based in Hook, Hampshire. The group operates public and private transport and traffic control, aviation, detention centers, schools etc. on behalf of its clienteles.

    NXT DIGITAL-Headend In The Sky platform has been launched by - Union Finance Ministry

    Among the important National Current Affairs, On 15th September 2015, the Headend In The Sky (HITS) digital platform initiative, under the brand name NXT DIGITAL promoted by Hinduja Group has been launched by the Union Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley.

    This will enable users to access to over 500 television channels of their choice be it national, regional, international and local; besides a host of other services like e-applications and TV everywhere.

    Customers in Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh will now have greater access to channels of their choice with other states soon joining in. It will also enable increase in revenues to the government due to full transparency and the customers will now pay for what they want to see.

    The Hinduja-Hits Network will serve Multi System Operators (MSOs) as well as Local Cable Operators (LCOs) and aims to tap the transition from analogue to digital mode of cable TV services under the government's Digital India initiative and Make In India mission.

    About NXT DIGITAL

    • It is a state-of-the-art next-generation MPEG-4 facility that has been designed abd developed to provide a variety of services to the cable distribution fraternity and their customers all across India.
    • The technology is future-proof and would offer enhanced television experiences for the subscriber whilst allowing the cable fraternity to manage their networks effortlessly using new-age cloud solutions.
    • Through NXT DIGITAL’s uniquely designed and assembled COPE (Cable Operators Premises Equipment), Digitalizing of Indian cities and the space of broadcast distribution will help India register quantum growth.