Current Affairs 29th September 2015

Current Affairs 29th September 2015

Updated : 29-Sep-2015

Current Affairs 29th September 2015 - Important Points
Current Affairs 29th September 2015 - Details
Who has got additional charge of Governor of Manipur - Meghalaya Governor Shanmuganathan
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 28th September 2015, Governor of Meghalaya V. Shanmuganathan was appointed as the Governor of Manipur by the President Pranab Mukherjee after the demise of incumbent Dr. Syed Ahmed Khan.

He was appointed as the Governor of Meghalaya on 20th May 2015.
According to article 153, there shall be a Governor for each State but the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act 1956 facilitated the appointment of same person as governor for two or more states.
Union Ministry of Tourism launched new initiatives on - World Tourism Day
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 27th September 2015, several new initiatives to supplement tourism related infrastructure and manpower in the country were launched by the Union Ministry of Tourism.
The details of some of the new initiatives launched are
Medical and Wellness Tourism Board
- Besides the chairman, it will have members representing the related Government Departments, Tourism & Hospitality sector and experts in the Medical, Wellness and Yoga.
- It has been formed to tap the potential and advantages that India has in the field of medical and wellness tourism.
- It will be chaired by the Union Tourism Minister.
- It will be established with an initial corpus of 2 crore rupees.
- Along with regular medical facilities, the AYUSH facilities will be promoted by the board.
Tourism Vision Document 2030
- It will supply trained manpower to the Hospitality Industry and tourism industry.
- The courses offered will be a blend of the rich heritage and culture of India and hospitality management education system.
- It will be operated from Hotel Samrat in New Delhi.
- It is part of the HRD division of India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.,(ITDC) a PSU under Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India.
- It goes into the challenges for the sector and details the way towards Vision 2030. It has been commissioned by the Experience India Society and prepared by KPMG.
- Ashok Institute of Hospitality & Tourism Management (AIH & TM) – Centre of Excellence:
- It provides the students with a world class contemporary education to have an edge over others in the field.
Indian Railway Knowledge Portal has been launched by - Ministry of Railways
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 28th September 2015, Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu launched Indian Railway Knowledge Portal for dispersal of detailed information on Indian Railways.
It is an initiative of the National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR) which enables user to access most of the available knowledge about Indian Railways at one location due to linkage of websites, documents and much more.
Ministry of Railways, Rail Bhawan and NAIR Headquarters at Vadodara launched the portal through video-conferencing.
It also provides e-access to existing libraries of Railways. Also, National Informatics Centre (NIC) has clustered all the libraries to a single interface via e-Granthalaya. Apart from this, information regarding fan clubs, heritage, and rail museums across the world can also be accessed from the portal.
World Heart Day 2015 observed on - 29th September
Among the important International Current Affairs, On 29th September 2015, The World Heart Day was celebrated across the world with creating heart-healthy environments.
The motive of the day is to ensure people participation across the globe in the world’s biggest intervention against cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The theme of the day is chosen to remind the fact that 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke are avoidable.
Do You Know :

In the year 2000, World Heart Day was founded to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death, claiming 17.3 million lives annually.
The World Heart Federation (WHF) promotes observation of the daat the global level.
India signed 123.51 Million US dollar Loan Agreement with - Asian Development Bank
On 28th September 2015, a 123.51 million US dollar loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) was signed by India to upgrade tourism infrastructure and services in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.
M Teresa Kho, Country Director for ADB in India and Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary (Multilateral Institutions), Department of Economic Affairs, Union Ministry of Finance signed the agreement.
The loan will be used for development and conservation of the places of tourist attractions, to improve basic tourism facilities and to build the capacity of sector agencies and local communities in the States of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.
It will also support conservation of important heritage structures including some century-old structures, new facilities including centers for arts and crafts in the three states. Eco-parks and eco-tourism will also be developed to help the states attract more tourists.
Who has been honoured with Pride of Britain Award - Indo-British van driver Dee Patel
Among the important International Current Affairs, On 28th September 2015, Prince Charles of Britain awarded Indo-British van driver Dee Patel with the Pride of Britain Award. He had risked his life to save others.
Patel was given the award in the outstanding bravery category.
When Patel set off for his routine job on 18 May 2005, he noticed a car ahead of him that was dangerously out of control on the M25 motorway. Soon, he realised that the driver of the car, a young woman, slumped unconscious over the steering wheel. It was when Patel, without wasting any time, came for the rescue of the woman.
About Pride of Britain Awards
In 1999, Peter Willis founded the Pride of Britain Awards. It is an annual award ceremony which takes place in the United Kingdom. The award is given to British people who have shown immense bravery in the hours of crisis.
NLC set up its first - 10 MW solar power plant
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 28th September 2015, Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) set up its first 10 MW solar power plant at Neyveli. It is the first renewable energy project of the corporation.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) at a cost of 74.60 crore rupees installed the plant spread on 54 acres.
There are 48000 Solar Photo Voltaic Modules in the plant. Each module has the capacity to generate 240 MW power. The plant would evacuate power through the 33-KV power station located in Neyveli. The entire power would be fed to the sole beneficiary, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (Tangedco).
Union Ministry of Road Transport launched - Green Highways Policy, 2015
On 29th September 2015, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari launched Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance) Policy, 2015.
The policy promote green covers along National Highway corridors was launched at the National Conference in New Delhi.
Main Highlights
- According to the policy, it is mandatory for road developers to set aside 1 percent of the Total Project Cost (TPC) for Highway Plantation and Maintenance.
- The scheme will supposedly spend 1000 crore rupees for trees plantation along National Highways in the fiscal year 2015-16.
- The policy seeks participation from the various segments of community including farmers, private sectors, government institutions and NGOs.
- A huge employment opportunities and entrepreneurship development will be created after the implementation.
- Besides, the policy will also help in cutting down the carbon footprints and hugely benefit the environment.
Green Highway Fund
- The policy calls for creation of fund account called Green Highways Fund (GHF) for developing green covers along the NH corridors.
- The GHF will be created from the fund collected through 1% of the TPC contributed by the developers.
- NHAI will act only as a Fund Manager for maintaining the Account and releasing payments
Which IT company has been selected as member of Dow Jones Sustainability World Index - Wipro
On 28th September 2015, A leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, Wipro Limited was selected as member of the global Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) - 2015 for the sixth consecutive year.
Out of 1845 companies that were assessed from around the world, a total of 317 companies were selected as the DJSI World constituents for the year 2015-16. A total of 76 companies participated globally in the IT Services of which 8 have been selected for the World Index.
Wipro is a member of DJSI World and Emerging Markets Indices.
Do You Know :
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) was launched in September 1999. It evaluates the sustainability performance of the largest 2500 companies listed on the Dow Jones Global Total Stock Market Index.
The DJSI World has two subset indexes, which are the Dow Jones Sustainability Index World 80 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index World ex US 80.
Where did the 1st Indo-Africa ICT Expo launched - Nairobi
On 28th September 2015, Indian Government in conjunction with ICT Authority of Kenya, India’s Telecom Export Promotion Council (TEPC) and National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) launched the 1st Indo-Africa ICT Expo in KICC, Nairobi.
There are over 100 technology companies who are showing their latest products and solutions at the Indo-Africa ICT Expo cum Conference.
Over 300 conference delegates and over 2000 visitors attended the event. This Expo is considered as a platform to build synergy among India & African countries to showcase innovative & diversified products & services.
About TEPC
Union Government set it up to promote and develop export of Telecom Equipment and Services.
It plays a critical role in furtherance of Telecom export from India and assist Indian member companies in easy facilitation of their respective exports.
The Council oblige to the complete Telecom Ecosystem including Telecom Hardware Manufacturing, Telecom Service Provision, Telecom Software, and Consultancy.
China’s Didi Kuaidi joined hands with - Ola
On 28th September 2015, China’s largest taxi-hailing company, Didi Kuaidi Joint Co. announced that it has invested in Ola to fight their common competitor, Uber Technologies Inc.
For some time, Ola has been in talks with investors to raise over 500 million US dollars. In April 2015, the company even fetched an investment of 400 million US dollars from a clutch of investors led by DST Global.
This investment in Ola will help the Indian taxi-aggregator to spread its roots in small cities, which will give it an upper hand over US-based Uber and home-grown Meru Cabs.
Reliance signed strategic pact with - EDIC
On 28th September 2015, Reliance Defence Limited (RDL) signed a strategic pact with UAE’s Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC) for collaboration in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) category.
According to the agreement, both the companies will discover the prospect for manufacturing and building capabilities in defence vehicles, defence electronics, defence equipment and armament manufacturing, aviation and associated areas, commercial and naval ships.
The purpose of the pact is to create synergy to bring down operational costs and leverage each other’s capabilities.
About RDL
Reliance Defence Limited was established as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure Limited (RIL). RDL has 11 subsidiaries in niche segments of the sector.
About EDIC
It is UAE’s premier integrated national defence services and manufacturing giant. The company aims at providing world-class facilities, technology and support services.
Delhi HC admitted plea challenging validity of Article 370 of Constitution of India
On 28th September 2015, The High Court of Delhi agreed to hear a PIL that challenges the constitutional validity of Article 370 of the Constitution of India that deals with the special status of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).
A 22-year old girl Kumari Vijayalakshmi Jha filed the PIL and it was agreed to be heard by a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath who posted the hearing on the matter for 19th October 2015.
In her plea, she challenged the constitutional validity of Article 370 on the grounds that it was a temporary provision or interim arrangement until a separate Constitution for J&K was framed by the State Constituent Assembly. With the dissolution of the State’s Constituent Assembly on 26 January 1957, the Article 370 also lapsed. Constituent Assembly of J&K was constituted in October 1951 for framing the J&K Constitution.
She further argued that continuation of the temporary provision of Article 370 and continuation of J&K Constitution, which never got the assent/approval of President of India or Parliament or Government of India, even after dissolution of Constituent Assembly of J&K, amounts to fraud on the basic structure of our Constitution as it is against the sovereignty, integrity, unity of the nation, sovereignty of Parliament etc.
Maharashtra Government declared 2017 as - Visit Maharashtra Year
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 28th September 2015, The Maharashtra government declared the year 2017 as the Visit Maharashtra Year to encourage tourism in the state. The government also launched international tourism promotion project Maharashtra International Travel Mart 2015 (MITM).
A lot of new initiatives has been planned to put Maharashtra on the global tourism map by the ministry of tourism of Maharashtra. One such initiative is an international Buddhist Conclave, which will be a B2B exhibition and will be held in March 2016.
About Maharashtra International Travel Mart (MITM) 2015
MITM is a flagship global tourism promotion platform created by the state's Tourism department to attract buyers and sellers of tourism industry from across the globe to explore common growth opportunities in tourism in the state.
This first ever MITM will take state's tourism growth story on the global level. Tourism in the state will be developed through a transparent public-private-partnership (PPP) model along with an integrated tourism development plan for coastal tourism.
Strong Evidence of Liquid Water on Mars: NASA
Among the important International Current Affairs, On 28th September 2015, New findings from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) provide a strong evidence that liquid water flows intermittently on the present-day Mars.
The researchers observed signatures of hydrated minerals on slopes where mysterious streaks are seen on the Red Planet using an imaging spectrometer on MRO.
These darkish streaks appear to fade and flow over time. They darken and appear to flow down steep slopes during warm seasons, and then fade in cooler seasons. They appear in several locations on Mars when temperatures are above minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit and disappear at colder times.
These downhill flows known as Recurring Slope Lineae (RSL), often have been described as possibly related to liquid water.