Current Affairs 1st October 2015

Current Affairs 1st October 2015 - Important Points

• Who has been conferred with Merlin Award by International Magicians Association - Zenia Bhumgara

• China launched 20th satellite for its - BeiDou Navigation System

• Union Government released commemorative postal stamp on Dr BR Ambedkar

• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology 2015 announced

• WTO released 2015 Annual Report

• Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016 released by - World Economic Forum

• Uttar Pradesh decided to implement - National Food Security Act, 2013 in three phases

• Which flag hoisted at UN headquarters for the first time - Plestinian

• 4-point Peace Initiative with India has been proposed by - Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif

• International Day of Older Persons observed on - 1st October

• World Vegetarian Day observed on - 1st October

• ICC Women’s Team Rankings launched

• WHo has been honoured by UK city of Coventry - Ratan Tata

Current Affairs 1st October 2015 - Details

Who has been conferred with Merlin Award by International Magicians Association - Zenia Bhumgara

In Fourth week of September 2015, Zenia Bhumgara of India was conferred with the Merlin Award in Mumbai in the field of magic conferred by the International Magicians Association (IMS).

The award is also presented to those magicians who have achieved the highest level in their craft, both on the national and international stage.

Prodip Chandra Sorcar, Jr. was the only other Indian to receive the award before Bhumgara.

Do You Know :

IMS was established in 1968 and is the world's largest magic society with over 41000 members worldwide.

China launched 20th satellite for its - BeiDou Navigation System

On 30th September 2015, a 20th new generation satellite was launched by China into orbit that will support its global navigation and positioning network from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the south-western province of Sichuan.

A Long March-3B carrier rocket carried the satellite. The launch of the 20th satellite for the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has put China one step closer to providing an alternative to the U.S. operated Global Positioning System (GPS).

Apart from this, it was the first time that the satellite featured a hydrogen atomic clock.

Do You Know :

The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is a Chinese satellite navigation system formally launched in 1994.

The first BeiDou system, which was officially called the BeiDou Satellite Navigation Experimental System, was also known as BeiDou-1. The system incorporates three satellites and offers limited coverage and applications. It has been offering navigation services since 2000 for customers in China and neighbouring regions.

It was named after the Big Dipper constellation, and serves as a metaphor for the purpose of the satellite navigation system.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems

• India: Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)
• Russia: GLONASS
• France: Doppler Orbitography and Radio-positioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS)
• United States: Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Japan: Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS)

Union Government released commemorative postal stamp on - Dr BR Ambedkar

On 30th September 2015, Union Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad released a commemorative postal stamp on Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.

The government is celebrating 125th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar in the year 2015. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23 July 2015 chaired the first meeting of the National Committee on Nationwide Celebration of 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

The objective of year long celebrations is to make the world aware about the life and the work of Dr. Babasaheb Ambekdar as a champion of the underprivileged.

Beside this, the minister also said that it will come out with a coin in his honour. The coin that will be released in honour of the legendary social reformer has received an approval from the Union Finance Ministry.

Dr Ambedkar was posthumously given the highest civilian award of India Bharat Ratna in 1990. He died in 1956.

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology 2015 announced

On 26th September 2015, CSIR announced Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science and Technology 2015 for eleven scientists in recognition of their work. The awardees were announced to mark the CSIR’s 73nd Foundation day.

The Prize consists of a citation, a plaque and a cash prize of 5 lakh rupees. The selected awardees in different fields are

Physical Sciences:

Dr Bedangadas Mohanty of School of Physical Sciences National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar

Dr Mandar Madhukar Deshmukh of Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai

Chemical Sciences:

Dr D Srinivasa Reddy Division of Organic Chemistry CSIR National Chemical Laboratory, Pune

Dr Pradyut Ghosh of Department of Inorganic Chemistry Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in Jadavapur, Kolkata

Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences: Dr Jyotiranjan Srichandan Ray of Geosciences Division Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad

Engineering Sciences:

Dr Yogesh Moreshwar Joshi of Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

Biological Sciences:

Dr Balasubramanian Gopal of Molecular Biophysics Unit Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Dr Rajeev Kumar Varshney of Centre of Excellence in Genomics International Crops Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad

Mathematical Sciences:

Dr K Sandeep of TIFR Centre for Applicable Mathematics, Bangalore

Dr Ritabrata Munshi School of Mathematics Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai

Medical Sciences:

Dr Vidita Ashok Vaidya of Department of Biological Sciences Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai

WTO released 2015 Annual Report

On 30th September 2015, The World Trade Organization (WTO) on 30 September 2015 released its 2015 Annual Report. It provided an overview of WTO activities in 2014 and early 2015.

Besides, it also provided recent trade scenario across the world and the expected growth rates for near future.

Highlights of 2015 Annual Report

• World trade will grow by 2.8 percent in 2015 against 2.5 percent growth in 2014. However the growth rate could be pegged back further by a U.S. interest rate rise, China's economic slowdown or Europe's refugee crisis.
• In 2016, world trade is expected to grow by 3.9 percent, a revision of the WTO's previous forecast of 4.0 percent.
• Forecast for growth in Asian imports in 2015 is pegged at 2.6 percent down from a 5.1 percent projection in April and Asian exports to 3.1 percent from the previous 5.0 percent forecast.
• Seychelles was admitted as the 161st Member of WTO in April 2015.

Report with respect to India

• Between 1995 and 2014, India is involved in 43 trade disputes next to the highest involvement (within Asia) recorded by China (44).
• Within WTO, India undertook second highest anti dumping initiations, 13, next to Brazil (29)
• India initiated the most investigations in 2014, with seven, followed by Indonesia and Turkey with three. India also imposed the greatest number of final measures – four.
• As of 31 December 2014, Ujal Singh Bhatia is the only Indian in the seven member Appellate Body.

Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016 released by - World Economic Forum

On 30th September 2015, the Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) 2015-2016 was released by World Economic Forum (WEF). The report evaluates the competitiveness landscape of 140 economies, providing insight into the drivers of their productivity and prosperity and it remains the most comprehensive assessment of national competitiveness worldwide.

The report says that failure to embrace long-term structural reforms that boost productivity and free up entrepreneurial talent is harming the global economy’s ability to improve living standards, solve persistently high unemployment and generate adequate resilience for future economic downturns.

The report finds that countries need higher productivity to address inactive global growth and determined high unemployment and failure to boost competitiveness is compromising resilience to recession and other shocks

The report highlights that after five years of decline, India jumped 16 ranks to 55th place compared to 71st rank in 2014-15 report.

Top 10 countries in ranking

• Switzerland
• Singapore
• United States
• Germany
• Netherlands
• Japan
• Hong Kong (SAR)
• Finland
• Sweden
• United Kingdom

Report on India

• The government budget deficit has gradually dropped since its 2008 peak, although it still amounted to 7 percent of GDP in 2014, one of the world’s highest (131st).
• Infrastructure has improved (81st, up six) but remains a major growth bottleneck—electricity in particular.
• India remains one of the least digitally connected countries in the world (120th, up one). Fewer than one in five Indians access the Internet on a regular basis, and fewer than two in five are estimated to own even a basic cell phone.
• It says that after five years of decline, India was able to jump 16 ranks and was positioned at the 55th place. It praises Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this dramatic reversal by saying that his pro-business, pro-growth, and anti-corruption stance has improved the business community’s sentiment toward the government.
• The quality of India’s institutions is judged more favorably (60th, up 10), although business leaders still consider corruption to be the biggest obstacle to doing business in the country.
• India’s performance in the macroeconomic stability pillar has improved, although the situation remains worrisome (91st, up 10). This macroeconomic stability was achieved due to lower commodity prices, inflation that eased to 6 percent in 2014, down from near double-digit levels the previous year.
• The fact that the most notable improvements are in the basic drivers of competitiveness bodes well for the future, especially the development of the manufacturing sector. But other areas also deserve attention, including technological readiness.

Uttar Pradesh decided to implement - National Food Security Act, 2013 in three phases

On 29th September 2015, Uttar Pradesh government announced that it will execute National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 in the state in three phases. The scheme would benefit 15.21 crore people in the state.
• First phase: The scheme will be implemented in 24 districts
• Second phase: The scheme will be implemented in 26 districts
• Third phase: The scheme be rolled out in 25 districts

The National Food Security Act, 2013 (also Right to Food Act) is an Act of the Parliament of India which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two thirds of India's 1.2 billion people. Under it poor would get the monthly quota of wheat at the rate of 2 rupees per kg and rice at 3 rupees per kg.

Which flag hoisted at UN headquarters for the first time - Plestinian

On 30th September 2015, for the first time at United Nations headquarters in New York, the Palestinian flag was raised. The politically sensitive flag raising ceremony took place at 1:16 pm at the UN's Rose Garden.

President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas attended the flag hosting raising ceremony.

Prior to this, On 10th September 2015, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) overwhelmingly approved the Resolution on Raising of Flags by Non-Member Observer States.

The resolution said that the flags of non-member observer states like Palestine shall be raised at UN Headquarters and United Nations Offices following the flags of the Member States of the organization.

4-point Peace Initiative with India has been proposed by - Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif

On 30th September 2015, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, proposed 4-point Peace Initiative with India aimed at defining the relationship between the Asian countries as one of cooperation, not of confrontation.

4-point Peace Initiative

Pakistan and India should formalize and respect the 2003 understanding for a complete ceasefire on the Line of Control in Kashmir. For this purpose, Pakistan will call for UN Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) expansion to monitor the observance of the ceasefire.

Pakistan and India shall reaffirm that they will not resort to the use or the threat of use of force under any circumstances. This is a central element of the UN Charter.

Steps need to be taken to demilitarize Kashmir.

Both the nations should agree to an unconditional mutual withdrawal from Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battleground.

International Day of Older Persons observed on - 1st October

On 1st October 2015, The International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) was observed across the world with the theme Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment. The 2015 IDOP celebration demonstrated that an age inclusive agenda is crucial to promote equity, welfare and prosperity for all.

THe day was focused on the impact of the new urban environment on older persons and impact of older persons on the new urban environment.

Condition of Old-aged people in India

A recent report by United Nations Population Fund and Help Age International revealed that India has around 100 million elderly at present and the number is expected to increase to 323 million, constituting 20% of the total population by 2050.

The report emphasized on addressing urgent concerns of elderly person like investment in pension and quality health care. It is imperative to provide the elderly a stress free life, a place, a living space which is designed to give them a holistic lifestyle.

World Vegetarian Day observed on - 1st October

On 1st October 2015, World Vegetarian Day was observed as an annual celebration to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism.

The day brings awareness to the ethical, environmental, health and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.

The day was endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978, and was originated by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977.

World Vegetarian Day begins the month of October as Vegetarian Awareness Month, which ends with November 1, World Vegan Day, as the end of that month of celebration.

Several additional days of vegetarian significance are included in Vegetarian Awareness Month:

• September 27 – Hug a Vegan/Vegetarian Day
• October 1 – World Vegetarian Day
• October 2 – World Farm Animals Day (WFAD) or World Day for Farm(ed) Animals, birthday of Mahatma Gandhi
• October 4 – The Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi
• October 4 – Hug a Non-Meat Eater Day
• October 1–7 – International Vegetarian Week - in several nations across the planet (but especially in Europe), many public educational and celebratory events are organized to promote the vegetarian lifestyle.
• October 16 – United Nations World Food Day often a time of global reckoning with issues of human food security. It is the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945.

ICC Women’s Team Rankings launched

On 1st October 2015, The International Cricket Council (ICC) launched the official ICC Women’s Team Rankings, which incorporate results in all three formats of the game into one rankings system. The innovative new system treats results from Test, ODI and T20I cricket equally.

Indian women’s cricket team was ranked at fourth place in the list.

Top 10 teams of ICC Women’s Team Rankings

• Australia
• England
• New Zealand
• India
• West Indies
• South Africa
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka
• Bangladesh
• Ireland

WHo has been honoured by UK city of Coventry - Ratan Tata

On 1st October 2015, The city of Coventry honoured Ratan Tata, chairman Emeritus of Tata sons, with its highest award in recognition of his contributions to the West Midlands region of central England.

He took oath as an Honorary Freeman of the City of Coventry. Since 1914, only 13 people have been conferred with the honour.

Indian-origin professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, founder of the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), was also conferred with the title alongside Tata, at the University of Warwick in Coventry.

Earlier in 2015, Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover had announced its long term commitment to Coventry and the West Midlands with a confirmation of a further 600 million pound investment to support product creation and superior vehicle manufacturing.

Ratan Tata was also awarded with Padma Bhushan in 2010, and was facilitated with Padma Vibhushan in 2008.