- Hugo Award for Best Novel 2017 given to N.K. Jemisin
The Hugo Award for Best Novel 2017 was given to NoraK. Jemisin an American speculative fiction writer for her work “The ObeliskGate”.
The award was presented at the 75th World Science Fiction Convention in Helsinki.
The awarded book was the second in the trilogy that started with ‘The Fifth Season’, which was New York Times Notable Book of 2015 and won Jemisin the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2016.
- Hindustan Unilever wins ‘Green Marketer’ Award at Marquee Awards 2017
Hindustan Unilever (HUL) won the ‘Green Marketer’ award at the debut edition of Marquee Awards 2017.
The Special Award for ‘Conquering an impregnable fortress’ was won by Bira 91. Pro Kabaddi League was recognised as the brand that ‘Traversed unchartered waters’ and Paytm was recognised for ‘Riding on an emerging wave’.
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter was awarded for ‘Breathing new life into a category’, Indian Accent was recognised for ‘Creating a Global Impact’ while Oppo was recognised for ‘Carving out a Niche’ for themselves in a highly competitive category.
- Roda Mehta to be conferred AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2017
The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) will confer this year’s AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award on Roda Mehta.
A press release said Roda Mehta had played a pioneering role in establishing scientific media planning and buying in India.
Mehta joined Hindustan Thompson Associates in 1971 and became the first MBA and first woman in the Media function of an Indian advertising agency.
- NALCO bags Appreciation Award in large mines category
Panchpatmalli bauxite mine of National Aluminium Company (NALCO) has been awarded for its initiative in areas like environment, safety and health.
The Navaratna PSU has bagged the Appreciation Award in large mines category at the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Eastern Region Safety Health & Environment Excellence Awards 2016-17.
- Gemfield’s ‘Retail Jeweler India Award’ given to Malabar Gold & Diamonds
MALABAR Gold & Diamonds, one of the Big 5 jewelry retailers received the ‘Retail Jeweler India Award’ for the special contributions to the gem and jewellery industry.
The panel of jury has selected from a list of over thousands of nominees from the industry for the coveted prize.
Malabar Gold & Diamonds has also awarded the best television campaign award for the current year.
- Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta Re-elected
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta secured a second term in office. Kenyatta got 54.3 percent of the vote, ahead of rival Raila Odinga who secured 44.7 percent, according to election commission figures. Nearly 80 percent of the 19 million registered voters cast their ballots.
- Prasoon Joshi to replace Pahlaj Nihalani as censor board chief
Noted Bollywood lyricist-screen writer and ad guru Prasoon Joshi replaced Pahlaj Nihalani as CBFC chairperson.
The Centre has appointed lyricist Prasoon Joshi as Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)for a period of three years. Mr Joshi has replaced former Chairman Pahlaj Nihalani.
Government has also reconstituted the existing CBFC with immediate effect for a period of three years. There are 12 members in the newboard, which include Ms. Gautami Tadimalla, Narendra Kohli, Naresh Chandra Lal, Vivek Agnihotri and Ms Vidya Balan.
- I V Subba Rao Appointed Secretary to Vice Presiden
Retired IAS officer I V Subba Rao was appointed secretary to Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu.
The Prime Minister’s Office cleared the appointment, a day on which Naidu assumed charge as the 13th vice president of the country.
Rao, a 1979 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, retired from service as special chief secretary last year.
- David Rasquinha Appointed as Exim Bank MD
David Rasquinha was appointed as managing director of Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank).
Rasquinha is at present deputy managing director of the Exim Bank.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment to the post for three years, an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)
- Milkha Singh appointed WHO’s goodwill ambassador
Legendary Indian athlete Milkha Singh has been appointed WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Physical Activity in South-East Asia Region.
Mr. Milkha will promote WHO South-East Asia Region’sNCD (non-communicable diseases)Prevention and Control Action Plan which seeks to reduce the level of insufficient physical activity by 10 percent and NCDs by 25 percent by 2025.
- Delhi High Court appoints SY Quraishi as administrator of Archery Association of India
The Delhi High Court has appointed SY Quraishi, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, as administrator of Archery Association of India (AAI) and ensure that its elections are held as per its constitution and the National Sports Code (NSC).
The court came down heavily on AAI, de-recognized by the central government on December 07, 2012, and its Executive Committee, for failing to amend its constitution to bring it in conformity with the National Sports Code.
- Environment Minister launches ‘Gaj Yatra’ to mark World Elephant Day 2017
Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, launched ‘Gaj Yatra’, a nationwide campaign to protect elephants on the occasion of World Elephant Day. The campaign is planned to cover 12 elephant range states.
World Elephant Day is an annual global event celebrated across the world on August 12, dedicated to the preservation and protection of elephants.
African elephants are listed as “vulnerable” and Asian elephants as “endangered” in the IUCN Red List of threatened species. As per the available population estimates, there are about 400,000 African elephants and 40,000 Asian elephants.
- Ministry of Culture organizes Sankalp Se Siddhi Programme in Coimbatore
To take forward the initiative for a New India movement from 2017 – 2022, a Sankalp Se Siddhi (Attainment through Resolve) Programme was organized at Coimbatore on 12 August, 2017.
The New India Movement 2017-2022 envisages an India free of Poverty, Corruption, Terrorism, Communalism, Casteism and Un-cleanliness.
The participants took the New India Pledge of “Come, let us together pledge for building a New India by 2022, a Clean India, a Poverty-free India, a Corruption-free India, a Terrorism-free India, a Communalism-free India, and a Casteism-free India”.
- Nabin Tan Mon Bikash Yojana launched
Heritage Conservation Society has launched a scheme – ‘Nabin Tan Mon Bikash Yojana’ – in memory of Nabin Sharma.
The scheme is especially for school children. After August 15 the members will visit schools in the entire region to promote the scheme.
To promote health habits among children like correct standing and sitting posture, songs and rhymes for different musical drill of Sisu Prami Nabin Sharma are now preserved by Adviser Gayatri Goswami in Digital form.
- Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) To be launched
The Government of India has decided to launch a new sub-scheme named “Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)”as part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
The Self Help Groups under DAY-NRLM will operate road transport service in backward areas.
This will help to provide safe,affordable and community monitored rural transport services to connect remote villages with key services and amenities.
AGEY will be initially implemented in250 Blocks in the country on pilot basis.
- Aishwarya becomes first woman to raise Indian flag at IFFM 2017
Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has become the first female actor ever to hoist the Indian National Flag at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), Australia’s annual celebration of film from India and the subcontinent.
The official handle of IFFM posted a picture on Twitter with a caption that read,”Aishwarya Rai Bachchan hoists the Indian national flag at @FedSquare celebrating the 70th yr of Indian independence”
- Jharkhand Assembly Passes Religious Freedom Bill
Jharkhand Assembly has passed Religious Freedom Bill 2017. It aims to stop the forced conversions in the state.
The bill will now be sent to the governor, following whose approval it would go to the President for assent.
The Bill has provision for imprisonment of three years and fine of 50,000 rupees or both, and four year imprisonment and 1 lakh rupee fine, or both, if the person converted is a minor, woman or a member of Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe.
- Gujarat Government to Give ‘Namo’ Tablets
Around 3.5 lakh college students in Gujarat will get tablets at a subsidised rate of Rs 1,000 each under a state government scheme launched by chief minister Vijay Rupani in Ahmedabad .
Under this scheme, the first year college students in the state will get 7-inch ‘NAMO E-Tab’ tablets, which have a market value of Rs 8,000 each, by just paying Rs 1,000.
- India One of the Most Open Economies Globally for FDI
India has now emerged as one of the most open economies in the world for receiving foreign direct investments (FDI), on the back of a host of liberalisation measures, the Economic Survey said.
It pointed out that measures taken by the government have resulted in FDI equity inflow of $43.4 billion in 2016-17, which is not only an increase of 8% over the previous year, but also the highest ever.
The mid-year survey of the economy described FDI as an enabler of economic growth since it enhances productivity by bringing capital, skills and technology to the host country.
- Vizag’s Rayichapalu declared one of the rarest fish in world
Vizag’s Rayichapalu is declared one of the rarest fish in the world by researchers from the Marine Living Resources Department of Andhra University.
The tiny, colourful fish, called ‘Ranguchapulu’ or ‘Rayichapalu’ by the fisherfolk, will have the scientific name ‘Pseudathias Vizagensis’, after the city where it was first discovered.
- Flipkart World’s 3rd Most Funded Pvt Company
With the $2.4 billion it just received from Japanese technology and telecom giant SoftBank,Flipkart has become the third most funded private company globally.
The homegrown e-commerce company has to date raised almost $7 billion in capital, higher than that raised by global behemoths like online house rental aggregator Airbnb($3.3 billion) and mobile phone maker Xiaomi($1.4 billion).
- Hike Messenger Acquires Tech Startup CREO
Homegrown messaging and social media technology company Hike Messenger has acquired Bengaluru-based tech startup CREO for an undisclosed amount.
The CREO team constitutes over 50 members and was founded in December 2013 by Sai Srinivas Kiran G and Shubham Malhotra.
In the past, CREO has launched hardware products that includes streaming media dongles and smartphones.
- MCX gets Sebi approval for launching options contract in gold
Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will launch the country’s first gold options contract in September allowing even smaller players in the bullion industry an instrument to hedge their risk, a senior company official told Reuters.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India has approved the options contract. India is the world’s second-biggest buyer of gold, typically importing around 800 tonnes a year, with the metal being used in everything from investment to religious donations and wedding gifts.
- Canara Bank unveils two new digital services
Canara Bank unveiled two new digital services for online payments.Bharat QR (Quick Response)is for payment settlement at merchant locations and Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS)is an integrated bill payment system for net banking customers.
The first service is a mobile application, which enables a merchant to accept payments as settlement for sale of goods or services.
The second product (BBPS), an initiative of the RBI offers bill payment services to the bank’s net banking customers with network of agents.
- PNB introduces biometric attendance register
Punjab National Bank (PNB)has introduced biometric attendance in the place of the existing system of signing attendance in the attendance register.
The new system of marking attendance will be implemented in branches/offices with immediate effect.
Manual attendance system will run parallel up to August 31, to streamline the process.
In exceptional cases, but in no case more than three occasions in a month, an employee may be permitted a grace margin of up to 15 minutes.
- SEBI ties up with Securities & Exchange Organization (SEO) of Iran for technical assistance
Markets regulator SEBI has entered into a pact with its counterpart in Iran to promote technical assistance and facilitate cross-border co-operation in the area of securities regulations.
It will facilitate mutual assistance, contribute towards efficient performance of the supervisory functions, and enable effective enforcement of laws and regulations governing the securities markets.
- 12 August 2017: The International Youth Day
On 17 December 1999 the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth that 12 August be declared International Youth Day.
It reaffirms the important role youth can play in deterring and resolving conflicts, and are key constituents in ensuring the success of both peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts.
Theme 2017: “Youth Building Peace”
- NASA’s cassini set to embark onfinal five orbits around saturn
NASA’s Cassini spacecraft is set to embark on a set of ultra-close passes through Saturn’s upper atmosphere with its final five orbits around the planet.
Cassini will make the first of these five passes over Saturn at 12:22 a.m. EDT on August 14, NASA said.
The spacecraft will enter new territory in its final mission phase, the Grand Finale, making the first of the five passes over Saturn on August 13.
The spacecraft’s point of closest approach to Saturn duringthese passes will be between about 1,630 and 1,710 kilometres above Saturn’s cloudtops.
- Maheshwari chauhan bags bronze for India at Asian shotgun championship
Shooter Maheshwari Chauhan secured a bronze at the Asian Shotgun Championshipto earn India’s first women’s skeet individual medal at a top international competition here.
It was made sweeter when she led her country to the team silver along side compatriots Rashmmi Rathore and Saniya Sheikh.
The trio shot a total of 190, finishing behind Gold medallists China, who shot 195. Hosts Kazakhstan won the bronze shooting 185.
- World’s Oldest Man Dies in Israel at 113
Israeli Holocaust survivor Yisrael Kristal, certified last year by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest man, died. He was 113.
Kristal, originally from Zarnow in what is now Poland, was born on September 15, 1903 — three months before the Wright brothers’ first successful powered airplane flight.
- Vijay nambisan, poet and writer, dies
Poet and writer Vijay Nambisan, who became the first All India Poetry Champion in 1988, passed away.He co-authored Gemini, a poetry book, with Jeet Thayil and Dom Moraes.
He championed the ethical use of language and made an appeal to readers, writers and enthusiasts of literature in his book ‘Language as an Ethic’. He was 54 years old.
- Pakistan’s ‘Mother Teresa’ passes away
Ruth Pfau,a German nun who devoted her life to combatting leprosy in Pakistan, has died at the age of 87.
Pfau, who was known locally as Pakistan’s Mother Teresa, came to the southern port city of Karachi in 1960 and spent half a century taking care of some of the country’s sickest and poorest people.
She was the founder of Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre in Karachi. She was honoured by the state with the country’s two highest civilian awards, the Hilal-e-Imtiaz and the Hilal-e-Pakistan.
************************************
[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Read Current Affairs Daily Digest For July 2017″ style=”squared” url=”https://www.daytodaygk.com/current-affairs-july-2017/” target=”_self” bg_color=”#dd0f0f” txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”” icon_type=”” nofollow=”0″]
