Current Affairs Daily Digest – October 10 2019
1. Singapore imposed a ban ads for unhealthy sugary drinks
Singapore imposed a ban ads for the most unhealthy sugary drinks in its latest move to combat rising diabetes rates. It became the first country in the world to ban such ads. The ban was announced by the health ministry of Singapore.
2. Indian scientists discovered Plastic eating Bacteria
Researchers at Shiv Nadar University have discovered two strains of plastic-eating bacteria from the wetlands of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. It is believed that this eco-friendly alternative might be used as a clean-up method for plastic waste worldwide.
3. The 13th CCHFW was held in New Delhi
The 13th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW) was held in New Delhi on 10 October 2019. The conference was inaugurated by the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan. The Minister also released the National Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy Survey India 2015-19 at the conference.
4. Nobel Prize, Literature, 2019
The Nobel Prize in Literature for the year 2018 was awarded to Polish author Olga Tokarczuk and for the year 2019 was awarded to Austrian author Peter Handke. Olga was born is a Polish writer, activist and public intellectual. She is a trained psychologist from the University of Warsaw. Peter is an Austrian novelist, translator and playwright. He has won several awards like International Ibsen award in 2014, Mulheimer Dramatikerpreis in 2012, Fraz Kafka PRize in 2009, etc.
5. MSDE launches Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship Programme with IIM Bangalore
Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) signed a contract with Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore for introducing a two-year fellowship programme called ‘Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) programme’. The step is taken to boost skill development at the district level.
6. Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan launched
SUMAN scheme – Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan scheme was launched by the Union Minister Dr Harsha Vardhan at the conference of Central Council of Health and Family Welfare. The scheme provides free medicines for pregnant women. It focuses to bring down the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in the country.
7. Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme “DHRUV” Launched
Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme- ‘DHRUV’, a 14 day learning programme, has been launched from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Headquarters at Bengaluru. Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has launched the programme
The aim is to identify and encourage talented children to enrich their skills and knowledge,” said the HRD Minister before the launch event. “The programme is called DHRUV (after the Pole Star) and every student to be called ‘DHRUV TARA’.
8. State Bank of India cuts interest rates on savings accounts, fixed deposits
SBI announced revision in interest rate on savings accounts with balances up to Rs 1 lakh from 3.50% to 3.25% . Bank also slashed its retail and bulk term deposit rates by 10 bps and 30 bps respectively for 1 year to less than 2 years tenor. The interest rates on savings account deposits above Rs 1 lakh has been kept unchanged
9. RBI rejects Indiabulls Housing, Lakshmi Vilas Bank’s proposed merger
The Reserve Bank of India has rejected the proposed merger between Lakshmi Vilas BankNSE and Indiabulls Housing FinanceNSE, the lender said. The bank didn’t reveal the reason cited for the central bank’s decision.
10. Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches WHO India Country Cooperation Strategy 2019–2023
Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan as he launched ‘The WHO India Country Cooperation Strategy 2019–2023: A Time of Transition’, here. The Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) provides a strategic roadmap for WHO to work with the Government of India towards achieving its health sector goals, in improving the health of its population and bringing in transformative changes in the health sector.
11. Narendra Modi-Xi Jinping ‘informal summit’ in Chennai from October 11
Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in Chennai on October 11 for the second “informal summit” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, New Delhi and Beijing announced on October 9.
The meeting between the two leaders, that follows the Wuhan summit last April that reset ties, is expected to enhance bilateral cooperation.
12. World Mental Health Day – 10 October
World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.
Theme is Suicide Prevention
13. MP Tourism Board to organise ‘City Walk Festival’ from Oct 12
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board will organise a ‘City Walk Festival’ for local, national and international tourists of all age groups in 11 cities from October 12 to November 10.The City Walk Festival will be organised in Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Panna, Vidisha, Khajuraho, Chanderi, Jabalpur, Burhanpur and Orchha. In this the tourists will be acquainted with the rich heritage, natural beauty, glorious history, traditions and ancient heritage
