Latest Current Affairs – October 13 & 14 2018
1. Harley-Davidson India appoints Sajeev Rajasekharan as new MD
Harley-Davidson has announced the appointment of Sajeev Rajasekharan as Managing Director (MD) of the motorcycle manufacturer’s India operations. Under the new role, Rajasekharan will manage the company’s leadership team, in-country sales, dealer network management, and marketing. Previously, Rajasekharan worked with Suzuki Motorcycle India, Panasonic, Electrolux, and Samsung India, among others.
2. World Bank announces $1 billion for quake-hit Indonesia
The World Bank has announced funding of up to $1 billion for the Indonesian government to supplement relief and reconstruction efforts in wake of the earthquake and tsunami that hit the country last month. It said that the package could include cash transfers to the poorest 1.5 lakh affected families for a period between 6 months and one year.
3. Navy inducts its first deep submergence vessel for rescue ops
Indian Navy inducted its first Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV), which can be used to rescue downed or disaster-struck submarines in sea. Other than rescuing personnel in downed submarines, DSRV can be used for missions like laying cables on sea bed as well. Currently, US, China, Russia and a few other countries have the capabilities to deploy DSRVs.
4. Classical musician Annapurna Devi passes away aged 91
Hindustani classical musician Annapurna Devi passed away at the age of 91 after suffering from age-related illnesses. Devi was awarded India’s third highest civilian honour, Padma Bhushan, in 1977 for her contributions to the field of classical music. She was trained under her father Ustad Allauddin Khan and was married to Pandit Ravi Shankar for over two decades.
5. India wins seat to UN Human Rights Council with highest votes
India was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday for a period of three years beginning January 1, 2019. India received 188 votes, the highest polled by any of the 18 countries elected in the voting by the 193-member General Assembly. Notably, a minimum of 97 votes are needed to get elected to the Council.
6. World Bank Human Capital Index: Singapore Tops, India Ranks 115th
World Bank released the Human Capital Index (HCI) as part of the World Development Report 2019. Broader theme of the World Development Report (WDR) this year is “The Changing Nature of Work”.
The World Bank has launched a Human Capital Project (HCP). The HCI has been constructed for 157 countries. The HCI for India has been estimated at 0.44. The Index was released at the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings in Bali, Indonesia. Singapore topped the poll after it was highly rated for its universal health care system, education exams results and life expectancy figures.
7. Delhi, Moscow signed Twin-City Agreement
The agreements in the fields of environment, culture and education are updated for the next 3 years. The agreement was signed by Minister of the Moscow City government and head of its international relations Sergey Cheremin and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
8. Lupin launched Clobetasol Propionate in US market
Lupin, Drug firm major, has launched generic Clobetasol Propionate ointment in the U.S. market. This is used to treat inflammation and itching caused by a number of skin conditions. It had earlier received approval for the product from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), Lupin said in a statement. The company has launched Clobetasol Propionate ointment USP in the strength of 0.05%.
9. First India-Israel Innovation Centre Opens in Bengaluru
The India-Israel Innovation Centre (IIIC)is a significant step towards facilitating penetration of Israeli companies in India. The main aim is to forge local partnerships and joint ventures between companies from the two countries.
10. Mahindra Rural Bharat and Consumption Yojana: a new rural fund launched by Mahindra Mutual Fund
Mahindra Mutual Fund, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra Financial Services Limited (MMFSL), launched new open ended equity scheme called ‘Mahindra Rural Bharat and Consumption Yojana’. This will provide investors an opportunity to participate in India growth story predominantly in Rural India.
11. Union Government sanctions 5 new battalions of Rapid Action Force (RAF)
Five new battalions of Rapid Action Force (RAF) were sanctioned by the central government in January 2018 and their new bases have been sanctioned now.
Key Points:
The 5 new Rapid Action Force (RAF) battalions will be based in:
- Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh
- Jaipur in Rajasthan
- Mangalore in Karnataka
- Hajipur in Bihar
- Nuh in Haryana
12. Bedi was honoured with the Dr.M.A.Chidambaram Birth Centenary Award
Bishan Singh Bedi, the former Indian captain and spin legend, was honoured with the Dr.M.A.Chidambaram Birth Centenary Award, at a grand function here on Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The program was instituted by MAC Charities in memory of the former BCCI president.
Other former Test cricketers like C.D. Gopinath, V.V. Kumar, G.R. Viswanath, K. Srikkanth and T.A. Sekhar were also honoured at the function that was held on the day of the birth centenary.
13. Amway appointed Milind Pant as first global CEO
Amway appointed Milind Pant as its CEO. Mr.Pant joins Amway, which has a revenue of $8.6 billion. Mr.Pant joins Amway from Yum! Brands where he was recently president of Pizza Hut International. He will be reporting directly to Amway’s board of directors and will also hold a seat on the board on effective January 2, 2019.
Steve Van Andel, Amway Chairman, and Doug DeVos, Amway’s President, will move to Amway’s Board of Directors where they will serve as co-chairs. This is a new position for Amway, a business that has been family run since its beginning in 1959.
14. Manu Bhaker becomes second Indian to win two medals
She bagged a silver medal after her gold medal finish in 10m air pistol event becoming only the second India after judoka Tababi Devi Thangjam to win two medals at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.
Indian men’s hockey team defeated Poland 4-2 in Hockey 5s to advance to the semi-finals while the women’s team reached the quarter-finals with a 5-2 win over South Africa.
15. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu to visit to inaugurate newly built annex of High Court Building
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu will visit Allahabad to inaugurate the newly built annex of the High Court Building. After this programme. He will inaugurate the Twenty Year celebrations of the Indian Institute of Information Technology popularly known as Triple IT Allahabad.
16. India And Azerbaijan agree to enhance Bilateral Trade Relations
The two countries signed a protocol on trade and economic, science and technology cooperation at the 5th meeting of India-Azerbaijan Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade and Economic, Science and Technology Cooperation which concluded in New Delhi. The next meeting of the Commission will be held in Baku.
17. Gujarat Government vaccination of Gir lions against deadly Canine Distemper Virus CDV
Gujarat Forest Department started the vaccination of lions in the Gir Forest National Park to protect them from deadly Canine Distemper Virus (CDV). Nearly 23 lions have died in the Gir sanctuary in less than a month. Most of them died due to Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) and protozoa infections.
18. CUJ signs MoU with ISRO to set up Space Applications Center
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed a MoU with the Central University of Jammu (CUJ) in Jammu for setting up of the Satish Dhawan Center for Space Science in the University.
Another MoU was signed between the Central University of Jammu (CUJ) and the Central Scientific Instruments Organization (CSIR-CSIO). This is to create awareness about space research. This is the first of its kind institute coming up in Jammu and Kashmir and the building is proposed in an area of about 1,150 sq. m. The Space Science Centre at CUJ will have facilities for Geospatial Data analysis that will help in the sustainable use of natural resources and planning land-use pattern.
19. Coal India Signs MoU With NLC For 5000 MW Power Generation
Coal India Ltd. (CIL) is to jointly set up with NLC India (NLCIL), formerly Neyveli Lignite Corporation, for 5000 MW of power generation capacity of which 3000 MW would be solar powered while the rest 2000 MW would be coal-fuelled. CIL signed a MoU with NCIL for setting up a 50:50 joint venture company that would undertake the projects.
Coal India has been tasked to become a net zero emission energy company by the ministry of coal, a move which requires it to generate 3,000 MW of solar power. The MoU also extends for setting up of 2,000 MW of thermal power generation across CIL’s subsidiaries.
20. India ranks 147th in Oxfam World Inequality Index 2018
Oxfam International’s report, the UK-based charity, released Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index. In the Index, India ranked 147th among 157 countries and was labelled as “a very worrying situation” with respect to the rising inequality in the country.
Out of 157 countries measured, Denmark topped first based on its high and progressive taxation, high social spending and good protection of workers.
21. Shashi Tharoor introduces his book The Paradoxical Prime Minister and 29-letter word Floccinaucinihilipilification
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor introduced his new book “The Paradoxical Prime Minister” and a 29-letter word “floccinaucinihilipilification”. The cover of the book shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi examining a wax figure of himself at Madame Tussauds museum.
