Current Affairs Daily Digest – October 18 2019
1. ECI appoints Shri Vivek Dube as Special Observer for Sikkim Bye-Elections
Election Commission of India appointed Shri Vivek Dube (IPS AP 1981 Retd) as Special Observer for the ensuing Bye Elections to the State Legislative Assemblies of Sikkim 2019 in general and specifically for 10 Poklok -Kamrang Assembly Constituency in Sikkim. The ECI about Law and Order situation and oversee the deployment and other security-related issues.
2. DRDO signs 30 agreements on Technology Transfer
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed 30 licensing agreements for Transfer of Technology (ToT) with 16 Indian companies. The company includes three start-ups, at Vibrant Goa Global Expo and Summit 2019. The conference is held at Goa University, Taleigao, Goa, between October 17-19, 2019. The DRDO develops technologies for the Armed Forces to the defense industry for the end-users of the Armed Forces.
3. Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman 2019
On the occasion of Durga Puja, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee presented Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman 2019 to 79 community Durga Pujas that received awards in different categories. The Durga Puja festival helps in community development, building relations among people to people besides generating income. From past your years the state government of West Bengal is organizing Durga Puja Carnival that has created a good impact among people.
4. CII: Asia Health Conference, 2019
The National Health Authority and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) are together organizing the Asia Health Conference, 2019. It includes CII National Biotechnology Conclave, CII 12th Medical Technology Summit, CII Ayurveda Conclave, CII 16th Health Summit, CII Health Tech, CII Public Health Conference, CII 13th Health Insurance Summit and CII National Pharmaceuticals Conclave,
5. National Highway in Punjab named after Guru Nanak Dev
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has announced the road starting from Kapurthala, connecting Gobindwal Sahib and terminating near Taran Tarana in the State of Punjab as new National Highway, NH- 703AA and named it as ‘Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Marg’, after the first Sikh guru. This decision has been taken to mark 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
6. Karnataka tops NITI Aayog’s India Innovation Index
As per the India Innovation Index (III) 2019 released by NITI Aayog, Karnataka emerged as the Most Innovative State among Major States. The index was released by NITI Aayog’s vice chairman Rajiv Kumar and CEO Amitabh Kant. The India Innovation Index (III) 2019 was released by NITI Aayog along with Institute for Competitiveness as its knowledge partner.
7. Indian Army launches “OASIS”
The Indian Army has begun to digitize its official records under its new programme called “OASIS”-Officers Automated Structures Information System. Under the programme, the records of the army officers are to be digitized. The software is to be hosted in the Army’s intranet.
8. India emerges 3rd largest ecosystems for successful startups
With 21 unicorns, India has emerged as third largest ecosystems for more successful start ups right behind China and US but ahead of Britain and Israel, according to Hurun Global Unicorn List 2019.
Leading the pack from the country are payments solutions platform One97 Communications (USD 10 billion), cab aggregator Ola Cabs (USD 6 billion), online educator Byjus (USD 6 billion), and travel-stay finder OYO Rooms (USD 5 billion).
9. World Bank President David Malpass to visit India, Pakistan later this month
World Bank President David Malpass said that he would travel to India and Pakistan later this month where he will discuss the challenges in the financial sector.
“In India, I hope to discuss the challenges in the financial sector, where progress can be made and help India grow even faster than it is,” Malpass said at a news conference at the start of the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank here.
10. US to host 2020 G7 summit at a Donald Trump golf resort
The G7 Summit in 2020 would be held at President Donald Trump’s golf resort in Florida and would cost half the amount than hosting the event at another place, the White House has claimed, rejecting criticism that he “used” his public office to secure big contract for himself.
11. Saxena takes charge as RINL Director (Operations)
Ajit Kumar Saxena assumed charge as the new Director (Operations) of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant – Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd, according to a press release. Prior to the assignment, Saxena worked as the Chief General Manager, Mills, IISCO, Burnpur, Steel Authority of India Ltd.
12. Nehru Memorial Museum and Library gets a new director
Former culture secretary Raghavendra Singh has been appointed as the director of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) for the next six months, replacing Shakti Sinha whose tenure ended on October 4.
13. Kamal Nath inaugurates 2-day Magnificent Madhya Pradesh Conference
Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath formally inaugurated the two-day Magnificent Madhya Pradesh Conference started.
Many well-known industrialists are attending this conference held in Indore. Chief Minister Kamal Nath also inaugurated the Global Trade Exhibition at the Brilliant Convention Centre, Indore.
14. National CSR awards on October 29
The government is set to host the first national corporate social responsibility awards on October 29. President Ram Nath Kovind, finance and corporate affairs minister Nirmala Sitharaman and minister of state for finance and corporate affairs Anurag Singh Thakur will be present at the function.