NATIONAL NEWS
India to Host the 14th International GCA Conference on Media and Communication
Global Communication Association (GCA), a not-for-profit body of media and communication professionals, is organizing its 14th international conference of communication experts and specialists, in India, on 11-12 October 2018, in the historic ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur.
- GCA Jaipur 2018 conference focusing on ‘Digital Inbound: Internet Communications and Beyond’, has aroused keen interest amongst many participants from around the globe coming from different academic and industry backgrounds.
Centre to release state rankings under Poshan Abhiyaan next year March
The government said that it will come up with 'Status of India Nutrition' report in March next year where states will be ranked according to their performance under the Poshan Abhiyaan.
- The National Institute on Nutrition (NIN) will come out with the report which deals with various parameters of nutrition.
- The government also took a loan of $200 million from World Bank for implementing the scheme which will cover all districts across various states and union territories.
Centre and ADB sign 110 million dollar loan agreement for upgradation of 2,800 kilometers all-weather rural roads in Madhya Pradesh
The Centre and Asian Development Bank, ADB, have signed a 110 million dollar loan agreement for the upgradation of 2,800 kilometers all-weather rural roads in Madhya Pradesh.
- The loan is a part of 500 million dollar Second Rural Connectivity Investment Program, Tranche 2, approved by the ADB Board December last year, under the Prime Minister's Rural Roads Program.
India's 1st 'Methanol Cooking Fuel Program' Launched in Assam
Northeast and Assam Petro-chemicals, a state-owned company launched Asia’s first cannister-based and India’s first “Methanol Cooking Fuel Program”.
- The programme was inaugurated by Dr V K Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog and Chairman, Methanol Apex Committee at the Assam Petro-chemicals campus at Namrup, Assam.
Nasscom unveils 'Centre of Excellence' for IoT in Haryana
In collaboration with the Haryana government, Indian IT industry's apex body Nasscom launched in Haryana its Centre of Excellence for Internet of Things (CoE - IoT).
- The aim of Nasscom's Centre of Excellence is to act as a perfect collaboration for innovation and high-end technologies.
21 IORA countries adopt Delhi Declaration on Renewable Energy
As many as 21 countries in the Indian Ocean Rim Association, IORA, adopted the Delhi Declaration on Renewable Energy in the Indian Ocean Region.
- These nations adopted the Delhi Declaration post the second IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting held in Greater Noida.
Atal Innovation Mission & SIRIUS Sign MoU
To promote innovative cooperation between students of India and Russia, a Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged between India’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the Russian Federation’s SIRIUS Educational Foundation in the presence of the PM Narendra Modi and the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, in New Delhi.
- The MoU hopes to remove cultural and language barriers between students of Russia and India.
Odisha CM launches Nirman Kusuma Yojana
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the "Nirman Kusuma Yojana" to provide financial assistance to children of construction workers for pursuing technical education.
- An ITI student will be entitled to get financial assistance of Rs 23,600, while a diploma student to get Rs 26,300 per annum. A total of 1878 students will get benefit from the programme.
CM launches 'Odyssey City Card' for Bhubaneswar
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched a common city payment card system "Odyssey City Card" for Bhubaneswar.
- As a joint initiative of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Bhubaneswar Smart City Ltd and the ICICI Bank, the card will facilitate payment transactions for citizen services across the city.
- The services include shopping, city bus, recreation, parking and utility services like properties tax payments.
- The Chief Minister also launched "My Odyssey Centres" that will facilitate payment services for citizens.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
RBI proposes Voluntary Retention Route to attract long-term investment
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposed new norms for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to attract long-term and stable FPI investments into debt markets while allowing them operational flexibility.
- The central bank, in consultation with the government and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has proposed a special route called Voluntary Retention Route (VRR) to encourage FPIs willing to make long-term investments in debt.
- According to the proposal, foreign portfolio investors will be exempt from regulatory provisions, but will have to voluntarily commit to retain in India a minimum required percentage of their investments for a period of their choice.
- The minimum retention period shall be three years, or as decided by RBI for each auction.
- A foreign portfolio investor will be required to invest a minimum of 67% of the committed portfolio size (CPS) within the one-month period.
SPORTS
Youth Olympic Games 2018 Begins in Argentina
The 3rd Youth Olympic Games has officially begun at Buenos Aires, Argentina. India is represented with a contingent of 68 members, including 46 athletes, will compete in 13 sports during the prestigious event.
- 16-year-old Manu Bhaker is leading the Indian team in the opening ceremony as the flag-bearer of the Indian contingent for the games.
- With over 200 countries taking part, the event marks the start of young athletes’ career before they go on to bigger and better things. The event will see thousands of athletes, aged 15-18, compete in various categories.
Former England Batsman Nick Compton Retires From Cricket
Former England batsman Nick Compton announced his retirement from cricket.
- Compton, who scored more than 12,000 first-class runs at an average of 40.42, including 27 hundred.
APPOINTMENTS
Pankaj Sharma Appointed India's Ambassador To UN Conference On Disarmament
Pankaj Sharma has been appointed as the ambassador and India's permanent representative to the United Nations Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
- Sharma is currently the joint secretary (Disarmament and International Security Division) in the Ministry of External Affairs. He will replace Amandeep Gill.
AWARDS/RECOGNITION
Nobel laureates Nadia, Mukwege nominated for Mother Teresa Award-2018
Anti-rape campaigners Nadia Murad and Dr Denis Mukwege, who were earlier in the day declared as the Nobel Peace Prize winners for 2018, have been nominated for this year’s “Mother Teresa Memorial Award” instituted by the city-based Harmony Foundation.
- The Harmony Foundation was launched in 2005 to foster communal and social harmony between various communities through the 'Mother Teresa Memorial Awards'.
Nepal bags tourism awards at Annual Travel Awards ceremony
Nepal won tourism awards at the 14th Hospitality India and Explore the World Annual International Travel Awards 2018 which was held in New Delhi.
- The award ceremony was organised to honour the best-in-class in the field of Tourism
and Hospitality Industry Sector in India and Nepal. - Extra info.:
Union Minister of State for Tourism: K.J. Alphons
Swachh Survekshan Grameen Awards 2018
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave awards to top Ranked State, District and State with maximum citizen participation based on the National Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018 commissioned by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
- Haryana was ranked as the best State while Satara District of Maharashtra was ranked as the best district as per the ranking undertaken by Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018. Uttar Pradesh was rewarded for maximum citizens’ participation.
- The top ranked States and Districts which received awards are as below:
Overall Ranking: - Top 3 States- 1) Haryana, 2) Gujarat 3) Maharashtra
- Top 3 Districts 1) Satara, Maharashtra 2) Rewari, Haryana 3) Pedapalli, Telangana
- States with maximum citizen participation 1) Uttar Pradesh 2) Gujarat 3) Maharashtra
- Districts with maximum citizens’ participation 1) Nashik, Maharashtra 2) Solapur, Maharashtra 3) Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
India Post honors Narayan Seva Sansthan with new postal stamp
The Indian postal services honoured the Narayan Seva Sansthan, the Udaipur-based non-profit organisation, by launching their postal stamps.
- The stamp of Rs 5 includes the official logo of the Narayan Seva Sansthan in bright colours along with the picture of NGO’s Polio Hospital which is situated in Udaipur.
- The launch of the stamp aims at showcasing the organisation’s work for differently-abled and underprivileged individuals by empowering them physically, socially and economically.
OBITUARIES
Senior journalist Pradip Chowdhury passes away
Veteran journalist and former News Editor of Press Trust of India (PTI) Pradip Chowdhury has passed away in Kolkata following a cardiac arrest. He was 64.
- A voracious reader, his interest ranged from architecture to history, music, and fine arts.
Renowned Spanish soprano Caballe passes away
Montserrat Caballe, the feted Spanish soprano who won a new generation of fans after singing Barcelona with Freddie Mercury, has passed away at the age of 85.
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