13th Sep 2017 - Current Affairs Today

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National Current Affairs

Netaji statue unveiled at West Bengal’s Naval Area Headquarters

On September 10,2017, an eight-foot bronze statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was unveiled at the Naval Area headquarters of West Bengal by Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command in the presence of Professor Krishna Bose, Netaji’s niece-in-law and chairperson of Netaji Research Bureau. Several dignitaries attended the statue opening ceremony including Consul-General of Japan in Kolkata Masayuki Taga

Quick Facts about Netaji:

Born in Cuttack(Orissa), he was an affluent and successful lawyer in Cuttack and received the title of “Rai Bahadur“.
He considered C.R das as his political guru, He started the newspaper ‘Swaraj’
He was a part of Indian National Congress; Forward Bloc; Indian National Army.
Bose’s primary ideology was always the freedom of his motherland even if meant taking help from fascists like Mussolini or Hitler.

World Congress of Optometry begins in Hyderabad

On September 11, 2017, the second World Congress of Optometry began in Hyderabad. It was inaugurated by State Health Minister C. Laxma Reddy. It was organised in partnership with the Asia Pacific Council of Optometry (APCO) and the India Vision Institute (IVI).The theme of the conference is “Accessible, quality vision and eye health”

About the congress:

The aim of the congress is to give unique opportunity for anyone in the eye health sector including community and hospital practitioners, researchers, academics and students.
In Hyderabad congress they’ll discuss the latest research in optometry. While cataract remains the leading cause of blindness in developing countries, refractive errors are leading to preventable blindness. The talks will focus on the future of Optometry, upgrading Optometrists’ skills, as well as developing clinical and professional knowledge and skills.
The congress is in line with WHO’s ‘Universal eye health: A global action plan 2014-2019’ which aims to reduce the avoidable visual impairment by 25 per cent by 2019.
The first congress of optometry was held in Columbia. It was organised by World Council of Optometry (WCO), and La Federación Colombiana de Optómetras (FEDOPTO).

Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh launches phase one of Kashang hydel project

On September 12, 2017 Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh inaugurated first phase of 65 MW Kashang Hydel Project in the tribal Kinnaur district. Kashang Project is being executed by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL).It is a 195 MW project (three units of 65 MW each).

Initial problems and its significance:

The project commenced in 2009. Due to some rehabilitation disputes pending in the National Green Tribunal, only 65 MW power was being produced presently.
The project affected areas would be provided 100 units free electricity per month once the project was commissioned completely and self-employment opportunities have been provided for them by taking funds from Local Area Development Fund (LADF).
The state government was giving financial assistance instead of forest customary rights.

National Pension System joining age limit raised to 65 years

On September 11, 2017, the PFRDA chairman, Hemant Contractor announced that the upper age limit for joining the National Pension System (NPS) has been raised to 65 years from the current 60. The announcement by PFRDA will allow more people to come under the pension cover as currently only 15-16 per cent of employees in India are covered by pension

About National Pension Scheme:

It is a contribution based pension scheme aimed at providing income in retirement years with market-based return over the long term.
Under NPS, there are two types of accounts: Tier I and Tier II. While the Tier I account is non-withdrawable till the age of 60 except in specific situations, the Tier II account is voluntary and can be withdrawn anytime.
NPS account can be opened by Indian citizens above 18 years and less than 65 years of age (earlier this was 60). Non-resident Indians (NRIs) can also open an NPS account.
The maturity tenure is not fixed in case of NPS; you can contribute to the NPS account till the age of 70.It could be used to avail tax benefits
Premature withdrawal is also allowed in NPS in specific circumstances. After 10 years, subscribers become eligible for early, partial withdrawal under specific circumstance like children’s higher education or marriage, construction or purchase of house and treatment of critical illness. But if you want to exit before retirement, you must use at least 80 per cent of the accumulated corpus to buy an annuity from a life insurance company including LIC.
In NPS you have the discretion in deciding where to invest your money. You can choose from a mix of three funds – equity funds (75% is allowed in this), government securities fund and fixed income instruments other than government securities.

Commerce & Industry Ministry organised State Startup Conference in New Delhi

On 12th September 2017, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) organized the 2nd States’ Startup Conference at Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra, New Delhi.

State Startup Conference:

Participants:Venture Capitalists (VCs), Incubators, Accelerators, Banks, etc. and over 100 Startups from all over India.
Issues regarding incubation facilities in India, role of State Government in arranging funds and making regulations easier for Startups were discussed.
Various states presented the initiatives taken by them to promote startups.
Odisha presented a comprehensive portal, helpline and various learning & development initiatives.
Tamil Nadu presented the extensive network of innovation centers.
Jharkhand presented their bottom up approach of promoting innovation by approaching schools to develop innovation through a ‘germinator.’

About Delhi (Union Territory):

Capital – New Delhi
Chief Minister – Mr.Arvind Kejiriwal

Shripad Naik inaugurated Regional Research Institute of Homeopathy in Agartala

On September 12, 2017 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH Shripad Naik inaugurated the Regional Research Institute of Homoeopathy (RRI) in Agartala, Tripura, as part of the government’s plan to strengthen health services and propagate traditional systems of medicine in North-Eastern states.

This is the 3rd homoeopathic regional research institute in the North Eastern region and the first with own land and building.
RRI is among the nine institutes functioning under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH). The institute is spread over an area of 2.05 acres and offers facilities like general OPD, research OPD, pathological investigations, and a 30-bedded IPD.
He urged Homeopathic researchers to contribute and help the Government in the management of epidemics like Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria and Swine Flu as the contribution of Homeopathy in controlling epidemics.

UGC rolls out application process for institutes seeking status of eminence

The University Grants Commission (UGC) rolled out an application process for universities and higher education institutes (public or private) seeking “institutions of eminence” status.

The aim of scheme is to help higher education institutions from country break into top 500 global rankings in 10 years, and then eventually break into top 100 over time.

Application process

It will be 90-day application process for interested public and private institutions. Institutions applying for it will be divided into three categories- existing government educational institutions, existing private higher educational institutions and sponsoring organisation for setting up of private institutions. The HRD Ministry will set up empowered expert committee to process application. The entire process of shortlisting institutions will be completed by March-April 2018.

Eligible Institutions: Top 50 of National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings or those who have secured ranking among top 500 of Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Shanghai Ranking Academic Ranking of World Universities or QS University Rankings will be eligible to apply.

Benefits for institutions of eminence status

20 institutions — 10 public and 10 private — will be given this status with aim to give them freedom to become world-class institutions. The 10 state-run institutions get additional benefit — provision of Rs. 10,000 crore over a period of 10 years, over and above regular grants.

Such institutions will be free from usual regulatory mechanism to choose their autonomous path to become institutions of global repute with emphasis on multi-disciplinary initiatives, global best practices, high quality research and international collaborations.

These institutions will have liberty to enroll up to 30% foreign students. Moreover, selected public institutions can recruit up to 25% foreign faculty and there will be no such limit for selected private institutions. They will have freedom of devising their own courses, own fee structure, create centres without coming to UGC.

University Grants Commission (UGC)

UGC is statutory body under HRD Ministry. It was set up by Union government in accordance to the UGC Act 1956. Its mandate is to initiate important decisions and dialogues having important bearing on entire student population of country.
The three primary functions of UGC are (i) Overseeing distribution of grants to universities and colleges in India. (ii) Providing scholarships/fellowships to beneficiaries, and (iii) Monitoring conformity by universities and colleges to its regulations.

CCEA approves Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) Scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,881 crore to boost dairy sector.

It will be managed by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and shall be implemented from 2017-18 to 2028-29. Initially, Rs.8,004 crore loan will be provided by NABARD to National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)and National Dairy Development Cooperation (NDDC).

Key Facts

Under this scheme, NCDC and NDDC will be used to provide loan for building an efficient milk procurement system and other processing infrastructure. Loan will be provided for putting in place an efficient milk procurement system by setting up of chilling infrastructure and installation of electronic milk adulteration testing equipment. It will be also used for creation, modernisation and expansion of processing infrastructure and manufacturing faculties for value-added dairy products.
Beneficiaries: Initially, loan under DIDF will be given to 39 profit-making milk unions of 12 states. Other milk cooperatives can apply for loan under DIDF in subsequent years after they become eligible on basis of their net worth and profit levels.
Milk unions, multi-state milk cooperatives, state dairy federations, milk producer companies and NDDB subsidiaries can also avail of loan after meeting the eligibility criteria.
Interest Rates: The loans under DIDF will have interest rate of 6.5% per annum with repayment period of 10 years with initial 2 years of moratorium. The state government will be guarantor of loan repayment. If the end user is not able to contribute its share for sanctioned project, state will contribute the same.
Benefits from DIDF: The investment in diary sector will benefit 95,00,000 farmers in about 50,000 villages. It will help for additional milk processing capacity of 126 lakh litre per day, milk chilling capacity of 140 lakh litre per day, milk drying capacity of 210 MT per day. It will also support installation of 28000 Bulk Milk Coolers (BMCs) along with electronic milk adulteration testing equipment and increase value added products manufacturing capacity of 59.78 lakh litre per day of milk equivalent.
Employment Generation Potential: The DIDF scheme will generate direct (40,000 people) and indirect employment opportunities(2 lakh) for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled manpower on account of expansion of milk and milk product marketing

ZSI releases first compendium of animal species in Indian Sundarbans

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has published first of its kind compendium titled Fauna of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve in Indian Sundarbans. It has consolidated and updated information of faunal diversity of Sundarbans.

Indian segment of Sundarbans is part of UNESCO World Heritage site. It forms part of Ganga-Brahmaputra delta across 9,630 sq. km, distributed among 104 islands. It has largest tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world.

Key Facts

The compendium catalogues entire faunal diversity of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve covering 9,630 sq. km spread over 19 blocks in North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal. According to it, fragile Sundarbans ecosystem region hosts 2,626 animal species that come under zoological kingdom of Animalia, and 140 under more primitive Protista. It also includes diverse 25 phyla.

Animal and Mammalian species: Famous Bengal tigers adapted to aquatic conditions have been documented. 50 mammalian species are also documented including the Asian small-clawed Otter, Gangetic Dolphin, Grey and Marsh Mongoose. Wild Rhesus Monkey, only primate found in Sunderbans is also documented. The mammal numbers are declining in Sunderbans due to pressure on habitat from people and natural threats that have shrunk mangrove swamp habitat. Two Rhinos, Swamp deer, Barking deer and Hog deer and Asiatic Wild Water Buffalo no more are not found in Sundarbans.

Bird species: There are 356 species of birds, including raptors (birds of prey). Other birds found here are Osprey, Brahminy Kite, White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Rose-ringed parakeets, flycatchers and warblers. Kingfishers are found abound and Sundarbans has nine of them.

Fish and amphibian species: The mangrove ecosystem covers about 350 species of fish. Cartilaginous fish make up 10.3%. The IUCN conservation status shows 6.3% fish are near-threatened and 4.85% are threatened. Also, there are 173 molluscs. Moreover, Crustaceans — crabs, shrimp and prawns — constitute 334 species. Besides, ten species of frogs and toads are found.

There are 11 turtles, including the famous Olive Ridley, Hawskbill sea turtles and most threatened freshwater River Terrapin.

Insect and Reptile species: The region has 753 insect species. Of these, 210 are butterflies and moths. Crocodile, 13 lizards including three species of Monitor Lizards and five Geckos are also found. The rivers, creeks channels and islands together harbour about 30 snake species including monocled cobra, Russell’s viper, common and banded kraits.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

ZSI is India’s apex organization on animal taxonomy. It was established in 1916. Its objective is to promote the survey, exploration, research and documentation on various aspects of animal taxonomy in Indian subcontinent. It also seeks advancement of knowledge on animal taxonomy. It has been declared as the designated repository for the National Zoological Collection as per section 39 of the National Biodiversity Act, 2002.

Government constitutes GoM to resolve IT challenges faced in GST implementation

Union Finance Ministry has constituted Group of Ministers (GoM) to monitor and resolve IT challenges faced in implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST). It also Committee on Exports to look into issues of exports.

Both committees were constituted following the decision taken in 21st GST Council meeting in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Key Facts

Group of Ministers (GoM): It will be headed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi. It will be assisted in its work by Chairman, Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) and Chief Executive Officer, GSTN. It was formed after states had raised issue of glitches being faced by taxpayers in filing their GST returns on GSTN.

Committee on Exports: Its mandate is to look into issues of exports and recommend GST Council suitable strategy for helping the sector in the post-GST scenario. It will be headed by Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia.

Background

Exporters raised concern related higher cost of working capital owing to difficulties in availing input tax credit and refunds after implementation of GST regime. Before GST, exporters enjoyed upfront tax exemption on goods to be exported, but now, they have to pay GST before procurement of goods and services.

Moreover, exporters also need to pay IGST on imported inputs. However, they can avail input tax credit after sale within domestic tariff area or after sending their shipments outside country. The exporters can then claim unutilised credit as refund, process in which their capital gets blocked with government and resulting in raising of their operating cost.

International Current Affairs

Fifth EAS Economic Ministers’ Meeting held in Philippines

On 9th September 2017, 5th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers Meeting was held in Pasay City, Philippines.

Highlights of the Fifth EAS Economic Ministers’ Meeting:

Chairperson: Mr.Ramon M. Lopez, Secretary of Trade and Industry of Philippines
Participants: Economic Ministers from all ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Member States (AMS), Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the Russian Federation and the United States
Members of ASEAN were congratulated on the 50th Founding Anniversary of ASEAN, by other EAS ministers.
The Ministers supported the strong trade and investment relations among the EAS countries.
Global economic growth is predicted to increase to 3.5 % in 2017.
There are risks and uncertainties, but the strong macroeconomic fundamentals of EAS countries would help East Asian countries to face challenges.
The Ministers also highlighted the importance of trade agreements being open, transparent, and WTO (World Trade Organisation) -consistent.
The Ministers committed to continue to fight against all unfair trade practices.
The Ministers appreciated the ERIA (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia).
The ERIA is used to exchange information and knowledge between ASEAN and East Asian countries.

About Philippines:

Capital – Manila
Official language – Filipinon and English
President – Mr. Rodrigo Duterte
Currency – Peso

Banking & Finance

Bharat Financial Inclusion signs pact with IndusInd Bank to explore merger

On 11th September 2017, the board of directors of IndusInd Bank signed an agreement with Bharat Financial Inclusion to analyse a potential merger between the two companies.

About the agreement:

IndusInd Bank and Bharat Financial Inclusion have signed an exclusive agreement.
The agreement is about discussion of merger between both the companies.
The agreement states that the information of the discussion would be confidential and terms conditions would be finalized for the proposed merger.

About IndusInd Bank:

Headquarters – Mumbai
CEO – Mr.Romesh Sobti

About Bharat Financial Inclusion:

Headquarters – Hyderabad
Founder – Mr.Vikram Akula

Banks need $65 billion additional capital to meet Basel III norms: Fitch

On 12th September 2017, Fitch Ratings declared that Indian banks will need an additional capital of $65 billion in order to satisfy all the banking rules of global Basel III norms, by March 2019.

About the requirement of additional capital:

Indian banks will need an additional capital of $65 billion by March 2019.
State-run banks account for 95% of the capital.
Fitch warns that Indian lenders have limited options to raise the capital.
Stressed loans in Indian banks make a record $150 billion, with most of them in the state-run banks.
Unless NPL (non-performing loan) are resolved it is not possible for the state-run banks to recover the capital.
The reasons for this are low common equity ratios and provisioning requirements for new loans.

About Fitch Ratings:

Financial Services Firm
Headquarters – New York
President& CEO – Mr.Paul Taylor

India, Belarus sign 10 pacts to expand cooperation

India and Belaru have inked 10 agreements to expand cooperation in range of areas including oil and gas, education and sports and also decided to explore joint development and manufacture of military platforms.

The agreements were signed after extensive delegational levels talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belarus President A G Lukashenko in New Delhi. Both leaders agreed to focus on ramping up economic engagement between two countries and held that their is huge scope for boosting trade and investment.

Signed MoUs/Agreements

MoU in the Oil and Gas Sector
MoU for Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Education
Programme of cooperation in the field of culture for 2018-2020
MoU between Sports Ministry and Ministry of Education of Belarus
MoU for Cooperation in the Field of Vocational Education and Training
MoU between JSC Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) and Indian Potash Ltd (IPL)
Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation between National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and Indian National Science Academy (INSA)

India-Belarus Bilateral Relations

India’s relations with Belarus are traditionally warm and cordial. India was one of first countries to officially recognize Belarus as independent country in 1991. Bilateral relation between both countries is marked by broad understanding on issues of mutual interest.
Cooperation in science and technology and defence is important aspect of India-Belarus bilateral relations. Two-way bilateral trade amounted to US$ 402 million in 2016. The trade balance remains in favour of Belarus primarily on account of imports of Potash. Belarus has been supportive of India’s candidature for permanent seat at UNSC. Belarus also supported India at NSG meeting in Seoul in April 2016.

Business

Mother Dairy ties up with Maharashtra Government for processing plant

On 11th September 2017, The Maharashtra government and Mother Dairy Fruit and Vegetable Private Limited, a subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), announced the signing of an MoU, in Mumbai.

About the tie up:

Maharashtra Chief Minister Mr.Devendra Fadnavis, and NDDB Chairman Mr.Dilip Rath were present during the occasion.
The MoU is about a lease agreement to set up plant for the processing of milk and milk products.
The MoU states that a dairy development initiative would begin in Vidarbha and Marathwada to provide access to milk producers to markets in Nagpur and Mumbai.
Nagpur dairy which is on lease would be transferred elsewhere.
Land for setting up a new dairy at Gove Bhiwandi would be allotted.
Maharashtra Government would provide assistance, including funds, for increasing productivity through animal breeding, nutrition and health.

About Maharashtra:

Capital – Mumbai
Official language – Marathi
Chief Minister – Mr.Devendra Fadnavis
Governor – Mr.C.Vidyasagar Rao

Karnataka & Finland in innovation tie up for start-up incubation

On 11th September 2017, Karnataka Department of Information Technology (IT) and Biotechnology (BT) signed an MoU with the Embassy of Finland, in Bengaluru.

About the MoU:

The innovation co – operation between Karnataka and Finland is calledKarnataka–Finland Innovation Corridor.
It offers a virtual platform that enables the exchange of information and expertise in the fields of science, research, innovation and skill development.

Joint projects:

Joint projects such as start-up incubation programmes, research programmes, events, competitions and exposure visits would be organized.
Karnataka-based i-Samarth programme, would be the focal point for Indian and Finnish companies to collaborate in the fields of research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Karnataka and Finland would organize necessary skill development programmes.
A high-level steering committee, that would monitor the progress of the Karnataka–Finland Innovation Corridor, would meet at least once in six months.
Co-chairmans of the steering committee are: Mr.Priyank Kharge, Karnataka Minister of IT, BT & Tourism, and Ms.Nina Vaskunlahti, Ambassador of Finland to India.
Secretaries of the steering committee are: The Principal Secretary of the Department of IT & BT and the Counsellor (Economic & Commercial) from the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi.

About Finland:

Capital – Helsinki
Official languages – Finnish& Swedish
Currency – Euro
President – Mr.Sauli Niinisto
Prime Minister – Mr.Juha Sipila

Awards & Recognition

Prakash Padukone to receive BAI’s first Lifetime Achievement Award

On 11th September 2017, Badminton Association of India (BAI) announced that it would award its first Lifetime Achievement Award to Prakash Padukone, in Kochi.

About the first lifetime achievement award:
The announcement was made by BAI president Dr.Himanta Bishwa Sarma during BWF World Senior Championships, in Kochi.
He would be awarded a cash prize of Rs.10 lakh and a citation.
It was also announced that there would be a significant increase in the prize amount for the Senior National Championships up to Rs.1 crore.
Prakash Padukone is the only Indian male tennis player to have reached the world number 1 rank.
He hails from Karnataka.
He has been awarded the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri Award by the Government of India.

About Badminton Association of India (BAI):

Headquarters – Lucknow
President – Dr.Himanta Bishwa Sarma

TCS makes it to Fortune 50 List of Companies That Changed the World

On 11th September 2017, TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) appeared in Fortune’s annual list of the Top 50 companies that are changing the world.

About TCS in the top 50:

TCS is the only Indian Company that made to the list.
TCS is ranked number 30 on the list.
TCS’s mKRISHI® App is one of the important reasons that got TCS into the list.
mKRISHI® is a mobile app.
It lets farmers to access customised expert advice, market information and weather data.
It provides personalised and integrated services in local languages to farmers.
It allows them to send queries to agricultural experts in their local language. Relpy to their queries are provided in the same language.

About Tata Consultancy Services (TCS):

Headquarters – Mumbai
Chairman – Mr. Natarajan Chandrasekaran
CEO & MD – Mr. Rajesh Gopinathan

Indian economist Bina Agarwal wins prestigious Balzan Prize

On 12th September 2017, Indian economist Ms.Bina Agarwal was announced as the recipient of Balzan Prize, which is to be awarded in Bern, Switzerland, in November 2017.

Balzan Prizes 2017:

Indian economist Ms.Bina Agarwal, has been announced as Balzan Prize winner in the gender studies category for her “heroic” work studying women’s contributions to agriculture in India.
She is a professor at the University of Manchester, United States of America.
Recipients would receive 7,50,000 Swiss francs ($790,000). In which half of the amount must be used for research.
James Allison of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Mr.Robert Schreiber of the Washington University School of Medicine were announced Balzan award for their work on antibody treatments that has increased the survival of patients with metastatic melanoma.
Also Belgian and German scholars were announced Balzan Prizes for their work.

About Balzan Prize:

Awarded by International Balzan Prize Foundation
Awards four annual monetary prizes
For outstanding achievements in the fields of humanities, natural sciences, peace etc.

Acquisitions & Mergers

Infosys acquired London-based product design firm Brilliant Basics

On 11th September 2017, Infosys announced that it has acquired London-based product design firm Brilliant Basics.

About the acquisition:

Infosys has acquired Brilliant Basics for 7.5-million pounds (approx Rs 63 crore) in an all-cash deal.
Through this acquisition Infosys has extended its digital design services network to Europe and the West Asia.
Infosys has expanded its worldwide network of ‘Digital Studios’ that provides services for global clients in end-to-end digital transformation.
It has improved the company’s expertise in financial services, retail and telecommunication sectors.

About Infosys:

Headquarters – Bengaluru
Interim CEO& MD – Mr.U.B.Praveen Rao

Science & Technology

Mouse deer reintroduced for first time in Telangana forest

Telangana Forest Department for first time has re-introduced ‘mouse deer’ in the forests of Nallamalla in Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) bred at Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad.

Eight mouse deer, two male and six females were released from captivity to semi-wild conditions having protected enclosure of 2.14 hectares. Now field biologists and forest staff will closely monitor.

Background

Since 2010, Nehru Zoological Park in collaboration with Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), and Central Zoo Authority, Delhi were carrying out a breeding programme for conservation of mouse-deer. They have successfully raised total population of mouse deer to 172, which includes 76 females Mouse deer Mouse deer (also known as Spotted Chevrotain) is one of the endangered species. It looks like weird mash-up of a deer, mouse and pig. It is not considered true deer, but shares suborder with deer (Ruminantia). It has its own family called Tragulidae.
It is nocturnal.Because of their small size they are smallest ungulates (large mammals) in the world. It is found in deciduous and evergreen forests throughout India. Its population is on decline due to destruction of their habitat and poaching.

India’s first advanced Homoeopathy Virology lab inaugurated in Kolkata

India’s first state of art virology laboratory was inaugurated at Dr. Anjali Chatterjee Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy in Kolkata, West Bengal.

The lab will play important in developing new drugs and technologies in Homoeopathy tocombat emerging challenges of viral diseases.

Key Facts

The laboratory is only one of its kind in India for conducting basic and fundamental research in Homoeopathy for viral diseases like influenza, dengue, chickunguniya, Japanese encephalitis and swine flu (H1N1). It will develop new drugs and technologies to combat emerging challenges of viral diseases. The laboratory is recognized by Calcutta University to undertake research work of PhD students in field of homoeopathy.

Sports

Sumit Nagal wins ITF Futures tournament

On 9th September 2017, Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal won the ITF Futures tournament, in Chennai.

About Sumit Nagal’s win:

S R Subramaniam Memorial ITF Futures tournament was held on 9thSeptember 2017, in Chennai.
Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal and Netherland tennis player Colin van Beem met in the finals.
Sumit defeated Colin van Beem by 6-3, 6-0 in the finals of the singles match and won the title.

About Sumit Nagal:

Indian tennis player
Current world ranking – 306

Important Days

United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation – September 12, 2017

United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation – September 12, 2017On 12th September 2017, United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation is observed.

South-South Co-operation Day:

The United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation celebrates the economic, social and political developments made in recent years by regions and countries in the South.
The Global South-South Development Expo 2017 would be hosted by Turkey, in Antalya from 27th to 30th November 2017.
The theme would be “South-South Cooperation in the Era of Economic, Social and Environmental Transformation: Road to the 40th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA+40)”.

About Turkey:

Capital – Ankara
Official language – Turkish
Currency – Turkish lira
President – Mr.Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Prime Minister- Mr.Binali Yıld