Daily Current Affairs Update September-21 2017

1. The Union Government is planning to safeguard fast-eroding Majuli island — world’s largest riverine island using research carried out on floating Brahmaputra Biodiversity and Biology Boat (B4) labs along Brahmaputra River.

2. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) commissioned two high-speed interceptor boats C-433 and C-434 boats at the Dighi Port in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

3. India is collaborating with Russia to build Rooppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. It will be first initiative under an India-Russia nuclear deal to undertake atomic energy projects in third countries.

4. The Union Government has issued gazette notification, notifying that Peer-to-peer lending (P2P) platforms will be treated as non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and thus regulated by Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Peer-To-Peer Lending (P2P)

P2P lending is a form of crowd-funding used to raise loans which are paid back with interest. It enables individuals to borrow and lend money – without use of an official financial institution as an intermediary

5. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is planning to fund project to develop quantum computers in order to tap into the next big advance in computing technology.
In India, Physics departments at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and Harish Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad, so far have only forayed into theoretical aspects of quantum computing.

Quantum computing

Quantum computer is computer design which uses principles of quantum physics to increase computational power beyond attainable limits of traditional computer. It employs complex principles of quantum mechanics to store information in ‘qubits’ (quantum bit) instead of the typical binary ‘bits’ of 1 and 0.

6.  The Union Government is hopeful that strategic Chabahar Port in Iran will be operational by end of 2018. Iran is expected to send application to EXIM Bank of India for providing first tranche of loan from the $150 million credit line to activate the contract between India and Iran for Chabahar Port.

Chabahar port

Chabahar port is strategically located in southeastern Sistan-Balochistan province on Gulf of Oman, near energy-rich Iran’s border with Pakistan. It can be easily accessed from India’s western coast, bypassing Pakistan. India and Iran signed “historic” Chabahar port agreement in May 2016 which has the potential of becoming India’s gateway to Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe. Under it, India will develop and operate for 10 years of two terminals and five berths.

7. State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has made oil discovery in WO-24-3 well located west of Mumbai High fields in Arabian Sea. The well is estimated to hold in-place reserve of about 20 million tonnes.

8. The nine-metre (30ft) statue of Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of the AK-47 assault rifle, has been unveiled in Russian capital Moscow in a controversial ceremony.

9. India replaces China as Top Retail Destination in 2017

10. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has appointed B Sambamurthy as interim Chairman of the board.

11. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has released ‘People First’ mobile application for grievance redressal at the Collectors’ conference in Vijayawada.

12. 50 Nations inks UN Nuclear Ban Treaty.

13. Every year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September.

14. China launches the world’s fastest bullet train ‘Fuxing’ between Beijing and Shanghai at 350 kms per hour, covering the 1,250-km-long distance in just 4 hours and 30 minutes.

15. The book titled “The Shershah of Kargil” is a biography of Kargil war hero Late Captain Vikram Batra, who was posthumously awarded Param veer Chakra (PVC) – the highest gallantry award of India.

16. The book titled “The Golden House” by Salman Rushdie is “NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER”.

17. Saudi Arabia will lift ban on voice and video calling apps such as WhatsApp and Skype will be widely available to users, in a move aimed at improving business confidence as the kingdom transitions into a post-oil era.

18. 50 Countries signed the United Nations treaty to ban nuclear weapons. Brazil was the first country to sign onto the ban, followed by nations from Algeria to Venezuela. 

19. Nigerian Zannah Mustapha wins UN High Commission for Refugees 2017 Award.

20. The Telangana government has made it mandatory for Aadhaar cards to be shown as identification proof by Hyderabad residents to gain entry to pubs. 

21. Rs. 5 lakh annual scholarship for Athletes under revamped Khelo India programme.

22. Cheque Books, IFSC of 6 SBI Subsidiary Banks to be Invalid from Sept 30.

23. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for extension of time period of the Scheme “Special Industry Initiative for J&K” (Sll J&K)- Udaan till 31st December, 2018 without any modification and cost escalation

24. The First ‘BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise- 2017’ (BIMSTEC DMEx-2017) will be conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as the lead agency from October 10-13, 2017 in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

25. The World Bank allocated about $8 billion for infrastructure projects of the Chinese initiative – Silk Road Economic Belt.

26. Allahabad Bank, a premier nationalized Bank of the country, launched a unique Womens’ centric savings bank account, All Bank Shakti

The account is bundled with an array of facilities ranging from free personalized Platinum Rupay ATM card, free electronic remittances, free Demat account and locker at concessional rent.

This product provides a platform for realization of the dreams nurtured by millions of women, in the form of zero processing fees on home and car loans, lower margins on car and two wheeler loans and concessional rate of interest on their education / home / MSME and Gold loans.

Overdraft facility will be offered to a salaried account holder, maintaining her salary account with Allahabad Bank.

27. The 6th Edition of the 4-day international textile and apparel fair, 'VASTRA' will be organized in Jaipur during September 21 – 24, 2017 at Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC), Sitapura

28. India has replaced China as the numero uno retail destination in 2017 as part of the global retail development index, according to industry experts.

29. India's dream for high horse power locomotive moved closer to reality with the arrival of the first bodyshell of 12000 HP loco from Alstom France at Kolkata port.

30. National Aluminium Company (Nalco), Hindustan Copper (HCL)and MECL, three state-run PSUs, have signed an MoU to form a joint venture Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (Kabil).

31. 

• A joint study by ISRO & NASA which had commenced after satellite images showed presence of an aerosol layer over Asia region, has confirmed the same.