Current Affairs September 2014

Current Affairs 1'st September 2014

1. Pro Kabaddi title bagged by Abhishek Bachchan owned Jaipur Pink Panthers

Jaipur Pink Panthers emerged as champions of inaugural season of STAR Pro-Kabaddi League.Jaipur Pink Panthers is owned by Abhishek Bachchan. Final was held in Mumbai. Jaipur Pink Panthers managed to beat U Mumba by score of 35-24.U Mumba skipper Anup Kumar earned highest raid points (11) in the final match but still was unable to get its team win. Pro Kabaddi League 2014 was very much in the news and was being appreciated by one and all for tis high energy play. 
 
2. Anita Wlodarczyk of Poland threw hammer 79.58 mtrs to set world record among women

Anita Wlodarczyk from Poland set a world record in women's hammer throw. She set this record at the Internationales Stadionfest (ISTAF) Berlin Athletics meet at Berlin's Olympic stadium in Germany.She broke the record of Betty Heidler of Germany. Betty Heidler had record of 79.42 meters which was improved by Anita Wlodarczyk by throwing the hammer at 79.58 meters.  

3. Carolina Marin of Spain emerged as winner of World Badminton Champion

One more important current affair among sports came in. Carolina Marin of Spain clinched the title of World Badminton Championship. This Championship was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Carolina Marin must have practiced too hard as she defeated world number one Li Xuerui of china. This was a proud moment for Spain as this victory brought first title of this Championship.

4. For first time Australia defeated by Zimbabwe after 1983 in ODI match

Australia was defeated by Zimbabwe for the first time in 31 years. This match was played at Harare Sports Club. Australia was beaten by 3 wickets at this triangular series, third team is South Africa.Man of the match title went to Elton Chigumbura (Captain of Zimbabwe) for scoring 52 not out.

5. Veteran Telugu filmmaker Sattiraju Lakshmi Narayana aka Bapu passes away aged 80.

The Padma Shri (2013) laureate, directed 51 films over his 4-decade long carreer.

6. Renowned historian Bipin Chandra, a Padma Bhushan laureate, breathes his last at 86.

Few of his notable books include: ‘The Rise and Growth of Economic Nationalism’, ‘In the Name of Democracy: The JP Movement and the Emergency’, ‘Nationalism and Colonialism in Modern India’ 

and‘The Making of Modern India: From Marx to Gandhi’.

7. Revived Nalanda University first session started

From the 1st September 2014, first session with 15 students started at revived Nalanda University in Bihar. This session was started with the classes for the School of Ecology and Environmental Studies and the School of Historical Studies. Session was kicked off after three day orientation programme. As of now University has 10 faculty members. Nalanda University is an ancient international centre for learning in Bihar, though this new Nalanda University will come up in Rajgir and is 12 km away from the location of ancient Nalanda University. Ancient Nalanda University was there till 12th Century then it was destroyed by invading Turkish army.

8. U.S. Postal Service to issue stamp of first Indian actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao

U.S. Post Service (USPS) will issue a postage stamp to honour Legendary Indian actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao, thus Rao will be the first actor from India to get this honour. Akkineni Nageswara Rao was passed away early this year. This stamp will be issued on the birth anniversary of Nageshwara Rao.The Akkineni Foundation of America (AFA) will host a ceremony on 20th September in Dallas, Texas to mark this occasion.

Current Affairs 2'nd September 2014

1. India to get USD 35 bn from Japan for infra projects

India will get USD 35 bn from Japan over the next five years for developmental projects, including building of smart cities and next generation infrastructure as also cleaning of the Ganga, as Premier Shinzo Abe on Monday pledged to partner PM Narendra Modi's ambitious vision of inclusive development.The two sides also signed five pacts covering defence exchanges, cooperation in clean energy, roads and highways,healthcare and women while vowing to take their relationship to newer level. Abe expressed his intention to realise 3.5 trillion Yen (Rs 2,10,000 crore, USD 35 billion) of public and private investment and financing from Japan, including Overseas Development Assistance (ODA),to India in five years, it said. The USD 35 billion funding, at an average of USD 7 billion per year, would be the highest from any country and Modi expressed gratitude to Abe for this. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the document to promote partnership city arrangement between the ancient cities of Varanasi and Kyoto. 

2. Japan to work with India in finding sickle cell anaemia remedy

Japan on Sunday agreed to work with India in developing a treatment for the sickle cell anaemia after Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought help for finding remedy to the deadly disease commonly found among tribals in India.Modi, who has been keenly looking for a remedy to the disease since his days as Chief Minister of Gujarat, discussed the issue with Nobel Prize winner for Medicine (2012) S Yamanaka when he visited the Kyoto University. Yamanaka is also the Director of the University. The Prime Minister, on the second day of his tour, raised the issue during his visit to the Stem Cell Research facility and discussed whether Japan could be of help in this regard.

2. RBI issues amendments to Basel 3 norms

The Reserve Bank of India has allowed banks to issue additional Tier 1 capital instruments, the principal amount of which would absorb losses,either through conversion into common shares or a write-down mechanism that allocates the losses to the instruments,either temporarily or permanently.Unveiling a slew of amendments in the implementation of the Basel 3 regulations, the RBI said that banks must have a provision of Point of Non-Viability (PONV) for every non-equity instrument which, when triggered, would lead to a conversion to common shares (of the bank) or a permanent write-off.The regulator has reduced the minimum tenor after which call options are permissible in perpetual debt instruments from 10 to five years.The minimum maturity of Tier 2 debt instruments has also been reduced from 10 to five years.

3. United Bank of India declared Vijay Mallya as wilful defaulter

United Bank of India on 1 September 2014 declared debt-ridden Kingfisher Airlines and its owner Vijay Mallya as wilful defaulters.Three Kingfisher Airlines Ltd directors A.K. Ganguly, Subhash Gupte and Ravi Nedungadi  were also declared as wilful defaulters. This declaration would cut off further bank finance for UB Group companies by empowering banks to change course for managing firms who fail to pay. Banks will now initiate criminal proceedings against Mallya and force him to quit company boards.

Impact of wilful defaulter tag on Vijay Mallya's position

1. Mallya may have to quit as non-executive chairman of United Spirits Ltd. in which a British company Diageo Plc holds nearly 55 percent of the shares.

2. Mallya will have to step down as Mangalore Chemicals chairman. On 22 April 2014, Pune-based Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals 

3. Corp. Ltd launched a bid for Mangalore Chemicals. 

Wilful Default

A wilful default occurs when either a borrower has not repaid when he can do so, or when sanctioned funds have been used for other purposes or when the borrower disposes off the assets assured for availing of the loan without the bank’s knowledge.According to the guidelines of Reserve Bank of India (RBI),once a wilful defaulter notice is issued, the borrower has 15 days to defend himself in front of the bank. The wilful defaulter tag gives surety that the borrower and any firm on the board of which he is a director will not get a loan from any financial institution in future. 

The tag wilful defaulter entails serious consequences including penal consequences. Thus, Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) and Vijay Mallya were deprived of an opportunity to be represented by a trained legal professional.

4. Congress members to head 5 Parliamentary Standing Committees

Congress has secured chairmanship of five Parliamentary Standing Committees after failing to get the Leader of the Opposition post in the Lok Sabha.Its members M. Veerappa Moily, Shashi Tharoor and P. Bhattacharya will now head the important committees on Finance, External Affairs and Home respectively.The main Opposition party has also got chairmanship of standing committees for Science and Technology and Law and Personnel. While the former will be headed by ex-Law Minister Ashwani Kumar, the latter has E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan as its chairman.Congress leader K.V. Thomas has already got the chairmanship of the prestigious Public Accounts Committee.Rahul Gandhi is a member of the Committee on External Affairs, while Congress president Sonia Gandhi does not figure in any of the panels announced. In the last Lok Sabha, Ms.Gandhi had been a member of the Committee on HRD and Sports.

5. Renowned Kathak dancer Maya Rao died

Veteran Kathak dancer Maya Rao died on 1 September 2014 following a massive cardiac arrest on 31 August 2014. She was 86. Known for her mastery over abhinaya and dance ballet, Maya Rao helped the dance form Kathak to gain popularity in South India.
 

About Maya Rao

Born in 1928 in Bangalore, Maya Rao practised the Lucknow and Jaipur gharana of Kathak from Shambhu Maharaj and Sunder Prasad.She studied Masters in Choreography from the USSR in 1964.
Maya’s ground-breaking work in choreography helped thousands of dancers in learning the composition and arrangement of dances.She trained over 4000 students across the globe in about eight decades of her career.

6. Oldest surviving Test cricketer Gordon passes away

South African fast bowler Norman Gordon, oldest surviving Test cricketer at 103 years old, passed away after a year long illness due to renal complications. Gordon played five Tests against England back in 1939 taking 20 wickets in all before World War cut short his international career.He was best known for being one of the 22 players, who took part in the epic 'Timeless Test' between England and South Africa that was held between March 3-14, 1939 in Durban.

7. India among top three medical tourism destinations in Asia

A study by KPMG-FICCI says India ranks among the top three medical tourism destinations in Asia.This is mainly due to the low cost of treatment, quality health care infrastructure and availability of highly-skilled doctors. The report titled Medical Value Travel in India pointed out that Asian countries have introduced various marketing strategies to attract medical tourists.In the past few years, Asia has taken the lead as one of the most preferred destination for medical value travel.The report added that India is known mostly for its cost-effective medical treatments along with high standards in cardiology, orthopaedics, nephrology, oncology and neuro surgery.The country is also known for its alternative treatment options such as yoga and ayurveda.

8. India becomes No 1 in ICC ODI rankings

Their dominating performance against England coupled with Australia’s shock loss to Zimbabwe on Monday made India the sole number one team in the latest ICC ODI rankings issued here.“World champion India have been confirmed as the number-one ranked side in the Reliance ICC ODI Team Rankings following Zimbabwe’s three wickets victory over Australia in a triangular series match in Harare on Sunday,” the ICC said in a statement.India had joined Australia on top of the table after winning the third ODI in Nottingham at 114 ratings points, but took sole possession at the coveted number-one spot after Zimbabwe recorded their first victory over Australia in 31 years.This result meant Australia have dropped three ratings points and slipped behind South Africa and Sri Lanka into fourth position on 111 ratings points.

9. No animal sacrifice at any public religious worship in Himachal Pradesh : Himachal HC

High Court of Himachal Pradesh passed order to ban animal sacrifice to appease deities at any public religious worship. Means no person will able to sacrifice any animal in any place of public religious worship.Bench comprised of Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Sureshwar Thakur issued its direction after hearing petitions seeking this ban.

10. Abdullah al-Thinni reappointed as Prime Minister by Libyan parliament

Abdullah al-Thinni was reappointed as Prime Minister of Libya by Libyan parliament. As we are aware that Libyan Govt has lost control over the ministries in Tripoli which had been taken over by armed groups. Abdullah al-Thinni has been prime minister of Libya since March 2014. His first priority will be to assert govt lost control again. 

11. AHF named Hockey Player Manpreet Singh as Asia's Junior Player of the Year

There was a very good news for Hockey fans in India as Hockey Player Manpreet Singh was announced as Junior Men Player of the Year by AHF (Asian Hockey Federation) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Manpreet Singh hailing from Jalandhar (Punjab) made his international debut in 2011 and use to play as midfielder. He is also captian of India Junior Hockey Team. 

12.Two Women scientists Tessy Thomas and V. Ravindranath became first Women directors in IIT council

On 1st September 2014, two Women scientists Tessy Thomas and V. Ravindranath became first Women directors in IIT council.Tessy Thomas is  the Project Director for Agni-IV missile in DRDO and V. Ravindranath a Padma Shree awardee was the first to initiate newer areas of research to revitalize the growth of modern neuroscience in India.

13.The 9th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) begins in Istanbul, Turkey.

Pro-Russian rebels begins new major offencive; Ukrainian troops concedes Luhansk airport. The move has come in the wake of series of gains achieved by rebels in both the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and further south around the port of Mariupol. Over 2500 people have died since the outbreak of the hostility in mid-April.Government set to replace the ‘Motor Vehicles Act 1988' with a revived “Road Traffic Act”. The corresponding Bill is expected to be tabled in the winter session of Parliament. The new-age legislation is expected be at par with international Acts in the Road Sector.Government is taking steps to make organ transplant a little easier in the country. In this regard, a nodal agency regulating organ procurement and transplant namely NOTTO (National Organ & Tissue Transplantation Organisation) has been set up. The body, soon to become operational, will deal exclusively with Kidney related cases initially. The scope would soon expand to cover other transplants as well.

Current Affairs 3'rd September 2014

1. First state in India to launch Health Adalat is Karnataka

Karnataka became first Indian state to launch a Health Adalat. State Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader launched this first health adalat of its kind in India. As the name suggests, this will be addressing the health issues of people and will ensure that all govt health facilities are reaching to all sections of society.This adalat will also help in narrowing the gap between the Health Department and the elected representatives who are there as a bridge between govt and the people.

2. Goolam Essaji Vahanvati, Former Attorney General of India passed away

Former Attorney General of India Goolam Essaji Vahanvati passed awy. He was 65 years old. 
In 1999, Goolam Essaji Vahanvati became advocate general of Maharashtra, then after he was solicitor general of India from 2004 to 2009. He became Attorney General in 2009 under UPA -2 Govt. 
Goolam Essaji Vahanvati was first Muslim to become Attorney General of India and He was 13th Attorney General of India.

3. Name of Vinod Mehta was chosen for G K Reddy Memorial Award 2014

Vinod Mehta was chosen for the G.K. Reddy Memorial Award 2014. Vinod Mehta is a eminent journalist and Editorial Chairman of Outlook group. This award will be given to Vinod Mehta for his contribution to journalism. This award carries a cash award of Rs. 5 lakh, a gold medal and a citation. Vinod Mehta has launched many successful pulications as The Sunday Observer, The Independent and The Pioneer. Vinod Mehta is also author of biographies of Sanjay Gandhi and Meena Kumari.

4. In Q1 of 2014-15, CAD narrowed down to 1.7% of GDP : RBI

As per RBI, In Q1 of 2014-15 India's Current Account Deficit (CAD) narrowed sharply to 1.7 percent of GDP beacuse of reduction of trade deficit and decline in gold imports.In the last year it was 4.8 percent of GDP which account to USD 21.8 billion, which is now 1.7 percent of GDP which accounts to USD 7.8 billion. Gold imports are declined by 57.2 percent.

5.Tripoli airport falls to Islamists; planes and surrounding buildings set ablaze.

The islamist militia, Dawn of Libya, also claims to have captured much of the territoryof Libyan capital Tripoli.The seat of legislature has already been shifted to Tobruk (in the far east) with the rebels setting up a competing parliament in Tripoli.Its notable that the rebels draws salaries from the government and wear uniforms but in practice owe their loyalty to respective warlords who are no longer with the government.Libya, with all the infighting, is at the brink of slipping back into civil war.

5. Justice HL Dattu to be Next Chief Justice of India

Justice HL Dattu is all set to be the next Chief Justice of India. The government moved with great speed earlier this week to clear his appointment.CJI RM Lodha retires on the 27th of this month after which Justice Dattu will have a tenure of more than a year till December 2015.Justice Dattu joined the apex court as a judge in 2008. Born on December 13, 1950, he enrolled as an advocate in 1975 and began practising in Bangalore.He dealt in all types of matters, be it civil, criminal, tax or even Constitutional cases. From 1983 onwards he appeared in various capacities before the Karnataka High Court including as government pleader for sales tax department, standing counsel for Income Tax department and later as government advocate.After two CJIs retiring in one year, Justice Dattu's will be a relatively extended tenure. 

6. India slips to 71st rank in global competitiveness list

India has slipped to 71st position, in an annual global competitiveness list, where Switzerland remains on top. As per the list, released by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum, India comes the lowest among BRICS countries. The Global Competitiveness Report 2014-15, says Switzerland is the most competitive economy, followed by Singapore and United States. China, which has improved its position by one place to 28th spot, leads the BRICS grouping.

7. TCS re-appoints N Chandrasekaran as CEO

India’s largest software services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Wednesday said the tenure of its Chief Executive Officer and MD. N.Chandrasekaran has been extended by five years to October 2019.Chandrasekaran, who was appointed CEO and MD for five years on October 6, 2009, has been re-appointed for another five years, TCS said in a statement.

8. RBI curbs banking operations of Choundeshwari Sahakari Bank

The RBI has issued directions to The Choundeshwari Sahakari Bank Ltd of Kolhapur, Maharashtra that will require the bank to seek prior approval for its banking business. “In particular, depositors of the bank will be able to withdraw a sum not exceeding Rs. 1,000/- (Rupees one thousand only) of the total balance held in every savings bank or current account or any other deposit account by whatever name called, subject to the conditions stipulated in the RBI Directions,” RBI said in a statement.

9. Israel to take over West Bank land

Israel on 31 August 2014 announced to take over West Bank land. The area will be named as Gevaot.The land portion is located south of Bethlehem. The seizure of the land is said to be the largest seizure by Israel in last 30 years.Israel will expropriate 4 sq km (1.5 sq miles) of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank. Israel Government planned to build on the land, while Palestinian officials claimed that the land include many olive groves.The move was a response to the kidnapping and killing of three Jewish teenagers in the area in June 2014.

10. BCCI signs five-year agreement with MRF Pace Foundation

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will send pace bowlers to the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai for training. Both signed a five- year agreement in this regard today.Glenn McGrath, director of the foundation and former Australian pace bowler, will train the players. McGrath who played for Australia for 14 years was himself trained in the foundation under Dennis Lillee in 1992. For a fast bowler, skill, fitness and attitude are important said McGrath.

11. US Open: Sania Mirza-Cara Black in semi final

Sania Mirza and her Zimbabwean partner Cara Black reached the Semi Final of Women's Doubles of the US open Tennis Tournament. Third seed Indo-Zimbabwean pair had an easy day out as Kazakh- Chinese pair of Zarina Diyas and Yi-Fan Xu retired from the match at score 1-6, 0-1.In the Mixed Doubles semi final event to be played later in the evening, Sania Mirza and her Mixed Double Brazilian partner Bruno Soares will take on Yung-Jan Chan from Chinese Taipei and Brit Ross Hutchins.

12. India win 4th ODI against England, clinch series; Rahane hits maiden ton

India defeated England by 9 wickets in the penultimate ODI at Birmingham last night, to claim the 5-match series.  It was India's third successive victory after the first one dayer was abandoned due to rain without a ball being bowled. The victory has also made Mahendra Singh Dhoni India's most successful ODI captain. With 91 wins from 162 matches, Dhoni surpassed Mohammed Azharuddin who had led India to triumph 90 times in 174 games.

Current Affairs 4'th September 2014

1. Australian PM, Tony Abbott, arrives in India with civil nuclear deal high on agenda.

Australia accounts for 40% of the world’s known uranium and exports most of it to countries like Japan, China and US.Though it does not sell to the countries non-signatory to the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty),Its willing to make an exception in India’s case.

2. Government releases mobile application ‘Incredible India’ to facilitate foreign and domestic tourists in India.

The new application, developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC),will help the tourists know about government recognized service providers and ensure them quality and reliable services.People can access information about Ministry of Tourism recognized…Tourism service providers, Adventure Tour Operators, Domestic Tour Operators, Tourist Transport Operators, Travel Agents, Regional Level Guides, Classified Hotels etc.

3. India stands second in the world in fish production after China; account for 5.68% of the global production.

We hold the same rank in both aquaculture production as well as in inland capture fisheries.We exported 9.8 lakh tonnes of fish and fish products worth Rs 30,213 crore in 2013-14.Total fish production for the same period is 95.8 lakh tonnes.

4.INS Sumitra, nation’s largest patrolling vessel, has been commissioned into the Indian Navy at Chennai.

The 105-meter long and 2200-ton heavy ship is the fourth and the last of the Saryu class patrol vessel. Like all of its predecessor, its been built – indigenously – at the Goa Shipyard Limited.India slipped to 

5. As we know that former Governor of Kerala, Sheila Dikshit had resigned earlier.

6. Palaniswamy Sathasivam was 40th CJI and his tenure as a CJI was from July 2013 to April 2014.

7. President of India released eight stam