Daily GK Updates - 31st August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Most awaited "Assam's National Register of Citizens List" released: State coordinator of the National Register of Citizens, Prateek Hajela has released the most awaited Assam's final National Register of Citizens list. The list has been made accessible online and at all NRC seva kendras in the state. The process of NRC Update was started in the state of Assam as per order of the Supreme Court of India in 2013. The NRC took five years and Rs 1,220 crore before getting published.

Important findings of the NRC: From the 3.29 crore applicants, a total of 3.11 crore people have been found eligible for inclusion in final NRC list. 19.06 lakh people have been excluded from the final NRC list. The status of both inclusion and exclusion can be checked online in the NRC website www.nrcassam.nic.in. Those excluded from the final NRC list will have 120 days to approach the Foreigners’ Tribunals. If a person is dissatisfied with the tribunal's decision, he/she can appeal against it.

Note: Foreigners tribunals is a place where bona fide citizens, whose names do not figure in the final NRC, can approach to challenge their exclusion. To accommodate excluded people, detention camps have been set up across the state of Assam. The NRC list is the biggest exercise India has undertaken to expel illegal immigrants residing illegally in India. The updation process of NRC was carried out under The Citizenship Act, 1955, and according to the rules framed in the Assam Accord.

2. CBDT constitutes five-member "Startup Cell" for startups: The Central Board of Direct Taxes has announced the creation of a five-member special cell "Startup Cell" for startups. The "Startup Cell" will address the grievances of the startups with relation to angel tax and other tax-related issues. Startup entities can approach the cell for speedy resolution of their grievances. The 'startup cell' will be headed by the member (Income Tax and Computerisation) of the board. Start-up Cell has been constituted by CBDT with the following ex-officio members:

Member (Income Tax and Computerisation): Chairman

Joint Secretary (tax policy and legislation-II): Member

Commissioner of I-T (ITA): Member

Director (ITA-I): Member Secretary

Under Secretary(ITA-I): Member

3. "Special Tiger Force" for Corbett Reserve to be set up by Uttarakhand: The Uttarakhand government has decided to form a Special Tiger Force for Corbett Tiger Reserve. The STPF will be effective in checking illegal human intrusion into the reserve through villages located on its fringes. The STPF will serve as a second layer of protection for tigers at the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Note: Chief Minister of Uttarakhand: Trivendra Singh Rawat; Governor: Baby Rani Maurya.

4. Meghalaya CM launches ‘walk to work’ campaign in the state: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma took the lead to launch the campaign of Fit India Movement which has been launched in the country by the Prime Minister. The Chief Minister took a two-kilometre walk from his residential quarters to his office chamber at Main Secretariat, Shillong launching the #WalktoWorkMeghalaya which is a part of the ‘Fit India Campaign’. The idea of 'walk to work' will have multiple benefits, cuts the cost of fuel including reduction of CO2 emission, reduce congestion in the city and more importantly for health and fitness.

5. Central TB Division signs MoU to fight tuberculosis with help of AI: The Central TB Division of the Health Ministry has signed an MoU with Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence. Under the MoU, the division seeks to explore the application of cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence technology in its fight against tuberculosis (TB). Wadhwani AI would support the National TB programme by helping it become AI-ready. This would including developing, piloting, and deploying the AI-based solutions.

6. "Mega Vendor Meet 2019" held at Lucknow: Research Designs and Standards Organization organized the "Mega Vendor Meet 2019" at Lucknow. The special meet was organized to expand vendor base and spread information on greater business opportunities in Railways Sector. Research Designs and Standards Organization is a research wing of Indian Railways.

7. P.K. Sinha appointed as Officer on Special Duty in PMO: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of P.K. Sinha as "Officer on Special Duty" in the office of the Prime Minister. P K Sinha was earlier serving as the Cabinet Secretary before the appointment of Rajiv Gauba.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India, Nepal organize training programme on EXIM Bank's guidelines: The Embassy of India in Nepal and National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) of Nepal organized a two-day training programme in Kathmandu on the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India’s Line of Credit guidelines and procedures. Senior experts from the EXIM Bank of India conducted the training programme which was attended by 27 officials from Government of Nepal. A total of 28 Indian contractors attended this training session. The two sides also agreed to collaborate on future capacity building efforts of the Government of Nepal officials who would be working on the Government of India’s Line of Credit supported projects.

The first day of the training covered a general introduction to the EXIM Bank of India’s Line of Credit (LOC) modality including project identification, pre-qualification and tendering process, evaluation of tender documents, empanelment process, project implementation and monitoring. The second-day training included a session by Nepal Government officials on Import/Export and domestic tax for Indian contractors involved in LoC projects in Nepal. Note: The training programme was organized as part of a bilateral understanding reached between the Government of Nepal and Government of India during the 7th Line of Credit (LOC) Review Meeting held in June 2019 in India.

2. India to host COP14 of UN Convention in September this year: India will host the Conference Of Parties (COP 14) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification from 2nd to 13th September 2019. The event will be held at the India Mart and Expo, in the Greater Noida area of New Delhi. The event will see the participation of over 3000 representatives from over 200 countries which will include Ministers from around 100 countries. The Conference Of Parties will focus on desertification and degradation of land.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Vismaya wins gold at Josef Seckar memorial athletic meet: Indian sprinter VK Vismaya (22-years) clinch the gold medal in the 400m run at the International Athletic Meeting – Josef Seckar Memorial (MJS) in Brno, Czech Republic. VK Vismaya produced her personal best timing of 52.12s to clinch the gold medal. Compatriots Poovamma Machettira (53.47s) and Subha Venkatesan (53.67s) finished second and third respectively.

Daily GK Updates - 30th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. The Union Environment Ministry releases Rs 47,436 cr for green activities: The Union Environment Ministry has transferred Rs 47,436 crore to 27 States for afforestation. The amount has been released from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund. The corpus will be utilised for compensatory afforestation, wildlife management, forest fire-prevention, work related to soil and moisture conservation in forests, voluntary relocation of villages from protected areas etc.

Note: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Prakash Javadekar.

2. Union HRD Minister launches Integrated Online junction ‘Shagun’: Union Human Resource Development Minister launched one of the world’s largest Integrated Online Junction for School Education ‘Shagun’ in New Delhi. Shagun is coined from two different words- ‘Shala’ meaning Schools and ‘Gunvatta’ meaning Quality. School Education Shagun is an over-arching initiative to improve the school education system by creating a junction for all online portals and websites relating to various activities of the Department of School Education and Literacy in the Government of India and all States and Union Territories.
Note: Union HRD Minister: Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.

3. Maharashtra cabinet clears the “vertical property rules”: The Maharashtra cabinet has cleared the “vertical property rules” to create a database of all flats, buildings and commercial complexes. The “vertical property rules” would prevent property-related frauds, where one flat or commercial unit is sold or mortgaged to multiple buyers or financial institutions. All flat owners in the state will soon get supplementary property cards, which will have details such as carpet area, amenity space and bank loan information, along with their 7/12 extracts.

Note: Chief Minister of Maharashtra: Devendra Fadnavis; Governor: C Vidyasagar Rao.

4. Tamil Nadu's Dindigul locks and Kandangi sarees get GI tag: Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul locks and Kandangi sarees have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags. The famous Dindigul locks are known throughout the world for their superior quality and durability, that’s why the city is called Lock City. The lock-making industry in Dindigul is said to be over 150 years old and they makeover 50 varieties of locks. Similarly, the hand-woven Kandangi sarees also have a 150-year-old tradition, and its history is interwoven with the story of the influential business community of Chettiars. The Geographical Indication sign is used on products which correspond to a specific geographical location. The use of a geographical indication may act as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, enjoys a certain reputation, due to its geographical origin.

Note: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister: Edappadi K. Palaniswami; Governor: Banwarilal Purohit; Capital: Chennai.

5. IIT Guwahati signs MoU with RD Grow Green India for safer drinking water: IIT Guwahati has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RD Grow Green India Pvt for Technology transfer for safer drinking water. Drinking water contamination is a major problem in most of the states including Assam. This "chemical-free" treatment technique might be useful to the citizens in rural and urban areas as well. iii. The technology is based on the 'Apparatus and Method for Removal of Fluoride, Iron, Arsenic and Microorganisms from Contaminated Drinking Water'.

Note: Assam Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal; Capital: Dispur; Governor: Jagdish Mukhi.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Tokyo ranked top in the Safe Cities Index 2019: As per Economics Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index (SCI)-2019, Tokyo, Singapore, Osaka and Amsterdam occupied top spots in the Safe Cities Index 2019. Mumbai (45th rank) and New Delhi (52nd) are the only two Indian cities that made an appearance on the list. The report is based on the third iteration of the index, which ranks 60 cities across 57 indicators covering digital security, health security, infrastructure security and personal security.

Note: The Safe Cities Index 2019 is a report from The Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by NEC Corporation.

2. Book on former US President titled “Obama: The Call of History” released: A new book titled “Obama: The Call of History” has been released. The book has been written by Peter Baker, the Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times. This book will give an in-depth account of the former US President's Barack Obama years in office.

3. International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances: 30 August: United Nations observes 30 August every year as International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The day is observed to prevent enforced disappearances and bring to justice those responsible, as enforced disappearance has frequently been used as a strategy to spread terror within the society. The feeling of insecurity generated by this practice is not limited to the close relatives of the disappeared, but also affects their communities and society as a whole. 2011 marked the inaugural commemoration of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Virgil van Dijk, Lucy Bronze win UEFA Award: Liverpool Football player Virgil van Dijk has won UEFA's Player of the Year award. He was beating Barcelona captain Lionel Messi and Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, while England footballer Lucy Bronze taking the Women's Player of the Year award. UEFA also handed out positional awards for male players, with Van Dijk for Champions League Defender of the Season.

2. Abhishek Verma won the gold medal in shooting World Cup: Indian shooters Abhishek Verma has won the gold medal and Saurabh Chaudhary the bronze in the men's 10m air pistol event of the World Cup at Rio de Janeiro. Abhishek Verma shot 244.2 in the eight-man finals, while Saurabh Chaudhary's 221.9 was good enough to get him the bronze. Sanjeev Rajput claimed a silver in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions final to secure India's Olympic quota. India was placed at the top of the medals tally with two gold, one silver and a bronze.

3. V K Vismaya wins gold in 400m at MJS in Brno, Czech Republic: Indian sprinter VK Vismaya clinch the gold medal in the 400m run at the International Athletic Meeting - Josef Seckar Memorial (MJS) in Brno, Czech Republic. She produced her personal best timing of 52.12s to clinch the gold medal.

Note: Capital of Czech Republic: Prague; Currency of Czech Republic: Czech koruna.

4. Rahul Dravid replaced as India A, U-19 head coaches: Former Saurashtra captain Sitanshu Kotak (46-years) and ex-India seamer Paras Mhambrey (47-years) have replaced Rahul Dravid as head coaches of India A and U-19 sides respectively. Recently, Rahul Dravid has been appointed as the National Cricket Academy (NCA)’s head of cricket operations. He will be preparing the roadmap for India A and U-19 teams along with up-gradation pan for the existing coaching module. The fielding coach of the A team will be T Dilip, who was also shortlisted for the senior team’s fielding coach’s job. Hrishikesh Kanitkar will be the batting coach of the U-19 side having worked with this set-up during the U-19 tri-series win in England.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Govt. announces major reforms in the banking sector: According to Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, The Union government unveiled major reforms in the banking sector to strengthen the foundation of the banks. The government announced the merger of Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank and United Bank of India. Once these three banks are merged it will create a bank with a business of Rs 17.95 lakh crore and have 11,437 branches. After the Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank are merged into the Punjab National Bank, it will become India's second-largest bank (SBI remains India's largest bank). Once the Syndicate bank is merged into the Canara Bank, the resultant bank will become India's fourth-largest public sector bank with Rs 15.20 lakh crore business. Union Bank, Andhra Bank, Corporation Bank to merge to become India's fifth largest public sector bank with Rs 14.59 lakh crore business.

The 12 public sector banks: State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank, Indian Bank, UCO Bank and Bank of Maharashtra.

2. Government-e-Marketplace signs MoU with SIDBI: Government e-Marketplace has signed an MoU with Small Industries Development Bank of India. The MoU aims to benefit MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups, Women Self Help Groups and various loan beneficiaries under MUDRA and Stand-up India scheme. GeM and SIDBI will take steps to ensure payments within a guaranteed timeframe to sellers, enhance working capital availability through bill discounting.

Note: CEO of GeM: Talleen Kumar; Chairman and MD of SIDBI: Mohammad Mustafa.

3. BSE and SUFI join hands to launch steel futures: The Steel Users Federation of India has signed an MoU with the Bombay Stock Exchange to launch trading in steel futures. BSE and SUFI will work towards enlisting steel futures in both long and flat segments, which will bring stability, risk-aversion besides creating a level-playing field for all players. BSE offers to trade in commodities like gold, silver, crude oil, guar, cotton and turmeric.

Note: Managing Director and CEO of BSE: Ashish Kumar Chauhan.

4. Rating Agency ICRA terminates CEO Naresh Takkar: ICRA Ltd ousted its Managing Director and group Chief Executive Officer Naresh Takkar. ICRA has terminated the employment of Takkar with immediate effect over allegations of misconduct at the credit rating agency under Takkar. This is the first time a top official of a rating agency has been fired by the company’s board.

5. Lakshmi Vilas Bank MD & CEO Parthasarathi Mukherjee resigns: Managing Director (MD) and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Lakshmi Vilas Bank Parthasarathi Mukherjee has announced his resignation citing personal reasons. Earlier, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is considering a proposal of merger of Indiabulls Housing Finance with Lakshmi Vilas Bank.

Note: Lakshmi Vilas Bank Limited was founded in 1926 by a group of seven businessmen of Karur under the leadership of Shri V.S.N. Ramalinga Chettiar. Lakshmi Vilas Bank is headquartered at Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. DAY-NULM conferred the prestigious SKOCH Governance Gold Award: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), has been conferred the prestigious SKOCH Governance Gold Award. It has been conferred the award for its initiative "Portal for Affordable Credit and Interest Subvention Access (PAiSA)". DAY-NULM is a flagship mission under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. PAiSA is a centralized IT platform which simplifies and streamlines release of interest subvention under the Mission. It offers end to end online solution for processing, payment, monitoring and tracking of interest subvention claims from banks on a monthly basis.

2. Maitri mobile app win tech prize in US: Maitri Mobile app clinched the bronze medal at the Technovation Challenge. It is the world’s largest technology and entrepreneurship programme for girls, held in San Francisco, US. A team of 5 girls students nicknamed “Tech Witches” have developed a mobile app named Maitri. The aim of the app is to bring together individuals suffering from loneliness and depression and those lacking nurturing love of elderly role models.

OBITUARIES

1. Veteran Bengali actor Nimu Bhowmik passes away: Veteran Bengali actor Nimu Bhowmik passed away. He acted characters of different shades in 'Ganadebata' (1979), 'Baghini' (1968), 'Dadar Kirti' (1980), 'Guru Dakshina' (1987). His last film, 'Dash Mash Das Diner Galpo'.

Daily GK Updates - 29th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. National Sports Day: 29 August: The National Sports Day is observed every year on 29th August to mark the birthday of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. Padma Bhushan Dhyan chand Known as ‘The Magician’ of hockey for his superb ball control and extraordinary goal-scoring feats. He won three Olympic gold medals in Hockey field in the years 1928, 1932, and 1936. In his Sports career spanning over 22 years, he scored over 400 goals.

Note: Dhyan Chand was born on 29th August 1905 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. The Union Government proclaimed 29 August as the country’s National Sports Day in 2012 to commemorate Major Dhyan Chandand his achievements in the field of sports.

2. Prime Minister launches Fit India Movement: On the occasion of National Sports Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the Fit India Movement at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi. During the event, PM appealed to the nation to join this fitness movement and make a ‘Fitter & Better India’. The nation-wide Fit India Movement aims to motivate every Indian to incorporate simple, easy ways of staying fit in their everyday life. Recently government had formed a committee for Fit India Movement with sports minister Kiren Rijiju as its head.

3. India Launches World’s First-Ever Facial BSID:  India has become the first country in the world to issue Biometric Seafarer Identity Document (BSID), capturing the facial biometric data of seafarers. The new facial biometric technology is a marked improvement over the two-finger or iris-based bio-metric data, with modern security features. It will make the identification of the SID holder more reliable and efficient while protecting their dignity and privacy. BSID project has been taken up in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC). Nine data collection centres have been set up at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Noida, Goa, New Mangalore, Kochi, Vizag and Kandla for the issue of BSID. The total number of existing Indian seafarers who will be required to be issued BSIDs is around 3,50,000. All the existing seafarers will be given BSID within the next two years.

Note: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Shipping: Mansukh L. Mandaviya.

4. MoU between Indian Navy and IMD: India Meteorological Department (IMD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Navy to hand over Cyclone Detection Radar (CDR) building to naval forces for meteorological purposes. The building is set to be utilised by Indian Naval Meteorological Analysis Centre (INMAC). It is an operational unit set up in 2013 with the mandate to provide daily meteorological information/ forecasts to users across the Navy such as IN ships and establishments. The CDR building was constructed during the period 1983-86 inside the Naval Base, having an S-band Cyclone Detection Radar installed by M/s Bharat Electronics Limited.

Note: Chief of the Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh. 

5. Rajnath Singh inaugurates 26^th Kisan-Jawan Vigyan Mela in Ladakh: Defence minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated 26th Ladakhi Kisan Jawan Vigyan Mela in Leh. The event is being organised to share research-generated farming technology with locals of Ladakh to make their life easier. Ladakhi Kisan Jawan Vigyan Mela showcasing crops and grains suitable for growing in high altitude areas. The science fair is being organised at the Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research (a research unit of DRDO in Ladakh).

6. HM Amit Shah flag off the first fleet of eco-friendly electric buses in Ahmedabad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah flag off the first fleet of eco-friendly electric buses in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Mr Shah also inaugurated the country's first automated battery charging and swapping station for e-buses in Ahmedabad. Mr. Amit Shah has also flagged off 18 electric buses with a facility of battery swap technology. Thirty-two more such state-of-the-art buses would also join this BRTS fleet taking the total number of such e- buses to 50. Normal electric buses can run up to 200 km per charge, buses with swap facility can run only up to 40 km.

7. Bollywood film 'Mission Mangal' gets GST exemption in Maharashtra: Maharashtra government has decided to grant exemption from the state Goods and Services Tax (GST) to Bollywood film 'Mission Mangal', which is about the ISRO's successful Mangalyaan mission. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in Mumbai. The film conveys a positive message about science and to take the message further to common people. GST rate on movie tickets: below Rs 100 - 12% & above Rs 100 - 18%.

Note: Mission Mangal is Indian Hindi-language film (released - 15 August 2019) directed by Jagan Shakti and jointly produced by Cape of Good Films, Hope Productions, Fox Star Studios, Aruna Bhatia, and Anil Naidu. ‘Mission Mangal’ is loosely based on the life of scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) who contributed to the Mars Orbiter Mission, India's first interplanetary expedition.

8. 12th India Security Summit held in New Delhi: The 12th India Security Summit was held in New Delhi. The theme of the summit was “Towards New National Cyber Security Strategy”. Protection of critical national infrastructure, emerging cyber threats: incidents, challenges and response, are some of the issues which were discussed during the conference.

Note: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: Ravi Shankar Prasad.

9. Pramod Agarwal to succeed Coal India chairman AK Jha: Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has selected Pramod Agarwal as the next chairman of Coal India. He is a 1991 batch IAS from Madhya Pradesh cadre. He will take over after the present chairman A K Jha retires in January 2020. Agarwal is currently principal secretary for urban development and housing department in Madhya Pradesh.

Note: Headquarter of Coal India: Kolkata, West Bengal.

10. GoI extends tenure of CBDT Chairman P C Mody: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister has approved the extension of the tenure of CBDT Chairman Pramod Chander Mody. The tenure of the CBDT chairman has been extended by one year. Pramod Chander Mody was appointed as the chairman of CBDT in Feb 2019, when Sushil Chandra, the then CBDT chief, was appointed as an Election Commissioner.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Pavan Kapoor appointed as India's Ambassador to UAE: Senior diplomat Pavan Kapoor has been appointed as India's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates by the Ministry of External Affairs. Kapoor, a 1990-batch Indian Foreign Service officer. He will replace Navdeep Suri as India's Ambassador to the UAE.

2. International Day against Nuclear Tests: 29 August:  United Nations observes International Day Against Nuclear Tests on 29 August every year. It is observed to increase awareness and education about the effects of nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions and the need for their cessation as one of the means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world. The day was established on 2nd December 2009 at the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly by the resolution 64/35, which was adopted unanimously.

Secretary General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Arunachal Pradesh to Host 25th Senior Women’s National Football Championship: The 25th edition of the Senior Women’s National Football Championship will be held in Arunachal Pradesh from September 10 – 24, 2019. Arunachal Pradesh is hosting the tournament for the first time. It will be held in the oldest town of the state Pasighat in East Siang District of the state.  30 teams from across the country, representing various States, Union Territories and Indian Railways will participate in the tournament. 

2. Elavenil Claims World Cup Gold Medal in Women’s 10m Air Rifle at Rio de Janeiro: In shooting, Elavenil Valarivan claimed her maiden senior World Cup gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle competition at 2019 ISSF World Cup, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  With this India has now won three out of the four World Cup gold medals in the women’s 10m air rifle in 2019 ISSF World Cup.

3. Ajantha Mendis announces retirement from Cricket: Ajantha Mendis, the mystery spinner from Sri Lanka, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. Mendis played 19 Tests, 87 One-Day Internationals and 39 T20Is for Sri Lanka, taking 70 Test wickets, 152 ODI wickets and 66 T20I wickets. Mendis was renowned in the cricketing world for his ‘carrom ball’ and various other variations. He last played for Sri Lanka in 2015. He is best remembered for his 6/13 in the Asia Cup Final in 2008.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Ind-Ra cuts GDP growth forecast in FY20 to 6.7%: India Ratings and Research has revised its projection of India’s GDP growth in the financial year 2019-20 to 6.7%. It has reduced the GDP growth rate from 7.3% to 6.7%. It expects GDP growth to recover to 7.4% in the second half of the financial year 2019-20.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. National Sports Day Award winners 2019: President Ram Nath Kovind presented the National Sports Day Awards on the 114th birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand to sportspersons from the country at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years.

Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding performance for four years.

Dronacharya Award for coaches is given for producing medal winners at prestigious International sports events.

Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime contribution to sports development.

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 2019
S.No.	Name of the Sportsperson	Discipline
1	Sh. Bajrang Punia	Wrestling
2	Ms. Deepa Malik	Para Athletics
2. Dronacharya Awards 2019 (Regular Category)
S.No.	Name of the Coach	Discipline
1	Sh. Vimal Kumar	Badminton
2	Sh. Sandeep Gupta	Table tennis
3	Sh. Mohinder Singh Dhillon	Athletics
3. Dronacharya Awards 2019(Life-Time Category)
S.No.	Name of the Coach	Discipline
1	Sh. Merzban Patel	Hockey
2	Sh. Rambir Singh Khokhar	Kabaddi
3	Sh. Sanjay Bhardwaj	Cricket
4. Arjuna Awards 2019
S.No.	Name of the Sportsperson	Discipline
1	Sh. Tajinderpal Singh Toor	Athletics
2	Mohammed Anas Yahiya	Athletics
3	Sh. S. Bhaskaran	Body Building
4	Ms. Sonia Lather	Boxing
5	Sh. Ravindra Jadeja	Cricket
6	Sh. Chinglensana Singh Kangujam	Hockey
7	Sh. Ajay Thakur	Kabaddi
8	Sh. Gaurav Singh Gill	Motor Sports
9	Sh. Pramod Bhagat	Para Sports (Badminton)
10	Ms. Anjum Moudgil	Shooting
11	Sh. Harmeet Rajul Desai	Table Tennis
12	Ms. Pooja Dhanda	Wrestling
13	Sh. Fouaad Mirza	Equestrian
14	Sh. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu	Football
15	Ms. Poonam Yadav	Cricket
16	Ms. Swapna Barman	Athletics
17	Sh. Sundar Singh Gurjar	Para Sports  (Athletics)
18	Sh. Bhamidipati Sai Praneeth	Badminton
19	Sh. Simran Singh Shergill	Polo
5. Dhyan Chand Award 2019
S.No.	Name	Discipline
1.	Sh. Manuel Fredricks	Hockey
2.	Sh. Arup Basak	Table Tennis
3.	Sh. Manoj Kumar	Wrestling
4.	Sh. NittenKirrtane	Tennis
5.	Sh. C. Lalremsanga	Archery

OBITUARIES

1. Punjab (MLA) Rajnish Kumar Babbi passes away: Congress (MLA) from the Mukerian assembly seat in Punjab, Rajnish Kumar Babbi passed away. He was first elected to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in the 2012 assembly polls as an Independent from Mukerian. In 2017 assembly elections, as a Congress candidate, he had defeated (BJP) nominee Arunesh Kumar.

2. Socialist leader and former Palghar MLA Navnitbhai Shah passes away: Socialist leader and former MLA of Palghar Navnitbhai Shah passed away. He took part in the freedom struggle in 1942 at the Gowalia Tank maidan in Mumbai. He was an active member of the Rashtra Seva Dal in Mumbai between 1943-49. He was elected as the first Sarpanch of Palghar (Maharashtra) in 1952 and as MLA in 1957 and 1962.