NATIONAL
UPDATES:
1. 112 single emergency helpline number
launched in Delhi: A single emergency number ‘112’ has been launched for
police, fire and ambulance emergency services. Now, the citizens of Delhi can
avail the facility of all these three emergency services by dialling the number
'112'. This call immediately passes to the Control Room for providing immediate
assistance to the distress caller. Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan
Reddy today inaugurated the Emergency Response Support System. Under this, the
call simultaneously passes to Police Control Room as well as to at- least
nearby 5 persons through a mobile app, which are volunteers to help the people
in need.
2.
Home minister Amit Shah launches private security agency licensing portal in
New Delhi: The Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah launched ‘Private Security
Agency Licensing Portal’ in New Delhi in order to help in reducing formalities
in getting license to the private security agencies. Information such as no. of
licensed agencies will also be available in the portal in order to prevent
fraudulent activities. This portal will be regulated under The Private Security
Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005. This portal will also help people in cross
checking police verification of all security guard and will be made available
in languages like Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu and Tamil within 3 months.
3.
Madhuri Dixit to be Maharashtra poll goodwill ambassador: Actor Madhuri Dixit
has been chosen as "goodwill ambassador" by the Chief Electoral
Officer (CEO) in Maharashtra to create awareness among people about the
importance of voting. Madhuri Dixit will be seen in a video titled ‘Let’s Vote'
speaking about the democratic process and role of voters in the development of
the country. Maharashtra State Assembly polls are scheduled for 21st October
and results will be declared on 24th October 2019.
4.
Govt Reconstitutes EAC-PM for Two Years Till 2021: Centre has reconstituted the
Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) for a period of two
years. Bibek Debroy of Niti Aayog continues to be the Chairman of the EAC-PM. The
reconstituted advisory panel will be effective from September 26, 2019. The
strength of the reconstituted EAC-PM has been reduced from five to four,
comprising of two full-time members and two part-time members.
Members
of reconstituted EAC-PM: (1) Bibek Debroy- Chairman (full-time); (2) Ratan
Watal (Niti Aayog’s principal advisor and former Finance Secretary)- Member
Secretary (full-time); (3) Sajjid Chenoy (India economist at JP Morgan)-
part-time member; (4) Ashima Goyal (Indira Gandhi Institute of Development
Research professor)- part-time member.
5.
General Bipin Rawat to take over as Chairman COSC: Army Chief General Bipin
Rawat will take over as the new Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC). He
will replace Air Chief BS Dhanoa as the Chairman COSC as Air Chief BS Dhanoa is
set to retire. The Chairman Chiefs of Staffs Committee is the senior most
officer in the three defense forces. Soon the Chairman COSC will be replaced
with the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
6.
AYUSH Ministry Launches ‘Professor Ayushman’ Comic Book to Teach Children
Ayurveda Treatment: The AYUSH Ministry has unveiled a comic book series for
children with ‘Professor Ayushman’ as the central character to make them aware
of the importance of medicinal plants and their use for home remedies in New
Delhi. The comic book has been developed by the National Medicinal Plants Board
(NMPB). The comic book, conceived by the National Medicinal Plants Board, talks
about plants like Aloe Vera, Tulsi, Amla, Giloy, Neem, Ashvagandha and Brahmi.
This book is available for free and could be bought by schools approaching
NMPB.
7.
Book titled ‘Reset: Regaining India’s Economic Legacy’ authored by Subramanian
Swamy launched: Former president Pranab Mukherjee has launched a book titled
‘Reset: Regaining India’s Economic Legacy’ authored by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy
in New Delhi. The book tracks the country’s economic development over the years
and offers solutions for future growth. The book has been published by Rupa
Publications India.
INTERNATIONAL
UPDATES:
1.
Bulgaria's Kristalina Georgieva appointed new IMF chief: Bulgarian economist
Kristalina Georgieva (66-years) has been selected as the new managing director
of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a five-year term starting on 1st
October. She will succeed Christine Lagarde, who is leaving to become head of
the European Central Bank (ECB). Ms Georgieva is the first person from an
emerging market economy to lead the IMF. Prior to this, she was the Chief
Executive Officer of the World Bank in January 2017. She was also the interim
president of the World Bank Group from February 1– April 8, 2019.
Note:
It is an international organization which promotes international monetary
cooperation and provides policy advice and technical assistance to help
countries build and maintain strong economies. It presently has 189 member
countries. Headquarters: Washington, D.C. (United States).
2.
PM Modi Announces $14 Million Grant to Caricom: The first-ever India-Caricom
Leaders’ Summit was held in New York on September 25, 2019. During the summit,
PM Modi announced USD 14 million grant for community development projects in
the grouping of Caribbean Nations. Another 150 million line of credit was
announced for solar, renewable energy and climate change related projects in
the Caricom. The Caribbean Community (Caricom) is an organisation of fifteen
member states and five associate members formed in 1973 to promote economic
growth and trade.
3.
World Maritime Day 2019: September 26: Every year the World Maritime Day is
observed on the last Thursday of September to celebrate the international
maritime industry’s contribution towards the world’s economy, especially in
shipping. In 2019, World Maritime Day is being observed on September 26. 2019
theme- “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”. This year's theme provides
an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality, in line
with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to highlight
the important - yet under-utilized - contribution of women within the maritime
sector.
Note:
The National Maritime Day 2019 was observed on 5th April 2019. WMD was first
observed in 1978 and it also marks date of adaptation of International Maritime
Organization (IMO) Convention in 1958.
4.
International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons: September 26: The
United Nations recognised International Day for the Total Elimination of
Nuclear Weapons is observed every year on September 26. The day creates public
awareness on nuclear disarmament matters, educates people on the potential
threat by nuclear weapons and stresses the need for their elimination. It was
declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2013 and was first
celebrated in 2014.
5.
World Environmental Health Day: September 26: World Environmental Health Day
(WEHD) was observed on September 26, 2019 under the theme “Climate change
challenges, time for global Environmental Health to act in unison”. The day was
declared by the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) to
review environmental health issues and take appropriate actions. It was first
observed in the year 2011 in Indonesia.
6.
World’s biggest transport spaceship Kounotori8 launched by Japan: Japan’s
unmanned H-2B rocket lifted off with cargo vessel Kounotori8 towards the International
Space Station (ISS) from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA)
Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan, which is considered as the
world’s biggest transport spaceship. It intends to deliver about 5.3 tonnes of
supplies to astronauts at the ISS. Kounotori8 means “white stork” in Japanese. The
main contractor for the Japanese H-2B rocket was Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
(MHI).
OTHER
UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Indian duo of Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta clinched IBSF World Snooker Team
Championship 2019: The Indian duo of Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta clinched
International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Snooker Team
Championship 2019 held in Mandalay, Myanmar by defeating Thailand’s
C.Pongsakorn and D.Poramin by 5-2. It was the 23rd world title for Advani and
the first title for Mehta.
Note:
Myanmar Open Billiards 2019 which consisted of the 150 Up World Billiards
Championship and World 6Reds, World Team Snooker championships 2019 was held
from September 9-25, 2019 and was hosted by Myanmar Billiards & Snooker
Federation (MBSF).
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
ADB cuts India’s GDP growth forecast to 6.5% from 7% for FY 2019-20: The
Manila-headquartered Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its Asian Development
Outlook (ADO) 2019 update cut India’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth to
6.5% from 7% for FY 2019-20 after growth slowed down to 5% in the Q1 April–June
FY 2019-20 which is a six-year low in the first quarter. The reasons for the decline are unexpected
decline in manufacturing and investment, subdued lending by banks and other
financial institutions, stress in the rural economy, and a weakening external
outlook. It predicted that India is expected to rebound to 7.2% growth in the
FY 2020-21. South Asia’s growth forecasts are lowered to 6.2% for 2019 and 6.7%
for 2020.
Note:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established on
19th December 1966, Headquartered in the city of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila,
Philippines. ADB has 68 members: 49 members from the Asian and Pacific Region,
19 members from Other Regions.
2.
PNB Launches Preventive Vigilance Portal: In order to promote vigilance
awareness, the Punjab National Bank (PNB) has introduced 1st of its kind
Preventive Vigilance (PV) portal to facilitate all staff members to contribute
towards arresting procedural lapses and unhealthy practices and promote
coherent climate conducive to banking for the modern age. The portal was
launched by Central Vigilance Commissioner Sharad Kumar during a function held
at PNB Corporate Office. In a bid to promote a central theme of ‘Integrity- A
way of Life’, the bank introduced e-pledge mission, social outreach through
technological platforms & modern technology based solutions through the
Preventive Vigilance (PV) portal.
Note:
PNB Headquarters: New Delhi; Managing Director: Sunil Mehta
3.
Airtel payments bank joins hands with HDFC ERGO to offer mosquito-borne
diseases protection policy: India’s first Payments Bank, the Airtel Payments
Bank has joined hands with India’s leading private sector general insurance
company, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company to offer unique Mosquito Diseases
Protection Policy (MDPP) to protect against mosquito-borne diseases. This
partnership aims to contribute to the financial inclusion of the country
through the strong distribution network of Airtel Payments Bank and strong
innovation of HDFC ERGO (Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd). The MDPP
will provide cover on 7 common mosquito-borne diseases, including Dengue,
Malaria, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis, Kala-azar, Lymphatic Filariasis
(Elephantiasis) and Zika virus. The product, which is part of HDFC Ergo’s
‘wallet insurance portfolio’, will be offered to Airtel Payments Bank
remittance consumers at a nominal premium of Rs 99 per year.
Note:
Airtel Payments Bank Headquarters: New Delhi; MD, CEO: Anubrata Biswas
HDFC
ERGO Headquarters: Mumbai; Managing Director & CEO: Mr. Ritesh Kumar
4.
Hyundai motor signs agreement with BoB for vehicle finance: Hyundai Motor India
Limited (HMIL) has signed an agreement with Bank of Baroda (BoB) to provide
preferred financing to its dealers and consumers. Under this partnership, BoB
will create a detailed financing structure (as per its existing product program
of supply chain finance) for customers and dealers, which will help the bank,
expand its presence in the Hyundai Motor India Limited network.
Note:
HMIL Founded: 6 May 1996; Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu; CEO: Seon Seob Kim
BoB
Headquarters: Vadodara, Gujarat; MD & CEO: P. S. Jayakumar
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
HDFC Bank retains the top spot in India’s Most Valuable Brand for the 6th
consecutive year: WPP and Kantar Millward Brown report 2019: As per the report,
“BrandZ Top 75 Most Valuable Indian Brands 2019 ranking” released by WPP and
Kantar Millward Brown, HDFC Bank (Housing Development Finance Corporation
Limited) was declared the country’s most valuable brand for the sixth
consecutive year with the brand value of $ 22.70 billion (1.61 lakh crore
rupees). The aggregate value of the top 75 brands rose to $228.2 billion,
increasing at a moderate 6 % against 2018, far slower than 34 % recorded in
2017.
Top
5 Valuable Brands of the Country:
|
Rank
|
Brand
|
Category
|
Brand
value (Rupees)
|
Change
in value
|
|
1
|
HDFC bank
|
Bank
|
1.61 Lakh Crore
|
5%
|
|
2
|
LIC
|
Insurance
|
1.43 Lakh Crore
|
2%
|
|
3
|
TCS (Tata Consultancy Services)
|
Technology
|
1.29 Lakh Crore
|
21%
|
|
4
|
Airtel
|
Telecom
|
72,988 Crore
|
-10%
|
|
5
|
SBI (State Bank of India)
|
Bank
|
59,640 crores
|
7%
|
About
the BrandZ top 75Most Valuable Indian Brands Ranking: It was commissioned by
WPP (a British multinational advertising and public relations company). The
valuation behind the brands was conducted by brand equity research experts
Kantar.
Note:
HDFC bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra; Managing Director: Aditya Puri
WPP
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom; Chief Executive Officer: Mark Read
2.
India ranked 44th in world digital competitiveness rankings: India has been
ranked at 44th position in terms of digital competitiveness in the world as per
the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019 (WDCR). The US has been
ranked at 1st place in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019.
Singapore is second, Sweden is third, and Denmark is fourth while Switzerland
is fifth.
3.
UNCTAD predicts India’s GDP growth rate for 2019 at 6%: The United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its Trade and Development
Report 2019 forecasted India’s economic growth rate at a 7-year low of 6% in
calendar year (CY) 2019 from 7.4% in 2018. The estimates were reduced due to
sharp fall of growth to 5.8% in the first quarter of CY19, the risk of shadow
banking in countries such as India and China, lower-than-targeted tax collections
and limited public spending.
Note:
UNCTAD: Formation: 30 December 1964; Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland; Secretary
General: Dr Mukhisa Kituyi
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Rajasthan’s Payal Jangir becomes the first Indian to receive the Changemaker Award
2019: Rajasthan’s Payal Jangir, aged 17, became the first Indian to receive the
Changemaker Award 2019 at the Goalkeepers Global Goals Awards 2019 presented by
the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation at a ceremony held in New York, United
States. She hails from Hinsla village, Rajasthan and was awarded for her work
towards the abolition of child marriage in her village and other neighbouring
areas. She is the President of her village’s Children’s Parliament (Bal
Panchayat).
OBITUARIES
1.
Telugu film actor Venu Madhav passes away: Popular Telugu film comedian ‘Venu
Madhav’ (39-years) passed away at the Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad. Venu
Madhav (born in Kodad in Suryapet district) wasn’t active in cinema for quite a
while owing to his ill health. Venu Madhav has acted in around 170 movies in a
career spanning over two decades.
2.
Former French president Jacques René Chirac passed away: A two-term (1995-2007)
French president Jacques René Chirac, aged 86, passed away in Paris, France.
Born 29 November 1932 in Paris, he was the first leader to accept France’s role
in the Holocaust (World War II genocide) and opposed the United States invasion
on Iraq in 2003. Nicknamed as “Le Bulldozer”, he also served as the Prime
Minister of France, Mayor of Paris, President of Rally for the Republic,
Minister of the Interior, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
