Current Affairs October 1, 2015

Mid Day Meal Rules 2015 notified by Union Government

The Union Ministry of Human Resources Development notified ‘Mid Day Meal Rules, 2015’ on September 30,, 2015. The rules have been made in accordance with the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA, 2013) that contains provisions related to welfare schemes including Mid Day Meal Scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Union Ministry of HRD has finalized the MDM Rules after consultation with the States and other related Central Ministries.

Government released Commemorative stamp on Dr. B.R.Ambedkar

The Department of Post under the aegis of Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Government of India brought out a Commemorative Stamp on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Constitution of India. The Stamp was released jointly by the Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot and Union Minister for Communication and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad on September 30, 2015. The stamp was released as a part of one year Nationwide Celebration of 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar.

Trilateral meeting held between India, USA and Japan

The foreign ministers of United States of America, Japan and India held trilateral meeting for the first time in the capital of United States of America, Washington D.C on September 30, 3015. The meeting was attended by Minister of External Affairs of India, Sushma Swaraj, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Fumio Kishida hosted and participated by Secretary of State of the United States, John Kerry.

BRICS meeting of foreign ministers held in New York

The Foreign ministers of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) met in New York City, United States of America on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly meet on September 29, 2015, On the sidelines of the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the United Nations and the end of the Second World War.

2^nd India- CARICOM meeting held in New York

The 2^nd India- CARICOM (Caribbean Community) ministerial meeting was held on September 30, 2015 in New York, United States of America on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meet. The Indian delegation was led by the Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj and the CARICOM delegation was led by Alva Baptiste Minister External Affairs, Trade and Civil Aviation of Saint Lucia. The meeting was attended by representatives of all member countries.

Palestinian Flag raised at the United Nations Headquarters for the first time

Palestinian flag was raised for the first time at United Nations headquarters in New York on September 30, 2015. The ceremony was attended by the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas. Traditionally, only official member states of United Nations have the right to raise their flag up in front of the U.N. tower. Currently, Palestinian Authority has nonmember observer status in UN.

In September 2015, the UN General Assembly voted to allow the Palestinians and the Vatican (both with the non-member observer status) to add their respective flags to the UN.

International Day of Older Person 2015 observed on October 1

The International Day of Older Persons 2015 was observed on October 1, 2015. The theme for International Day of Older Persons 2015 was “Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment”. Aim to celebrate this day is to raise awareness about issues affecting the elderly people, such as senescence and elder abuse. It is also a day to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society

Core sector grew by over 2.6%

The Index of Eight Core Industries was published by the Office of the Economic Adviser (OEA), Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) on September 30, 2015. The index of eight core industries grew by 2.6% in August, 2015 compared to August, 2014. The growth was slower compared to the 5.6% growth in August, 2014. This was mainly because shrinking of steel production and flattening of coal output. However, the 2.6% growth in core industries was more than the 1.1% growth in July, 2015. The strongest growth was in the fertiliser sector which grew at 12.5% in August, 2015.

Indian manufacturing sector output slips to 7 month low

India’s manufacturing sector output slipped to a seven-month low of 51.2 in September. A composite monthly indicator of manufacturing performance – Purchase Manager’s Index (PMI) – stood at 51.2 in September, down from 52.3 in August. According to the survey, PMI was weighed down by slower increases in new orders and output as growth of new work moderated to the weakest since June, reflecting challenging economic conditions

India emerged as top FDI destination in first half of 2015

India has emerged as the top destination for Foreign direct investment (FDI) as compared with China and United states in the first half of 2015. A report published in London’s Financial Times has mentioned that India has attracted roughly 31 billion US dollar ahead of 28 billion dollar of china and 27 billion of United States.

Union Government cuts Natural gas price

The Union government on October 1, 2015 cut natural gas prices for power and fertiliser sector by 16 per cent to USD 4.24 per unit for the six month period, beginning October 1, 2015. Natural gas prices, according to a formula approved by the government in October last year, will fall to 4.24 US dollar million British thermal unit (MMBTU) on net calorific value (NCV) basis from the current 5.50 US dollar MMBTU.

7 Zonal Cultural Centres set up

Government has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) having their headquarters at Patiala, Udaipur, Allahabad, Kolkata, Dimapur, Nagpur and Thanjavur with the objectives to preserve, promote and disseminate the traditional folk and tribal arts and culture of all the States/ Union Territories. The ZCCs have been carrying out various activities and organizing programmes at the national, zonal and local levels in accordance with their aims and objectives, implemented through schemes.

CSIR announced Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science & Technology 2015

CSIR on 26 September 2015 announced Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science and Technology 2015 for eleven scientists in recognition of their work. The awardees were announced to mark the CSIR’s 73nd Foundation day.The SSB Prize consists of a citation, a plaque and a cash prize of 5 lakh rupees.

China launched 20th Generation satellite

China launched a 20th new generation satellite into orbit on September 30, 2015 into orbit that will support its global navigation and positioning network. The satellite was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the south-western province of Sichuan. A Long March-3B carrier rocket carried the satellite. The launch of the 20th satellite for the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has put China one step closer to providing an alternative to the U.S. operated Global Positioning System (GPS).Besides, it was the first time that the satellite featured a hydrogen atomic clock. Also, multiple tests related to the clock will be done.

King Kong director John Guillermin died

British filmmaker John Guillermin died on September 27, 2015 in Los Angeles USA. He was known for directing the 1976 hit “King Kong” and the disaster classic “The Towering Inferno”. He was 89 years old. Guillermin, who also helmed the famed Agatha Christie whodunit “Death on the Nile” (1978), died Sunday of a heart attack at his home on September 27, 2015.

Asian Air Gun Championship: Heena Sidhu gets gold medal

Former world number one Heena Sidhu has clinched the gold medal in women’s 10 metre air pistol event at the 8th Asian Air Gun Championships in New Delhi. Heena shot a total of 197.8 to win the top prize in the final. India also had the silver medal in the kitty as Shweta Singh came second in the day’s marquee event aggregating 197.0. Korean shooter Seon A Kim took the bronze with a total score of 175.8. Overall, India won an impressive haul of 17 medals, including six gold to finish as toppers in the continental event. Iran finished second in the standing.

West Indies fail to qualify for 2017 Champions Trophy

West Indies Cricket team has failed to qualify for the 2017 Champions Trophy to be held in England, while Bangladesh will play the tournament for the first time since 2006. Pakistan pipped the West Indies to the eighth position in International Cricket Council’s (ICC) one-day team rankings at the September 30, 2015 cut-off.

Cristiano Ronaldo equalled Raul Gonzalez’s record

In Football, Cristiano Ronaldo equalled Raul’s all-time goals record for Real Madrid and took his career tally of total goals scored to 500 by scoring a brace against Malmo in Sweden to give Real Madrid a 2-0 win in Group-A match of the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Champions League. Already the top scorer in the competition’s history, Ronaldo rifled home his 81st and 82nd Champions League goals and took his Real tally to 323 alongside Raul.

Source: The Hindu, PIB, The Indian Express