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Current Affairs 18 September 2019

ISRO and DRDO Joins Hands for Human Space Mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has inked an MoU with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for development of human centric systems and technologies for the Human Space Mission.
ISRO aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capability before the 75th anniversary of India’s independence in 2022.
On the other hand, DRDO is committed to provide all necessary support including customized technological capabilities to ISRO for the human space flight within the stringent timelines.
Some of the critical technologies that DRDO will provide to ISRO will include space food, space crew health monitoring and emergency survival kit, radiation measurement and protection, parachutes for safe recovery of crew module and others.

India Successfully Flight Tests Indigenously Designed Air-to-Air Missile Astra from Su-30 MKI

India conducted the successful flight testing of its indigenously designed air-to-air missile Astra from the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Odisha on September 16, 2019.
The beyond-visual-range missile was launched from Sukhoi-30 MKI.
Astra is India’s first indigenous air-to-air missile, capable of engaging targets of different ranges and altitudes including long-range as well as short-range targets.
It has been designed by the DRDO.

Hyderabad-Karnataka Region Renamed ‘Kalyana Karnataka’

The Hyderabad Karnataka region that comprises of six districts has been renamed to “Kalyana Karnataka”.
Earlier it was known by the name Hyderabad-Karnataka. The six districts that are the part of “Kalyana Karnataka” are Bidar, Ballari, Kalaburagi, Koppal, Raichur and Yadgir. A separate secretariat would be set up for the development of Kalyana Karnataka.
The region enjoys special status under the Constitution (Article 371J) owing to its backwardness.

Indian Diaspora Largest in the World with 17.5 Million Living Abroad: UN report

India has emerged as the leading country of origin of international migrants in 2019, with 17.5 million persons living abroad, according to a UN report that provides the latest estimates of the number of international migrants by age, sex and origin for all countries and areas of the world.
The report titled ‘International Migrant Stock 2019’ was released by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) on September 18, 2019.
Overall estimate– The 2019 report said that the number of migrants globally reached an estimated 272 million.
India was followed by Mexico as the second largest country of origin with 11.8 million people followed by China with 10.7 million.
Also, India hosted 5.1 million international migrants in 2019 with the highest number of international migrants coming from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal.
In terms of regional statistics, Europe hosted the largest number of international migrants (82 million), followed by Northern America (59 million) and Northern Africa and Western Asia (49 million).
At the country level, United States of America host the largest number of international migrants (51 million), equal to about 19% of the world’s total.
Age-wise– one out of every seven international migrants is below the age of 20 years.
Gender-wise– Share of women and girls in the global number of international migrants fell slightly, from 49% in 2000 to 48% in 2019

Govt waives 3-year lock-in period on investments made by NRI in IDF bonds

The central government has waived the three-year lock-in period on investments made by non-residents in infrastructure debt funds (IDFs).
This has been done to promote funding in the infrastructure sector. CBDT has issued the necessary guidelines regarding the same.
IDFs are investment vehicles to accelerate the flow of long-term debt to the sector.
Any amount of interest received by non-resident or foreign company from investment in such IDFs is charged at a reduced tax rate of 5 per cent.

Airtel Payments Bank launches ‘Bharosa’ savings account

Airtel Payments Bank has launched savings bank account service under the name “Bharosa”.
Apart from offering the basic banking features, Bharosa savings account would offer Rs 5 lakh personal accident insurance on maintaining a balance of Rs 500 along with one debit transaction per month.

London overtakes India’s financial capital Mumbai in rupee trading

As per the triennial survey of currency markets by the Bank for International Settlements, London has overtaken India’s financial capital Mumbai to become the top center for trading the currency Indian Rupee.
Average daily volumes for rupee in the UK was $46.8 billion in April 2019 while that in India was $34.5 billion.
Data released by the BIS “now makes an even more compelling case for policy makers to focus on increasing the wallet share of the onshore market,”.

Sri Lanka Unveils South Asia’s Tallest Tower in Colombo

Sri Lanka has unveiled South Asia’s tallest tower called ‘Lotus Tower’ on September 16 in Colombo.
The Lotus Tower is spread over an area of 30,600 sq. metres, with a height of 350-metre and comprise of 17-storey.
The overall cost is above $100 million, off which 80% has been funded by China under the controversial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The Lotus Tower will function as a TV tower, a hotel, a shopping mall and a conference center

Panda chosen as mascot of Winter Olympics 2022 (Beijing)

Animal Panda which is named “Bing Dwen Dwen” has been chosen as the official mascot of Winter Olympics 2022 that will be held in Beijing, China.
It is also known as the Beijing Olympics 2022. “Bing Dwen Dwen” is a giant panda. In Mandarin, “bing” means ice and “dwen dwen” means robust and lively. The panda is wearing a suit which resembles ice.
The black and white bear has a “heart of gold and a love of all things winter sports. The newly launched Olympic mascot resembles an astronaut, embracing new technologies for a future with infinite possibilities.
The mascot for Paralympics 2022 is a lantern child called “Shuey Rhon Rhon” whose name represents “warmth, friendship, courage and perseverance.”

Horror Filmmaker Shyam Ramsay of Ramsay Brothers Fame Passes Away at 67

Renowned film director Shyam Ramsay, one of the seven Ramsay Brothers known for cult horror films, passed away. He was 67.
Some of the notable work of Shyam Ramsay includes “Darwaza”, “Purana Mandir” and “Veerana”.
The Ramsay Brothers were active in Indian cinema throughout the 1970s and the 1980s and Shyam Ramsay was considered the main artist and head of this group.

World Bamboo Day: September 18

World Bamboo Day is observed every year on 18th of September by the World Bamboo Organization to generate awareness about conserving and promoting the bamboo industry.
India is the world’s second-largest cultivator of bamboo after China with over 130 species.

World Water Monitoring Day: September 18

The World Water Monitoring Day is observed every year on September 18 since 2003 to grow public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources.
It is an international education and outreach program initiated by America’s Clean Water Foundation (ACWF) and now coordinated by Water at Environment Federation (WEF) and the International Water Association (IWA).
The day aims to build public awareness of the importance of protecting water resources around the world by engaging people to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies.

Daily Current Affairs – 18 September 2019