Current Affairs September – 2019
India
India’s tallest air traffic control tower inaugurated in Delhi
The Minister of Civil Aviation, Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the nation’s tallest Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on 2 September 2019.
The tower is expected to improve air traffic management at the airport. Set up at a cost of over ₹3,500 crores, it is capable of handling more than 1,200 flights per day with a peak hour handling capacity of 75 flights.
The tower is built at a height of 102 metres and comprises three buildings – the Aerodrome Control Tower, Area & Approach Control Services Building and the Administrative Block.
For more details, visit https://www.financialexpress.com
Rajnath Singh becomes first defence minister to fly in a fighter jet
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh became the first defence minister to fly in a fighter jet on 19 September 2019. Singh was accompanied by Air Vice Marshal N Tiwari who is also the Project Director of the National Flight Test Centre, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
The minister flew the indigenously-built light combat aircraft (LCA), Tejas, from the HAL airport in Bengaluru, wearing a G-suite, a white helmet and an oxygen mask.
The minister took the flight in order to boost the morale of the officers who have been involved in the development of the aircraft and also the IAF pilots who fly this aircraft.
For more details, visit https://economictimes.indiatimes.com
RKS Bhadauria is the new Indian Air Force Chief
Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria took charge as the new Chief of the Indian Air Force on 30 September 2019. Previously, he was the Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS), and succeeds Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, who retired after 41 years of service.
Bhadauria has an experience of flying 26 different types of fighters and has clocked around 4,250 hours of flying. He played a key role in procuring the 36 multirole Rafale fighter jets for India by negotiating the deal with France.
He has been awarded several medals including the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, the Vayu Sena Medal and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
For more details, visit https://www.businesstoday.in
Niti Aayog releases School Education Quality Index
NITI Ayog recently published the School Education Quality Index (SEQI) report, which is based on the analysis of quality of school education in the states and UTs for 2016 –17.
According to the report, Kerala topped the list of large states in overall performance with 76.63%, followed by Rajasthan and Karnataka with 72.86% and 69.57% respectively. Among the small states, Manipur bagged the top position with 68.76% followed by Tripura and Goa with 64.5% and 58.37% respectively. As far as the union territories are concerned, Chandigarh secured the top position with 82.9%, followed by Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Delhi having 59.99% and 48.96%, respectively.
The schools were evaluated on 30 indicators carrying a weightage of 965 marks. These indicators were broadly categorised into two parts: Outcomes and Governance Processes Aiding Outcomes.
For more details, visit https://niti.gov.in
Sports
Pankaj Advani wins record 22nd World Billiards Title
One of the most consistent sportspersons, Pankaj Advani won his 22nd World Billiards title at the IBSF World Billiards Championship 2019 on 15 September.
The Bengaluru-based cueist has won more world titles in his sport than anyone else. In fact, this is his fifth title in the 150-up format in the last six years. He has been winning a world title every year since 2013.
Currently, Pankaj Advani is the only player in the world to win world titles in both short and long formats of snooker and both formats of English billiards.
For more details, visit https://www.indiatoday.in
India wins 5 medals at World Wrestling Championship
India displayed its best-ever performance at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships winning five medals, including one silver and four bronze. The event was organised between 14 September and 22 September in Nur Sultan in Kazakhstan.
Deepak Punia settled for a silver medal in the 86-kg category after pulling out of his title bout due to an ankle injury. Rahul Aware, on the other hand, put up a valiant fight against his American opponent Tyler Lee Graff to grab the bronze medal in the 61-kg category. The other bronze medallists include Ravi Kumar Dahiya (57kg), Bajrang Punia (65kg) and Vinesh Phogat (53kg), and the wins have ensured them qualification for the 2020 Olympics in their respective weight categories.
For more details, visit https://www.news18.com
Lionel Messi and Megan Rapinoe win FIFA best players awards
Football legend Lionel Messi from Argentina and Megan Rapinoe, member of USA’s World Cup winning soccer team were announced the Players of the Year at the Best FIFA Football Awards held at La Scala opera house in Milan on 23 September 2019.
Barcelona’s Messi edged out the UEFA best player award winner Virgil Van Dijk and his biggest rival Christiano Ronaldo to win this title in the men’s category for a record sixth time. On the other hand, Rapinoe beat fellow World Cup winner Alex Morgan and England’s Lucy Bronze to win the women’s title.
Other awardees at the event include:
FIFA Best Men’s Coach 2019: Jurgen Klopp
FIFA Best Women’s Coach 2019: Jill Ellis
FIFA Puskas Award: Dániel Zsóri
FIFA Best Men’s Goalkeeper 2019: Marc-André ter Stegen
FIFA Best Women’s Goalkeeper 2019: Sari van Veenendaal
FIFA Best Fan Award 2019: Silvia Grecco
FIFA Best fair play award: Leeds United and Marcelo Bielsa
For more details, visit https://www.fifa.com
Deepak Punia is world’s best wrestler in 86 kg category
Deepak Punia, who recently won a silver medal in the World Wrestling Championships has clinched the number one position in the 86-kg category in the latest rankings issued by United World Wrestling (UWW). The 20-year-old has 82 points, four points more than the previously top-ranked Iranian wrestler Hasan Yazdani.
On the other hand, Bajrang Punia, who was previously at the number one spot in the 65-kg category, dropped to the second position. The first spot has now been taken by Gadzhimurad Rashidov from Russia.
Both Bajrang and Deepak have qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in their respective weight categories.
For more details, visit https://www.aninews.in
Mayank Vaid wins Enduroman triathlon with a world record
Triathlete Mayank Vaid has become the first Indian to complete the Enduroman, one of the toughest endurance competitions in the world. The triathlon comprising running, swimming and cycling rounds is held from England to France.
The previous record was held by Belgium’s Julian Denair who completed the triathlon in 52 hours 30 minutes. However, Vaid took 2 hours 6 minutes less to finish the race, breaking the previous record.
The triathlon started from London’s Marble Arch. The contestants first ran for 140 km, then swam 33.8 km from the Kent coast and crossed the English Channel to reach the coast of France. Finally, they cycled 289.7 km and finished the race in Paris.
Vaid has become the 44th person in the world to complete the triathlon.
For more details, visit https://indianexpress.com
India lifts maiden SAFF U-18 Championship title
The Indian under-18 football team scripted history by defeating Bangladesh 2-1 in the final of SAFF U-18 Championship 2019 held in Nepal on 29 September.
Ninthoinganba Meetei was declared the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. In addition, three players – Gurkirat Singh (India) Tanbir Hossain and Foysal Ahmed (Bangladesh) shared the top-scorer award.
India finished third in 2017 and were the runners-up in 2015. Nepal had lifted the trophy in the two editions held earlier. However, this time, they couldn’t enter the semi-finals.
Earlier in August 2019, the under-15 national team had won the SAFF U-15 Championship by beating Bangladesh in the final.
For more details, visit https://www.business-standard.com
US Open 2019: Winners List
The King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, clinched his 19th Gram Slam title by defeating Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 in the final of the US Open on 8 September 2019.
The women’s title was clinched by Bianca Andreescu, who defeated Serena Williams 6-3, 7-5. It was the first time that a Canadian player claimed the Grand Slam singles title.
The other winners of the tournament include Juan Sebastián Cabal and Robert Farah (Men’s doubles), Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka (Women’s doubles), Bethanie Mattek-Sands Jamie Murray (Mixed doubles).
The US Open is one of the most important tennis tournaments in the world, besides the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon.
For more details, visit https://www.vox.com
Virat Kohli becomes India’s most successful test captain
India’s victory against West Indies by 257 runs in Jamaica led to Virat Kohli becoming the nation’s most successful test captain overseas. This was the country’s 28th win in 48 tests led by Kohli. This record was previously held by MS Dhoni, who led India to 27 victories in 60 test matches. With this, India currently stands at the top position in the ICC Test Championship rankings with 120 points.
Kohli credited his team for the record and said, ‘Captaincy is just a C in front of your name.’ He further added, ‘It’s a by-product of the quality team we have here.’
As far as the world rankings are concerned, Graeme Smith remains the most successful captain in the world with 53 test wins, followed by Ricky Ponting with 48.
For more details, visit https://www.indiatoday.in
Literature
Book on Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardees released
The Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu released a coffee table book Glorious Diaspora – Pride of India on Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardees in New Delhi on 5 September 2019.
While launching the book that contains brief profiles of the recipients of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards from 2003 to 2019, the Vice President called upon the Indian diaspora to effectively counter false propaganda and negative narrative about India. He urged the pravasis to project the correct image of India, especially on the harmonious co-existence of the people belonging to all religions and various social groups.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award is conferred upon any non-resident Indian or a person of Indian origin for their exceptional and meritorious contribution in their chosen field/profession, which has enhanced India’s prestige in their country of residence.
For more details, visit https://www.business-standard.com
Books on President’s speeches released
The second volumes of Loktantra Ke Swar and The Republican Ethic were released by the Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu on 6 September 2019 at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, New Delhi.
The books are a compilation of 95 speeches delivered by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind during his second year in office from July 2018 to July 2019. The books have been published by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting with an aim to promote and disseminate the selected speeches of the President.
The speeches have been divided into eight categories: Addressing the Nation, Windows to the World, Educating India: Equipping India, Dharma of Public Service, Honouring our Sentinels, Spirit of the Constitution and Law, Acknowledging Excellence, and Mahatma Gandhi: Moral Exemplar, Guiding Light.
For more details, visit https://www.aninews.in
Environment
Greta Thunberg warns world leaders at the UN climate summit
16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg created ripples when she addressed the UN climate summit in New York on 23 September 2019. Questioning world leaders about their actions to deal with climate change, a visibly emotional Greta warned them that they will not be forgiven for stealing the dreams and future of the youngsters. She went on to reprimand them for ignoring the science around climate change and for being slow in their approach to tackle the issue.
Greta has galvanised millions of young people around the world to participate in demonstrations to raise awareness about the need for action on climate change. Her campaigning began in August 2018 when she started bunking school every Friday to protest against climate change. She has since been urging leaders to take immediate action to address the climate crisis.
Greta has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year.
For more details, visit https://www.washingtonpost.com
Science & Technology
NASA releases high-resolution images of Vikram’s landing site
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) released high-resolution images capturing the targeted landing site of India’s Chandrayaan-2 lander, Vikram, on 27 September 2019. The images taken by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) showed that Vikram had a hard landing.
Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO’s) second lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2 was launched by Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV MK-III) M1 launch vehicle from Sriharikota on 22 July 2019.
The vehicle’s lander, Vikram, and lunar rover, Pragyan, were scheduled to execute a soft landing on the lunar surface on 6 September between 1.30 am to 2.30 am (IST) and conduct experiments for one lunar day, equivalent to about 14 earth days. However, when the lander was just 2.1 kilometres away from the lunar surface, ISRO lost contact with it. Nonetheless, Chandrayaan’s orbiter is working well and will continue performing its experiments over the course of its one-year mission life.
The lunar mission was launched in a bid to explore the south polar region of the moon.
For more details, visit https://www.indiatoday.in
Water discovered on a potentially habitable planet
Scientists in the UK have found the first evidence of water in the atmosphere of a potentially habitable planet outside our solar system. This discovery was published in the scientific journal, Nature Astronomy, on 11 September 2019.
The planet, named K2-18 b, was discovered by NASA’s Kepler spacecraft in 2015. It is a super-Earth that lies 110 light-years away in the constellation Leo. It is twice as large and eight times heavier than our planet and orbits a tiny red dwarf star every 33 days.
‘It’s the only planet outside our solar system that we know has the correct temperature, an atmosphere and water,’ said the first author of the paper, Dr Angelos Tsiaras. Although the planet lies in the habitable zone, scientists are yet to determine signs of life on it.
For more details, visit https://www.washingtonpost.com
India successfully launches air-to-air missile
India successfully test-fired indigenously developed air-to-air missile, Astra, from a Sukhoi-30 MKI off the coast of Odisha on 17 September 2019.
Designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this state-of-the-art missile is capable of engaging targets of different ranges and altitudes. Furthermore, the missile has a strike range of over 70 km and can fly towards its target at a speed of 5,555 kms per hour.
The beyond-visual-range missile also has a 15-kg high-explosive pre-fragmented warhead.
For more details, visit https://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Government launches UMMID to tackle inherited diseases of newborns
The Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences inaugurated five diagnostic centres under the Unique Methods of Management and treatment of Inherited Disorders (UMMID) programme on 23 September 2019. This programme is intended to provide treatment of inherited genetic diseases in newborns, especially to those who cannot afford expensive care.
The key objectives of this programme are
1. To establish nidan kendras (diagnostic labs) to provide counselling, prenatal testing and diagnosis, management, and multidisciplinary care in government hospitals where the influx of patients is more
2. To produce skilled clinicians in human genetics, and
3. To undertake screening of pregnant women and newborns for inherited genetic diseases in hospitals at aspirational districts
For more details, visit https://aninews.in
World
Pandit Jasraj becomes first Indian artist to have a planet named after him
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) named a minor planet after Indian classical singer Pandit Jasraj. The asteroid, discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey, a NASA funded project, on 11 November 2006, is located between Mars and Jupiter. Pandit Jasraj is the first Indian musician to receive this honour.
Proposing a name for an asteroid is the privilege of the discoverer(s) and they have ten years to do this. The proposed names are then judged by the 15-member Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (CSBN) of the IAU, comprising professional astronomers.
The citation on the website reads, ‘Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj is an exponent of Indian classical vocal music. Jasraj is the recipient of numerous awards, honours and titles, including the prestigious Padma Vibhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. His distinctive voice traverses a remarkable four-and-a-half octaves.’
Other artists, such as Mozart, Tenor Luciano Pavarottia and Beethoven, have also received this honour previously.
For more details, visit https://www.firstpost.com
Miscellaneous
National Geoscience Awards 2018 recognises 22 scientists
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi conferred the National Geoscience Awards 2018 on 22 scientists for their outstanding contributions in the field of geosciences, mining and allied areas. The awards were distributed on 19 September 2019 in three categories, namely National Geoscience Award for Excellence, National Geoscience Award and Young Scientist Award.
The list of awardees include Prof. Syed Wajih Ahmad Naqvi, Dr. Sohini Ganguly, Dr. Yamuna Singh, Dr. Danda Srinivas Rao, Prof. Jyotisankar Ray, Dr. Bahadur Singh Kotlia, and many more.
The awards were conferred in ten disciples – groundwater exploration, mineral exploration, mineral beneficiation, mining technology, basic and applied geosciences, sustainable mineral development, natural hazards investigation and geo-environmental studies.
For more details, visit https://alsomindy.com/national-geoscience-awards-syed-naqvi-conferred-award-for-excellence-sohini-ganguly-awarded-young-scientist/
Emmy Awards 2019 presented
The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony was held on 22 September 2019 at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles, California, USA. This year’s ceremony did not have a host.
Listed below are some of the winners of 2019.
Outstanding Drama Series: Game of Thrones
Outstanding Comedy Series: Fleabag
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Jodie Comer (Killing Eve)
Directing for a Drama Series: Jason Bateman (Ozark)
Drama Series Outstanding Lead Actor: Billy Porter (Pose)
Drama Series Outstanding Supporting Actress: Julia Garner (Ozark)
Best Drama Series Writing Award: Jesse Armstrong (Succession)
Drama Series Best Supporting Actor: Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)
Best Variety Talk Series Award: Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
For more details, visit https://ew.com
PT Usha conferred with IAAF Veteran Pin Award
Former Indian athlete PT Usha was conferred with the Veteran Pin Award at the 52nd IAAF conference in Doha, Qatar on 24 September 2019. This award is given to players who have made significant contributions to athletics. The Golden Girl has been conferred with many other prestigious awards such as the Padma Shri and the Arjuna Award.
The ‘Payyoli Express’ will always be remembered as the youngest Indian sprinter to compete in the 1980 Moscow Olympics and for her performance at the 1994 Los Angeles Olympics in which she missed the bronze for 400 m hurdles by a whisker.
For more details, visit http://www.newindianexpress.com
PM Modi conferred with Goalkeeper Award
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Global Goalkeeper award by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on 25 September 2019 for his Swachh Bharat Mission. The PM shared the honour with the countrymen and acknowledged them for their commendable contributions to the cleanliness mission.
90 million toilets have been built so far under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to eliminate open defecation. Currently, 98% of the villages in India have rural sanitation coverage as opposed to 38% in 2014.
Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) had also lauded Modi government’s efforts and said that due to the Swachh Bharat campaign, a possibility was created to save three lakh human lives.
The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched by the Modi government on 2 October 2014 with the aim to achieve universal sanitation coverage in the country.
For more details, visit https://www.indiatoday.in
Kalli Purie honoured with ‘India’s most powerful women in media’ award
The Vice Chairperson of the India Today Group, Kalli Purie, has been honoured with India’s Most Powerful Women in Media title at the Confluence Excellence Awards held at the British Parliament on 27 September 2019.
This is the second edition of the Confluence Excellence Awards. The objective of these awards is to recognise individuals for their innovative leadership and success that they have achieved through revolutionising their field of work.
Two weeks earlier, Purie was honoured with the Outstanding Media & Entertainment Award at the annual 21st Century Icon Awards in London.
For more details, visit https://www.indiatoday.in
