19 September 2015 Current Affair Updates | Daily GK Download

1. India's ranking has slipped further to 81 in the list of Global Innovation Index 2015, compared to 76 in 2014, on account of factors like consistently poor performance in ease of doing business, slow pace of policy decision-making and changing political environment. The study ranked 141 economies across the world. However India has outperformed its peers in the Central and Southern Asian Region (CSA) and positioned itself as innovation achiever in the lower-middle income category. Switzerland, the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands and the US are the world's five most innovative nations in the list of Global Innovation Index 2015.

2. India has been ranked 34th among 60 leading economies in terms of 'business growth environment' but the country has been ranked among the bottom ten when it comes to 'business operating environment'. In the Grant Thornton Global Dynamism Index (GDI), India was ranked at the 34th place, registering a gain of 14 places since the last version of the index, largely driven by a strong and productive workforce. However, India was ranked 53rd out of 60 in the GDI when it comes to its business operating environment.

3. Indian sprinter Dutee Chand has won the gold medal in 100-metre at the 55th National Open Athletic Championship. Although she did not make an impressive start, she gained pace towards the end to outrun Srabani Nanda. Dutee Chand clocked 11.68 seconds to beat Nanda's who completed the race in 11.70 seconds. 

4. As many as 15 MoUs with investment potential of USD 590 million have been signed between Chinese Province Gunagdong and its sister state Gujarat across various sectors for mutual cooperation in the China-India Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference 2015 held in Ahmedabad. These agreements signed for mutual cooperation and business, can be classified under three main areas including manufacturing and information technology. Some key agreements signed between business leaders include an MoU to develop the Ahmedabad Industrial Park and an agreement to promote eCommerce in both the contries.

19 September 2015 Current Affair Updates | Daily GK Download
19 September 2015 Current Affair Updates | Daily GK Download
5. Afghan refugee teacher Aqeela Asifi was awarded with the 2015 Nansen Refugee Award by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Asifi dedicated her life to bring education to refugee girls in Pakistan. Aqeela Asifi was awarded for her brave and tireless dedication to education for Afghan refugee girls in the Kot Chandana refugee village in Mianwali, Pakistan.

6. The Central Government announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY). This is a new programme meant to provide for the welfare of areas and people affected by mining related operations, using the funds generated by District Mineral Foundations (DMFs). The objective of PMKKKY scheme will be (a) to implement various developmental and welfare projects/programs in mining affected areas; (b) to minimize/mitigate the adverse impacts, during and after mining, on the environment, health and socio-economics of people in mining districts; and (c) to ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected people in mining areas.

7. Delhi Government approved Victim Compensation Scheme. It enhanced the upper limit of compensation to rape victims to 5 lakh rupees from existing 3 lakh rupees and to the victims of acid attack to 7 lakh rupees from 3 lakh rupees. The decision was taken during a cabinet meet headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

8. The largest Indian drugmaker, Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. entered into a deal to acquire US-based InSite Vision Inc. for $48 million (about Rs.300 crore). As per the terms of the agreement and merger plan, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sun Pharma will make a tender offer for all of the issued and outstanding common stock of InSite Vision at 0.35 US dollars per share in cash.

9. India Cements won the Moin-ud Dowlah Gold Cup Tournament 2015-16 by defeating Hyderabad XI. This was the third title for the winning team. The final match was held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.

10. Swetha Prabhakaran, an Indian American 15 years old teen, was awarded with the prestigious Champions of Change Award of US at the White House. She is among 11 young women selected by the White House as Champions of Change. Prabhakaran, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia, founded a non-profit organisation 'Everybody Code Now' to empower the next generation of youth to become engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs.

11. India and the US have created a "joint challenge coin" to symbolise their unique partnership in creating a next-generation aircraft carrier for the Indian Navy. One side of the coin reads "Forward Together We Go" and "Chale Chale Saath Saath" in Hindi; which is the vision statement of US President Barack Obama Prime Minister Narendra Modi, issued in their first meeting at the White House last September. The other side of this coin, which is golden in colour, has the flags of India and the United States and an aircraft carrier floating on blue water. The "joint challenge coin" was created by the joint working group at their first meeting in US last month "to symbolise partnership".


12. Swami Vivekananda Airport (or Mana Airport) in Raipur has been conferred the "Best Airport for National Tourism Award 2013-14" by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee. This is the second consecutive year the award has been given to Raipur airport. Raipur Airport proved to be the best airport of the country in Rest of India category. Best Airport is select on the basis of tourism, infrastructure, design, hygiene, management.
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