Current Affairs of Today
1) First Indigenous Fuel Cell System launched on CSIR Foundation Day
The President of India, Shri Ram NathKovind, unveiled the first Indigenous High Temperature Fuel Cell System developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in partnership with Indian industries under India’s flagship program named “New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI)” on the occasion of CSIR Foundation Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 26 September 2019About Fuel Cell System
- The 5.0 kW fuel cell system generates power in a green manner using methanol / bio-methane, with heat and water as bi-products for further use; amounting to greater than 70% efficiency, which otherwise may not be possible by other energy sources.
- The Fuel Cells developed are based on High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HTPEM) Technology. The development is most suitable for distributed stationary power applications like; for small offices, commercial units, data centers, etc.; where highly reliable power is essential with a simultaneous requirement for air-conditioning.
- This system will also meet the requirement of efficient, clean and reliable backup power generators for telecom towers, remote locations, and strategic applications as well. This development would replace Diesel Generating (DG) sets and help reduce India’s dependence on crude oil.
The development has placed India in the league of developed nations that own such a knowledge base.
2) DRDO and Central University of Jammu sign MoU to set up Kalam Centre for Science and Technology
- Defense Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence and Central University of Jammu (CUJ) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of Kalam Centre for Science and Technology (KCST) at the university.
- The main objective of the MoU is to undertake and facilitate multidisciplinary directed basic and applied research and technology development in the identified research verticals namely; Computational System Security and Sensors.
3) India to host the second edition of the joint international hackathon
India will hold the second edition of the joint hackathon with Singapore, the ‘Singapore India Hackathon 2019’ at IIT Madras on Sep 28 and 29, 2019.
This year the hackathon is focused on three themes, ‘Good Health and well-being’, ‘Quality Education’ and ‘Affordable and Clean Energy’.
Highlights of Smart India Hackathon 2019
- 20 teams with 6 team members each (3 members from India and 3 members from Singapore) to participate.
- Each team to have 2 mentors (1 from India and 1 from Singapore)
- The hackathon will be focused on 5 problem statements under 3 broad themes – Good health and well-being, Quality Education, Affordable and clean energy
- Top 4 teams will win prizes ($10,000, $8,000, $6,000 and $4,000 respectively) from the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri. Narendra Modi, along with 6 more teams with Encouragement prizes ($2,000 per team)
4) National Tourism Awards 2017-18 to be presented on World Tourism Day.
The National Tourism Awards 2017-18 will be presented on World Tourism Day on 27 September at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi in the gracious presence of Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu. A total of 76 Awards under various categories will be presented this year.
About World Tourism Day
United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has chosen India as the host country to celebrate World Tourism Day 2019 on the theme ‘Tourism and Jobs: A better future for all’. Celebrated every September 27 around the world, the purpose of World Tourism Day (WTD) is to foster awareness among the international community on the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. The event seeks to address global challenges outlined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and highlight the contribution the tourism sector can make in reaching these goals.
5) President of India presents awards for outstanding contributions in Science and Technology on the occasion of CSIR Foundation Day
The President of India, Shri Ram NathKovind, presented awards for outstanding contributions in science and technology at a function held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on the occasion of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Foundation Day.
6) UNSC allows Hafiz Saeed banking access
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1267 Committee has allowed Pakistan-based UN designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed limited access to his otherwise sanctioned bank account.
Pakistan’s decision to apply for funds for Hafiz Saeed follows questions raised by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) earlier this year. Pakistan’s letter had requested that Saeed be allowed access to a total of 1,50,000 Pakistani rupees a month to cover his and his family’s expenses.
The APG (Asia Pacific Group) subgroup meeting in Beijing in May 2019 had asked Pakistan for details of how more than 100 UNsanctioned entities, including Saeed, were sustaining
themselves. Providing any of these entities access to funds without UNSC approval is a violation
of Pakistan’s commitments and part of the 27point action plan that it is expected to be approved on ahead of the FATF meeting in November that will decide on its “greylist” status.
7) Payal Jangid won the Changemaker award of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for running a campaign to end child labor and child marriage
Payal Jangid, an Indian teenager, received the Changemaker Award at the Goalkeepers Global Goals Awards in New York. The award recognized her campaign to end child labor and child marriage. The award was presented to her by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Payal Jangid: The 17-year-old Rajasthani girl Payal Jangid fought against her own marriage at the age of 11. She is currently campaigning to discourage child marriage and persuade parents to keep their children in education.
8) Assam government has launched a scheme named Aponar Apon Ghar
In Guwahati, the Assam Government has rolled out a housing loan subsidy scheme - Aponar Apon Ghar - wherein financial relief will be provided towards the purchase or construction of the first house for the family. The subsidy up to Rs 2.50 lakh will be provided for loan amounts from Rs 5 to Rs 40 Lakh. This move will boost the demand and led to the expansion of real estate in the state.
9) Amitabh Bachchan is selected for 2019 Dada Sahab Phalke award
Amitabh Bachchan has been named for the prestigious Dada Sahab Phalke award for his outstanding contribution to the film industry. It is India's highest award in cinema, which is conferred by the Government of India (GoI) for outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Indian Cinema. It consists of a Swarn Kamal and a cash prize of Rs 10 Lakh. In a career spanning five decades, Bachchan has given memorable performances film after film and is a four-time National Film Award winner.
10) Ex-French President Jacques Chirac is dead
Jacques Chirac, who molded the legacy of Charles de Gaulle into a personal power base that made him one of the dominant leaders of France across three decades and a vocal advocate of European unity, died on Thursday at his home in Paris. He was 86
11) Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting with Global CEOs and Senior Executives of leading American Companies
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi chaired an exclusive roundtable discussion, in New York, with 42 global captains of industry from across 20 sectors. The companies that participated in the roundtable had a combined net worth of US$ 16.4 trillion, of which their net worth in India is US$ 50 billion.
The DPIIT- and Invest India-organized interaction included the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Sh. Piyush Goyal, and senior officials from the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and Ministry of External Affairs.
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