Current Affairs - July 21, 2017 Current Affairs

According to the supplement of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Outlook 2017, India is expected to achieve the projected growth rate of 7.4% in 2017 and 7.6% in 2018 on strong consumption demand. According to the report, South Asia will be the fastest growing of all sub-regions in Asia and the Pacific, with growth on track to meet original projections of 7% in 2017 and 7.2% in 2018.

ICICI Bank has launched a facility whereby its existing salaried customers can avail personal loans at ATMs. These customers can get pre-qualified personal loans up to 15 lakhs in their savings account instantly based on pre-checked CIBIL scores and instant transfer of the money to the customer's account. The facility also incorporates an additional level of authentication to make the security of the offering robust.

The 1817 Paika rebellion (Paika Bidroh) was an armed rebellion against the British East India Company's rule in Odisha under the leadership of Bakshi Jagabandhu. The rebellion quickly spread across most of Odisha before being ruthlessly put down by the company's forces. President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 200th celebration of Paika rebellion. Many scholars, researchers and historians have opined that the Paika Rebellion of 1817 was India's first organised armed rebellion against British Raj (then British East India Company rule).

Gujarat Government has announced to set up 60 new primary Health Centers in the rural areas of the state. Minister of State for Health Shankar Chaudhary released that expansion of existing primary health centre networks will benefit the rural population of the state.

The Ministry of Science and Technology (S & T) has launched a low-cost indigenous newborn hearing screening device "Sohum" in New Delhi to detect a congenital hearing loss in newborns. The device has been developed by School of International Biodesign (SIB) startup M/s Sohum Innovation Labs India Pvt. Ltd. The portable Sohum hearing screening device measures auditory brain waves via three electrodes placed on the baby's head. When stimulated, they detect electrical responses generated by the brain's auditory system. If there is no response, the child cannot hear. It must be noted that 800,000 hearing impaired babies are born annually across the world, of which nearly 100,000 are in India.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). The MoU was signed for the exchange of information concerning Central Counterparties (CCPs) under the European Markets Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR). CCPs are entities that help facilitate clearing and settlement activities.

The global food fair "World Food India 2017" will be held in New Delhi on November 3-5, 2017 to boost food sector. The fair will be organized by the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). In it, West Bengal will be the focus state and will showcase its innovative food processing methods in the food fair.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley released the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan. The WTO-Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) was a major milestone for the global trading system. It aims to get initiatives for trade facilitation and ease of doing business which goes beyond TFA.

Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani announced the JioPhone - "digital independence" to all Indians. The JIO Phone comes with the Internet connectivity, follows voice commands, and recognises 22 Indian regional languages. The one-time deposit amount Rs 1,500 is needed which will be refunded to its customers after 3 years on returning the phone. This means the phone will be available at an effective price of zero.

Google launched 'Hire', a recruiting app for small- and medium-sized businesses that also integrates seamlessly with G Suite. They planned to compete with the Microsoft owned LinkedIn. It is designed to build strong candidate relationships and efficiently manage the interview process end-to-end.

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) for the preparation of Master Plan for Delhi 2041 as an enabling strategic plan and other related policies which would be the guiding framework for the planning and growth of the city. It approved the proposal of land use of tyre market at Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched a new pension scheme for the senior citizens, Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, PMVVY in New Delhi. Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) is a pension scheme announced by the government exclusively for the senior citizens aged 60 years and above which is available from May 4, 2017 to May 3, 2018. This scheme provides an assured return of 8 per cent per annum payable monthly (equivalent to 8.30 per cent per annum effective) for 10 years.s

2018 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) will be held at Hangzhou in China. It is swum in a short course (25m) pool, and has been held in the years when FINA has not held its main World Championship.

The India-Japan Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was signed in Tokyo during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Japan. It would enable Japan to export nuclear power plant technology as well as provide finance for nuclear power plants in India. India signed the civil nuclear deal with 10 other countries namely Russia, United States, France, South Korea, Mongolia, Namibia, Argentina, Canada, Kazakhstan and Australia.

The Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue bank notes of denomination Rs 20 in Mahatma Gandhi series 2005. The new notes will be bearing inset letter 'S' in the number panel and signature of Governor Urjit R Patel.