Current Affairs - August 9, 2017 Current Affairs

Flipkart launched 'Budding Star Programme', an exclusive program aimed at Flipkart employees to help them achieve their dreams by providing them financial assistance and paid leave. It will cover all national and International sports and non-sports competitors recognized by the Government authorities.

Nineteen acres of land which housed around 70 government office buildings in Chattisgarh's Raipur is being converted into India's first micro forest in order to create an oxy-zone. The micro forest will provide fresh air to Raipur which is the seventh most polluted city in the world. It will reportedly be open to the public in the next 8 months.

Justice Dipak Misra, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of India (CJI) and will have a tenure of nearly 13 months. He will succeed Chief Justice J S Khehar, who will retire on August 27, 2017. Justice Misra is known for the judgment on Yakub Memon who made a last minute attempt to escape the gallows.

The Goa Legislative Assembly passed a bill which reclassifies coconut as a tree, ensuring legal protection for it. Goa Forward Party, a partner in the Manohar Parrikar-led government, had promised to reclassify coconut. The Assembly passed the Goa, Daman and Diu (Preservation of) Trees Act, 1984 to regulate felling of coconut trees and reclassify it as tree.

Bajaj Auto announced a partnership with Triumph Motorcycles in the United Kingdom. The aim of this partnership is to deliver a range of outstanding mid-capacity motorcycles. It will enable to offer a wide range of motorcycles within its domestic market and other International markets.

Hrithik Roshan signed as a brand ambassador by a health and wellness startup Cure fit in a deal worth Rs 100 crore. The actor will be associated with the brand for five years. The deal also includes the actor's equity stake in the company in lieu of cash investment, promotions and royalty from his personal brand HRX's specialized workout plan.

Private sector Kotak Mahindra Bank will offer debit card at a special price of Rs 99 for the first year for customers who will open account under its zero balance account scheme till September 15. The usual annual fee for debit card procured by 811 account holders (zero balance) is Rs 299. To mark the 70th anniversary of country's independence, the special edition debit card will be available to customers who open an 811 account from August 8, 2017 to September 15, 2017

India ranked last at 43rd position in 2017 Global Retirement Index (GRI) published by French asset management company Natixis Global. The index ranks 43 countries on the basis of four factors namely the material means to live comfortably in retirement (Material Well-being); access to quality health services (Health); access to quality financial services to help preserve savings value and maximize income (Finances) and a clean and safe environment (Quality of Life ).

Indian-origin actor Dev Patel is to be honoured by a leading educational organisation for making a "transformative and positive" difference for the future of Asia and the world. He will be felicitated with the Asia Society 2017 Asia Game Changers Award at a ceremony to be held at the United Nations, New York, in November 2017.

Former India Test cricketer and Delhi captain Madan Lal has been appointed chairman of the newly-formed Cricket Affairs Committee (CAC) of Delhi & Districts Cricket Assiciation (DDCA). The other members of the panel are former national selector Saba Karim, member 1983 World Cup-winning team Sunil Valson, women's India international Amita Sharma and senior sports journalist GS Vivek.

The Indian Railways earned an additional revenue of Rs 540 crore in less than a year through the flexible fare scheme. It was launched on 09th September 2016 is applicable in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains. It is around 10 per cent of the seats to be sold at the normal fare and thereafter increasing it by 10 per cent.

NITI Aayog has selected Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Karnataka to improve healthcare delivery and key outcomes in these States. In Education, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand have been selected for support to better learning outcomes. The six States have been chosen after a rigorous competitive process based on comprehensive metrics to determine potential for impact and likelihood of success.

The Centre has declared entire Assam as a "disturbed" area under the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for one more month, citing various violent activities by insurgent groups ULFA, NDFB, and others. The Union home ministry also declared Meghalaya's border areas adjoining Assam, and three districts in Arunachal Pradesh as "disturbed" under the AFSPA for two more months with effect from August 3, 2017.

The 8th edition of Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES)-2017 will be hosted by India and is scheduled to be held on November 28, 2017. The NITI Aayog in association with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Andhra Pradesh government have been assigned with organising the event. The GES brings together investors and entrepreneurs from around the world to create new opportunities for collaboration. The summit will promote economic growth, inclusion and opportunities among entrepreneurs from across the world, with a special focus on emerging nations from Africa and Asia.

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has won the 91st edition of All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament by defeating Bengaluru Hockey Association (BHA) by 4-2 in the final at Mayor Radhakrishna stadium Egmore at Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Man of the match: Rajkumar Pal.