Current Affairs - October 14, 2017 Current Affairs

In a bid to become preferred banker for the start-up community in India, HDFC Bank has announced the launch of SmartUp zones in its branches across India. SmartUp zones will be launched in over 65 HDFC Bank branches in 30 cities including Tier-2 and-3 cities that are emerging as start-up hubs. it is important to know that HDFC Bank has added a number of value-added services like SmartUp portal, advanced legal advisories, and industry-academia interaction, among others to its existing product called 'SmartUp' which was launched in 2016.

MobiKwik, mobile wallet service and payment gateway provider, announced the appointment of Rukaiya Rangwala as the Business Head of 'MobiKwik Payment Gateway'. Rukaiya has 15 years of experience in the technology and e-commerce industry. She was also responsible for the Marketplace division at Jabong. She helped to make it the fastest growing and most profitable division at Jabong.

HSBC launch the mobile app - Trade Transaction Tracker - to help customers track the status of their trade transactions on a real-time basis. It will provide a global view of import and export documentary credit and collections transactions, across markets in one single app. This feature has been built into the existing HSBC net mobile application and has been launched in select countries in which HSBC operates, including India.

India's High Commissioner to Pakistan, Gautam H. Bambawale was appointed as next ambassador to People's Republic of China. Gautam H. Bambawale is an Indian Foreign Service Officer (IFS) of batch 1984. He is presently the High Commissioner of India to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Bambawale will replace Vijay Gokhale in China as ambassador.

Indian Air Force (IAF) launched an innovative mobile health App named 'MedWatch'. The concept and content of the App were developed by the Directorate General of Medical Services (Air). It was developed in-house without any financial support by the Directorate of Information Technology (DIT). 'MedWatch' is available on the IAF's AFCEL (Air Force Cellular) network. It consists of features that will provide authentic health information to all IAF personnel.

G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) Meeting was held in Washington D.C., US. The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley participated in the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) Meeting. It focused on the agenda items like Global Economy and Framework for Growth, Compact with Africa and International Financial Architecture.

As per the latest set of guidelines for E-Wallets, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced strict know your customer (KYC) norms which has evoked mixed response from digital wallet companies. E-Wallet firms have been instructed to ensure KYC compliance of existing users by December 31, 2017.

Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani today inaugurated the 44th edition of Indian Handicrafts and Gift Fair (IHGF) 2017 at India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida. The five-day extravaganza hosting a gathering of over 2,980 exhibitors will have buyers coming from around 100 countries including China, Australia, the US and the UK. The exhibition will end on October 15.

Kolkata is to host an international Puppet festival named 'PUN (Puppets Unite Neighbours) International Puppet Festival'. The puppet festival is aimed at regenerating the emotions attached to puppetry. This event is organized by RGV Events and Gems Akademia. They have been carrying out the preparations since 6 months for this festival.

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), a public sector oil company has started selling lubricants in Myanmar. HPCL has started operations in Myanmar's commercial hubs of Yangon and Mandalay. Other public sector oil companies of India such as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) are evaluating opportunities of fuel retailing in Myanmar.

Minister for Communications Manoj Sinha launched the Sampoorna Bima Gram (SBG) Yojana and an initiative for expansion of clientele base of Postal Life Insurance (PLI). Under Sampoorna Bima Gram (SBG) Yojana, at least one village (having a minimum of 100 households) will be identified in each of the revenue districts India.

International Day for Disaster Reduction was observed all over the world on October 13. This day celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of preventing the risks they face. 'Home Safe Home: Reducing Exposure, Reducing Displacement' is the slogan for International Day for Disaster Reduction 2017.

Israel joins the US in pulling out of the UN's cultural organisation UNESCO, after US officials cited "anti-Israel bias". The agency UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is known for designating world heritage sites such as Syria's Palmyra and the US Grand Canyon. Important Persons: UNESCO head:- Irina Bokova Israeli Prime Minister - Benjamin Netanyahu.