IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 15th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 15th, 2017

1. Railways launches India's first solar-powered DEMU train

i. Indian Railways launched its first 1,600 HP solar powered Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) train with a unique facility of Battery Bank from Safdarjung station, New Delhi.

ii. A solar power DEMU train with six trailer coaches will save about 21,000 Litres of Diesel and thereby bring cost saving of Rs.12 Lac every year. 

2. World Youth Skills Day: 15 July

i. World Youth Skills Day is being observed globally on 15th July. The objective of the day is to raise awareness about the importance of investing in youth skills development.

ii. The theme of this year is "Skills for the Future of Work".

3. Railways launches mobile app that does more than just booking

i. Indian Railways launched an integrated mobile application to cater to various passenger requirements over and above ticket booking. The new app will include inquiry, on-board cleaning and ordering meal on a single platform. The app is called Rail SAARTHI and was launched by Railway Minister. 

ii. The Rail SAARTHI (synergised advanced application rail travel help and information) such as safety for women, complaint facility and suggestion for improvement. One can also book air ticket through the app and give feedback.

4. Raipur Airport Ranked First in Customer Satisfaction Index Survey

i. Raipur’s Swami Vivekananda Airport was ranked first in Customer Satisfaction among 49 airports in the country.

ii. Raipur Airport achieved 4.84 score on a five point scale index in the latest CSI (Customer Service Index) survey conducted by an independent agency for the period of January-June 2017, followed by Udaipur, Amritsar and Dehradun airports which have scored 4.75, 4.74 and 4.73 respectively.

5. India ranks 116 out of 157 nations on SDG index

i. India is ranked 116 out of 157 nations on a global index that assesses the performance of countries towards achieving the ambitious sustainable development goals (SDGs). The SDG Index and Dashboards Report produced by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Bertelsmann Stiftung.

ii. India is ranked 116th on the index with a score of 58.1, behind countries such as Nepal, Iran, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and China.

iii. Pakistan is ranked 122. Sweden leads the list, followed by Denmark and Finland.

6. Mukesh Kumar Jain appointed MD & CEO of Oriental Bank

i. The Centre has appointed Mukesh Kumar Jain as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Oriental Bank of Commerce, a public sector bank.

ii. His appointment is for a period of three years. Prior to this appointment, Jain was an Executive Director at Punjab & Sind Bank.

7. Sundar Singh wins gold at World Para Athletics Championships 

i. India's Sundar Singh Gurjar has won gold on the opening night of 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London. He triumphed in the men's javelin throw with a personal best of 60.36 meters.

ii. Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Priyantha Herath came second with 57.93 meters while defending champion Guo Chunliang of China was third with a season’s best 56.14 meters.