VINTAGE

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCTOBER 20th, 2019

              IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCTOBER  20th ,2019 

1.     India is going to host the 91st Interpol General Assembly in 2022 after a proposal received the overwhelming support of member countries at this year's congregation at Santinago in Chile yesterday.

a.      The Assembly will be held as part of celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence.

b.      Note : The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) had hosted the general assembly, where representatives of all member countries converge, in India in 1997.

c.      The general assembly of Interpol is an annual exercise hosted by member countries. 

d.      Based in Lyon, France, Interpol is an international police cooperation organisation with 194 member states and 100 years of experience of international cooperation in policing.  

2.     President Ram Nath Kovind is on a two-nation tour to Philippines and Japan.

a.      During his visit to Philippines, India and the Philippines signed 4 agreements covering maritime domain, security, tourism, science and technology and culture.

b.      Both countries have committed to work closely to defeat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.  

c.      The two countries will set up a group of experts to research and document their ancient ties.

3.     2-day long manoeuvres by Sudarshan Chakra Vahini of Indian Army started today at Jaisalmer field firing range in Rajasthan. 

a.      In this war exercise, the army is going to exhibit its strength regarding Agni Missile and artillery.

b.      Artillery, Arms and mechanized forces, Army air defence and helicopters of army aviation are participating in this exercise to test mutual coordination.

4.     Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal for admission of girl children in Sainik Schools from academic session 2021-22 in a phased manner. 

a.      The decision has been taken following the success of the pilot project started by the Ministry for admission of girl children in Sainik School Chhingchhip in Mizoram two years ago. 

5.     The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying released the 20th Livestock Census -2019 today.

a.      According to this census, India's livestock population has increased to over 535 million showing an increase of 4.6 per cent over Livestock Census-2012. 

b.      The cow population is over 145 million, increasing by 18 per cent over the previous census.

c.      As per the census :

i)      Share of Cattle - 36 per cent

ii)    Share of Goat - 27 per cent

iii) Share of Buffaloes - 20 per cent

iv)  Share of Sheep - 14 per cent 

v)    Share of Pigs - 2 per cent

d.      West Bengal reported the highest increase of over 23 per cent in livestock population, followed by Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.

6.     India is expected to be the biggest driver of global GDP growth after China in 2024, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s projections adjusted for purchasing power parity. 

a.      India's share of global growth is projected to rise to 15.5%. 

b.      The US is projected to fall to 3rd place, with its share expected to slip from 13.8% now to 9.2% by 2024.

7.     8 day long Baliyatra, one of the biggest trade fairs of Odisha, is scheduled to begin on November 12. 

a.      This year’s Baliyatra will be jointly organized by the Cuttack District Administration, District Cultural Council, and the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC).

8.     Sri Lanka has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) list of countries at risk for money laundering.

a.      Sri Lanka was first included in the blacklist in 2011. 

b.      By 2012, Sri Lanka was listed in the list as a dangerous country with no commitment to the financial security plan.

c.      The government together with the Central Bank and other financial institutions, has taken several measures since 2016 to ensure the financial security of the country.

9.     Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today presented Most Eminent Senior Citizen Award to legal luminary and former Attorney General K. Parasaran at a function in New Delhi. 

a.      Mr Parasaran was honoured with the award on the occasion of the Elder’s Day celebration of Age Care India, an organization working for the welfare of the elderly.

b.      The Award is a fitting recognition of Mr Parasaran’s exceptional contribution to the field of law and justice as well as his extraordinary personality. 

10.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released a book titled 'Bridgital Nation' in New Delhi today.

a.      The book has been authored by Chairman, Tata Sons, N Chandrasekaran and Roopa Purushothaman.

11.Indonesian President Joko Widodo was today sworn in for a second 5-year term. 

a.      In his second and final term, he has pledged to attract more investment into Southeast Asia's biggest economy and focus on improving the country's human resources. 

b.      Note : Widodo, a former furniture salesman, is the 1st President to come from outside Indonesia's traditional elite.

12.Senior IPS officer of Gujarat cadre Anup Kumar Singh has been appointed as Director-General of the National Security Guard (NSG).

13.After scoring 212(255) in the third Test against South Africa in Ranchi, India opener Rohit Sharma's average in Tests on home soil rose to 99.84. 

a.      With this, he overtook Australian legend Don Bradman's record for the highest average at home (minimum 10 innings). 

b.      Bradman scored 4,332 runs in 33 home Tests between 1928 and 1948 at an average of 98.22.