Daily updates 2 and 3 October 2019

National

1. Amit Shah flags off Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express from the New Delhi Railway Station. The first commercial run of the train will start from 5th October.
• Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express is a big gift for Jammu and Kashmir's development and for promoting religious tourism. This is the second Vande Bharat Express. The first one runs in between Delhi and Varanasi.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• Railways Board chairman: Vinod Kumar Yadav.

2. Palestine issues commemorative stamp to honour Gandhi on 150th birth anniversary

• Palestine has released a commemorative postage stamp on Mahatma Gandhi, honouring his legacy and values, to mark the 150 birth anniversary of the world leader.
• Palestinian Authority's Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technology Ishaaq Seder released the stamp in Ramallah.
• Palestine's issuance of the commemorative stamp comes in honour of Gandhi's memory, legacy, and values that guided and shall continue to guide humanity.

3. Smriti Irani Inaugurates India's Largest 'Charkha' Made of Waste Plastic in Noida

• Union Minister Smriti Irani Inaugurates India's Largest 'Charkha' made of Waste Plastic in Noida. This 'charkha' (spinning wheel) made of used plastic waste was inaugurated the eve of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.
• The 'charkha', which symbolises Gandhi's dream of Swadeshi (self-sufficing and self-reliance), measures 14ft, 20ft and 8ft and is made of 1,250 kg of used plastic.

4. Nation pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th and Lal Bahadur Shashtri on his 115th birth anniversary

• The Nation pays homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary today i.e. 2nd October 2019. A series of activities are being organized across the country and by Indian Missions abroad.
• The nation is also remembering Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 115th birth anniversary.
• Under Shastri's leadership, India won the 1965 war against Pakistan.
• He gave the nation the powerful slogan of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan to enthuse soldiers and farmers.

International

5. China unveiled DF-41 the most powerful intercontinental-range ballistic missile on the planet

• China unveiled the Dongfeng-41 (DF-41) intercontinental-range ballistic missile, touted to be the most powerful missile on the planet at the National Day parade, as China observed its 70th anniversary of Communist rule. DF-41 has a range of up to 9,320 miles (15,000 kilometres), more than any missile on Earth.
• The missile capable of carrying 10 independently targeted nuclear warheads and could theoretically, hit the United States in 30 minutes, according to the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. China has also displayed its underwater vehicles and new stealthy DR-8 drones thought to be able to fly up to five times the speed of sound.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• President of China: Xi Jinping.
• Capital of China: Beijing; Currency: Renminbi.

State News

6. Rajasthan becomes the third state to ban certain categories of pan masala

• Rajasthan became the third state in India after Maharashtra and Bihar to ban certain categories of pan masala containing magnesium carbonate, nicotine, tobacco, mineral oil and flavoured ‘supari’. All such products will now be banned in the State under the Food Safety Act.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• Chief Minister of Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot; Governor: Kalraj Mishra.

Appointments

7. SS Mallikarjuna Rao appointed MD and CEO of Punjab National Bank

• SS Mallikarjuna Rao was appointed as the Managing Director(MD)and Chief Executive of the Punjab National Bank(PNB).
• He is currently serving as chief executive of the Allahabad Bank. He will replace Sunil Mehta of PNB.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• Headquarters of PNB: New Delhi;  Founded: 19 May 1894.
• Founder: Dyal Singh Majithia and Lala Lajpat Rai.

8. Former Indian cricketer, Kapil Dev resigned as chairman of CAC

• The former Indian captain Kapil Dev decision to resign from the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) of BCCI.
• This decision comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Ethics Officer D.K. Jain sent a notice to the panel comprising of Kapil, Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy with regards to allegations of conflict of interest as claimed by Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association MPCA life member Sanjeev Gupta.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• President of BCCI: C.K. Khanna; Headquarters of BCCI: Mumbai.

9. Air Marshal S K Ghotia appointed as chief of South Western Air Command

• Air Marshal S K Ghotia has taken over as the new Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command (SWAC) of the Indian Air Force (IAF), at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• He replaced Air Marshal H S Arora, who moved to Air Headquarters as the Vice-Chief of Air Staff. Prior to assuming the present appointment, Air Marshal Ghotia was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Training Command.
• Air Marshal Ghotia was commissioned in the fighter stream of the IAF in 1981.
• He has held various posts including Chief Operations Officer and Station Commander of a forward base in SWAC, Director Intelligence at Air Headquarters, Air Attache at Embassy of India in Paris, Air Officer Commanding COBRA Group and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Intelligence) at Air HQ.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces.
• Indian Air Force was founded on 08th October 1932.
• Headquarters of IAF is in New Delhi.

10. Surjit S Bhalla appointed as Executive Director for India at IMF

• The government has appointed economist Surjit Bhalla as the executive director of the International Monetary Fund for a period of three years.
• The post was lying vacant after the death of Dr. Subir Gokarn in July.
• Bhalla earlier served as a member of the prime minister's economic advisory council but resigned earlier this year.

11. Jai Bhagwan Bhoria appointed as new administrator for PMC Bank

• The Reserve Bank of India has superseded the Board of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank Limited, Mumbai and appointed Jai Bhagwan Bhoria as the bank's administrator with all powers of the board.
• The amount of withdrawal from the bank allowed to depositors has been increased from one thousand to ten thousand rupees.
• The RBI's directives will remain in force for a period of six months.

Agreements

12. Bank of Baroda signs MoU with Indian Army for customised services

• Bank of Baroda (BoB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army under which the bank would offer customised services along with a host of facilities to account holders.
• The MoU includes handsome free personal accident insurance cover, free air accident insurance cover of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 50 lakh and an overdraft facility up to three times of monthly net salary.
• The features are also applicable for pensioners of Indian Army up to the age of 70 years.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• Managing Director & CEO of BOB: P S Jayakumar; Headquarters: Baroda, Gujarat.

Banking

13. Axis Bank launches short-term online fixed deposits "Express FD"

• Axis Bank, India’s third-largest private sector bank has launched the  ‘Express FD’, a digital fixed deposit (FD) product that allows a customer to open an FD account in 3 minutes through the digital mode without opening a savings account with the bank.
• ‘Express FD’ offers attractive interest rates, zero issuance fees and no penalty on pre-mature withdrawal of up to 25% of the amount, the bank said.
• A customer can open an Express FD account by investing a minimum Rs 5,000 up to Rs 90,000, for a tenure of 6 to 12 months.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• Chairman of Axis Bank: Rakesh Makhija; Headquarters: Mumbai.

Awards

14. President Kovind to confer Vayoshreshtha Samman-2019

• President Ram Nath Kovind will confer the Vayoshreshtha Samman-2019 on the eminent senior citizens and institutions in recognition of their services towards the cause of the elderly persons.
• The Vayoshreshtha Samman is a Scheme of awards instituted by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry and gradually upgraded to the status of National Awards for institutions involved in rendering distinguished service for the cause of elderly persons.

15. Sachin Tendulkar gets most effective Swachhata Ambassador award

• President Ram Nath Kovind presented the most effective Swachchta Ambassador award to Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Books and Authors

16 . Book by India’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, titled ‘India and the Netherlands – Past, Present and Future” released

• A book penned by Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands Venu Rajamony titled 'India and the Netherlands - Past, Present and Future,' was released in Amsterdam.
• The book gives an insight into the cross-cultural legacy between the two countries and was released at a function attended by the king and queen of the Netherlands.
• The first copy of the book was received by Dutch King Willem-Alexander in presence of all high officials. The book has been published by Bombay Ink.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• Netherlands Capital: Amsterdam, Currency: Euro and USD.

17. A new book titled “The Tech Whisperer” penned by Jaspreet Bindra released

• A new book entitled “The Tech Whisperer”, written by digital transformation expert Jaspreet Bindra, features a chapter on AI (Artificial Intelligence).
• The book has been published by Penguin India. The book will describes and simplify "emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, Internet of things, virtual reality," and talk about how companies can employ these to drive their digital transformation.

Important Days

18. International Day of Non-Violence: 2nd October

• The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. According to the UN General Assembly, which established the commemoration, International Day is an occasion to "disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness".

Obituaries

19. Hollywood tycoon Eric Pleskow passes away

• American-Austrian film producer Eric Pleskow the Hollywood tycoon passed away.
• He was the president of the film company United Artists from 1973 to 1978 and then as co-founder of Orion Pictures where many films under these film companies won Oscar awards.

Daily updates 1 October 2019

Appointments

1. RBI appoints Jai Bhagwan Bhoria as administrator for PMC Bank

• The Reserve Bank of India has superseded the Board of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank Limited, Mumbai and appointed Jai Bhagwan Bhoria as the bank's administrator with all powers of the board. Jai Bhagwan Bhoria replaces S.Waryam Singh.
• RBI had recently increased the amount of withdrawal allowed to the depositors of PMC from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000 and the directives will remain in force for a period of six months.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• RBI 25th Governor: Shaktikant Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

2. KS Dhatwalia appointed as PIB's Principal DG

• Senior Indian Information Service officer, KS Dhatwalia, has been appointed as the Principal Director General of Press Information Bureau.
• He will succeed Sitanshu Kar and will be the 28th Principal Spokesperson of the government.
• He has worked in key positions in various Media Units of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Banking

3. SBI becomes first Indian bank to have office in Australia's Victoria

• The State Bank of India opened its Melbourne office and becoming the first Indian bank to have a branch in the Australian state of Victoria.
• The Melbourne office will assist the growing trade and investment relations between Victoria and India and is the outcome of the state's 10-year India Strategy.
• This investment by India's largest commercial bank is a testament to our thriving financial services sector and our highly skilled workforce.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• SBI Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 July 1955.

Defence

4. Land-attack version of BrahMos supersonic missile successfully test-fired

• India successfully test-fired a land-attack version of BrahMos supersonic missile from Chandipur coast in Odisha’s Balasore district.
• DRDO conducted the test-fire successfully. The missile, with a strike range of 290km, can be fired from land as well as sea-based platforms. BrahMos is a joint venture between the DRDO and the NPOM of Russia.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• DRDO Chairman: G Satheesh Reddy, Established: 1958; Headquarters: New Delhi.

Ranks and Reports

5. Kerala tops NITI Aayog’s School Education Quality Index

• Kerala has topped the "School Education Quality Index" launched by NITI Aayog. Uttar Pradesh was ranked at the bottom of the list. Chandigarh has topped the list of Union Territories.
• The School Education Quality Index assesses States on the basis of learning outcomes, access, equity and infrastructure and facilities, using survey data, self-reported data from States and third-party verification.
• Tamil Nadu was the top performer in access and equity outcomes, while Karnataka led in learning outcomes. Haryana had the best infrastructure and facilities.

Sports

6. Wilson-Satish pair wins gold at Asian Age Group Championships

• India’s N. Wilson Singh and Satish Kumar Prahapati won the gold medal in the 10m platform synchronised diving event at the Asian Age Group Championships held in Bengaluru.
• The duo of Wilson and Satish scored 290.19 score to beat Uzbekistan’s Zaynetdinov Marsel and Khasanov Botir, who scored 280.53 points. The bronze medal went to Mojtaba Valipour and Masood Vakili of Iran with a score of 266.16.

7. Fraser-Pryce wins World Championship 100m gold

• Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won gold medal in 100m race of 2019 IAAF World Championships held in Doha.
• This was her 4th women's 100 metres world title. She defeated Britain's European champion Dina Asher-Smith who took silver medal while Marie-Josee Ta Lou finished 3rd.

8. Fencer Bhavani Devi wins silver medal at Tournoi satellite competition in Belgium

• Indian fencer Bhavani Devi wins the silver medal in the women's sabre individual event at the Tournoi satellite competition in Belgium. She lost 15-10 to Anna Bashta of Azerbaijan in the final.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• Capital of Belgium: Brussels; Currency of Belgium: Euro.

9. Japan’s Kento Momota wins Korea Open

• Top-ranked Kento Momota of Japan clinched the men’s singles title at the Korea Open badminton tournament with a win over number two Chou Tien-Chen of Taiwan.
• In the women’s final, China’s He Bingjiao defeated Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand.

10. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton won 2019 Russia F1 Grand Prix

• Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes won the 2019 Russia F1 Grand Prix (Formula 1 GP) at Sochi Autodrom race track in Russia.
• Mercedes Valtteri Bottas (Finland) and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (Monaco) won the second and third spot respectively. The victory was the 82nd of Hamilton’s career, and ninth of the season, leaving him nine short of Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 91.

Obituaries

11. INA veteran from Tamil Nadu V Ganesan passes away

• Indian National Army (INA) veteran V Ganesan passed away. He joined Netaji's INA at the age of 18 and received six months of military training in Singapore.
• While participating in the battle against the British Army in Myanmar, he was arrested and was imprisoned for 10 months in Yangon jail and was later repatriated to India.
• He was honoured by the President of India in 2012 at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also a recipient of Copper Plaques from both the central and state governments.

12. Legendary singer Jose Jose passes away

• Legendary Mexican singer Jose Jose who was often called 'El Principe de la Cancion' or 'The Prince of Song, passes away.
• In a career of more than four-decade, the singer sold millions of albums and picked by 6 Grammy nominations.

13. Grammy-winning opera star 'Jessye Norman' passes away

• Jessye Norman, the renowned international opera star whose passionate soprano voice won her 4 Grammy awards and the national medal of arts, passed away recently.
• She was a trailblazing performer and one of the rare black singers to attain worldwide stardom in the opera world.
• Jessye Norman made her operatic debut in 1969 in Berlin, wowing audiences around the world on stages in Milan, London and New York. Norman, at 52, became the youngest person to earn the Kennedy Center Honor in the organization’s 20-year history.

Important Days

14. International Day of Older Persons: 1 October

• The United Nations observes 1 October every year as International Day of Older Persons.
• The International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity to highlight the important contributions that older people make to society and raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges of ageing in today’s world.
• 2019 Theme: The Journey to Age Equality.
• The theme focuses on pathways of coping with existing and preventing future old age inequalities.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Clerk Mains:

• Headquarters of United Nations: New York, USA; Founded: 24 October 1945.
• Secretary General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres.

Miscellaneous

15. UNESCO, DD Join Hands for TV Show on Gandhi's 150th Anniversary

• UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and Doordarshan, country’s public service broadcaster have joined hands to telecast TV bilingual programme ‘Mahatma Lives‘ or ‘Bapu Zinda Hain’ on 1-2 October 2019.
• UNESCO and Doordarshan will telecast TV bilingual programme to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
• The objective of the programme is to celebrate his ideas and teachings and how it has shaped the lives of people in India as well as around the world.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• Director-General of UNESCO: Audrey Azoulay; UNESCO Headquarters: Paris, France.

16. Gandhi Film Festival to be organised in Mumbai

• Film Division in association with India Tourism will organise a "Gandhi Film Festival" in Mumbai from 2nd to 6th October, 2019.
• This film festival is a part of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary celebration and will focus on Gandhiji’s message of non-violence and Swachh Bharat.
• The select documentaries and feature films will be screened at the Films Division Complex, including: The Making of Mahatma, Gandhi, Gandhi My Father and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara.

Daily updates 30 September 2019

National

1. International Astronomical Union names asteroid after Pandit Jasraj

• The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named an asteroid after Indian classical singer Pandit Jasraj. The asteroid formally known as a minor planet, is located between Mars and Jupiter.
• It was discovered on November 11, 2006, by the Catalina Sky Survey. The privilege of naming a planet is first given to discoverers, who have 10 years to propose a name.
• Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj is an exponent of Indian classical vocal music. Jasraj is the recipient of numerous awards, honours, and titles, including the prestigious Padma Vibhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Appointments

2. Suresh Chitturi appointed International Egg Commission chief

• Suresh Chitturi, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of India's leading poultry firm Srinivasa Farms, has been appointed as chairman of the International Egg Commission(IEC) for the next two years.
• The appointment was made at the IEC Global Leadership Conference in Copenhagen in Denmark.
• He will be the first chair from Asia in the history of the institution, as he assumes the role of the Chairman of IEC.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• International Egg Commission(IEC) Founded: 1964.
• International Egg Commission(IEC) Headquarters: United Kingdom.

Awards

3. Tapan Mishra honoured with the National Tourism Award

• Odisha's Tapan Kumar Mishra has been honoured with the National Tourism Award for the Category of “Best Tourist Guide” for the year 2017-18 during celebration of the World Tourism Day.
• He is a freelance Tourist Guide approved by the Union Ministry of Tourism.
• Tapan Kumar Mishra has the rarest achievement of accompanying a single Belgian tourist for 965 days in a span of 8 years in which he has covered 26 States out of which 15 states twice on road from Odisha covering more than one lakh km.

4. Kallie Puri awarded with "India's Most Powerful Women in Media"

• India's Kallie Puri has been awarded with "India's Most Powerful Women in Media" award at the famed Confluence Excellence Awards.
• She received the prestigious award at the British Parliament. She is the Vice-Chairperson of the India Today Group.

5. Documentary on Real Kashmir FC nominated for BAFTA Awards

• A documentary on Srinagar-based football club Real Kashmir FC has nominated in the prestigious British Academy Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards.
• The documentary, aired by BBC Scotland earlier this year on the journey of former Rangers ace David Robertson at the helm of Real Kashmir FC, has been nominated in two categories.
• Its director Greg Clark has picked up a nod for the 'Director Factual' category, while the show will battle it out in the 'Single Documentary' category.

6. Thanu Padmanabhan gets MP Birla Memorial Award

• Physicist Thanu Padmanabhan received the M P Birla Memorial Award 2019 for his contributions to the world of cosmology.
• He is a professor of Inter-university Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Pune.
• The award was introduced in 1993 in recognition to the excellence in research in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Science and related areas.

Defence

7. INDO-KAZAKHSTAN Joint Military Exercise KAZIND 2019

• Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2019 between India and Kazakhstan will be conducted at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
• The exercise will comprise of nearly 100 soldiers from both Indian and Kazakhstan Army who would be sharing their experience gained during conduct of various counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the past.
• Exercise KAZIND-2019 is the 4th edition of an annual event which is conducted alternatively in Kazakhstan and India.
• The aim of this exercise is to conduct company level joint training with an emphasis on counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain.
• During the exercise, aspects of emerging trends of global terrorism and hybrid warfare have also been included. The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defence cooperation further fostering bilateral relations between the two nations.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• Kazakhstan PM: Askar Mamin, Capital: Nur-Sultan, Currency: Kazakhstani Tenge.

Summit and Conferences

8. 31st International Conference on Sindh held in London

• The World Sindhi Congress (WSC) hosted a 31st international conference on Sindh in London.
• In WSC the participants highlighted issues such as enforced disappearances of activists, human rights violations and forced conversion of religious minorities in Pakistan.
• The 31st International Conference on Sindh slammed Pakistan over its failure to respect democratic rights and curbs on by the country's military and called on the need to tackle growing religious extremism.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• Chairman of World Sindhi Congress: Rubina Shaikh.

9. 7th World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) 2019 held in Mumbai, Maharashtra

• 7th World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) 2019 held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The theme of (WHEF) 2019 “Prosperous Society: Stronger Society” to bring together financially successful members in Hindu society such as traders, bankers, technocrats, investors, industrialists to share business knowledge, expertise and resources with their fellow brethren.
• The World Hindu Economic Forum has earlier been organised in London, Chicago, Losa Angeles, Hong Kong, and Nairobi.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Mains:

• Maharashtra CM: Devendra Fadnavis, Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Capital: Mumbai.

Sports

10. Aryna Sabalenka wins WTA Wuhan Open

• Aryna Sabalenka has won the WTA Wuhan Open held in Wuhan, China.
• She became the first player to claim back-to-back titles in Wuhan. She defeated American Alison Riske in the summit clash by 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
• She has also joined Petra Kvitova as the only two-time Wuhan Open champion.

11. Sumit Nagal wins title at ATP Challenger Tournament

• Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal has won the men’s singles title at the ATP Challenger Tournament held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• He defeated Argentina's Facundo Bognis by 6-4, 6-2 to win the title. It was Sumit’s second Challenger title of his career, following the triumph in the Bengaluru Challenger event in 2017.
• He jumped of 26 spots to achieve a career-best ranking of 135.

Obituaries

12. Veteran actor Viju Khote best known as Kalia from Sholay passes away

• Veteran Bollywood actor Viju Khote passed away. The actor best is remembered for his role as Kalia in the cult classic Sholay. He worked in over 300 Hindi and Marathi films. He has been working in film since 1964. Apart from Sholay, he was remembered for his roles in films like Andaz Apna Apna, in which he starred as Robert.

13. Former Foreign Secretary KPS Menon (Junior) passes away

• Former diplomat KPS Menon (junior) passed away. He was a 1951 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer.
• He had served as the Foreign Secretary of India from 1987 to 1989. He served as an ambassador to various countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Japan and China.

Important Days

14. International Day for Universal Access to Information: 28 September

• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) observes International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) on 28 September every year. The IDUAI has particular relevance with Agenda 2030 with specific reference to:
• SDG 2 on investment in rural infrastructure and technology development
• SDG 11 on positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas
• SDG 16 on initiatives to adopt and implement constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information
• The theme of this year’s celebration: Leaving No One Behind!
• UNESCO is commemorating the International Day for Universal Access to Information with a series of ‘Open Talks’ to be held in Lima, Peru.

15. World Rabies Day: 28 September

• The World Health Organization observes World Rabies Day on 28 September every year.
• The day is celebrated annually to raise awareness about rabies prevention and to highlight progress in defeating this horrifying disease.
• The day also marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur's death, the French chemist and microbiologist, who developed the first rabies vaccine.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB PO Mains:

• WHO Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland; Director general: Tedros Adhanom.

16. International Translation Day: 30 September

• The United Nations observes International Translation Day on 30 September every year.
• International Translation Day is meant as an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals, which plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security.
• On 24 May 2017, the General Assembly adopted resolution 71/288 on the role of language professionals in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development, and declared 30 September as International Translation Day.

17. World Heart Day 2019 observed on September 29

• World Heart Day (WHD) was observed annually on 29 September across the world.
• The day which is celebrated annually creates awareness of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) including heart disease & stroke and highlights the preventive and control measures.
• It was launched in 2000 by the World Heart Federation as an annual event. The theme for the World Heart Day 2019 is "My Heart, Your Heart".

Miscellaneous

18. Nepal Rastra Bank issues commemorative coins on 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev

• The Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), Dr Chiranjibi Nepal & Indian Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri have jointly released three coins (100, 1000 and 2500 Nepali rupees) bearing the Sikh symbol to commemorate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
• A book titled “Sikh Heritage of Nepal” based on the Sikh heritage of Nepal was also launched in the program. This book has been published by BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation in association with the Indian Embassy in Nepal.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• Nepal Prime Minister: K P Sharma Oli; Capital: Kathmandu.
• President of Nepal: Bidhya Devi Bhandari; Currency of Nepal: Nepalese rupee.