Saturday 21 September 2013

Today's GK(21-9-13)



Fitch scales down India growth projection

In a reflection of the difficult times ahead for the economy, Fitch Ratings has scaled down its projections on India’s growth to 4.8 per cent for the current fiscal from the earlier estimate of 5.7 per cent made in June. Pointing out that weak demand is a “large drag” on the country’s economy, the global rating agency in its ‘Global economic outlook’ released on Thursday said that the new estimate underlined the “severity of the growth shock.”

Aamir Khan Selected For a US Award for His TV Show Satyamev Jayate

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan on 21 Septmber 2013 selected for a US award for his television show Satyamev Jayate along with eminent American director Kathryn Bigelow and the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC).

The awards were constituted by a US Media Organisation, America Abroad Media (AAM) and the awards will be given at the inaugural awards dinner by the America Abroad Media (AAM) in Washington DC on 28 October 2013.

About Amir Khan’s Satyameva Jayate

Aamir Khan's TV series, Satyamev Jayate, explored India's biggest social challenges and has been seen by hundreds of millions of people in India and across Asia. Amir Khan was also recently selected as one of TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people.

About Kathryn Bigelow


Kathryn Bigelow is the director of films like Zero Dark Thirty and The Hurt Locker, which have received widespread acclaim for their honest portrayal of war and counter-terrorism. In 2010, Bigelow became the first and only woman to date to win the Academy Award for Best Director.

About International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC).

Founded by Peter Ackerman, the ICNC produces award-winning documentaries on the role of non-violent resistance in promoting democratic change.The ICNC - which was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.

About America Abroad Media (AAM) Organisation

America Abroad Media (AAM) is a non-profit organization based at Washington D.C, US.

America Abroad Media's mission is to promote the free exchange of ideas, foster critical thinking, and empower self-governing citizens worldwide.

To achieve its mission, it has domestic and international initiatives, including radio programs, television documentaries, international town halls, panel discussions, educational modules, and journalism fellowships.

International Day of Peace Observed on 21 September

International Day of Peace observed on 21 September 2013 across the world to recognise the efforts of those who have worked hard to end conflict and promote peace. The International Day of Peace is also a day of ceasefire.

The theme for the year 2013 is Education for Peace.

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by resolution 36/67 of the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with its opening session, which was held annually on the third Tuesday of September. The first Peace Day was observed in September 1982.

In 2001, the General Assembly by unanimous vote adopted resolution 55/282, which established 21 September as an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire.

The United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.

Virat Kohli to lead Delhi Team in N.K.P. Salve Challenger Trophy

Delhi cricket selection committee on 20 September 2013 chose Virat Kohli as captain of the Delhi squad for the N.K.P. Salve Challenger Trophy that begins at Indore, Madhya Pradesh on 26 September 2013.

The selection committee finalised 16 names, including Gautam Gambhir who is not available for the opener against India Blue on 26 September 2013.
The Team
Virat Kohli (capt.), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Mithun Manhas, Ashish Nehra, Rajat Bhatia, Puneet Bisht, Sumit Narwal, Parvinder Awana, Milind Kumar, Jagrit Anand, Mohit Sharma, Varun Sood, Manan Sharma, Unmukt Chand and Pawan Suyal.

About N.K.P. Salve Challenger Trophy

The NKP Salve Challenger Trophy, commonly referred to as the Challenger Trophy, is an Indian List A cricket tournament organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Established in the 1994–1995 season, it is played with the purpose of showcasing the talent that the country has, as well as providing opportunities for younger players to make an impression.

Union Cabinet Cleared Proposal for Regulating Crèches, Playschools in India

Union Cabinet on 20 September 2013 cleared a proposal for regulating and monitoring the quality of care and education provided to children at play schools and crèches across the country. The move is expected to directly benefit 158.7 million children who are under the age of six.

The Cabinet approved the draft policy of the National Early Childhood Care and Education (NECCE) for setting up of a national council to establish guidelines for the standardisation of teaching and learning aids, trained manpower, sanitation and hygiene norms etc. in play schools and day care centres.

The new policy proposes to set standards for the care givers which will follow a set curriculum framework. It will move towards self registration to regulation.
The approved policy also specifies the minimum qualification required to be teachers at such centres, which will now have to be registered with the Government under this policy. Under the policy, a curriculum framework and quality standards have to be developed.

The policy would be implemented through National and state ECCE Councils but the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development will have the power to make necessary changes in it.

Jawaid Akhtar Elected Chairperson of International Coffee Council

Jawaid Akhtar, the Chairman of Coffee Board of India, was elected as the Chairperson of the International Coffee Council at the meetings of the International Coffee Organization which took place on 9 September 2013 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The 111th session of the Council and the meetings took place from 9 September 2013- 12 September 2013.

At the same time, Conradin Rasi of Switzerland was elected as the Vice-Chairperson of the International Coffee Council. The Council also appointed Juan Esteban Orduz of Colombia as the Chairperson of the Consultative Forum.

About the International Coffee Organization (ICO)

• The International Coffee Organization was established in 1963 in London.
• It was initiated with the United Nations (UN) to increase cooperation among the nations which produce, distribute and consume coffee.
• The International Coffee Organization was formed as a result of the five-year International Coffee Agreement signed in 1962 at the UN in New York.
• Till the year 2011, it comprised of 39 members, which included 33 exporting nations, 5 importing countries and one importing community, i.e., the European Union.
• The highest body of the ICO is International Coffee Council. It meets two times a year and the Private Sector Consultative Board of ICO includes 16 representatives from coffee production and consumption industries.
• The members of ICO represent 97 percent of the world coffee production and more than 80 percent of the world consumption.

Indian Team Earned Maiden Wrestling World Cup Berth

India wrestling team on 20 September 2013 earned a maiden Wrestling World Cup berth on the back of its best-ever sixth-place finish in men’s freestyle at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

India finished the tournament in the men’s freestyle category with 23 points, which has catapulted the country to sixth in rankings behind Iran, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine and the USA.

As per FILA rules, the top eight teams in the World Championship automatically qualify for the World Cup and Amit Kumar Dahiya’s silver medal in the 55kg and Bajrang Kumar’s bronze in the 60kg freestyle category ensured India its maiden World Cup appearance in 2014.

Earlier, India’s best-ever finish in the World Championship in men’s category came in the year 2009 when it finished 10th, while year 2010 and 2011 saw them finish 13th and a lowly 31st.

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