Today's GK(17-10-2013)

Sigrid Kaag Appointed as the Head of Joint OPCW-UN Mission in Syria

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed on 16 October 2013 Sigrid Kaag as head of the joint mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations.
The main objective of the OPCW-UN Mission is to eradicate chemical weapons in Syria.

While announcing her as Special Coordinator, Ban Ki-moon told that Sigrid Kaag will be responsible for overseeing all activities on the ground undertaken by the OPCW and United Nations personnel.

Greg du Toit was Named Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013

The winners of 2013 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition were announced on 17 October 2013 at the awards ceremony held at Natural History Museum in London. Photographer Greg du Toit was named Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013 by the panel of international judges. He was given the award for his image Essence of elephants-an energetic and lively portrait of African elephants in the Northern Tuli Games Reserve in Botswana. Greg du Toit is from South Africa. He won the award beating almost 43000 contestants from across 96 countries. Chair of the judging panel was wildlife photographer Jim Brandenburg.

Fourteen-year-old photographer from India Udayan Rao Pawar won the award as Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013 for his image Mother’s little headful. This image depicts the gharial crocodiles on the banks of the Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh, India. This area is increasingly under threat from illegal sand mining and fishing.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty observed on 17 October

17 October 2013: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was observed on 17 October 2013 to promote people’s awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution worldwide, particularly in developing countries.

Theme for the year 2013 is:    

Working together towards a world without discrimination: Building on the experience and knowledge of people in extreme poverty

United Nations General Assembly in 1993 by resolution 47/196 designated International Day for the Eradication of Poverty to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries.

Fighting poverty remains at the core of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the post-2015 development agenda.

Noted Marathi Playwright G.P. Deshpande Passed away

Noted Marathi playwright and political thinker Govind P Deshpande died on 16 October 2013 due to age-related ailments. He was 75.

G P Deshpande won acclaim for his plays including Udhvasta Dharmashala and Satyashodhak. (His famous Satyashodhak centred on the mission of pioneering social reformer Mahatma Phule).

Virat Kohli: India’s Fastest ODI Century Scorer

Virat Kohli became fastest century scorer (in 52 balls) of India on 16 October 2013 in One day International (ODI) held at Jaipur. He was the seventh fastest century scorer in ODI in the world.

He made the fastest Century in ODI's against Australia in Jaipur on 16 October 2013

Malala Yousafzai to be granted Honorary Canadian Citizenship

The government of Canada on 16 October 2013 announced honorary Canadian citizenship for Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai. The government recognized Malala’s contribution in risking her life promoting education for young women.

Besides Malala, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela and Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi have been given honorary citizenship by the Canadian government.
Malala received death threats from the Taliban when she defied the Islamist militant group with her outspoken views on the right to education. She was shot in 2012 near her village in Swat in northwestern Pakistan.

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani school student and education activist from the town of Mingora in the Swat District of Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Union Cabinet Approved A Committee on Babhli Barrage Project

The Union cabinet of India approved on 17 October 2013 the appointment of a three-member supervisory committee headed by a representative of the Central Water Commission on construction of Babhli Barrage issue.
The other two members of the committee were including one representative from the state of Andhra Pradesh and one representative from the Maharashtra.

The Union Government took this decision to implement the direction the Supreme Court of India.

The Supreme Court was directed the Centre to constitute a three-member Supervisory Committee to deal with the Babhli Barrage issue on 28 February 2013.

About The Babhli barrage
• The Babhli project / barrage is a controversial reservoir project being constructed by Maharashtra state across the river Godavari.
• The project brought dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra states.

Background
• The State of Andhra Pradesh in May, 2005 brought to the notice of the Central Government that Government of Maharashtra was constructing Babhli barrage in the submergence area of Sriram Sagar Project in violation Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal award.
• In this regard Central Water Commission (CWC) held two meetings with officers of the States of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra in 2005.  Besides, another meeting was held between the officers of the States of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashstra in 2005.
• But the matter could not be resolved despite meetings by Central Water Commission between the two states.
• The Andhra Pradesh government filed a case in the Supreme Court of India against Maharashtra and the Government of India and asked the Supreme Court of India to grant a permanent injunction restraining Maharashtra from undertaking or proceeding with the construction Babhli Barrage.
• The Supreme Court directed the Union Government to constitute a three-member Supervisory Committee to deal with the issue.

About Central Water Commission
• Central Water Commission is a premier Technical Organization of India in the field of Water Resources.
• It is functioning as an attached office of the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India.
• The Commission is entrusted with the general responsibilities of initiating, coordinating and furthering in consultation of the State Governments concerned, schemes for control, conservation and utilization of water resources throughout the country, for purpose of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply and Water Power Development.
•It also undertakes the investigations, construction and execution of any such schemes as required.

Ajit Agarkar announced Retirement from all forms of Cricket

Former India bowler Ajit Agarkar on 16 October 2013 announced Retirement from all forms of Cricket. He played 110 first-class games in all, taking 299 wickets at 30.69, as well as 270 List A games and 62 T20s in a career that began in 1996-97

Brazilian Football Legend Pele launched a Book Titled 1283

Brazilian football legend Pele on 16 October 2013 launched a new book titled 1283. It is the number of goals scored by Pele. It contains 1283 texts. The book documents his career.

The 500-page limited edition book of the player widely regarded as the greatest ever weighs 15 kg and has a recommended retail price of 1700 US dollars.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento better known as Pele is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is regarded by many experts, football critics, former players, current players and football fans in general as the best player of all time.