Weekly Current Affairs Capsule July 2017 IIIrd Week

1. World Youth Skills Day: July 15

The World Youth Skills Day is observed globally on 15 July.
•    It has been observed to raise awareness about the importance of youth skills development.
•    The World Youth Skill Day 2017 Theme is “Skills for the Future of Work”.

2. Eighth meeting of SAARC Ministers of Law & Order held in Colombo

The eighth meeting of the SAARC Ministers of Law and Order was held in Colombo. Indian side was led by a senior official in Ministry of Home affairs.
•    The three-day meeting was focused on the issue of tackling terrorism apart from discussing liberalization of visa, illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and small arms.
•    The last meeting of SAARC Ministers was held in Pakistan where ministers highlighted the importance of initiating collective actions against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

3. India emerges as top trusted government in the world: Report

According to the latest edition of the OECD's Government at a Glance report, India has emerged as the most trusted nation with 73 per cent people voting for the current government.
•    While Modi government has the confidence of 73 per cent Indians, the highest in the world, Greece stands last with 13 per cent.
•    The survey is generally conducted to test check peoples trust level on their government.

4. Nelson Mandela International Day – 18 July

Nelson Mandela International Day (or Mandela Day) is celebrated every year on 18th July to honour the former Nobel Prize winner.
•    The United Nations officially declared this day in November 2009. Mandela was former President of South Africa.

5. South Korea launches contest in Chandigarh to promote tourism

 

To promote South Korea as a tourist destination, its government is involving school students in Chandigarh and of nearby cities in a contest.

Tourism contributes five per cent to South Korea's Gross Domestic Product. On an average 200,000 tourists from India visit the country every year.

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has been the Goodwill Ambassador of South Korea since April 2014.

6. India among 5 countries that faced most terror attacks in 2016

More than half of the terror attacks in the world in 2016 took place in five countries, including India and Pakistan, a senior US counter-terror official has said.

The total number of terror attacks in 2016 were lower than in 2015.

Fifty-five per cent of all attacks took place in Iraq, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, and 75 per cent of all deaths due to terrorist attacks took place in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

7. Australia joins International Solar Alliance

Australia became the 35th country to join the International Solar Alliance, an initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2015 in Paris.

It is co-led by India and France.

The aim was to support developing countries to boost their solar production capacity.

The solar alliance, whose head office is in India, has grown stronger in the past two years with more countries joining the group and signing the agreement.

8. UN selects Dubai as data hub for MENASA region

The UN has selected Dubai as the data hub for the Middle East North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region for the city’s integrated initiatives to mine and manage its data.

The work is already under way to prepare Dubai as the regional city data hub.

It will also serve as a dedicated platform for city-to-city learning and ‘solutions transfer’ across metropolitan, national and global contexts.

9. India third largest terror target after Iraq and Afghanistan: US report

  

India has displaced Pakistan on a list of countries facing terror attacks in 2016, with higher fatalities and injuries than its restive neighbour, according to data compiled by the US state department.

Out of 11,072 terror attacks in 2016 worldwide, India bore the brunt of 927, 16% more than 2015 (798).

More than half of the terror attacks in India in 2016 took place in four states – J&K, Chhattisgarh, Manipur and Jharkhand.

Iraq is on the top of the list.

10. India 132nd Out of 152 Countries For Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index

India has been ranked 132 out of 152 countries in an index that rates countries by their commitment to reducing inequality.

The first report edition of the index, released recently, showed that OECD countries headed by Sweden ranked the highest while Nigeria was at the bottom.

The US had the highest level of inequality among developed countries, though it is the wealthiest country in history.

11. Gadkari inaugurated road congress meet in Udaipur

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated 212th meeting of Indian Road Congress (IRC) in Udaipur.
•    The Indian Road Congress is the apex body of highway engineers in the country.

12. NGT Sets Rs 50,000 Fine for Dumping Waste Within 500 Metres of Ganga

The National Green Tribunal passed a slew of directions to rejuvenate River Ganga, declaring as 'No-Development Zone' an area of 100 metres from the edge of the river between Haridwar and Unnao and prohibiting dumping of waste within 500 metres from the river.

•    A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also declared that an environment compensation of Rs 50,000 will be imposed on anyone who dumps waste in the river.

13. Railways Launches 'SAARTHI' App

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu launched a new integrated mobile app "SAARTHI - c" for passengers.
•    This new app will allow passengers to book tickets, enquiry, on-board cleaning and ordering meal on a single platform.
•    The new SAARTHI app also includes features such as safety for women, complaint facility and suggestion for improvement.

14. MSDE celebrates Second Anniversary of Skill India Mission 

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) celebrated the second anniversary of Skill India Mission on the World Youth Skills day.

•  100 GST training centres, 51 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras and 100 Yoga training centres were inaugurated on the occasion.
• On the occasion, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) announced a national training Programme to certify GST practitioners under its flagship scheme of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). This would facilitate the country’s transition to the new tax regime seamless and convenient. 
• During the event, an MoU was inked between the skill development ministry and the water resources ministry. The MoU intends to develop skilled manpower for laying sewerage pipeline, construction of toilets, waste collection and its disposal activities.

15. Matunga becomes India's first railway station run by women

In a bid to empower women, Central Railway has appointed all women staff at suburban Matunga station.

• Matunga station has thus become country’s first women special station.
• D K Sharma, general manager of Central Railway, who floated the idea of all ladies station, said, "We are convinced that there is no tool for development more effective than empowering our women and this special station speaks all about it."

16. Panel on Ganga cleaning law proposes two new bodies

An official panel, framing a draft law on the cleaning of the Ganga, has proposed a two- tiered mechanism to replace two existing bodies which are implementing the Namami Gange Programme.

• The panel has recommended establishing an integrated development council (IDC) with the prime minister as its ex- officio chairperson. The IDC is proposed to replace the existing National Council for Ganga, which is also chaired by the PM.
• Besides, it has suggested setting up the National River Ganga Basin Management Corporation (NRGBMC) to be headed by the water resources minister. It is proposed to replace the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

17. Operation Muskan launched in Odisha

Operation Muskan, a month-long drive to rescue Odisha’s missing children, was launched by the State police.

• This is the third edition launched by the Crime Branch in association with the Women and Child Development Department.

18. 9th Slum Yuva Run flagged off by Sports Minister Vijay Goel

Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Vijay Goel flagged off the 9th Slum Yuva Daud with Minister of Power Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Parvesh Verma M. P. and Olympic medalist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt.

• The run started from Sahib Singh Verma Park (Kakrola Village) and ended at SDMC Community Hall (Dwarka Sec-17).
• The Slum Yuva Daud is part of the Adopt Slum Campaign initiated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan. Total 11 Slum Yuva Runs have been planned out of which 9 have already been successful with mass participation youth from various Delhi slums.

19. J-K govt launches weekly festival at Dal Lake

The spectacular Dal Lake in Srinagar hosted first ever 'Cultrue of Cruise', a weeekly cultural programme organised by the Jammu and Kashmir government aimed to bring artists from various fields on one stage.
•    The JKAACL in association with the tourism department of Kashmir launched the event.

20. Tata Motors develops country’s first biomethane bus

Tata Motors has developed country’s first Bio-CNG (bio-methane) bus which was unveiled recently at a bio-energy programme, ‘Urja Utsav’.
•    The firm, which is India’s largest commercial vehicles manufacturer, said the bio-methane engines could be used in LCV, ICV and MCV buses.
•    At the Urja Utsav held in Pune’s Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Tata displayed three engines, along with the lead model — Tata LPO 1613 with 5.7 SGI NA BS-IV IOBD-II compliant bus.

21. NDA nominates Venkaiah Naidu as vice-presidential candidate

Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu has been named the vice-presidential candidate of the ruling NDA coalition.
•    Naidu is currently serving as the Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation as well as Information and Broadcasting.
•    An alliance of 18 opposition parties, including the Congress, has already announced Gopalkrishna Gandhi as its candidate for the vice-presidential poll.

22. Farooq Abdullah, Kunhalikutty take oath as Lok Sabha members

National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and Indian Union Muslim League leader PK Kunhalikutty took oath as members of the Lok Sabha.
•    Abdullah won the by-poll from the Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary constituency, defeating his Peoples Democratic Party rival Nazir Ahmed Khan by over 10,000 votes.
•    Kunhalikutty won the Malappuram by-poll in Kerala.

23. Kolkata to host global business meet in Nov

The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), in association with the West Bengal government, will host Horasis Asia Meeting, a global business meet, in Kolkata in November.
•    The two-day business meet, starting November 26, will focus on sustainable business practices in various areas, including power and energy, said Shashwat Goenka, President, ICC.
•    Goenka has been recently elected President of the industry body.

24. Shala Siddhi Prohatsan Yojana started in 25,000 MP schools

In order to provide qualitative education to the students, 'Hamari Shala Kaisi Ho' and 'Shala Siddhi Karyakram' are being implemented by the School Education department in Government schools of Madhya Pradesh.

The State Education Centre has started Shala Siddhi Prohatsan Yojana to encourage best works under this programme.

The Shala Siddhi Prohatsan Yojana has been started in 25,000 schools of the State till date.

25. Centre, Haryana Govt. ink pact to revive River Saraswati

The Centre and the Government of Haryana joined hands to revive the long lost River Saraswati and provide water to the drought-prone areas of India.

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas (Independent Charge) Dharmendra Pradhan and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement.

26. FM formally launched Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana

The Union Minister for Finance, Defence and Corporate Affairs has formally launched the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) in the national capital.

PMVVY is a Pension Scheme announced by the Government of India exclusively for the senior citizens aged 60 years and above which is available from 4th May, 2017 to 3rd May, 2018.

The Scheme can be purchased offline as well as online through Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India which has been given the sole privilege to operate this Scheme.

Scheme provides an assured return of 8% p.a. payable monthly (equivalent to 8.30% p.a. effective) for 10 years.

27. Telangana puts cap on school bag weight

Acting on proposals submitted by the Commissioner and Director of School Education, the Telangana School Education Department issued strict guidelines to reduce the weight of school bags for children in the State.

Schools including aided and un-aided private schools have to follow guidelines.

The guidelines limit the number and weight of books and notebooks students bring to the classroom.

28. Telangana: Janahitha launches to receive complaints from public

In Telangana, an innovative programme christened Janahitha was launched to receive complaints from public through a special portal.

The programme, kickstarted in Suryapet district on pilot basis is aimed at facilitating the public to submit their complaints on line and get speedy redressal.

29. India to Host Global Conference on Cyber Space 2017

India will be hosting the 5th Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS) in 2017, one of the world’s largest conferences on Cyber Space and related issues.
•    Themed on ‘Cyber4All: An Inclusive, Sustainable, Developmental, Safe and Secure Cyberspace’, the GCCS 2017 will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi.
•    The conference to take place on 23rd & 24th of November 2017 in New Delhi.

30. Ministry of Rural Development to launch Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana

 The Ministry of Rural Development will launch a new sub-scheme under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) which will be named as “Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)”
•    This will provide safe, affordable and community monitored rural transport services like e-rickshaws, 3 and 4 wheeler motorised transport vehicles to connect remote villages with key services and amenities including access to markets, education and health for the overall economic development of the area.

31. Odisha CM dedicates longest bridge to nation

 Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik dedicated to the nation the state's longest bridge and named it after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
•    The 2.88 km bridge over the river Kathajodi will connect the state capital of Bhubaneswar with Cuttack reducing the distance between the two cities by 12 km.
•    It will usher in a new era in the twin city links by reducing distance and commuting time for the citizens. It will stand as a symbol of our constant efforts towards development of modern infrastructure for growth and progress of the state and our people.

32. India, Bangladesh to establish new waterways using the Brahmaputra

The Indian and Bangladeshi governments have undertaken an ambitious project to establish a new waterway between the two neighbours using the mighty Brahmaputra river, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

India is prioritising multi-modal connectivity in the northeastern region, including water connectivity, and already 16 waterway projects, mostly involving Bangladesh, have been approved.

India and Bangladesh have a 2,979 km land border and 1,116 km of riverine boundary. They also share 54 common rivers, including the Brahmaputra.

33. Haryana to bring 'fixed service' for medical students

  

Students passing out of government medical colleges in Haryana will now be required to do a fixed period of service in government hospitals of the Haryana, state Health Minister Anil Vij said.

Vij has directed officers to formulate a policy to ensure that medical students doing MBBS or MD degrees from the state government's medical colleges would have to serve in government hospitals.

34. MobiKwik integrated with Samsung Pay Mini

Mobile wallet major MobiKwik has integrated its wallet into Samsung Pay Mini, a mobile payment platform focused on Samsung’s budget and mid-range phones.

• Samsung Pay Mini is designed to cater to the unique requirements of Indian mid-segment consumers.
• The tie-up will enable one-tap payments at more than 1.4 million MobiKwik-powered merchant’s pan-India. MobiKwik will also be available soon on Samsung Pay, which is the proprietary mobile payment platform for Samsung’s high-end phones.

35. Google most influential brand in India, says study

Google has been ranked as the most influential brand in the country while Patanjali Ayurveda and Reliance Jio figure in the top ten, according to a study by global research firm Ipsos.
•    Google is followed by Microsoft and Facebook at the second and third places, respectively.
•    Patanjali and Reliance Jio have been ranked fourth and ninth, respectively, Ipsos said in its report of the most influential brands.

36. RBI has set up an Enforcement Department (EFD)

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has informed that they have set up an Enforcement Department (EFD).

•    EFD would serve as a centralised department to speed up regulatory compliance.
•    EFD has been set up to separate those who oversee the possible rule breaches and those who decide on punitive actions so that enforcement process operates fairly and is evidence based.
•    The EFD has become functional with effect from April 03, 2017.
37. India is among the fastest growing economies: World Bank

According to the World Bank's latest edition of the Global Economic Prospects, India is the fourth fastest growing economy in the world.
•    The World Bank has pegged India's growth rate at 7.2 for the current year on the back of rising export and increase in government spending.
•    In terms of growth rate, India is placed behind smaller economies of Estonia, Uzbekistan and Nepal.

38. Cabinet approves selling 51% stake in HPCL to ONGC

The Cabinet has given an in-principle approval to sell the government’s entire 51.11 per cent stake in Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd to Oil and Natural Gas Corp in a bid to create a state-run integrated oil major that can compete with private and foreign players.

ONGC chairman Dinesh Sarraf said the shareholders of both companies would gain from the deal.

The combined market value of ONGC and HPCL would be $42 billion.

39. Google launches job applicant management tool 'Hire'

Google officially released a new tool named 'Hire' to help small and medium sized businesses recruit talent.

The service is built on G Suite and will allow employers to track candidates' contact information, resume details and calendar invites.

It will allow business partners to share feedback within the candidate's profile.

40. ICICI Bank offers up to Rs. 15 lakh instant personal loan via ATMs

ICICI Bank has launched a facility whereby its existing salaried customers can avail personal loans at ATMs.

These customers can get pre-qualified personal loans up to 15 lakhs in their savings account instantly.

Through this offering, a customer can get personal loans of upto Rs. 15 lakh for a fixed tenure of 60 months.

41. ADB cuts India inflation outlook to 4% in 2017-18

India’s inflation is likely to average 4% in 2017-18, sharply lower than the estimate made at the beginning of the financial year of 5.2%, Asian Development Bank (ADB) said in its outlook supplement.

ADB also said that India is expected to achieve its earlier April forecasts of 7.4% growth in 2017-18 and 7.6% in 2018-19, primarily due to strong consumption.

42. BoB signs MoU with DGS&D for services to govt's e-marketplace

Bank of Baroda has entered into an agreement with Directorate General of Supplies & Disposal (DGS&D) for extending various banking services to Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
•    DGS&D has been mandated to set up GeM, an initiative intended to bring greater transparency and efficiency in public procurements.
•    The Cabinet had in April 2017 approved creation of GeM Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which will replace DGS&D, nodal purchase organisation of the central government.

43. India Partners With Israel to Develop Missile Defense System

The Indian Army has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) to raise a regiment of advanced Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles (MRSAMs) capable of shooting down ballistic missiles and aircraft.
•    DRDO will partner with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and private sector players to deliver this air defense system, which marks a paradigm shift in the capabilities of the Indian Army.
•    The total cost of the project is estimated at $2.5 billion and was approved earlier this year by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

44. Karnataka Bank launches 'Met Loan & Life Suraksha'

  

Karnataka Bank, one of the leading private sector lender, has announced the launch of Met Loan & Life Suraksha” (MLLS) for its customers.

It is a single premium plan covering the loan liability of a customer.

The bank also introduced ‘KBL MLLS’ app, which marks the celebration of 15 years of partnership with M/s PNB MetLife.

45. Seven Indian firms in Fortune Global 500 list

  

The latest edition of Fortune Global 500 list for the year 2016 based on company revenue has placed India in seventh rank where Asian countries dominated the overall rankings.

The United States continues to have the largest presence on the list with 132 firms, but China is catching up with 109 companies on the list. Japan with 51 is in the third spot, South Korea has 15 while India has seven.

Indian Oil is the only firm from India in the top 200 list ranked 168th.

The other six Indian companies in the list are Reliance Industries (203), State Bank of India (217), Tata Motors (247), Rajesh Exports (295), Bharat Petroleum (360) and Hindustan Petroleum (384).

Walmart has topped the list.

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

Mukesh Kumar Jain was appointed as the managing director and chief executive officer of Oriental Bank of Commerce.
•    He is at present the executive director in Punjab and Sind Bank.
•    The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved Jain's appointment.

47. Lilly Singh appointed UNICEF’s Global Goodwill Ambassador

UNICEF has appointed Indian-origin Canadian YouTube star Lilly Singh as its newest Global Goodwill Ambassador at a special event.
•    As the UNICEF ambassador Lilly, who has 11.9 around million subscribers on the video sharing website, will use her channel to showcase the organisation’s work and urge millions of her followers to work for children’s rights.

48. Parajuli to be Nepal's new SC Chief Justice

The name of acting Chief Justice Gopal Prasad Parajuli was unanimously endorsed by the Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee (PHSC) for the post of Nepal's Supreme Court Chief Justice.
•    Parajuli's name was sent to the PHSC for hearing by the Constitutional Council on June 29.
•    Parajuli, the senior-most Justice at the Supreme Court, has taken up the responsibility of acting Chief Justice since June 7, this year after the retirement of then Chief Justice Sushila Karki on June 6.

49. Venkaiah’s portfolios distributed between Smriti Irani, Tomar

The portfolios of M. Venkaiah Naidu, the vice-presidential candidate of the National Democratic Alliance, were reallocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
•    Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani was given additional charge of Information and Broadcasting, while Rural Development Minister Narendra Tomar took over the Urban Development Ministry.

50. T R Zeliang appointed new CM of Nagaland by Governor

  

TR Zeliang has been appointed new Chief Minister of Nagaland by Governor PB Acharya. 

The Nagaland Governor has asked Zeliang to prove his majority on the floor of the House on or before July 22.

Embattled Nagaland Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu and his supporters failed to turn up in the Assembly to face the floor test following which the House was adjourned.

51. Ram Nath Kovind elected India’s 14th President

Ram Nath Kovind was declared elected as India’s 14th President polling 65.6% of the vote defeating the Opposition’s joint candidate, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, who secured 34% of the vote.

Mr. Kovind will be the second Dalit President of India after late President K.R. Narayanan

Also, he will be first from Uttar Pradesh and the first person from the BJP to hold the office of President since Independence.

He entered politics in 1994 when he became a member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh and served as an MP for two consecutive terms till 2006.

He had represented India in the United Nations in New York and addressed United Nations General Assembly in October 2002.

On August 8, 2015, Kovind was appointed governor of Bihar.

52. Lord Davies Appointed Chair Of The UK India Business Council

Lord Davies is set to replace The Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt as Chair of the UK India Business Council (UKIBC).
•    He will take up this role from 1st September 2017, initially to serve a three-year term. Patricia Hewitt will be stepping down after 8 years in the role.

53. Gopal Baglay appointed Joint Secretary in PMO

Senior diplomat and c Gopal Baglay was appointed as joint secretary in the Prime Minister's Office.
•    He was appointed in place of Vinay Mohan Kwatra, who has been already named as India's Ambassador to France.
•    Raveesh Kumar, a 1995-batch IFS officer, currently posted in Frankfurt as Consul General of India, is to be replacing Baglay in the external affairs ministry.

54. UK govt appoints Brenda Marjorie Hale as first female President of SC

The UK government has appointed Brenda Marjorie Hale as the first female President of the Supreme Court, the senior-most judge of the country.
•    Baroness Hale, 72, will take charge as the head of Britain’s top judging panel in September following the retirement of current President, Lord Neuberger.
•    She has served as Neuberger’s deputy since 2013.

55. Sanjay Kothari appointed secretary to new President

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has appointed 1978-batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre, Sanjay Kothari, as the secretary to President-elect Ram Nath Kovind.

Senior journalist Ashok Malik has been named as press secretary to Kovind.

Senior Gujarat-cadre forest service officer Bharat Lal will be joint secretary to Kovind.

56. IPL gets a new Chief Operating Officer

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Hemang Amin as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Earlier Amin was the general manager -- finance, commercial and events at BCCI.

He has worked at BCCI for the last seven years, according to a BCCI release.

57.  18th IIFFA Awards 2017

The 18th edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards was held in New York on July 15.
Here is the list of winners:
•    Best Film: Neerja
•    Best Director: AnirudhRoy Chaudhary for Pink
•    Best Actor (Male): Shahid Kapoor for Udta Punjab
•    Best Actor (Female): Alia Bhatt for Udta Punjab
•    Best Actor in Supporting Role (Female):  Shabana Azmi for Neerja
•    Best Actor in Supporting Role (Male):  Anupam Kher for MS Dhoni-The Untold Story
•    IIFA Woman Of The Year:  Tapsee Pannu

58. J&K bags best award in adventure tourism destination

The J&K Tourism Department has received the award  in the category of 'Best Adventure Tourism Destination and Eco-Tourism Destination' at a 3-Day event organized by Indian International Travel Mart, Chennai.
•    Deputy Director Tourism (Publicity) Peerzada Zahoor who was representing the J&K State received the award.
•    During the Travel Mart, J&K stall which was beautifully decorated attracted huge visitors mostly locals and travel agents.

59. Indian Oil bags WPC Excellence Award

Leading oil marketing company Indian Oil has bagged the WPC Excellence Award for its innovative and ground-breaking INDMAX technology at 22nd edition of the World Petroleum Congress in Istanbul.
•    Sanjiv Singh, Chairman, Indian Oil and SSV Ramakumar, Director (R&D) received the award from Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, former Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Energy and Industry, Qatar.

60. Lokmat Parliamentary Awards 2017

  

Lokmat newspaper has taken a step towards honouring best Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members for their achievements by introducing the Lokmat Parliamentary Awards 2017.

Lok Sabha:-

Lifetime Achievement Award - LK Advani

Best Parliamentarian Award 2016 - NK Premachandran

Best Woman Parliamentarian Award 2016 - Kumari Sushmita Dev

Best Debut Woman Parliamentarian Award 2016 - Meenakshi Lekhi

Rajya Sabha:-

Lifetime Achievement Award - Sharad Yadav

Best Parliamentarian Award 2016 - Sitaram Yechury

Best Woman Parliamentarian Award 2016- Jaya Bachchan

Best Debut Woman Parliamentarian Award 2016 - Rajani Patil

61. Sundar Singh bags India's first gold at World Para Athletics Championships

Sundar Singh Gurjar has opened India's account at the World Para Athletics Championships by clinching gold in the men's javelin throw event.
•    In the F46 category, Sundar recorded his personal best effort of 60.36m on the very first day of the tournament.

62. Muguruza Wins 2017 Wimbledon Women's Championship

Garbine Muguruza defeated Venus Williams 7-5, 6-0 to clinch the 2017 Wimbledon women's singles championship, the second major title of her career.
•    The Spaniard finished as runner-up to Serena, in this same fixture two years ago but claimed some redemption after sailing to this year's crown.

63. Harinder Pal Sandhu wins Victorian Open squash title

India's Harinder Pal Sandhu continued his fine run by winning a second title in two weeks, beating top-seed Rex Hedrick of Australia 12-14, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7 in a 77-minute final of Victorian Open squash, a PSA Tour event, in Melbourne.

• The 28-year-old Indian carried the momentum into the fourth game and stayed ahead to win it 11-7. It was his fourth title of the year.

64. Federer wins record eighth Wimbledon title

In a Wimbledon final Roger Federer brushed aside Marin Cilic, winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-1, 6-4.

• To those that gathered to watch him win, the historical significance of the victory — a 19th Grand Slam, a record eight Wimbledon wins.
• 
  secure him the World No. 1 ranking, with the Australian Open and Wimbledon in the bag.toAlthough this win will n

Points to Remember:

• Wimbledon is one of four Grand Slam tennis tournaments. The others are the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open.
• Wimbledon takes place at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in London.
• Roger Federer of Switzerland defeats Marin Cilic of Croatia in the men's final.
• Garbine Muguruza of Spain defeats Venus Williams of the United States in the women's final.
• Men’s Doubles:- Ł. Kubot & M. Melo
• Women’s Doubles:- E. Makarova & E. Vesnina
• Mixed Doubles:-J. Murray & M. Hingis

65. Lewis Hamilton wins record-equalling fifth British GP

Lewis Hamilton took a dominant victory at Silverstone to tie the all-time record of five career wins in the British Grand Prix.
•    The Mercedes driver equalled the tally of Scot Jim Clark and Frenchman Alain Prost with his fourth home win in a row.

66. Kerala emerge champs at national inter-state meet

Kerala emerged champions with 159 points as the 57th National Inter-State Championships ended on a high note at the Acharya Nagarjuna University ground in Guntur.

Tamil Nadu (110) came on second position and Haryana (101) on third. at the end of the 4-day event.

Anu R. (400m, Kerala) finished the championships as the best woman athlete with 1105 points while Davinder Singh Kang (Javelin Throw, Punjab) was the top athlete among men with 1127 points.

67. Asian champion shot-putter Manpreet fails dope test

Asian champion shot-putter Manpreet Kaur has been caught in the dope net after testing positive for a banned stimulant, a massive embarrassment for the country which might lose the gold medal clinched by her earlier this month.

Kaur, who won a gold medal in the recently-concluded Asian Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, tested positive for stimulant dimethylbutylamine.

The test was conducted by National Anti-Doping (NADA) officials during the Federation Cup National Championships held in Patiala from June 1-4.

68. Chennai Open renamed Maharashtra Open, to be held in Pune

India's most celebrated tennis event, the ATP tournament which acquired heritage status as the 'Chennai Open', will now be held in Pune next year and would be henceforth called "Maharashtra Open.
•    IMG-Reliance, the right holders of the tournament along with Government of Maharashtra and Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA), made the announcement.

69. Former Sikkim CM Nar Bahadur Bhandari passes away

Nar Bahadur Bhandari, one of the longest-serving chief ministers of Sikkim, died on Sunday.

• He became the Chief Minister of Sikkim for the first time in 1979 on a Janata Parishad ticket and then again in 1984 and 1989 on a Sikkim Sangram Parishad ticket. The founder of the SSP, Mr. Bhandari remained its President till his death.
• Mr. Bhandari was the second Chief Minister after L.D. Kazi to hold the reins of the fledgling state which officially became a part of the Indian Union in 1975. He was also a former president of Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee.

70. The First Woman to Win Math's Highest Award Dies at 40

Maryam Mirzakhani, the first and only woman to win the prestigious Fields Medal, called the Nobel Prize of math, died.
•    Mirzakhani was a professor at Stanford University.She was 40.
•    Mirzakhani won the distinguished award, given every four years, in 2014 for her work on geometry and dynamical systems.

71. Hollywood Actor Martin Landau passes away

OSCAR-winning actor Martin Landau has died at the age of 89 after suffering “unexpected complications”.
•    The star of the 1960s television series Mission: Impossible made a late-career comeback with an Academy Award-winning performance in the 1994 film Ed Wood.

72. Katie Price Unveils New Novel “Playing With Fire”

Former glamour model Katie Price has unveiled the cover for her next novel "Playing With Fire", which will be available later this year.

• The novel follows the story of a 27-year-old events manager named Indigo, who falls for restaurant entrepreneur Connor after she is tasked with planning the opening of his new Shoreditch nightclub.

73. President receives first copy of book complied by Professor C. Raj Kumar

 The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee received the first copy of the book ‘Future of Indian Universities: Comparative and International Perspectives’ from Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Sen who formally released it at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
•    The book ‘Future of Indian Universities: Comparative and International Perspectives’ has been complied by Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of JGU University and is published by Oxford University Press.