Important Current Affairs 18th September 2018 English

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International News

India and Malta sign three MoUs in the fields of Maritime Cooperation, Tourism and Training

India and Malta has signed three MoUs in the fields of Maritime Cooperation, Tourism and Training after delegation level talks between Vice President, Venkaiah Naidu and President of Malta, Ms. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. 

Mr. Naidu is in Malta in the second phase of his visit to three European countries. In a Joint Press Statement, Mr. Naidu said, India is today the main source of affordable generic drugs in the world and can cooperate in Wellness and Ayurveda sectors. 

World's first hydrogen train rolls out in Germany
Germany launched world's first hydrogen-powered passenger train on September 16, 2018. The locomotives, built by the French train-maker firm, Alstom, entered regular service from September 17 onwards, operating on a 62 mile stretch of line in northern Germany.
What is a hydrogen train?
Hydrogen trains are equipped with fuel cells that produce electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen, a process that leaves steam and water as the only emissions.

This makes the cells a promising energy source that produces zero emissions and very little noise. Excess energy is stored in ion-lithium batteries on board the train
The locomotives are also eco-friendly.

Other countries to use this technology
Other countries are also looking into hydrogen trains including Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Italy, and Canada. In France, the government has already said it wants the first hydrogen train to be on the rails by 2022.

Shri Piyush Goyal inaugurates the first ever India tourism Mart 2018

The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal inaugurated the ‘first ever’ India Tourism Mart (ITM 2018) in the presence of Union Tourism Minister, Shri K J Alphons and the Tourism Minister of Morocco, Mr. Mohamed Sajid, in New Delhi.

Imortant:

ITM will be an annual event hereafter in line with other International Tourism Marts and it will be held in the month of September.

The ITM 2018 has a participation of around 225 hosted international buyers and Media personnel across the world such as North America, West Europe, East Asia, Latin America, CIS countries etc. 

Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) is the apex organization of all the important trade and hospitality associations of the country with all the 10 major Tourist organizations like FHRAI, HAI, IATO being involved in this mega event and India Convention Promotion Board (ICPB) is coordinating the whole event.  

National News

Govt proposes merger of Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank

The Union Finance Ministry on September 17, 2018 announced the proposal to merge three public sector lenders - Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank. The combined lending entity will create India’s third largest bank with a total business of more than Rs 14.82 lakh crore.  The proposal will now need the approval of the boards of these individual banks. 
The merger of these three state-owned banks is a part of the government's agenda of consolidation of public sector banks. The consolidation was proposed by the Alternative Mechanism comprising Chairperson Arun Jaitley.

Supreme Court lifts ban on Saridon, 3 other FDCs

 The Supreme Court of India on September 17, 2018 allowed the sale of popular painkiller Saridon and three other banned fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) in medical stores across the country.
The apex court has allowed the sale of Piramal Healthcare's Saridon, GlaxoSmithKline's Piriton, Juggat Pharma's Dart and another drug.
FDC
The Fixed Dose Combination drugs are two or more drugs combined in a fixed ratio into a single dosage form.
Background
The Union Health Ministry issued a notification last week prohibiting the manufacture, sale and distribution of 328 Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) for human use with immediate effect.
The Ministry also restricted the manufacture, sale and distribution of six FDCs subject to certain conditions. The action was taken by the Ministry under the powers conferred by section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Launch of India's first 'smart fence' projects
 
India’s first ‘smart fence’ pilot project was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh along the India-Pakistan International Border in Ploura, Jammu and Kashmir on September 17, 2018. 

The Union Minister launched the project from the BSF Headquarters during his one-day visit to the state. The initiative has been taken up by the Border Security Force (BSF), as part of their comprehensive integrated border management system.
Importance of this Project:
The smart fence pilot project is expected to be a massive boon for monitoring security situations in border areas. It is a technological solution devised to make the security system at the borders more strong and effective.

The system will virtually make it impossible for terrorists to infiltrate into the Indian side of the border. 

According to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the shortcomings of the pilot project will be addressed to make the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management system fool proof before it is extended to other areas.

Military Equipment worth Rs. 9,100 Crore Gets Defence Ministry Nod
 
The Defence Ministry has given its approval for the procurement of military equipment and weapons worth Rs. 9,100 crore.
The procurement will include two regiments of Aakash missile systems.
The acquisition proposals were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the Defence Ministry's highest decision making body on procurement.
The Defence Acquisition Council also approved the design and development of test equipment for guided weapons systems for T90 tanks.
Defence Acquisition Council
An overarching structure, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the Defence Minister was constituted for overall guidance of the defence procurement planning process.
The objective of the Defence Acquisition Council is to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved requirements of the Armed Forces in terms of capabilities sought, and time frame prescribed, by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources.

Launch of C-DAC Information Media Server (CIMS)
 
Shri S.S. Ahluwalia, Hon’ble Minister of State for Electronics and IT launches C-DAC Information Media Server (CIMS) for enhancing Good Governance. 
What is C-DAC Information Media Server?
C-DAC Information Media Server is a dedicated computer appliance having specialized application software to provide audio and video on demand. This low-cost affordable system is built with single board computer having powerful and energy efficient multi-core processor. It does not require any special purpose internet service provider or data connectivity. The common feature includes displaying text, images for viewing, video streaming, e-brochure; for viewing or downloading for offline reference. 

Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines installed in MeitY
 
CSC SPV has installed Sanitary Vending Machines in MeitY Women Restrooms.  This will benefit women employees availing Sanitary Pads in the ministry. Based on the success and learning of this initiative, further similar vending machines will be installed at the other Public and Private institutions.
Stree Swabhiman Initiative
The initiative was launched in partnership with Common Service Centres (CSCs).The initiative implemented by the central government in coordination of the CSC (Common Service Centers). 
The entire project will also be implemented within the country at the ground root level. Under this initiative, Common Service Centres (CSC) will provide access to affordable, reliable and modern (eco-friendly) sanitary napkins (menstrual pads) to adolescent girls and women in rural areas.