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Important Current Affairs 21st May 2017

Important Current Affairs 21st May 2017

Dear Aspirants,

Important Current Affairs 21th May 2017 in English and Hindi, which will update you with latest headlines, news from various domains i.e: National News, Sports, Business, Awards & recognition. It is useful for the preparation of competitive exams like: SSC, SBI, IBPS PO, Clerk, Railways & Various other Entrance examinations.

Current Affairs 21st May 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

Union Cabinet approves construction of 10 units of India’s indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors

The Union Cabinet, presided by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 17 May 2017 gave a green signal for the construction of 10 units of India’s indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR).  
●    The move aims to fast-track India’s domestic nuclear power programme and give a push to country’s nuclear industry.
●    The 10 PHWR project will result in a significant augmentation of nuclear power generation capacity. 
●    The total installed capacity of the Plants will be 7000 MW.
●    In a first of its kind project for India’s nuclear power sector, the ten new units will come up in fleet mode as a fully homegrown initiative. 
●    It would be one of the flagship “Make in India” projects in this sector.
●    At present, the installed nuclear power capacity of Indian is 6780 MW from 22 operational plants.


Union Cabinet approves pan-India implementation of Maternity Benefit Program

The Union Cabinet, presided by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 17 May 2017 gave ex-post facto approval to Pan-India implementation of Maternity Benefit Program.
●    The Program has been extended to all districts of the country with effect from 1 January 2017.
●    The Maternity Benefit Program will grant compensation for the wage loss in terms of cash incentives so that the women can take adequate rest before and after delivery and not be deprived of proper nutrition.
●    The total cost of the proposal for the period from 1 January 2017 to 31 March 2020 including Union and State Governments share is Rs. 12661 crore. 
●    The Government of India’s share during the period is around Rs. 7932 crore.
●    To provide partial compensation for the wage loss in terms of cash incentives so that the woman can take adequate rest before and after delivery of the first living child.

Visakhapatnam railway station cleanest, Darbhanga dirtiest

The Visakhapatnam railway station is the cleanest, followed by Secunderabad, among the 75 busiest stations in the country.
●    According to a survey, the report of which was released by railway minister Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday, the Jammu railway station occupied the third spot, while the New Delhi station was ranked at 39 among the busiest stations.
●    The survey was carried out by the Quality Council of India.
●    The Darbhanga railway station in Bihar was the dirtiest among the busiest stations.
●    Clean toilets at platforms, clean tracks and dustbins at stations were some of the criteria for judging railway stations for cleanliness.
●    This was the third survey on cleanliness done by the railways to keep a tab on rail premises as part of its ‘Swachh Rail’ campaign.
●    The Anand Vihar railway station was ranked at the 5th position, while Nizamuddin and Old Delhi stations were placed at 23th and 24th position.


BSF begins operation 'Garam Hawa' along international border

The BSF has started operation 'Garam Hawa' in the western sector in Rajasthan, under which vigil along the international border with Pakistan has been stepped up.
●    The operation, which started on Monday,will continue till May 23.
●    The operation is being conducted as chances of infiltration across the border increase during intense heatwave conditions, BSF DIG Ravi Gandhi said.
●    He said the main aim is to reinforce and strengthen the BSF's vigil along the border during the summer.
●    Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat will are also schedule to review the security situation and take stock of counter-terror operations in the Valley, which has been rocked with soaring turbulence recently besides the steady stream of ceasefire violations.
●    The visit comes in the wake of beheading of two Indian soldiers by Pakistani Army in Poonch district earlier this month which was termed "barbaric" by India.
●    The spree in infiltration attempts, ceasefire violation, cross-border shelling along with the Valley's internal crisis has turned into a major crisis for the state government as well as the Centre.
 

Current Affairs 21st May 2017: AWARDS

Indian activists Sanjay Gubbi and Purnima Barman win Whitley Awards 2017

Two Indian activists Sanjay Gubbi and Purnima Barman on 18 May 2017 won the annual Whitley Awards, popularly known as the ‘Green Oscars’, for their works in the field of animal and bird conservation in India. 
●    These two Indians are among six global winners of the award shortlisted from 166 entries. 
●    The other winners of this year’s awards include
●    Indira Lacerna-Widmann from the Philippines
●    Ian Little from South Africa
●    Alexander Blanco from Venezuela
●    Ximena Velez-Liendo from Bolivia
●    Each winner will receive 35000 pounds prize money in project funding over one year. 
●    The Whitley Awards or Green Oscars are  rganized by UK-based  Whitley Fund for Nature to highlight grassroots leaders in nature conservation across the developing world.
●    Wildlife activist Sanjay Gubbi won the award for his work to protect Karnataka’s tiger corridors. 
●    Gubbi left his job as an electrical engineer to work with nature. 
●    In 2012, he secured the largest expansion of protected areas for conservation of tigers in state while working with Karnataka government.
 

Current Affairs 21st May 2017: DAYS AND DAYS

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2017 observed

The 2017 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was observed across the world on 21 May 2017 with an aim to bridge the gap between different cultures.
●    The Day celebrates not only the richness of the world’s cultures but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development.
●    In December 2002, the UN General Assembly in its resolution declared 21 May as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development following UNESCO's adoption of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in 2001.
●    The day aims to deepen the understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to advance the four goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions:
●    Support sustainable systems of governance for culture
●    Achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and increase mobility of artists and cultural professionals
●    Integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks
●    Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms

Current Affairs 21st May 2017: SPORTS

Indian cricket team retains No.1 spot in ICC Test rankings

India have retained the No 1 ranking in Tests after a magnificent performance in the last couple of seasons. 
●    South Africa are in second position but have cut down the deficit. 
●    In the latest rankings released by the ICC, India are on top with 123 points, followed by South Africa with 117 and Australia with 100 points.
●    Virat Kohli’s side enjoyed a magnificent 2016/17 season at home in which they secured series wins over New Zealand, England and Australia and claimed the one-off Test against Bangladesh. 
●    This extended the winning streak for India as they had secured series wins in Sri Lanka and the West Indies and beaten South Africa at home. 
●    The 2-1 series win over Australia gave Kohli’s side the unique distinction of holding bilateral series wins over all Test playing nations.

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