Important Current Affairs 2nd September 2018 English

Important Current Affairs 2nd September 2018

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India, Nepal sign MoU on Raxual-Kathmandu railway line

India and Nepal have signed MoU to build strategic railway line connecting Raxaul city in Bihar, India to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal. It was signed  after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks on all aspects of the bilateral ties with his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli on sidelines of 4th BIMSTEC Summit held in Nepal.
Raxaul-Kathmandu rail line 
It is expected to expand connectivity by enhancing people-to-people linkages and bulk movement of goods between both countries. It help to promote economic growth and development in the region. India’s Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. will conduct preliminary engineering-cum-traffic survey of this new rail line in consultation with Government of Nepal. This will be followed by finalization of implementation and funding modalities of project based ondetailed project report.  

India and Pakistan have agreed to undertake Indus Waters Treaty mandated tours in Indus basin on both sides

India and Pakistan have agreed to undertake Indus Waters Treaty 1960 mandated tours by their water commissioners in Indus basin on both sides to resolve issues on various hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir. This was decided in recently concluded high-level bilateral talks on Indus Waters Treaty in Lahore, Pakistan.
Highlights on high-level bilateral talks
Deliberations were held on further strengthening the role of Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) for matters under 1960 Treaty. Technical discussions were also held on implementation of various hydroelectric projects under provisions of Indus Waters Treaty including Pakal Dul (1000 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW) in Jammu and Kashmir.

18th Asian Games to conclude; India finishes with biggest ever medal tally

India ended their Asian Games 2018 campaign with the highest medal tally at the tournament ever, with a total of 69 medals which includes 15 gold, 24 silver and 30 bronze medals. 
India have thus surpassed their previous highest tally of 65 medals which they registered at the 2010 edition of Asiad in Guangzhou.
The solitary event that is taking place on the last day of the Games today is Men's triathlon in which China, Republic of  Korea and Hong Kong among others, are competing. India is not participating in Triathlon.   
Indian women hockey captain Rani Rampal will be the country’s flag-bearer. She has expressed her gratitude to the Indian Olympic Association and Hockey India for giving her the opportunity to lead the India contingent at the closing ceremony.

NATIONAL NEWS

President of India Inaugurates a National Conference being Organised by The Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the National Conference being organised by the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association in New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that India’s judiciary is respected across the world as an upholder of justice for the defenceless. It is also true that our judges are overburdened by the sheer volume of cases. As a consequence, the Indian legal system is marked by long delays. He noted that there is a backlog of 3.3 crore cases in various courts of the country. Of these, 2.84 crore cases are in the subordinate courts. Another 43 lakh are in the High Courts and about 58,000 in the Supreme Court.

Vodafone Idea Ltd: Idea Cellular and Vodafone completes merger to create India’s largest telecom operator

The merger of Idea Cellular and Vodafone India has been completed after it was cleared by National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). This merger has created India’s biggest telecom service provider. The merged entity is named Vodafone Idea Ltd and dislodges current market leader Bharti Airtel from top position, by its sheer size and scale. New board has been constituted for merged entity with 12 directors (including six independent directors) and Kumar Mangalam Birla as its Chairman.
Key Facts 
The combined entity will have nearly 443 million customers surpassing Bharti Airtel’s 344 million users. Moreover, it will have all-India revenue market share of 32.2% and take numero uno slot in nine telecom circles. It will have broadband network of 3.4 lakh sites and distribution network with 17 lakh retail outlets.

Dr B.K. Misra named for 2018 Dr B.C. Roy National Award as eminent medical person of the year

Mumbai-based eminent neurosurgeon Dr B.K. Misra was named for prestigious Dr B.C. Roy National Award for year 2018 as Eminent Medical Person of the Year. It is highest medical honour of India and will be bestow ed upon him by President Ram Nath Kovind in July 1 , 2019 on the occasion of National Doctors Day.
Dr B.K. Misra
Misra is the Head of Department of Surgery as well as Neurosurgery and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery at Mumbai’s P.D. Hinduja Hospital. During his medical career, he has several firsts to his credit, including image guided aneurysm microsurgery, first doctor in South Asia to perform gamma knife radiosurgery and first in country to perform awake craniotomy for brain tumours.