The Daily Brief – 31st August 2018

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1. Arunachal Pradesh Re-Organisation of Districts (Amendment) Bill, 2018 has been passed by Arunachal Pradesh Legislative assembly for the creation of three new districts, Pakke-Kesang, Lepa Rada and Shi Yomi in the state. With addition of these three new districts, state will have total 25 districts from earlier 22 districts. These new districts were created keeping in view growing demands of people, to bring administration to their door-steps and for all-round equal development in all parts of the state.
2. Vostok-2018 (East-2018) military exercise is going to be conducted by Russia in central and eastern Russian military districts from September 11 to 15, 2018. It will be biggest war games ever conducted by Russia since Zapad-81 (West-81) exercise conducted by erstwhile Soviet Union in 1981 which had seen involvement of about 100,000 to 150,000 troops. Vostok-2018 will involve participation of units from Russian Army, Air Force and Navy. China and Mongolia will also participate in Vostok 2018. More than 300,000 troops will participate in this exercise.
3. Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved financing package of $245 million to implement project for providing safe, sustainable drinking water service to million people in three districts- North 24 Parganas, Bankura and Purba Medinipur -of West Bengal affected by arsenic, fluoride, and salinity. The project will provide continuous potable water through metered connections to about 390,000 individual households in these districts. This project will play pivotal role in reducing burden of disease from arsenic and fluoride while preserving groundwater and enhancing climate resilience.
4. Global IT giant IBM has partnered with Indian IT companies for its ‘Call for Code’ initiative that aims to build global solutions for disaster management. Indian IT companies that will partner with IBM for Call for Code initiative include Persistent Systems, Invest India, Wipro, Capgemini and NASSCOM. It aims to bring startup, academic and enterprise developers together to respond to and recover from natural disasters.
5. Governor of Assam has extended application of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the entire state for six more months with immediate effect. For this, it used powers conferred under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 declaring entire state as ‘Disturbed Area’ up to 6 months or unless withdrawn earlier. In September 2017, Union Home Ministry had delegated to Assam and Manipur Governors power to impose or withdraw AFSPA. This decision was taken as precautionary measure to maintain law and order during ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) update process.
6. The first South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Agri Cooperative Business Forum was held in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal with the theme of ‘Organizing and Strengthening Family Farmers’ Cooperatives to attain the Sustainable-Development-Goals-1 and 2 in South Asia’. It was co-organized by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations and Asian Farmers’ Association with the support from International Fund for Agricultural Development. SAARC member states include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
7. Union Government has signed $375 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Madhya Pradesh Irrigation Efficiency Improvement Project. The project will contribute to double farming incomes in Madhya Pradesh by expanding irrigation networks and system efficiency. It focuses on two large irrigation systems-Kundalia irrigation project and Sanjay Sarovar Irrigation Project. It will develop 125,000 hectares of new, highly efficient and climate resilient irrigation networks. It will also improve water use efficiency in more than 400 villages and benefit over 800,000 people in the state.

   

Asian Games: (58 medals = 13 gold, 20 silver and 25 bronze)

1. Indian Seema Punia clinched broze medal in women’s discus throw with a throw of 62.26m. This is her second medal at the Asian Games after having won gold in 2014 edition with a 61.03m throw. Punia had bagged silver at Commonwealth Games earlier this year.
2. Indian men’s 4x400m relay team won the silver medal at the Asian Games 2018. This was India’s first medal in men’s relay event at the Asian Games since 2006.Indian team was represented by Kunhu Muhammed Puthanpurakkal, Dharun Ayyasamy, Muhammad Anas Yahiya and Arokiarajiv.
3. India won its fifth consecutive Asiad gold in women’s 4x400m relay event. Hima Das, Poovamma Raju Machettira, Saritaben Laxmanbhai Gayakwad and Vismaya Velluva Koroth represented India.
4. Jinson Johnson bagged India’s first gold medal in the men’s 1500m event at Asian Games after 56 years. The 27-year-old clocked 3:44:72 sec to finish first and bag his second medal at Asian Games 2018 after he has won silver in the 800m event. In the women’s 1500m final, P Chitra won the bronze medal after she finished the race with a time of 4:12:56.

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