India ranks 63 in World Bank’s ease Doing Business Report

The World Bank released its latest Doing Business Report(DBR, 2020) on 24th October 2019. India has recorded a jump of 14 positions against its rank of 77 in 2019 to be placed now at 63rd rank among 190 countries assessed by the World Bank. India's leap of 14 ranks in the Ease of Doing Business ranking is significant considering that there has been continuous improvement since 2015 and for the third consecutive year India is amongst the top 10 improvers. As a result of continued efforts by the Government, India has improved its rank by 79 positions in last five years.

Margaret Atwood, Bernardine Evaristo create history by jointly winning the Booker Prize

The prestigious Booker Prize for Fiction jointly goes to Canadian author Margaret Atwood for 'The Testaments' and Anglo-Nigerian author Bernardine Evaristo for 'Girl, Woman, Other'. Atwood becomes only the second female author to win the award twice.

Global Hunger Index India slips to 102nd

India trails at a miserable 102nd among 117 countries in the 2019 Global Hunger Index (GHI) released on October 15. The rank is significant because the country seems to have regressed from its 95th rank in 2010 and stands way below its neighbours and BRICS' peers. Alarmingly, India was the worst performer when it came to child wasting (age appropriate weight), clocking a dismal 20.8 percent. Among infants aged 6-23 months, merely 9.6 percent received the 'minimum acceptable diet'. The child stunting rate at 37.9 percent, was also termed 'very high'.

Amitabh Bachchan to be honoured with Dada Saheb Phalke award 2018

Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan has been named for the prestigious Dada Sahab Phalke award for his outstanding contribution to the film industry. The award is conferred by the Government for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema. It consists of a Swarn Kamal and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh rupees. The 76-year-old screen icon, who rose to stardom with his 'Angry Young Man' persona capturing the anger of the young generation in the 1970s with films such as "Zanjeer", "Deewar" and "Sholay", continues to be a force to reckon with in Indian cinema.

National Sports Awards 2019

National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four year, Arjuna Award is given for consistency outstanding performance for four years, Dronacharya Award for coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious International sports events, Dhyan Chand Award for life time contribution to sports development and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is given to the corporate entities (both in private and public sector) and individuals who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development. Overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments is given Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.

Read Full Winner List

66th National Film Awards for 2018

66th National Film Awards for 2018 announced. Gujarati film Hellaro wins Best Feature Film Award. Badhaai Ho bags award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Hindi movie Padman declared Best Film on Social Issues. Aditya Dhar wins Best Director Award for Uri: The Surgical Strike. Ayushman Khurana and Vicky Kaushal jointly win Best Actor Award for their performances in Andhadhun and Uri: The Surgical Strike. Keerthy Suresh bags Best Actress trophy for her performance in Telugu movie Mahanati. Marathi movie Paani wins the award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/ Preservation. Kannada film Ondalla Eradalla gets Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. Uttarakhand declared Most Film Friendly State

Cabinet approves ISRO Technical Liaison Unit at Moscow

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the setting up of ISRO Technical Liaison Unit (ITLU) at Moscow, Russia. The ISRO Technical Liaison Unit (ITLU) at Moscow will enable effective technical coordination for timely interventions on diversified matters with Russia and neighbouring countries for realization of the programmatic targets of ISRO. The Liaison Officer, deputed at ITLU from ISRO provides technical information about the developments in research and technology and inputs arising from their meetings with researchers, government agencies and industries in the respective countries. They also support the ongoing bilateral programmes of cooperation in space technology and act on behalf of ISRO on the matters referred.

Benefits:

ISRO will be able to collaborate with Space agencies/industries in Russia and neighbouring countries for mutually synergetic outcomes. ISRO’s Gaganyaan programme requires development of some of the key technologies and establishment of specialized facilities, which are essential to support life in space. Keeping in view the 15th August, 2022 timeline for realization of the Gaganyaan human space programme, it is prudent to avail technical cooperation from International space agencies, who have already demonstrated their technical capabilities in specific areas.  Russia, being one of the space faring nations, it is envisaged to collaborate with Russia extensively in various fields of relevance.

Source: pib.nic.in