1 September 2013 Current Affairs

South Korea Win Asia Cup Hockey Title

On 1 September South Korea defeated India 4-3 in the final of the Asia Cup Hockey at Ipoh,
Malaysia .With this, South Korea confirmed its place in the World Cup at The Hague.In the
meanwhile, the Asian Hockey Federation gave the details of the participants for the next AHF
Champions Trophy to be held in Kakamigahara (Japan) from 1 November 2013 to 10 November
2013.In the mens section, the participants will be China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Oman and
Pakistan. In the womens section, the participants include China, India, Japan and Malaysia.

Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Launched New Health Initiatives For Assam
On 1 September Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad launched
several new health initiatives worth Rs.500 crores under the National Rural Health Mission
(NRHM) for the strengthening of healthcare services in Assam.The new initiatives are Free
Generic Drug Service, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya karyakram (RBSK), National Iron Plus Initiative,
Fleet of 359 New Ambulances for National Ambulance Service.Ghulam Nabi Azad also
inaugurated Mother and Child Tracking System Call Centre and Tele-Radiology Project under
NRHM.

2 September 2013 Current Affairs

3rd India Republic of Korea Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue Held In Seoul
The 3rd India Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) was
held in Seoul on 2 September .The Indian side was led by Mr. Ashok K. Kantha, Secretary
(East), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) side was led by
First Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Kim Kyou-hyun.Both nations discussed ways to
further expand and deepen their Strategic Partnership. They undertook a comprehensive review
of bilateral ties, including in the fields of economic collaboration, defense and security
cooperation, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts. In this context they discussed the
potential for space and nuclear cooperation, upgrading of the bilateral Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement and collaboration in defense production. They agreed to step up
cooperation in the spheres of maritime and cyber security.It was agreed that the 4th India-ROK
Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue will be held at New Delhi at a mutually convenient time in
2014.

National Food Security Bill Passed By Rajya Sabha

The National Food Security Bill, which seeks to provide heavily-subsidized food to two-thirds of
Indias 1.23 billion people, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 2 September.The Union Cabinet,
headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on 19 March 2013 approved the National Food
Security Bill. Lok Sabha on 26 August 2013 passed the National Food Security Bill 2013.

Indian Air Force inducts its Biggest Transport Aircraft C-17 Globemaster III
On 2 September Union Defence Minister AK Antony formally inducted IAFs biggest 70-tonne
heavy-lift transport aircraft C-17 Globemaster III into service at the Hindon Air Base near
Delhi.The C-17 Globemaster III aircraft has been procured from the US under a deal expected to
be over Rs.20,000 crore.The C-17, with a capability to carry around 70 tonnes of load and
around 150 fully geared troops, will replace the Russian Il-76 as the biggest aircraft in the IAF
inventory till now.The IL-76 has the capability to carry loads upto around 40 tonnes.The IAF has
placed orders with the US for ten C-17 aircraft under the deal signed in 2011 and three of them
have already been delivered.The US Air Force is scheduled to complete the delivery of all the 10
planes by the end of 2014.

3 September 2013 Current Affairs

Microsoft To Buy Nokias Mobile Phone Unit and Services
On 3 September Microsoft Corporation and Nokia Corporation announced that both companies
have decided to enter into a transaction whereby Microsoft will purchase substantially all of
Nokias Devices & Services business, license Nokias patents, and license and use Nokias
mapping services.Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will pay 3.79 billion Euros to
purchase substantially all of Nokias Devices & Services business, and 1.65 billion Euros to
license Nokias patents, for a total transaction price of 5.44 billion Euros in cash.Nokia
Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications and information technology corporation
(originally a paper production plant) that is headquartered in Espoo, Finland.Its principal
products are mobile telephones and portable IT devices. It also offers Internet services including
applications, games, music, media and messaging, and free-of-charge digital map information
and navigation services through its wholly owned subsidiary Navteq.

3rd All India Survey On Higher Education Launched

On 3 September Minister of State for Human Resource Development Jitin Prasada launched the
third All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE)-2012-13 .The survey was initiated in the
year 2011 to prepare a robust data-base on higher education.Data for the year 2010-11 was
collected during the first year of the survey.Keeping in view the usefulness of data collected
during the very first year, Ministry has decided to make this survey an annual exercise of data
collection in higher education sector. The survey covers all the Higher Education (HE)
Institutions of the country including Universities, Colleges, and Stand-Alone Institutions.The

main items of data collection under survey are Basic details, Programme details, Teaching &
Non-Teaching Staff, Student Enrolment, Examination Results and Scholarships.

4 September 2013 Current Affairs

U.S
Senate
Committee
Approves
Syria
Attack
Resolution
The U.S Senate Foreign Relations Committee on 4 September approved a resolution , granting
President Obama limited authority to launch a military strike on Syria in response to its reported
use of chemical weapons against civilians.The senate committee vote, 10-7, clears the way for
consideration of the resolution by the full Senate.The resolution states that military action must
be aimed at deterring and preventing Syria from carrying out future chemical weapons
attacks.The resolution does not allow the use of ground forces.

Raghuram
Rajan
Takes
Over
As
RBI
Governor
On 4 September Chief economic adviser Raghuram Govind Rajan took over as the 23rd
Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He took charge from D. Subbarao.Raghuram
Rajan was appointed as the youngest-ever Economic Counselor and Director of Research (chief
economist) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from October 2003 to December
2006.Rajan was appointed as Chief Economic Advisor to the Ministry of Finance, Government
of India on 10 August 2012.

Ahmev Radha, Ahmev Krishnah Book Released

The Vice President of India, M.Hamid Ansari released the book titled Ahmev Radha, Ahmev
Krishnah, written by the Chief Editor of Hindi newspaper Rajasthan Patrika, Gulab Kothari, in
New Delhi on 4 September.The book Ahmev Radha, Ahmev Krishnah describes the complicated
issue of personality development in very simple and interesting words.

5 September 2013 Current Affairs

Land Acquisition Bill Passed By Parliament
The land acquisition bill was passed by the Parliament on 5 September.The bill, which was
earlier passed by Lok Sabha on 29 August, went through some amendments during its passage in
the Rajya Sabha on 4 September.The historic legislation will now be sent to President Pranab
Mukherjee for his assent.The aim of the bill is providing fair compensation to people whose land
has been taken away for setting up the buildings or factories. The Bill seeks for compensation of
around 4 times the market value of the land in rural areas as well as two times the value in the
urban areas.The Bill established new rules and regulations for compensation of the land acquired
for industry as well as infrastructure projects. The bill stipulates mandatory consent of at least

70% of landowners for acquiring land for public private partnership (PPP) projects and 80% for
private firms.

Loksabha Passed Waqf (Amendment Bill) Bill

The Loksabha on 5 September approved the Waqf Amendment Bill,2010, that aims to make
properties under the Waqf Board more commercially viable.The bill, passed by the Rajya Sabha
on 20 Aug 2013.According to the bill, the government will maintain the record of Waqf
properties and extend their lease period to a maximum of 30 years.As per data, there are around
four lakh registered Waqf properties across the country.

Deepak Sandhu Becomes The First Woman Chief Information Commissioner

Deepak Sandhu became the first woman Chief Information Commissioner of the country.She
was administered the oath of the office by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 5
September.Sandhu served in many key positions like Principal Director General (Media and
Communications) in the Press Information Bureau, Director General of DD (News), Director
General (News) All India Radio before taking over as Information Commissioner in 2009.

6 September 2013 Current Affairs

Rajya Sabha Passed Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, 2011
The Rajya Sabha on 6 September passed the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development
Authority (PFRDA) Bill 2011,which opens the doors to 26 percent foreign direct investment
(FDI) in pension funds, was approved by the Lok Sabha on 4 September.The Pension Fund
Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill, 2011, provides for market based returns
and wide coverage based on several investment options in the pension sector with an aim to
building confidence in the subscribers.The bill seeks to establish, develop and regulate pension
funds to protect the interests of subscribers to schemes of pension funds and assures minimum
returns to subscribers.The Pension Bill has been hanging fire since 2005 when it was first
introduced in Parliament. It was reintroduced in 2011.

Lok Sabha Passed Street Vendors Bill

The Lok Sabha on 6 September passed the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and
Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, 2012, which aims to protect the rights of street vendors in
cities.The bill aims to check harassment of urban street vendors by police and municipal

authorities and to regulate street vending activities.The bill provides for certificates by local
authorities to street vendors to save them from harassment by the police and other authorities.

Lok Sabha Passed Bill To Set Up First National Aviation University

On 6 September Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University Bill, 2013 was passed by the Lok
Sabha .The purpose of the bill is to establish the first-ever national aviation university in India,
called Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University, which is named after Rajiv Gandhi. The
University would train the cabin crew, pilots as well as aircraft engineers.The proposed
university would come up at Sonia Gandhis constituency of Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh.

7 September 2013 Current Affairs

Former UP Governor Romesh Bhandari Died
Former Uttar Pradesh governor and ex-foreign secretary Romesh Bhandari died on 7
September.Bhandari had served as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi apart from serving as the
governor of Tripura and Goa.He was made the governor of UP in July 1996 when the state was
under Presidents rule. He was the foreign secretary between 1985-86.He was born on March 29,
1928 in Lahore, he had joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1950 as the Vice-Consul at the
consulate in New York.

Worlds Largest Volcano Discovered Under Pacific Ocean

The worlds largest volcano has been discovered on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. The volcano,
1,600 kilometres east of Japan and called the Tamu Massif, is the size of the British Isles.At
310,000 sq km (119,000 sq mi) Tamu Massif is comparable in size to Mars vast Olympus Mons
volcano the largest in the solar system..The volcano consists of a vast single rounded dome in
the shape of a shield, which is believed to have been formed 144 million years ago when it last
erupted.Its top lies about 6,500 feet below the ocean surface.

8 September 2013 Current Affairs

Liberal Party Won The Parliamentary Elections In Australia
On 8 September Australian Liberal Party won the 44th Parliamentary elections. Liberal Party
defeated the in-power Labor Party in the general elections held on 7 September 2013 to return
back in power as the Liberal-National coalition for the first time in six years.With this win, Tony
Abbott the leader of the Liberal-National Coalition will become the Prime Minister of the
Country and successor of Kevin Rudd of the Labor Party. The coalition won 88 seats in the 150
seat Parliament. The ruling Labor Party was successful in winning 57 seats. Three seats were
distributed between three small parties, and there were two seats still to return results. WikiLeaks

founder, Julian Assange failed to get elected to the Senate after running in Victoria, with his
Wikileaks Party garnering just 0.62% of the popular vote.

India Has 55.48 crore Mobile Users

According to the research firm Juxt conducted survey between May and mid-July 2013 covering
109 urban centres and 196 villages in all the 28 states and 3 union territories in India and
prepared the India Mobile Landscape report.According to this report there are 55.48 crore actual
mobile users in the country and 14.32 crore internet users.Meanwhile, as per the data revealed by
sectoral regulator TRAI, there are total 87.33 crore mobile subscribers in the country. Of this,
73.14 crore customers were found to be active on a particular date in June.

9 September 2013 Current Affairs

India, Japan Signed Statement To Study LNG Pricing
India and Japan on 9 September signed a statement on conducting a joint study on the pricing of
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) with an aim to form a transparent and globally competitive LNG
price in the Asia Pacific market.Indias Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Veerappa Moily
and Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Toshimitsu Motegi signed the joint
statement in Tokyo.

India and Malaysia : Interwined Strands Book Released By Vice President of India
The Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari on 9 September released a book entitled India
and Malaysia: Intertwined Strands at New Delhi . The book is authored by former Diplomat
Veena Sikri. The book is written for the Institute of South East Asian Studies (ISEAS),
Singapore. It is a comprehensive book on a very useful subject of relationship between India and
Malaysia.

10 September 2013 Current Affairs

MIT and Harvard Top World University List
QS World University Rankings released on 10 September 2013.According to the list , US-based
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University topped an authoritative list
of the worlds top 200 university rankings that did not figure any educational institutions from
India.Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, the countrys premier institution, comes in way

down at No 222, dropping from 212 last year.The list is predictably dominated with US
universities, with MIT grabbing the top slot and Harvard at No 2, pushing Britains Cambridge
University to No 3. The list is predictably dominated with US universities, with MIT grabbing
the top slot and Harvard at No 2, pushing Britains Cambridge University to No 3.In the list of
the top 50 universties in Asia, IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay come in at 38 and 39 followed by IIT
Kanpur at 51 and IIT Roorkee at 66.The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology tops
the Asian rankings followed by a number of Chinese, Japanese and Korean institutions.

Thomas Bach is new IOC president

Thomas Bach of Germany on 10 September has been elected as the new president of the
International Olympic Committee (IOC).Bach succeeds Jacques Rogge, the Belgian who is
stepping down after 12 years.Bach is also the first gold medalist to become IOC president. He
won gold in team fencing for West Germany in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

11 September 2013 Current Affairs

One-Third Of Food Produced Globally Wasted Annually
On 11 September According to a new report by the UN food agency ,one-third of all food
produced in the world gets wasted, amounting to a loss of $750 billion a year.Every year 1.3
billion tonnes of food are wasted , with the Asia region including China seen as the worst
culprit.The most serious areas of waste are of cereals in Asia and meat in wealthy regions and
Latin America.It estimated that the region also wastes 80 kilos of cereals mainly rice per
person, warning that rice cultivation was also high-intensity in carbon and had emerged as a
significant environmental hotspot.Other key areas identified in the report in terms of waste and
environmental impact were the meat industry in North America and Latin America, as well as
fruit wastage in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Ashok Vemuri is new President and CEO of iGate Corporation

Former Infosys Ltd Senior executive Ashok Vemuri was appointed as the President and CEO of
the US-based software services company iGate Corporation on 11 September .Earlier, Ashok
Vemuri resigned from Infosys as the head of its American business and Global Head of
Manufacturing and Engineering Services as well as its board member.Vermani has also served
Infosys as its Chairman for Chinese operations.

12 September 2013 Current Affairs

 National Food Security Bill Gets Approval From President

The National Food Security Bill 2013, which seeks to provide heavily-subsidised food grains to
two-thirds of Indias 1.23 billion people, has now become an Act after President Pranab
Mukherjees assent on 12 September.The Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, on 19 March 2013 approved the National Food Security Bill. Lok Sabha on 26 August
2013 passed the National Food Security Bill 2013. The Upper House of the Parliament, Rajya
Sabha on 2 September 2013 passed this Bill.The bill was introduced in Parliament in December
2011.Under the legislation, beneficiaries would get five kg of grain per person per month,
including rice at Rs. 3 per kg, wheat at Rs. 2 per kg and coarse grains at Re 1 per kg.India will
now join a select league of nations that guarantee majority of its population cheap foodgrains.At
Rs 1,30,000 crore government support, the food security programme will be the largest in the
world. It would require 62 million tonnes of foodgrains.

Union Cabinet Approved For Second Vehicle Assembly Building at SHAR

The Union Cabinet on 12 September approved a second vehicle assembly building at the Satish
Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (SDSC-SHAR), to be realised in 42 months and at an
estimated cost of Rs. 363.95 crore.The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also approved a proposal to continue the Accelerated Irrigation
Benefit Programme (AIBP) in the 12th Plan period.

Cabinet Approved Buying $ 4.3 billion World Bank Bonds

The Union Cabinet on 12 September gave the go-ahead to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to
invest $4.3 billion in special bonds of the World Bank as it would help in securing additional
funding from the multilateral lending agency for infrastructure development projects.Under the
arrangement, the Reserve Bank of India will subscribe to special private placement of bonds by
the IBRD, a lending arm of the World Bank.

13 September 2013 Current Affairs

Indian
Economy
To
Grow
At
5.3%
In
2013-14
The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (of India) on 13 September 2013 released
the report Economic Outlook 2013-14 in New Delhi.The economic growth forecast of India
for the current fiscal 2013-14 was lowered to 5.3 percent from 6.4 percent projected earlier. The
PMEAC had in April 2013 projected 6.4 percent growth for Indian economy for current financial
year.RBI too had earlier lowered its growth projection for this fiscal to 5.5 percent from 5.7

percent.
Important Points of the of Economic Outlook India are as following : * The PMEAC expects the agriculture sector to grow by 4.8 percent in the current fiscal up from
1.9 percent, while the industrial growth has been pegged at 2.7 percent as against 2.1 percent in
2012-13.
* Services projected to grow at 6.6%in 2013-14 as against 7.1% in 2012-13.
* Referring to the external sector, the advisory council expressed hope that the Current Account
Deficit (CAD) in 2013-14 will come down to 70 billion US dollars or 3.8 percent of GDP, from
88.2
billion
US
dollars
or
4.8
percent
a
year
ago.
* The trade deficit ,would come down to around USD 185 billion in 2013-14, against an
estimated
USD
195.7
billion
in
2012-13.
* Between 2010-11 and 2012-13, the combined impact of higher net oil and net gold imports on
the CAD (Current Account Deficit) was almost 57 billion US dollars or 3 percent of GDP.
* The CAD may go even below $ 70 billion in 2013-14 if the recent trends in exports and
imports
are
maintained
through
the
year.
* Net Capital flows are projected to fall to USD 61.4 billion in 2013-14 against an estimated
USD 89.4 billion in 2012-13 putting pressure on the countrys forex reserves.

Worlds Oldest Man Salustiano Sanchez-Blazquez Died

The worlds oldest man, a former musician and coal miner, Salustiano Sanchez-Blazquez has
died at the age of 112 in Grand Island, New York on 13 September.Salustiano Sanchez-Blazquez
was officially certified by Guinness World Records as the worlds oldest man.He was born on 8
June 1901 in Spain.

14 September 2013 Current Affairs

US and Russia Agreement on Removing Chemical Weapons on Syria
The United States and Russia have on 14 September agreed on a framework for removing
chemical weapons from Syria .The break- through was announced after three day talks between
the US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva.The
USA and Russia have agreed that Syrias chemical weapons must be destroyed or removed by
mid-2014. USA outlined a six-point framework under which Syria must hand over a full list of
its stockpile within a week.

Japan Launches New Epsilon Rocket

Japan has launched a comparatively cheap and simple solid-fuel rocket on its first mission on 14
September. The Epsilon successfully delivered its payload, a telescope for remote observation of
planets, about an hour after takeoff. Formerly called the Advanced Solid Rocket, the Epsilon uses
solid fuel, a less powerful but more cost-effective source than liquid-fuel rockets. This throwback
prototype is JAXAs first new model since the launch of the first H2A rocket in 2001.The liquidfueled H2A remains JAXAs primary rocket, but Epsilon is suitable for delivering items to lowearth orbit with considerably less cost and complexity.Epsilon is half the size of the H2A, and
JAXA reported that production and development cost three times less at 3.8 billion yen (29
million euros, $38 million).

15 September 2013 Current Affairs

Sikkim Records Steepest Fall In Poverty Level
On 15 September According to the latest data released by the Planning Commission , Sikkim has
recorded steepest fall in poverty level in the country on account of increase in per capita
consumption and the proportion of the poor living below poverty line in the urban area is lowest
among all states.In Sikkim, the proportion of people below the poverty line (BPL) came down
from 30.9 per cent in 2004-05 to 8.19 per cent in 2011-12.States with the least proportion of poor
living below poverty line are Goa (5.09 per cent), Kerala (7.05 per cent), Himachal Pradesh (8.06
per cent), Sikkim (8.19 per cent), Punjab (8.26 per cent) and Andhra Pradesh (9.20 per cent).

India Successfully Test Fired Nuclear Capable Agni V Long Range Missile
Indias most deterrent nuclear capable ballistic missile, Agni-5 was successfully test fired on 15
September from Chandipur Test Range in Balasore district off Odisha coast.Developed by the
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Agni-5 can carry a single nuclear
warhead of over 1000 kg and can strike with precision targets in China and Europe.The
indigenously developed missile Agni-V is capable of striking a range of more than 5000 km. It is
about 17 meter long and 2 metres wide with launch weight of around 50 tonnes.The first test
flight of the Agni-5 on 19 April 2012 was a phenomenal success after which India joined the
select club of the United States, Russia, France, Britain and China who have such
capabilities.Agni-5 will give India the ability hit back or have second-strike capability even after
a nuclear attack. The missile is Indias fastest-travelling object and the first one to cross the
Equator when launched from India.In the Agni series, India at present has Agni-1 with 700 km
range, Agni-2 with 2000 km range, Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2500 km to more than 3500 range.

16 September 2013 Current Affairs

John Abraham Honoured With Pride of the Nation Award
Bollywood actor John Abraham has been conferred with the Pride of the Nation award on 16
September for his attempt to raise the sensitive issue of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhis
assassination through his role as a RAW agent in Madras Cafe.The award was presented by Anti
Terrorist Front chairman Maninderjeet Singh in New Delhi. All-India Anti-Terrorist Front
(AIATF) is an anti-terrorist organisation led by Maninderjeet Singh Bitta.In Madras Cafe film
John Abraham made a courageous attempt to unravel the conspiracy behind the assassination of
Rajiv Gandhi. The film Madras Cafe is set in the late 80s and early 1990s, during the time of
Sri Lankan civil war and the assassination of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Finance Ministry Launched Insurance Repository System

Union finance minister P Chidambaram on 16 September launched the IRDAs insurance
repository system (IRS) in (Andhra Pradesh) Hyderabad .The insurance repository system set up
by the regulator will be the first of its kind in the world.The objective of creating an insurance
repository is to provide policy holders the facility to keep insurance policies in electronic form.

Worlds Highest Airport Opens In China

China has opened the worlds highest civilian airport named Daocheng Yading on 16
September in a restive and remote Tibetan region of southwestern Sichuan province.The
Daocheng Yading airport in Ganzi prefecture in southwestern China is the worlds highest
civilian airport.The region is a gateway to Tibet.Daocheng airport in Garzi, a heavily ethnic
Tibetan part of Sichuan, is 4411 metres above sea level, and overtakes Qamdo airport in Tibet,
which sits at 4334 metres above sea level, for the title of worlds highest.

16 September 2013 Current Affairs

John Abraham Honoured With Pride of the Nation Award
Bollywood actor John Abraham has been conferred with the Pride of the Nation award on 16
September for his attempt to raise the sensitive issue of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhis
assassination through his role as a RAW agent in Madras Cafe.The award was presented by Anti

Terrorist Front chairman Maninderjeet Singh in New Delhi. All-India Anti-Terrorist Front
(AIATF) is an anti-terrorist organisation led by Maninderjeet Singh Bitta.In Madras Cafe film
John Abraham made a courageous attempt to unravel the conspiracy behind the assassination of
Rajiv Gandhi. The film Madras Cafe is set in the late 80s and early 1990s, during the time of
Sri Lankan civil war and the assassination of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Finance Ministry Launched Insurance Repository System

Union finance minister P Chidambaram on 16 September launched the IRDAs insurance
repository system (IRS) in (Andhra Pradesh) Hyderabad .The insurance repository system set up
by the regulator will be the first of its kind in the world.The objective of creating an insurance
repository is to provide policy holders the facility to keep insurance policies in electronic form.

Worlds Highest Airport Opens In China

China has opened the worlds highest civilian airport named Daocheng Yading on 16
September in a restive and remote Tibetan region of southwestern Sichuan province.The
Daocheng Yading airport in Ganzi prefecture in southwestern China is the worlds highest
civilian airport.The region is a gateway to Tibet.Daocheng airport in Garzi, a heavily ethnic
Tibetan part of Sichuan, is 4411 metres above sea level, and overtakes Qamdo airport in Tibet,
which sits at 4334 metres above sea level, for the title of worlds highest.

17 September 2013 Current Affairs

Snowden Nominated For EU Human Rights Prize
American Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency leaker who is currently in asylum in
Russia, has been selected as one of seven nominees for the European Parliaments 2013
Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought for his enormous service in disclosing the United
States surveillance program.Past winners include Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, and
Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo.Edward Joseph is an American computer specialist and a former
CIA and NSA employee who has leaked details of several top-secret United States and British
government mass surveillance programs to the press.

Malala Yousafzai Received Amnesty International Award

Pakistani education rights activist, Malala Yousafzai has been named as the recipient of 2013
Amnesty Internationals highest award.Malala received Amnesty Internationals Ambassador of
Conscience Award along with American singer and human rights activist Harry Belafonte at
ceremony on 17 September in Dublin, Ireland.The Ambassador of Conscience Award is the
human rights groups highest honour, recognizing individuals who have promoted and enhanced
the cause of human rights through their life and by example.She made her first public appearance
on 12 July 2013, her 16th birthday, when she delivered a speech at the United Nations General
Assembly in New York.

18 September 2013 Current Affairs

Former Heavyweight Champion Ken Norton Died
Former world heavyweight champion Ken Norton, who broke Muhammad Alis jaw when they
fought in 1973, has died on 18 September at Nevada, US.He is known most commonly for his
12-round victory over Muhammad Ali by breaking his jaw in 1973. He was the only second
heavyweight champion to defeat Muhammad Ali as the professional. The first one to do so was
Joe Frazier in the 15-round competition in the year 1971.

Bihar Govt. Declared 33 Districts as Drought-Affected

The Bihar Government on 18 September 2013 approved the proposal of Disaster Management
department for declaring the 33 districts of Bihar as drought-hit.The decision was taken at a
cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

19 September 2013 Current Affairs

India Gets Authorizing Nation Status For IT products
India on 19 September has been granted status as authorizing nation under the international
Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) to test and certify electronics and IT
products with respect to cyber security.The status of authorizing nation will enable India to test
IT and electronics products and issue certificates, which will be acceptable internationally. The
recognition would also enable investment in setting up infrastructure and labs in public and
private sectors in India for testing Electronics and IT products.

Nintendos Former President Hiroshi Yamauchi Died

Former Nintendo Co Ltd President Hiroshi Yamauchi, who built the company into a video game
giant from a maker of playing cards during more than half a century at the helm, died on 19
September in Japan.Hiroshi Yamauchi, the third president of Nintendo.He is the mastermind
behind the most popular Nintendo game, Super Mario.Nintendo is a maker of Super Mario and
Pokemon games along with Wii U home console. Nintendo was formed in the year 1889.Hiroshi
Yamauchi is one of the richest men in Japan