ANDHRA PRADESH

· Andhra Preadesh Government govt to give self-employed auto and taxi drivers annual incentive of 10,000

ð Andhra Pradesh government will give a cash incentive of ₹10,000 to car and auto drivers every year in the state. The YSR Vahana Mitra scheme will be launched on 4 October and self-employed auto and taxi drivers will be eligible under it.

ð The decision to start the scheme based on chief minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s election promise during his 3,600 kilometer Pada Yatra. The motto of YSR Vahana Mitra is that the amount could be useful for the drivers to repair, vehicle fitness, insurance expenses.The AP Transport department sent YSR Vaahana Mitra’ applications to all the district collectors and that the verification process for the same will be completed by 30 September. The state government has received over 1.75 lakh applications, out of which a little over 93,000 have been verified.

ð The applications have been received online and offline to make the process easy for the applicants, stated the release.

ð The scheme was launched after scrapping the previously launched ‘Annadata Sukhibhava’ input subsidy program.

ð The electrical vehicles (EVs) will be beneficial to the State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) and it will be environmental friendly apart from saving fuel costs. The committee recommended that the state government introduce a large number of EVs in the corporation as well. The report by the committee also suggested using solar power instead of wind power.

ð The government has received applications through offline and online modes to make the application process easy for the drivers. The applications have been made available at the newly recruited village and ward volunteers.

INTERNATIONAL

ADB sharply cuts India’s GDP growth forecast to 6.5% for FY20
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on sharply cut India’s growth forecast to 6.5 per cent for the current fiscal, weighed down by the GDP growth rate dipping to a six-year low in the first quarter.

In its supplement to the ADO in July, the Manila-headquartered multi-lateral funding agency cut the country’s GDP growth estimate to 7 per cent for 2019-20 on the back of fiscal shortfall concerns.

Abrupt declines in manufacturing and investment reflect uncertainty ahead of general elections, subdued lending by banks and other financial institutions, the stress in the rural economy, and a weakening external outlook.

Japan launches ‘World’s Biggest Transport SpaceShip’ for Space Station

Japan launched an unmanned spacecraft towards the International Space Station after a fire early this month delayed the mission.

The H-2B rocket lifted off at 1:05 am local time (1605 GMT) with cargo vessel Kounotori8.

The launch took place from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan.

Kounotori8, meaning “white stork” in Japanese, intends to deliver about 5.3 tonnes of supplies to astronauts at the ISS, including fresh food and water as well as batteries and devices needed for experiments.

NATIONAL

Centre institutes national unity award named after Sardar Patel
The Centre has instituted the highest civilian award for contribution to the unity and integrity of India, in the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The award seeks to recognize notable and inspiring contributions to promote the cause of national unity and integrity and to reinforce the value of a strong and united India.

The award will be announced on the occasion of the National Unity Day on the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel on 31st of October.

The award will be conferred by the President by a Sanad under his hand and seal and presented by him in a presentation ceremony along with the Padma award presentation ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The award would consist of a medal and a citation.

No monetary grant or cash award would be attached to this Award.

Prime Minister Modi receives ‘Global Goalkeeper’ award for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the “Global Goalkeeper” award by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by his government.

Mr Modi dedicated the award to those Indians who transformed the Swachh Bharat campaign into a ‘people’s movement’ and accorded topmost priority to cleanliness in their day-to-day lives.

The campaign has not only improved the lives of crores of Indians, but it has also played a significant role in achieving the goals set by the UN.

The cleanliness campaign was launched by the Modi government during its first term on October 2, 2014.

J&K becomes the first state to issue the highest number of golden cards under Ayushman Bharat scheme

Jammu and Kashmir have become the first state in the country to issue the highest number of golden cards under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
Over 11 lakh golden cards have been generated within the first 90 days of the launch of the scheme with 60% of families having at least one golden card which is highest in the country.

The CEO informed that claims amounting to around 14 crore rupees have been settled till date and state is registering phenomenal progress under the scheme.

Adam Harper won bags SASTRA-Ramanujan Prize

The 2019 Sastra-Ramanujan Prize will be awarded to number theorist Adam Harper of the University of Warwick, England.

This annual prize is given to honour outstanding contributions by individuals not exceeding age of 32 in areas of mathematics, influenced by Indian mathematician Ramanujan.

The prize, which includes a cash award of USD 10,000 and a citation, will be awarded at the international conference on number theory scheduled for December 22 (Ramanujan’s birthday).

· IAAF honoured the Indian legend PT Usha

International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) honoured the former Indian athlete and OlympianPT Ushawith the prestigious IAAF Veteran Pin Award. Usha received the award from the IAAF president Sebastian Coe at the 52nd IAAF conference in Doha. IAAF Veteran Pin Award recognizes the efforts of the players who have made matchless contributions to athletics.

She is nicknamed as Payyoli Expres. In 1985, She won five gold medals at the Asian Games in Jakarta. She was awarded the prestigiousArjuna Awardin 1983. In 1985, she received the Padma Shri Award.

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