21 september 2015 daily current affairs / Gk / GA

Sep 30, 2015

Election Commission of India released symbol for None of the Above (NOTA) Option for all polls

NOTA option was made available to the voters with effect from 11 October, 2013, pursuant to the Supreme Court order of 27 September, 2013.
The symbol for NOTA option was designed by the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
The main objective of the NOTA option is to enable electors, who do not wish to vote for any of the candidates, to exercise their right without violation of the secrecy of their decision.

International Peace Day observed globally on 21^st September 2015.

The Day of Peace is observed on 21 September 2015 across the world to recognise the efforts of those who have worked hard to end conflict and promote peace.
The International Day of Peace is also a day of ceasefire.
The theme of International Day of Peace for the year 2015 is Partnerships for Peace- Dignity for All.

Nepal adopted new constitution for marking the country’s transition to a secular and democratic republic.

Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav unveiled unveiled the new constitution at a special ceremony held in Parliament at Kathmandu.
The new Constitution has been drafted by second Constituent Assembly (CA) which was elected in 2013. Chairman of CA was Subash Nemwang.

Egypt’s president Abdel-Fattah el sissi sworn in a new government.

The new government, headed by former Petroleum Minister Sherif Ismail, came after state-friendly media slammed the performance of his predecessor Ibrahim Mehleb and prosecutors began investigating several officials for allegedly receiving over $1 million in bribes.
Prime Minister Ismail was among the most celebrated ministers in the former Cabinet, especially after Italy’s Eni SpA revealed late last month their discovery of the “largest-ever” oil field in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Egypt.

J&K Government on 19 September 2015 banned the sale of Ambuja Cements in the state.

There were complaints of malpractices against the company.
The initial enquiry found that the company sold cement bags at two different MRP rates in the region.
It was unveiled that the company sold a cement bag in Kashmir for 346.65 rupees per bag and in Jammu at 437.69 rupees.
The bags were also underweight by 400 to 600 grams per bag.
Legal Metrology Department was directed to ensure the ban on sale and stock of Ambuja cement.

China has successfully launches a newly-developed smaller version of carrier rocket Long March-6 as part of the country’s space program.

It was launched from the base in the Northern Province of Shanxi and was carrying 20 micro satellites into the space.
It uses liquid propellant fuel composed of liquid oxygen and kerosene, which is purportedly pollution and toxicity free.
These smaller rocket carries will help to make China more competitive in the lucrative market for commercial satellite launches. Presently, China launches its own satellites along with satellites of other countries and commercial companies.

Malayalam playback singer Radhika Thilak passes away in Kochi due to cancer.

She was 45 years old. She sung around 70 songs for Malayalam movies including Guru, Ottayal Pattalam and Deepasthambham Mahashcharyam.
Thilak was a known face on Doordarshan in the 1990s.
She was one of the top-rated singers on All India Radio and was also one of the most popular stage singers of the time.
Her noted songs in Malayalam film industry are Arunakirana deepam, Deva sangeetham, Maya manchalil, Kaithapoo manam, Thiruvathira thira nokkiya, Ente ulludukkum kotti and Ninte kannil.

British-American romance novelist Jackie Collins passed away on 19 September 2015 in California, United States.

She was 77 and died due to stage 4 breast cancer.
Jacqueline Jill “Jackie” Collins was born on October 4, 1937 in London, England. She was the younger sister of actress Joan Collins.
She had written more than 32 novels in her four decades of writing career. All of them had appeared on The New York Times bestsellers list.
Her books have sold over 500 million copies in 40 countries and have been translated into 40 languages.
Her debut novel, The World Is Full of Married Men was published in 1968.

India signed two MoUs with Laos to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

The MoUs were signed by Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari and President of Lao Choummaly Sayasone in the Presidential Palace Ho Kham, Vientiane.
The MoUs cover Air Services Agreement to start direct flights between two countries and another agreement for three Quick Impact Projects (under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation programme) in the agriculture sector.

BCCI Prez Jagmohan Dalmiya passes away in Kolkata, West Bengal. He was 75.

He is

As a cricket administrator, he is hailed as the architect for the rise of Cricket in India and its financial superpower.
Dalmiya was involved with the BCCI for more than three decades and had started his journey as its treasurer in 1983 before becoming its secretary.
He became BCCI president for first time in 2001 and continued till 2004.
He became President of BCCI in March 2015 for second time.
Dalmiya also had served as President of the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 1997 to 2000.
He was first Indian and first Asian to head the ICC.

P Sivakumar, Director of CVRDE, was on 19 September 2015 elevated as a Distinguished Scientist or Scientist H by the Union Ministry of Defense.

CVRDE stands for Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment. It is located at Avadi in Tamil Nadu.
It is the highest honour conferred on a scientist in India.
Sivakumar’s elevation was in recognition of his dedication and diligence in self-reliance effort for defence combat vehicle systems and sub-systems.

Ajay Jayaram of India won silver medal in Korea open Badminton Tournament 2015 in men’s single category.

The final match was played at Seoul, in which he lost to World no. one Cheng Long of China by 14-21, 12-21 score settling to silver medal.
With this Ajay Jayaram became first Indian badminton player to win a medal in Korea Open Badminton tournament.

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel from Germany wins 2015 Singapore Grand Prix of Formula one.

The race was held on the Marina Bay Street Circuit, which is the first street circuit in Asia.
It was overall fourth victory for Vettel in Singapore Grand Prix as he had earlier won in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
This was his third victory of the season 2015.
Earlier he had won Malaysian Grand Prix and Hungarian Grand Prix.