1) Namami Gange Jagriti Yatra: The New Clean Ganga Campaign Launched by UP Government
•Uttar Pradesh Government has launched a new awareness drive called Namami Gange Jagriti Yatra. The drive will be focusing on cleanliness along the banks of Ganga river and maintain hygiene.
•The drive will be covering a total area of around 1,025 kms. It will pass through 108 blocks of 25 districts of UP from Bijnore to Ballia alongside the Ganga river.
2) Lok Sabha Passes Bill Approving Merger of Associate Banks with SBI
•The Lok Sabha passed a bill that approved merger of associate banks with the SBI with the government. The Lok Sabha passed the bill to repeal the SBI (Subsidiary Banks) Act 1959, State Bank of Hyderabad Act 1956 and to further amend the State Bank of India Act, 1955, following the merger of five associates with the parent SBI.
•State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ), State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH), State Bank of Mysore (SBM), State Bank of Patiala (SBP) and State Bank of Travancore (SBT) merged with SBI on 1 April along with the Bharatiya Mahila Bank.
3) India and US to Co-host the Global Entrepreneurship Summit at Hyderabad
•Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that India and the United States will co-host the Global Entrepreneurship Summit at Hyderabad from November 28, 2017. President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka will lead the American delegation.
•The Summit is a unique opportunity for bringing together entrepreneurs and start-ups with global leaders. The summit is being organized by the NITI Aayog in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs.
4) Facebook Launches Youtube Competitor Called ‘Watch’
•In an apparent bid to take on Google-owned YouTube, Facebook has rolled out 'Watch', a redesigned video platform for creators and publishers.
•Watch is a platform for all creators and publishers to find an audience, build a community of passionate fans, and earn money for their work. It is personalized to one in discovering new shows, organized around what your friends and communities are watching.
5) NGT Bans Use of Non-Biodegradable Plastic Bags in Delhi
•The National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed an interim ban on use of non-biodegradable plastic bags which are less than 50 microns in the entire national capital. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also announced an environment compensation of Rs5,000 on anyone found in possession of such banned plastic.
•It had also said that an environment compensation of Rs10,000 would be imposed on vegetable vendors and slaughter houses for throwing garbage in public places.
6) Davinder Singh Kang, First Indian to Qualify for Javelin Throw Finals
•Davinder Singh Kang has become the first Indian to qualify for the final round of the javelin throw World Championships while his compatriot Neeraj Chopra crashed out in the qualification round.
•He had an 82.22m in his opening throw and then came up with 82.14m in his second. No Indian has ever qualified in the men’s javelin throw final round in any world championship.
