The document summarizes current affairs from May 23, 2017. It discusses Madhya Pradesh banning sand excavation in the Narmada River. It also discusses the inauguration of free Wi-Fi at 28 railway stations in Konkan Railway and NASA naming a new bacteria species after APJ Abdul Kalam. Finally, it provides details on India winning all 10 gold medals at the South Asian Junior Table Tennis Championships.

1. Current Affairs: May 23, 2017
www.talentsprint.com 1
May 23, 2017
Madhya Pradesh bans Sand Excavation in Narmada River
The State Government of Madhya Pradesh has put an indefinite
ban on the sand excavation in the Narmada River. This
announcement has been made by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh
Chouhan in Bhopal. The government has also set up a
committee to suggest the scientific ways of mining the rivers.
This committee will submit the report to state government after exploring ways for sand
excavation without harming rivers. The government will also promote manufactured sand
(made by mixing stones).
Free Wi-Fi facility inaugurated at 28 Railway Stations
On May 21, Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu
inaugurated free Wi-Fi facility at 28 Railway Stations
of Konkan Railway from Kudal Railway Station in
Maharashtra. Indian Railways has tied by with
SYSCON/JOISTER for providing 2 Mbps peer-to-peer
24 hrs Free Wi-Fi bandwidth at 28 railway stations of Konkan Railway. In line with
Government’s Digital India initiative, SYSCON/JOISTER are providing the JOISPOT brand Wi-
Fi in Pune and Mumbai educational institutions in Maharashtra state. The company has now
undertaken as a part of their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activity of providing free
Wi-Fi to rural area on the Konkan Route. The 28 stations include Kolad; Mangaon; Veer;
Karanjadi; Vinhere; Diwankhavati; Khed; Anjani; Chiplun; Kamthe; Sawarda; Aravali Road;

2. Current Affairs: May 23, 2017
www.talentsprint.com 2
Sangameshwar; Ukshi; Bhoke; Ratnagiri; Nivasar; Adavali; Vilavade; Rajapur Road;
Vaibhavwadi Road; Nandgaon Road; Kankavali; Sindhudurg; Kudal; Zarap; Sawantwadi Road
and Madure⁠⁠⁠⁠. The free Wi-Fi facility would help the travelers, commuters and tourists
access essential information while waiting for trains on railway stations.
NASA Names New Species After Abdul Kalam
NASA has named a new bacteria discovered on the filters of
the International Space Station, ISS, as Solibacillus kalamii to
honour the late president Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. The genus
is Solibacillus and the species name is kalamii. Researchers at
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory has found that the bacteria
remained on board the International Space Station for 40
months. The new organism is found only on the ISS and has not been found anywhere on the
earth. In 1963, Dr. Kalam had his early training at NASA before setting up India’s first rocket
launching facility at Thumba in Kerala.
Air India to auction its properties as part of asset monetisation plan
Air India has decided to auction seven of its
properties, as a part of its asset monetisation plan.
The national carrier has mandated the auctioneer
MSTC to put these properties under the hammer.
According to the auction notice, Air India
proposes to sell its exclusive properties in the
form of land parcels/built-up flats located at prime location in Mumbai, Bengaluru and
Trivandrum. This sale is likely to raise around 80 crore rupees. As per the financial

3. Current Affairs: May 23, 2017
www.talentsprint.com 3
restructuring plan approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs back in 2012, Air
India is required to monetise its assets and generate 5,000 crore rupees by way of sale, leasing or
developing an asset as a joint venture.
RBI to reconstitute oversight committee to deal with bad loans
The RBI has decided to reconstitute the oversight committee, OC,
with more members after the government armed it with additional
powers to resolve bad loans with banks that have crossed Rs 8
lakh crore. In a statement in Mumbai yesterday, the RBI said,
while the current members will continue in the reconstituted OC,
names of a few more will be announced soon. It said, the apex bank would also be constituting
a Committee comprised majority of its independent Board Members to advise it in the Non-
Performing Asset matter. The statement said RBI already sought information on the current
status of the large stressed assets from the banks. The RBI further said it has also envisages an
important role for the credit rating agencies in resolving the issue. Sources said the RBI has
identified about 50 major cases for NPA resolution.
22 May: World Biological Diversity Day
Every year, May 22 is observed as
International Day for Biodiversity or
World Biodiversity Day. This date
commemorates the date of Adoption of
the Agreed Text of the Convention on
Biological Diversity at UNEP
Headquarters, Nairobi on 22 May 1992. In 2000, UN General Assembly via resolution 55/201

4. Current Affairs: May 23, 2017
www.talentsprint.com 4
decided to celebrate World Biodiversity Day on May 22 instead of December 29, which was
previously designated as International Biodiversity Day. The theme for 2017 for World
Biodiversity Day is “Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism”. The theme is in sync with the
observance of 2017 as “International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development” as
proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly. UN has already declared 2011-20 as
United Nations Decade on Biodiversity to support and promote reducing the loss of
biodiversity.
Fact Box: Federation Cup and Other Football Tournaments & Leagues in India
On 21st May, 2017, the Bengaluru FC defeated
Mohun Bagan 2-0 to win the Federation Cup. The
final event was held in Barabati Stadium in Cuttack,
Odisha. Federation Cup is India’s first major
football competition involving the clubs. It was
established by the All India Football Federation in
1977. During 1980s and 1990s, it was considered to be most popular foot ball tournament in
India. The other popular football tournaments of India include Durand Cup, Santosh Trophy,
Indian Super League, Subroto Cup, IFA Shield etc.
Important facts about these tournaments are given below:
Durand Cup
Durand Cup is India’s oldest football tournament and is among the oldest in the world. It is
named after its founder Sir Mortimer Durand, who served as Foreign Secretary in charge of
India from 1884 to 1894. The first Durand Cup tournament was held in 1888. In the beginning, it
was an Army cup for the British Indian Army troops. Over the years, it opened up for civilian
teams. In 2006, the army passed its administration to civilians’ organizations called Durand
Football Tournament Society (DFTS) and Osians. The latest Durand Cup Tournament was held
in 2016 and current champion is Army Green.

5. Current Affairs: May 23, 2017
www.talentsprint.com 5
IFA Shield
IFA Shield is second oldest football competition of India organized by Indian Football
Association and in existence since 1893. Since 2015, IFA Shield has been designed as an under-
19 youth football tournament. Its current sponsor is LG and latest competition was held in 2016,
won by Tata Football Academy.
Subroto Cup
Subroto Cup Football Tournament is an inter-school football tournament named after Air
Marshal Subroto Mukerjee. It was started in 1960. More than 50 school teams participate in this
competition including schools from Nepal and Afghanistan. It is conducted by the Indian Air
Force, with support from India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. The Madhyamgram High
School, in West Bengal us known for winning this tournament for seven times.
Santosh Trophy
Santosh Trophy, started in 1941, is an annual Indian football tournament platyed by states and
government institutions. It is named after Maharaja Sir Manmatha Nath Roy Chowdhary of
Santosh, who served as President of the IFA. The first winners were Bengal. West Bengal has
been the most successful team in the tournament and also the current champion with its 32nd
title in hand.
Indian Super League
Indian Super League (ISL) [Officially Hero ISL] is a men’s professional football league. It was
founded in 2013 and is based on franchise model on the lines of IPL. Currently, there are eight
teams in ISL viz. Atlético de Kolkata; Chennaiyin FC; Delhi Dynamos; Goa; Kerala Blasters;
Mumbai City; North East United and Pune City. So far three seasons have held of which two
have been won by Atlético de Kolkata (2014 & 2016) while one season was won by Chennaiyin
FC (2015).
I-League
I-League (officially Hero I League) is another professional league in football in India. It was
launched in 2007 as ONGC I-League and as a successor of National Football League. So far, nine
sessions have been conducted of this league. It is contested by 10 football clubs and considered

6. Current Affairs: May 23, 2017
www.talentsprint.com 6
to be the primary competition in Indian football. The 10 clubs are Aizawl, Bengaluru FC,
Chennai City, Churchill Brothers, DSK Shivajians, East Bengal, Minerva Punjab, Mohun Bagan,
Mumbai and Shillong Lajong.
India wins all 10 Gold Medals at South Asian Junior Table Tennis Championships
The South Asian Junior Table Tennis championship was
held in Mount Lavinia, near Colombia in Sri Lanka. In a
stunning performance, the paddlers from India have
won all the 10 Gold Medals on offer in this tournament.
Apart from 10 gold medals, the Indian participants have
also won 14 medals, thus taking the medal tally to 14. In
this championship, top seeded Manav Thakkar won Junior Boys final; while Archana Girish
Kamath won Junior Girls final. In Cadet Boys final, top-seed H. Jeho won the Gold Medal.
India led the championship with eight points, followed by Sri Lanka (six points).