Daily GK Updates - 16th August, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 16TH AUGUST, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

   I.        PM Modi announced a new campaign ‘Start-up India; Stand-up India’: On the eve of Independence Day at red fort PM Modi announced the new campaign which is an initiative to promote bank finance for start-ups (an entrepreneurial venture).

II.        Union Government unveils Indradhanush Mission for PSBs: It has launched a seven pronged plan called Indradhanush Mission to revamp functioning of Public sector banks. It was launched by Union Finance Minister ArunJaitely in New Delhi. The seven shades of Indradhanush Mission include appointments, de-stressing PSBs, capitalisation, empowerment, framework of accountability and governance reforms.

III.      Union Government to form Bank Board Bureau: Union Government has decided to set up a Bank Board Bureau to monitor key performance indicators of two dozen public sector banks. It was announced by Union Finance Minister as part of the Indradhanush Mission.

IV.   Gujarat Government declares ban on use of Plastic: Gujarat Government has declared ban on the use of plastic in the state for the first time. It was announced by Gujarat’s chief minister Anandiben Patel after unfurling the National Flag at the Independence ceremony in Mahisagar district of Gujarat.

V.     Kerala Government declares state as ‘Digital State’:  Kerala Government has declared state totally digital, thus becoming first state in the country to achieve it. It was announced by CM OommenChandy during his Independence day speech held in the capital Thiruvanathpuram.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

  I.         Researchers discovered evidence of an ancient lake on Mars: A team of researchers for University of Colorado have discovered evidence of an ancient lake on Mars. The findings of the research titled Late-stage formation of Martian Chloride salts through ponding and evaporation were published in journal of Geology.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

I.     Abhishek Verma wins gold medal in Archery World Cup: Ace Indian Archer AbhishekVerma has won gold medal in Archery World Cup held at Wroclaw in Poland in the stage 3 in the compound men’s individual section. It should be noted that Verma is currently ranked 18^th in the world in the men’s individual archery.