Daily GK Updates - 2nd August, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 2ND August, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I. India’s 1^st Harbour Defence System commissioned in Kochi: India’s first integrated Underwater Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) was commissioned in Kochi, Kerala. It is designed by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

II. ‘Ignited Minds’ written by the Missile Man, fly off the shelves: Even as the country continues to mourn his passing, A P J Abdul Kalam’s books are flying off the shelves, with the former president’s autobiography, ‘Wings of Fire’, emerging as the top seller online.

III.  V P Mahawar takes charge as Director (onshore) at ONGC.

IV. ONGC Videsh names Sudhir Sharma as Director (Exploration).

V.  Mangaluru becomes the 1^st Indian city to fight Malaria with Software: The Mangaluru City Corporation is all set to combat Malaria with the use of technology. The unique software developed through private initiative, at no cost to the corporation, will help control and prevent vector borne diseases interfacing with multiple stakeholder like corporation, hospitals/ laboratories and field workers.

VI. Tata brand retains number 1 position: The Tata brand retained its number one position in India in this year’s annual study conducted by the U.K based Brand Finance, a leading brand valuation consultancy.

VII. Ganga Ram Agarwal, a senior official, has been appointed as the new Secretary of Railway Board.

VIII.  Rakesh Sharma took over as the new Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. Thomas Cook (India) Ltd buys Sri Lankan firm Luxe Asia Pvt Ltd: The acquisition was done in undisclosed deal and was made through Thomas Cook (India) Ltd’s wholly owned subsidiary Thomas Cook (Lanka) Pvt Ltd. After this deal, Luxe Asia will be operated as an independent entity.

II. Cyclone Komen makes landfall in Bangladesh.

III. Myanmar frees 7,000 political prisoners: Myanmar freed some political prisoners and 155 Chinese citizens jailed for illegal logging in an amnesty.

IV. India ranked 14^th among 22 high TB burden countries globally. As per WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2014, the estimated prevalence of TB is 2.6 million cases in country.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

I.  Centre to pump Rs. 70,000 crores into PSU Banks: The Modi Government announced a big-bucks boost to investments in the economy as the centre will for the next four years infuse Rs. 70,000 crore out of the budgetary allocations into state-owned banks.

II.  BNP Paribas acquires online broker Sharekhan: Sharekhan, one of the first movers in the country’s online broking segment, has been acquired by French Bank BNP Paribas.

SPORTS:

III. Sania Mirza recommended for Rajeev Gandhi KhelRatna: The Sports ministry confirmed that Wimbledon doubles champion SaniaMirza has been recommended for the Rajeev Gandhi KhelRatna.

OBITUARIES:

IV. Former BBC racing commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan died in London at the age of 97.