Daily GK Updates - 26th October, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

   I.   India’s 1^st double-decker Shatabdi train to run between Mumbai, Goa: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has announced that the Railways would soon start country’s first-ever double decker Shatabdi Express that would ply between Mumbai and Goa.

II.      NDRF ties up with 30 PSUs to jointly tackle emergencies: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has partnered with about 30 public sector undertakings to jointly tackle and mitigate man-made or natural disasters or emergencies. In this regard a coordination meeting was held between NDRF and prominent PSUs like ONGC, Air India, GAIL and others involved in the mining and shipping and heavy industries sector.

III.     Ministry of Railways flagged off Vigithon to fight against corruption: Suresh Prabhu flagged off Vigithon Marathon in Mumbai to sensitize people for a fight against corruption at the grass-root level. Vigithon was a run for corruption free India and was organised by public sector lender Union Bank of India.

IV.    Sin Tax to be imposed on alcohol, tobacco during GST regime: Sin Tax has been included under the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) law that will be effective from 1 April 2016. GST is being seen as one of the biggest tax reforms in the country.

V.  Haryana to commission 215 new power sub-stations in three years:Haryana Government announced that it planned to commission 215 additional sub-stations of various capacities to reduce transmission and distribution (T&D) losses.

VI.    Indian Railways developed warning system for unmanned level crossings: It has developed a vandal-proof warning system for unmanned level crossings which is working satisfactorily for the last three months on Coimbatore-Metupallayum section.

VII.    Haryana Government announced to open Sanskrit University at Mundri Village for Scheduled Castes: The Sanskrit University will be named after Maharishi Valmiki.

VIII.  Andhra Pradesh signed two memorandums with Japan for development of the state: Government of Andhra Pradesh signed a MoC for development of economic infrastructure and a MoU to develop Amravati with the Government of Japan.

IX.      Shekar Basu took over as Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of Department of Atomic Energy.

X.            Suresh Arora appointed as the DGP of Punjab.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 I.         World Polio Day observed globally: It was observed on 24^th October 2015 to create awareness about the hazards of the crippling disease.

II.            China made copying in examinations a crime punishable up to seven years.

III.     WHO released report titled Reducing global health risks through mitigation of short-lived climate pollutants.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

I.         Abhishek Verma became first Indian to win silver medal in Archery World Cup final held in Mexico City.

II.        Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won 2015 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix title.

III.      South Africa clinched 1^st ever bilateral ODI series in India: South Africa defeated India 3-2 in the ODI series.

IV.       Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark won Hero Women’s Indian Open 2015 Golf Tournament.

AWARDS:

V.      Nandakumara, Sivanesan honoured in UK with Lifetime Achievement Award and SangeetAcharyaRatna: Indian High Commissioner to the UK, RajanMathai honoured Dr MN Nandakumara and SivasaktiSivanesan with Lifetime Achievement Award and SangeetAcharyaRatna Award respectively in London.

OBITUARIES:

 VI.         Renowned Hollywood actress Maureen O’Hara passes away at the age of 95.

VII.         Bengali actor PijushGanguly passes away at the age of 50.