Daily GK Updates - 3rd November, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. ‘Project Loon’ in India: Google, government working on balloon internet project: Internet giant Google is working with the Government on a pilot project for providing Internet connectivity by using large balloons.

2. ICGS Arinjay commissioned in Kochi: The ship will be based at Okha under the administrative and operational control of the commander, coast guard region (north-west).

3. National Tribal Crafts Mela Aadishilp-2015 begins in New Delhi: The 11^th National Tribal Crafts MelaAadishilp has begun in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Union Minister of Tribal Affairs JualOram. It is being organised by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED).

4. Meghalaya HC asked Union Government to enforce AFSPA 1958 in Garo Hills region.

5. SC issued notice to Union Government over improper implementation of MGNERGA.

6. Odisha Government banned fishing to protect Olive Ridley turtles.

7. Captain Krishna Swaminathan took over command of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

8. International Indigenous Terra Madre 2015 started in Shillong: The theme of the event is ‘The future we want: Indigenous Perspective and Actions. The five day long unique event, which brings over a 100 tribes from 58 countries kicked off on 3 November.

9. RavikumarSreedharan appointed as MD of Unisys Corporation India.

10. Suresh N Patel appointed as MD and CEO of Andhra Bank.

11. India and Indonesia signed MoUs on Energy, Culture Exchange: The MoUs were signed to strengthen ties in energy and culture exchange area. The MoUs were signed in the presence of Vice President Hamid Ansari and his counterpart Jusuf Kala in Jakarata.

  

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 1^st International Film Festival for persons with disabilities to be held in Delhi: To recognise the spirit of the persons with disabilities, 1^st International film festival for the persons with disabilities will be held from 1 December to 3 December 2015.

2. Lionel Messi appointed Tata Motors’ global brand ambassador. 

3. Nepal, US armies launched Joint Military training Balance Nail 16-01: To strengthen bilateral defence tie, the special forces of the US and Nepalese armies launched a month long joint military training codenamed Balance Nail 16-01.

4. The Legatum Prosperity Index 2015 released: It was released by the Legatum Institute in London. The index offers insight into how prosperity is forming and changing across the world. Norway topped the Index. 

5. Security Officials in China launched Spy Hotline to report on foreign spies:The hotline targets foreign organisations and individuals who conduct espionage activities or instigate and sponsor others in conducting them.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Deepak Singhal appointed as Executive Director of Reserve Bank of India.

SPORTS:

2. Mana Patel, Virdhawal won best swimmers’ award in 69^th Senior National Aquatic Championships: Mana Patel and VirdhawalKhade emerged as the best swimmers of the 69^th senior National Aquatic Championships 2015 that concluded in Rajkot.

AWARDS:

3. C-DOT’s GyanSetu bagged Recognition of Excellence award at ITU World Telecom Event, Budapest: The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) bagged the Recognition of Excellence award for GyanSetu at the International Telecom Union (ITU) World Telecom 2015 held at Budapest, Hungary. 

4. AIR programme on Child Labour bagged top prize at ABU Prizes: AIR’s programme on Child Labour bagged the 1^st prize under the Community Service Announcement category at the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Prizes 2015. The prize function was held at Ankara, Turkey. The Malayalam programme was named as NilkkamIvarkkoppam.

OBITUARIES:

5. Former West Bengal assembly speaker Hashim Abdul Halim died at the age of 80.