Daily GK Updates - 30th December, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Sand Artist Sudarshan Pattnaik’s Santa Claus sculpture featured in Limca Book of Records: Pattnaik claimed that he had created 45 feet high sand Santa Claus at Puri beach on 24^th December 2015, which was recognised as the largest sand Santa Claus as of today by the Limca Book of World Records. 

2. Cabinet clears formation of JVs between Indian Railways and states: The cabinet approved the formation of joint venture companies with various state governments to mobilise resources for undertaking rail infrastructure projects. The initial paid up capital of the Ministry of Railways will be limited to Rs. 50 crore for each state. The joint venture companies would be formed with equity participation from the Ministry of Railways and the state governments concerned.

3. Online virtual science lab for school students: Students, who have opted for the Science stream at the high school level, but have no access to physical labs now have the option to perform experiments in a virtual science-lab. Thanks to the educational technology initiative-‘Online Labs’-developed by Amrita CREATE (Centre of Research in Advanced Technologies for Education) in association with CDAC (Centre for Development of Advance Computing).

4. Indian Navy successfully test fires Barak-8 long range missile from INS Kolkata: Surface to Air missile having a range of nearly 70 km was test fired from INS Kolkata, paving the way for installation of the system, developed jointly by India and Israel, on board country’s frontline warships.

5. HAL ties up with Russian firm Rostech to build 200 Kamov helicopters: Under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Russian firm Rostech State Corporation has tied up with India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture 200 Kamov 226T light helicopters. The new fleet of Kamovs will replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.

6. BHEL commissioned Prayagraj power project in Uttar Pradesh: State run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited commissioned a 660 MW unit of Prayagraj Super Thermal Power Project at Bara in Allahabad district of UP.

7. SpiceJet launched travel solutions platform SpiceVacations.com: The platform offers customised travel packages to customers who can avail various services while planning their holiday, at no added cost.

8. CCEA approved Amended Technology Up-gradation Fund Scheme for textiles: The new scheme will give a boost to ‘Make in India’ in the textiles sector. It is expected to attract investment to the tune of one lakh crore rupees and create over 30 lakh jobs.

9. Satyavati Berera became first woman Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Big Four accounting firm in India.

10. Madhu S Nair assumes charge as CMD of Cochin Shipyard.

11. Jetha Bharwad elected as first Vice-Chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change notified norms of emission standards for coal-based thermal power plants in India. Beginning 2017, thermal plants across India will have to cut particulate matter emissions by as much as 40% and reduce their water consumption by nearly one-third.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Giorgi Kvirikashvili elected as the Prime Minister of Georgia: He will succeed PM Irakli Garibashvili, who resigned recently.

2. Guinea free of Ebola, WHO announced: Guinea was declared Ebola free by the World Health Organisation two years after the virus’ deadliest-ever outbreak began in the country, killing more than 11000 people in the West African region.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Rakhi Haldar, Kavita Devi bagged gold at National Weightlifting Championships: Haldar lifted 94 kg in the snatch and 119 kg in clean and jerk to come up with a total lift of 213 kg in Women’s 69 kg to grab the gold medal. In Women’s 75 kg category, Devi lifted 95 kg in snatch and 122 kg in clean and jerk for a total of 217 kg to win the top medal.

AWARDS:

2. Noted Gujarati writer Raghuveer Chaudhary selected for the 51^st Jnanpith award.

OBITUARIES:

3. Ian Fraser Lemmy Kilmister, founding member of British heavy metal band Motorhead died at the age of 70.

4. Veteran Singer Subir Sen passed away at the age of 81.

5. Iconic Marathi poet Mangesh Keshav Padgaonkar passed away at the age of 86.