Daily GK Updates - 23rd January, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Nation pays homage to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 120^th birth anniversary: It was on this day in 1897, Netaji was born in Cuttack, Odisha. A number of functions have been organised in different parts of the country to mark the occasion. In Delhi, floral Tributes will be paid to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Central Hall of Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tribute to Netaji. In a series of tweets, Mr Modi stated that Netaji's valour played a major role in freeing India from colonialism.

2. Three-day ArogyaMitra Conference begins in Silchar, Assam: Assam State Governor BanwarilalPurohit inaugurated the ArogyaMitra conference on 21 January 2017 till 23 January 2017 at Silchar. The three day conference has been organised by the south Assam zone of the NGO, KeshabSmarakSanskritiSurabhi at the campus of Veterinary College, Ghungoor.Aim of the Conference Make available minimum free medical services to the people of isolated and backward places.

3. No-more Visa-Free facility for Indians in Hong Kong: Hong Kong has withdrawn the visa-on arrival facility for Indians travelling to Hong Kong effective from January 23, 2017. From now, the Indian nationals must apply for and successfully complete pre-arrival registration online before they can visit or transit the HKSAR visa-free.

4. Kerala CM inaugurates ‘Jyothirmaya’:Kerala Chief Minister PinarayiVijayan inaugurated the 4 lakh square feet latest IT building, ‘Jyothirmaya’ at the Infopark.Dedicating the 9-storeyed building, constructed over six acres of land  80,000 job opportunities will be created when the buildings constructed during second phase of development at Infopark become fully operational.

5. AP government announces compensation of Rs 5 lakh for families of those who lost lives in Hirakhand Express accident: Andhra Pradesh government have announced a compensation of 5 lakh rupees for the families of those who lost lives in the Hirakhand Express accident and belonging to the state. Odisha government has also declared a compensation of similar amount for those belonging to Odisha.

6. Kwality Ltd signs MoU with Bank of Baroda for Rs 4000 crore loan to farmers: Mumbai based dairy firm Kwality Ltd has signed a MoU with Bank of Baroda on January 20, 2017 to provide Rs. 4000 crore loans to one lakh farmers out of the established networks from whom the company procures milk. The MoU aims to provide financial assistance to improve socio-economic lives of farmers and encourage them towards digitisation.

7. 100 % FDI under consideration in Food Processing sector: Minister of State for Food Processing Industries SadhviNiranjanJyoti stated 100% Foreign Direct Investment in food processing sector is being actively considered by the Union Government. Addressing a conclave organized by the ASSOCHAM in Chennai on the sunrise sector.

8. Ex-BCCI President Anurag Thakur to head Himachal Olympic Association: Ex-BCCI president Anurag Thakur unanimously elected head of the Himachal Pradesh Olympic Association (HPOA) for a four-year term.Anurag Thakur, who had to step down as BCCI President owing to the Supreme Court ruling on Lodha Committee reforms.

9.  CCI approves merging MakeMyTrip with Ibibo Group: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the proposed merger of online travel firm MakeMyTrip’s Indian travel business with rival Ibibo Group.

10. TeamIndus proposes nameplate on the Moon for Rs 500: A Bengaluru start-up TeamIndus proposes nameplate on the Moon for Rs.500.Indians are being offered the opportunity to leave their name on the moon, for a price. Space start-up TeamIndus will get the names of public ‘donors’ micro-engraved on a small-sized aluminium object, which will be placed on the lunar surface when its lander descends on the moon.

11. Ecotourism project set up at Purulia: Priya Entertainments Pvt Ltd has set up an ecotourism project at Khairabera, foothills of Baghmundi, in Purulia district of West Bengal. The adventure camp is located 300 km from the city.Bookings for luxury tents, individual cottages and camping tents can be made through the website, www.ecoadventureresorts.net.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China commissions its 31^st Stealth Warship: In a move to rapidly expand its naval fleet, China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy commissioned its 31st stealth warship with the commissioning of the 31st Type—056 class corvette warship, CNS Ezhou, China. China Commissions its 31st Stealth Warship to become the world’s largest fleet of modern corvettes.

2. 2017 World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting held in Davos, Switzerland: The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017 was held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The theme of 47th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017 is Responsive and Responsible Leadership.The inaugural had musical concert by violinist Anne- Sophie Mutter.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Sunish wins ITF Juniors title: DhruvSunish finally got the taste of ITF Juniors title when he won the boys singles crown downing Kazakhstan's DostanbekTashbulatov at the DakshinKalikataSansad clay courts.

OBITUARIES:

2. Urdu poet, lyricist NaqshLyallpuri died at the age of 88.