Daily GK Updates - 24th March, 2017

­­­­NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Suresh Prabhu announced scaling up of ‘VIKALP Scheme’ for Railway Passengers: The Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu has announced the scaling up of ‘VIKALP Scheme’ for waitlisted passengers at a progrmme held in New Delhi. The scheme will become effective on 1st April 2017. Prabhu has also released the Water Management Policy of Indian Railways to improve water use efficiency by setting up water recycling plants, rainwater harvesting plants, sewage treatment plants and effluent treatment plants on railway land.

2. CCEA approved North East Road Network Connectivity Project Phase- I: The cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Phase - I of the North-East Road Network Connectivity Project in New Delhi. The National Highways (NHs) of 403 kilometers will be developed in Meghalaya (52km) and Mizoram (351km). The civil works are expected to be completed by 2021 and the maintenance works are expected to be completed by 2025.

3. NCST approves proposal for 5 additional seat for tribal in Sikkim Assembly: The National Commission for Schedule Tribes (NCST) has approved the proposal for five additional seats for tribal in the Sikkim Assembly. The proposal of increasing reserve seats for Schedule Tribes from 12 to 17 in 32 members in Sikkim Assembly and now it would be increased to 40. The five seats would be reserved for Limbu and Tamang tribes.

4. Five Indian cities included in World Heritage List: According to Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) Dr. Mahesh Sharma, five Indian cities were included in the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The five Indian cities included in the list are Ahmedabad, Delhi, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar and Mumbai.

4. Bharti Airtel acquires 4G business of Tikona Networks: Indian global telecommunications services company Bharti Airtel has acquired 4G business of Tikona Networks including the Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) business for Rs 1,600 crore.

5. Radha Mohan Singh launched Book titled '50 Years – The Great Indian Milk Revolution': The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh has launched a Coffee Table Book titled “50 Years – The Great Indian Milk Revolution” commemorating National Dairy Development Board’s (NDDB) Golden Jubilee year.

6. India ranks 87th on Energy Architecture Performance Index: WEF: India ranked 87th among the surveyed 127 countries on a Global Energy Architecture Performance Index (EAPI) released as part of report of Geneva- based World Economic Forum (WEF). EAPI focuses on tracking specific indicators to measure the energy system performance of the countries.

7. Government notifies third Protocol amending India-Singapore DTAA: The Union Finance Ministry has notified third Protocol amending India-Singapore Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). The agreement came into force in February 2017 and was signed in December 2016. The Third Protocol amends the DTAA between both countries to provide for source-based taxation of capital gains arising on sale of shares in a company

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. March 24: World TB Day: The World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) is observed every year on March 24 to raise public awareness about the global epidemic of Tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to eliminate the disease. WTD is observed to commemorate discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, bacillus (bacteria) causing TB on 24th March, 1882 by German microbiologist Dr Robert Koch. This discovery had opened the way towards diagnosing and curing TB. 2017 Theme (Campaign): “Unite to End TB”.

2. Sea ice hits record winter low at both poles: Scientists: According to US and European scientists, the extent of sea ice at both poles has hit new record lows for this time of the year. The disappearing sea ice comes as the Earth marks three consecutive years of record-breaking heat and temperature rise, raising fresh concerns about the accelerating pace of global warming. 

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Indian Navy to scale Everest as part of 'Seabed to Summit': An Indian Navy team is set to scale Mount Everest as a part of its 'Sagar Tal se Sagar Matha (Seabed to Summit)' expedition. The 24-member team, with personnel from INS Chakra and INS Chennai, will plant an ice-axe on the 8,848-metre high peak.

2. India finish with 13 medals at para Athletics meet in Dubai: India's para athletes won 13 medals in the season opening 9th Fazza International IPC Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai. Out of the 13 medals, India won five gold, three of which were won by Sundar Singh Gurjar. The 21-year-old Gurjar, who missed Rio Paralympic Games last year, won a gold each in shot put, javelin throw and discus throw competitions.

BANKING & FINANCE:

3. World Bank signs US$ 100 million credit agreement with Uttarakhand, Centre: The World Bank has signed a 100 million US dollar credit agreement with the Centre and Uttarakhand in New Delhi to improve the quality of health care services in all 13 districts of the state. The project aims to reduce the financial risk for its citizens and make affordable, quality health care available to all. 

HONOURS & AWARDS:

4. Raghu Rai honored with Lifetime Achievement at National Photography Awards: Renowned photojournalist Raghu Rai has conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 6th National Photography Awards organized by the photo division of the I&B ministry in New Delhi. He is known for his books, Raghu Rai's India: Reflections in Colour and Reflections in Black and White.

OBITUARIES:

5. Noted Writer Ashokamitran passes away: Noted Tamil writer Ashokamitran (86-year) passed away in Chennai after a brief illness.He was given the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1996 for his work 'Appavin Snegidhar' (collection of short stories). Earlier, he was given the Tiru Vi Ka Award in 2014 for his contribution to Tamil literature.