Daily GK Updates - 27th March, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Kerala transport minister resigns: Kerala transport minister A. K. Saseendran has announced his resignation after allegations of misconduct were raised against him. The minister made the decision following an audio clip hinting at alleged misconduct with a woman was aired by a TV channel.

2. Bengaluru gets India’s first vertical garden:  The first vertical garden of India has been set up at the Hosur Road Electronics City Flyover in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The garden will help to control the pollution level of the city and also act as a sound proofing barrier. The vertical garden is an automatic drip irrigation system allowing the plants to get water on a daily basis.

3. BHEL commissions 250-MW eco-friendly unit in Gujarat: State-owned power equipment maker BHEL has commissioned a 250-MW eco-friendly unit using low-grade coal (lignite) as a primary fuel.  The lignite-based thermal unit, based on circulating fluidised bed combustion (CFBC) technology, is the second such facility to be commissioned at Bhavnagar Energy Company’s (BECL) 2x250-MW thermal power project at Padva in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat.

4. Environment Ministry official to chair animal welfare board: The government has notified that Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a statutory advisory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF) will now be permanently chaired by a senior MoEF official. This step came into effect due to the recently held Jallikattu Protest in Karnataka.

5.  Conference on 'Make in India' held in Houston: A first-ever Houston India conference on 'Make in India' was held in Houston, the USA, for bringing together various constituencies that have an interest in doing business in India and discussing the latest developments. The theme of the Conference is 'Make in India -The Inside Story'.

6.  GIC to be first PSU general insurer to launch IPO: General Insurance Corporation (GIC Re) is likely to be the first PSU insurer to tap the capital market as the Finance Ministry has started scouting for merchant bankers to manage its Initial Public Offering (IPO), yet not officially released.

7.  Kolkata to host India's first ever FIFA U-17 World Cup final: Kolkata's iconic Salt Lake Stadium has been selected by FIFA to host the final of the Under-17 World Cup on October 28. 

8. World's largest capstone discovered by archaeologists in Telangana: The archaeology department of Telangana has discovered the world's largest capstone after excavating an ancient human burial site in Siddipet district, Telangana.  The capstone of the menhir burial reportedly weighs about 40 tonnes.

9. Uttarakhand Assembly introduces Lokayaukta Act: The crucial 2011 Lokayukta Bill has been introduced in Uttarakhand Assembly. Governor of State, KK Paul, said he has kept the issue of Lokayukhta on top priority. The new government will also revive the Transfer Act brought in 2011 by the erstwhile Khanduri government to curb corruption.

10. CCEA approved closing of CHBL and ICBL: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approvedclosure/winding up of CREDA HPCL Biofuel Ltd (CHBL) and IndianOil - Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) Biofuels Limited (ICBL).  Joint Ventures between CREDA HPCL Biofuel Ltd (CHBL) and IndianOil-CREDA Biofuels Limited (ICBL) were formed for carrying out energy crop (Jatropha) plantation and production of bio-diesel in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

11.  Pawan Hans ties-up with HAL to train helicopter pilots: State-run Pawan Hans has joined hands with public sector chopper maker Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to train helicopter pilots. Pawan Hans is a joint venture where state-owned ONGC holds 49 per cent.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Theatre Day: 27th March: The World Theatre Day (WTD) is celebrated globally on 27th March. World Theatre Day was created in 1961 by an international non-governmental organization International Theatre Institute (ITI), France. ITI was founded in 1948 by UNESCO and the international theater community.

                       OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. India wins 73 medals in 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games: India’s special athletes have won 73 medals (37 golds, 10 silver, and 26 bronze) in the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Austria. This year’s edition witnessed 2,600 athletes from over 105 countries competing with each -other.

2. West Bengal win Santosh Trophy for the 32nd time: West Bengal has won the 71st edition of premier domestic football tournament ‘Santosh Trophy’ by defeating Goa 1-0 in the final at Bambolim, Goa.

3. Shaun Tait retires from all forms of cricket: Australian fast bowler 'Shaun Tait' retires from all forms of cricket. Tait represented his country in 3 Tests, 35 One-Day Internationals (ODI) and 21 Twenty20 Internationals during which he picked up 95 wickets. He made his Test debut against England at Trent Bridge in the 2005 Ashes and last played for Australia in January 2016.

BANKING & FINANCE

4. Karnataka Bank’s launched platinum card: Karnataka Bank has launched the ‘MoneyPlant RuPay International Platinum Debit Card’ to provide more privileges to its premium and HNI (high net worth individual) customers. The card can be used for domestic and international cash withdrawals and purchases.

HONOURS & AWARDS

5. Ravish Kumar awarded first Kuldip Nayar journalism award: Eminent TV journalist Ravish Kumar (Senior executive editor of NDTV India) has been awarded inaugural ‘Kuldip Nayar journalism award’ for his contribution to the field of journalism at the India International Centre, New Delhi. He conferred with an award plaque along with a cash amount of Rs. 1 lakh. The award was set up to honor those working in vernacular media.