Daily GK Updates - 31st March, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 'Namami Brahmaputra' starts in Assam: It is  India’s biggest river festival. This is a festival to be organized across 21 districts in Assam from 31^stMarch to 4^th April, 2017. President Pranab Mukherjee has inaugurated India's largest river festival “Namami Brahmputra“ in Assam. The basic objective of the festival is to show case the trade and commerce, culture, skill, industry, and tourism of Assam to the world.

2. An initiative for Child cancer patients in Mumbai: The Union Shipping Minister “Mr. Nitin Gadkari” has inaugurated a residential facility for child cancer patients in Mumbai. The Centre aims to help cancer patients by providing clean accommodation and transport so that there is no fear of any secondary infection.

This Child Care Centre for patients of Tata Memorial Hospital has been developed by Mumbai Port Trust as part of its corporate social responsibility.

3. Release of a Postage Stamp on Cub Scouts: The Union Minister of Communications Manoj Sinha has released a Postage Stamp on Cub Scouts to commemorate the Centenary year of Cub Scouts in India and abroad. Cub Scouting is meant for children of age group between 8 to 11 years and Cubbing involves games, stories, play acting, handicrafts and also work through the Star tests and Badges. Scouting was developed for youth between the ages of 11 and 17 to engage in activities in public parks, open spaces and wherever they found a suitable place.

4. ‘Kanha tiger reserve’ becomes first in India to get official mascot: The ‘Kanha tiger reserve’ (Madhya Pradesh) has become the first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot “Bhoorsingh the Barasingha" to create a better connection with its visitors. The Barasingha or swamp deer is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh. The mascot was chosen among four variations by the Madhya Pradesh forest department.

5. Launch of Online Film Certification System: The union Information & Broadcasting Minister ‘M Venkaiah Naidu’ has launched the online film certification system, 'e-CinePramaan' with an aim to the elimination of middlemen and promote clean cinema. The new system of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) will make the entire process of certification transparent and efficient. This will make the process for films to obtain a certificate fully digital and will include QR Codes to check fraudulent certificates.

6. Government announces regional aviation routes and airlines under UDAN scheme: The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has announced regional aviation routes and airlines after the first round of bidding under UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) Scheme. In the first round, as many as 128 routes connecting 70 big and small airports across the country were selected and all flights will become active within 4-6 months.

7. Government launch e-challan and m-parivahan apps for enforcement of traffic rules: The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has launched two mobile applications —e-challan and m-parivahan to provide a comprehensive digital solution for enforcement of traffic rules. These applications will provide access to various services and information, and enable citizens to report any traffic violation or road accident. 

8. Government unveils online vigilance clearance system, e-service book:  The Union Government has launched the Online Vigilance Clearance System and e-Service Book in New Delhi. It was launched by Union Minister Jitendra Singh in New Delhi. The online system aims to fast track process of cases of vigilance clearance for senior-level appointments in central government.

9. Government, NDB ink $350 million loan pact: India has signed its first loan agreement with the New Development Bank (NDB)/BRICS Bank for $350 million to be used in the development and upgradation of district roads in Madhya Pradesh. The objective of the project is the upgrade major district roads in Madhya Pradesh to improve road connectivity of the interior areas of the state with the national and state highway networks. The project will include upgradation, reconstruction and rehabilitation of approximately 1,500 km of district roads to intermediate lane, all-weather standards. It will also have road safety features and improved road maintenance and management.

10. IIT Madras, Indian Army ink MoU to strengthen critical technological areas:The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) and Indian Army have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to identify the critical technological areas that can be enhanced in the armed forces. The MoU was signed by IITM Director Bhaskar Ramamurthi and Deputy Chief of Army Staff (P&S) Lt. Gen. Subrata Saha in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Venezuelan Opposition alleges coup as Supreme Court seizes power: Opposition leaders branded Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro a "dictator" after the Supreme Court stripped the Opposition-dominated National Assembly of its powers on Thursday. "Nicolas Maduro has staged a coup d'état," National Assembly President Julio Borges said after the ruling. The three branches of the Venezuelan government will now be controlled by the ruling United Socialist Party.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. BCCI to felicitate Indian cricket's 'Fab Five' at IPL opening ceremony: The IPL Governing Council has decided to felicitate five legends (Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag) during the opening ceremony of the cash-rich league in Hyderabad on 5^th April 2017. The former India women's cricketers, who will be getting one-time ex-gratia payment will be handed over their cheques at their local IPL venue during the matches.

2. Pakistani cricketer Irfan banned for one year for failing to report approach: Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has been banned from all forms of cricket for a year and a fine of USD 1000 after he pleaded guilty to failing to report details of two approaches to corrupt the game. His ban is effective from the day he was provisionally suspended on 14^th March. Irfan has played four Tests, 20 Twenty20 format matches and 60 one-day internationals(ODI), where he grabbed 83 wickets at an average of 30.71.

3. India’s S.V Sunil named Asian Hockey Player of Year for 2016: In the senior Hockey men's category, Indian forward ‘V Sunil’ has been named the ‘Asian Player of the Year 2016’ by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF). In the junior Hockey men's category, drag flicker ‘Harmanpreet Singh’ has been named the Asian Promising Player of the Year 2016. Sunil played a vital role in India's successful outing at the FIH Champions Trophy in London where the team earned a silver medal.

4. Tamil Nadu beat India 'B' to win ‘Deodhar Trophy’: Tamil Nadu beat India ‘B’ by 42 runs in the final to clinch the ‘Deodhar Trophy’ at Visakhapatnam. Tamil Nadu had scored 303/9 but in reply, India B were bowled for just 261. Dinesh Karthik (Tamil Nadu) scored 126 off 91 balls with the help of 14 boundaries and 3 sixes.

BANKING & FINANCE:

5.  Truecaller partners with ICICI Bank for UPI-based mobile payment: Truecaller partners with ICICI Bank to launch its new Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-based mobile payment service “Truecaller Pay”. It will allow users to send money to any UPI id or a mobile number registered with the BHIM app.

The non-ICICI bank users can use it by registering on to Truecaller Pay app.