Daily GK Updates - 11th May, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. National Technology Day: Every year May 11 is celebrated as National Technology Day. It is the day to commemorate the first of the five nuclear tests that were carried out on 11 May 1998.On 11 May 1998, Operation Shakti (Pokhran-II) was initiated with the detonation of one fusion and two fission bombs. Following the Pokhran-II tests, India became the sixth country to join the nuclear club. Theme of National Technology Day – “Technology for inclusive and sustainable growth”

2. Bengaluru tops list of most affordable tech cities worldwide: According to the Savills Tech Cities Index Bengaluru is the most affordable tech cities in the world followed by Cape Town and Santiago. Overall rank of Bengaluru was 20th on the list of 22 cities that were evaluated. Bengaluru is at the 17th position in terms of talent pool, the list is topped by Boston.

3.  Sanjay Mitra appointed as new Defense Secretary: The appointments Committee of the cabinet has approved the appointment of senior IAS officer (1982-West Bengal cadre) Sanjay Mitra (58- year) as the new defence secretary for two years tenure.

He will take over as the secretary after G Mohan Kumar (incumbent) completes his tenure on 24th May.

4. Ahmedabad to host biggest ever International Yoga Day event: According to the Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev ‘Ahmedabad’ will host the biggest ever International Yoga Day event on the 21st June this year. About 5 lakh people will be participate in the event. This will be a non-political programme in partnership with Gujarat government which will also involve various social organizations.

5. Home min to inaugurate two mobile apps: Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated two important mobile applications MHA Grievances Redressal App and BSFMyApp in New Delhi. All the Paramilitary Force jawans and BSF personnel will be able to raise their problems on BSFMyApp. These problems will be settled at the level of the Force and Ministry. It is being tried that this app cannot be hacked.

6. First de-addiction centre for women: Punjab is all set to get its first government-run women drug de-addiction centre in the state. The 15-bedded centre, which is likely to become operational by next month, will come up in Kapurthala district. Currently, no government facility exists in the state which is meant exclusively for women drug addicts.

7. Liveability Index of cities: Ministry of Urban Development will launch measuring of Liveability Index of cities next month based on indigenously evolved Index. To start with, standards of 140 cities including 53 cities with population of 1 million and above and Smart Cities will be assessed. Cities will be assessed on 15 core parameters relating to Governance, security etc and will be ranked based on 79 aspects.

8. Railways to acquire EoTT system: The Indian Railways has planned to acquire the End of Train Telemetry equipments to run nearly 1000 trains without guards in the current fiscal. The EoTT system will help in establishing communication between the locomotive driver and the last wagon of the train and ensure that the train is running as a complete unit. Railways has floated global tenders of Rs. 100 crore.

9. DIPAM launches online investor facilitation platform: The Finance Ministry has set up an Investor Facilitation Platform to provide information about stocks of public sector units. The platform will be an interactive forum for all stakeholders, including investors, investment banks, law firms, public sector units and administrative ministries that are involved in stake sales. All users will have to register on the platform, which will then be authorized by Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM).

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. UN court to hold public hearing on Kulbhushan execution: The International Court of Justice has announced that it will conduct public hearings on Kulbhushan Jadhav’s death sentence in Pakistan. India claims that Pakistan had abducted Jadhav from Iran and falsely accused him of spying for India.

2. Russia’s 72nd Victory Day Parade: Over 10,000 Russian troops on Tuesday marched with ballistic missiles, armoured tanks, and new aircraft systems to mark Victory Day. Victory Day commemorates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War. Victory Day Parade was recently took place in Red Square in Moscow.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. NBA opens its first academy in India: The National Basketball Association has opened its first academy in India. An elite basketball training center at Jaypee Greens Integrated Sports Complex in Greater Noida was officially thrown open for the upcoming male and female talent of the country.

2. India's Harpreet Singh wins bronze in Greco-Roman weight category: India's Harpreet Singh has won a bronze medal in Greco-Roman weight divisions of Asian Wrestling Championship in New Delhi. He beat his rival Jun Ji Na(China) in 80 kg category. Gurpreet had earlier entered the bronze medal play-off round of Greco-Roman weight divisions in the 75 Kg category.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

3. Apple acquires sleep tracking company Beddit: Apple has acquired Beddit, a Finnish company that makes sleep-tracking devices. Apple will reportedly integrate Beddit’s sleep-tracking technology with the Apple Watch as it explores the health and wellness market.

4. Dangal becomes highest grossing Indian film in China: Dangal has become the highest grossing Indian film in China, after earning Rs. 148.67 crore within a week of its release. Dangal replaced PK that had made Rs123 crore to be highest grossing Indian film in China. Director of Dangal – Nitesh Tiwari.