Daily GK Updates - 31st May, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Bicycle Patrols – An initiative of Delhi Police: Delhi Police (DP) has launched the Bicycle Patrols for better policing in the capital. The patrolling officers will be equipped with standard police communication equipment which will operate in 'hands-free mode' and function like mobile police posts of the local Police Station. A total of 65 high-end bicycles have been made operational. It will normally cover distance of 2 to 5 kms per patrol.

2. George Kurian appointed as Vice-Chairman of National Commission for Minorities: Minister of State Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has appointed George Kurian as the vice-chairman of National Commission for Minorities. The other appointed members are Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi (Chairman), Sulekha Kumbhare (former Maharashtra minister), Sunil Singhi (Jain representative) and Vada Dasturji Khurshed Kaikobad Dastoor. First time a Jain member has been appointed to the panel after the community was notified as minority in Jan 2014. The six notified minority communities in the country are Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi, and Jain.

3. Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award to Priyanka Chopra under a new category: Actress Priyanka Chopra will be conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award for being an international icon. She will be given the award under the newly introduced ‘Internationally Acclaimed Actress’ category. This Award is India’s highest award in cinema.

4. India becomes World’s third largest aviation market: India has emerged as the third largest aviation market in the world with a passenger traffic of over 10 crore reported for 2016-17. Average or median air fares fell by 18% during 2016-17 and scheduled domestic flight movements rose from 7 lakh in 2014 to 8.2 lakh in 2016. US is currently world’s largest aviation market.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 31st may as World No-Tobacco Day: The theme for world No Tobacco Day 2017 is "Tobacco - a threat to development". This day aims to create awareness about the health risks associated with consumption of tobacco and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. The Union Health Minister JP Nadda is chosen for this year's WHO Director-General Special Recognition Awards.

2. ‘The Square’ wins top prize at Cannes: The Swedish film ‘The Square’ has won the Palme d’Or, the top prize at 70th Cannes Film Festival. The Square is a Swedish satirical drama film directed by Ruben Östlund. The film ‘120 Beats Per Minute!’ won the Grand Prix, the runner-up prize.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Lionel Messi wins fourth Golden Shoe: Lionel Messi has won the European Golden Shoe for a record fourth time. With this fourth Golden Shoe Messi has drawn level with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has scored 37 goals this season in the Spanish league. The award goes every season to the leading goal scorer from every top division national league in Europe.

BANKING & FINANCE:

2. Banks Board Bureau gets 2 more members: The government has expanded the Banks Board Bureau by adding two more members. Shubhalaxmi Panse and Pradip Shah have been inducted into the board. The bureau is headed by former comptroller and auditor general Vinod Rai.