Daily GK Updates - 16th October, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Pranab Mukherjee’s new book “Coalition Years” launched: The Coalition Years begins its journey in 1996 and explores the highs and lows that characterized sixteen years of one of the most tumultuous periods in the India’s political history.

2. Rajasthan becomes the first state to call attention and adjournment motions online: Rajasthan State assembly has become the first in India to call attention and adjournment motions and proposals online from legislators. The new online system was inaugurated by Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Kailash Meghwal.

3. Andaman LG Joshi launches Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana in Andaman and Nicobar islands: Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar islands, Devendra Kumar Joshi, has launched Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana at DBRAIT auditorium in Port Blair. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana  (PMMVY) is a Maternity Benefit Programme that is implemented in all the districts of the country in accordance with the provision of the National Food Security Act, 2013.

4. Nirmala Sitharaman commissions INS Kiltan into Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam: It is the third of the four Kamorta-class corvettes being built under Project 28. INS Kiltan has been designed by the Indian Navy's in-house organization Directorate of Naval Design and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata.

5. Singer T M Krishna wins Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration: TM Krishna is a pre-eminent vocalist in the Carnatic tradition of Indian classical music and has been an activist who has worked to break down caste-barriers in the society. The award is given for promotion national integration.

6. Water carnival to promote Madhya Pradesh Water Tourism: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated a two-and-a-half-month-long water carnival which will be held until January 2. The carnival will be held at Hanuwantiya Island in the backwaters of Indira Sagar Dam in Khandwa district of the state.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Food Day observed: World Food Day is dedicated to tackling global hunger. It is observed every year on 16th October. It promotes worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all. It marks the foundation of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945. The theme for 2017 World Food Day is "Change the future of migration. Invest in food security and rural development".

2. Poorvi GB wins the “Best Performer” title at ‘Little Miss World’: 12-year old Indian girl Poorvi G B has been awarded the ‘best performer’ subtitle at the ‘Little Miss World 2017’ pageant held in Greece recently. She is the first Indian kid to win a title in the international beauty pageant and talent competition.

3. Iceland gives the world its first ‘negative emissions’ power plant: World’s first ‘negative emissions’ power plant started operating in Iceland. The term negative emission in this context indicates that the power plant eliminates more carbon dioxide (CO2) than it produces. It has been accomplished by a climate-startup named Climeworks by refitting a geothermal plant in Iceland. 

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Union Bank of India launches bilingual app-Sahyog: Union Bank of India has launched an Android app, Union Sahyog, as part of its drive to digitise customer-facing banking services. The Union Sahyog app is bilingual, which offers both English and Hindi language.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

2. Federer wins Shanghai Masters:  Roger Federer beat Rafael Nadal of Spain by 6-4

6-3 to win the final match of Shanghai Masters tennis tournament.

3. Mohun Bagan lift the Governors Gold Cup: Mohun Bagan has won the 37th All India Governor's Gold Cup football tournament (10th times) by defeating Partha Chakra by 1-0 margin at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok. The Sikkim Gold Cup (Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup) is an Indian football tournament held in Sikkim organized by Sikkim Football Association (SFA).

OBITUARIES:

4. Veteran film-maker Lekh Tandon passes away: Lekh Tandon is best known for films like Amrapali, Agar Tum Na Hote and Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye, Swades, Chennai Express and Rang De Basanti.