Daily GK Updates - 2nd October, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Urban Maharashtra declared open defecation free: President Kovind on his maiden visit to Maharashtra declared urban areas of the state as Open Defecation Free. Almost half of Maharashtra has become open Defecation free, since 49% population in lives in urban areas.

2. Free Eye Check-up Campaign for truck drivers and their helpers: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will launch countrywide Free Eye Check-up Campaign & distribution of spectacles for truck drivers, cleaners & helpers in Maharashtra. The objective of this initiative is to ensure clearer vision and safe travel for truck drivers who are the most frequent users of national highways.

3. Meenakshi temple the cleanest: Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai has been adjudged the cleanest iconic place in India under Swachhta Hi Seva programme. Temple earned the top slot from among 10 iconic places selected under Swachh Bharath Mission.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. International Day of Non-Violence observed:  International Day of Non-Violence is marked on 2 Oct, birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, pioneer of philosophy & strategy of non-violence. International Day of Non-violence was established by UNGA by passing the resolution in 2007 in an effort to spread the message of non-violence.

2. 2017 Nobel Prize for medicine announced: The 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael W. Young. The trio have been given the prize “for their discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm”. Their discoveries explain how plants, animals and humans adapt their biological rhythm so that it is synchronized with the Earth’s revolutions.

3. International Day of Older Persons: The International Day of Older Persons is observed on Oct 1 each year. It aims to raise awareness of how vital older people are as a part of community & break down age discrimination. This year’s theme is – Stepping into Future: Tapping Talents, Contributions & Participation of Older Persons in Society.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. SBI waives off account closure charges: SBI has waived off account closing charges for all savings bank customers under the condition that their account has existed for over a year. Earlier, the bank used to deduct a sum of Rs 500, along with the applicable GST, in the form of account closing charges.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

2. RCom-Aircel merger collapses: Reliance Communications has called off the merger of its wireless services business with Aircel,citing regulatory delays  and opposition from some creditors.

SPORTS:

3. Government to dilute 10% stake in HAL: Govt. has approved sale of a 10% stake in military planemaker Hindustan Aeronautics through an IPO. This comes at a time when it is witnessing competition from private players bidding to bag fighter plane contracts for Indian armed forces.

4. Vishwanathan Anand finishes joint-second at Isle of Man Chess Championship: 5 time world champion Viswanathan Anand defeated Chinese grandmaster Hou Yifan in the 9th and final round to sign off joint 2nd at the Isle Of Man Chess Championship. He shared the second spot with America’s Hikaru Nakamura. World Champion Magnus Carlsen won the title with 7.5 points after a short draw against Nakamura.

5. Verstappen wins Malaysian GP: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen sealed victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton finished second to extend his lead in the championship standings.