Daily GK Updates - 30th November, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Global Centre for Security and Counter-Terrorism to be set up in Jaipur: Central Government has sanctioned Rs 275 crore for establishing a Global Centre for Security and Counter-Terrorism in Jaipur, Rajasthan.  Announcement in this regard was made by Rajasthan Home Minister, Gulab Chand Kataria on November 28, 2017. Central Government will allocate Rs. 165 crore and Rajasthan State Government will bear Rs 110 crore for setting-up this centre.

2. Snehlata appointed as Secretary General of the Lok Sabha: Snehlata Shrivastava, a 1982-batch retired IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the first woman Secretary General of the Lok Sabha. Her appointment to this post was made by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. She will replace Anoop Mishra, who is retiring on November 30, 2017.

3. SAUBHAGYA Scheme launched in Manipur: The Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA) was launched in Manipur by Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri R.K. Singh and Shri N. Biren Singh, CM of Manipur. A total of approximately 1.75 lakh households are proposed to be included under the Scheme. This is such a scheme where the poorest of the poor can afford electricity in their homes.

4. 48th edition of IFFI concludes at Goa: International Film Festival of India concluded with the world premiere of Indo-Argentinian co-production “Thinking of Him”, directed by Pablo Cesar. Robin Campillo’s French film 120 Beats Per Minute, won the prestigious Golden Peacock award for best film at the controversy-ridden 48th International Film Festival of India. The film’s actor Nahuel Perez Biscayart won the Silver Peacock in the best actor male category. The legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with the Indian film personality of the year Award at the glittering closing ceremony.

5. Chhattisgarh government bans firecrackers: The Chhattisgarh Government has imposed a ban on the bursting of firecrackers in six of its cities, including the state capital Raipur, ahead of the wedding season from December 1st to January 31st, 2018. According to the statement issued by the State Environment Conservation Board, the decision has been taken to control the pollution, which increases during winters due to the direction of wind.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. Victoria legalises Euthanasia: Victoria became the first Australian state to legalize assisted dying or euthanasia. Lawmakers voted to allow terminally ill patients the right to request a lethal drug to end their lives from June 2019.

2. Distinguished Indologist award for Hiroshi Marui: President Kovind conferred the 3rd Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Distinguished Indologist Award on Professor Hiroshi Marui of Japan at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Marui has spent over 40 years working on Indian philosophy and Buddhist Studies. He is President of Japanese Association of Indian and Buddhist Studies and has made significant contribution to Indology in Japan.

3. India donates 500 tonnes of rice to Lesotho: India donated 500 metric tonnes of rice to the Kingdom of Lesotho (in Southern Africa), which is facing acute food shortage due to famine. High Commissioner of India to South Africa and Lesotho, Ruchira Kamboj handed over the donation to the government of Lesotho.

OTHER UPDATES

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Karnataka Bank ties up with BCG Group for KBL Vikaas project: Karnataka Bank Ltd has partnered with the Boston Consulting Group (India) Pvt Ltd for its transformation initiatives and the transformation project ‘KBL Vikaas’. It is aimed at total transformation of the bank by re-positioning it as a relevant and significant bank by focusing on technology and by keeping intact its core values and identity.

2. USIBC announces program for women entrepreneurs: U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) announced a collaborative initiative titled “Women for Women Innovators, Social Leaders & Entrepreneurs”. This announcement was made during USIBC’s road to Global Entrepreneurship Summit event, “Creating the Foundations of Innovation” in Hyderabad. It will offer leadership, mentoring, and development opportunities for women entrepreneurs and innovators.

SPORTS:

1. Odisha CM unveils logo & mascot of Hockey World Cup 2018: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik has unveiled Logo and mascot of Hockey World Cup 2018 at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. As many as 16 countries, including hosts India, will participate in the 14th edition of the Hockey World Cup. CM Patnaik also launched the countdown timer for the international event scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar late next year.

2. Mirabai Chanu wins gold medal at World Weightlifting Championship: Mirabai Chanu has become the first Indian in over two decades to claim a gold medal at the World Weightlifting Championship in Anaheim, USA. She lifted 85kg in snatch and 109kg in clean and jerk to total an impressive 194kg in the women's 48kg.