Daily GK Updates - 12th January, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Government issues guidelines on the usage of the National Flag as Republic Day nears: The central government urged everyone not to use a national flag made of plastic. It also asked the States and Union Territories to ensure strict compliance of the Flag Code in view of the Republic Day celebration ahead. The Flag Code of India, 2002 sets the details on the usage of the National Flag.

2. National Youth Day observed: National Youth Day is celebrated in India every year on 12th January to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. He took the Indian thoughts to the western world and also had brought tremendous change in the Indian youth by his thoughts and work. He was the disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa and had founded the Ramakrishna Mission in Calcutta (now Kolkata).

3. Rajputana state to digitise historical records: Rajasthan is all set to digitize administrative and historical records of Rajputana’s princely states. The move will boost the state government’s effort to use technology to improve the lives of people further. It will also help in preserving the state’s rich heritage.

4. Govt. to offer free treatment of Hepatitis C: The health ministry is set to roll out a National Programme for Control of Viral Hepatitis from the 2018-19 financial year. With the focus on Hepatitis C, an anti-viral treatment that costs $63,000-94,000 for the full course in the US and Europe will be provided free at all government health set-ups. Hepatitis C is caused by a blood-borne virus which affects the liver.

5. Cabinet (CCEA) approves continuation of MPLADS scheme: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval to the continuation of Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme till the term of the 14th Finance Commission. The Scheme would entail an annual allocation of Rs. 3,950 crore and a total outlay of Rs. 11,850 crores. MPLADS was formulated by the Government of India in 1993.

6. New passports to drop parents’ names, address: The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday announced that new passports will soon be printed without the usual last page of the document, which contains names of parents, and address of the applicant. The statement came even as it was declared that the passports for the Emigration Check Required (ECR) category will be issued with orange jackets.

7. Maharashtra starts surveys of Marathas in villages to answer the Quota demand: The Maharashtra government is conducting a sample survey of the Maratha community members in over 700 villages, ahead of the deadline set by the Maratha Kranti Morcha over its reservation demand. According to Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission Chairman, Justice (retired) M.G. Gaikwad, the sample survey has been undertaken for data collection to ascertain the economic backwardness within the community to justify its demand for quota in public service and educational institutions. The Maratha organisations in Maharashtra last month gave an ultimatum to the government saying it should address their demands — chief among them being reservations for the community.

8. PDP presents populist budget: Jammu & Kashmir Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu, who presented the fourth budget of the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party government on Thursday, came up with a slew of populist measures, including welfare initiatives for local industry, employees, women and transgender community. In the ₹80,000-crore budget, Dr. Drabu announced a social security net for the poor, employees and journalists, in the form of medical insurance and education loans.

9. Gujarat to conduct tiger census: The state of Gujarat, which is known to have approximately 650 lions, has decided to conduct a census to count the tigers in the state. The last tiger spotted in Gujarat was in 1985. However, reports say that tigers are present in Gujarat too. The state govt got the approval from National Tiger Conservation Authority to conduct the census.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. Saudi women to watch a soccer match in stadium for the first time: Saudi women will be allowed for the first time to enter a sports stadium to watch a soccer match between two local teams, though they will be segregated from the male-only crowd with designated seating in the so-called “family section”. The first stadium is to open its doors to women in the Red Sea city of Jiddah.

2. North & South Korea agree to hold talks: North and South Korea agreed to hold military talks. North Korea also decided to send a high-ranking delegation and a cheering squad to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea next month.

OTHER UPDATES

DEFENCE:

1. Army Chief calls for multi-pronged approach to deal with an assertive China, to set up premier schools for the children of the Armed Forces: India had to intervene in Bhutanese territory in Doklam as China was trying to change the status quo by constructing a road, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat was quoted saying. He called for a multi-pronged approach to deal with an assertive China that includes diplomatic, military and partnerships with other countries in the region. On the issue of capping tuition fees for children of disabled soldiers and those killed in the line of duty, Gen Rawat said the Army would set up premier educational institutions to educate them.

SCIENCE/ TECHNOLOGY:

1. ISRO launches its 100th satellite: The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle lifted off from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. It carries 31 satellites in total from countries including India and six other countries. Cartosat 2, a surveillance satellite that was part of India’s 100th satellite was placed into sun-synchronous orbit according to ISRO. The satellites are to be launched in two orbits which makes the mission a unique one.

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1. Highest growth of domestic air traffic in India: India’s domestic air passenger traffic grew by 16.4 percent in November 2017, topping the growth chart worldwide, according to the global aviation body, the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Globally, the total revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) increased 8 percent compared to November 2016. The available seat kilometers (ASKs) or capacity grew by 6.3 percent. The increase in the disposable income of the people is a major factor propelling the growth.

SPORTS:

1. A new comic book on Rahul Dravid titled “The Wall”: In an attempt to immortalise Rahul Dravid, Sportwalk, a sports media and merchandise startup in Chennai has released a comic book titled ‘The Wall’. Hailing him as a superhero, the comic book has compiled 15 of the most glorious moments of his life. It is written by Himanshu.

2. Sanjay Manjrekar’s autobiography ‘Imperfect’ released: Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar unveiled Sanjay Manjrekar’s autobiography ‘Imperfect’ in Mumbai. Sanjay Vijay Manjrekar is a former Indian cricketer and is known for playing great innings with his mate Sachin Tendulkar.