Daily GK Updates - 2nd February, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 32nd Surajkund International Crafts Mela begins: The Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal has inaugurated the cultural extravaganza Surajkund International Crafts Mela (32nd) at Faridabad (Haryana).This year Uttar Pradesh is the theme state and Kyrgyzstan is the Partner Nation.Artistes will showcase the art, culture, heritage, handicrafts, and cuisine of the state.

2. Neelam Kapur appointed DG of Sports Authority of India: Neelam Kapur (Indian Information Service - 1982 officer) has been appointed as the Director-General of Sports Authority of India (SAI).Currently, she is the Principal Director General of the Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP).The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is an apex National Sports body set up in 1984 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of Government of India for the development of sport in India.

3. Magahi writer Madhukar awarded Sahitya Akademi's Bhasha Samman: Shesh Anand Madhukar (Magahi writer) has been honored with this year's Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Samman award for the development of the language.Madhukar was conferred the award, comprising a Rs 1 lakh cheque and a memento, by Sahitya Akademi President Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari.Madhukar started his career as a lecturer in Hindi at the BSK College, Methan in 1966 and eventually became a reader and professor at the Saint Columba College, Hazaribagh.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Rwanda becomes 1st poor country to provide eye care for all: Rwanda partnered with UK-based charity Vision for a Nation (VFAN) has become the first low-income country to provide universal eye care for its 12 million population.VFAN will train more than 3,000 eye care nurses based in 502 local health centers prescribing glasses and referring those with serious eye problems to national clinics.

2. India joins Ashgabat agreement: India has joined Ashgabat Agreement on the establishment of an International Transport and Transit Corridor between the Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.The accession to the Agreement would diversify India’s connectivity options with Central Asia and have a positive influence on its trade and commercial ties with the region.India’s accession to the agreement will come into force on 3rd of this month.

3. Donald Trump will host Australian PM Turnbull at White House: US President Donald Trump will meet with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the White House on Feb. 23. The president and prime minister will discuss a range of shared bilateral, regional, and global priorities, including fighting terrorism, promoting economic growth, and expanding security and defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Axis Bank launches 4th Edition Of “Evolve”: Axis Bank has launched the fourth edition of ‘Evolve’ in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.It is an annual multi-city knowledge series for Bank’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) customers.The current edition of 'evolve' is titled as “Transform your Family Business into your dream company”.It will empower the SMEs to understand the winning strategies and best practices that have helped some of the leading family businesses in India grow into the reputable enterprise.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. E-way bill, under GST: After a fortnight of trial run, the crucial anti-evasion measure under the goods and services tax (GST), e-way bill, will become mandatory for transporters across the country. Under the e-way bill system, every inter-state movement of goods with a value of over Rs 50,000 and being moved beyond 10 km, the transporter will have to generate an electronic bill on the designated portal.

SPORTS:

1.  Mary Kom Wins Gold in India Open Boxing: Five-time world champion M C Mary Kom claimed a gold at India Open Boxing Tournament, in New Delhi.She defeated Filipino Josie Gabuco 4-1 in the 48kg category.Earlier, she has booked her place in the finals after brushing aside Mongolian Altansetseg Lutsaikhan in the semi-final clash.Pinki fetched gold for India after defeating Jargalan Ochirbat in the final of fly (51 kg) category.