Daily GK Updates - 26th April, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. M-Awas for allotment of Govt. homes : Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs (I/C) launched a Mobile App (m-Awas) for allotment of Government accommodations in General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA).The application has been developed by NIC.The dedicated application of online allotment i.e. e-Awas will support this App.The app is user friendly and can be made operative from an android mobile phone.

2. Kerala CM launched Pravasi Pension Scheme : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched Pravasi pension scheme.The scheme gives those hailing from Kerala but living outside the state or country, a pension of 2,000 a month.People over the age of 60 years are eligible for the pension.The scheme is not applicable for state and central government employees.

3. New system to measure air quality : India is tying up with the United States and Finland to develop a pollution-forecast system.The system will help anticipate particulate matter (PM) levels at least two days in advance and at a greater resolution than what is possible now.The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will be coordinating this exercise and the plan is to have a system in place by winter.

 4. Sagar Kavach’ began in Kerala : A two-day coastal security exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ began to strengthen and assess theloopholes in the coastal security mechanism along Kerala shores. The Coast Guard, the Navy, Coastal Police and Marine Enforcement wing are participating in the exercise.3 ships of the navy, 10 of Coastguard, four fishing boats, besides 20 coastal police stations are taking part in the drill.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. EAM to attend India-Mongolia Joint Committee : External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will co-chair the 6th round of India-Mongolia Joint Consultative Committee meeting with her Mongolian counterpart in Ulaanbaatar.The meeting will discuss trade, economic, cultural and scientific co-operation.Mrs Swaraj became the first Indian External Affairs Minister to visit the Mongolia in 42 years

2. Govt to relax Restricted Area Permit regime : The Restricted Area Permit regime in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep will be relaxed for tourism promotion.This was decided during the third meeting of Island Development Agency chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.The Island Development Agency reviewed the progress made towards preparation of Development Plans for identified Islands.

3. Bangladesh, Nepal launched trial bus service : Bangladesh and Nepal have launched a trial bus service between their capitals through India.

The proposed commercial bus service comes under the purview of BBIN (Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal) Motor Vehicles Agreement.Currently, passengers use the Lalmonirhat-Burimari-Changrabandha-Siliguri route to go to Kathmandu.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE:

1. Dakota DC-3 aircraft to be inducted into IAF : Dakota DC-3 aircraft of 1940’s vintage would be inducted shortly into the Vintage Aircraft Flight of the Indian Air Force (IAF).Built in 1944, the aircraft served in the military with the RAF and was also operated by various civil airlines.In 1988, a large fleet of Dakota DC-3 served in the Indian Air Force. It was one of the most versatile transport aircraft of its time.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Dalmia Bharat Adopts Red Fort, Delhi : Dalmia Bharat Limited has signed a MoU with Ministry of Tourism for adoption of Red Fort monument under the “Adopt a Heritage” project.The adoption will enable to construct, landscape, illuminate and maintain activities related to provision and development of tourist amenities.The Adopt a Heritage Scheme was launched by President Ram Nath Kovind on World Tourism Day on 27th September 2017.

SPORTS: 

1. India to host Asian Weightlifting C’ships : Indian will host the prestigious Asian Weightlifting Championship in 2019.The Championship was awarded to India at the Executive Board Meeting and Congress of the Asian Weightlifting Federation held on April 22 at Urgench, Uzbekistan.The last edition of the Asian Championship was held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, from April 23-29.

2. Rizvi gets silver at ISSF World Cup : Shahzar Rizvi clinched India’s first medal at the ISSF World Cup, winning a silver in the 10m air pistol event.Rizvi had won the gold medal in the ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico in March. Russia clinched the gold medal while the bronze went to Bulgaria.