Daily GK Updates - 7th April, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Two new languages discovered in India: A professor of the University of Hyderabad has discovered two new languages- ‘Walmiki and Malhar’. These languages are spoken in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Walmiki is spoken in Koraput of Odisha and on the bordering districts of Andhra Pradesh. The second language Malhar is spoken in a remote and isolated hamlet about 165 km away from Bhubaneswar.

2. ‘Quit Addiction’ helpline number on all tobacco products: All tobacco products will have a national toll-free number printed on them from September tto assist users to quit the addiction. The toll-free number will help in creating awareness among tobacco users and give them access to counselling services to effect behaviour change. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified new sets of health warnings for all tobacco product packs.

3. Govt. bans the import of “love hormone” oxytocin: The Union government banned imports of the hormone oxytocin to stop its misuse in the livestock industry. It causes hormonal imbalances and shortens the lives of milch animals. Oxytocin is released naturally in the human body and is often called as “love hormone”. The government has decided to rely on domestic production to satisfy requirements of the hormone.

4. Ganga Hariteema Yojana launched in UP: In Uttar Pradesh, “Ganga Hariteema Yojana” (Ganga Greenery Scheme) has been launched in 27 districts of the state located on the bank of river Ganga. The objectives of the schemes include enhancing green cover in the catchment areas of the river Ganga and to control the land erosion. Plantation will be carried out in one-kilometre areas from the banks of the river under the scheme.

5. “Uzhavan” App for farmers launched by TN government: Tamil Nadu government has launched the bi-lingual “Uzhavan” (farmer) app that will allow ryots to have access to nine types of services. The app can be used by farmers to get information on farm subsidies, book farm equipment and details about crop insurance. The app is available in Tamil and English language & includes information on the availability of seeds and fertilisers at stores.

6. “Gram Swaraj Abhiyan” on Ambedkar Jayanti: The Prime Minister has announced that on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti a “Gram Swaraj Abhiyan” would be organised starting from 14th April to 5th May 2018. This Abhiyan will reach out to poor households, spreading awareness about government welfare schemes and other initiatives. Universal coverage under 7 welfare programmes in 21058 villages has been contemplated under this Abhiyan.

7. Chhattisgarh awarded ‘State of the Year’ at IBL awards: Chhattisgarh bagged the ‘State of the Year’ Award under the ‘business leader” category as part of the India Business Leadership for the increase in business and services activities. Union Information Technology and Electronics Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad gave the award at India Business Leader Awards. Chhattisgarh has been ranked 4th in World Bank’s list of ‘Ease of Doing Business’.

8. First tulip garden in Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu got its first tulip garden at Sanasar in Ramban district of Jammu region. This is the first tulip garden of Jammu region and second after the tulip garden of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. The garden has been set up on half an acre area of land adjacent to the Sanasar lake.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. World Health Day observed: The World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on 7 April to mark the anniversary of the founding of World Health Organization. This year marks the 70th anniversary of World Health Day. The theme for this year was “Universal health coverage: everyone, everywhere” and the slogan is “Health for All”.

2. Sugar tax comes in UK to save children from tooth decay: Britain rolled out a sugar tax on soft drinks in an attempt to tackle obesity and tooth decay in children. All revenues raised through the tax will directly fund new sports facilities in schools as well as healthy breakfast clubs. The other countries which have introduced such similar taxes are Mexico, France and Norway.

OTHER UPDATES

DEFENCE:

1. IAF’s biggest combat exercise “Gagan Shakti” to be held: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is going to conduct its biggest ever combat exercise along Pakistan and China borders. The exercise – Gagan Shakti, 2018- will take place from April 10 to 23. For the first time, the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas will be taking part in the exercise and will perform both the offensive and defensive roles.

SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY:

1. RH300 sounding rocket launched from Kerala: The RH300 sounding rocket, developed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre as part of a study to enrich available atmospheric data, was launched on 6th April from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in Kerala. This was the 21st launch of RH300 sounding rocket. The RH-300 MKII sounding rocket is utilised to study the Equatorial and lower ionosphere regions of the atmosphere.

BANKING / FINANCE:

1. FPI investment limit in Govt Securities hiked: The Reserve Bank of India, in consultation with the Government, hiked the foreign portfolio investors (FPI) investment limit in Central government securities (G-Sec). FPIs will now be allowed to invest up to 5.5% of outstanding stock of G-secs in 2018-19 and 6% of outstanding stock of securities in 2019-20. The central bank also set a 9% limit for FPI investment in corporate bonds.

SPORTS:

1. Paes becomes most successful doubles player: Leander Paes created a new world record by becoming the most successful doubles player in Davis Cup history after winning his 43rd match. Paes combined with Rohan Bopanna to create the new record.

He made his Davis Cup debut in 1990 alongside Zeeshan Ali. Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi weaved the longest unbeaten winning streak of 24 matches.

2. Sathish Sivalingam wins Gold medal at CWG 2018: Weightlifter Sathish Sivalingam won the gold medal by winning the men’s 77kg event at Commonwealth Games 2018. In the previous Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Sathish had won gold. Hence he became the first ever male Indian weightlifter to win gold in two different editions of the Commonwealth Games.