Daily GK Updates - 15th May, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Lt Gen Sukhdeep takes over as DGAR : Lieutenant General Sukhdeep Sangwan has taken over the charge as the Director General of Assam Rifles.Lt Gen Sanwagn has taken over as the 20th Director General of the Force which is popularly called as Sentinels of the North East.Lt Gen Sangwan has also participated in Operation Blue Star, Operation Vijay and Operation Parakram.

2. E-Way Bill system in Assam & Rajasthan : The E-way bill system for intra-State transport of goods in Assam and Rajasthan will roll out on May 16 and May 20 respectively.This would take the total number of States under the system to 21.E-Way Bill system for inter-State movement of goods has been rolled out from 01st April 2018.E-Way Bill is electronically generated for the consignment/movement of goods from one place to another.

3. Government unveiled Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy : Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy.The objective of the policy is to provide a framework for the promotion of large grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid system for efficient utilization of transmission infrastructure and land.It also aims at reducing the variability in renewable power generation and achieving better grid stability.

3. Environment Ministry launched GSDP : The Union Environment Ministry launched its full-fledged Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) that aims to train over 5.5 lakh workers in environment and forest sectors in the country through 30 courses by 2021.Environment minister Harsh Vardhan also unveiled a related mobile app (GSDP-ENVIS).The GSDP was launched last year as a pilot project in 10 districts of the country.

4. Mangeshkar conferred with Swara Mauli award : Lata Mangeshkar has been honoured with the Swara Mauli title by spiritual guru Vidya Narsimha Bharati Swami.It is for the second time that Lata Mangeshkar has been honoured with the Swara Mauli title.The veteran singer has several awards to her credit in her over seven-decade-long career, including three National Awards.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi, Putin to hold informal summit : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia on May 21 for an informal summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the city of Sochi.The two leaders will discuss their respective national developmental priorities and bilateral matters.This informal summit in Sochi is in keeping with the tradition of regular consultations between India and Russia at the highest levels.

2. WHO launched ‘REPLACE’ : WHO has launched a comprehensive plan to “REPLACE” to eliminate industrially-produced artificial trans fats from global food supply by 2023.REPLACE stands for review dietary sources, promote the use of healthier fats, legislate, assess changes, create awareness and enforce.REPLACE package is the first time WHO is calling for the elimination of something other than a noncommunicable disease.

3. Sulabh founder awarded Nikkei Asia Prize : The founder of Sulabh International, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, has been honoured with the Nikkei Asia Prize in Japan for his contribution to Asia’s development.Pathak is among the three who have been conferred with the award.Nikkei Inc., one of the largest media corporations in Japan, has been presenting the awards since 1996.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANACE:

1. India-dedicated investment fund : China’s largest bank, Industrial & Commercial Bank of China has launched country’s 1^st India-dedicated publicly offered investment fund.The fund will invest in exchange-traded funds listed on more than 20 exchanges in Europe & US that are based on Indian market.The bank said that the Indian market offers the best opportunity for Chinese investors due to the prospects of double-digit growth

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. India to clock GDP growth of 7.7% : India’s GDP is expected to grow by 7.7% in January-March, up from 7.2% in the preceding quarter, says a Nomura report.According to the report, despite the moderation in March, industrial production growth averaged 6.2% in the January-March period.The report further noted that India is expected to witness cyclical recovery led by both investment and consumption.

DEFENCE:

1. Mountaineering Expedition to Mt. Bhagirathi-II : Indian Army Women Officers’ Mountaineering Expedition to Mt. Bhagirathi-II (6512 metres) consisting of 9 women officers, was flagged off by Director General of Military Training.Mt. Bhagirathi-II is located in the Garhwal Himalayas in Gangotri National Park.The expedition aims at encouraging women in the field of adventure where dauntless courage, will-power & determination is put to test.

2. China aims to deliver amphibious aircraft : China’s amphibious aircraft, stated to be the largest in the world is expected to be delivered to customers by 2022.Code-named Kunlong, the plane (AG600) is designed to be the world’s largest amphibious aircraft.It will mainly be used for maritime rescue, fighting forest fires and marine monitoring, according to its state-owned manufacturer.

SPORTS:

1. Heena Sidhu clinched gold : Indian Shooter Heena Sidhu clinched the gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol at the International Shooting Competitions 2018 in Hannover, Germany.Heena was in a rollicking form in the final where she was tied with France’s Mathilde Lamolle on 239.8 points. She won the tie to win the gold ahead of Mathilde.The finish marks a strong build-up to next week’s ISSF World Cup in Munich.

OBITUARIES:

1.Physicist EC George Sudarshan passed away : Famous theoretical physicist EC George Sudarshan passed away in Texas, USA.He worked in the subjects of quantum Zeno effect, optical coherence, open quantum system, non-variance groups among others.In 2007, the Kerala-born scientist was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award.