Daily GK Updates - 30th May, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 1. Goa Celebrates its Statehood Day on May 30 : Goa attained full statehood on 30th May 1987 and became India’s 25th state.Daman and Diu were separated from Goa and continue to be administered as a union territory.Earlier, Goa was a union territory, namely, Goa, Daman and Diu for all administrative and governance considerations.

2. Himachal launches app for ration card holders : The food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department of Himachal Pradesh has launched a mobile app for ration card holders.The app will function as a digital ration card and beneficiaries can open it on their android phones to make transaction at fair price shop, submit complaints and suggestions and contact department officers.This app is available under the name of ePDS.

3. Bengal’s Chau mask acquires GI fame : The Chau mask of Purulia, the wooden mask of Kushmandi, the Patachitra, the Dokras of Bengal, and Madhurkathi (a kind of mat) have been presented with the Geographical Indication (GI) tagThe GI tag has been given by the Geographical Indication Registry and Intellectual Property India.A GI tag connects the quality and authenticity of a given product to a particular geographical origin

4. ‘Gaj Yatra’ campaign launched in Meghalaya : The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and the Wildlife Trust of India rolled out the ‘Gaj Yatra’ from Tura, Meghalaya.It aims to raise awareness about the shrinking space for India’s wild elephants & the importance of securing elephant corridors.The event involves taking an elephant mascot across districts frequented by jumbo herds for generating awareness among the people.

5. Power Minister R K Singh launched PRAAPTI : Power Minister R K Singh has launched web portal and App called PRAAPTI.‘Praapti’ stands for ‘Payment ratification and analysis in power procurement for bringing transparency in involving of generators’.It aims to bring transparency in power purchase transactions between Generators and power distribution company- Discoms.

6. R K Agrawal appointed NCDRC president : Justice R K Agrawal has been appointed as the next President of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.Justice Agrawal will take over from Justice DK Jain who retires on May 31, 2018.The NCDRC, which deals with consumer rights and addresses their disputes and grievances, is a quasi-judicial commission set up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Global health monitoring mechanism launched : The World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank Group has launched a new mechanism that intends to strengthen global health security.The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board was created on the margins of the 71st Session of the World Health Assembly on 24th May.The Board’s Secretariat will be housed at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

2. WHO Adopts Digital Health Resolution : The resolution on digital health brought out by India was adopted by the 71st World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO).The 71st World Health Assembly was held in Geneva and was attended by delegations from all WHO member states.The resolution paves the path for WHO to establish a global strategy on digital health.

3. Bangladesh CG ship at Visakhapatnam Port : A Bangladesh Coast Guard Ship, Tajuddin, arrived at the Visakhapatnam Port.The aim of the visit is to develop working level operation between Coast Guards of maritime nations and enhance interoperability in the fields of maritime search and rescue, anti-piracy operations.Tajuddin has participated in the 10th Regional Co-operation Agreement (ReCAP) for safe and secure sea in February 2017.

4. Paraguay gets its 1st Woman interim President : Paraguay will have a woman President (interim) Alicia Pucheta (68-year) for the first time in its history after outgoing leader Horacio Cartes stepped down.Vice President Alicia Pucheta will complete Cartes’s mandate after he resigned to become a senator.The parliament is due to confirm Cartes’s resignation and proclaim Pucheta as interim president.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. MD Mallya appointed as independent director : ICICI Bank has appointed MD Mallya as an additional independent director on the board.Mallya in the past has served as the managing director & chairman of Bank of Baroda.Mallya’s tenure is for a period of 5 years, it is subjected to the approval of shareholders.Mallya was also engaged extensively with the government as Indian Banks’ Association chairman.

SPORTS:

1. Japan clinched the Uber Cup for the first time since 1981 : Japan’s women clinched the Uber Cup by defeating Thailand 3-0 to end a 37-year wait to regain the title.Thailand, who had entered the finals for the first time after shock win against China in the semifinals, lost the final against Japan team in both singles and doubles.The last time Japan clinched the Uber Cup title was back in 1981 and it comes as a major boost ahead of Tokyo Olympics in 2020.