Daily GK Updates - 15th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. EC launched ‘C-vigil’ app : The Election Commission of India is introducing the unique internet based mobile app C-vigil in the upcoming assembly polls.The ‘C-vigil stands for citizens vigil’ and will be operationalized for the first time as a pilot project.The C-Vigil mobile application gives the common man the opportunity to click pictures and take videos of violations and send it to concerned election officers.

2. Air Quality Warning System launched in Delhi : Earth Sciences Minister Dr Harshvardhan unveiled an Air Quality early warning system for Delhi region, in New Delhi.The system will help combat air pollution in Delhi by getting information 2-5 days in advance.The system has been developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting and India Meteorological Department.

3. Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas : Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas is observed on 15 October in India.The day is being celebrated to increase the active participation of women in agriculture.In 2016, the Ministry of Agriculture had decided to observe 15th October as Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas.The Ministry will discuss the challenges that women farmers face in crop cultivation, animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries.

4. IRCTC launched AI chatbot ‘Ask Disha’ : The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) launched a chatbot, Ask Disha.It is aimed at facilitating accessibility by answering users’ queries pertaining to various services offered by IRCTC.Ask Disha- is powered by artificial intelligence (AI).The Ask Disha chatbot has been developed by IRCTC and CoRover Private Limited.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. International Day of Rural Women on 15 Oct : International Day of Rural Women is observed on 15 October every year.The day recognizes rural women’s importance in enhancing agricultural and rural development worldwide.The theme for the year 2018 is “Sustainable infrastructure, services and social protection for gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls”.

2. India and China to train Afghan diplomats : India and China have launched their first joint programme for Afghanistan to train its diplomats.An understanding to launch a joint programme in Afghanistan was reached during an informal summit between India and China in April 2018.10 Afghan Diplomats will be travelling to India for the 1st India-China joint training programme for Afghan diplomats.3. India and Sri Lanka sign two MoU : India and Sri Lanka signed two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for construction of 1200 houses through 50 model villages, using Indian grant assistance of 60 crore Srilankan rupees.The project will target low income landless and homeless beneficiaries.As per the new MoUs, 600 houses each will be constructed in the Southern and Northern Provinces of Sri Lanka

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. WPI inflation rises to 5.13% in September : Wholesale inflation based on the wholesale price index (WPI) stood at 5.13% in September 2018 as compared to 4.53% in August 2018.WPI increased mainly due to the rise in the cost of petrol and diesel.Food articles witnessed hardening of prices with deflation at 0.21% in September as against 4.04% in August.The WPI is published by the Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

DEFENCE:

1. Indian Navy acquired DSRVs : Indian Navy has inducted its first Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRVs)It is deployed to rescue the drowned or disaster-struck submarines at high sea.At present, the US, China, Russia and a few other countries have the capabilities to deploy DSRVs.The second DSRV is expected to be inducted at Visakhapatnam in 2019.

SPORTS:

1. India men, women hockey teams won silver medal : India men’s and women’s team won silver medals each in the Hockey competition at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.Men’s hockey team was defeated by Malaysia and Women’s hockey team was defeated by Argentina.India are 10th in the medals tally with Russia leading the way (43) ahead of Hungary (21) and China (25).

2. Great Britain won Sultan Johar Cup : In Hockey, Great Britain won the 2018 Sultan of Johor Cup in Johar Bahru, Malaysia.Great Britain defeated India in the final.India settled for the silver medal at the eighth Sultan of Johor Cup U-18 hockey tournament.The other teams in the tournament were Japan, Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand.