Daily GK Updates - 5th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.India’s first dolphin research centre to come up soon in Patna : The National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC), India’s and Asia’s first, would be set up in Patna (Bihar).The NDRC is likely to be set up next month on the banks of the Ganga river in the Patna University premises.It will play an important role in strengthening conservation efforts and research to save the endangered mammal.

2.The Union Cabinet approves Bhopal & Indore Metro Rail Project : The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved implementation of Bhopal Metro Rail Project and Indore Metro Rail Project. Bhopal Metro Rail Project comprising two corridors of total length 27.87 Km, Karond Circle to AIIMS (14.99 Km) and Bhadbhada Square to RatnagiriTiraha (12.88 Km).Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Co Ltd. (MPMRCL) has been constituted for implementation of the Bhopal Metro Rail Project. Bhopal Metro Rail Project will be partly from GoI and GoMP on an equal equity basis and partly as a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

3.Assam govt to provide 1 lakh shallow tube wells to farmers :  According to the Assam’s Agriculture Director M S Manivannan, the state government will provide 1 lakh shallow tube wells to small and marginal farmers to help in irrigating farmland.11 thousand solars, 60 thousand diesel and 30 thousand electric shallow tube wells to be distributed within this year.These shallow tube wells would help in irrigating farmland.The Assam government decided to give the premium of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna on behalf of the farmers.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Indian International Science Festival begins in Lucknow : A four-day Indian International Science Festival (IISF)2018 has started at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh).The theme of this year's festival is ‘science for transformation’.Around ten thousand scientists and experts, including science teachers and students, are participating in the event.IISF 2018 is being organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences in association with Vijnana Bharati.The 1st IISF was held at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) New Delhi in December 2015.

2. 5th October: World Teachers’ Day : The World Teachers’ Day (WTD) 2018 is being observed across the world on 5th October (since 1994) to honors educator's associations around the world.For 2018, the UNESCO adopted the theme: "The right to education means the right to a qualified teacher.”According to UNESCO, World Teachers' Day represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding, and appreciation displayed for the vital contributions that teachers make to education and development.

3. Sanjay Verma appointed as India's Ambassador to Spain : According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Senior diplomat Sanjay Verma (Indian Foreign Service officer -1990) has been appointed as India's Ambassador to Spain.Currently, He is Additional Secretary in the ministry.Arindam Bagchi (IFS official -1995 batch) has been appointed as the next Indian Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. RBI allows state-owned oil companies to borrow long-term working capital from overseas :  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed state-owned oil companies to borrow long-term working capital from overseas.RBI relaxed the policy on borrowing up to 10 billion US dollar from the overseas by the state-owned fuel retailers.Earlier, oil marketing companies including Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd, were not allowed to raise external commercial commercial borrowing (ECB) for working capital needs on a long-term basis.

2.Chanda Kochhar quits ICICI Bank : ICICI Bank managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) Chanda Kochhar (56-year) quit the bank. She quit the post six months before her current tenure was to end (31^stMarch 2019).ICICI Bank board has elevated Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sandeep Bakhshi as the new managing director and CEO for five years (until 3rd October 2023). There are allegations of involvement of Kochhar and her family members in a loan provided to Videocon group on a quid pro quo basis borrowing (ECB) for working capital needs on a long-term basis.

SPORTS:

1. Manipur clinch Women’s National Football Championship crown : Manipur claimed victory in the final of the 24th Senior Women's National Football Championships, defeating Odisha (hosts) in the summit clash by a 2-1 margin, at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha.The result marked the 19th occasion that the state from the northeast of India won the trophy.