Daily GK Updates - 18th January, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  PM Modi inaugurates 9th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Gandhinagar : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the three-days 9th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat (18–20 January 2019).Five countries Heads and more than 30,000 national and international delegates, including CEOs of major companies from India and abroad, are attending the event.There will be an exclusive Round-table Interaction of Prime Minister with Sovereign Wealth Funds, Pension Funds and Institutional Investors.

2. President Kovind inaugurates Gandhian Resurgence Summit at Prayagraj Kumbh :  President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the three- day Gandhian Resurgence Summit at Parmarth Niketan camp at the ongoing Prayagraj Kumbh.About 300 Gandhians from different parts of the country and organisations are participating in the Summit.  Earlier, First Lady Ms Savita Kovind honoured 9 women from traditional boat community for their contribution to the Kumbh. More than one thousand CCTV cameras have been installed in the Mela for the purpose.

3. Suresh Prabhu inaugurated the 10th edition of the India Rubber Expo – 2019 : The Union Minister for Commerce and Industries, Suresh Prabhuhas inaugurated the 10th edition of the India Rubber Expo - 2019(Asia's largest rubber expo) in Mumbai.The event offers a unique opportunity for Indian companies to meet and collaborate with overseas companies.The rubber industry will continue to grow faster, create more employment opportunities, increase exports and add to the economic output of India.The government is working on a comprehensive technologystrategy to increase India’s economy and improve ease of doing business at the micro level.

4. Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates ISRO's UNNATI programme in Bengaluru : The Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has inaugurated the UNNATI- (Unispace Nanosatellite Assembly & Training) programme organized by ISRO in Bengaluru.

ISRO will train 90 officials from 45 countries in three batches.The course will include theoretical work, as well as training on assembly, integration and testing of nano-satellites.UNNATI is an initiative by ISRO to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first United Nations conference on the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space (UNISPACE-50).

5.  BES EXPO 2019 begins in New Delhi : Amit Khare (Information and Broadcasting Secretary) and R S Sharma (TRAI Chairman) jointly inaugurated the 25th International conference and exhibition on terrestrial and satellite broadcasting ‘BES EXPO 2019’ in New Delhi.Around 300 companies (from 25 countries) are displaying their products at the Expo. On the occasion, an exhibitor's directory was released by the dignitaries and BES awards were presented to the winners.

6. Prabhat Singh appointed DG in NHRC : According to the Personnel Ministry order, Senior IPS officer Prabhat Singh has been appointed as Director General (Investigation) in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) (till 30th April 2020)Currently, Prabhat Singh is Special Director, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).S N Pradhan (1988 batch IPS officer - Jharkhand cadre) has been appointed Director General (DG) of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 2nd World Orange Festival begins in Nagpur today : the second World Orange Festival has been organised in the city of Oranges Nagpur (18th-21st Jan 2019).The festival will showcase and brand the exquisite fruit in order to boost its export.Agricultural experts and scientists from various countries will participate in the workshops and guide farmers.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE:

1. India-Myanmar joint training exercise begins in Chandimandir : India-Myanmar bilateral army exercise ‘IMBEX 2018-19’ (2nd edition) commenced at Chandimandir Military Station at Chandigarh.The aim of this six days joint training programme is to train the Myanmar delegation for participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations under the UN flag.The exercise includes the participation of 15 officers from the Myanmar Army and 15 officers from the Indian Army.