Daily GK Updates - 31st January, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Piyush Goyal receives Carnot Prize 2018 : The Union Minister Piyush Goyal received the fourth annual Carnot Prize 2018 by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design.Piyush Goyal  decided to donate award money (USD 25,000) to International Solar Alliance to institute the Diwakar Award. The Diwakar award will recognise every year, an outstanding organisation that has been working for special children and maximising the use of solar energy.

2. Civil Aviation Ministry launches first GI Store in Goa : The Union Civil Aviation minister Suresh Prabhu has inaugurated country’s first Geographical Indication (GI) Store at International Airport at Dabolim, Goa.The store jointly set up by Airport Authority of India (AAI) and The Cashew Export Promotional Council of India (CEPCI).The GI stores will promote local products made by the artisans and handicrafts at the airport.Soon, AAI will sign an agreement with all the state Government in the country to promote their local produce at the airport.

3.  Telangana govt declares 2nd February to be appointing day : The Telangana government has declared 2nd February as 'appointing day' for the newly elected Sarpanches of the Gram Panchayats in the state.The Telangana State Election Commission has held elections to over 12000 Gram Panchayats and over 1 lakh 13 thousand wardmembers in three phases during the month following the High Court order.Over 34 thousand candidates contested for Sarpanch posts while over 2 lakh candidates competed forward members during these apolitical elections.

4. Alphons inaugurates First Swadesh Darshan project in Sikkim : The Union Minister for Tourism K J Alphons inaugurated the project “Development of North East Circuit” in Gangtok.The NE circuit consists of Rangpo– Rorathang- Aritar- Phadamchen- Nathang- Sherathang- Tsongmo - Gangtok-Phodong-Mangan-Lachung-Yumthang-Lachen-Thangu-Gurudongmer-Mangan-Gangtok-Tuminlingee-Singtam.

5. Power Minister RK Singh lays the foundation stone of Regional testing laboratory of CPRI :  The Union Minister Shri R K Singh laid the foundation stone of Regional testing laboratory of Central Power Research Institute(CPRI) at Nashik, Maharashtra.

Manufacturers in the western region will be greatly benefited as they can test their products close to their manufacturing units.This shall help the power utilities in the country to install reliable and quality equipment in the power system network. 

6. PM Modi dedicates National Salt Satyagraha Memorial to the nation : Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated grand and iconic ‘National Salt Satyagraha Memorial’ to the Nation at Dandi, Gujarat.The Memorial has been constructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) at Dandi (Gujarat) in commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.The memorial also has 24-narrative murals depicting various events and stories from the historic 1930 Salt March.It has been completed in 20 months and within the sanctioned amount of Rs. 72.23 crores.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Scientists create AI-based system that translates thoughts into speech : The first time, Scientists have created an artificial intelligence (AI) based system that directly translates thoughts into intelligible, recognisable speech. The research will help people who cannot speak regain their ability to communicate with the outside world.The technology developed by researchers from Columbia Universityin the United States can reconstruct the words a person hears with unprecedented clarity.

2. Africa Centre for Climate and Sustainable Development : ‘Africa Centre for Climate and Sustainable Development’ is set up by Italian Government in partnership with the United Nations to fight climate change and boost sustainable development in Africa.It is located near the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in central Rome.

3. World Leprosy Eradication Day 2019 : World Leprosy Eradication Day 2019 was observed on 30th January.Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) is a contagious infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. Theme is ‘Ending Discrimination, Stigma, and Prejudice’

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1.South India MSME Summit 2019 : South India MSME Summit 2019 will be held at Bengaluru.The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, a branch of the Government of India, is the apex body for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and laws relating to micro, small and medium enterprises in India.

SPORTS :

1. Pro Wrestling League : Haryana Hammers and Punjab Royals are in the Final of Pro Wrestling League.The Pro Wrestling League is an Indian sport wrestling promotion that was established in 2015. It was initiated by ProSportify and Wrestling Federation of India.Number of teams: 6 .Most recent champion(s): NCR Punjab Royals (2nd title).  Tournament format: League Format.