Daily GK Updates - 2nd February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. LT Gen Rajeev Chopra takes over as Director-General of NCC : Lieutenant General Rajeev Chopra took over the reins of National Cadet Corps (NCC) as its Director General.Lt Gen Chopra (Commissioned in the Madras Regiment) is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.He has commanded a Brigade in Eastern Command and was Inspector General of HQ IGAR (South) in the insurgency-torn state of Manipur.

2. Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar assumes charge as Vice Chief of Naval Staff : Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar assumed charge as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.He served as the Navigating Officer of Indian Naval Ships Beas, Nilgiri, Ranvir and Vikrant.An alumnus of Sainik School, Amaravathi Nagar and National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, Pune, he was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 1982.

3.  Punjab Govt. approves ‘Smart Village Campaign’ worth of Rs 385 Crores : The Punjab government has approved a rural development scheme ‘Smart Village Campaign’ to supplement the ongoing works to build village infrastructure and provide essential amenities.The scheme would be financed with funds (Rs 384.40 crore) from the 14th Financial Commission and MGNREGA works.The objective of the ‘Smart Village Campaign’ to improving the condition of rural areas by supplementing the ongoing government schemes for building infrastructure and providing essential amenities.

4.  PM Narendra Modi launches two Railway projects in West Bengal : Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation, the Railway electrification of 294 kilometres long Andal- Sainthia-Pakur-Malda and Khana- Sainthia Sections in West Bengal. Electrification of this section will enable ease of transportation of coal, stone chips and ballast to North and North East India in a seamless manner.He will also dedicate the 20 kilometre-long Hijli- Narayangarh third line to the nation 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Suman Kumari becomes Pakistan’s first Hindu woman judge : Justice Suman Kumari has become the first Hindu woman in Pakistan to be appointed as a civil judge.Suman, who hails from Qambar-Shahdadkot.The first judge from the Hindu community was Justice Rana Bhagwandas (the acting chief justice between 2005 and 2007)Hinduism remains the second (only 2%) largest religion in Pakistanafter Islam.

2. 8th Annual Pulicat Day being observed today : 8th annual pulicat day being observed to create awareness among people about the importance of protecting the lagoon.The day is celebrated as the world wetlands day, with activities like catamaran race, rangoli competition, quiz and drawing competition for children, heritage walk and folklore programs.This year’s World Wetlands Day under the theme of “Wetlands and Climate Change”.It highlights the importance of healthy and intact wetlands to one of the most pressing challenges of our times: climate change

3. India bags the Award of Excellence for 'Best in Show' at New York : India received the award of excellence for ‘Best in Show’ during the Closing Bell Ceremony at New York Times Travel Show 2019(NYTTS 2019).It is the largest travel show in North America, held in New York, USA. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India participated as the ‘Presenting Partner’ in the New York Times Travel Show (NYTTS 2019).

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Govt. renames DIPP as Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade : In an official order, The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has been renamed as the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade with a mandate to deal with matters related to start-ups, facilitating ease of doing business among others.The order has been approved by President Ram Nath Kovind.The newly-named department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry will look into matters related to promotion of internal trade, including retail trade, welfare of traders and their employees, facilitating ease of doing business and start-ups.

SPORTS:

1. Qatar wins Asian Football Champions 2019 : Qatar national football team beat Japan 3-1 to win the AFC Asian Cup 2019 crown in Abu Dhabi.Ali Almoez, Abdel Aziz Hatim and Akram Afif scored to give Qatar national football team a 3-1 victory against Japan.Takumi Minamino scored for Japan.For the first time, the Asian Cup final tournament was contested by 24 teams.