Daily GK Updates - 5th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Special postage stamp on Kumbh Mela released : Union Minister of state for Communications Mr Manoj Sinha has released a special postage stamp of the Indian Postal Department on Kumbh Mela.It is a commemorative postal stamp (cost-5 rupees) on Second Shahi Snan holy bath of Mauni Amavasya.Mr Sinha said the target to set up Passport Seva Kendra in all Lok Sabha constituencies will be achieved by end of this month.

2. 20th Bharat Rang Mahotsav inaugurated in New Delhi : Minister of State for Culture, Dr Mahesh Sharma has inaugurated the 21-day-long nationwide theatre spectacle ‘Bharat Rang Mahotsav’ in New Delhi.It is the international theatre festival of India, Organized by National School of Drama (NSD).The 20th BRM comes with 111 national and international acts in its basket that includes folk and other traditional theatre forms, invitee plays, and productions by the students of the National School of Drama.The National School of Drama (NSD) is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.

3. Kala Ghoda Arts festival inaugurated in Mumbai : India’s largest multi-cultural street festival ‘Kala Ghoda Arts Festival’(KGAF) begins in South Mumbai, Maharashtra.The theme of KGAF 2019 is retrospection. KGAF 2019 has been celebrated in two glorious decades of art and culture through cinema, theatre, dance, literature and sculpture. The festival will end on 10th February 2019.

4. ICT Academy Bridge 2019’ conference inaugurated in Tamil Nadu :  Dr M. Manikandan, Minister for Information Technology of Tamil Nadu has inaugurated ‘ICT Academy Bridge 2019’ conference in the city that The conference was organized under the theme “Fostering India for Industry 4.0”, by ICT Academy. It witnessed more than 1,000 participants from government, industry and academia.

5. CJI Ranjan Gogoi inaugurates Andhra Pradesh High Court : The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogai has inaugurated the new two-storied building of Andhra Pradesh High Court at Nelapadu in Amaravathy. Amaravati region has 16 court halls and the building costing Rs 150 Crore houses a 2.70 lakh square feet office space.Now, Andhra Pradesh is getting its own court four and half years after the state bifurcation.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. IORA meet on Disaster Risk Management : Twenty-two countries and nine dialogue partners of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) has been deliberated on developing a draft Work Plan for Disaster Risk Management in IORA at a meeting in New Delhi. They will also discuss the need for establishing a Disaster Risk Management Core Group to take forward the agreed objectives under the Work Plan.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. P V Bharathi appointed as the CEO of Corporation Bank :  PV Bharathi has taken charge as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Corporation BankEarlier, Bharathi (first woman CEO of the Corporation bank) was the Executive Director in Canara Bank.She joined as an officer in Canara Bank in 1982 and handled key responsibilities in branches, regional offices, circle offices and the head office.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2018-19 (Series 6) : The Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2018-19 (Series 6) has been opened from Monday (continue till 8th Feb 2019).  The issue price of the Bond during this sub ion period will be three thousand three hundred twenty-six rupees per gram with the settlement date of 1st of February. The Centre in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India has decided to allow a discount of 50 rupees per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and make the payment through digital mode.

SPORTS:

1. Smriti Mandhana becomes world No.1 women’s ODI batter : As per the latest rankings released by the ICC, Indian women’s cricket team left-handed opener ‘Smriti Mandhana’ (22-years) has become the number-1 batter in latest ICC ODI rankings. Earlier, she was named ICC Women’s Player of the Year 2018.Recently, she played a key role in India’s maiden ODI series on New Zealand soil.In the 15 ODIs, Smriti has played since the beginning of 2018, she has scored two centuries and eight half-centuries.