Daily GK Updates - 24th April, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. National Panchayati Raj Day - 24 April: National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated every year on 24th April by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Then Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh declared the first National Panchayati Raj Day on 24th April 2010. This day marks the passing of Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect from 24 April 1993. The Constitution of India recognizes Panchayats as 'Institutions of self-government'. It permits states to take steps to organize village panchayats and provide them with necessary powers and authority to help them to function as units of self-government.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

1. Russia Successfully Tests World's First Floating Nuclear Power Plant: Russia has successfully tested the world's first floating nuclear power plant (NPP), Akademik Lomonosov, a subsidiary of Rosatom nuclear corporation stated. Reactors of the floating atomic block were launched in November 2018. Russia Capital: Moscow, Currency: Russian ruble.

2. Israel to Name Town in Golan Heights after Donald Trump: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he would name a new community in the Golan Heights after US President Donald Trump, who officially recognised the disputed area as Israeli territory. Israel has also stated that in appreciation of the U.S. president, it intends to name a proposed train station near Jerusalem’s Western Wall after him. Israel captured the Golan from Syria in a 1967 war and annexed it, in a move not recognized internationally.

3. Indonesia Releases Special Stamp On Theme of Ramayana: Indonesia has released a special commemorative stamp on the theme of Ramayana to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic ties with India. The stamp is designed by renowned Indonesian sculptor Padmashri Bapak Nyoman Nuarta, featured a scene from Ramayana in which Jatayu valiantly fought to save Sita.  Indonesia Capital- Jakarta, Currency- Indonesian rupiah.

4. UAE's Hope Probe project bound for Mars is 85% complete: The UAE Space Agency and Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) have announced that 85% of the Hope Probe project has been completed. Currently undergoing intensive testing with less than 500 days are remaining for the launch. The probe is scheduled to reach Mars by 2021, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the UAE’s formation. With a successful launch, UAE hopes to become the first Arabic and Islamic country to make the Mars Mission dream a reality.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Government Raises Authorised Capital of Allahabad Bank To Rs 8,000 Crore: State-owned Allahabad Bank stated that the government has increased its authorised capital by Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 8,000 crore. The central government after consultation with the Reserve Bank of India increased the authorised capital of the bank. The increase in authorised capital will help enable the bank to raise further fund up to a maximum ceiling of Rs 8,000 crore.  Allahabad Bank MD and CEO: S. S. Mallikarjuna Rao, Headquarters: Kolkata.

2. Deposits in Jan Dhan Accounts Are Set to Cross Rs 1 Lakh Crore Mark: The total deposits in Jan Dhan Account are set to cross Rs 1 lakh crore soon. The scheme was launched on 28th August 2014 by the Modi-government with an aim to provide universal access to banking facilities to all households. On 3rd April, the total balance in the Jan Dhan accounts was at Rs 97,665.66 and the total number of Jan Dhan accounts crossed 35.39 crores. Also, more than 27.89 crores account holders have been issued the Rupay debit cards.

3. Uday Kumar Varma Resigns From Assocham Secretary General Post: Uday Kumar Varma, a former bureaucrat retired from the post of Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, resigned from the post of The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) Secretary-General. He had succeeded D S Rawat who held the position for nearly 14 years.

APPOINTMENTS

1. Karnam Sekar appointed as IOB's new MD & CEO: Karnam Sekar has been appointed as the new Managing Director(MD) and CEO of Indian Overseas Bank. Mr Sekar (from July 1, 2019) will take over from R Subramaniakumar. He was the MD & CEO of Dena Bank till September 2018. Earlier he was the Deputy Managing Director and Chief Credit Officer in State Bank of India heading its highest Credit Committee.

AWARDS

1. Malayalam film ‘Bhayanakam’ wins best cinematography award at Beijing International Film Festival: Malayalam film "Bhayanakam" (English: Fear) has won the best cinematography award at the 2019 Beijing International Film Festival in China. The cinematography was done by Nikihil S Praveen and directed by Jayaraj. The film had also won the best cinematography award at the 65th National Film Awards. The film portrays the visits of first World War veteran to a small village in the backwaters of Kerala's Kuttanand as a postman during the World War-II.

SPORTS

1. Bajrang Punia Wins Gold In Asian Wrestling Championship: World number one Bajrang Punia won gold at Asian Wrestling Championship in China's Xian. He defeated Kazakhstan's Sayatbek Okassov in a nail-biting 65kg men's freestyle final. It is Bajrang's second gold at this championship, having won one in 2017. Parveen Ranasecured a silver medal. Satywart Kadian picked a bronze medal defeating Haobin Gao of China.